Prague for Free: Gardens Edition
When it comes to things to do in Prague, the gardens in Prague are majorly underrated. Have you ever wanted to feel like you’re sneaking into a royal garden, wandering through spaces that once belonged to dukes and emperors — completely for free? The gardens in Prague are exactly the place to do just that.
Prague for Free is my ongoing series dedicated to the best things this city has to offer without spending a cent. This edition focuses on the magical gardens Prague has tucked away throughout the city.
Gardens in Prague are their own world. They’re curated, intentional, and precise. Think clipped hedgerows, peacocks wandering the footpaths, and centuries of history behind every stone wall. Prague has a number of them, and surprisingly, many are free to enter.
Before we dive into the recommendations, a quick background on me. I’m Anne, and I lived in Prague for a year while completing my Master’s degree. Searching for “free things in Prague” became a daily habit. Eventually, typing just the letter F in my search bar would bring up the entire query.
I quickly found that many resources online were scattered or unclear about what is actually free. So I created this guide to help budget-conscious travelers and people living in Prague. My goal is simple: find the best things the city has to offer at zero cost.
I’ve already covered free parks in Prague — which you can read here. Prague has so many beautiful outdoor spaces that I decided to create this separate guide just for gardens. So without further ado, let’s explore some of the best free gardens in Prague.
Short on Time?
TL;DR: Short on time? Here are the five gardens in Prague featured in this guide — plus where to find them on the map.
Waldstein Garden
The Waldstein (or Wallenstein) Garden is one of the most popular gardens to visit in the city. It sits directly behind the grand Waldstein Palace in Malá Strana. Albrecht von Waldstein, a powerful noble serving the Habsburg emperor, commissioned the garden in the early 1600s as part of his palace grounds. The garden was designed in the Baroque style — and by Baroque style, I simply mean that the garden features strict symmetry, ornamental statues, and manicured hedges, all designed to wow visitors. For centuries, caretakers have maintained this garden beautifully, and today visitors can explore it for free.
Before getting into some of the features of the Waldstein Garden, it’s worth noting the opening times as the garden isn’t open year-round. You can visit from April through October, from 7:00–19:00 on weekdays and 9:00–19:00 on weekends.
Now let’s talk about what you’ll actually find inside the garden itself. One of the main spaces in the garden is the Sala Terrena, an open-air pavilion attached to the palace with grand arches and striking ceiling frescoes. There’s an aviary that houses the garden’s famous peacocks — though you’ll often see them roaming freely throughout the grounds. You’ll also find fountains, ponds, and last but not least, the garden’s grotto.
The grotto is where you’ll find perhaps the most unique feature of the Waldstein Garden: the famous dripstone wall. Covered in jagged, stalactite-like formations, the wall gives the grotto the appearance of a cave built directly into the garden. It’s a strange and fascinating sight — and easily one of the most memorable parts of the garden. Whether you’re looking for a fairytale-esque escape or hoping to see the dripstone wall for yourself, Waldstein Garden is worth adding to your Prague itinerary.
Vojanovy Gardens
The Vojanovy Gardens, or Vojanovy Sady in Czech, are believed to be one of the oldest preserved gardens in Prague. Like the Waldstein Garden, they are located in Malá Strana. The garden’s origins date back to the Middle Ages. At the time, the space served as part of a monastery garden connected to a nearby convent. Over the centuries, the area evolved from a practical space used by religious orders into the tranquil garden visitors can enjoy today.
These gardens are open year-round, though the hours change depending on the season. During the winter months the garden typically closes earlier in the afternoon. In spring and summer it stays open later into the evening. You can read more about the opening hours here.
Walking through Vojanovy Gardens feels quite different compared to the Baroque layout of Waldstein Garden. The atmosphere here is calmer and less formal. Think big shady trees and quiet benches that are perfect for stopping to relax or reflect. Within the garden you’ll find a small chapel dedicated to St. Elijah. You’ll also see several modern sculptures, including A Sitting Woman by artist Jan Kodet. Altogether, this garden blends centuries-old history with a some newer artistic touches. It’s one of those places that reminds you why Prague rewards slow travel. No rush, no ticket line, just a beautiful old garden doing exactly what it was always meant to do.
