Choose from 89 Fun Things to Do in Prague
ShowingFilter 21-40 of 89 listings.
Mucha Museum
Dedicated to the delicate Art Nouveau talents of Czech artist Alphonse Mucha (1860-1939), the Mucha Museum is located in the Kaunický Palace, itself built in Baroque style in the early 18th century. A must for all fans of Art Nouveau, the museum hosts the world’s best exhibition of Mucha’s intricate posters, decorative panels, lithographs and sketches, typically of blue-eyed, flowing-haired Slavic beauties.
Many of the posters on display were completed while Mucha lived in Paris between 1895 and 1904, and several advertised productions starring the famous actress Sarah Bernhardt. Photos taken during these years at his notorious Paris studio reveal gatherings of the great and good of the Belle Epoque, including one of Expressionist artist Paul Gauguin minus his trousers. Visits to the museum round off with a fascinating and in-depth 30-minute documentary on Mucha’s life.
Guided tours of the Mucha Museum are available in several languages and should be booked seven days in advance. Fans of Mucha can also see his work in the stained-glass windows of St Vitus Cathedral and at Prague’s landmark Art Nouveau Municipal House.
Practical Info
Open daily 10am–6pm. Admission for adults is 240 CZK; seniors, students and children is 160 CZK; family tickets are 600 CZK. Guided tours are 500 CZK per guide. For transportation, take Metro Lines A and C to Muzeum or trams 3, 9, 14 or 24 to Jindřišská.
Address: Kaunický Palác, Panská 7, Prague 1, Central Bohemian Region 110 00, Czech Republic
Hours: Daily 10am–6pm
Admission: adults 240 CZK; seniors, students & children 160 CZK
From $ 35
National Technical Museum
Prague’s National Technical Museum (Národní Technické Museum) was established in 1908 but moved in 1948 to an austere, Modernist purpose-built museum designed by architect Milan Babuška and found north of the city center near Letná Park. Its role is to monitor and showcase the development of technology across the years, and following a long-standing reconstruction project that saw the collections expanded, the museum reopened back in 2013. It now has 14 impressive science-based permanent exhibits spread over six floors, with three being underground.
Highlights of the astronomical, photographic and design displays include a photographic studio kitted out with historic cameras; printing presses from the 17th and 18th centuries; and a 5,000-year-old meteorite. The undoubted star of the show, however, is the massive Transport Hall, which is stuffed with vintage Czech planes, racing cars, trains, fire engines and bicycles. Probably of less interest to youngsters but nevertheless fascinating is the peerless collection of architectural records documenting the development of Prague over the last 100 years, from the Art Nouveau grace of the early 20th century to the Socialist Realism of the post-war, Communist years.
Practical Info
The museum is open Tue–Fri 9am–5:30pm, Sat–Sun 10am–6pm. Admission for adults is CZK 190; seniors, students & children are CZK 90; family tickets are CZK 420; children younger than 6 go free. For public trasnportation, take the tram to Letenské náměstí, Metro Line A to Hradčanská or Line C to Vltavská.
Address: Kostelní 42, Prague, Central Bohemia 170 78, Czech Republic
Hours: Tue–Fri 9am–5:30pm, Sat–Sun 10am–6pm
Admission: Adults: CZK 190; Children: CZK 90
From $ 35
Museum Kampa
Museum Kampa is one of Prague’s most charming museums and exhibits contemporary European art in the shiny-white, medieval Sova Mill, which sits on the Vltava bankside on cute-as-pie Kampa Island. The exhibitions are formed from the private collections of Jan and Meda Mládek, Czech art connoisseurs who gifted their stellar artworks to the country in 1999. Among the highlights of the collections are chunky bronzes of the human form by early 20th-century Cubist sculptor Otto Gutfreund and the world’s finest mass of works by pioneering abstract artist František Kupka.
Several temporary exhibitions of European artists take place throughout the year —Yoko Ono and Andy Warhol have both been featured there — and an ever-changing series of wacky art installations scatter the grounds of Sova Mill, which could range from a vast chair to an oversized bright-red plastic dog or ranks of yellow penguins lined up along the breakwater.
First mentioned in 1393, Sova Mill is itself worthy of interest as the oldest watermill on Kampa Island. It was converted into a two-story, Neo-Gothic mansion in the 19th for a wealthy milling family called Odkolek, and was reworked again by architect Helena Bukovanska, with the help of several other Czech designers, before the museum opened in 2003. From the glass rooftop terrace, there is a spectacular view of Prague Castle and the statuary of Charles Bridge.
