Prague Attractions Open on Mondays: 16 Museums & Gardens to Visit (2026)
When I was growing up, most attractions in Prague used to be traditionally closed on Mondays, which would have been a bit of a headache for anyone arriving for a short city break at the start of the week.
The good news is that loads of them, including some of the big government-run museums, have now changed their schedules and are open on Mondays too.
I usually spend weekends hiking in the Czech countryside or visiting castles that are only open at the weekends, so it’s great to be able to visit museums on Mondays, when I return back to Prague.
Over the years I’ve visited all the museums in this blog post (and some of them more times than I can count) and I wanted to put together an honest list of what’s actually worth your time on a Monday in Prague.
1. National Museum
After a seven-year renovation, the grand Neo-Renaissance building at the top of Wenceslas Square reopened in 2018 and also started to be open every day of the week.
The building itself was completed in 1891 by architect Josef Schulz, and it’s worth going just for the Pantheon hall with 48 statues of important Czech figures. There are still bullet holes visible on the façade from 1968 when Warsaw Pact troops mistook the museum for the Czech Radio building and opened fire on it – a sobering reminder of how recent some of this history really is.
The National Museum also puts on regular exhibitions on special history topics, which are always well put together, but the permanent exhibition on Czech prehistory and the mineralogy collection are great too. The dinosaur skeletons are super cool if you’re travelling with kids.
- Location: Václavské náměstí 68, Prague 1
- Opening Times: Daily 10am-6pm
- Tickets: 350 CZK adults, 250 CZK reduced
2. Prague Castle
Prague Castle is open every single day of the year, Mondays included, which makes it a brilliant choice to start your week.
The castle complex dates back to around 880 AD when Prince Bořivoj I built the first fortified settlement here and it’s been the seat of Czech rulers, Holy Roman Emperors and presidents ever since.
I find the story of Charles IV particularly fascinating, because he transformed the castle in the 14th century and commissioned the Gothic reconstruction of St. Vitus Cathedral, which wasn’t actually finished until 1929 (yes, it really took that long).
Rudolf II also left his mark in the late 1500s when he moved the imperial court here from Vienna and turned the castle into a centre for alchemists, astronomers and artists from across Europe.
Last time I visited, I really enjoyed wandering through Golden Lane in the late afternoon when the day-trip crowds had thinned out. In 1916-17, Franz Kafka briefly used house number 22, which belonged to his sister to write his novels.
- Location: Hradčany, Prague 1
- Opening Times: Grounds 6am-10pm daily; historical buildings 9am-5pm (winter until 4pm)
- Tickets: 450 CZK adults, 225 CZK reduced for students, senior citizens, 200 CZK St. Vitus Cathedral tower (separate & not included in the main ticket). Grounds entrance is free of charge
3. The Jewish Museum
The Prague Jewish Museum is open Sunday to Friday (closed Saturdays for Shabbat), so Mondays work perfectly.
It was founded in 1906 by historian Salomon Hugo Lieben and has a rather heartbreaking history. During WWII the Nazis ironically expanded the collection by bringing in religious artefacts from destroyed Jewish communities across Bohemia and Moravia, intending to create a “Museum of an Extinct Race.” After the war, the surviving items became one of the most important Jewish collections in the world.
Your ticket covers several sites in Josefov, including the Old Jewish Cemetery where roughly 12,000 tombstones are crammed together (the actual number of burials is estimated at over 100,000 because graves were stacked in layers). Rabbi Loew, the legendary creator of the Golem, was buried here in 1609 and people still leave small stones and notes on his grave.
The Pinkas Synagogue has the names of nearly 78,000 Czech and Moravian Jewish victims of the Holocaust written across its walls and it’s one of the most moving places in Prague.
My Local Tip: I really like the Jerusalem Synagogue, which is only a short walk away, not only because it’s very colourful, but because it has an exhibition about the wider Jewish history in the Czech Republic and you can learn more about other Jewish sites outside Prague.
- Location: Josefov, Prague 1
- Opening Times: Sun-Fri 9am-6pm (until 4.30pm in winter); closed Saturdays and Jewish holidays
- Tickets: 600 CZK adults, 400 CZK reduced (includes all sites)
4. Petřín Lookout Tower
Built in 1891 for the Jubilee Exhibition, the Petřín Tower was inspired by the Eiffel Tower (it’s roughly one-fifth the height but, because it sits on a hill, the top is actually at a similar altitude to the Parisian original).
