Franz Kafka is one of the most important writers of the 20th Century, known for his unique blend of realism and fantasy. Kafka was born in Prague in 1883, and his life and work are deeply intertwined with the city’s history and culture. On our insightful private literary tour, you’ll follow in the footsteps of Franz Kafka through the streets of Prague in the company of a local expert well-versed in the visionary author’s oeuvre and connection to the city. From opulent Art-Nouveau cafés and medieval landmarks to striking modern art installations, you’ll discover how Prague shaped Kafka’s life, imagination, and enduring literary legacy.
On your Kafka-themed walking tour, you will:
- Immerse yourself in Kafka’s life and work while exploring his home city with a local expert guide;
- Visit Café Savoy, a historic café frequented by intellectuals of Kafka’s era, and enjoy a coffee while getting acquainted with Czech culture at the turn of the century;
- Stop by the Head of Franz Kafka, the striking kinetic sculpture by Czech artist David Černý, symbolising Kafka’s complex identity;
- Pass the Generali Insurance Building, where Kafka worked and drew inspiration for the themes of bureaucratic absurdity in works such as The Trial;
- Explore Prague Old Town, where Kafka lived, studied, and spent much of his life;
- Admire the iconic Prague Astronomical Clock and, when possible, witness the famous hourly show;
- See the Statue of Franz Kafka in the Jewish Quarter, a thought-provoking piece inspired by the short story Description of a Struggle;
- Discover Kafka’s Birthplace and learn about his family and early years;
- Cross the historic Charles Bridge while discussing Prague during Kafka’s lifetime;
- Stop at the colourful Lennon Wall, a powerful symbol of freedom of expression;
- See the provocative Piss Sculpture and hear how it was inspired by themes that frequently appear in Kafka's writing;
- Conclude outside the Franz Kafka Museum, where you'll receive tickets for a self-guided visit.
Your experience begins at Café Savoy, one of Prague’s most exquisite cafés, established in 1893. After getting acquainted with your guide, a Kafka enthusiast who knows all about the author and the enduring connection to the city, you’ll head inside the Savoy to enjoy a picturesque coffee while learning about Kafka’s life, his literary circle, and the socio-political context of early-20th-century Prague that made it so enticing for artists, writers and intellectuals.
Continuing through the city, you’ll encounter both historic landmarks and contemporary artworks that reflect Kafka’s complex themes. From the rotating Head of Franz Kafka to the Generali Insurance Building where he worked, each stop offers insight into the influences that shaped his writing.
As you reach Prague’s emblematic Astronomical Clock and the charming Old Town Square, your guide will explore Kafka’s upbringing within Prague’s German-speaking Jewish community and the cultural tensions that influenced his worldview. You’ll also visit his birthplace on the fringes of the Old Jewish quarter and discover how the city’s layered identity shaped his imagination.
Crossing Charles Bridge into the Lesser Town, you’ll experience another side of Prague, stopping at the famous Lennon Wall, which became a powerful symbol of artistic resistance against the Communist regime across the 1980s, before making your way to the Franz Kafka Museum, where another of David Černý’s provocative sculptures sits outside. The polarising ‘Piss’ sculpture depicts 2 male figures urinating into a pond designed in the shape of the Czech Republic, and is very much reminiscent of Kafka’s surreal and absurd themes, making it a thought-provoking prelude to the museum itself.
Your tour concludes here, where your guide will provide final insights into Kafka’s life and literary legacy before giving you pre-arranged museum tickets to explore its collection of photographs, manuscripts and other historical documents independently. This fascinating route is an ideal way to see Prague through Kafka’s eyes, getting a feel for how the city shaped his work and how his stories have immortalised the city on the world stage.
