Are you planning to visit Prague’s famous Dancing House and want more information?
You have come to the right place.
In this article, let’s find out together why it’s called that, where it’s located, what the prices and times are, and how to buy tickets online.
We’ll also talk about the interior, what there is to see and how to get there.
Are you ready? Let’s get started
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Dancing House Prague: description
The Dancing House is a striking piece of Prague architecture that is home to the Dutch National Offices.
The four-handed work was designed and built by architects Vlado Milunic and Frank Gehry on the New Town riverfront.
The Dancing House was erected between 1992 and 1996, taking the place of an older building that was irreparably destroyed in the bombings that hit Prague in 1945.
History of the Prague Dancing House
Originally, the space now occupied by the Dancing House housed an old 19th-century mansion built in delightful neo-Renaissance taste.
At the end of World War II, the building was razed by a bombing raid.
With the rubble removed, this area remained unused until 1992, when the construction site for The Dancing House (The Dancing House) was set up.
The present building was for some time christened “Ginger and Fred” since the towers here assume a distinctive plastic pose.
It brings to mind a much-loved step by the famous dancing duo Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire: the glass tower, specifically, would be a stylization of Ginger, while the stone tower is supposed to represent Fred.
Originally built with the intention of making it a small cultural center, to date the building is instead the operational headquarters of various offices, houses several multinational companies, and houses a hotel, an art gallery, and a renowned French restaurant.
Dancing House in Prague: technical description and architecture
The Dancing House is a child of the 20th century and all its avant-gardes.
Indeed, the presence of stylistic traits typical of Surrealism is particularly evident, but equally clear is a certain taste for deconstructionism.
Among other things, the structure is affected by the artistic influences of the beginning of the century, futurism above all.
What harmonizes these different currents of thought, however, is the intent to give the observer the idea of movement, modernity, and the architectural rejuvenation of the city.
Consisting of two towers, one precisely made of glass and the other of concrete, the structure consists of harmonious but not regular lines.
The first of the two buildings seems to develop around a sinuous wooden frame and, somewhat like a waistline, shrink considerably in the middle of its height.
In contrast, the other, somewhat more regular building is characterized by misaligned windows and a metal dome, which is also somewhat stylized and irregular.
The interior of the Dancing House
The house serves as offices and a conference center.
It also has a gallery where various exhibitions are held and a restaurant that can be visited by tourists.
The most exciting place inside the building is the rooftop terrace on the top floor, which offers a splendid panorama of Prague.
The top floor
The top floor of the Prague Dancing House is the only part of the building open to the public, which, as already anticipated, houses several offices and businesses.
The latter include the French restaurant, which could only be called “Fred and Ginger Prague,” and the Dancing House Prague Hotel.
Both businesses are based on the top two floors of the building, which guarantees customers a breathtaking view of the entire city. The rooms in both cases are very elegant and comfortable.
The restaurant kitchens also have an international flair: there is no local dish or not that the local chefs cannot prepare.
The art gallery
The building also houses aninteresting art gallery whose exhibits mainly concern works dating back to the end of the last century.
This exhibition space is dedicated to presenting works by prominent artists, both Czech and international, and hosts several thematic exhibitions.
Inside the facility, you will also find a store offering books and drawings.
Prague CoolPass: access to more than 60 attractions and discounts
Buy the official Prague tourist card and access over 60 attractions for free or at a discounted price.
Dancing House Prague: useful information
The Dancing House is located in the heart of Prague’s New Town. Here, as indeed throughout the capital, there is never a shortage of what to do or what to see.
For food lovers, for example, you can sample typical local dishes or enjoy more international fare at one of the many eateries dotted around here.
The more romantic, after enjoying an exciting view of the city from the top of the Dancing House, can stroll along the Moldavian riverfront instead.
The Dancing House is not open to the public, as there are mostly offices.
Exceptions are the restaurant on the seventh floor from which there is a panoramic view, the art gallery displaying works by contemporary artists, and the Dancing House Hotel.