It’s open every day, all year round. The 299 steps to the top are a bit of a workout, though there’s now a lift for anyone who’d rather skip the climb.
I think the views are one of the best in Prague and on a clear day you can see all the way to Sněžka, the highest peak in the country about 150km away.
My local tip: The Stefanik’s Observatory at Petrin Hill is also open on Mondays and so is the Mirror Labyrinth, which is great for children.
- Location: Petřínské sady, Prague 1
- Opening Times: Daily 10am-10pm (shorter hours in winter)
- Tickets: 250 CZK adults, 130 CZK reduced
5. Old Town Hall and Astronomical Clock
The town hall was founded in 1338 when King John of Luxembourg granted Prague’s Old Town the right to have its own municipal seat.
But it is the Astronomical Clock that everyone comes to see. It was first installed in 1410 by clockmaker Mikuláš of Kadaň and mathematician Jan Šindel and it’s the third-oldest astronomical clock in the world and the oldest one still working.
The twelve apostles that parade past the windows every hour were added in the 17th century and the whole mechanism was painstakingly restored after being almost completely destroyed by German artillery during the Prague Uprising in May 1945.
I think the climb up the tower is one of the best things you can do in Prague – there’s a lift if you don’t fancy the stairs, and the views over the red rooftops of the Old Town and across to Prague Castle are genuinely amazing.
- Location: Staroměstské náměstí 1/3, Prague 1
- Opening Times: Mon 11am-10pm, Tue-Sun 9am-10pm
- Tickets: 300 CZK adults, 200 CZK reduced (tower); historical halls extra
6. Mucha Museum
Dedicated to Alphonse Mucha, the Czech Art Nouveau artist who became famous in Paris in the 1890s designing posters for Sarah Bernhardt, this museum is open every day including Mondays.
But Mucha wasn’t only known for beautiful decorative posters, his real passion was the Slav Epic, a series of 20 enormous canvases celebrating Slavic history that he worked on from 1910 to 1928.
The museum has recently moved to the newly refurbished Severin Palace, where they have more space and the exhibition is very nicely laid out. I’d say the museum ticket is still pretty good value if you’re interested in Art Nouveau, but you only need about one hour to see everything.
My Local Tip: If you want to see more Mucha work, you definitely have to see the Municipal House at Namesti Republiky (just continue walking on Na Prikope street towards the Namesti Republic Square). Mucha painted much of the interior and also decorated the exterior, which you can see from the outside.
- Location: Na Příkopě 852/10, New Town, Prague 1
- Opening Times: Daily 10am-6pm
- Tickets: 300 CZK adults, 250 CZK reduced
7. Strahov Monastery & Library
Founded in 1143 by Vladislav II, Strahov is one of the oldest Premonstratensian monasteries in the world and somehow survived the Hussite Wars, the Thirty Years’ War and decades of Communist suppression.
The monks were expelled in 1950 and only returned in 1990 after the Velvet Revolution. The library is the main reason, why most people visit Strahov Monastery. The library Theological Hall from 1679 and the Philosophical Hall from 1794 are absolutely beautiful, with frescoed ceilings and walls lined with thousands of leather-bound books.
Just a heads up though – you can only view the library halls from the doorway, you can’t actually walk inside. I know this is quite disappointing, especially if you’ve seen all the pretty pictures on social media, so I thought it’s worth mention it.
My Local Tip: The monastery brewery next door makes a lovely amber lager if you fancy a pint afterwards. The ticket office closes for lunch between 12-1 pm, so if you find yourself with some extra time, you can admire the beautiful views from in front of the monastery. Or you can walk up to one of my favourite views of Prague to the Our Lady of Exile viewing point just on the right side of the monastery.
- Location: Strahovské nádvoří 1/132, Prague 1
- Opening Times: Daily 9am-12pm and 1pm-5pm
- Tickets: 190 CZK adults, 80 CZK reduced
8. Lobkowicz Palace
Within the Prague Castle complex but privately owned, Lobkowicz Palace is run by the Lobkowicz family who got their property back after 1989 (they’d had it confiscated twice in the 20th century – first by the Nazis in 1939, then by the Communists in 1948).
The museum collection is genuinely amazing and super large as it’s spread over 21 rooms! It includes original manuscripts by Beethoven and Mozart, paintings by Canaletto, Velázquez and Brueghel and a rather lovely collection of musical instruments.
