14 Beautiful Prague Gardens You Really Shouldn’t Miss

Baroque palaces, Renaissance gardens, Italian-inspired culture and a dreamy skyline of domes and spires. You’ll see all of these and more as you explore some of the finest formal Prague gardens.

This guide covers formal gardens in Prague as opposed to parks. They are sometimes attached to palaces in Prague, so if you’re curious about parterres rather than playgrounds, read on. If you’re more interested in finding parks in the city, take a look at my Prague parks feature.

Most Prague gardens are only open in the spring and summer months, sometimes into early autumn. So if you’re visiting the Czech capital at this time of year, make time to see some of them.

In this guide I’ll show you the best gardens in and around the city, and include practical information on when they’re open and how to get there. I’ll also suggest guided tours of some of the Gardens where applicable, and a few places to stay around the city.

I hope you find it helpful.

Where To Stay In Prague

Hotel Questenberg – beautiful Baroque palace overlooking the gardens of Petřin Hill and the city below

Hotel Waldstein – luxury hotel in a 14th-century building close to the stunning Wallenstein Garden

Hotel Loreta – quiet hotel in a beautiful part of Prague, close to the Castle and next door to the Loreta Church

987 Design Hotel – stylish contemporary design hotel close to Prague main train station

Residence Agnes – hidden gem in undiscovered part of the Old Town near St Agnes Convent

There is a little overlap, as some Prague gardens have plenty of parkland, even playgrounds. In this article we explore Prague Castle gardens currently open, several palace gardens and, just away from Prague city centre, the peaceful Prague Botanical Gardens in Troja.

Exploring the city’s gardens is one of the best things to do in Prague, but be mindful that some are only open between April and October, closing for the winter.

This Renaissance and Baroque Gardens in Prague walking tour is the most comprehensive introduction to the Czech capital’s formal gardens, and includes the Gardens of Prague Castle, the Wallenstein and Vrtba Gardens.

We’ll advise on which are open when, and which of the gardens of Prague have ticketed entry and which are free.

The Baroque Vrtba Gardens are tucked away behind the house fronts of a busy Malá Strana Prague street.

This elegant palace garden is built into the base of Petřin Hill, ingeniously over three levels with a belvedere at the top that is one of the best viewpoints in Prague.

The Vrtba Garden is one of the most ornately decorated Prague Baroque gardens. The entrance hall, or Sala Terrena is adorned with a series of frescoes, and the higher levels feature a range of striking Baroque statues. 

The backdrop is astonishingly beautiful, with two of the finest Baroque churches in Prague, St Nicholas in Malá Strana and Our Lady Victorious, both very close.

Insider Tip: The Vrtba Garden also happens to offer some of the best views of Prague

Getting there: It’s a minute’s walk from Malostranské náměstí, where several Prague trams call, and less than five from the Charles Bridge. Walk south down Karmelitska, it’s just past the first turn on the right. The sign in Czech – for Vrtbovska zahrada – is more prominent than the one in English. Head through the archway then up the short flight of steps on the right.

Tickets – 100 CZK for adults, children under 6 free.

Opening times – April to October, 1000 to 1900

Tours: This Malá Strana Gardens and Baroque Beauty walking tour is the best coverage of the area, and visits the Vrtba, Wallentein and Vojanovy Gardens.

See Also: my full guide to the Vrtba Garden.

The Wallenstein Gardens were built between 1623-1630, at the same time as the  accompanying Wallenstein Palace.

Like the Palace, they were built in the Italian Baroque style, and the Palace complements the Garden beautifully, especially the Sala Terrena, the triple-arched entrance hall.

The Palace is now home to the Czech Senate. The Gardens are also sometimes called the Waldstein Garden and the Czech name is Valdstejnska zahrada.

The Sala Terrena is one of the most recognizable attractions of Prague, but there are several other features of the Garden not to be missed.

Good to know: There’s a lime stucco Grotto wall, off to the left of the Sala Terrena, and a collection of Greek mythological statues, which are copies of originals plundered by Swedish invaders in the 17^th century.

Top tip: My favourite part of the Garden is the tranquil area around the pond with a statue of Hercules on an island. This is the domain of a wonderful white peacock, and it offers up one of the very best views of Prague, looking back to the skyline of Malá Strana.