Dancing House Prague: Ticket prices
Admission to the Dancing House is free of charge. If, however, you wish to access the Art Gallery located on the top floor of the building, the price is 190 CZK.
If you plan to visit more attractions in Prague, I recommend purchasing the Prague Card, which entitles you to discounts and free admission to various places of interest in the Czech capital. With the Prague Card, you can enjoy a 25% to 50% discount for the Dancing House.
Prague CoolPass: access to more than 60 attractions and discounts
Buy the official Prague tourist card and access over 60 attractions for free or at a discounted price.
Prague’s Dancing Houses: opening hours
Access to Prague’s Dancing Houses does not require a ticket, and the building’s doors are open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
As for other indoor attractions, the gallery is accessible daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., with an entrance fee of 190 CZK.
| Month | Opening days | Opening hours | Closing hours |
| January | monday to Sunday | 10:00 | 22:00 |
| February | monday to Sunday | 10:00 | 22:00 |
| March | monday to Sunday | 10:00 | 22:00 |
| April | monday to Sunday | 10:00 | 22:00 |
| May | monday to Sunday | 10:00 | 22:00 |
| June | monday to Sunday | 10:00 | 22:00 |
| July | monday to Sunday | 10:00 | 22:00 |
| August | monday to Sunday | 10:00 | 22:00 |
| September | monday to Sunday | 10:00 | 22:00 |
| October | monday to Sunday | 10:00 | 22:00 |
| November | monday to Sunday | 10:00 | 22:00 |
| December | monday to Sunday | 10:00 | 22:00 |
Prague Dancing Palaces: visit duration
How long does the visit to the Dancing Houselast? You don’t need much time to visit the Dancing House. It is a small structure and you can see everything in less than 30 minutes.
How to get to the Dancing House
The Dancing House, located in the heart of Prague, is easily accessible by public transportation. To get there you can opt for the streetcar, metro, bus or a cab. Let’s look together at all the options available to reach the Dancing House:
- Streetcar: Trams 11 and 14 make stops at Jiráskovo Náměstí, a short distance from the Dancing House.
- Subway: The IP Pavlova subway station is within walking distance of the Dancing House.
- Bus: Buses 133 and 207 stop at Jiráskovo Náměstí, in the vicinity of the Dancing House.
- Cab: Taxis are widely available in Prague, and the Dancing House is a short distance from the city center.
Dancing House Prague: frequently asked questions
The Dancing House represents one of the most unique architectural works in the world and is undoubtedly worth a visit. Designed by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry, the building stands out for its uniqueness, contrasting with other buildings in Prague.
Admission to the building is free, but for the Prague Dancing House viewing gallery, tickets cost 190 CZK.
The doors of the Dancing Houses are open from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm. Specific hours for other attractions inside the building are:- The gallery is open daily from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm and the admission price is 190 CZK.- The restaurant is open daily from 11:00 am to midnight.- The Glass Bar is open daily from 10:00 am to midnight.
The Dancing House in Prague houses nine floors and two basement floors. The only floor that can be visited is the top floor, which houses a gallery, a hotel and a restaurant with breathtaking views of the city.
You do not need to purchase admission tickets to gain access to the Prague Dancing House, because admission is free. If you wish to purchase admission tickets to the gallery, you can purchase them here. To purchase the Prague Card, click here.
The building is affectionately known as the “Dancing House” and “Ginger and Fred Prague,” metaphorical names derived from its towers that evoke the grace of dancers Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. The stone tower represents the dancer, while the glass tower symbolizes his partner.
The famous Crooked Palace Prague, an emblem of the Czech capital’s tenacity, stands along the banks of the Vltava River. Also known as Tancící dum in Czech, it represents Prague’s most outstanding modern architectural achievement, and was built between 1992 and 1996 to a design by Frank Gehry.
Prague CoolPass: access to more than 60 attractions and discounts
Buy the official Prague tourist card and access over 60 attractions for free or at a discounted price.
