Best View in Prague: Dancing House (Complete Travel Guide)

One of the biggest attractions in Prague, Czechia, is the Dancing House, a building that appears to defy the laws of physics, scoring high on the wow-meter.

Also known as the Fred and Ginger House in Prague or the Tancici dum (its Czech name), the Dancing House was built in 1996 by Croatian-Czech architect Vlado Milunić, in collaboration with Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry.

What once was a vacant land lot on the Vltava river in Prague became this impressive building that you must check out below (and prepare to read more details about it later):

The impressive building was built thanks to the support it received from Vaclav Havel, the Czech president at the time.

Believe it or not, many people were against building it and considered it plain ugly, but the structure stood the test of time and became one of the city’s main attractions – one that I stumbled upon during my month-long stay in Prague, and about which I will talk about today.

Why is it called the dancing house?

Its unique architecture makes it resemble a couple that’s dancing – hence the name. Plain and simple!

It seems to be inspired by a great dancing couple at the time: the glass tower with its cinched waist represents Ginger Rogers in her flowing dress. The solid concrete tower right next to it is her partner, Fred Astaire.

It is actually an extremely elaborate structure with multiple elements that aren’t immediately visible to the naked eye, but which become obvious the more you look at it.

For example, did you notice the dome at the top? It also has an unique shape and it’s called the “Medusa dome” thanks to its shape. It also offers some nice views over Prague and the nearby Vltava river for those lucky enough to get there.

Where is the Dancing House and how to get there?

The Dancing House is located on the shores of the Vltava River in the Prague District 2, which is centrally located. The full address is Jiraskovo namesti 1981/6, 12000 Prague 2.

Here it is, marked on Google Maps (I also highlighted the tram station and metro station nearby, as well as a great playground for kids on an island – the place from where you can take beautiful photos of the Dancing House itself while your little ones have fun):

Unless you’re walking around the area and just happen to stumble upon it (like we did during our stay in Prague), you can reach it by bus, tram, or metro as seen in the map I linked to above.

The Jiraskovo namesti bus and tram station is just in front of the building (tram lines 14, 17, or 21 get you here), while the metro station Karlovo Namesti is 2-3 minutes away.

Above, my photo shows a view of the Dancing House and the Vltava River from the children’s playground market on the map.

Dancing House Opening Hours & Fees

The building operates as an office space, a gallery, a hotel, and features a restaurant with a glass bar on top. Walking through the main gate into the lobby is free. Getting into the good stuff requires some cash.

So if you really want to get inside, you can do so through the main gate, but you will have to purchase a ticket if you want to visit the Gallery (tickets cost around 10 Euros per person). The gallery is open each day from 10 AM to 6 PM.

I will be honest with you, though: skip the gallery! I think of it as a clear tourist trap and unless you are a diehard contemporary art fan, the exhibits inside rarely match the brilliance of the exterior architecture.

The restaurant, which is located on the top floor, is called Ginger & Fred and offers (pricey) international cuisine options and a great view of the city. The restaurant is open every day from 11:30 AM to 11 PM.

KEEP IN MIND: When you reach the top floor, there is a viewing deck up there that charges a 100 CZK fee. Do not pay that fee!

Instead, walk into the bar and buy yourself a drink – the cheapest will do if you only care about the views. A drink can cost as little as 130 CZK (or around 5.3 Euros), and even though it’s a bit over the viewing deck’s price, you do get free access to the rooftop, but you can also enjoy a drink AND the panoramic view for basically the same price. This is the smartest way to experience the roof, in my opinion.

Finally, if you really want to experience the most that the Dancing House has to offer, you can book a room at the Dancing House Hotel. As you can see in the image below, the hotel is absolutely amazing and offers high-quality service:

The prices are relatively high if you’re on a strict budget (it’s a four-star hotel close to Prague’s center), but I would consider them fair for the location, quality of the rooms, and services. Of course, not all rooms are like the one pictured above, but it’s still the Dancing House you’d be living in. So check it out here.

Ginger & Fred Restaurant: Is it a Tourist Trap?

Just below the Glass Bar on the seventh floor sits the Ginger & Fred restaurant. They serve high-end international and French-inspired cuisine. It is open every day from 11:30 AM to 11 PM.

Expect to pay anywhere from €25 to €45 per person for a main course here. I have to call it like I see it. You are paying a massive premium for the view of Prague Castle and the Vltava River.

The food is undeniably good, though, but Prague has a massive culinary scene where you can get a vastly superior meal for half the price. Eat a hearty local dinner in a classic pub elsewhere, then come here strictly for a cocktail at sunset. If you don’t know where, check out my article sharing the best restaurants in Prague.

Wrapping up

While the building itself is impressive, I believe that there are far more impressive things to see and do in Prague – but the Dancing House itself is a joy to the eye, so it’s worth visiting, especially since its location is close to the city’s center and other attractions (like the impressive Charles Bridge).

Most people don’t even bother going inside (because… well… it looks like almost any other building inside) and only spend a few minutes, looking at it from all sides. So for all that and since it doesn’t cost anything (unless you want a more complex experience), make sure to visit it when you get to Prague!

What do you think about Prague’s impressive structure? Is it fair to consider it one of the city’s main attractions, or you have other preferences when it comes to Czechia’s capital?