Getting there – The main entrance is on Letenská, one of the most interesting Prague streets with its three traffic tunnels next to a lovely Baroque church, The entrance is on the north side of the street, a two-minute walk from Malostranská Metro station (green line A), or five minutes from Malostranské náměstí.

Entry – free

Opening times – May to October, 0730 to 1730 daily

See Also: my full guide to Wallenstein Gardens

The Gardens Below Prague Castle are a work in progress, with two small palace gardens open and two currently under restoration.

Even so, they are one of the most enjoyable things to see in Prague. They are all interconnected, with one ticket covering all of the sites.

The Gardens are, like the Vrtba Garden, built into a steep slope. The Small Furstenberg Garden, which includes a series of staircases and a lookout tower, continues uphill until it reaches the panoramic viewing platform outside the Black Tower Gate of Prague Castle.

The adjoining Great Palffy Garden also has superb views over Malá Strana. The other two Gardens, the Ledeburg and Small Palffy, are still undergoing restoration at the time of writing.

Nonetheless, they are very much one of the off the beaten path Prague highlights.

Getting there – there is a single entrance, on Valdstejnska, a short walk from Malotranská Metro station.

Entry – 90 CZK for adults, seniors, students and 6-18 60 CZK

Opening times – daily 1000-1800 April and October, and daily 1000 to 1900 May to September

Vojanovy Sady Prague – occasionally called Vojan Gardens – are one of the best off the beaten path Prague places to discover.

Originally part of a medieval fruit garden, they were later incorporated into a monastic garden. They are very close to several top Prague attractions, not least the Charles Bridge, but most pass by, totally unaware of the wonders within.

Most of the expansive garden is surrounded by an arcaded wall, which gives it a wonderful peaceful atmosphere. Part of the Gardens is formal, with a Baroque parterre in the raised corner section.

There are also two chapels, one a striking stalactite-cloaked building dedicated to St Elijah. The other part of the Garden is an English-style park with a pond, bee hives and sculptures along the pathway. It’s a remarkable place, a delight to stumble upon as we first did.   

Getting there: A five-minute walk from Malostranská Metro Station, or slightly less from the tram stop of the same name outside.

Petřin Hill has a series of Gardens, from river level to the summit and the ‘Prague Eiffel Tower’, the Petřin Lookout Tower.

The first most people see is the Seminary Garden on the lower slope of the hill.

This is particularly beautiful in springtime, when the trees are covered in white blossom, providing a wondrous foreground for the superb views over Prague.  It’s also a local tradition for lovers to kiss under these trees on May 1^st.

In winter and early spring, it’s also a great Prague sunrise and twilight spot, especially for views over St Nicholas Church, Prague in Malá Strana and the Old Town across the river Vltava.

Higher up the hill, Nebozizek Restaurant (which conveniently has its own funicular stop) also has its own small Garden, and at the top, between the Funicular stop and the Tower, you’ll pass the lovely Rose Garden, with gorgeous views of St Lawrence Church.

There’s also a beautiful secret garden accessed through an arch in the stone wall.

Getting there – If you’re up for the walk, head up Hellichova to the Seminary Garden, and work your way up the hill from there. Just be sure to keep turning around for the views.

Alternatively, you can catch the Funicular up the hill from Újezd to the summit. While you’re there, don’t miss the climb up Petřin Tower, one of the highest towers in Prague. On a clear day it commands views over much of Central Bohemia. You can order your Petřin Tower tickets here.

Entry – free, but there are charges for the Tower and Mirror Maze at the summit

Opening times – the park is open 24 hours

See Also: my full guide to Petřin Hill

The Kinsky Gardens occupy the southern end of Petřin Hill, on the edge of the riverside Smíchov district, also known as Prague 5.

They may not be one of the most famous places in Prague, but they’re among the more intriguing Prague destinations, hidden away from the rest of Petřin Park by the Hunger Wall.

The Gardens were developed from 1828 onwards, and the Kinsky Summer House was completed in the Viennese style by 1831. Its name is rather modest – it’s the size of many a palace – and it is now the home of the Prague Ethnographic Museum.

The Gardens also include woodland walks, a striking lake with a statue of Hercules, and some exhibits linked to the Ethnographic Museum, including the wooden church of St Michael, moved there from its original Ruthenian location. This church was severely damaged by fire in 2020, but after restoration is due to open in late 2026.

