Jewish Quarter (Josefov) private tour
Two and a half hours in Josefov with a licensed guide: the synagogues, the Old Jewish Cemetery and a thousand years of Jewish life in Prague.
- Duration
- 2.5 h
- Format
- Walking
- Group
- Private, only your party
- Start
- Your hotel in central Prague or near the Old-New Synagogue
Highlights
- The Old-New Synagogue, one of the oldest active synagogues in Europe
- The Old Jewish Cemetery with its layered gravestones
- The Pinkas Synagogue memorial to the Jewish victims of the Shoah from Bohemia and Moravia
- The richly decorated interior of the Spanish Synagogue
- Stories of the Maharal, the Golem legend and Franz Kafka
Route and timing
0:00
Josefov and its history
An introduction to the Jewish Town, from the medieval ghetto to the rebuilding of the quarter around 1900.
0:20
Old-New Synagogue
The Gothic synagogue at the heart of the quarter and the legends connected to it.
0:50
Pinkas Synagogue and the Old Jewish Cemetery
The memorial walls with the names of the victims and the cemetery that was in use for more than three centuries.
1:40
Klausen, Maisel and Spanish synagogues
Exhibitions of the Jewish Museum in Prague and the Moorish-style interior of the Spanish Synagogue.
2:20
Kafka and the Old Town
We finish near the Kafka monument, a few steps from Old Town Square.
About this tour
Josefov is small enough to walk across in ten minutes and deep enough to fill a week. Its synagogues, its cemetery and its museum collections tell the story of a community that lived here for about a thousand years, through prosperity, restrictions, reforms and the Shoah.
What you see with a guide
Most sites belong to the Jewish Museum in Prague, which cares for the Pinkas, Klausen, Maisel and Spanish synagogues, the Ceremonial Hall and the Old Jewish Cemetery. The Old-New Synagogue is still an active place of worship. A licensed guide connects them in the right order, explains what you are looking at and gives the space and time these places deserve.
A respectful visit
The Pinkas Synagogue and the cemetery are memorials. We keep the group small by definition, since the tour is private, and your guide will tell you what is appropriate inside each site. Modest dress is recommended.
Planning tips
Choose a weekday that is not a Jewish holiday, and start in the morning for a quieter visit. If you are interested in the history of the Second World War, consider adding a day at the Terezín memorial, about an hour's drive from Prague.
Combine it with
Frequently asked questions
Are the tickets included?
No. The Jewish Museum in Prague and the Old-New Synagogue sell their own tickets. We can buy them in advance and include them in your quote.
Can we visit on a Saturday?
The synagogues and the cemetery are closed on Saturdays and Jewish holidays. On those days we can offer a walk through the quarter from the outside or suggest another date.
Can we combine this with Terezín?
Yes. Many guests visit Josefov one day and the Terezín memorial on another. We arrange both, with the same guide if you wish.
Ask about this tour
Send your preferred date and group size. We confirm availability and send a written quote.
We reply by email the same business day (Monday to Saturday, 9:00 to 18:00 Prague time).