Discover Hidden Gems: Explore Unique Spaces at Prague’s Open House Festival
The Open House Festival, titled Open House Prague 2026, is filled with discussions, talks, walks, and various other exciting events all happening in May—a time when the pleasant weather calls you outside for memorable adventures. This year, you also have the option to use the mobile app, which allows you to not only book tickets for all activities but also plan your visits to the open buildings over the weekend.120 buildings and spaces that are typically not open for public exploration. The organizers are inviting everyone to come not only to the city center but also to the outskirts of Prague, including areas like Modřany, Stodůlky, and Chodov. These visits will include a variety of architectural styles, highlighting both historic and modern designs, interesting renovations, and even buildings that are still awaiting a new function.
Some notable places to visit include the New Spiral, St Anne’s Church—Prague Crossroads, Grab’s Villa (found in Libeň), Libeň Castle, Nusle Town Hall, and the water towers located in Letná and Michle. For those passionate about architecture, there will be opportunities to explore technical facilities and the rooftop terrace of the Trade Fair Palace.
You can also tour the Škoda Works Palace, the current home of the Prague City Council, which was designed by the famed Czech architect Pavel Janák. During the festival, visitors will have the chance to see the prestigious Škoda salons, showcasing high-quality arts and crafts interior designs and beautifully restored period furniture.
A new lease of life for historic buildings
This year’s event emphasizes preserving architectural heritage and finding new uses for historic structures. For instance, visitors can step inside the Savarin Riding Hall, which has been neglected for years but is now about to be restored into an accessible public space. Tours inside will only happen on Saturday.
Then on Sunday, you can catch a glimpse of the future at one of Prague’s busiest areas by touring the ongoing renovation of Prague-Bubny Station that is turning it into a Centre for Remembrance and Dialogue, a new place dedicated to honoring the memory of the Holocaust while playing an important role in a new urban area.
The festival will also open Hájčí dvůr in Stodůlky, a historic estate rooted in medieval times that is gradually being transformed into a versatile complex with housing, restaurants, and community facilities. Additionally, in the same area, people will have the chance to visit the Saukupovský statek, a Baroque countryside estate linked to the Sananim organization, which is planning to create a social rehabilitation center.
Which buildings are celebrating an anniversary?
This year is special as it marks the 100th anniversary of the Great Strahov Stadium, which is one of the largest stadiums in the world and holds significant memories of 20th-century transformations. It has been the venue for Sokol gatherings, Spartakiads, and performances by international stars, including the Rolling Stones and Ozzy Osbourne. During the weekend, people can visit the west stand and the galleries on the east stand.
The festival will also celebrate the centenary of architect Zdeněk Kuna. The public will have access to the building of the former foreign trade company Strojimport in Vinohrady, a post-war skyscraper influenced by modern Western architecture.
Other anniversaries honor significant contributions in Czech architecture—such as the 150th anniversary of the birth of František Roith, highlighted by The Mayor’s Residence and the Post Office and Cheque Office Palace. Additionally, the work of Josef Sakař will be acknowledged with the opening of the prestigious National House in Karlín.
Take a look at the archives, theatres, schools or hospitals
One of the largest modern archival complexes globally, located in Prague’s Chodov district, marked its 30th anniversary in 2024, and this year’s Open House gives everyone a chance to explore it. Visitors can tour the local library, cinema, research areas, storage facilities, and the disinfection line for archival materials.
A cultural center located on Ve Smečkách Street showcases the functionalist design by the first female architect to graduate in Czechoslovakia, Milada Petříková-Pavlíková. The current headquarters of the Drama Club initially served as a clubhouse for the Czech Women’s Club, playing an important role in advancing women’s rights. This club was founded in 1902 by activist and Social Democrat Charlotta Garrigue Masaryková, and it also served the Women’s National Council, where politician Milada Horáková was active. Other theatres will also be open for visitors: Disk, the National Theatre’s administrative building, the Metro Palace, and the Minor Theatre.
