My favourite 14 hidden gardens in Prague: peaceful, historic and loved by locals
If you’ve ever found yourself shuffling through the crowds on Charles Bridge or dodging selfie sticks at the Old Town Square, you know that Prague can sometimes feel a bit… well, loud. But this is exactly why I love exploring the gardens in Prague!
Prague has a surprising number of gardens tucked away behind palace walls, monastery courtyards, and quiet residential streets. Some are quite well known, but others rarely make it into guidebooks because they are so well hidden that you could walk past them a hundred times without noticing. As someone who grew up and lives in Prague, these are the places I return to whenever I want a break from the busier parts of the city.
In this post, I’ve put together a list of my favourite 14 hidden gardens in Prague, with practical tips on where to find them, when to visit, and what to look out for once you’re inside.
1. Fürstenberg Garden
This garden is right next to the group of small gardens below the castle area. It’s a privately owned garden, so there is a small fee payable, but the garden is beautiful and peaceful most of the time. The views are breathtaking and if you go in the afternoon or evening the gardens are full of light and warm sun.
I really like to get an ice lemon tea at the ticket office at the bottom of the garden and then walk up and sit to enjoy the views. You can walk all the way to the top of the garden, where you can exit through a cafe in the garden and you end up at the Old Castle Stairs. You can either walk down to Staromestka Metro Station or up the hill to Prague Castle.
The Fürstenberg garden history is just as colourful as its rose terraces. Back in the 13th century, this was all just a humble vineyard owned by the Benedictine monks of St. George, but as the nobility started buying up the land under the Castle, it was transformed into a Renaissance-style garden.
In the 1820s, it was bought by the Fürstenberg family, who actually used the palace to store iron from their foundries and wood in the garden! It’s hard to imagine stacks of timber here now, but after a long and difficult legal battle between the city and the state following the fall of Communism, the garden was finally restored and opened to us in 2008.
Fürstenberg Palace itself is used by the Polish Embassy, you’ll see a bit more security around the lower gates.
- Location: Valdštejnská, Prague 1 (enter from the street below or connect from the other Palace Gardens).
- Opening Times: Daily 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM (April to October).
- Tickets: 80 CZK (adults).
2. The Rose Garden at Petrin Hill
The Rose Garden at the top of Petřín Hill is one of the biggest rose gardens in the Czech Republic – the biggest one is at Olomouc and at botanical garden in Pruhonice Chateau just outside Prague.
Whilst this garden is not exactly hidden from view, it’s often overlooked in many travel guides, which I think it’s rather shame. I always stop here whenever I walk through Petrin Park on my way to Strahov or Prague Castle and it’s lovely to see the garden at different time of the year.
There are over 8000 roses planted on area of approximately 6 hectares, including pretty climbing roses. The rose scent is amazing, especially in early summer, but some roses flower as late as mid October.
Similarly like the Kvetnice garden nearby, this area was used by an army for training, but it was gradually transformed into a garden after 1932.
- Location: At the top of Petřín Hill, near the funicular upper station.
- Opening Times: there is no gate or fence, it’s open all the time – best time to see the roses May – October
- Tickets: Free
3. Czernin Garden
The history of the Czernin Palace is just as grand as its 150-metre facade. It all started back in the 1660s when Count Humprecht Jan Czernin, who was the imperial ambassador to Venice, decided he wanted a palace that could outshine even the Habsburgs.
He hired the Italian architect Francesco Caratti to create this Baroque masterpiece, but the family’s ambition eventually outpaced their bank account, leading to a bit of a turbulent past involving military hospitals and even a silk factory!
What I really like is that despite being damaged by shelling and used as a fortification over the centuries, the Czernin Palace garden was beautifully restored in the 1930s by the famous Czech architect Pavel Janák.
The palace is being used by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and not accessible to the general public, but you can visit the garden free of charge during the summer weekends.
- Location: Loretánské náměstí 5, Hradčany (the entrance is on the side of the palace).
- Opening Times: Saturday and Sunday only from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, from May through September.
- Tickets: Free
4. Wallenstein Garden
Did you know that right next to the Wallenstein Palace, which is where the Czech Parliament meets, you can find the stunning Wallenstein Garden? This garden is truly hidden and you can’t see it until you step in through a small wooden gate.
