Josefov (Jewish Quarter)

The former Jewish ghetto squeezed into the Old Town — six synagogues, the haunting Old Jewish Cemetery, and Europe's most important Jewish museum complex. Profoundly moving and genuinely unmissable, but brace yourself: Pařížská's luxury shops and tour-group crowds surround it. The 600 CZK combined ticket is valid three days; everything closes Saturdays.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Franz Kafka connection?

Kafka was born on the edge of Josefov and the district shaped his world — there's a monument by the Spanish Synagogue and his birthplace is marked on náměstí Franze Kafky. The dedicated Kafka Museum is across the river in Malá Strana, though.

What's the most moving part of the Jewish Quarter?

The Pinkas Synagogue, whose walls carry the hand-written names of nearly 80,000 Czech Holocaust victims, followed by the Old Jewish Cemetery with its 12 layers of graves. Give yourself quiet time there — it's not a photo-op stop.

How much does the Jewish Quarter in Prague cost?

The Jewish Town combined ticket is 600 CZK for adults, 400 CZK for students under 26, and 200 CZK for kids 6-15. It covers the Old-New Synagogue, Old Jewish Cemetery, Pinkas, Maisel, and Spanish synagogues, and it's valid for three consecutive days — so you don't have to cram it all into one visit.

How long do I need in Josefov?

Two hours covers the highlights at a brisk pace; three to four lets you actually absorb the Pinkas Synagogue and cemetery. Since the ticket is valid three days, splitting it over two mornings works well.

Is Josefov open on Saturdays?

No — the Jewish Museum sites close every Saturday (Shabbat) and on Jewish holidays. Plan it for any other day, and check jewishmuseum.cz for holiday closures before you commit.

Is Josefov just tourist traps now?

The streets around it, honestly, largely yes — Pařížská is luxury retail and the restaurants nearby charge Old Town prices. The museum sites themselves are the real thing and superbly curated. Eat elsewhere and come here for the history.

Can I buy a separate ticket just for the Old-New Synagogue?

Not anymore — since 2024 it's only sold as part of the Jewish Town circuit ticket. If you only care about one building, the ticket still stings a bit, but the Old-New Synagogue is Europe's oldest active synagogue (1270s), so most people don't regret it.

Should I take a guided tour of the Jewish Quarter?

It genuinely helps here — the history is layered and the buildings don't explain themselves. The museum's admission includes guide service on request, or book a licensed guide; either beats wandering between synagogues without context.

Nearby in Ask Prague

• Jewish Museum & Old Jewish CemeteryMuseum0.04 km · 1 min walk
• Museum of Decorative Arts (Uměleckoprůmyslové museum)Museum0.17 km · 2 min walk
• Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí)Landmark0.38 km · 5 min walk
• Astronomical Clock (Orloj)Attraction0.41 km · 5 min walk
• Lokál DlouháRestaurant0.5 km · 6 min walk