Time Out ranks Prague's Holešovice district as world's 20th coolest neighborhood

In a new list of the 40 coolest neighborhoods across the world, Time Out has ranked Prague 7 district Holešovice at #20.

Holešovice joins New Town in 2019 and Karlín in 2018 in representing the Czech capital on the list, which has been published annually for the past three years.

This year, however, things across the globe are a little different. Time Out's editors have added a few new questions to their survey of 38,000 city residents across the globe to reflect what, exactly, being cool means in 2020.

In addition to the usual factors of local culture, food, and fun, Time Out has also surveyed residents on their city districts' sense of community spirit during troubling times.

"With global travel in disarray, this year our annual list of the world's coolest neighborhoods is less about planning your next trip and more about celebrating the hotspots that are pointing the way forward for city life," Time Out international editor James Manning said in a press release.

"In tough times, neighborhoods are more important than ever – and these are places where the soul of the city is on full display, thanks to independent businesses, local culture and community initiatives. Consider this list a worldwide shout-out to the strength, spirit and resilience of city-dwellers."

To that end, Holešovice has been chosen to represent Prague for 2020. And at #20, the neighborhood has ranked considerably higher on the list than New Town (#49) and Karlín (#38) have in past years.

"Only slightly removed from the historic center, Prague’s Holešovice district teems with bars, cafés, cultural venues and some of the city’s most beloved green spaces, including many an overflowing beer garden. Spurred on by a mix of artists, young families and even a gaggle of cyberpunks, the area’s recent revival comes thanks to a big package of support from the progressive local government, and its rebranding as the Czech capital’s official ‘art district’," Amanda Bell writes for Time Out.

"Letná Park, the neighborhood’s focal point, is home to Prague’s most picturesque beer garden and a huge cultural complex that thrives in summer, as well as a 75-foot-tall functioning metronome marks the spot where the world’s largest Stalin statue once stood. Don’t miss DOX, an impressive 3,000-square-metre contemporary art gallery, complete with its own wooden zeppelin. And for bonus novelty points, grab a coffee at Paralelni Polis, the first café in the world to accept payment using solely bitcoin."

Other Holešovice hotspots not to miss: the spacious Stromovka park, a favorite among runners and families; hip art cinema Bio Oko; the exhibition grounds of Výstaviště, home to numerous cultural events; and Prague Market, which is currently transitioning in efforts to become the city's definitive marketplace.

Holešovice has been getting some good press for its cool factor this year. Back in February, The Guardian ranked the Prague district in their list of the top 10 coolest neighborhoods in Europe.

Looking ahead for some travel inspiration during better times? These are Time Out's 40 coolest neighborhoods for 2020.