Getting there – trams 9, 12, 15 and 20 stop at Švandovo divadlo, on Náměsti Kinskych, close to the park entrance. The nearest Metro station is Anděl.

Entry– entrance to Kinsky Garden is free.

Opening times – year-round, daily

7. Royal Garden, Prague Castle

The Prague Castle Royal Garden is just to the north of Prague Castle, across the Deer Moat from the main complex.

It was originally built during the reign of Ferdinand I, with parts of the Garden and Royal Summer Palace dating from this initial Renaissance period.

It receives a tiny fraction of the visitors that the Castle gets, but it’s one of the best places to visit in Prague, especially if you’re hoping to escape the crowds for a while.

Much of the Prague Royal Garden has since been modelled along the lines of an English park, which has welcome shade and tantalizing glimpses of the north side of the Castle and St Vitus Cathedral.

The Summer Palace, which often hosts art exhibitions, is one of the finest examples of Prague architecture from the Renaissance period, and makes a wonderful backdrop to the Baroque-era flower beds. Perfect Prague sightseeing on a warm sunny afternoon.

Getting there – Tram 22 – Kralovské letohradek for the Summer Palace, Pražsky hrad if you want a gentle walk down through the Garden

Entry – free

Opening times – April to October, 1000 to 1800 daily

Chotkovy Sady are just down the hill from the Royal Gardens – indeed the other side of Queen Anne’s Summer Palace is one of its main features. 

The Palace is at the western end of the park, much of which are a large grassy open space lined with trees on three sides. There are seats in the shade all around, and also an intriguing memorial to 19^t century Czech writer Julius Zeyer,  a stone cave  with statues of characters from his works.

A very useful footbridge at the end of the park leads across to Letna Park. It’s also one of the prime places to see Prague in autumn, especially when the colours are at their richest around the middle of November.

Getting there – tram 22 to Kralovsky letohradek, cross the street and walk 50 metres downhill, past the Palace, to the entrance on the right. You can also walk there via the footbridge from Letna Park.

Entry – free

Opening times – open all year, usually dawn to dusk

The Franciscan Gardens are one of the best hidden sights in Prague, the sort of place you would only encounter if you stumbled upon it. 

It’s secreted away in Prague city center, two minutes’ walk from Wenceslas Square (Vaclavské náměstí).

It’s on a shortcut for locals between there and Jungmannovo náměstí.

What you see today are the remnants of a much larger medieval garden, albeit remodelled in the Baroque style. 

It’s a peaceful retreat where many Praguers stop for their lunch break, bringing a sandwich, sitting on a bench under rose arches or contemplating the view of the imposing Our Lady of the Snows church.

Getting there – head for the Vaclavské náměstí tram stop on Vodičkova, just off the Square outside the Kino Světozor. Turn right, continue to the end of the arcade, under the Tesla stained glass window. It’s just ahead on the left. The nearest Metro stop is Můstek.

Entry – free

Opening times – it’s open year-round, opening at 0700 April to October, closing at 2200 April to September and 2000 mid-September to mid-October. Between October and April it’s open 0800 to 1900.

Vyšehrad is ‘the other’ Prague Castle, a hilltop fortress that is as central to Czech identity and national consciousness as its more famous counterpart a couple of miles downstream.

It’s the legendary home of the Přemyslid dynasty that went on to rule Bohemia for several centuries, and it’s also home to Slavin, the cemetery that is the resting place of many of the notable Czechs of all time.

Vyšehrad Gardens are part of the park within the fortress. They include the garden outside the neo-Gothic Basilica , one of the most visible landmarks of Prague.

This is dominated by big, bold statues of legendary Czech figures including Přemysl and Queen Libuše, and a lovely walled section between the Basilica and Romanesque Rotunda of St Martin.

The ramparts walk is also part of the Gardens, and rewards you with some of the best views in Prague, including along the River Vltava and over to Nusle and Vršovice.

Getting there – Vysehrad Prague is a short walk from Vysehrad Metro station (red line C). Otherwise, the 3, 7 or 17 trams calling at Výtoň bring you a little closer – cross under the railway bridge and bear left towards Vratislavova, which takes you to the main gate.