Practical Info
Open daily 10am–6pm. Admission for adults is 240 CZK; seniors, students and children aged more than 6 are 120 CZK; less than 6 go free. Entry is free with the Prague Welcome Card. For transportation, take trams 12, 20 or 22 to Hellichova.
Address: U Sovových mlýnů 2, Malá Strana, Prague, Central Bohemian Region, Czech Republic
Hours: Daily 10am–6pm
Admission: Adults: 240 CZK; Seniors, Students and Children (over 6): 120 CZK; under 6 free
From $ 35
Musaion
Prague’s surprisingly strong ethnographic museum is run by the National Museum (Národní muzeum) and located in a vast and romantic palace known as Kinsky Folly; it was built in 1831 by architect Heinrich Koch and sits amid the glories of Kinský Gardens. The thoughtfully curated exhibitions give an insight into life in rural Czech communities over the last 300 years and cover folk culture and art, music and costume.
As part of the permanent exhibitions ranging from agricultural implements on an historic farm to intricately embroidered wedding dresses, the Musaion has a fascinating display showcasing the annual religious and spiritual rituals of rural Bohemia and Moravia, from Advent masks to shaggy Shrovetide costumes and handcrafted Nativity crèches. There are frequent workshops demonstrating artisan crafts such as pottery and woodcarving, and regular concerts of traditional folk music.
In the Kinský Gardens surrounding the museum are reconstructions of a pagoda-like ornate 17th-century timber church from Wallachia and a Baroque shrine from the nearby urban district of Žižkov.
After a visit to the Musaion, walk through the Kinský Gardens to Petřín Hill for gorgeous views over the city and the Vltava River before heading on to Prague Castle.
Practical Info
The Musaion is open Tue–Sun 10am–6pm. Admission for adults is CZK 70; children are CZK 40. Admission is also free with the Prague Welcome Card. To visit via public transportation, take tram 9, 12, 15 or 20 to Švandovo divadlo, bus 176 to Kobrova or the Petřín Hill funicular.
Address: Kinského zahrada 98, Smíchov, Prague 5, Central Bohemia 150 00, Czech Republic
Hours: Tue–Sun 10am–6pm
Admission: Adults CZK 70; Children CZK 40. Free with the Prague Welcome Card
From $ 35
Letná Park
Letná Park is a large urban park built on Letná Hill, offering commanding views of Prague’s Old Town, including the Vltava River. It’s a popular place for skateboarders, rollerbladers, and cyclists, although the park is large enough that visitors can also relax with a picnic on its grassy areas or tree-lined avenue in peace.
Those looking for refreshment can stop for a drink in the popular beer garden here, which is always teeming with visitors during the summer months. For coffee and cake, or perhaps an evening meal, head to the Hanavský Pavilion; this cast-iron, pseudo-Baroque building was constructed at the end of the 19th century and provides some of the best views of the city from its terraces.
The giant arm of the Prague Metronome has been swinging back and forth in Letná Park since its construction in 1991. This unique monument sits on the site where a large statue of Joseph Stalin was erected in 1955. The statue was destroyed in 1962, and now the Metronome takes its place upon a marble plinth that was used as the base for the original monument.
Practical Info
To reach Letná Park, take metro Line A to Malostranska station, or take tram number 5 or 17 to the Čechův most stop.
Address: Letenské sady, Prague 170 00, Czech Republic
From $ 12
Loreta
Located in Hradčany near Prague Castle, the ornate, gleaming white Loreta is a Baroque jewel constructed around several courtyards and surrounded by cloisters and chapels. Topped with a copper spire, the monastery was built between 1626 and 1631 at the behest of Baroness Beligna Katherina von Lobkowicz; it was designed by Bohemian architects and is still occupied today by an order of Capuchin monks.
The complex is one of the foremost pilgrim destinations in Bohemia, thanks to its replica of the Holy House (Santa Casa) of the Virgin Mary, copied from the original humble abode she occupied in Nazareth. The Loreta's shrine is made of simple brickwork on its interior and is encased in carved stone bas-reliefs depicting scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary. The church itself is in flamboyantly overblown Baroque styling, while the monastery is also much visited for its fine collection of donated liturgical treasures, including chalices, crucifixes and artwork. The standout piece is the Prague Sun, a monstrance encrusted with 6,222 diamonds that is the handiwork of Viennese Baroque master-craftsman Johann Bernard Fischer of Ehrlach. The church is equally famous for its 27-bell carillon, which rings out across Hradčany on the hour every hour between 9am and 6pm.
