The Mandarin Oriental guide to Prague for families

By Evan Rail

February 27, 2023

Romantic though it may be for couples, Prague is also a great destination for families.

Prague has become one of the most visited cities in Europe, thanks to its excellent eating and drinking, and atmospheric cityscape. It’s a place where history looms large at every turn – not least at Mandarin Oriental, Prague, which occupies the site of a 14th-century Dominican monastery. Known for its romantic spires and bridges, it’s a classic destination for couples – but does this mean that family trips will be soundtracked by “I’m bored/tired/hungry”? Not at all. The Czech capital is an excellent under-the-radar family destination, with its interactive museums, playground-dotted parks, and easy-going eateries. Kids are also warmly welcomed at the hotel, with everything from crayons and colouring books to complimentary cribs and beds, along with the option of spacious family rooms with connecting doors.

A father helping a child play on a climbing frame in the park on a sunny day

Park life

Local families take full advantage of Prague’s excellent playgrounds, found in just about every corner of the city. In Malá Strana, stop by the shaded sandpit at the Dětské Hřiště (Children’s Playground) on Kampa Island, or find a similar site on the Old Town side of the river at Slovanský ostrov, with its working miniature train. In warm weather, families swear by the vast Gutovka leisure centre in the outlying district of Strašnice, home to rock-climbing walls, a skatepark and an extensive ‘waterworld’, with running streams, dams and sluices where children can cool off.

The exterior of the charming Karel Zeman Museum in Prague

Mind-bending museums

Prague excels when it comes to museums – which comes in handy come the winter. One of the quirkiest and most charming is the Karel Zeman Museum, dedicated to the Czech filmmaker, and dotted with clips from his fantastical films. You don’t have to be familiar with his oeuvre to enjoy the museum though, taking the controls of a flying machine, testing out special effects, or walking around the moon. The Museum of Senses is another sure-fire hit, with its optical illusions, mirrored disco room and dizzying vortex tunnel (which may leave parents in need of a nice lie-down). And for a memento of your visit? The upside-down bathroom makes for a unique selfie setting.

Football players mid-game in one of Prague’s stadiums

The beautiful game

Czechs may be famous for their prowess in international hockey competitions, but football remains the most popular sport. Make like a local with a jersey from one of the city’s first-league teams, or catch a game in person at the intimate Ďolíček stadium, home to the Bohemians 1905 (nicknamed the kangaroos) and 5,000 wildly cheering fans.

Pac-Man and other classic arcade games at the Arcade Museum in Prague

Old-school arcade games

Your children may be experts when it comes to contemporary gaming, but they’ve probably never heard of half of the classics at the Arcade Museum. (Pro tip: parents should use this to their advantage in family competitions.) Located just outside Prague, in the village of Červený Újezd, the museum houses over 160 games from the 1980s and 90s, including Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, Space Invaders and Paperboy. Leave your loose change at home: all games are free to play with museum entry.

All offers and experiences available at time of publication. Please contact the hotel team for more information.

About the Author

Evan Rail

Originally from California, Evan lives in Prague with his family, and writes about his new home city for The New York Times and Condé Nast Traveller.