Franz Kafka, one of the most influential writers of the 20th century, was born and lived much of his life in Prague. His works, steeped in themes of existential dread, absurdity, and alienation, are inseparable from the city that shaped him. Kafka’s Prague, with its labyrinthine streets, atmospheric alleys, and shadowy corners, inspired much of his writing. Many of the places tied to his life still evoke his presence today.
If you’re a fan of Kafka or simply interested in understanding the city that nurtured his genius, here are five Kafka-related places in Prague to visit.
1. The Kafka Birthplace (Na Perštýně 7)

Franz Kafka was born on July 3, 1883, in a building located at Na Perštýně 7, close to the Old Town Square. This building is significant as the place where Kafka’s life began, and it offers a glimpse into the Prague of his early years. Although the building no longer houses a museum dedicated solely to Kafka’s birth, it remains an important part of any Kafka pilgrimage. The area around the birthplace retains much of the historic charm Kafka would have known. Walking through it evokes a sense of the city that shaped his identity.
2. The Kafka Museum (Cihelná 2b)

The Kafka Museum is situated on the banks of the Vltava River. It is a must-visit for anyone interested in the writer’s life and legacy. Located in the historic district of Malá Strana, near the Charles Bridge, this museum provides an in-depth exploration of Kafka’s life, his works, and his unique relationship with Prague.
The museum offers a collection of personal artifacts, photographs, letters, and first editions of his works. It presents a profound exploration of Kafka’s complex relationship with his hometown, including his strained relationship with his family and his internal conflict between Jewish identity, German language, and Czech culture. The museum is a reflective space, designed to evoke the melancholic, surreal atmosphere of Kafka’s stories, making it an ideal destination for those seeking a deeper understanding of the man behind The Trial and The Metamorphosis.
3. The House of the Black Madonna (Celetná 1)

The House of the Black Madonna, a prime example of cubist architecture in Prague, played a significant role in Kafka’s life. While Kafka didn’t live or work here, it is connected to the intellectual circles he frequented. The building, which houses the Museum of Czech Cubism, is located on Celetná Street, not far from the Old Town Square. It was here that Kafka attended meetings with writers and artists of his time.
Kafka had a close relationship with the avant-garde intellectual scene in Prague. The cubist architecture of this building may have influenced his vision of the modern world’s alienating, fragmented nature. The House of the Black Madonna stands as a representation of Prague’s role in the early 20th century’s cultural and artistic movements. Kafka’s connection to these circles is evident in his works.
4. The Café Savoy (Vítězná 5)
Café Savoy is another location that offers a direct connection to Kafka’s Prague. This historic café, founded in the early 20th century, was a favorite haunt of Prague’s intellectuals, artists, and writers. Though the café is still operational today, much of its classic appeal remains intact, with its elegant interior and old-world charm.
Kafka visited Café Savoy to meet friends, exchange ideas, and perhaps escape from the pressures of his daily life. The café, with its refined ambiance and quiet, reflective atmosphere, mirrors the themes of introspection that pervade Kafka’s works. For those tracing Kafka’s footsteps, a stop at Café Savoy provides not just a moment of rest but also a sense of connection to the intellectual milieu of Prague in Kafka’s time.
5. The Old Town Square of Prague and the Kafka Statue
A short walk from his birthplace, the Old Town Square is another key location for Kafka aficionados. Though Kafka never directly worked here, the square represents the heart of Prague’s historic center. That was a place where he would have passed by during his daily routines. The atmosphere of the square, with its ancient buildings, busy cafes, and tourists, could have very well inspired some of Kafka’s reflections on the absurdity and chaos of modern life.
A key landmark here is the Kafka Statue, located near the square in the Vězeňská Street. The statue is a modernist, somewhat surrealist interpretation of Kafka. It features a towering head of the writer mounted on top of a body. Created by sculptor Jaroslav Róna in 2003, the statue offers a contemporary view of Kafka’s image. It is a point of reflection on his legacy. Standing near this imposing figure in the heart of Prague’s Old Town helps visitors connect Kafka’s literary themes of alienation and introspection with the urban environment that shaped them.