The audio guide is narrated by family members, which is a lovely touch you won’t find anywhere else. There’s also a terrace café and a restaurant with great views over the city and the Vltava.
My local tip: If you want a very special gift from Prague, you can buy Lobkowicz vine from their vineyard at Roudna nad Labem. I didn’t get the chance to buy one when I visited the vineyard last year, so I was glad to see I can buy one in Prague any time I want!
- Location: Jiřská 3, Prague Castle
- Opening Times: Daily 10am-6pm
- Tickets: 380 CZK adults, 310 CZK reduced
9. Vrtba Garden
One of the most beautiful Baroque gardens in Central Europe, the Vrtba Garden is open daily from April to October, Mondays included.
The garden was created around 1720 for Jan Josef of Vrtba, the High Burgrave of Prague Castle and designed by architect František Maxmilián Kaňka. The sculptures are the work of Matthias Bernard Braun, who’s probably the most important Baroque sculptor in Bohemia (you’ll recognise his style from the statues on Charles Bridge).
It’s pretty small and you can see everything in about 30-45 minutes, but I think it’s absolutely wonderful, especially in late spring and summer when everything is in bloom. The terraced design climbs up the slope of Petřín Hill and the view from the top terrace over the red rooftops of Malá Strana is just lovely. UNESCO added it to the World Heritage list as part of Prague’s historic centre.
- Location: Karmelitská 25, Malá Strana, Prague 1
- Opening Times: Daily 10am-7pm (April to October only; closed in winter)
- Tickets: 200 CZK adults, 160 CZK reduced
10. Powder Tower
One of the original thirteen gates that once guarded the Old Town, the Powder Tower (Prašná brána) was started in 1475 during the reign of King Vladislav II Jagiellonian. It was meant to be a grand ceremonial entrance to the royal court, which used to be right next door where the Municipal House now stands.
Construction was actually abandoned when the king moved his residence to Prague Castle in 1483, and the tower stood unfinished for centuries. The name comes from the 17th century when it was used to store gunpowder. The current Neo-Gothic appearance, including most of the decorative sculptures, dates from a restoration by architect Josef Mocker between 1875 and 1886.
It’s open daily and the 186 steps to the top take you to a viewing gallery with lovely views down Celetná Street towards the Old Town Square.
My local tip: Other Prague towers such as the Old Town BridgeTower or Lesser Town Tower on Charles Bridge, St. Nicholas Church Bell Tower with spy lookout room or the modern Zizkov TV Tower are also open on Mondays.
- Location: Náměstí Republiky 5, Prague 1
- Opening Times: Daily 10am-10pm (shorter hours in winter)
- Tickets: 190 CZK adults, 140 CZK reduced
11. Kunsthalle Praha
A relative newcomer that opened in February 2022, you can find Kunsthalle Praha in a former electrical substation called Zenger from the 1930s. The building itself supplied electricity to Prague’s tram network for decades before being beautifully converted by Schindler Seko Architects.
The project is funded by the Pudil Family Foundation and focuses on modern and contemporary art, with rotating exhibitions rather than a permanent collection.
I’ve been to several exhibitions here and I think it’s a great addition to the Prague art scene – the building is super cool and the rooftop café has wonderful views of Prague Castle. Importantly, it’s open on Mondays when many other galleries are closed (it’s actually closed on Tuesdays instead).
My local tip: You can visit the art gallery souvenir shop and the cafe free of charge for an unusual gift ideas from Prague and amazing views of Prague Castle.
- Location: Klárov 5, Malá Strana, Prague 1
- Opening Times: Wed-Mon 11am-7pm (Thu until 9pm); closed Tuesdays
- Tickets: 350 CZK adults, 250 CZK reduced
12. Gardens Under Prague Castle
The interconnected Baroque gardens on the southern slopes below Prague Castle (Ledebour, Small Pálffy, Great Pálffy, Kolowrat and Small Fürstenberg) are open daily during the main tourist season, Mondays included.
These were originally private gardens belonging to noble families with palaces on Valdštejnská Street and they were beautifully restored and opened to the public in 2000.
The Great Pálffy Garden has a sundial from 1751 and the Ledebour Garden has a beautiful sala terrena that’s sometimes used for concerts.
My local tip: Every time I visit, there is hardly anyone there – partly because the gardens are so large, so you can’t really see anyone and partly because it’s still one of the places that’s a little bit undiscovered. Be prepared for lots of steps up and down with not a lot of shade. I’d also suggest that you bring some water, as there is no cafe or facilities inside the garden (there are toilets inside, though).
