Attraction
Prague Castle
The vast hilltop seat of Bohemian kings and Czech presidents, home to St Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, St George's Basilica and Golden Lane.
National Museum
The Czech Republic's largest museum, in a neo-Renaissance palace at the top of Wenceslas Square, with history and natural history galleries and a Pantheon.
At a glance
- Type
- National history and natural history museum
- Area
- Nové Město, Prague, Czech Republic
- Opening
- Open daily · 10:00–18:00
- Official site
- nm.cz
Good to know
- Wheelchair access
- Lifts
- Café
- Children's museum
- Cloakroom
Why we recommend it
The National Museum was founded in 1818 by Count Kašpar Maria Šternberg and is the oldest and largest museum in the Czech Republic. Its main building closes off the top of Wenceslas Square: a neo-Renaissance palace designed by Josef Schulz and completed in 1891, built as a statement of Czech national pride. After a long reconstruction from 2011, the Historical Building reopened in 2018, and it is now connected by an underground passage to the New Building next door, the former Prague Stock Exchange.
Together the two buildings form the museum complex. The history galleries trace the Czech lands from the early Middle Ages to the First World War, and a separate exhibition in the New Building covers the 20th century, including the occupation and the communist era. The natural history side is a favourite with families, with life-size models of prehistoric animals and the Miracles of Evolution exhibition, which is dominated by the skeleton of a fin whale. The connecting passage hosts its own exhibition about key moments in Czech history. The building itself is part of the attraction: the grand staircase and the domed Pantheon, lined with statues and busts of leading Czech figures, are among the finest interiors in the city.
The museum is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00, apart from a few holidays. It is largely wheelchair accessible, with step-free access through the New Building entrance and lifts in the Historical Building, and wheelchairs can be borrowed free of charge. Weekend middays and public holidays are the busiest, when entry can be paused for a while, so mornings on weekdays are the best time to go. There are cafés in both buildings. Allow at least three hours if you want to see both history and natural history.
This is a good choice for a rainy day, for families and for anyone who wants context before exploring the rest of the city. Muzeum metro station, served by lines A and C, is directly below the building, and the whole length of Wenceslas Square leads down to the Old Town. The State Opera is next door, and the statue of St Wenceslas on horseback stands just below the museum steps, a traditional meeting point and the site of many of the gatherings that shaped modern Czech history.
National Museum FAQs
What are the National Museum's opening hours?
The museum complex is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00, with changes on a few holidays such as 24 December and 1 January.
Is the National Museum wheelchair accessible?
Yes, apart from the dome and the upper floors of the Children's Museum. Step-free entry is through the New Building and wheelchairs can be borrowed free.
What can I see at the National Museum?
History galleries from the Middle Ages to the 20th century, natural history exhibitions with a fin whale skeleton, and the Pantheon in the Historical Building.
How long should I spend at the National Museum?
Around three hours to see both the history and natural history exhibitions.
Is there a café?
Yes. There are cafés in both the Historical Building and the New Building.
When is the museum least busy?
Weekday mornings. Weekend middays and public holidays are the busiest times.
How do I get to the National Museum?
Take the metro to Muzeum station on lines A or C, which is directly beneath the museum at the top of Wenceslas Square.
Is it good for children?
Yes. The natural history exhibitions and the Children's Museum are popular with families.