This early Baroque garden was built way back in the 17th century and has strictly geometric garden design which is surrounded by high walls on one side and palaces on the other side.
There are lots of sculptures scattered throughout the garden, as well as the grotto, aviary, large pond with an island (and fish!) and a sala terrena with beautifully decorated ceilings that connect the palace and the gardens.
And you’ll also find my favourite white peacocks striding around the garden. Plus, the view of Prague Castle up ahead is absolutely breathtaking!
My favourite thing in the summer is to attend one of the many free classical music concerts performed by the local music schools in the main part of the garden. Sadly, there are no refreshments in the garden area, but at least there are public toilets here (payable).
- Location: Letenská 123/4, Lesser Town (right next to Malostranská Metro).
- Opening Times: April – October: Weekdays 7:00 am – 7:00 pm; Weekends 9:00 am – 7:00 pm.
- Tickets: Free
5. Gardens Below the Prague Castle
These gardens are one of my favourite ones (together with the Furstenberg Garden next door) and I always seems find a part that I’ve not seen before, whenever I visit. I love that as you walk up to explore the garden terraces, you also get a beautiful view of the houses and palaces below the castle and close view of the Petrin Hil.
The gardens include Ledeburg, Pálffyov, Kolowrat and the Small Fürstenberg Garden. The gardens are built into the terraces of the castle hill and form many smaller gardens, secluded areas with different plants and decorated with statues.
Back in the middle ages, this sunny south-facing slope was mainly planted with vines amongst the fortifications designed to keep invaders out. But in the 16th century, the local nobility realized they had a prime piece of real estate right under the King’s nose and they began transforming it into the lush, Italian-style Renaissance gardens we see today.
The gardens were damaged many times during their history, including by Swedish troops during the Thirty Years’ War. They were also badly neglected by the middle of 20th century and had to be closed down to the public in the 1970s! It wasn’t until the 1990s that a decade-long restoration, supported by none other than Václav Havel and King Charles III (then Prince of Wales), brought these five gardens back to life.
- Location: Valdštejnská 12–14, Lesser Town.
- Opening Times: April & October: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm, May – September: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm, Closed in Winter.
- Tickets: Adults: 180 CZK, Seniors & Youth: 140 CZK, Children (under 18): 50 CZK.
6. Vojan Garden (Vojanovy Sady)
This is another beautiful and very quiet garden tucked away in Lesser Town as you walk from the Charles Bridge to Malostranska Underground Station (or towards Prague Castle).
It dates back to the 1600s and was originally the garden of the Convent of Barefooted Carmelites.
As you walk around, you can see two surviving chapels among the park’s lawns and fruit trees, including the Chapel of Elijah, which is in the form of a stalagmite and stalactite cave.
You can sit on a park bench and admire the park’s beautiful flower beds, blossoming fruit trees, magnolias, and rhododendrons. If you walk to the far end of the gardens, you can see several peacocks that live in the garden.
The Vojan Garden is free to enter and it’s open all year round (and usually closes with sunset). There is a little cafe place, toilets and a children’s play area.
- Location: U Lužického semináře, Lesser Town (look for the high white wall).
- Opening Times: April – October: 8:00 am – 7:00 pm, November – March: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.
- Tickets: Free
7. Vrtba Garden
Vrtba Garden is considered to be one of the most important Baroque gardens in Europe and quite rightly so!
Although there is an entry fee to visit the Vrtba Garden, I think it’s well worth it. The garden is open every day during the main season (spring – mid-autumn) and it’s the best example of baroque gardens in Prague.
It was originally designed by František Maxmilián Kaňka in the early 18th century and it’s laid out in several different terraces decorated with a large fountain, beautiful stairs and sculptures. From the top of the garden you get the most amazing views of Prague Castle complex and St. Vitus Cathedral.
- Location: Karmelitská 25, Lesser Town (behind a plain-looking door).
- Opening Times: April – October: Daily 10:00 am – 6:00 pm.
- Tickets: Adults: 160 CZK, Children & Students: 120 CZK, Family: 450 CZK.
