Prague Venice (Pražské Benátky) · Charles Bridge Museum, Křižovnické náměstí
A 45-minute ride on a small wooden boat from the Old Town end of Charles Bridge, under its arches and into the Čertovka, the narrow channel the city calls Prague Venice. Pick it for the canal views no big boat can reach, with a drink in your hand and the bridge museum thrown in.
Prague Venice, or Pražské Benátky, is a boat company founded in 1993 by a Prague ferryman, and its boats are built in the style of the late 19th century: low, wooden and small enough to slip into the Čertovka. That channel is the reason to go. It leaves the Vltava beside Charles Bridge, runs about 740 metres between Kampa island and the Lesser Town past old mill wheels and houses that rise straight from the water, and rejoins the river further down. Wikipedia dates it to the 12th century and the Knights of Malta. The cruise loops from the bridge upstream towards the National Theatre, into the Čertovka, past the Castle and downstream to the Metronome, the old city baths at Občanská plovárna and the Rudolfinum, then back. Expect 45 minutes.
Be clear about the sound: there is no music on this boat. You get your own headphones with audio commentary in 19 languages, which reviewers rate highly, and nothing else to listen to but the water. A drink is in the price (beer, lemonade, tea or coffee, and mulled wine in winter) with gingerbread, or ice cream in summer, plus an entry ticket to the Charles Bridge Museum next to the dock. Live jazz on the water is a different ticket: the Jazz Boat puts a band on board for three sets, 2 hours 30 minutes from Terminal 18 on Dvořákovo nábřeží, usually at 7:30 p.m. The two fit in one day: the canal by daylight, the band after dark.
You meet at the Charles Bridge Museum on Křižovnické náměstí, at the Old Town end of the bridge. Go into the building marked "Museum", on your right as you face the bridge, and down the stairs to the ticket counter; the boats leave from the Judith dock under the last surviving arch of the Judith Bridge, the bridge that stood here before Charles Bridge. Boats leave every 15 minutes. From October to April the service runs daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., last boat at 5 p.m., and it runs later in summer. In winter the boats are closed and heated. The listing marks the cruise as unsuitable for wheelchair users. For the whole story of the canal, our Čertovka guide has the background.
Go to the Charles Bridge Museum on Křižovnické náměstí, the building marked "Museum" on your right as you face the bridge. Staroměstská metro is a short walk away.
Take the stairs down to the ticket counter, show your voucher and pick up your headphones and drink.
The boat leaves the Judith dock and passes under the bridge, then heads upstream with the National Theatre ahead.
The narrow channel along Kampa island, with mill wheels and houses at water level and the Castle above the roofs.
Past the Metronome, Občanská plovárna and the Rudolfinum, then back to the dock after about 45 minutes.
Use your included ticket for the Charles Bridge Museum, right where the boat lands.
★★★★★Had a great time on the Prague Canal Cruise! They provided headphones so that you can listen to the history of Prague and all the different buildings. We received a choice of a free beer, water, coffee or lemonade and a choice of a free gingerbread or ice cream. It was really informative and I would recommend it!
★★★★★Everything was really great! The weather was even better [...] sunny and not too crowded! The route is very beautiful, and the audio guide was also excellent.
★★★★★A great tour. Access is easy, the boat is comfortable, and the narration interesting and informative.
★★★★★Charming wooden boats that travel off the beaten track!
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At the Old Town end of Charles Bridge. You check in at the Charles Bridge Museum on Křižovnické náměstí and board at the Judith dock under the old Judith Bridge arch. The Čertovka itself runs along Kampa island on the Lesser Town side.
No. The commentary comes through your own headphones, in 19 languages. For live jazz on the river, the Jazz Boat sails most evenings at 7:30 p.m. from Dvořákovo nábřeží.
The 45-minute ride, headphone commentary, a drink (beer, lemonade, tea, coffee, or mulled wine in winter), gingerbread or ice cream in summer, and entry to the Charles Bridge Museum.
Yes, all year. From October to April boats leave every 15 minutes from 10 a.m., last boat at 5 p.m., and in winter the boats are closed and heated.
Ready to book
Forty-five minutes on the Čertovka canal under Charles Bridge, with a drink and a museum ticket included.
Prague Jazz Boat: Live Jazz Cruise, Dinner OptionalA live jazz trio, three sets and the lit city from the river; book the concert alone or add a 3-course menu.★ 4.7 · 2 hours 30 minutes · from $46
50-Minute Sightseeing Evening Cruise50 minutes past the lit Charles Bridge and Castle on an electric boat, with audio commentary. No band, drinks to buy at the bar.★ 4.2 · 50 minutes · from $20
One-Hour Vltava Cruise in Jazz StyleOne hour on the Vltava with recorded jazz and audio commentary; drinks and snacks from the bar on board.★ 4.6 · 1 hour · from $14