Top Permanent Exhibitions at the National Museum Prague

The museum offers a diverse range of displays. From prehistoric fossils to 20th-century history, the variety is huge. Most visitors start in the Main Building to see the iconic natural history collections. Here are the top picks for your 2026 itinerary.

• Best for Families: Miracles of Evolution
• Best for History Buffs: The History of the 20th Century
• Best Viewpoint: The Dome
• Best Free Sight: The Pantheon (with museum entry)

1. Name: Miracles of Evolution Type: Nature Why go: See a massive fin whale skeleton and diverse animal species. Best for: Families and nature lovers. Where: Main Building, 2nd Floor. Time: 1 hour. Cost: Included in standard ticket. Getting there: Walk from Muzeum metro station. Tip: Look for the interactive screens that explain animal movements.
2. Name: Windows into Prehistory Type: Nature Why go: View rare fossils and life-sized models of mammoths and dinosaurs. Best for: Kids and science fans. Where: Main Building, 1st Floor. Time: 45 minutes. Cost: Included in ticket. Getting there: Follow signs from the main entrance. Tip: Check out the unique trilobite collection from the Czech lands.
3. Name: Hall of Minerals Type: Science Why go: Explore one of the oldest and largest mineral collections in Europe. Best for: Geology enthusiasts. Where: Main Building, 1st Floor. Time: 30 minutes. Cost: Included in ticket. Getting there: Located near the Prehistory section. Tip: The room itself is a work of art with historic wooden cabinets.
4. Name: The Pantheon Type: Architecture Why go: Stand in the most famous room in the building, filled with statues of Czech heroes. Best for: Photographers and history fans. Where: Main Building, central area. Time: 20 minutes. Cost: Included in ticket. Getting there: Take the grand staircase from the lobby. Tip: Look up to see the beautiful ceiling paintings.
5. Name: History of the 20th Century Type: History Why go: Learn about the complex modern history of the Czech nation. Best for: Educational visits. Where: New Building (connected by tunnel). Time: 1.5 hours. Cost: Included in museum ticket. Getting there: Use the underground corridor from the Main Building. Tip: Give yourself extra time for the multimedia displays here.
6. Name: Moments of History Type: Experience Why go: Experience a light and sound show in the connecting tunnel. Best for: A quick, immersive break. Where: Connecting Corridor. Time: 15 minutes. Cost: Free with ticket. Getting there: Between the Main and New Buildings. Tip: The projection shows the changes in Wenceslas Square over time.
7. Name: People: A Journey into the Past Type: Anthropology Why go: Discover how humans lived and evolved through the ages. Best for: Curious travelers. Where: Main Building. Time: 45 minutes. Cost: Included in ticket. Getting there: Accessible via the main elevators. Tip: The section on ancient burials is particularly fascinating.
8. Name: The Dome Type: Viewpoint Why go: Get a 360-degree view of Prague and Wenceslas Square. Best for: City views. Where: Top of the Main Building. Time: 20 minutes. Cost: Usually included in standard entry. Getting there: Take the stairs or elevator to the highest level. Tip: Visit at sunset for the best photos of the city.
9. Name: Clockwork Type: Technology Why go: See historic clocks and mechanical instruments from different eras. Best for: Fans of machinery. Where: Main Building. Time: 30 minutes. Cost: Included in ticket. Getting there: Check the museum map for the specific gallery. Tip: Listen for the chimes if you are there on the hour.
10. Name: Prague Castle Type: Day trip/Nearby Why go: Visit the largest ancient castle complex in the world. Best for: Everyone. Where: Hradčany district. Time: 3-4 hours. Cost: Varies by circuit. Getting there: Take Tram 22 from the city center. Tip: Use a Prague Castle complex guide to plan your route.
11. Name: Charles Bridge Type: Sight Why go: Walk across the most iconic bridge in the UNESCO listed historic center. Best for: Sightseeing. Where: Old Town/Lesser Town. Time: 30 minutes. Cost: Free. Getting there: 15-minute walk from Wenceslas Square. Tip: Go early in the morning to avoid the largest crowds.

Planning Your Visit to the Exhibits

To enjoy the permanent exhibitions at the National Museum Prague, you should plan ahead. The museum is open daily. Most people find that three hours is enough for the main highlights. You can buy tickets online to skip the long lines at the entrance.

Check the National Museum Prague opening hours before you go. Mornings are usually quieter than afternoons. The museum is fully accessible for those with limited mobility. There are elevators and ramps throughout the Main Building.

If you are hungry, there is a cafe in the New Building. You can also find many restaurants nearby on Wenceslas Square. Security checks are required at the entrance, so do not bring large bags. Small lockers are available for a small fee.

Exploring Near Wenceslas Square

After seeing the museum, explore the surrounding area. Wenceslas Square is the heart of the New Town. It is full of shops, cafes, and historic sites. You can see the statue of Saint Wenceslas right outside the museum doors.

Many people wonder, is the National Museum in Prague worth it? The answer is yes, especially for the architecture alone. From here, you can walk to the Old Town Square in about ten minutes. This makes the museum a perfect starting point for your day.

For more information, visit the National Museum official site. They list temporary shows that change throughout the year. Public transport is very easy to use in this area. The Muzeum metro station serves both the A and C lines.