Josefov — Prague’s Jewish Quarter and what you actually get
Josefov is the former Jewish ghetto of Prague, concentrated in the northwest corner of the Old Town. It takes about 15 minutes to walk across from end to end, but within those few blocks sit six historic buildings that form one of the best-preserved Jewish heritage sites in Europe.
The entire complex is managed by the Jewish Museum in Prague (Židovské muzeum v Praze). Visiting Josefov means buying their combined ticket — you cannot purchase entry to individual synagogues separately (with the one exception explained below).
What the combined ticket covers
The standard combined ticket (kombinovaná vstupenka) at 550 CZK (≈ €22) covers five sites:
1. Pinkas Synagogue (Pinkasova synagoga)
The most emotionally significant site in Josefov. The walls of the synagogue are inscribed with the names of 77,297 Bohemian and Moravian Jewish victims of the Nazi Holocaust — hand-painted, name by name, in a project completed between 1954 and 1959. The Nazis whitewashed the names; they were restored after 1989. The upper floor contains an exhibition of children’s drawings made in the Terezín (Theresienstadt) ghetto. Expect to spend 30–45 minutes here.
2. Old Jewish Cemetery (Starý židovský hřbitov)
One of the most extraordinary cemeteries in Europe. Active from the early 15th century until 1787, the cemetery could not expand outward due to ghetto boundaries, so burials were layered — in places, up to 12 layers deep. The result is a dense, seemingly chaotic landscape of around 12,000 headstones, many leaning at sharp angles. The famous Rabbi Loew (creator of the Golem legend) is buried here. Allow 20–30 minutes.
3. Maisel Synagogue (Maiselova synagoga)
Built 1590–1592 by Mordechai Maisel, Prague’s richest Jewish citizen of the Renaissance era. The current Neo-Gothic building dates to the 19th century. Houses a permanent exhibition on the history of Bohemian and Moravian Jews from the 10th to the 18th century — silver Torah shields, menorahs, textiles. One of the best-curated exhibitions in Josefov. Allow 20–30 minutes.
4. Spanish Synagogue (Španělská synagoga)
The most visually spectacular building in Josefov. Built 1868 in Moorish Revival style, with gilded stucco arabesques and stained glass covering every surface of the interior. The exhibition covers Jewish history in the 19th–20th centuries, including the emancipation and the Shoah. Also used for classical concerts — classical concerts at the Spanish Synagogue take place regularly and are worth booking separately. Allow 20–30 minutes.
5. Ceremonial Hall (Obřadní síň)
A Neo-Romanesque building (1911) adjacent to the Old Jewish Cemetery, originally used for washing the dead before burial. Now houses an exhibition on Jewish burial traditions and mourning rituals — the most niche of the five sites, but genuinely interesting for those curious about the social history of the community.
The sixth site: Old-New Synagogue (Staronová synagoga) — separate ticket
The Old-New Synagogue (Staronová synagoga, built c. 1270) is the oldest surviving synagogue in Central Europe and still an active prayer house. It is the most historically significant building in Josefov.
The catch: it is managed separately from the Jewish Museum and requires an additional ticket of approximately 200 CZK (≈ €8) on top of the combined ticket. The Old-New Synagogue cannot be purchased as part of the combined ticket.
It is also closed during prayers and on Saturdays (Šabbat). Check current hours before visiting. Many visitors are surprised to find it closed mid-morning on a Saturday.
Should you pay the extra 200 CZK? Yes, if you have any interest in medieval religious architecture. The Gothic hall with its twin naves, the red flag of Prague’s Jews hanging from the ceiling, and the ancient ritual space make it unlike anything else in the city.
2026 prices
| Ticket type | Adult | Student (with ISIC) | Child (under 15) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combined ticket (5 sites, excl. Old-New Synagogue) | 550 CZK (≈ €22) | 400 CZK (≈ €16) | free |
| Old-New Synagogue only | 200 CZK (≈ €8) | 140 CZK (≈ €6) | free |
| Combined + Old-New Synagogue | 750 CZK (≈ €30) | 540 CZK (≈ €22) | free |
Visitor Pass holders: the Prague Visitor Pass includes the combined ticket (5 sites). The Old-New Synagogue supplement of 200 CZK is payable separately even with the pass.
Jewish Sabbath: the Old-New Synagogue and some sites may have restricted hours on Friday afternoon and Saturday. Plan your visit for Sunday–Friday (morning).
Where to buy
On-site ticket office: at the Maisel Synagogue entrance (Maiselova 15, Praha 1). Queues can be long in summer — 20–30 minutes at peak.
Book in advance with a guide (recommended): A guided tour of the Jewish Quarter with admission included avoids the ticket-desk queue and adds context that signs alone don’t provide.
- Prague: Jewish Quarter walking tour with admission tickets — guided tour with all tickets included, skip the queue.
- Prague: Jewish Quarter premium tour with synagogue admission — small-group, English-speaking guide.
- Prague: Old Town and Jewish Quarter 2-hour walking tour — combines both neighbourhoods, efficient for tight schedules.
- Prague: Jewish Quarter and Museum guided tour — focuses specifically on the museum exhibitions with expert commentary.
Practical tips for visiting Josefov
Order of visit: start at Pinkas Synagogue (the Holocaust memorial) when you are fresh — the weight of what you see there is better absorbed early in the visit. Move to the Cemetery, then Maisel, then Spanish Synagogue (end on the most visually striking note). Ceremonial Hall is a brief add-on between Cemetery and Maisel.
