Průhonice Park Prague is a stunning UNESCO World Heritage-listed Garden on the outskirts of the Czech capital. To say it’s one of the less-known things to do in Prague is rather an understatement.
It’s the largest of the major Prague gardens, and Průhonice Castle, which forms part of the park, is one of the most exuberant examples of Renaissance Revival Prague architecture.
And yet it’s very much a locals’ secret – many of our Prague friends have visited, but the word doesn’t seem to have got out to the wider world. Yet.
In this article we’ll reveal what makes Průhonice Park so special and tell you everything you need to get there and back, and enjoy one of the easiest day trips from Prague.
Where To Stay In Prague
Art Nouveau Palace Hotel Prague – one of the top luxury hotels in Prague, impeccable service, superb rooms and food, ideal location for getting around the city
Hotel Adalbert – superb hotel in one of the quieter parts of Prague, within the grounds of the thousand-year-old Břevnov Monastery
Grand Hotel Prague Towers – great location just south of the city centre, close to Vyšehrad fortress – formerly known as the Corinthia
Mama Shelter Prague – wonderfully renovated former Communist showpiece hotel, now a great relaxed hangout in Holešovice
Průhonice Park Prague – An Introduction
Průhonice Park is one of the least-known Czech UNESCO World Heritage Sites as it comes under the aegis of the Historic Centre of Prague – yet it’s the only one of the outlying attractions in Prague to be included on the World Heritage List.
It’s one of the easiest day trips from Prague, a short Metro and bus ride from the city centre.
Its Czech spelling is slightly different to that used in other languages – it’s spelt Průhonice, with a tiny circle above the letter u. It’s pronounced ‘Proo-hon-ee-tseh’ with the stress on the first syllable.
Průhonice Park was founded in 1885 by Count Arnošt Emanuel Silva-Tarouca, who worked on the vast 250-hectare garden over the following 40 years.
The Park is set in the valley of the Botič stream and its tributaries, the Dobřejovický and Zdiměřický.
The design of Průhonice Park is unique. especially in the way woodland plants and trees are combined with open spaces such as meadows, ponds and trees.
Count Silva-Tarouca also used the seasonal changes of woodland plants and trees to great effect.
The stunning Průhonice Castle and lake below only take up a tiny corner of the Park.
Where is Pruhonice?
Pruhonice is a small village just beyond the Prague city boundary in the Central Bohemia region. It’s just beyond the southeastern outskirts of Prague.
Getting to Průhonice
Pruhonice is easy to reach if you’re travelling there by yourself. The main thing to remember is that it’s beyond the boundary of Prague city, so you’ll need to get a ticket for the short return bus journey to Pruhonice.
Firstly, take the red Metro line C to Opatov, the last-but-one stop on the line before the terminus at Háje. Two buses run from outside – and above – Opatov station to Průhonice – the 363 and 385.
A Prague public transport day pass or multi-day ticket will cover you as far as Opatov. The onward tickets to Průhonice can either be bought from the driver or from the yellow ticket machines at Metro stations all over Prague.
Průhonice is in zone 1 of the nine Prague Integrated Transport (PID) tariff zones for Central Bohemia. Select ‘Prague and Suburbs’ from the menu along the top of the screen, then buy two 12 Kc tickets covering two zones, 24 Kc in total. Validate the ticket in the machine when you board the bus – they each run once an hour. Click on the blue writing and you will find a full explanation of the PID tariff zones – this is especially useful if you intend to visit other places around Prague.
How much are tickets to Pruhonice Park and Castle?
Admission for adults is 140 Kc ($6). Children, students and seniors pay 90 Kc each, and a family ticket (2+2) costs 260 Kc ($11).
What are the Průhonice Park opening times?
Průhonice Park is open all year, unlike the formal gardens in Prague city centre including the Vrtba Garden and Wallenstein Gardens.
During the winter months (January, February, November, December) Průhonice is open 0800 to 1700 daily. It is open between 0800 and 1800 in March.
Pruhonice is open 0700-1900 in April and October, and from 0800-2000 from May to September.
What is Pruhonice Castle like?
Průhonice Castle is the least-known of the castles in Prague and around, despite it being home to one of the best parks in Prague.
It was built in the late 19th century in a neo-Renaissance style, its tower and turrets giving it the appearance of a French chateau. Visually, it’s one of the most beautiful Czech castles, and its lakeside setting is magnificent. The triple archway in the courtyard is inspired by the similar Sala Terrena in the Wallenstein Garden.
You can walk around the exterior of the building, including the lovely Renaissance courtyard. It’s also possible to explore some of the ground floor rooms which house exhibitions on the history of Průhonice and a broader one on European gardens.
What are the main things to see in Průhonice?
The Castle is the obvious place to start, and as one of the outstanding castles near Prague, it’s reason enough to visit the Park. The lakeside walk is wonderful, with several benches either side to pause and take in the view. The east side has the better views of the Castle, and also passes below the Alpinum, or Alpine Garden.