Practical Info
The Loreta is open in April through October from 9am to 5pm and from November through March from 9:30am to 4pm. Admission costs CZK 150 for adults, CZK 130 for seniors and CZK 110 for students. The site is best accessed on foot, sitting just a few minutes' walk from Prague Castle. Otherwise, tram No. 22 can be taken to Pohořelec.
Address: Loretánské námesti 7, Hradčany, Prague, Central Bohemia, Czech Republic 118 00, Czech Republic
Hours: Daily Apr–Oct 9am–5pm; Nov–Mar 9:30am–4pm
Admission: Adults: CZK 150; Seniors: CZK 130; Family Tickets: CZK 310
From $ 12
Maisel Synagogue
The Maisel Synagogue was built in 1592 in the heart of Prague’s Jewish Ghetto. It was funded by Mordecai Maisel, the Mayor of Jewish Prague, and its original design was Renaissance in appearance; the synagogue burnt down during a ghetto fire in 1689 and was rebuilt in its current, spindly Neo-Gothic form by architect Alfred Grotte (who died in Terezin in 1944) between 1893 and 1905.
During World War II, the Maisel became the storehouse for thousands of priceless artworks stolen from synagogues across former Czechoslovakia — most were restored to their rightful owners in the 1960s. Today the synagogue is administered by the Jewish Museum in Prague (Židovské museum v Praze), which also overseas the Pinkas, Spanish and Klausen synagogues, the Old Jewish Cemetery and several other sites of importance to Prague’s Jewish community. It can be visited on many walking tours of Jewish Prague and one admission ticket covers entrance to all.
The elaborately carved, vaulted interior of the synagogue doubles as a museum by day and a music venue by night; the permanent exhibition showcases the history of Jews in Bohemia between the 10th and 18th centuries, which is illustrated by displays of Torahs and menorahs, Hebrew manuscripts and models of the Jewish Ghetto, complemented by touch-screen panels providing historic context and a fascinating computer-generated audio-visual tour of Jewish Prague in the early 19th century. At night the synagogue becomes a popular location for concerts and plays.
Practical Info
Open Jan–Mar 25, Oct 30–Dec Sun–Fri 9am–4.30pm; Mar 27–Oct 28 Sun–Fri 9am–6pm. Closed on Jewish holidays. Admission for adults is 300 CZK; students and children less than 15 200 CZK; disability cardholders 50 CZK; children less than 6 go free. Price includes entry into Pinkas Synagogue, Spanish Synagogue, Klausen Synagogue, Old Jewish Cemetery, Ceremonial Hall and Robert Guttmann Gallery; tickets are valid for one week. Free with Prague Welcome Card. The synagogue is a five-minute walk from Old Town Square or Metro Line A to Staroměstská.
Address: Maiselova 10, Prague 110 00, Czech Republic
Hours: Jan–Mar 25, Oct 30–Dec Sun–Fri 9am–4:30pm; Mar 27–Oct 28 Sun–Fri 9am–6pm. Closed on Jewish holidays.
Admission: Adults: 300CZK; Students and Children less than 15: 200CZK; Children less than 6: Free
From $ 40
Náprstek Museum
Run as part of Prague’s multi-faceted National Museum (Národní muzeum), the Náprstek houses the city’s fascinating repository of non-European treasures. The collection was founded by the Czech explorer and industrialist Vojta Náprstek (1826–1894) and since 1921 has been located in a fine Baroque former brewery known as U Halánků in Prague's Old Town.
Bringing alive the ancient cultures of Asian, African, and American art with vibrant displays of death masks, costumes, ceramics, fine art, coins, and jewelry, highlights of the museum include primitive wooden masks and ornately painted shields from tribal Africa; dugout sealskin canoes and decorative totem poles from North America; and brightly painted toys from Japan. Temporary exhibitions are chosen from the museum’s rich collection of 95,000 artifacts and are supported by an excellent collection of historic photographs.
