Where to stay in Prague for first-time tourists

Prague lures millions of tourists each year with its World Heritage-listed medieval city center--a labyrinth of narrow lanes, bridges, cathedrals, and palaces overlooked by a thousand-year-old castle. Founded in the 9th century, the city once thrived as the seat of Bohemian kings and Holy Roman Emperors. Infused with the old-fashioned charm of a sophisticated European city, Prague remains one of the continent's major economic and political centers. The city boasts numerous internationally significant museums, galleries, and theaters, yet the locals often claim one of their most significant contributions to the world remains Prague's many different brands of beer. Test their claim by exploring the city's pubs, which provide a place for mingling and soaking up the local color.