Discover Serene Havens You Can Explore for Free
Before you head out to explore, consider checking out some of Prague’s most beautiful gardens as well as stunning gardens across the Czech Republic, including exquisite castle gardens. You’re bound to discover more intriguing ideas for your day trips and vacations here!
The Franciscan Garden
One of the perfectly hidden gems in the heart of Prague is the Franciscan Garden, nestled in a courtyard between Wenceslas Square, Jungmann Square, and the Church of Our Lady of the Snows. This unique natural oasis right in the city center provides numerous benches, with metal arches gracefully covered in roses during the summer. A low wall separates the playground for children, complete with climbing frames; you’ll also spot several sculptures, including a fountain featuring dancing nymphs—perfect for those spooky shots through their faces! You will find fruit trees, an old gazebo, and herb beds here, which remind us of the garden’s past owners, the Carmelites and Franciscans, who once cultivated herbs and spices in this lovely space.
The Wallenstein Garden in Malá Strana
Created in the early Baroque style, the Wallenstein Garden, with its precise layout, pond, and statues, was built alongside Wallenstein Palace and the Wallenstein Riding Hall between 1623 and 1629. Albrecht von Wallenstein, a prominent nobleman who could rival the Emperor, commissioned its creation with just a fraction of his enormous wealth. This influenced the garden’s beauty and introduced other unique features for Prague at the time: notably, the grand sala terrena and the stalactite wall with artificial caves. If you look closely, you’ll notice animal heads emerging from the wall between the stalactites! The Wallenstein Garden is part of the grounds of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic and is open to the public for free; you can reach it from the tram stop or the the Malostranskámetro station.
The Royal Gardens at Prague Castle
The gardens within the Prague Castle complex were designed to create a more beautiful world than that of everyday life. The largest publicly accessible gardens in the center of Prague served as the setting for both private gatherings and official events of Czech monarchs; they also had a representative role and were used to grow exquisite delicacies that made their way from the gardens and orchards straight to the royal dining table.
The largest of the Prague Castle garden complex is the Royal Garden, which is separated from the Castle by the Deer Moat; this garden is also open year-round and free of charge. It was originally established on the grounds of the medieval garden by Ferdinand I of Habsburg. Various romantic features, like Queen Anne’s Summer Palace or the Ball Game Hall, also provided enjoyment and sensory delights for royal and noble families; a newer addition is the Orangery, built during Václav Havel’s presidency and designed by architect Eva Jiřičná. However, the most stunning views of Prague’s historic center can be enjoyed from the gardens located on the south side of the Castle, namely the Paradise Gardens, the Na Valech Gardens, and the Hartig Gardens. All three gardens are connected and host concerts and theater performances during the summer.
Vojanovy sady in Malá Strana
Vojanovy sady, a park enclosed by walls and houses, is a famous peaceful retreat in Malá Strana. The history of this garden, which is likely the oldest partially preserved garden in Prague, goes back to the Middle Ages when it was established as a monastery garden. Its character is highlighted by the fact that it can only be accessed through a single entrance from U Lužického semináře Street. It features benches, a pond shaded by mature trees, the Chapel of St Elijah adorned with stalactite decorations and murals, and a 17th-century sundial. At the end of the garden, a wide staircase leads to a viewing terrace with benches and rose-laden pergolas, plus there’s a playground for kids. Despite its long history, Vojanovy sady received its name only recently, after the actor Eduard Vojan, who lived nearby in Míšeňská Street around the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.
Kinský Garden and Seminary Garden on the slopes of Petřín
Today’s Kinský Garden was once located outside of Prague’s city walls: to its north, it borders the historic Hladová zeď, built during the time of Charles IV, and above it lies the Baroque ramparts. Until the 19th century, this area was home to vineyards; however, in 1825, Prince Rudolf Kinský commissioned the creation of the garden through František Höhnel. A beautiful Romantic garden and summer palace were established, known today as the Kinský Summer Palace. From here, you can easily head to the slopes of Petřín and gradually explore other gardens, such as the Rose Garden, the Seminary Garden, and the Květnice Perennial Garden, each a treasure in Prague’s gardening scene with just a single entrance.
The Garden of Troja Castle
The garden surrounding Troja Castle is also publicly accessible free of charge. It is a French-style Baroque garden that is artfully arranged in three sections and on two levels. The garden features numerous statues, unique decorative terracotta vases, pergolas, a maze, fountains, and a modern fountain with a water jet. The garden previously included the Vineyard of St. Clare, which is now part of the nearby Botanical Gardens. An interesting aspect? When it was designed, the garden’s main feature was its axial symmetry, inspired by an eight-pointed star, which is the coat of arms of the noble Šternberk family. Nowadays, you can access the castle grounds through several entrances, though the original main entrance to the garden was located on the south side, along the River Vltava at the end of the ornamental garden, aligned with the castle’s axis.
Other Prague gardens you can also visit for free
-
- Stars and their symbolism will accompany you in the park surrounding the Hvězda Summer Palace on White Mountain, which is the site of the historic Battle of White Mountain from 1620.
-
- The monastery garden of Břevnov Monastery is also available for public access at no charge.
-
- During the season, you can visit the garden of Straka’s Academy, home to the Government of the Czech Republic. This garden, which underwent extensive renovations in 2021–2022, can be accessed from Kosárkova Embankment through a security gate.
-
- During the busy season, the garden of Černín Palace is also open to visitors. Created in the 17th century alongside the Baroque Černín Palace, which nowadays hosts the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, it features a terraced design that was transformed into an English-style park in the 19th century.
-
- The Rajská zahrada (Paradise Garden), located on the former site of vineyards between Riegrovy sady and the University of Economics in Žižkov, offers four terraces, each separated by varying elevations for both sports and relaxation. The ambiance is enhanced by a stream, a peaceful pond, and flourishing greenery with blooming flowers. Families and outdoor gym enthusiasts will find plenty to enjoy here.