Practical Info
The Náprstek Museum is located in Prague's old town, and is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10am to 6pm. It opens one hour early on Wednesdays at 9am. To reach the museum, take Metro Line B to Národní třída or tram 6, 9, 18, 22 or 23 to Národní.Náprstek Museum.
Admission to the museum costs CZK 100 for adults; CZK 30 for seniors; CZK 70 for students and youth; and CZK 170 for a family pass. Visitors holding the Prague Welcome Card enter free.
Address: Betlémské náměstí 1, Prague 1, Central Bohemia 110 00, Czech Republic
Hours: Tue, Thur–Sun: 10am–6pm; Wed: 9am–6pm
Admission: Varies
From $ 35
Konopiste Chateau
Built in the 13th century, the Konopiště Chateau was originally built in the Early Gothic era on the model of a French castellum near Prague. Renaissance and Baroque reconstruction changed the castle into a grand stately home. At the end of the 19th century Konopiště Chateau was refurbished in the Romantic style for Franz Ferdinand d'Este, successor to the Habsburg throne, and famous for his death in 1914 which acted as a pretext for the start of WWI.
The chateau offers a fine display of furniture, drape tapestries, sculptures, paintings and a cornucopia of hunting trophies. There is also a baroque rose garden and a greenhouse.
Practical Info
You can catch a train or a bus to Benešov. From there it is a short walk to the Konopiště Chateau along a marked path.
Address: Benešov, Czech Republic
Hours: Usually 9am - 12pm, 1pm - 3pm. Closed Dec - Mar; in Nov open only for groups of 10+
Admission: General admission: Kč 200. Other attractions have separate fees
From $ 46
Klementinum
Sitting right next to the Charles Bridge on the eastern flank of the Vltava River, the Klementinum (Clementinum) is a vast complex of buildings covering fives acres (two hectares). It started life in 1232 as a place of learning for medieval scholars before becoming a Jesuit monastery in 1556. For the next two centuries, it slowly expanded into one of the biggest learning centers in Europe, featuring an astronomical observatory, baroque libraries smothered with frescoes, and ornate apartments full of marble and gilt. It then served as a university with study rooms, lecture halls, and dormitories until around 1930 when the Klementinum became the Czech National Library—20,000 books and manuscripts are housed in the Baroque Library Hall, which is a masterpiece of 17th-century frescoes by Jan Hiebl.
Equally startling is the Mirror Chapel. Designed in 1724 and also rich in flamboyant baroque flourishes, the chapel serves as a venue for nightly classical concerts and features an organ played by Mozart. The Klementinum’s Astronomical Tower offers some of the best views of Prague and the river (it’s an arduous, 172-step climb up, however), while the site's two churches are widely considered to be the best examples of baroque architecture in the city.
Practical Info
The Klementinum is open daily from 10am to 4:30pm for guided tours only. The site is easily reached on foot from Prague's Old Town.
Address: Karlova 1, Prague 1, Central Bohemia 110 00, Czech Republic
Hours: Daily 10am–4.30pm
Admission: CZK 220
From $ 35
Koneprusy Caves
Less than 20 miles from Prague is the longest known system of caves in the Bohemia region of the Czech Republic. The Koneprusy Caves were discovered in 1950 and originate from 400 million year old Devon calcite rocks. They consist of three levels that are 230 feet below ground level, and the caves are more than 1.25 miles long. In the winter months, bats live in the caves.
The section visitors can access is more than 2,000 feet long. In the 15th century, the top level was a secret workshop for people who forged money. Throughout the caves, visitors can see unique decorations consisting of opal as well as many excavations that depict millions of years of natural history. Tours through the caves allow visitors the chance to see fascinating precipices, bottomless canyons, vertical cliffs, and huge drip stone caverns. Some of the formations, which look like roses, are over a million years old and were formed when the region had a tropical climate.
Practical Info
Koneprusy Caves are located in Beroun about 18 miles from Prague. They are closed from December through March.
Address: 266 01 Koneprusy, Czech Republic
Hours: April-June 8am-4pm
July-August 8am-5pm
September 8am-4pm
October 8:30am-3pm
November 9am, 11am, 2pm
From $ 105
Krizik Fountain
Travelers in search of a unique and memorable performance need look not further than Prague’s Krizik Fountain. This iconic Czech landmark has been in operation since 1891 and served as an easy meeting place for city residents on the move. Today Krizik Fountain hosts dozens of live shows and its one-of-a-kind spectacle features dancing water, traditional music and brilliant colors. A few of the regularly schedule evenings even include film projections on the water and live accompaniment by the regional ballet company. While tickets are essential, advance reservations aren’t, so catching a show at Krizik Fountain can be done on the fly for visitors who find themselves nearby when the performance starts.