Large Strahov Garden
The Velká Strahovská zahrada, or Large Strahov Garden, is nestled in the hills above Malá Strana. Located just beside the historic Strahov Monastery, the garden offers one of the most beautiful viewpoints in this part of the city. Monks originally established the garden as a functional monastery garden in the Middle Ages. Today, parts of the garden remain preserved and open to visitors.
Unlike some of the other gardens in Prague, Velká Strahovská zahrada does not list strict opening hours. Visitors can typically wander through the garden freely while exploring the area around Strahov Monastery.
The garden itself is simple but incredibly scenic. From the terraces and pathways you can enjoy wide views stretching across Prague. It’s a wonderful place to pause while exploring the nearby monastery complex or walking through the Petřín area. With fewer crowds than some of the city’s more famous viewpoints, it’s an especially nice spot to take in the skyline.
I went to this garden when my dad came to visit, and the view alone immediately stood out to me. We went in February, and by that point I had been living in Prague for around six months and had never even heard of it before. That alone makes it feel like one of Prague’s hidden gems. It’s also a bonus that the garden is open year-round. And having visited during one of the coldest, grayest months myself, I can confirm that even in the winter, it’s worth the visit.
Havlíček Gardens
Grébovka, also known as Havlíčkovy sady or Havlíček Gardens, is one of the largest and most picturesque gardens in Prague. The garden sits in Prague’s Vinohrady district. It was originally developed in the late 19th century as part of a grand estate belonging to industrialist Moritz Gröbe. Inspired by Italian Renaissance landscapes, the grounds were designed with terraces, fountains, and elegant pathways that still give the garden a distinctly romantic feel today.
The garden’s history took a darker turn during World War II, when parts of the estate were damaged in the bombing of Prague in 1945. In the decades that followed, the area gradually fell into disrepair. Extensive restorations eventually brought the garden back to life, with the full renewal completed in 2007.
Grébovka is open year-round, though the hours change depending on the season. From April through October, the garden stays open longer into the evening, while from November through March, the hours are a bit shorter.
The grounds feature winding paths, vineyards, pavilions, fountains, and plenty of corners to explore. One of the most striking features is the garden’s grotto, which is stunning with its rocky, cave-like structure and cascading water.
This is actually one garden in Prague that I always wanted to see but never got around to (thanks, Master’s thesis). It’s one of my biggest Prague regrets — especially not getting to see the grotto. I’m heading back to Prague in April, and this garden is at the top of my list to visit.
Franciscan Garden
The last garden in Prague I want to share might surprise you — it sits right in the middle of the city center. You can find the Franciscan Garden (Františkánská zahrada) between Wenceslas Square and Jungmann Square, hidden behind buildings and busy streets. Despite its central location, stepping inside feels like entering a quiet pocket of greenery in the middle of Prague’s busiest district.
I actually discovered this garden completely by accident. I was using Google Maps to navigate somewhere in the city, and as Google Maps often does, it sent me on a detour — straight through this little garden.
The space itself dates back to the medieval gardens of a Carmelite monastery that once stood here. Over the centuries the garden changed hands and owners reshaped it several times before the city opened it to the public in the mid-20th century. Today the layout still reflects its historic origins, with a central pavilion, flower beds, fruit trees, and plenty of benches scattered through the greenery.
The hours differ slightly based on the season so be sure to double check them.
Because of its location, Františkánská zahrada feels like a quiet oasis surrounded by the energy of central Prague. When the streets around Wenceslas Square are packed with tourists, this garden offers a calm place to sit for a while.
I recommend this garden as a quick escape when you want a break from the crowds — or from the blazing Prague heat in the summer. It’s a great place to take a beat in the shade before heading back out into the city.
Final Thoughts
One thing that became clear while researching this guide is just how much history lies behind the gardens in Prague. Many of these spaces date back centuries and were part of monasteries, royal residences, or grand estates. What might seem like just a garden at first glance often has layers of history hiding behind it.
Today gardens in Prague offer peaceful escapes from the busy city streets, along with beautiful architecture and landscaping shaped by generations of history. Best of all, you don’t have to open your wallet to enjoy them.
Craving more green spaces to explore? Be sure to check out my guide to free parks in Prague as well.
And as always, if there are any gardens in Prague that you love that didn’t make this list, feel free to leave a comment or send me a message — I’m always looking for new places to explore.
