Prague: Jewish Quarter Synagogues & Old Cemetery Tour

The tombstones lean against each other, layered over seven centuries

You'll walk through five historic synagogues in Prague's Jewish Quarter, spend time in the layered Old Jewish Cemetery, and stand in front of the Pinkas Synagogue's Holocaust memorial where nearly 80,000 names are inscribed on the walls. Entry to all sites is included, and the guide provides context for each stop so the history becomes real, not just architecture. Plan for a few hours on foot through a compact, emotionally dense neighborhood.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Prague Old Town Square10m
2. Maisel Synagogue30m · entry included
3. Pinkas Synagogue and Old Jewish Cemetery30m · entry included
4. Old Jewish Cemetery30m · entry included
5. Spanish Synagogue20m · entry included

Explore Prague's Jewish Quarter

• Start tour at Prague Old Town Square
• Visit Maisel Synagogue
• See Holocaust memorial at Pinkas Synagogue
• Walk through Old Jewish Cemetery
• Enter Old-New Synagogue
• Admire Spanish Synagogue interiors

The experience

The Old Jewish Cemetery in Prague stops you the moment you step through the gate. Thousands of tombstones crowd into a space so small that they've tilted and overlapped across the centuries: some leaning at angles that seem impossible, others stacked nearly on top of each other. It's one of the oldest Jewish burial sites in the world, and walking through it feels less like a tour stop and more like standing inside a compressed history. Your guide will explain why the cemetery is layered this way, how the community had nowhere else to bury their dead, and what each stone represents.

The tour starts in Prague Old Town Square and moves through the Jewish Quarter's five main synagogues: the Maisel, the Pinkas, the Old-New, the Spanish, and others depending on the route. The Pinkas Synagogue holds something you won't forget: the names of nearly 80,000 Czech and Moravian Jews killed in the Holocaust, written directly on its walls. It's not a plaque or a memorial in the abstract sense. The names are there, covering the interior, and your guide will give you time to stand with that. The Old-New Synagogue, built in the 13th century, is the oldest active synagogue in Europe: still used for services, still standing after everything the city has endured. There's a legend about the Golem, a creature said to be hidden in its attic, though that's the kind of story that gets passed around more than proven.

The Spanish Synagogue rounds out the major stops, with its ornate interior that looks nothing like the older, plainer buildings nearby. Entry to all the sites is included, so you're not stopping at a ticket window between each one. The whole tour moves at a pace that lets you absorb the weight of what you're seeing without feeling rushed. If you're traveling with small children, they can sit on a lap, and the route is manageable for most fitness levels. It's walking through the quarter, not climbing or hiking.

What’s included

• Entry to the Maisel Synagogue, Pinkas Synagogue, Old Jewish Cemetery, Old-New Synagogue, and Spanish Synagogue.
• The tour begins in Prague Old Town Square and moves through the Jewish Quarter, with a guide providing historical context at each site.
• GST is included in the price.

Options for this experience

5 options

English13:00

French11:00

Italian13:00

See 2 more options

German11:00

Spanish13:00Lasts 2 hours

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesThursday, Friday and SundayDepartures at 11:00 and 13:00

AgesAdult (6 and older) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupUp to 5

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Polish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 20 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Guides&Tours

Is this one for you?Right for travelers who want to understand Prague's Jewish history beyond a surface visit: the guide's context and the weight of the sites themselves make this more than a walking tour. Expect to spend several hours on foot through a compact, emotionally significant neighborhood, which is exactly what allows you to absorb the scale and depth of what happened here.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

In English, Spanish and Italian, at 13:00. In French and German, at 11:00.

What's included in the ticket price?

Entry to all five synagogues, the Old Jewish Cemetery, and the Pinkas Synagogue Holocaust memorial. GST is included.

Is the Old-New Synagogue still used for services?

Yes, it's the oldest active synagogue in Europe and still functions as a working synagogue.

How long does the tour take?

The itinerary covers Prague Old Town Square, the Maisel Synagogue, Pinkas Synagogue, Old Jewish Cemetery, Old-New Synagogue, and the Spanish Synagogue. Plan for several hours depending on how long you spend at each site.

Can I bring young children?

Yes, infants can sit on an adult's lap. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels, though it involves walking through the Jewish Quarter.

Is public transportation nearby?

Yes, public transportation options are available near the Jewish Quarter.

What's the Golem legend about?

According to legend, a creature called the Golem is said to be hidden in the attic of the Old-New Synagogue, though this is folklore rather than documented history.

Why are the tombstones in the cemetery layered?

The Jewish community had no other burial ground available for centuries, so graves were added on top of older ones, creating the dense, layered appearance you see today.

What is the Pinkas Synagogue memorial?

The walls of the Pinkas Synagogue are inscribed with the names of nearly 80,000 Czech and Moravian Jews killed during the Holocaust.