Practical Info
Travelers can take the red C line to Nadrazi Holesovice and then take the 1, 12, 15, or 25 tram to Vystaviste. The fountain is located in Vystaviste Fairgrounds.
Address: U Výstaviště 1/20, Prague, Czech Republic
Hours: Hours vary
Admission: 10 Euro
From $ 31
Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad)
Karlovy Vary (also known as Carlsbad) is a charming spa town located about two hours west of Prague and full of Art Nouveau buildings and wealthy Russian tourists. Legend has it that Charles IV discovered the spring while out hunting with his dogs and founded the town, hence the name.
The town enjoyed a vogue in the 19th century when all manner of fashionable folk (including Beethoven and Chopin) rolled up to take the medicinal waters. Visitors can still indulge in a number of treatments here, including the drinking of the whiffy spring waters, but most Western visitors prefer to try out Becherovka, the town's signature herbal liqueur.
Practical Info
You can reach Karlovy Vary by train from Prague, but a bus will take about half the time. Get one from Prague's Florenc station.
Address: Czech Republic
Admission: Free
From $ 69
Museum of Communism
Following World War II, Czechoslovakia fell under Soviet rule between 1948 and 1989; during this time the Communist authorities arrested more than 205,486 Czech nationals and executed 248 after show trials, with 4,500 prisoners dying in jail. Around 170,940 people were driven into exile, with many more killed trying to flee the country. These dark days behind the Iron Curtain are explored at the Museum of Communism -ironically housed alongside a casino on the first floor of the Baroque 18th‐century Savarin Palace. Using photos, political posters, medals, a jumble of busts of Lenin and Marx, Soviet uniforms and movie reels, the displays deal with the perils of living under state‐sponsored terrorism, showcasing anti‐capitalist propaganda; the constant threat of Cold War warfare; work conditions in a Soviet factory and Russian teaching in schools. Highlights include the mock‐up of a stark interrogation room and rare film footage of the 1962 destruction of the massive, granite Stalin Monument in Letná Park. Happily, the exhibition ends on a positive note, with a video showing events that led to the (largely) peaceful Velvet Revolution and the re‐
establishment of Czech democracy under the leadership of Václav Havel.
Anyone wanting to learn more about Prague’s 20th‐century history can visit the Nuclear Bunker Exhibition near Olšanské Náměstí. The Memorial to the Victims of Communism, whose disintegrating bronze figures were created in 2002 by Czech sculptor Olbram Zoubek, stands on a stone stairway at Petřín Hill on the west bank of the River Vltava.
Practical Info
Opening hours daily 9am–9pm. Admission adults CZK 190; seniors CZK 170; students CZK 150; children younger than 10 go free; family tickets CZK 450. Accessed via Metro Lines A or B to Můstek; alternatively walk through the pedestrianized Staré Město (Old Town).
Address: Na Příkope 10, Prague 1, Central Bohemian Region 110 00, Czech Republic
Hours: Daily 9am–9pm
Admission: Adults CZK 190; Seniors CZK 170; Students CZK 150
From $ 37
Lesser Quarter (Mala Strana)
Malá Strana is the area that meanders down from the Castle Hill to the Vltava River. A literal translation of its name would be 'Small Side' but its most often called the Lesser Side. Unfair? Well, while it might not have the grandeur of the Old Town across the river, many find it more charming.
Because the area was razed by fires in the 16th century, the architecture here is mainly baroque. Its finest site is the Wallenstein Palace with its fabulous walled garden full of fountains and statues. There's also the Church of Saint Nicholas and, high on Petřín Hill, a miniature replica of the Eiffel Tower.
Practical Info
To get to Malá Strana, take tram number 23. If you're in the Old Town, just cross the Charles Bridge and there you are.
Address: Prague, Czech Republic
Admission: Free
From $ 10
Lobkowicz Palace
Lobkowicz Palace, built in the mid-16th century for Czech nobleman Jaroslav of Pernštejn, is the only privately owned building in the sprawling Prague Castle complex. The aristocratic Lobkowicz family took over the palace through a dynastic marriage in 1603, eventually lost it under the communist rule of the Czech Republic following World War II, and regained control only recently, in 2002.