The Park’s Main Viewpoint (pictured above) is a 15-minute walk through the woods from the two lakes. It’s well worth the short walk as you get a great sight of the Castle through the trees. You pass a pathway to the Botanical Garden on the way, and this area is where you’ll see the best of the rhododendrons in spring.
A few minutes further on, climb the stairs on the exterior of the Gloriet Tower for another fine view – this time over the surrounding treetops and meadow below.
The yellow route continues along the streams, over bridges and past cascades, eventually leading to the Labeška Pond, and a traditional wooden Czech cottage in the trees above the shore.
There is also a 12th-century Romanesque church near the entrance to the Castle grounds and Park, which is sometimes, but not always, open.
See Also: 55 Amazing Things To Do In Prague – By A Local
When is the best time to visit Pruhonice?
I have visited in spring and summer, when the Castle and Park looked superb. But if you want to do the full walk – there are additional paths beyond the longest red tour route – summer isn’t the best season for it.
If you’re visiting Prague in springtime, you’re in for a treat. It’s one of the best places to visit in Prague at this time of year, with hundreds of rhododendron bushes flowering, usually in May.
Prague in autumn can be magical, with the forest turning shades of gold, red and more, and I’ll add images from this time of year to the post after I’ve visited.
Finally, if you visit Prague in winter, sunshine may be at a premium, but it’s a wonderful place to walk off some of the cold weather cobwebs.
How long do you need to spend at Pruhonice Park?
The Pruhonice Park website suggests three different tour routes, and how long you spend there depends on how far you wish to explore this unique Prague park.
The shortest – blue – route is 2.5 km long, and includes the Castle, lake, Main Viewpoint and most of the rhododendrons which flower in May.
I opted for the yellow route, the middle option at around 6 km. This follows the blue route before continuing along the Botič valley past some of the meadows that are such an important part of the Průhonice landscape. This route shows you more of the subtleties in the landscape design of Count Silva-Tarouca.
The red route is the longest, and continues to the furthest reaches of the Park, to the former game park. I explored some of it, and it’s essentially more of the same as the yellow route, albeit without any particular sights. It’s possibly best on an autumn, winter or spring day – certainly not one for a hot Prague summer day.
Průhonice Park Prague – Final Words
I hope you have enjoyed my guide to Průhonice Park.
It has been one of my favourite discoveries while living in Prague for four years. It’s very much a locals’ haunt, magnificent in all four seasons. Yet the secret just hasn’t got out, and because it’s so far from anywhere else people would be likely to venture to, I imagine it may well stay this way, one of the least-known hidden gems in Prague.
When you visit the Czech capital, I urge you to try to visit at least a couple of Prague gardens and Prague parks.
The Mala Strana area of Prague is one of the best to explore. The Baroque Vrtba Garden and Wallenstein Garden are open April to October. Close by, Petřin Hill and Vojanovy Sady are beautiful parks both open year-round.
If you enjoy Pruhonice Park, I also suggest taking a tram to Obora Hvezda Prague, a former royal hunting reserve on the other side of the city. It’s also very close to Divoká Šárka Prague, a wild nature reserve with some of the best short hikes in Prague.
Having lived in Prague for over four years, I’ve written extensively on my former home city. Here’s a selection of further articles for you to browse through:
More Parks and Gardens In Prague
Prague Parks – green escapes, riverside walks, beer gardens and more
Letná Park – one of the largest city parks, with superb views over the city
Stromovka Park – former royal hunting grounds in Holešovice
Top Sights In Prague
55 Amazing Things To Do In Prague – By A Former Local
Charles Bridge Prague – one of the most beautiful bridges in the world
Old Town Square Prague – one of the most beautiful squares in the world
Týn Church Prague – stunning Gothic church with fairytale spires
Landmarks of Prague – 22 unmissable sights in the city
Jewish Prague – all Jewish sites in Prague, including those beyond the Josefov district
Hidden Gems in Prague -27 off the beaten track sights to seek out
How To Visit Prague Zoo – one of the best in Europe
National Museum Prague – the biggest, best Museum in the Czech Republic
Prague by Area
Old Town Prague – one of the most captivating old towns in Europe
New Town Prague – the modern heart of the Czech capital – but a taste of the old is never far away
Malá Strana Prague – the enchanting Baroque ‘Lesser Quarter’ below Prague Castle
Kampa Island Prague– the most beautiful and intriguing of Prague’s islands
Vltava River in Prague– everything there is to see along the river in the Czech capital
Žižkov Prague – the former working class renegade and artists’ hangout, as quirky as ever, with some of the best pubs in Prague
Holešovice Prague – Prague 7, one of the best modern areas to explore in the city
Themed Articles On Prague
Churches in Prague – 20 wondrous churches from St Vitus Cathedral to a modernist masterpiece in Vinohrady
Communist Prague – 18 Fascinating Places To Explore
Sunsets In Prague – the 10 best places to see them
Prague Streets – the city’s most beautiful streets
Prague World War 2 Sites – including the Heydrich Assassination Site and more