10 Best Museums in Prague

Prague, the Czech capital, is located in the heart of Central Europe, on the banks of the Vltava River. With more than a thousand years of history, the city stands out for its cobbled streets and well-preserved medieval architecture. That is why one of the best things to see and do in Prague is to visit its museums, where you can appreciate the cultural richness of this city.

Here is a list of the best museums in Prague, where each one offers a different perspective of the city, such as the National Museum, with its collections of art and natural history, or the Kafka Museum dedicated to the famous Czech writer. The choices are many and varied - let's get started!

The National Museum in Prague is one of the main cultural destinations in the city and the country. Founded in 1818, the museum houses a wide range of collections ranging from art and archaeology to zoology and history from prehistoric times.

The museum is made up of five departments: the Museum of Natural Sciences, the Museum of History, the Czech Museum of Music, the Náprstek Museum, dedicated to Asian, African and American cultures, and the National Museum Library.

Among its most outstanding exhibitions is the Coronation Hall, where the Czech crown jewels, among others, are exhibited. You can also see important collections of national art, including paintings, sculptures and decorative art. The building housing the museum is very interesting, with its Neo-Renaissance façade, as well as the surrounding gardens and open-air spaces.

If you decide to visit the National Museum in Prague you can take advantage of the discounts offered by the Prague CoolPass tourist card, which gives you discounted access to some 70 Prague attractions, including the National Museum, as well as other activities, such as guided tours and cruises.

Interesting details

• Location: Wenceslas Square 1700/68 110 00 Prague 1 - New Town.
• Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm.
• Entrance fee: around €16 per person.

Even if you're only in Prague for a day, you can't miss the Museum of Communism. It is an institution dedicated to preserving and displaying the history of the communist period in the Czech Republic, which opened its doors in 2001. It is located in the city centre, near Wenceslas Square.

The Museum of Communism 's collection consists of artefacts, photographs, documents and objects related to life under the communist regime. Through interactive exhibits, you can explore everyday life, political propaganda, repression and resistance during this period.

There is no special day to visit the Museum of Communism, but it is advisable to avoid the busiest times of the day so that you can explore the museum at your leisure. It is always best to book your tickets in advance, especially during the high season.

Useful details

• Address: Celenice 1031/4, Prague 1.
• Opening hours: open daily from 9.00 am to 8.00 pm.
• Admission: Adults from €19 and young people aged 11-18 from €14. Children under the age of 10 are free.

The Kafka Museum in Prague, dedicated to the famous writer Franz Kafka, is located in the city centre, close to the Charles Bridge and the Old Town Square. It is a must-see destination for literature lovers and those seeking to explore the complexity of the author and his legacy in modern literature.

With its collections, the Kafka Museum immerses you in the author's literary universe through interactive exhibits and artefacts that reveal highlights of his life and his profound influence on 20th century literature. You can also see original manuscripts, personal letters and photographs.

If you visit Prague in summer, the season in which Kafka was born and died, you can take part in a tour dedicated to the writer. These tours take you to sites connected with Franz Kafka's life and work. In addition, the museum often organises special events, such as readings from Kafka's works and lectures on his cultural influence, which can give you a more complete picture of his work.

Interesting details

• Location: Cihelná 2b 118 00 Prague 1.
• Opening hours: open daily from 10 am to 6 pm.
• Admission: from €12 per person.

The Kinsky Palace, home of the National Gallery of Prague, is a cultural highlight of the city. Here you can admire collections of Asian and African art. It is right in the Old Town Square, so you can take the opportunity to visit it when touring this part of the city.

In the palace you can see art from various parts of the world such as Japan, Korea, Tibet, China, Asia and Africa. There are more than 13,000 objects ranging from paintings and sculptures to ceramics and bronzes from China and Japan that will amaze you.

You can have a great time wandering around the gallery and discovering new things in each room, as well as in the temporary exhibitions. If you decide to visit this museum, you can join one of the best Prague tours of the Old Town, which often include entrance to the National Gallery. Taking such tours with expert guides is a great way to learn more about the history and art of the city.

Interesting details

• Location: Old Town Square 12 11000 Prague 1 - Old Town
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm and Wednesday from 10am to 8pm.
• Admission fee: from €10 per person.

The Jewish presence is a significant part of the city's history, so exploring this facet of Prague is essential to understanding its cultural diversity. You can learn about this at the Jewish Museum in Prague, which offers a more complete perspective on Jewish life and traditions over the centuries.

The Jewish Museum in Prague encompasses the Jewish cemetery and 6 architecturally beautiful synagogues, where you will find an extensive collection of artefacts, documents and exhibits that tell the story of Jewish history and culture in the region. It's best to start your tour at the Entrance Office, where you can get a map with useful directions for exploring the Josefov Jewish Quarter.

Another option is to join a guided tour of the Jewish Quarter. This way you can walk through the cobbled streets of the quarter, visit the synagogues and seeand do everything there is tosee and do in Prague's Jewish cemetery. It's a great way to learn about Prague's Jewish history and culture from expert local guides.

The 6 Synagogues of the Jewish Museum

• Klaus Synagogue: In its exhibits you can learn about the traditions and daily life of Jewish families. Address: 1, U Starého Hřbitova 39, Josefov, 110 00 Praha.
• Maisel Synagogue: This is where you can learn about the history of the Jews in Bohemia and Moravia. Address: Maiselova 10, 110 00 Praha 1.
• Spanish Synagogue: dedicated to the history of the Jewish community in the 19th and 20th centuries in the Czech lands. Address: Vězeňská 1, 110 00 Staré Město.
• Old-New Synagogue: Dating from the 13th century, it is one of the oldest Jewish monuments in Europe. It is also the oldest Gothic building in the Czech Republic. Address: Červená, 110 01 Josefov.
• Upper Synagogue: from the 16th century, contains part of the collection of the Jewish Museum. Address: Červená 98, 110 00 Staré Město.
• Klausen Synagogue: has an extensive collection of Hebrew texts. Address: 1, U Starého Hřbitova 39, Josefov, 110 00.