The Basics
A masterpiece of Baroque architecture, Lobkowicz Palace, which stands next to the Royal Palace, houses the Lobkowicz family’s private art collection, the largest in the Czech Republic and one of the finest in the city. The highlights, which are displayed in 22 ornate apartments, include works by Pieter Brueghel the Elder, Cranach, Velázquez, Canaletto, and Rubens. The collection also includes one of Central Europe’s finest libraries of rare books and a musical archive that includes scores by Mozart, Beethoven, and Gluck. Suits of medieval armor compete for attention with remarkable 16th-century lutes and early 18th-century silver trumpets, as well as a superb cache of 17th-century porcelain and decorative arts.
Your options for visiting Lobkowicz Palace run the gamut from audio tours that provide an overview of the site’s history to private guided tours that offer the flexibility to customize the focus on whatever you’re most interested in seeing.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Lobkowicz Palace is a must-visit for lovers of architecture and history.
- The balcony of the Lobkowicz Palace Cafe offers great views of the Prague skyline.
- There’s an entrance fee to visit the museum.
- The palace has a gift shop where you can buy Lobkowicz Roudnice wines from the family’s winery.
How to Get There
Lobkowicz Palace is located next to the Institute of Noblewomen in the Rosenberg Palace. There are several tram stops nearby, including Kralovsky letohradek, Prazsky hrad, and Pohorelec, as well as the Malostranska and Hradcanska Metro stations.
When to Get There
Lobkowicz Palace is open every day from morning through early evening. Summer brings very large numbers of tourists to Prague; in spring, the weather is pleasant and things are generally less crowded.
Midday Classic Concerts
The palace is known for its classical concerts, held every day at 1pm beneath the ornate 17th-century painted fresco in the elegant Baroque Concert Hall. The hall only holds 100 people, so book in advance. You can buy a combination ticket for the museum and concert, or book a tour that includes both.
Address: Jiřská 3, Prague, Czech Republic
From $ 14
Nerudova
Cutting a swathe through the Baroque beauty of Prague’s historic heart, Nerudova runs uphill through Malá Strana (Lesser Town), forming a link between Charles Bridge and Prague Castle on the west banks of the Vltava River. In the days of the Czech monarchy, the street formed part of the Royal Way, which the king followed from the Old Town Square to the castle on ceremonial occasions.
Now named after the famous 19th-century poet Jan Neruda, who lived at no. 47, the street is composed of brightly colored and gabled Baroque townhouses and palaces, dating from the 17th and 18th centuries and today bursting with boutique hotels, souvenir shops, bars and restaurants; as the street wends up towards the castle it becomes the province of several overseas embassies. Unusual features of Nerudova are the symbols painted or carved on to the façades of the buildings; these represent the professions of the original owners in the days before street numbering was introduced; thus a musician lived at ‘At the Three Violins’ (no. 12) and a goldsmith at ‘At the Golden Cup’ (no. 16). An intriguing pharmacy with its original interior dating from 1821 is located at ‘At the Golden Lion’ (no. 32) and the elegant Morzin Palace (no. 5) is embellished with imposing statues of Moors; this is currently the Romanian Embassy.
Practical Info
Nerudova is a pedestrianized street and within easy distance of the Old Town Square, which lies at the opposite (east) side of Charles Bridge. Dittrich Pharmacy: Nerudova 32. Open daily Apr–Sept 11am–6pm; Oct–Mar 10am–5pm. Admission adults 20 CZK; seniors, students & under 18s 10 CZK.
Address: Prague, Czech Republic
From $ 28
KGB Museum
Opened in 2011, the KGB Museum in Prague is a small museum dedicated to displaying memorabilia related to the activities of various national security authorities, including the KGB, the Cheka and the NKVD. Items on display include spy cameras, weapons, electrical interrogation equipment and other equipment from KGB laboratories. Of particular interest to visitors are Vladimir Lenin’s death mask, the weapon used to kill Leon Trotsky and the personal belongings of Lavrentiy Beria, the head of the NKVD.
A separate room of the museum features a collection of photographs taken in Prague in 1968 by KGB officers, while other rooms give visitors a sense of the offices and everyday work environments of the officers. It is said that some of the materials on display are still officially classified.
