Hotels near Jewish Quarter (Josefov)

Josefov, Prague's Jewish Quarter, preserves one of Europe's most significant collections of Jewish heritage sites. The neighbourhood dates to the 10th century and was the birthplace of writer Franz Kafka. Six synagogues - including the Old-New Synagogue (Staronova), the oldest active synagogue in Europe, built around 1270 - and the Old Jewish Cemetery survive. The cemetery contains approximately 12,000 tombstones layered up to 12 deep, as expansion was impossible within the ghetto walls.

A combined ticket (200 CZK / EUR 8) covers entry to six sites: the Maisel Synagogue, Pinkas Synagogue (with names of 77,297 Czech Holocaust victims inscribed on its walls), the Spanish Synagogue, the Klausen Synagogue, the Ceremonial Hall, and the Old Jewish Cemetery. The Old-New Synagogue requires a separate ticket (200 CZK). Allow two to three hours to visit the full circuit. Josefov also contains the most upscale shopping street in Prague - Parizska - lined with luxury boutiques.

Pro Tip: Begin your Josefov visit at the Pinkas Synagogue (the first site that opens at 9am) to get ahead of the crowds. The hand-inscribed names on the interior walls are deeply moving and benefit from a quiet, contemplative visit. Note that sites are closed on Saturdays and Jewish holidays.