Prague is a surprisingly green city: just a couple of tram stops from the tourist crowds, you'll find hills with panoramic views, historic hunting grounds and wild rocky valleys. We've put together 12 of the best parks and gardens — from the famous Petřín to the quiet Stromovka — with practical tips on how to get there and when to go. Grab a blanket, a thermos or a glass of local wine, and pick your route for the weekend.
Prague's parks are far more than just lawns — they're destinations in their own right, complete with beer gardens, vineyards, lookout towers and lake swimming. Below are twelve green spaces worth adding to your list if you live in Czechia or are staying for more than a couple of days.
Perhaps Prague's most famous park-covered hill on the left bank of the Vltava: five gardens, blossoming apple trees in spring and a gorgeous Rose Garden in summer. At the top stands the Petřín Lookout Tower — a mini "Prague Eiffel Tower" with the best panorama of the city. Getting there: take the funicular from the Újezd stop (trams 9, 12, 15, 20, 22, 23) or walk up the hill. Entry to the park is free; the funicular and tower climb cost extra.
A spacious hilltop park above the Vltava with postcard views of the bridges and Old Town. It's also home to one of Prague's most atmospheric beer gardens (Letenský zámeček) and a favourite spot for locals to skateboard, rollerblade and cycle. Tip: come in the early evening for sunset views over the river. The nearest landmarks are the Sparta and Letenské náměstí tram stops, with Hradčanská and Vltavská metro stations nearby. Free entry.
Prague's oldest and one of its largest parks — roughly 100 hectares of former royal hunting grounds established back in the 13th century. Unlike the crowded Petřín, Stromovka is spacious and peaceful, with ponds, footbridges and paths for running and cycling. Perfect for a long walk, a picnic or a jog away from the crowds. Getting there: take metro line C to Nádraží Holešovice or Vltavská, then walk a short way; the Výstaviště exhibition grounds are nearby. Free.
A favourite among locals in Vinohrady: a grassy slope with a view of Prague Castle, where young people gather in the evenings to watch the sunset. There's a large beer garden here with screens for match broadcasts. Who it's for: anyone who wants to feel like a local rather than a tourist. Getting there: take metro line A to Jiřího z Poděbrad or Náměstí Míru, then walk. Free entry.
Tucked among the villas of Vinohrady, this Italian neo-Renaissance gem features grottoes, fountains, ponds and a working vineyard on its slope. It's only natural to finish your walk with a glass of wine at the Viniční altán pavilion, overlooking the vines. When to go: lovely in any season, but especially beautiful during the autumn grape harvest. Getting there: take metro line A to Náměstí Míru, then walk downhill. Free entry to the park.
Prague's wildest corner, on the edge of the city: rocky valleys, streams, forests and meadows form a genuine nature reserve within the capital's limits. In summer, people swim in the Džbán reservoir and a natural pool with flowing water. Who it's for: hikers and families looking for active outdoor time with kids. Getting there: take metro line A to Nádraží Veleslavín, then a couple of tram or bus stops to Divoká Šárka. Free entry.
An ancient fortress on a rock above the Vltava, surrounded by gardens and ramparts with stunning views over the river and city. It's home to a neo-Gothic basilica, an old rotunda, and the famous Slavín cemetery, where Dvořák, Smetana and Mucha are buried. Tip: a great spot for a peaceful, crowd-free stroll, especially at sunset. Getting there: take metro line C to Vyšehrad, then walk. The grounds are free; entry to individual sites is paid.
A small green island on the Vltava at the foot of Charles Bridge, separated from Malá Strana by the narrow Čertovka canal. A quiet park with lawns and views of the river and bridges — plus a museum of modern art and the famous John Lennon Wall nearby. Who it's for: a quick breather right in the centre, between sightseeing stops. Getting there: walk from Charles Bridge or take a tram to Malostranské náměstí / Újezd. Free entry.
One of the oldest surviving gardens in Prague, hidden behind high walls in Malá Strana. Tiny but incredibly cosy, it's an oasis of fruit trees, baroque chapels and peacocks strolling across the lawn. When to go: in spring, when everything is in bloom — the perfect place to escape the noise of the tourist centre. Getting there: a couple of minutes' walk from Malostranská metro station. Free entry.
A hilltop park on the border of Žižkov and Vinohrady, loved by locals for one of the best sunsets over the city and a near-total absence of tourists. There's a wooden church at the top, and a atmospheric bar hidden in a former bomb shelter beneath the hill. Who it's for: anyone wanting an evening walk "like a local," with a bottle of wine on the grass. Getting there: walk from Flora or Jiřího z Poděbrad metro stations (line A). Free entry.
A vast meadow criss-crossed by smooth paved paths in the Břevnov district — a mecca for Prague's rollerbladers, runners and cyclists. At the centre of the park stands the historic Ladronka manor house, home to a popular restaurant and beer garden. Who it's for: active outings and families with kids, with plenty of room to roam. Getting there: take a tram towards Břevnov / the stadium; check the current stop in your transport app. Free entry.
A landscaped arboretum park on the southeastern edge of Prague, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site: 250 hectares with ponds, a chateau, streams and a collection of plants from around the world. It's especially stunning in spring during rhododendron bloom and in golden autumn. Getting there: take a bus from Opatov metro station (line C) to Průhonice, then walk. Important: entry to the park is usually paid — check current prices and opening hours on the official website pruhonickypark.cz.
The takeaway: Prague makes it easy to find a park to match your mood — Petřín and Letná for panoramas, Stromovka and Divoká Šárka for long walks in nature, Riegrovy sady and Parukářka for sunsets, Grébovka for wine, and Kampa and Vojan Gardens for a quiet break in the centre. Most are free and open year-round, so green getaways in the Czech capital are available in any season. Pick your route, check the transport schedule in your app, and head out for a walk.
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