Time allocation: allow 2 hours minimum for the combined ticket. 3 hours is comfortable with the Old-New Synagogue included. If you’re joining a guided tour, expect 1.5–2 hours guided walking + time for the synagogue interiors independently.
Photography: allowed in most sites without flash. No photography inside the Old-New Synagogue when services are in progress.
Getting there: Josefov is in the heart of the Old Town, 5 minutes’ walk north from Old Town Square. Metro: line A, Staroměstská station (a 3-minute walk).
Crowds: July–August is peak. Arrive before 10:00 or after 15:30 for a quieter Cemetery and Pinkas experience.
Ticket-buying channels for the Jewish Museum
| Channel | Price | Skip-the-line | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maisel Synagogue desk | Face value | No | Queue 20–30 min in summer |
| jewishmuseum.cz (official) | Face value | Yes (fast-track lane) | Online QR code; recommended |
| GYG guided tour (t51182) | Higher (guide included) | Yes | All tickets included in tour price |
| GYG premium tour (t58959) | Higher (guide included) | Yes | Small group, English guide |
| Prague Visitor Pass | Included | Faster queue | 5-site combined ticket |
| On-site at individual synagogues | Not available | N/A | Individual entry not sold separately |
Important: You cannot buy individual entry tickets for Pinkas Synagogue, the Old Jewish Cemetery, or any of the other four combined-ticket sites. The combined ticket is the only option. The Old-New Synagogue (not managed by the Jewish Museum) has its own separate ticket sold at its door.
Worked example: break-even for the Jewish Museum vs a Prague Visitor Pass
Jewish Museum combined ticket alone (5 sites, no Old-New Synagogue): 550 CZK (≈ €22) Jewish Museum combined + Old-New Synagogue: 750 CZK (≈ €30) Prague Visitor Pass (72h) includes: Jewish Museum combined ticket (€22 value) + Castle B (€10) + Petřín (€9) + Old Town Hall (€10) + National Museum (€10) + DPP 72h (€13) = €74 value, for €90. Breaks even when you add 2–3 more attractions.
Recommendation: If you plan to visit Josefov and at least 4 other paid attractions, the Visitor Pass covers the Jewish Museum as part of a broader package. If Josefov is your only major paid attraction, buy the combined ticket directly at jewishmuseum.cz.
Frequently asked questions about the Jewish Quarter ticket
Can I visit just one synagogue without the combined ticket?
No — except the Old-New Synagogue, which has its own separate ticket. All other sites (Pinkas, Maisel, Spanish Synagogue, Ceremonial Hall, Cemetery) require the combined ticket. There is no individual entry option for these five.
Is the Jewish Quarter closed on Jewish holidays?
Yes — the Jewish Museum sites close on Jewish public holidays (Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Passover, Sukkot, etc.). Dates vary by year. Check the museum website (jewishmuseum.cz) for the current year’s closure calendar before planning your visit.
Is the Prague Jewish Museum the same as the Josefov synagogues?
Yes — the Jewish Museum in Prague (Židovské muzeum v Praze) operates all five sites covered by the combined ticket. It is one of the oldest and largest Jewish museums in the world, managing both the physical heritage buildings and the permanent exhibitions within them.
What is the Golem of Prague and where is the connection?
The Golem legend is tied to Rabbi Löw (Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel, 1520–1609), who is buried in the Old Jewish Cemetery. According to legend, he created a clay figure (Golem) to protect the Prague Jewish community, animating it with a holy word. The Cemetery is the main physical connection to the legend in Josefov.
Are audio guides available for a self-guided visit?
Yes — audio guides in multiple languages are available for rent at the Maisel Synagogue ticket desk (approximately 100 CZK for the combined circuit). Some GYG skip-the-line options also include audio guide downloads.
How far is Josefov from Prague Castle?
About 2.5 km by foot (35–40 minutes walking), or a short tram or metro ride. Many visitors combine Josefov in the morning with a Castle visit in the afternoon, or vice versa — both are manageable in a single day if you start early.
Is the Spanish Synagogue also a concert venue?
Yes — the Spanish Synagogue hosts classical music concerts almost every evening year-round. The Moorish Revival interior makes it one of Prague’s most visually spectacular concert settings. Classical concerts at the Spanish Synagogue are a separate experience from the daytime museum visit — the evening programme requires a concert ticket, not the daytime combined museum ticket. See our classical concerts guide for details and booking.
What is the best order to visit the Josefov sites?
Start at the Pinkas Synagogue (Holocaust memorial) when you arrive fresh and have emotional capacity for the experience. Move directly to the Old Jewish Cemetery (connected through the same building). Then Maisel Synagogue (history exhibition), Ceremonial Hall (brief), and finish at the Spanish Synagogue (the most visually rewarding, good on a “full” note). The Old-New Synagogue can be added at any point — it is a short detour from the main circuit.
Is Josefov only for Jewish heritage visitors?
No — Josefov’s sites are visited by all types of travellers. The Spanish Synagogue is one of the most beautiful interiors in Prague regardless of religious interest. The Old Jewish Cemetery is one of the most visually extraordinary cemeteries in Europe. The Pinkas Synagogue Holocaust memorial is a significant historical site for anyone interested in 20th-century European history.