8. Hartigova Zahrada
The Hartig Garden (Hartigovská zahrada) is one of the smaller South Gardens on the southern slopes of Prague Castle and has recently re-opened again. It was originally built in 18th century, when it was part of the Hartig palace.
The garden is quite small, but it does have a landscaped Baroque garden and a charming Music Pavilion (also known as the Sala Terrena or Hudební pavilon), designed in a graceful Rococo style, which was originally used for small concerts and social gatherings for the Hartig family aristocratic guests.
The garden was acquired by the Czech state in the 1960s and integrated into the complex of the Prague Castle Gardens. Slovenian architect Jože Plečnik helped with the extensive restoration at the time and the garden was first re-opened to the public in early 2000s.
You can find here collection of Baroque sculptures by Antonín Braun, chairs and tables to sit and relax and you can also admire the views of the Lesser Town red roofs below.
- Location: Prague Castle Garden complex – access from the Garden on the Ramparts (Na Valech).
- Opening Times (Seasonal): The garden is open daily from March to October, with hours varying slightly depending on daylight (10 am – 5 pm and until 7 & 8 pm in the main summer season)
- Tickets: Free
9. Garden of St. Agnes Monastery
If you’re wandering around the narrow, twisty streets of the Old Town and start to feel like the crowds are getting a bit too much, I suggest you find the St. Agnes Monastery.
You might like to see the medieval art inside, which is pretty awesome, by the way, but my favourite part is the secret garden at the back. There are these soaring Gothic stone walls surrounding a perfectly manicured lawn and it’s actually one of the most atmospheric places in Prague. I often come here just to sit and think because it’s so incredibly quiet; it’s like the rest of the town just disappears!
You’ll find over twenty stunning sculptures by famous Czech artists like František Skála and Michal Gabriel hidden among the trees and old stone ruins. I think it’s fun to explore because you never know what you’ll find around the next corner, one minute you’re looking at a 13th-century convent and the next you’re face-to-face with a quirky modern artwork!
The history of this place is also pretty incredible. It was founded way back in the 1230s by Princess Agnes of Bohemia as the first Gothic building in the city. I remember learning that she actually gave up a life of royalty to become the abbess here, call that a work dedication!
After all the monasteries were closed down, the buildings went through some really rough times and was even used as workshops and housing for the poor in the 19th century. This is why it’s so amazing to see it today; it was saved from demolition and restored so perfectly that you can still feel that amazing atmosphere.
- Location: Klášter sv. Anežky České, U Milosrdných 17, Old Town.
- Opening Times: Daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Ticket: Free to enter the garden (payable entrance to the art gallery inside)
10. Franciscan Garden
If you’re looking for a peaceful retreat, then this is the place to be! You can relax on one of the many benches in the shade of the beautiful rose garden.
Come here in the summer and practically every other person will be eating ice-cream! This is because nearby is my favourite (and clearly other people’s too!) ice-cream in Prague -Svetozor (in the shopping passage just behind the garden). Any time I pass by, I always try new flavours and enjoy them sitting on the bench in the garden.
Franciscan Garden is quite small (only about 1/2 hectare), but because it’s surrounded by buildings on all sides, it makes the perfect place to escape for a while.
If you are travelling with children, there is even a lovely playground on one side of the garden.
Getting to the garden is easy – you can enter through the Světozor passage from the main Prague square – the Wenceslas Square or through Jungmanov Square.
- Location: Between Jungmannovo náměstí and Wenceslas Square (enter via the Světozor or Alfa passage).
- Opening Times: April – October: 7:00 am – 10:00 pm, November – March: 8:00 am – 7:00 pm.
- Tickets: Free
11. Kvetnice (Flower) Garden at Petrin Hill
At the top of Prague’s Petřín Hill is one of Prague’s most charming gardens called Květnice – The Flower Garden. This sunken perennial garden was created under the boundary wall of the Petřín Park Rose Garden between 1935 and 1937. It was built on a landfill, on the site of former military grounds. The only entrance to the garden is through a metal gate that you will find near the Štefánik Observatory.
This garden is a complete hidden gem, it looks like it’s set in a small valley defined by walls and tall trees on the slope above Nebozízek. It’s mainly planted with perennials, but in spring it’s full of tulips. I always think, that Květnice looks more like a typical English garden, enclosed and hidden from public view.
