Don’t just visit Prague’s art museums – build a day around them

Living in Prague means passing centuries of art and architecture on an ordinary walk to work, dinner, or the tram. But the city’s cultural riches go far beyond its façades, courtyards, and church spires. With more than 200 museums and galleries, Prague offers no shortage of places to explore, and this year brings a timely reason to revisit one of its most important cultural institutions.

National Gallery Prague (NPG) is marking the 230th anniversary of the Society of Patriotic Friends of the Arts, whose collection forms the core of the gallery today. At Trade Fair Palace, visitors can explore that story through a 10-part mini exhibition, which also makes a fitting starting point for a wider art-led day across the city.

With its vast collection spread across six historic locations across the city, from Holešovice to Hradčany and Old Town, each site offers more than just a place to spend a few hours admiring art. Here’s how to turn a museum visit into a full day out, with help from cafes serving up local cuisine, historic attractions nearby, neighborhoods worth lingering in and more. 

Prague’s largest art gallery fills this Functionalist gem by Czech architects Josef Fuchs and Oldřich Tyl. Encompassing more than two centuries, the permanent collection of Trade Fair Palace proceeds chronologically: Art of the Long Century (1796-1918), the First Czechoslovak Republic (1918-1938), and the End of the Black-and-White Era (1938-2021). After, sit down for drinks and brunch bites in the onsite Kolektor Cafe. Outside, the hipster haven of Holešovice offers a day’s worth of cool cafes, bars, and restaurants. Wander through the historic Holešovice Market before a stroll through nearby Stromovka park.

These two palaces outside the Prague Castle gates present complementing collections. In the Renaissance-era Schwartzenberg, Old Masters I hangs 16th–18th-century masterworks by the likes of Albrecht Dürer, El Greco, and Hans Holbein, as well as a section dedicated to Bohemians like Karel Škréta and Petr Brandl. The sequel, Old Masters II, in the 17th-century Sternberg Palace matches brush for brush with paintings by Brueghel, Peter Paul Rubens and Anthony van Dyck. Save some time for a quiet moment in Sternberg Palace Garden (open Apr–Sept), then grab a tea and kolache at Café Šternberk, open year-round. 

While the neo-Classical Salm Palace, next to Prague Castle, fits the neighborhood aesthetic, its permanent collection journeys far afield. The Art of Asia Across Space and Time presents 520 artworks from Asia and the Islamic world, organized on Czech themes and highlighting influences in Czech art and scholarship. The snack-size collection makes a great appetizer to follow with a meal at Kuchyň, on the palace terrace. Enjoy Czech dishes inspired by old cookbooks, like beer-braised goulash, alongside panoramic views of Prague with a cold, crisp pint of beer in hand. It’s a coveted spot, so reservations are a must. 

This monastery from the 1230s ranks among Prague’s most overlooked gems, even amongst locals. That’s a mistake, as the Convent of St Agnes of Bohemia offers a pocket of peace amid the Old Town frenzy, made all the more memorable by the stupendous collection, Medieval Art in Bohemia and Central Europe. Add to this the Convent Gardens sprouting contemporary Czech sculptures, and Anežka café, with a century-old linden tree in the courtyard. Extend the medieval theme at the Museum of Alchemy or stroll the Vltava riverbank, both steps away.

Amid the hustle of Malostranská Metro, it’s easy to miss Waldstein Riding School staring you in the face. Part of the 17th-century Waldstein Palace, now home to the Czech Senate, the building rotates temporary exhibitions and opens to the public at those times. The museum is currently getting ready for an upcoming exhibition of Anne Jagiellon (1503-1547): Queen at the Dawn of a New Era, set to debut in November 2026.

In the meantime, visitors can enjoy the Waldstein Garden next door, accessible Apr 1 – Oct 31. Stroll through the sculptures and admire the fountains early in the season to beat peak tourist crowds. Additional blooms and quiet pathways can be found at the Palace Gardens Below Prague Castle and Vojanovy Gardens, both nearby and with a fraction of the traffic. 

These are just a few of the historic highlights Prague’s museum scene has to offer. Explore more with help from our culture section.