The Plague Doctor of Prague
From€24
1.5 hours
Max 30 people
Prague, Czech Republic
About this activity
Good news: the Black Death is no longer airborne. Mostly. Prague's plague doctor walking tour - rated 4.9/5. History was never this fun.
Highlights
- As seen by the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Vogue and Forbes - now available to experience in person on the streets of Prague
- Learn why the plague doctor’s beaked mask smelled of garlic, lavender and rosemary - and why that actually worked
- Taste an anti-plague pill (it’s candy - we promise) and meet the only plague bacterium that’s vegan-friendly
- Pass by Prague’s oldest active hospital in Central Europe, still running since the 16th century - and hear the story of the surgery that almost went perfectly
- Discover five different theories on what caused the plague - from angry gods to suspicious star constellations
Full description
Good news: the Black Death is no longer airborne. Mostly.
Join Prague's very own plague doctor - in full 17th century costume, beaked mask and mysterious leather bag - for a 90-minute journey through the dark, fascinating and occasionally disgusting history of the bubonic plague in Prague. Think less "dry history lecture", more "time travel with a man who recommends drinking three litres of garlic beer a day for your health."
Our online version of this tour caught the attention of the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Vogue and Forbes. Now we've taken it to the streets - and it's even better in person.
Part History Tour. Part Medical Lecture. Zero Boring Bits.
Following the footsteps of the forgotten hero Alexandr Schamsky - a real plague doctor who fought the Black Death in Prague in 1713 - you’ll wander through streets that Google Maps hasn’t spoiled yet, learning why the rich fled the city (spoiler: they always do), how quarantine was enforced at sword point, and why some communities survived the plague significantly better than others (hint: it involves washing hands, a concept many Praguers found deeply suspicious at the time).
Along the way you'll discover five competing theories on where the plague actually came from - from divine punishment to poisonous star constellations - taste an anti-plague pill, sniff lavender oil, and hear the avocado analogy that will ruin your next trip to the supermarket forever.
This is also a genuinely medical tour - regularly booked by doctors, nurses, bacteriologists and medical students who come for the history and leave slightly concerned about squirrels in New Mexico.
This tour is for you if:
- You enjoy history that doesn't pull its punches
- You're curious why a medieval doctor's bag smells of garlic and rosemary
- You think a 95% mortality rate deserves more than a Wikipedia article
- You'd like to pass by Prague's oldest active hospital without being admitted
This tour is not for you if:
- You came to Prague exclusively for the Kafka Museum
- You are currently experiencing swollen lymph nodes the size of a tennis ball
The tour runs rain or shine - much like the plague itself. Ends at the peaceful St Agnes Convent, where you'll receive your group photo with the plague doctor, a summary of humanity's greatest medical disaster, and the news that yes, we still have the plague. But on the bright side: antibiotics exist now.
Good news: the Black Death is no longer airborne. Mostly.
Join Prague’s very own plague doctor – in full 17th century costume, beaked mask and mysterious leather bag – for a 90-minute journey through the dark, fascinating and occasionally disgusting history of the bubonic plague in Prague. Think less “dry history lecture”, more “time travel with a man who recommends drinking three litres of garlic beer a day for your health.”
Our online version of this tour caught the attention of the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Vogue and Forbes. Now we’ve taken it to the streets of Prague’s Old Town – and it’s even better in person.
Part history tour. Part medical lecture. Zero boring bits.
Following the footsteps of the forgotten hero Alexandr Schamsky – a real plague doctor who fought the Black Death in Prague in 1713 – you’ll wander through streets that Google Maps hasn’t spoiled yet, learning why the rich fled the city (spoiler: they always do), how quarantine was enforced at sword point, and why some communities survived the plague significantly better than others (hint: it involves washing hands, a concept many Praguers found deeply suspicious at the time).
Along the way you’ll discover five competing theories on where the plague actually came from – from divine punishment to poisonous star constellations – taste an anti-plague pill, sniff lavender oil, and hear the avocado analogy that will ruin your next trip to the supermarket forever.
