National Museum Prague: buildings, exhibitions and tickets

• Location: Václavské náměstí 68, at the upper end of Wenceslas Square; the nearest metro station is Muzeum, served by lines A and C.
• The museum complex comprises the Historical Building and the New Building, connected by the exhibition passageway featuring “Moments of History”.
• Opening hours: daily, 10 am to 6 pm.
• As of 11 October 2026, admission to the museum complex costs 360 Kč full price and 260 Kč at the reduced rate; children under 15 enter the general exhibitions free when accompanied by an adult.
• The Children’s Museum costs 140 Kč per person separately and is designed for children aged four and up; visits take place in a booked 90-minute time slot.
• The complex ticket covers current and permanent exhibitions in both buildings, but not Czech Press Photo or the Children’s Museum.

The Historical Building is particularly well suited to combining natural history with the history of earlier times. In “The Miracles of Evolution”, the fin whale skeleton is one of the most striking exhibits; the exhibition also features around 1,500 objects. “Windows into Prehistory” takes you back to prehistoric times through fossils and models. If you are more interested in the country’s history, the historical exhibition traces a route from its beginnings in the 8th century to the First World War. The building also houses mineral collections and changing special exhibitions.

The New Building complements your visit with 20th-century Czech history, from the First World War through to EU accession. The “Moments of History” exhibition is in the passageway connecting the two buildings, allowing you to move between them without splitting your museum visit into two separate outings. Special exhibitions may have their own admission rules: the museum explicitly states that Czech Press Photo is not included in the complex ticket. When buying tickets, check which additional exhibitions you would like to see.

If you are mainly interested in art, the National Gallery Prague and its art collections may suit you better than another visit focused on natural history. For synagogues, the cemetery and Jewish history, the Jewish Museum in Prague’s Josefov district is a separate destination. Avoid treating either as a brief add-on to an already packed museum day.

The Children’s Museum is on the second floor of the New Building and is intended for children aged four and up. Three galleries combine play, interactive stations and creative activities: children can throw balls at a play wall, explore topics from nature and history, and make their own creations at activity tables. It is a family outing in its own right, not just a play area along the way through the collections.

Admission costs 140 Kč per person, in addition to the museum complex ticket. According to the latest visitor information, 90-minute sessions start at 10:15 am, 12:15 pm, 2:15 pm and 4:15 pm; arrive at the entrance no more than 15 minutes before your booked start time. Children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult. Strollers are not allowed inside and must be left in the cloakroom. Larger backpacks should also be checked there. If you are travelling with a stroller, plan for cloakroom storage separately from your exhibition visit and leave time for it in your schedule.

Allowing around two to three hours is a useful guideline for a focused visit to selected exhibitions in the Historical Building. If you want to visit both buildings and see several exhibitions, allow closer to half a day; adding a 90-minute Children’s Museum session will make a family visit longer still. These timings are planning guidelines, not official minimum visit durations. It is better to shorten your visit based on your interests than to rush through every gallery.

Muzeum metro station is served by lines A and C. When the museum is busy, it may temporarily suspend admission; it identifies weekends around midday and public holidays as typical peak times and says usual waits are 30 to 45 minutes. During these periods, ticket holders are given priority as soon as places become available. If you have a tight schedule, an earlier visit is therefore a better choice than midday. Complex tickets bought online are valid for 30 days from purchase and allow one-time admission; the Children’s Museum also requires a suitable time slot.

If you are fitting the museum into a day in Prague, the Prague travel guide with neighbourhoods and day-trip ideas can help you plan the order of your visits. Prague Castle, with its courtyards and interiors, is another extensive attraction and is usually better saved for a different day. Choose your accommodation in Prague based on its actual location. That way, you can combine the museum with visits to other sights without assuming a particular walking time or transport connection.

As of 11 October 2026, admission to the museum complex costs 360 Kč at the full adult rate and 260 Kč at the reduced rate. The reduced rate applies, among others, to young people aged 15 to 18, seniors over 65 and students up to 26 with valid proof of eligibility. Children under 15 enter the general exhibitions free but must be accompanied; the Children’s Museum is excluded and charged separately. Complex tickets bought online are valid for one-time admission for 30 days from purchase. See the National Museum’s admission and visitor information for the latest details on age groups, free admission and exceptions.

The museum is open daily, but not every special exhibition is covered by the same ticket. If you have limited time, first choose between natural history, Czech history and the Children’s Museum; then decide whether an additional special exhibition is worth the extra cost.

How much time should I allow for the National Museum?

Allowing two to three hours is a realistic guideline for visiting a few exhibitions in the Historical Building. If you are visiting both buildings or adding a Children’s Museum session, allow half a day; the exact duration depends on your interests and breaks.

Is the Children’s Museum included in the regular ticket?

No. The complex ticket does not include the Children’s Museum. It costs 140 Kč per person and requires its own 90-minute time slot; it is intended for children aged four and up.

How much is admission for children?

Children under 15 enter the general exhibitions free and must be accompanied. The Children’s Museum has a separate admission fee. Children under 15 enter the general exhibitions free but must be accompanied. The Children’s Museum costs 140 Kč per person for children aged four and up and requires its own time slot.

When is the museum especially busy?

The museum identifies weekends around midday and public holidays as times when admission may be temporarily paused because it has reached capacity. If your schedule is tight, choose an earlier time to visit if possible.