Prague Jewish Quarter Walking Tour — Josefov

Prague Jewish Quarter Walking Tour (Josefov)

A 2-hour small-group walking tour of Josefov — Prague's historic Jewish Quarter and one of the best-preserved Jewish heritage sites in Europe. Six centuries of Jewish life in a few square blocks: medieval synagogues, the haunting Old Jewish Cemetery, the story of Rabbi Löw and the legend of the Golem, and the memorial to the 80,000 Bohemian and Moravian Jews who perished in the Shoah. Led by a live licensed guide with real-time translation into your language.

What you'll see

• Old-New Synagogue (Staronová synagoga) — Europe's oldest active synagogue (1270), where Rabbi Löw is said to have hidden the Golem in the attic.
• Old Jewish Cemetery (Starý židovský hřbitov) — 12,000 visible tombstones stacked on twelve layers of burials from 1439 to 1787. Rabbi Löw's grave is here.
• Pinkas Synagogue (Pinkasova synagoga) — Holocaust memorial listing the names of 77,297 Czech Jews murdered in the Shoah, plus drawings by children imprisoned in Terezín.
• Spanish Synagogue (Španělská synagoga) — the most beautiful synagogue in Prague, built 1868 in a Moorish Revival style.
• Klausen Synagogue and Ceremonial Hall — exhibitions on Jewish customs, life-cycle rituals and the Prague Burial Society.
• Maisel Synagogue — history of the Jews in Bohemia and Moravia from the 10th to 18th centuries.
• Jewish Town Hall — with its famous Hebrew clock whose hands run backwards.

Programme

Programme

• 15:00 — meeting point at Wenceslas Square, next to the statue of St. Wenceslas on horseback (Václavské náměstí, socha sv. Václava). Look for a person with a MegaTour sign.
• Short walk from Wenceslas Square to Josefov via the Old Town Square.
• Introduction to the history of the Prague Jewish Community from the 10th century to today.
• Guided walking tour of Josefov with commentary at all key sites (exterior tour included; interior visits with tickets are optional).
• Stories of Rabbi Löw and the Golem, the ghetto walls, the 1893 slum clearance, the tragedies and revival of the 20th century.
• Approx. 17:00 — end of tour in Josefov. Your guide will explain how to reach nearby attractions (Old Town Square is 3 minutes away).

Tour languages

Please note: The Jewish Museum sites and the Old-New Synagogue close at 18:00 in summer season (April-October) and at 16:30 in winter season (November-March). If you plan to visit interiors, book winter season tours with awareness of the shorter opening window. Contact us for current schedules.

The tour is led by a live licensed guide speaking Ukrainian. Real-time translation is available through personal receivers (WAT01-NG2) in 8 languages: English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Ukrainian.

What's included

• Live licensed guide with real-time AI translation via personal receiver (WAT01-NG2).
• Small-group walking format.
• Full commentary at all main sites in your chosen language.

What's not included

• Entry tickets to the Jewish Museum sites and the Old-New Synagogue (paid separately or add at booking to skip the queue).
• Meals and personal expenses.

Good to know

• Dress code: men should cover their heads inside synagogues (kippah provided at the entrance, or bring a hat). Modest attire recommended.
• Sabbath (Saturday): Jewish Museum sites are closed on Saturdays and Jewish holidays. The walking tour with exterior commentary still runs; interior entries are not possible on those days.
• Photography: not allowed inside most Jewish Museum sites. External photography is fine.
• Walking: approx. 1.5 km on flat cobblestone streets. Suitable for all fitness levels.

Frequently asked questions

Which synagogues are on the tour?

We cover exteriors and commentary at seven main sites: the Old-New Synagogue, Pinkas, Spanish, Klausen, Maisel and High Synagogues, plus the Old Jewish Cemetery and the Jewish Town Hall. Interior entries are optional and paid separately.

Are the interiors included in the tour price?

No. The Jewish Museum combined ticket (covering six sites) and the separate Old-New Synagogue ticket are paid on site or added as a paid option at booking. We recommend booking tickets in advance in high season to skip the queue.

Is the tour available on Saturday?

The walking tour runs on Saturday with full exterior commentary, but the Jewish Museum sites and the Old-New Synagogue are closed for Shabbat. If interiors are important to you, book Sunday–Friday.

What language does the guide speak?

The guide speaks Ukrainian live. If you booked in another language, you receive a personal receiver with real-time AI translation into English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese or Russian.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Yes, from around age 10. Younger children may find the Holocaust content of the Pinkas Synagogue disturbing. Children under 12 pay €25. Discuss with your child in advance.

How much walking is involved?

Approximately 1.5 km over 2 hours on flat cobblestone streets. Comfortable shoes recommended.

Can I combine this with the Prague City Tour?

Yes. Many guests do both — Prague City Tour in the morning (08:30–12:00) and Jewish Quarter Tour the next day, or vice versa. Ask us for a combined booking.

How do I book?

Contact us via the website form, phone or messenger. We confirm your booking within hours and send the meeting point map.

AI translation — disclosure

Can I combine this with the Prague City Tour on the same day?

Yes — this is a popular combination. Our Prague City Tour runs 11:00–14:30, and the Jewish Quarter tour starts at 15:00. That gives you 30 minutes for lunch between the tours. The Jewish Quarter tour ends by 17:00 — ideal timing for early dinner in the Old Town. Ask us about combined pricing at booking.

MegaTour — cestovní agentura (Czech travel agency, IČO 28881311), Václavské náměstí 819/43, 110 00 Prague 1, Czech Republic. Tours are operated by a licensed guide and licensed transport provider. All bookings and payments handled by MegaTour.