A student’s guide to Prague's Holešovice district

The university-age population has exploded in Prague and many international and Czech students are drawn to one neighborhood in particular for its urban appeal and comfortable distance from the city-center masses: Holešovice. But don't take our word for it. In 2020, Time Out magazine listed it as one of the 40 coolest neighborhoods in the world (Holešovice came in at a cool #20).

So what is it that attracts students to the area and why is Holešovice a great place to live? We took this question to the residents of THE FIZZ Prague's award-winning student accommodation. Located a stone’s throw away from the Nádraží Holešovice metro station and boasting a staggering 539 units, THE FIZZ pioneered the concept of student living in locations across Europe. Here are their students' picks for where to hang out in Prague's former meatpacking district.

In an already crowded housing market, navigating an apartment search, landlord scams, and complicated leasing agreements can be a student’s worst nightmare. Fortunately, THE FIZZ Prague alleviates the anxiety of that part of the student experience. A thoughtfully designed living concept from beginning to end: here residents find not only furnished apartments where they can focus and relax, but also versatile common spaces for shared experiences and networking, have an access to an international community and receive an individualized service provided by house management.

The brand new state-of-the-art location opened in 2020, and it contains a study room, gaming corner, movie theater, community kitchen, and sky lounge on the seventh floor. But don’t call this a dormitory. THE FIZZ Prague contains fully equipped normal-sized apartments (complete with private kitchens and bathrooms) in a variety of styles. 

THE FIZZ Prague received first place in the hotel category of the 2020 “Best of Realty” Awards. And with over 40 nationalities represented under one roof, it’s pretty rich in diversity.

Plus, the amenities don’t stop at the facility itself. The community atmosphere is a feature too. Current resident Josep Marqués said, “THE FIZZ is a perfect place to live thanks to all the House Management team we have. They organize parties, game events, football...plenty of activities that we love.”

This lush Czech-language bookshop, standing on the site of the original Globe café, has friendly English-speaking staff, comfortable chairs, and well-lit bay window booths, where you can crack open your reading materials and enjoy a coffee, beer, or a glass of wine for hours at a time. Plus there’s free wifi and well-placed electric outlets, and they’re open until midnight. Perfect for late-night cramming sessions for that early morning exam.

Barry Higgel's is a hidden gem of a coffee shop tucked in a quiet Holešovice street. With its clean, minimalist look, beans from local roasters The Miners, young international clientele, and friendly English-speaking staff this hipster haven is frequently described as "a piece of London in Prague."

Prague Market

The recently revitalized Prague Market (Pražská tržnice) is a lively marketplace located in a historical set of buildings that were part of a former slaughterhouse near the Vltava River. The space is also a vibrant cultural center, and it’s conveniently open year-round. Here you'll find a farmer's market that's opening, a food truck zone, performance venue Jatka78, and a regular roster of events and exhibits.

This giant functioning metronome in the middle of Letná Park (proximity to Prague's two most beloved green spaces, Letná and Stromovka, is another reason to love the neighborhood), weighs in at 7 tons and stands at 75 feet tall. Once occupied by a statue of Joseph Stalin that was demolished in 1962, today, it’s a chill zone and skater haven where people enjoy an outdoor pivo and events as well as a breathtaking view of the Vltava and city center.

Whether you just want to chill out with some drinks, grab a quick bite, or dance, Cross Club is a steampunk-themed combo of art installation and bar with multiple floors and possibly the best electronic music in the city. So you can dance until dawn. And the best part? It’s cheap. Some people complain that the staff is abrupt. But don’t that deter you. They’re not grumpy, they’re Czech. The smile isn’t on their face, it’s in their heart. Honorable mention: Bar Cobra for its mezze plates and great selection of wines and cocktails.

So your full night of partying is over, and it's time to refuel. No problem. Bistro 8 doesn’t play around. Their brunch menu includes an aptly named Lumberjack plate, and their French toast with mascarpone is big enough to need an extra stomach. The menu of local and seasonal ingredients includes something for every lifestyle so visitors will always find something vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free.

The small but vibrant Veverkova street is Holešovice’s mini-hub for shoppers (and if you're on a student's budget you can also find loads of thrift treasure in the surrounding area. Check out Recycle With Love, and nearby Kuzmarkt and Scoro Coro for vintage finds. Honorable mention: Vnitroblok a unique industrial-chic gallery and concept store with food and drink options galore.

A former factory space, the DOX Centre for Contemporary Art is no ordinary museum. It’s the largest independent institution focusing on contemporary art in the Czech Republic that also regularly hosts performances, events, discussions, readings, workshops, concerts, and film screenings many of them in a wooden zeppelin, called Gulliver's Airship, that appears to have crash-landed on the museum's roof. Whether your go solo, with friends, or on a date, a trip to DOX is always a good idea. Honorable mentions: Trafo Gallery and Chemistry Gallery (located in the Prague Market) have indie art-scene appeal.

If you saw the horror films “Escape Room” and the sequel “Escape Room: Tournament of Champions”, you’re already familiar with the concept. It’s a game in which a team of two or more players discover clues, solve puzzles, and complete tasks with the goal of escaping a locked room in a pre-set amount of time. These games have been popular in North America and Asia, but in the past few years, they have exploded all over Prague. Run Away features seven complex rooms to keep you and your crew entertained (and unlike the film series, you won’t die in a gruesome “Saw” franchise-style homage if you don’t free yourself before the clock runs out)!

This article was written in association with The FIZZ. To read more about our partner content policies see here.