Practical Info
The KGB Museum is located on the west side of the Vitava River in Prague, less than a ten-minute walk from Prague Castle. Using public transportation, the museum can be reached by taking tram 12, 20 or 22 or bus 192. It is also about a 15-minute walk from the Malostranska subway station.
Address: Vlašska 13, Prague, Czech Republic
Hours: Daily, except Mondays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission: 300 Czech koruna
From $ 83
Municipal House (Obecní dum)
One of the most outstanding examples of art nouveau architecture in the world, Prague’s Municipal House is a popular destination for visitors interested in art and architecture. From the grand concert hall to the restrooms, every light fitting, chair, and tile was specially designed for the building by the leading artists of the day.
The Basics
Designed in the early 20th century as a multifunctional building where Prague’s citizens could come to watch a musical performance, attend an exhibition, or meet friends for a cup of coffee, Municipal House is Prague’s finest example of art nouveau architecture, designed by Antonin Balsanek and Osvald Polivka. The concert venue, Smetana Hall, is the crown jewel of the building, with a large glass dome over the auditorium.
The interiors of the building feature decorations by Czech artists, including Alphonse Mucha and Max Svabinsky. The twisting metalwork in the building was inspired by natural motifs. Outside, the half-moon mosaic of Apotheosis of Prague, by Karel Spilar, is the centerpiece. The building lived up to its goal as the epicenter of public life—the independent Czechoslovak state was declared here in 1918. Walking and biking sightseeing tours of Prague frequently make a point of stopping of at this magnificent building.
Things to Know Before You Go
- It is free to enter the lobby, downstairs rooms, cafe, and restaurant.
- Access to the rest of the building, including the auditorium, is by guided tour only, or by purchasing a ticket to a concert or exhibition.
- There is an elevator for wheelchair access.
- There are four restaurants and cafes in the building.
- The building was extensively restored in the 1990s.
How to Get There
Municipal Hall is located at 5 Republiky Square on the edge of Old Town (Stare Mesto). It is accessible on foot from most places in central Prague, or as part of a guided walking or Segway tour of the city. The Namesti Republiky Metro stop (Line B) is close by. Trams #3, #5, #6, #9, #14, and #24 stop close by on Jindrisska Street.
When to Get There
Municipal House is open daily. The public spaces are open from 7:30am to 11pm, and the box office is open from 10am- to 8pm. The restaurants and cafes have different opening hours throughout the morning, but all are open daily and close at 11pm.
Explore the Streets of Old Town
Municipal House stands on the edge of Prague’s Old Town and is a great starting point for exploring the neighborhood. Walking through the archway of the 14th-century Powder Tower—one of the 13 original city gates—and find your way to Old Town Square, the heart of Old Town, home to the astronomical clock and Church of Our Lady Before Tyn.
Address: namesti Republiky 5, Prague 111 21, Czech Republic
From $ 8
Kbely Aviation Museum
Like the Army Museum Žižkov, Kbely Aviation Museum (Leteckém muzeu Kbely) is one of four museums overseen by the Military History Institute Prague. It was founded in 1968 on an historic military airfield at Kbely on the north-eastern outskirts of the city, and — thanks to its spectacular collection of 275 aircraft — is one of the biggest and best aircraft museums in Europe. At any one time, 85 planes are on show in the museum’s vast hangars, with many more displayed in the open air.
The museum showcases the early days of Czech aviation, from World War I biplanes to Cold War Soviet spy planes, military helicopters to MIG-29s, supersonic jets to a (somewhat scorched) Russian Soyuz re-entry capsule. Most of the exhibits are related to Czech military aviation, but several Tupolev commercial airliners are on display and rare treasures from overseas include a South Vietnamese 5F Tiger II, a Swedish Saab 35 Draken fighter plane and a British Air Force F-4 Phantom II. Aircraft are displayed surrounded by period ephemera, including banners, medals, weapons and mannequins wearing military uniforms.
Practical Info
Open May–Oct Tue–Sun 10am–6pm. Admission is free. For transportation, take Metro Line C to Letňany and then bus nos. 185, 259, 280, 302, 375 or 376 to Letecké (takes 10 minutes).
Address: Mladoboleslavská 425/9, Kbely 197 00, Czech Republic
Hours: May–Oct Tue–Sun 10am–6pm
From $ 35