Interesting details

• Location: Entrance Office: U Starého hřbitova 3a, 110 00 Prague.
• Opening hours: November to March: Monday-Friday and Sunday 9am-4.30pm. April to October: Mon-Fri and Sun 9am-6pm.
• Admission: about 22 € for adults and about 15 € for children between 6 and 15 years old. Children under the age of 6 are free. Includes admission to the synagogues and the Jewish cemetery. Does not include entrance to the Old-New Synagogue.

In Prague, beer is much more than just a drink: it is part of its culture and history. For centuries, it has occupied a central place in the social and gastronomic life of the city. The or Muzeum piva in Czech, is a reflection of the importance of this drink. Opened in 2009, it is located near the Old Town Square.

In the Beer Museum, you will find a variety of exhibits and artefacts related to the history and brewing of beer, from old brewing equipment to displays on beer styles and brewing techniques. You can learn about the importance of beer in Czech society and its role in festivities and celebrations.

Among the highlights of the museum's experiences are the beer tastings, which give you the opportunity to try some of the beers from Prague's best breweries and discover their different flavours and styles.

If you feel like exploring the world of Czech beer further, you can join a beer tour around the city, which takes you to different local breweries. It's one of the best things to do in Prague at night to learn more about the local culture.

Interesting details

• Location: Husova 21, 110 00 Prague 1
• Opening hours: daily from 10am to 8pm.
• Entry fee: from €19 per person.

In the heart of Prague, you will discover a unique experience: Madame Tussauds, the famous wax museum that immerses you in the world of celebrities and historical figures. This museum offers you the opportunity to get up close and personal with your favourite icons, from movie stars to world leaders, in an immersive and entertaining environment.

As you explore Madame Tussauds, you'll find yourself surrounded by lifelike wax figures, each crafted in stunning detail. You'll be able to take pictures with your idols and learn about their achievements, all while enjoying an interactive pop culture experience.

To get the most out of your visit, I recommend you explore every corner of the museum at your leisure and stop at the exhibits that interest you most. Another recommendation is to visit during the low season, such as January and February in Prague. That way you can take your selfies with the waxwork celebrities at your leisure.

Interesting details

• Location: Celetná 6 110 00 Praha 1 - Old Town.
• Opening hours: Monday-Sunday, 10am-8pm.
• Admission: from €11 for children under 15 and about €15 for those over 15.

Prague's Museum of Illusions is a captivating destination not to be missed during your stay in the city. This museum offers you a unique visual and mental experience that will awaken your curiosity and astonishment. It is the perfect place to immerse yourself in the world of optical illusions and challenge your perceptions of reality.

Inside the Museum of Illusions, you will encounter interactive and captivating exhibits, such as mirror illusions and augmented reality installations that play with your perception. Each space in the museum invites you to explore and discover new concepts about how we perceive the world around us.

It's a great plan if you're coming to Prague with children, as they can learn about the science behind illusions in a fun, hands-on way. If you plan to visit the Museum of Illusions, don't forget to go with an open mind and a willingness to be challenged.

Interesting details

• Location: Myšák Vodičkova Gallery 31/710 110 00 Prague 1.
• Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 9am to 9pm.
• Admission: from €14 per person.

If you are interested in exploring a different kind of museum in Prague, the Museum of Senses is a great option. Here you can take part in activities that will challenge your senses and make you question how you perceive things around you. It is located near the Mucha Museum and less than a kilometre from Prague's main Old Town Square.

Visiting this museum can be of interest to both children and adults and is ideal if you will be in Prague for more than 3 days and want to engage in imagination-boosting activities. On your visit, you can explore how you interpret the world through your senses, from sight to touch and hearing.

Each room has interactive exhibits that defy gravity, light and sound effects that stimulate the senses, and tactile experiences that invite you to explore. It's a place where reality meets imagination, creating unforgettable moments for visitors.

Be sure to book your ticket in advance to avoid the queues, especially if you are visiting Prague in May, when the Prague Spring Festival and Czech Beer Festival take place and is one of the busiest times for tourists.

Interesting details

• Location: Jindřišská 20 110 00 Prague 1 - New Town.
• Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 10.00 am to 9.00 pm.
• Admission fee: from €13 per person.

The Mucha Museum is a unique museum dedicated to the life and work of the famous Czech artist Alphonse Mucha. It is located in the heart of Prague, inside the baroque Kaunický Palace. Since it opened its doors in 1998, it has become a must-see destination for lovers of Art Nouveau and the work of this renowned modernist painter.

Within the seven sections of the Within the seven sections of the museum, you will discover a varied collection that includes decorative panels, Parisian posters, decorative documents and oil paintings, among others. You can immerse yourself in the world of Alphonse Mucha through his drawings, pastels, photographs and personal memorabilia, which tell the story of the artist's life and legacy.

One of the best times to visit this museum is during the month of February in Prague, when the artist's birthday is celebrated and commemorative events are held. Note that it will take about two hours to explore the museum in its entirety, depending on your interest in learning more about Alphonse Mucha and his impact on the modern art world.

Alternatively, a convenient way to get to the Mucha Museum is via the Prague Hop-on-Hop-off sightseeing bus, which has a stop near the Kaunický Palace and strategic stops at Prague's main attractions.

Interesting details

• Location: Panská 7 11000 Prague 1 - New Town.
• Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.
• Admission fee: from €14 per person.