Kinský Garden, Prague: Quiet Viewpoints on Petřín Hill

Kinský Garden (Zahrada Kinských) covers about 22 hectares on the southern and south-eastern slope of Petřín hill, above the district of Smíchov. It is separated from the other Petřín gardens by the Hunger Wall, the medieval fortification built under Charles IV. Far fewer visitors come here than to the funicular side of Petřín, which makes it one of the most peaceful green places close to the centre.

A little history

At first there were forests on this slope, and in the Middle Ages vineyards. In the first half of the 19th century the Kinský family bought the land and, in the 1830s, had it laid out as an English-style landscape park with winding paths, ponds and a small waterfall. At the foot of the slope they built the Empire-style Kinský Summer Palace, which today houses the ethnographic exhibition of the National Museum.

Kinský Garden photos

The wooden church of St Michael

Higher up in the garden stands the wooden Church of St Michael the Archangel, a beautiful and unique church in Prague. It is a Carpathian timber church that was dismantled and brought to Prague in 1929 from the region then known as Subcarpathian Ruthenia, and it has been used for Orthodox services. The church was badly damaged by fire in 2020 and has been undergoing restoration, so check its current state before you plan pictures around it. The photos below show it as it looked before the fire.

How to get there

The main entrance is from náměstí Kinských in Smíchov; the nearest tram stop is Švandovo divadlo. You can also walk in from the top of Petřín through a gate in the Hunger Wall and come down through the garden, which is the easier direction. The park is free and open at all times; for the museum in the summer palace, check the National Museum website for current opening times.

Photographing Kinský Garden

• Views. The upper paths open onto the Vltava, the Dancing House, the National Theatre and the towers of the New Town. A telephoto lens is useful for picking out details.
• Light. The slope faces south-east, so morning gives the best light on the view and on the palace. In late afternoon the trees give soft, dappled shade that is pleasant for portraits.
• Seasons. Autumn is outstanding, with the whole hillside turning yellow and red. In spring the lawns and blossom are fresh, and the ponds give nice reflections.
• Crowds. Even on weekends it is easy to find an empty path, which is why I like it for relaxed couple and family sessions.

Looking for other places to visit and photograph? Browse more Prague guides on this site.

Proposing in Kinský Garden

Kinský Garden is one of the best quiet places to propose close to the centre. It sits on the peaceful side of Petřín, with winding paths, ponds and views over the river, and it is easy to find an empty path even at weekends.

• Is it a good place to propose? Yes. It suits couples who want privacy and greenery with a city view, without the crowds of the funicular side of Petřín.
• Best time: morning for the best light on the view over the Vltava. Late afternoon gives soft, dappled shade among the trees. Autumn is outstanding.
• Permits and rules: the park is free and open at all times, so a private proposal needs no permit. The wooden Church of St Michael is a place of worship that was badly damaged by fire in 2020 and is being restored, so do not plan the proposal around it.
• Crowds: very light. Even on weekends you can usually find a path to yourselves.
• The best spot: one of the upper paths that open onto the river, the Dancing House and the National Theatre, or beside the ponds lower down.
• Where the photographer can wait: among the trees further along the path with a telephoto lens. Entering from the top of Petřín is the easier route.

Comparing places? See our guide to the best places to propose in Prague.