After three years, the Prague Botanical Garden is updating its admission prices. The changes reflect the development of the Garden in recent years. Visitors can now enjoy unique new expositions, a new Exhibition Hall, and modern facilities for relaxing and wine tasting. We are also preparing new events and exhibitions. Why are admission prices changing? What new benefits can families with children look forward to in the coming months? What does the Garden have to offer today, and what plans lie ahead? The Director of the Prague Botanical Garden, Bohumil Černý, explains in this interview.
Mr Černý, the Prague Botanical Garden is updating its admission prices for the first time in three years. When will the new prices come into effect, and what are the main reasons behind the change?
Our standard admission prices are being revised for the first time since 2023. The new prices will come into effect on 3 November 2026. The main reason is the rising cost of day-to-day operations, energy, technical services and the specialist care needed to look after our valuable plant collections.
At the same time, we want to maintain the high standard of visitor experience that people have come to expect from us, continuing to offer themed exhibitions and educational programmes while introducing new ones. Rather than relying solely on increased funding from our founding authority, we aim to operate as a modern, responsible institution, meeting some of these rising costs through income we generate ourselves.
Revenue from admission therefore goes directly towards supporting our core horticultural and scientific work, the care of our plants, the day-to-day running of the Garden and the continued development of the site, all with the aim of making visits as enjoyable and comfortable as possible.
You mentioned the growing demands of running and maintaining the Garden. How has the Garden changed most significantly over the past three years, and what does this development involve behind the scenes?
The Garden is a living, ever-evolving place. Over the past few years, we have come a long way in our efforts to offer visitors more than just the chance to admire rare plants. We want every visit to be a rewarding, full-day experience in a welcoming setting.
One of the major milestones has been the opening of several new displays: Japanese Mountain Forests, transporting visitors into the atmosphere of the Far East; Archa Bohemica, showcasing the threatened natural treasures of the Czech Republic; and the educational exposition Plant Odyssey, which explores the evolution of the plant kingdom.
We have also made considerable improvements to visitor facilities. We have opened a new Exhibition Hall, while the popular St. Claire's Wine Shop has also undergone a complete transformation, with a new, modern tasting area.
However, every new building or exposition also brings additional responsibilities. A botanical garden is not a static museum: our living collections require care 365 days a year. As the site expands and more modern technologies are introduced, so do the demands of daily maintenance and year-round operation. We want to ensure that visitors feel welcome and comfortable here in every season.
The new admission prices also bring some positive changes for particular groups of visitors. What are they?
That's right. One of our key priorities when preparing the changes was to keep the Garden accessible to families with children. We have therefore decided to extend our family admission benefits significantly.
Children under the age of four can now visit free of charge, an increase from the previous age limit of three. We are also expanding our family ticket: whereas it previously covered two adults and up to three children, it will now admit two adults and up to four children.
Will other popular concessions and benefits that visitors are used to also remain in place?
Yes. We have kept a number of prices and benefits exactly as they were. Admission prices for school groups will not increase, as we see educating younger generations as an essential part of our mission.
The reduced admission fee of CZK 50 for visitors aged 70 and over will also remain unchanged, as will the fees for bringing a dog or entering with a camera backpack. The discounted Neighbourhood Annual Pass for residents of the neighbouring streets, will also retain its current price.
Annual passes remain an excellent-value option for regular visitors, offering substantial savings compared with purchasing individual day tickets, even after the price adjustment.
And there is a simple way for all visitors to continue saving on admission: our discounted online ticket prices will remain in place. Simply buy your ticket online before your visit, from the comfort of your home or on your mobile phone. Not only is it cheaper, but it also helps you avoid potentially having to queue at the ticket office.
What about visitors who have already purchased tickets or vouchers for the coming period – for example, gift tickets or vouchers for Nedělní sklep event (Czech language only)?
All tickets and vouchers purchased before the new prices take effect will, of course, remain valid.
As you have already mentioned, the Garden is constantly evolving. What further developments can visitors look forward to over the next few years?
There is certainly more to come. Two major and particularly exciting projects are currently under construction in the Upper Garden, with completion planned for 2028.
The first is Pueblo and the Water World, a new exposition and educational centre. In the North American section, a dramatic canyon with a waterfall is taking shape, with a visitor path running behind the fall. The project will also feature a lake and a striking structure inspired by traditional Native American pueblos, which will house educational facilities and visitor amenities.
Nearby, we are also creating an interactive exposition called The Hidden World of Plants. Designed primarily for children, it will introduce them to the fascinating life beneath the soil or high up in the tree canopy through a range of interactive features, including tunnels that mimic earthworm burrows, root systems, and giant models of fungi and lichens.
We are also planning improvements to several areas of the Ornamental Garden to make them even more welcoming for visitors, as well as partial renovation work on the Fata Morgana Greenhouse. Another major priority is the development of an entirely new entrance complex in the Upper Garden.
What is changing, and what is staying the same?
- Standard admission: New prices take effect on 3 November 2026.
- Children under four: Free admission (the previous age limit was three).
- Family tickets: Now available for two adults and up to four children (previously up to three children).
- School groups and visitors aged 70 and over: No change in prices.
- Dogs and camera backpacks: Fees remain unchanged.
- Neighbourhood Annual Passes: Prices remain unchanged.
- Online tickets: The discount for tickets purchased through our online shop (Czech language only) remains in place.
- Tickets and vouchers purchased before 3 November 2026: Remain valid, including gift tickets, Nedělní sklep vouchers (Czech language only) and annual passes.
Current admission prices
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