Slavic Island in Prague – Visitor’s Guide & History

Slovanský Ostrov (Slavic Island) is also called Žofín and you can find it on the right-bank of Vltava river next to the National Theatre at the Legion Bridge.

You can’t miss Slovanský ostrov as it’s quite large ( about 2.2 hectares) and you can see the water tower from as far as Smichovska Naplavka. There is a bridge, built in 1948 to the island just opposite the side of National Theatre.

My favourite things to do at Shooter’s Island

The Slavic Island is the place to rent the fun looking boats, have a picnic, visit the art gallery and if you are visiting with children spend some time at the local playground.

I also love visiting Slavic Island in the summer to hide under the large trees (especially if there is summer heatwave and the streets of Prague get way too hot to walk around). I often pop in just before the sun set as the views of the old town houses lined up on the embankment are particularly lovely in the evening sun.

Take a paddle boat trip on Vltava river

Whilst you can take an organised boat trip on the river Vltava, I prefer to rent a little paddle boat that you can take out yourself. Although I thought at first, this was something ‘just for tourists’, I actually really enjoyed the experience and it was definitely cooler on the water than in the streets of the town.

Most rental places are on the ‘ Slovansky Island’ or Zofin Island just outside the National Theatre (access to the island is via a bridge from Masarykovo Nabrezi street as you go from the National Theatre towards the famous Dancing House.

There are several different places to rent your paddle boat from. Prices are about the same in each place, but it depends on what type of boat you want to rent and for how many people you needed for. As an example boat for 2 people is 300 KCZ for 60 minutes. You can also rent boats for 4 people, which at around 500 KCZ work out a little cheaper per person. The cute looking old-fashioned cars are of course the most expensive ones, but they do look pretty cool moving on the water.

The staff will explain where you are allowed to go and what you should avoid (you are not allowed to go close to the weir towards the Charles Bridge as it’s too dangerous). Vltava River is fairly quiet and slow around this area, so you don’t need to worry about being overturned in.

You also need to watch out for large powered boats and give them plenty of space to pass. Depending on how far you are from them, you might feel the water moving underneath your paddle boat, but that’s just a fun part of being on the water!

Once you are on the river, there is no shade (unless you hide under the Legionares Bridge), so bring a hat, sunglasses and long shirt to cover your arms or legs. Clothes-wise you are better off with shorts or a longer skirt (or you can leave the pedalling to your friend!).

The standard rental is for 60 minutes, which is plenty of time to work your way around Shooters Island with the views of Charles Bridge, Kampa Island and Park with the art gallery at Nove Mlyny (New Mills), the row of yellow penguins, the underneath of Legionnaires Bridge (with the perfect shade) and the edge of Children Island with the statue of a dancing girl representing Vltava River.

Children’s Playground

Children can have fun at the playground which is between the neo-Renaissance Žofín building and the Šítkov Water Tower. The colourful concrete panels at the playground are complemented by sandboxes, climbing ropes, spinning equipment, rockers, swings, slides, a wooden totem, and a teepee. The playground on Slovanský Island is fenced off and covered with sand throughout. Next to the playground, children can ride on a model of the original steam locomotive from 1841, named Český lvíček (Czech Lion Cub).

The main island restaurant and a ball room

There used to be an old inn on the island, which was rebuilt during 1836 and 1837. into more upmarket restaurant byVáclav Antonín Novotný, one of the island owners.

The current building on Žofín was built in 1884 based on the design by Jindřich Fialka, when the island was purchased by the city of Prague. Until the construction of the Municipal House next to the Powder tower closer to the centre of Prague, the island was a centre of Czech social life. Concerts, ballroom dancing events and other social events are still frequently held in the Žofín building to this day.

My grandmother and her two sisters used to go to ball room dances at the Zofin ball room in the 1930s. My great aunt wrote in her diary, how they would take a tram to get to the island from Smichov where they lived and that the ballroom was beautifully decorated and they didn’t come back home until after 2 am! Must have been a great time!

Exhibition Gallery & Cafe

At the southern end of the island, near the Šítkov Water Tower, the SVU Mánes association building with an exhibition hall and an art café was built in 1930. There is easier access to this part of the island directly from the street, so you don’t need to walk through the whole island.

The gallery often hosts free art exhibitions and I always make sure I pop in to have a look. It’s one of my favourite things to do in Prague for free, but it’s also because the homemade Italian gelato next door is absolutely delicious!

Slavic Island History

The island was gradually created in the 17th century by disposing of soil behind the Šítkov Water Mills and later the New Town Mills, which stood there at the time and were part of now lost village of Zderaz. By 1784 the island was pretty much formed and was reinforced with a wall around and planted with trees.

The island was also known in the past as Barvířský (Dyers’ Island) after a leather dyer Josef Ignác Saenger, who owned it from 1817.

Its second well-known name, Žofín, dates from 1838 when the island was named after Austrian Archduchess Sophie (in Czech Zofie), the mother of one of the well known kings of Bohemia and Austria – Hungary – Emperor Franz Joseph I.

The last name is a tribute to the Slavic Congress, which took place here in 1848 and in its memory, the island was renamed Slovanský (Slavic Island) in 1925.

Facilities at Slavic’s Islands

• Public Toilets – the public toilets (payable) are located behind the main building
• Children’s Playground
• Restaurant (upmarket)
• Cafe & Ice-cream place (best accessible from the main road at the water tower)

Practical Information

• Location: At the beginning of the Legion Bridge, Prague 1 (nearest underground is Narodni Trida – line B and tram stop Narodni – trams 9, 22 etc.). The island bridge is accessible from opposite the National Theatre, where the tram stop ‘Narodni’ is for trams 17, 18
• Opening Times: All the times (not restricted)
• Tickets: Free

This blog post was originally written on 22 August 2024 and last updated on 22 August 2024

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