What is the Museum of Communism?
A private museum telling the story of Czechoslovakia under communism, from the 1948 coup to the Velvet Revolution of 1989: everyday life, propaganda, the secret police (StB), the Prague Spring of 1968 and the Soviet invasion. It's packed with posters, reconstructed rooms (a classroom, a shop, an interrogation room) and documentary film.
Tickets
Buy at the door or online. Guided tours and combined walking or e-bike tours are sold separately.
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Practical tips
- Finding it: the entrance is in an internal courtyard at V Celnici 4, in a former customs house near Náměstí Republiky.
- Metro: Náměstí Republiky (line B), 2 minutes away.
- Children: some scenes and films are disturbing, so it's best for teenagers and adults.
- Read before you go: a little background on 1968 and 1989 makes the exhibits more powerful.
Insider tips
- Evening visit: open until 8 pm, it's an ideal end to a sightseeing day.
- Wenceslas Square, 10 minutes away, is where the protests of 1968 and 1989 happened.
- The Memorial to the Victims of Communism in Malá Strana is a striking follow-up.
What you'll see inside
The museum follows the story roughly in order, through three themes the founders called the Dream, the Reality and the Nightmare of communism.
1. The Dream
The 1948 communist takeover and the promises of the new regime: propaganda posters, statues of Lenin and Stalin, and the cult of the worker.
2. The Reality
Daily life: a reconstructed shop with near-empty shelves, a school classroom, a factory, and objects from ordinary homes. It shows queues, shortages and the planned economy.
3. The Nightmare
Show trials, labour camps and uranium mines, the StB secret police, an interrogation room, and the border with its barbed wire. It covers the Prague Spring of 1968 and the Warsaw Pact invasion, and ends with the Velvet Revolution of November 1989, with powerful film footage of the protests.
Best (and worst) times to visit
Crowds by day and time
From the typical weekly visitor pattern for Museum of Communism, based on Google’s popular-times data.
Quietest time
Saturday, 9-10 am
Plans by visitor type
History lovers
Start here, then walk to Wenceslas Square, where Jan Palach's memorial and the 1989 protests are marked, and on to Národní třída, where the 17 November 1989 student march was attacked. End at the Memorial to the Victims of Communism at the foot of Petřín Hill.
Families
Best for ages 12+. The interrogation room and films of violence can upset younger children. The family ticket (820 CZK) helps.
Short on time
Allow at least an hour and focus on the Nightmare section and the 1989 film at the end.
Mistakes to avoid
- Going to the old address on Na Příkopě: the museum moved to V Celnici 4.
- Rushing it in 30 minutes: the films are worth watching.
- Arriving after 7:30 pm, when the ticket office has closed.
- Bringing young children without checking the content.
How to skip the queue
- Buy online to avoid the small ticket desk queue at peak times.
- Arrive at 9 am or after 5 pm.
- Go on a sunny day: on rainy days, everyone in the Old Town heads indoors.
- Visit the films first if a group is ahead of you in the main rooms, then double back.
Practical info
Look for the posters
The museum's own posters (like the Russian doll with fangs) became famous. The shop sells them, and they make good, light souvenirs.
Is it worth it?
Yes, if you're interested in 20th-century history. It explains a huge part of modern Prague's story in a couple of hours. Go early or in the evening for a calmer visit.
FAQs
How much is the Museum of Communism?
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390 CZK for adults, 320 for seniors, 290 for students and 820 for a family.
What are the opening hours?
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Daily 9 am-8 pm. Closed on 24 December.
Where is the Museum of Communism?
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V Celnici 4, near Náměstí Republiky. It moved from Na Příkopě.
How long do you need?
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1.5-2 hours.
What's the best time to visit?
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9-10 am or after 5 pm. Check our live crowd tracker for your date.
Is the Museum of Communism suitable for children?
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How we research: every guide is written by the BeatTheCrowd team from official sources and recent traveller reports, cross-checked against each other, and dated so you know how fresh it is. Last checked 29 October 2026. Prices and rules change, so always confirm on the official site before you book.
