Jazz Boat · Terminal 18, Dvořákovo nábřeží
A small boat run as a jazz club: a trio of Prague jazz musicians plays three live sets while the boat cruises the Vltava past Charles Bridge and the lit Castle. It is the only cruise in Prague where the jazz is a real concert, a few metres from your table, and you decide whether dinner is part of the night.
The Jazz Boat calls itself a genuine jazz club, and that is the right way to think of it. Every evening a different band plays, usually a trio: when we checked the programme, the František Kop trio (saxophone, guitar and double bass) had the boat for two nights, followed by groups such as the O.J. Zlabek blues trio, the Otto Hejnic piano trio and the Elizabeth Panzo bossanova & jazz trio. They play three sets, live and acoustic, while the boat goes slowly up and down the river for 2 hours 30 minutes. You see the National Theatre, Charles Bridge, the Castle and the embankments through the windows between songs. This is not background music for a buffet. People listen, clap after solos and talk in the breaks.
Here is what the price covers. The basic ticket is the cruise and the concert. On GetYourGuide that is the Economy option, from $46; the Popular option adds a 3-course menu. If you book on the Jazz Boat's own site, the concert starts at €49 per person and the menu is an extra €31, chosen at checkout. Drinks are never included: you order at your table and pay on board in Czech crowns, for example CZK 70 for a small Budvar, CZK 180 for a gin and tonic or an Aperol Spritz, and CZK 80 for an espresso. Skipping dinner is normal. The operator says so itself, and plenty of guests come for the music, a drink and a snack.
Most evenings the boat leaves at 7:30 p.m. from Terminal 18 on Dvořákovo nábřeží, Prague 1, the Old Town embankment by Čech Bridge (Čechův most), at the river end of Pařížská street. Boarding starts about 15 minutes before, and direct e-tickets should be shown at the boat at least 20 minutes before. GetYourGuide says the location can depend on the option, so check your voucher for the exact boarding point. Times shift with the season: many December dates add a 4:30 p.m. sailing, a few dates leave at 8:30 p.m., and from the second week of January to early February the boat sails only Friday to Sunday, at 6:30 p.m. Some tables are shared with other guests. The operator publishes nothing on step-free access or a dress code; smart casual is fine, and a warm layer helps in winter when you step out for photos.
Walk down to Dvořákovo nábřeží at the end of Pařížská street, about 10 minutes from Old Town Square. Boarding starts about 15 minutes before departure; check your voucher for the boarding point.
Staff show you to your table. Booked direct, you chose the seat yourself; through GetYourGuide some tables are shared with other guests. Order drinks now, before the first set.
The boat leaves and the band starts. Expect a trio, often saxophone, guitar or piano with double bass; the style changes from night to night, from swing and bebop to blues or bossa nova.
If you booked a menu, the Caprese starter, main course and dessert are served at the table during the evening. Without one, order nachos, carpaccio or a strudel from the snack list.
The boat cruises past Charles Bridge, the Castle and the embankments. Step out for a photo between songs and come back for the last set.
After 2 hours 30 minutes the boat returns to the embankment. Settle the drinks bill before you leave.
★★★★★Nice and intimate with good seating space between each guest. Very relaxing trip and we enjoyed chatting to the other guests on our table. The food was of a good standard and the waiting staff were pleasant and efficient. Jazz band had lovely personalities
★★★★★Excellent jazz, very talented musicians, courteous service, acceptable food! Recommended for a different kind of evening in beautiful Prague.
★★★★★I must commend the service. I scheduled the cruise for the day we landed in Prague. We didn't imagine it would take so long to get out of the airport at passport control. I texted and spoke with the team, and they agreed to come to the pier to pick us up [...] so we wouldn't miss out. [...] Besides that, good music and delicious food. We loved it!!
★★★★★A very enjoyable experience and a very talented jazz trio.
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Only if you choose it. The basic ticket (the Economy option on GetYourGuide) is the cruise and the concert. The Popular option adds a 3-course menu. Direct, the menu is €31 extra. Drinks are always extra and paid on board.
Yes. A live band, usually a trio, plays three sets during the cruise, and the band changes every night. It is the only boat in Prague where the jazz is a full live concert.
From Terminal 18 on Dvořákovo nábřeží, Prague 1, by Čech Bridge on the Old Town side. Most evenings it leaves at 7:30 p.m. and boarding starts about 15 minutes before. Check your voucher for the boarding point of your option.
2 hours 30 minutes. A 7:30 p.m. sailing is back at about 10 p.m. Free cancellation applies up to 24 hours before, on GetYourGuide and direct.
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A live jazz band plays three sets while the boat cruises the Vltava past the lit Charles Bridge and Castle; dinner is optional.
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