Thomayerovy sady

Thomayerovy sady is a park in Prague, in the Prague 8 – Libeň district, stretching along the point where the Rokytka stream flows into the Vltava river, just west of Elsnicovo náměstí square. It covers roughly 4.25 hectares at an elevation of 184–210 metres, blending a riverside stroll with a bit of local history.

Who is the park named after?

The park takes its name from František Thomayer, a Czech landscape architect who designed it around the turn of the 20th century. It's an easy mix-up worth clearing up: he was the brother of Josef Thomayer, a well-known physician — but it's the landscape architect, not the doctor, whom the park commemorates.

How did the park come to be?

Libeň was granted town status in 1898, and shortly afterward, local authorities decided to turn a former chateau garden into a public municipal park. What had been private greenery became open space for residents — one of the earlier projects of its kind in this part of Prague.

What is there to see?

A school educational trail, the Thomayerovy sady trail, runs through the park with around twenty information panels. It covers the history and natural features of Libeň, while also honoring Eduard Štorch, a writer and educator who lived in the district and is remembered for his novels about prehistoric life aimed at young readers. It's an unusual case of a park doubling as an outdoor local-history lesson.

For families, the main draw is a playground built around a wooden pirate-ship climbing structure — one of the more recognizable playgrounds in Prague 8, popular with locals.

Can you cycle through it?

A section of cycle route A2 passes through the park, connecting Troja with Libeňský ostrov (Libeň Island). That makes Thomayerovy sady more than just a walking destination — it's also a natural stop along a longer riverside cycling route through Prague.

Who is this park for?

It works both as a short walk from central Prague and as a stopping point on a riverside bike ride. Families will find a playground, while anyone curious about Libeň's past can follow the educational trail and its information panels. This isn't a spot overwhelmed by tourists — it's valued more by Prague 8 locals than by mass tourism.

Frequently asked questions

Is Thomayerovy sady connected to the physician Josef Thomayer? Not directly — the park is named after František Thomayer, the landscape architect who designed it. Josef Thomayer, the well-known physician, was his brother, but he isn't the park's namesake.

How big is the park? It covers about 4.25 hectares at an elevation of 184–210 metres, where the Rokytka stream meets the Vltava.

Is there anything for children here? Yes, the main attraction is a playground built around a climbable wooden pirate ship.

Can you reach the park by bike? Yes, cycle route A2 runs through the park between Troja and Libeňský ostrov.