The Wallenstein Gardens Prague are possibly the most magnificent of all the formal gardens in the city. We visited them numerous times during our four-plus years in Prague, in all three seasons during which they are open.
I would often stop by for a few minutes early in the morning, having one of the best places to visit in Prague to myself, with gorgeous blue sky the backdrop to the timeless Malá Strana Prague skyline.
Malá Strana – Lesser Town Prague – is where much of the best Baroque Prague architecture is concentrated. The area is also home to the outstanding Vrtba Garden, built into the base of nearby Petřin Hill.
It’s normally open for seven months of the year, so if you visit Prague in springtime or summer, it should be one of the first things to see in Prague on your list. It’s that special.
My Wallenstein Gardens guide tells you everything you need to know about this amazing place, from its history and location to what to look out for there.
As you’ll see from the images, it’s one of the most compelling Prague attractions of all.
Prague Gardens Tours
Two excellent walking tours cover the gardens in Malá Strana, both visiting the Wallenstein and Vrtba Gardens, and also covering some different sites in the area.
This Malá Strana Gardens and Baroque Beauty walking tour visits the two gardens, and also the hidden Vojanovy Sady and two nearby Baroque churches, St Nicholas and Our Lady Victorious (the latter houses the Infant Jesus of Prague statue).
This Prague Renaissance and Baroque Gardens Walking Tour concludes with visits to the Wallenstein and Vrtba Garden. It begins with a walk up the hill to Queen Anne’s Summer Palace and the Royal Gardens, before visiting the South Gardens of Prague Castle.
Wallenstein Gardens Prague – An Introduction
The Wallenstein Gardens are one of the earliest Baroque gardens in Prague, dating from 1623 to 1629
The Wallenstein Garden was built at the same time as the Wallenstein Palace, so that the two would complement each other
It is located in Mala Strana – Prague Lesser Town – just below Prague Castle
The Wallenstein Palace is now home to the Senate of the Czech Republic
It’s one of the best free things to do in Prague, along with the Charles Bridge and Vysehrad Castle
The Garden is usually open between April and October, and closes for the winter months
The Garden is also known as the Wallenstein Palace Garden, and its Czech name is Valdštejnská zahrada.
Wallenstein Garden Prague History
The Wallenstein Gardens and Palace were constructed by Albrecht of Valdštejn , a military general under Ferdinand II, who had obtained a large area of land below Prague Castle.
He commissioned three Italian landscape architects – Giovani Pieroni, Nicolo Sebregondi and Andrea Spezza – to design the Garden and Palace, which were built together.
This was unusual for Prague at the time, where gardens were often added to earlier palaces.
The Baroque statues depicting Greek mythological figures were sculpted by Adrian de Vries in 1625 – 1626. The originals were taken to Sweden as war booty in 1648, and they remain in Drottningholm Palace to this day.
What To See in the Wallenstein Gardens
The first part of the Garden to head for is the Sala Terrena. This is the triple-arched entrance hall to the Palace, which rounds off the view of the geometrically aligned parterre section of the Garden.
The pathways between the flower beds are lined with copies of the figures from Greek mythology by Adrian de Vries.
Another famous feature of the Garden, the Grotto Wall, is to the left of the Sala Terrena. The wall is a mass of lime stucco stalactites, and also dates from the 17th century. There is also a small aviary in this section of the Garden.
Another impressive part of the Garden is the pond with an islet and statue of Hercules, a copy of the original by Adrian de Vries which now graces the Garden at Drottningholm.
Follow the path around the pond until you can see the dome of St Nicholas Church Prague and the nearby St Thomas Church. It’s one of the best viewpoints in Prague, especially beautiful in the early morning light shortly after the Garden opens.
As well as admiring the landmarks of Prague from this sublime spot, it’s also worth knowing about an obscure episode from Prague history which took place here.
The pond was used by Bohemian inventor Josef Božek in experiments with a small steamship. You may well be accompanied by one of the magnificent white peacocks, which strut and stroll around the Garden throughout the day.
How To Get To The Wallenstein Garden
The entrance to the Wallenstein Garden is located on Letenska, one of the most intriguing Prague streets, which links Malostranské náměstí, the main square in Mala Strana district, with Malostranská Metro station and the Vltava river.
The entrance is easy to find, an archway in a light-coloured wall with a small notice on the wall. If you can’t wait to see the Sala Terrena, go to the first junction and turn left.
There is another hidden entrance / exit next to the Pond which leads to the garden next to Malostranská Metro station.
How Long Do You Need To Spend At Wallenstein Gardens Prague?
These idyllic Gardens are a wonderful place to retreat from the bustle of the Czech capital for a while. Parts of it are shady, so it’s a great place to stop and read a book for a while.
If you’re photographing Prague it is paradise, so it’s well worth lingering. When I visited alone early one summer morning and spent over an hour there, and could easily have stayed longer.
If you’re on a tight Prague itinerary, allow 20-30 minutes.
Wallenstein Gardens Entry
Entry is free – ideal if you’re in Prague on a budget.
Opening times
The Wallenstein Palace Gardens are open 0730 to 1730, and their normal opening dates are from early April to the end of October.
Where To Stay Near The Wallenstein Garden In Prague
The area around the Wallenstein Garden is one of the best areas to stay in Prague, and here are a few of the best hotels to choose from:
Hotel Nerudova 211– gorgeous hotel in 17th-century Baroque house, the last home of genius architect Jan Blažej Santini Aichel – where we stayed on our honeymoon
Augustine Hotel – a magnificent place to stay, in part of a 13th-century monastery building just around the corner from the Wallenstein Garden
Hotel Pod Věží – wonderful hotel next door to the tower at the Mala Strana end of the Charles Bridge
Wallenstein Gardens Prague – Final Words
I hope you have enjoyed my guide to the Wallenstein Gardens in Prague. Despite its central location it remains one of the best 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 – a few minutes’ walk from the Wallenstein Garden – is open April to October. Close by, Petřin Hill and Vojanovy Sady are beautiful parks both open year-round.
And don’t miss the World Heritage-listed Pruhonice Park Prague, on the southeastern outskirts of the city.
If you enjoy Průhonice 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 about my former home city, and here’s a selection of further articles for you to browse through:
Parks and Gardens In Prague
Prague Parks – green escapes, riverside walks, beer gardens and more
Letna Park – one of the largest city parks, with superb views over the city
Stromovka Park – former royal hunting grounds in Holešovice
Petřin Hill – outstanding hillside park with some of the best walks in Prague
Obora Hvězda Prague – another former royal hunting ground, a forest park with Renaissance palace in the west of Prague
Prague Gardens – the stunning formal gardens of Prague
Vrtba Garden – glorious early Baroque terraced garden in Mala Strana
Petřin Hill – outstanding hillside park with some of the best walks in Prague
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