Entry – you can explore the park and Cemetery for free but several attractions – the Basilica, Gothic Cellar Museum, Casemates and more – all have small entry fees, mostly in the 50-100 CZK range.

Opening times – the individual attractions tend to be open 0930-1800 daily between April and October, and 0930 to 1700 over the winter months. In summer we’ve been in the Park as late as 10.30 pm.

See Also: my full guide to Vysehrad.

Havlickovy sady – also known as Grebovka Park – is one of the best parks in Prague, located where the suburbs of Vinohrady and Vršovice meet.

Most of the Gardens date from the 19^th century, when they were modelled for entrepreneur Moritz Gröbe.

The most obvious sight is the Grotto, a great place for kids to play hide and seek among the rock pinnacles.

There is also one of the best-known Vinohrady vineyards, scenically located on a slope beneath a wooden gazebo and the Villa Grebovka, the owner’s former residence.

It’s a hilly site with some lovely walks and ample shady spots for summer. It’s one of the most pleasant Prague attractions, and most of the other visitors will be locals and expats.

Getting there: trams 4, 21 or 22 to Jana Masaryka, then a 3-minute walk down to U Havličkovych sadu and the top of the Grotto.

Troja Castle Prague is a handsome Baroque chateau on the outskirts of the city, across the street from Prague Zoo and down the hill from the Botanical Garden (see below). 

It dates from the late 17^th century, when it was built for the Counts of Sternberg. The Garden is strongly influenced by Italian Baroque, with flower beds and parterres in both sections.

It’s well-known among locals for its cherry blossom trees, which bloom glorious pink for a few weeks when the Garden reopens in April after the winter break.

The Castle is another Prague must see. It houses the Prague City Gallery’s collection of 19^th century art, and is worth visiting for its sumptuous interiors, particularly the ceiling fresco depicting the 1683 Turkish siege of Vienna.

Getting there – bus 112 from Nádraží Holešovice drops you at the side gate. The ticket office (pokladna) is at the far end of the Garden, on the right – not in the most obvious place!

Entry – 100 CZK ($4)

Opening times – April to October

The Prague Botanical Garden is across the street and up the hill from Troja Chateau – you can see part of it, the wonderfully picturesque St Claire’s Vineyard and Chapel, from Troja Gardens.

They’re spread over a 30-hectare site, of which the Vineyard is just a small part.

The Gardens are pretty extensive, and the terrain is hilly, so expect to burn off a few calories.

There are some lovely flower beds, a fine Japanese Garden and magnificent North American sections, including prairie and semi-desert.

Tropics lovers should head for the Fata Morgana Greenhouse, which has some outstanding orchids.

As the Botanical Garden is so close to two other Prague tourist attractions – Troja Castle and Prague Zoo – you could easily make a day or more of it. Troja Castle and the Botanical Garden could easily take up 4 hours or so.

Getting there – bus 112 from Nadraži Holešovice is the one public transport option. The starting point for this bus isn’t the most convenient place to find (near the Metro station entrance and McDonald’s) so we tend to catch the 17 tram, alighting at Trojská and heading 100 metres back down the hill to Povltávska bus stop.

Entry – from 100 CZK ($4)

Opening times – 9 am to 4 pm daily

Pruhonice Park Prague is by far the largest of the gardens in the city, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It was founded in 1885 by Count Arnošt Emanuel Silva-Tarouca, who painstakingly developed the vast 250-hectare site over the following 40 years.

The centre piece is the lovely Renaissance Revival Pruhonice Castle, which you’ll see just after entering the Park.

The entire Park, laid out around the valley of the tranquil Botič stream, was landscaped and planted by Silva-Tarouca, with woodland and meadows taking up much of the Park.

It looks magnificent throughout the year and, fortunately, is open the whole time, except for Christmas and New Year. One of the best Prague tourist attractions you haven’t heard of.

Getting there – take the red Metro line C to Opatov, and buy a ticket that covers a trip to zone 1 of the Central Bohemia region and a return (at the time of writing 32 CZK for the two – roughly $1.40). Climb the winding walkway to the road above the Metro station  and catch either bus 363 or 385 – both stop outside the Park entrance.

Entry – 140 CZK for adults

Opening times – all year round