The most beautiful parks and gardens Prague

The construction of this large Baroque garden (Valdštejnská zahrada) took place from 1623 to 1631. Protected from the city by a long wall, it is a haven of peace. Two rows of bronze statues, signed Adrien de Vries, form a hedge of honour up to the loggia (salla terrena), a beautiful architectural element decorated with paintings by B. Bianco. On the other hand, a piece of water of beautiful proportions no longer overlooks the merry-go-round, which has become an exhibition gallery and is accessible from the Malostranská station.

The immense hill of Petřín, which rises towards Strahov and dominates the Vltava, is a pleasant wooded park where countless paths wind through apple and pear trees. There are few buildings here, and people come here above all to breathe clean air, away from cars and coal fumes, and enjoy the view. The park's panoramic view of the city and the castle is breathtaking by day and night, thanks to Prague's magical lighting.

It is a baroque garden, built along a hill, hence its steep stairs, terraces and balustrades. It was made according to F.-M. Kaňka's plans in 1720 and the statues that decorate its aisles come from the Braun workshop. Its beauty makes it a museum of baroque garden architecture. In the lower part is the sala terrana, a small summer pavilion decorated with frescoes. As we climb up, we are rewarded with a superb view of Malá Strana and the castle.

From the castle's third courtyard, a staircase leads through the south wing to the gardens 13 meters below, on the site of the ramparts. Plečnik, who was entrusted with the redevelopment of the former ^16th-century gardens in the 1920s-1930s, cleverly took advantage of this long stretch of land, which joins the upper entrance to the castle via the Paradise Garden. Above all, he took full advantage of the site's orientation to offer lovely views of the city's various districts, which emerge regularly from the greenery as you stroll along. The green spaces as a whole (five gardens, the terrace of the Salle de Manège, the Cerf ditch) cover 30 hectares, tended by thirty gardeners. When Václav Havel came to power, the castle gardens began producing around 500 flowers a day to meet the needs of the presidential residence - a saving of 2 million crowns. Václav Havel also ordered 500 m² of vegetables to be grown, which were used for the president's cooking, as he liked to eat healthy produce. It's a quiet and extremely pleasant place to be after crowding the alleys of the castle complex. From the brick bastion, you can enjoy a sumptuous view over the city, without feeling overwhelmed by the height of the ramparts. From the Na Valech garden, you can descend (in summer only) to Malá Strana via the palace gardens.

Under the name of Palace Gardens (Palácové zahrady pod Pražským hradem) are grouped the different palace gardens of Malá Strana, whose terraces gradually rise towards the castle. We visit them together, passing from one to the other, each one offering a different atmosphere. We appreciate their colours, their different styles and all these isolated benches offering a panoramic view where it is nice to daydream and contemplate the city. It is advisable to visit them while descending from the garden of the castle ramparts. At every step, you can enjoy the view of the city and the river. Unforgettable.

Ledeburská zahrada (Ledebour gardens). This garden, created in the 18th century in Baroque style, is named after Adolf de Ledebour, who owned the neighbouring palace in 1852. It is distinguished by its statues and fountains.

Malá Pálffyovská zahrada (small Palffy gardens). It is the simplest of gardens: few decorative elements, but a lot of greenery. A pleasant contrast.

Velká Pálffyovská zahrada (large Palffy gardens). They were created in 1681, but their present appearance dates back to the middle of the 18th century.

Kolowratská zahrada (Kolowrat gardens). It was created at the end of the 19th century on the site of a destroyed house. Fruit trees and hedges are in the majority.

Malá Fürstenberská zahrada (small Fürstenberg gardens). This garden has been built on the site of former vineyards. The government of the First Republic (1918-1938) sat in the palace and the Senate occupies it today.

These beautiful Renaissance gardens, laid out in 1534 by Ferdinand ^I in place of vineyards, were among the finest in the world at the time. Exotic fruits were grown here, and a sumptuous garden was maintained for prestigious royal receptions. The shady paths, well-manicured flowerbeds, impeccable lawns, birds, peace and quiet and passing squirrels are a delight. Today, they are the perfect exit from Prague Castle, providing a magical backdrop for your visit to Mala Strana. If you find them too busy for your taste during the day, don't hesitate to come back in the evening, when the alleys are empty of tourists.

Alongside the deer moat, the Mičovna pavilion is a fine example of Renaissance architecture by the German architect Bonifác Wohlmut (1569). Note the superb sgraffito decoration on the façade. It is used for exhibitions.

The modernorangery contrasts with the other buildings: it was designed by Czech architect Eva Jiřična, who used her favorite materials, metal and glass, as in most of her creations in Prague.

In the background, Queen Anne's Belvedere, in the purest Italian Renaissance style, is considered the most successful building of its kind north of the Alps. It was built by Ferdinand ^I of Habsburg for his wife Anne. He tried to keep its construction a secret. However, she lingered (from 1537 to 1563) and the queen never saw it completed. The bas-reliefs decorating the façade include Ferdinand offering figs to his wife. The esplanade offers a superb view over Prague. The building is only open to the public when it is used for temporary exhibitions.

Don't forget to crouch under the singing bronze fountain (zpívající fontaná). It faces the Belvedere, and if the area around it isn't too crowded with visitors, you can actually hear it "sing": as the drops fall, they vibrate the alloy, and the waves resonate all along the fountain like musical notes. The fountain was designed in 1568 by Terzion and Tomáš. In 1950, it was placed here, in the middle of a French Renaissance garden square. On Saturdays, you'll have the opportunity to see many newly-wed couples having their photo taken in these beautiful gardens.

Accessible from U Lužického Street Semináře, this garden, also hidden behind a high wall, contains a floral treasure. To visit in spring, for the magnolias in bloom. It is attached to the Carmelite convent on Josefská Street, another early Baroque building (1657-1672). It is a somewhat forgotten and quiet place, where you can rest away from the tourist circuits. It is almost exclusively frequented by Czechs from the area.

It is divided into two sites. The outdoor gardens are laid out on a hill overlooking Troja Castle. You can stroll through a Japanese garden or among Mediterranean plants. The other attraction is the giant greenhouse, Fata Morgana. A long, curved tunnel, where exotic species mingle with waterfalls and colorful flowers. From the Mexican desert to the African or Indonesian jungle, from the cold Tasmanian jungle to the Amazon rainforest.

This little garden, located just a stone's throw from the Emmaus monastery, offers a short stroll where you can combine business with pleasure. Enthusiasts will not be disappointed by this little green corner, which has been well tended since the ^19th century. You'll see both common and rare species, all of which have been dated. As well as enjoying the calm of the place, you can visit the heated greenhouses where cacti and palms await you. The garden is part of Charles University.

Charles IV had planted his vineyard here and, until the last century, still subsistaiient many green spaces. Today there are beautiful parks, especially that of Riegrovy Sady, accessible by Copinova Street, where you will have a splendid view over the roofs of Prague. You will find all the "babičky" (grandmothers) and the children of the neighbourhood who are invading the places from the earliest rays of sunshine. The entire street facing the park is lined with beautiful art nouveau or classic houses, all of which are different, not always in very good condition but perfectly authentic. Nearby streets - Mánesova, Polská, Krkonošskv, Italská - offer the same type of architecture and it's a treat for your eyes.