Where Kampa is and why it feels different
Kampa lies on the west bank of the Vltava, directly below the bridge. The river runs along one side. On the other side runs the Čertovka, an artificial mill channel, and that channel is what makes Kampa an island. Here you find the Grand Prior's Mill with its wheel, a park and paths along the water.
The island is a short detour from the bridge, not a separate trip. Most visitors add it to a walk between the Old Town and Malá Strana (the Lesser Town). If you only have a short time, the stairs from the bridge and the view of the mill channel are enough to get the feeling of the place.
Walking tours and river trips in Prague
Guided walks over the bridge, river cruises and day trips, with live prices and availability.
How to get down to Kampa
Two routes, and they are not the same.
The stairs from the bridge
A staircase leads straight from Charles Bridge down to the island. It is the quickest way and also the one with the most steps. Take it if you are fit and have little luggage.
The route with fewer steps
A route with fewer steps runs through Malá Strana along U Lužického semináře and under the bridge arch to Kampa. The ground is historic paving, so it is not smooth. Do not count on it as fully step-free for a wheelchair or a pushchair.
Bridge towers guide →As part of a walk
A guided walk in English or German takes 1.5 to 2 hours and costs CZK 600 per person in 2026. Its route passes Na Kampě and the Lennon Wall and ends at Malostranské náměstí. Entry fees to buildings are not included.
Walking tours compared →The mill channel and the mill wheel
The Čertovka is the narrow water below the bridge, often called the Devil's Channel. The Grand Prior's Mill stands on it, and its wheel is one of the best-known details of the island. The channel is easy to see from the footpaths on Kampa, and from the bridge it looks like a quiet side stream next to the main river.
You can also see it from the water. A small-boat trip of 50 minutes starts near the Čech Bridge by the Dvořák embankment, not at Charles Bridge. It passes under Charles Bridge and by the Grand Prior's Mill. Depending on the water level and the condition of the channel, the trip can be cancelled. The trip runs through the year, with fewer departures in winter.
Bigger sightseeing and dinner boats do not go through the channel. See the Vltava cruise guide for the differences.
Museum Kampa: hours and tickets
Prices in 2026. The museum is run by the Jan and Meda Mládek Foundation.
| Ticket | Adult | Students and seniors | Family |
|---|---|---|---|
| All exhibitions | CZK 360 | CZK 220 | CZK 700 |
| Temporary exhibitions | CZK 300 | CZK 180 | CZK 580 |
| Permanent exhibition | CZK 200 | CZK 110 | CZK 380 |
The museum is at U Sovových mlýnů 503/2 and opens every day from 10:00 to 18:00. The last entry is at 17:30. Reduced tickets for seniors apply from age 65, children under 6 enter free, and the family ticket covers 2 adults and 3 children under 15. Bring proof for any reduced ticket. On the first Tuesday of the month, seniors pay CZK 50 for the whole museum.
The museum stands by the water in the former mill buildings on the island. Even if you do not go inside, the riverside setting is part of a walk across Kampa.
The Lennon Wall
The Lennon Wall is on Velkopřevorské náměstí, a short walk from the island. It belongs to the Order of Malta. After John Lennon's death it became an informal place of remembrance and protest, and it is covered in messages. Pens and chalk are fine. Spray paint is not allowed. The rule for this wall does not extend to other monuments in the neighbourhood.
A shop called The Lennon Wall exists elsewhere, with its own opening hours of 10:00 to 19:00. Those hours belong to the shop, not to the outdoor wall.
Kampa Island: frequently asked questions
Is Kampa really an island?
Yes. The Vltava runs on one side and the Čertovka mill channel on the other, and the channel cuts the land off from the Malá Strana bank.
How do I get from Charles Bridge to Kampa?
Take the staircase that leads down from the bridge, or walk through Malá Strana along U Lužického semináře and pass under the bridge arch. The second route has fewer steps but historic paving.
What are the opening hours of Museum Kampa?
Daily from 10:00 to 18:00, with the last entry at 17:30. Check the museum's current schedule before a visit on a public holiday.
How much is Museum Kampa?
An adult ticket for all exhibitions is CZK 360 in 2026. The permanent exhibition alone is CZK 200, and temporary exhibitions are CZK 300.
Can I write on the Lennon Wall?
Pens and chalk are allowed. Spray paint is not. Keep to this wall and do not draw on other monuments nearby.
Should I watch my belongings on Kampa?
Where crowds gather, the police advise carrying bags closed and in front, keeping valuables out of outer pockets and storing cash and documents separately. In an emergency the police number is 158.