This year’s program places special importance on schools. Visitors can view the dance school at the Braník Brewery, the astronomical dome at Archbishop’s Grammar School, and the new mini-campus of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University, located in Jinonice. You can also explore the Grammar School on Zatlanka and Hlávka Hall of Residence.
Additionally, the following buildings will be open: the General University Hospital, the Palata Home for the Visually Impaired, and retirement homes in Chodov and Nová slunečnice.
Entry to the buildings is completely free, and most of the buildings (as well as the spaces inside) will be open on both days of the weekend from 10 am to 6 pm without needing to register in advance. For detailed opening times and more information about accessibility, you can visit the website openhousepraha.cz in the Programme section.
Open House for children and people with disabilities
The organizers have created a range of tours designed for children, featuring fun Sheets for Little Architects that make learning about architecture entertaining. The weekend tours are suitable for kids aged 5 and up, and no prior reservations are necessary. Children can visit spots like the historic boathouse of the Czech Yacht Club in Podolí, the charming Trmal Villa, St Anne’s Church, the Ministry of Transport, and the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Other exciting venues include Karlín Palace, Lobkovický Palace, the stands of the Velký Strahov Stadium, and the printing complex at Podkovářská, which features a basketball court on its roof.
During the weekend, families can bring children of all ages to the open building workshop to construct their ideal home. This workshop will stay open throughout the festival weekend from 10 am to 6 pm at the festival information center in the Hybernská Campus.
Visitors who are deaf have the option of attending special guided tours with interpretation into Czech Sign Language and simultaneous transcription. This year, for example, Hlávka Hall of Residence, the Hlávka Institute, Grab’s Villa, and the Palace of the First Czech General Insurance Bank—now the headquarters of the Goethe-Institut—will be available to explore.
Visitors with visual impairments also have options. Adapted tours that include tactile maps, 3D models, materials in Braille, and detailed route descriptions will be provided. This allows them to engage with the architecture through touch, sound, and space. Participating venues include St Anne’s Church, the Autoklub ČR clubhouse, the Palata residential home, the Velký Strahov Stadium, and the historic building of the National Archives of the Czech Republic.
The festival also has options for international guests and local residents—selected tours are available in English as well.
A rich supporting programme
The supportive program offers insight into the city’s changes from various angles. This additional program includes guided tours led by architects and other specialists. From 18 May, the festival information center will be open at the Hybernská Campus.
On 18 May at 6.30 pm, there will be a lecture celebrating the 120th anniversary of Prague’s sewer system as well as the Old Wastewater Treatment Plant in Bubeneč. This discussion will focus on caring for the city and its infrastructure, revealing how technical infrastructure contributes to a modern and healthy city and the importance of preserving technical monuments just like we value historical buildings.
On Tuesday, 19 May, a workshop titled Baroque and Rococo at GHMP Colloredo-Mansfeld will occur. Also, the lecture “Žižkov Freight Station – Past, Present and Future” will spotlight the future of one of Prague’s largest brownfield sites, happening on 19 May at 6 pm at the Hybernská Campus.
On Wednesday, 20 May at 6 pm, you can explore behind the scenes at Kunsthalle Praha. Entry costs 250 CZK; the tour will cover the original architectural plans, historical background, and specifics of running a gallery. Participants will even visit areas that are not usually open to the public. Finally, on Thursday, 21 May from 4 pm, there will be a discussion about the operations of the Municipal Court in Prague at Slezská 2000/9.
The festival bike ride scheduled for Thursday, 21 
May starting at 5 pm, will take participants on a journey through the completed and planned changes in Smíchov—from new transportation systems and the repurposing of past industrial sites to evolving public spaces. Following this, there will be a guided walk focusing on the Dvorecký Bridge, tracing its development from the initial architectural competition through public discussions to its actual construction.