- Location: Petřín Hill, Prague 1 (near the Observatory).
- Opening Times: Daily 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM (April to October) – usually closed in the winter
- Tickets: Free
12. Rockery Garden at Faust House
If you’re walking across the park at Karlovo náměstí, you’ve probably noticed the legendary Faust House with pink fasade. Right next to it there is a large gate that leads into a side garden, that runs all the way to the Church of St. John of Nepomuk on the Rock.
Quite aptly, inside you will find a little rockery garden that feels like a tiny piece of the wild countryside in the middle of the New Town. This is totally one of my new finds and a place I’ll happily recommend to others.
The garden, which is full of alpine plants is set in the natural rocky terrain that gave the church its name. The Klub skalničkářů Praha (Prague Rock Garden Club) opens up the garden 3 or 4 times a year. I loved the last exhibition I visited, which included so many different plants that are just perfect for rockery gardens.
The church was built between 1730 and 1739 by the legendary architect Kilián Ignác Dientzenhofer, who was basically the rockstar of the Prague Baroque scene. He also built the amazing St. Nicholas Church at Lesser Town and the villa Amerika, which is now Antonin Dvorak Museum.
- Location: Karlovo náměstí 40, New Town. The garden strip runs between the Faust House and the Church of St. John of Nepomuk on the Rock.
- 2026 Spring Show: March 22nd – March 27th (9:00 AM – 6:00 PM).
- 2026 May Exhibition: May 5th – May 22nd (9:00 AM – 6:00 PM).
- 2026 Autumn Exhibition: September 7th – September 18th (9:00 AM – 6:00 PM).
- Ticket: Small entry fee during special events (70 CZK for adults and 60 CZK for seniors)
13. Botanical Garden at Ke Karlovu
The history of this garden is very interesting, it’s the oldest in the country, but it didn’t even start on this side of the river! It was originally founded back in 1775 over in Smíchov under Empress Maria Theresa, where it was considered one of the best botanical collections in Europe.
But, after some pretty catastrophic flooding in 1890 and the rapid industrialization of that area, the university realized the plants needed a new home. They moved everything here to Na Slupi in 1898, bringing along some of the most resilient plants, like the 130-year-old Ginkgo biloba and those large cycads trees that are still thriving today.
What I really like is that despite the greenhouses being nearly leveled by the 1945 bombings, the university fought to rebuild them exactly as they were.
Because this is a university garden, keep an eye out for the small educational Geological Park in the centre. It’s a collection of rocks from across the Czech Republic that are up to 600 million years old!
- Location: Na Slupi 16, Prague 2, New Town
- Opening Times: Garden: Daily 10:00 AM – 7:30 PM (April to August), Greenhouses: Daily 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM (April to August).
- Tickets: Garden entry is free, Greenhouses: 100 CZK (Adults, concessions available).
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14. Sternberg Palace Garden
This is totally one of my favourite gardens to visit near the Castle and I also always pop in to the Sternberg’s Cafe, which, like the garden, is surprisingly still undiscovered.
You can also visit the the National Gallery at Šternberský Palace if you have the time (it’s rather large collection of medieval paintings). To get to the garden you need to walk through the entrance to the art gallery, pass the cafe and through a little door (next to the toilets out of all places!) that opens up on to the secret garden.
I like the beautiful modern sculptures scattered all over the lawn, including a giant stork by Jan Lauda standing near a little pond. If you walk over to the edge, you’ll get the most magnificent view down into the moat where the emperors used to keep their deer.
Last time I visited I also find out that a lot of the rhododendrons you see were actually planted by Anna Masaryková, the granddaughter of our first president, who really loved this garden.
- Location: Šternberský palác, Hradčanské náměstí 15, Hradčany. (The entrance is a little doorway right next to the Archbishop’s Palace).
- Opening Times: The garden is usually open during the summer season (April to September), following the gallery hours of 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (closed on Mondays).
- Ticket: Free access to the garden and cafe, admission payable to the art gallery
This blog post was originally written on 5 July 2026 and last updated on 5 July 2026
