Prague: Guide to Parks Gardens and Green Space
In Prague, there is always a beautiful and peaceful place nearby to escape the crowds and noise of the city. If you are looking to relax and take a break, Prague is the perfect place to visit. There are around 200 parks and gardens in Prague. Many of Prague’s parks and garden are located around the historical centre, and have been restored, including the gardens below at the Prague Castle.
The Franciscan Garden (Františkánská zahrada) is located between Jungmannovo Square, Wenceslas Square, Vodičkova and Palackého streets. It is a very peaceful place located in the heart of the city. It is right next to the Church of Virgin Mary of the Snows, The garden is a far more scenic and pleasant route between Jungmannovo náměstí/Národní třída and Wenceslas Square.
The garden dates back to the 14th century, and in the early 1990s the garden was completely restored to its current service as a public garden with benches, trees and lots of rose bushes. The Park stays open from 7 or 8 a.m. to 7, 8 or 10 p.m., depending on the time of year.
This is not a very large garden, but it is a perfect spot to stop and relax a bit. Just sit on a bench, have an ice cream and take a break.
Havlíčkovy sady is Prague’s second-largest park and is located on the other side of Vinohrady, at the border with the Vršovice district.
The wonderful Neo-Renaissance villa, Villa Gröbe (Grébovka) is probably the park’s most notable landmark. It was built as a luxury summer house for industrialist Moritz Gröbe in 1871–1888. The house stands majestically in a tastefully landscaped, terraced garden on the top of a slope that’s covered with a functioning vineyard. Unfortunately, you cannot visit the house itself because it is currently not open to the public. You can still visit the grounds and enjoy the beautiful view of Prague. There’s a gazebo on the top of the vineyard where you can sit and have wine.
The Letná Hill is very recognizable. It is the one with the strange metronome on top. Unfortunately, some areas of the park, including the one around the metronome, are unmaintained and messy. This is a common case in the most post communist countries. Other areas of the park are taken care of and landscaped, so it is not that bad.
Mainly the reason people climb the hill is to get a beautiful view of Prague and the Vltava River with its bridges. If you take a walk along the park please be mindful that it is very popular with skateboarders, rollerbladers, and cyclists. On a weekend day, walking along these paths can be a bit complicated.
The Petřín hill (formerly one of King Charles’ vineyards) offers beautiful views of Prague and several attractions for adults and children alike. The hill is easily recognizable by the TV tower that is a miniature of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. You can climb the tower for views and enjoy some other activities while up at Petřín.
The mirror maze is a fun diversion for children and adults alike thanks to the hall with distorting mirrors. The observatory can be of interest to older kids and, of course, adults. Don’t forget to stroll through the beautiful, fragrant rose garden – a real treat.
Riegrovy sady is stretching between the Italská, Chopinova, Polská, and Vozová streets on the northern edge of Vinohrady, at the border with Žižkov. It is close to walk to from Vinohradská and Slavíkova streets and from the Jiřího z Poděbrad Square. The park got its name after 19th-century Czech politician František Ladislav Rieger. You can find his statue in the park. Riegrovy sady was established in 1904–1908 as an English-style public garden. Back then it included an observation terrace, unfortunately it has since deteriorated and is not currently in use.
You should definitely have a pint of fresh beer in the large and very popular outdoor “pub”.
The Vrtba Garden (Vrtbovská zahrada) in Lesser Town dates back to the beginning of the 18th century. This I Baroque garden is one of the most beautiful gardens in Prague. It is a quiet oasis in the center of the city, a resting place for your senses. The best time to visit is in the spring and summer, so you can enjoy the blossoming flowers.
The Vrtba Garden is a unique complex of precisely designed flower beds. Alongside Its large staircases are statues of ancient Roman gods and goddesses. The garden offers an exquisite view of Lesser Town, so it is an opportunity to take some awesome pictures.
