Prague Botanical Garden (Botanická zahrada Praha) is located in the district called Troja (Troy) on the slopes rising from the coast of the Vltava river in the neighbourhood of Prague Zoo. They contain rich collections of Czech, European, and exotic plants, including the Japanese Garden, Alpine House, Mediterranean Collection and not least the Fata Morgana greenhouse, which is the most famous attraction.
Fata Morgana Greenhouse
The unique greenhouse Fata Morgana is built in the rock overlooking the Vltava river and the natural surface has been fully utilized in arranging the plants. There are 3 main sections in Fata Morgana. The Succulent Section contains plants from arid areas in Australia, Mexico, Africa, and Madagascar. The Lowland Section, the biggest part of Fata Morgana, shows the rainforest vegetation of South-East Asia, South America, Africa, and other regions. There is also a waterfall and an aquarium with tropical fish. The Mountainous Section focuses on plants from high altitude areas in South Africa, Venezuela, or the Alps.
Full access to Fata Morgana expositions is possible for disabled people and wheelchairs. When visiting Fata Morgana, be prepared for sharp temperature and humidity changes between the individual sections.
Unusual View of Prague Castle
You may also walk around a few kilometres long track on the rocky hill and in the forest adjacent to the Botanical Garden. There are several stops on the track with information tables describing the area. There are also numerous pieces of outdoor artwork (strange looking statues like giraffes – perhaps they are actually camels – made of pieces of pipelines). By the way, the place with the giraffes offers a wonderful view of Prague. You can see the Prague Castle from an infrequently featured angle from the side.
This track is outside the paid area of the Botanical Gardens. It is not suitable for people with physical disabilities.
Opening Hours
Outdoor expositions are open daily all year round, although obviously there is much more to see in spring and summer. Opening hours depend on season. They are 9am to 8pm from May to September and shorter (closing at 4pm, 5pm or 6pm) in the other months. The entrance to outdoor expositions is free of charge from November to February.
The Fata Morgana greenhouse has the same opening hours are the outdoor expositions, except on Mondays when it is closed (unless the Monday is a public holiday).
Guided Tours
You can order a guided tour in English, French, German, or Spanish. Call +420 603 582 191 or send an e-mail to pruvodci ( at ) botanicka .cz
Getting to Prague Botanical Garden
Public Transport
Take metro line C (red) to Nádraží Holešovice and then take bus number 112 to the end stop in front of Prague Zoo. The entrance to the Botanical Garden is located about 5 minutes walk from the zoo entrance and it is well signed.
Alternatively, from the metro station Kobylisy (also line C, the next stop after Nádraží Holešovice) you can take bus number 144 or 102 to the stop Na Pazderce, located on the top of the hill. Then you walk about 15 minutes on the above mentioned track with the giraffes to the Botanical Gardens entrance.
By Car
Car is not the most convenient way how to get to the Botanical Garden due to frequent traffic jams in the city on working days and potential lack of parking spaces on weekends. If you want to come with your car, you can use the parking in front of the Prague Zoo (it might be full on weekend and on holidays). Another parking alternative is the Botanical Garden’s official car park in the upper end of the Botanical Garden area on the hill. From Prague Zoo, continue on the road up the hill to Bohnice district. Once you get on the hill, the first turn to the right (after you have passed a big one to the left) is the parking place.
More Information and Contact
Botanická zahrada Praha
Address: Nádvorní 134, Praha 7 – Troja
Unfortunately most information on the website (except one English or German summary page) is only in Czech.