- Location: Valdštejnská 14, Malá Strana, Prague 1
- Opening Times: Daily April-October, hours vary by month (10am-6pm in peak summer); closed November-March
- Tickets: 180 CZK adults, 140 CZK reduced
13. Lego Museum Prague
The largest private Lego exhibition in the world, this museum has over 3,000 original models across more than 20 themed sections. It’s open every day of the week including Mondays.
Honestly, I’m a bit torn on this one – the collection is fascinating if you’re a Lego enthusiast or travelling with kids, but I’d say it’s pretty overpriced for what you get and the space feels cramped. If you’ve got Lego-mad children with you, they’ll love it. If not, I’d give it a miss.
My local tip: Most other museums suitable for children, such as the Chocolate Museum or Illusions Museum are also open on Mondays, because they are privately owned.
- Location: Národní 362/31, Prague 1
- Opening Times: Daily 10am-8pm
- Tickets: 290 CZK adults, 200 CZK children
14. Museum of Communism
This museum covers the period from 1948 to 1989 when Czechoslovakia was under Communist rule. It moved to its current location near Náměstí Republiky in 2017 and the exhibition was significantly improved at the same time.
The collection includes everyday objects, propaganda posters, recreated classrooms and interrogation rooms, and powerful documentary footage of the 1968 Soviet invasion and the 1989 Velvet Revolution.
I think it’s genuinely important for understanding modern Czech history and I’d recommend the Museum of Communism to anyone visiting Prague for the first time. My parents lived through this period and I find the recreated shop interiors particularly accurate – and rather depressing.
My local tip: The permanent 20th century history exhibition at the National Museum is very similar to the Museum of Communism, although this museum exhibition is much larger and focuses mainly on the Communism era.
I’ve visited both exhibitions (and enjoyed both of them), but I’d say, that if you’ve already seen the 20th century exhibition at the National Museum, this one might feel a bit like a repetition (although it does go a lot deeper into the subject).
- Location: V Celnici 1031/4, Prague 1
- Opening Times: Daily 9am-8pm
- Tickets: 380 CZK adults, 290 CZK reduced
15. Franz Kafka Museum
Open every day including Mondays, this museum on the Malá Strana side of the river is dedicated to Prague’s most famous literary son. Kafka was born in Prague in 1883 and spent almost his entire life in the city.
The Franz Kafka museum opened in 2005 and uses original manuscripts, letters, photographs and atmospheric audio-visual installations to explore his complicated relationship with Prague. The exhibition is split into two parts – “Existential Space” looks at how the city shaped him, and “Imaginary Topography” shows how his Prague became transformed into a metaphysical landscape in his writing.
My local tip: I think it’s quite atmospheric and well-curated, though some people find it a bit pretentious. The famous David Černý sculpture of two men urinating into a Czech-shaped pool is in the courtyard outside, it’s hard to miss! (Ha, ha double pun, I know!)
- Location: Cihelná 2b, Malá Strana, Prague 1
- Opening Times: Daily 10am-6pm
- Tickets: 300 CZK adults, 200 CZK reduced
16. DOX Centre for Contemporary Art
A bit out of the centre in Holešovice but really worth the trip, DOX is open on Mondays and closed on Tuesdays instead. The building is a converted factory beautifully redesigned by architect Ivan Kroupa, and it opened in 2008.
The most eye-catching addition is the Gulliver Airship – a 42-metre wooden zeppelin perched on the roof that you can actually walk inside. It’s used for literary readings and discussions.
The exhibitions tend to be thought-provoking and politically engaged, covering everything from press freedom to climate change. In my opinion, it’s the most interesting contemporary art space in Prague.
My local tip: To have the ultimate alternative Prague experience, you should also visit the newly re-designed Holesovice Market with the largest fruit & veg market hall, my favourite cafe and art space at Vnitroblok (which also recently opened new artisan bakery) and the Holesovice marina with boats, new flats buildings and independent cafes.
- Location: Poupětova 1, Holešovice, Prague 7
- Opening Times: Mon, Wed-Fri 11am-7pm, Sat-Sun 10am-6pm; closed Tuesdays
- Tickets: 250 CZK adults, 130 CZK reduced
This blog post was originally written on 1 July 2026 and last updated on 1 July 2026