This is also a genuinely medical tour – regularly booked by doctors, nurses, bacteriologists and medical students who come for the history and leave slightly concerned about squirrels in New Mexico.
This tour is for you if:
• You enjoy history that doesn’t pull its punches • You’re curious why a medieval doctor’s bag smells of garlic and rosemary • You think a 95% mortality rate deserves more than a Wikipedia article • You’d like to pass by Prague’s oldest active hospital without being admitted
This tour is not for you if:
• You came to Prague exclusively for the Kafka Museum • You are currently experiencing swollen lymph nodes the size of a tennis ball The tour runs rain or shine – much like the plague itself. Ends at the peaceful St Agnes Convent, where you’ll receive your group photo with the plague doctor, a summary of humanity’s greatest medical disaster, and the news that yes, we still have the plague. But on the bright side: antibiotics exist now.
Duration: 90 minutes | Available in English, German and Spanish | Suitable for all ages | Dogs welcome (on a leash — fleas are already taken care of)
Join Prague’s very own plague doctor – in full 17th century costume, beaked mask and mysterious leather bag – for a 90-minute journey through the dark, fascinating and occasionally disgusting history of the bubonic plague in Prague. Think less “dry history lecture”, more “time travel with a man who recommends drinking three litres of garlic beer a day for your health.”
Our online version of this tour caught the attention of the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Vogue and Forbes. Now we’ve taken it to the streets of Prague’s Old Town – and it’s even better in person.
Part history tour. Part medical lecture. Zero boring bits.
Following the footsteps of the forgotten hero Alexandr Schamsky – a real plague doctor who fought the Black Death in Prague in 1713 – you’ll wander through streets that Google Maps hasn’t spoiled yet, learning why the rich fled the city (spoiler: they always do), how quarantine was enforced at sword point, and why some communities survived the plague significantly better than others (hint: it involves washing hands, a concept many Praguers found deeply suspicious at the time).
Along the way you’ll discover five competing theories on where the plague actually came from – from divine punishment to poisonous star constellations – taste an anti-plague pill, sniff lavender oil, and hear the avocado analogy that will ruin your next trip to the supermarket forever.
This is also a genuinely medical tour – regularly booked by doctors, nurses, bacteriologists and medical students who come for the history and leave slightly concerned about squirrels in New Mexico.
This tour is for you if:
• You enjoy history that doesn’t pull its punches • You’re curious why a medieval doctor’s bag smells of garlic and rosemary • You think a 95% mortality rate deserves more than a Wikipedia article • You’d like to pass by Prague’s oldest active hospital without being admitted
This tour is not for you if:
• You came to Prague exclusively for the Kafka Museum • You are currently experiencing swollen lymph nodes the size of a tennis ball The tour runs rain or shine – much like the plague itself. Ends at the peaceful St Agnes Convent, where you’ll receive your group photo with the plague doctor, a summary of humanity’s greatest medical disaster, and the news that yes, we still have the plague. But on the bright side: antibiotics exist now.
Duration: 90 minutes | Available in English, German and Spanish | Suitable for all ages | Dogs welcome (on a leash — fleas are already taken care of)
Included / Excluded
- 90 minutes of time travel with your personal plague doctor in full authentic historical costume
- A professional, licensed guide who is genuinely enthusiastic about medieval medical disasters
- Five root causes of the plague, explained with props, pictures and questionable medical advice
- A tasting of the legendary anti-plague pill (sugar-based, vegan, and significantly safer than the original recipe)
- A sniff of lavender oil used by nobles to prevent the plague - and to cover up the smell of not bathing for a year
- A group photo with your plague doctor at the end of the tour
- Garlic beer
- Leeches
- Bloodletting
- Personal visit from Yersinia Pestis
Itinerary
1
Meet your plague doctor outside the beautifully decorated House of the Golden Well, built in 1715 to celebrate the end of the plague. Make the acquaintance of Alexandr Schamsky, learn about the plague saints Sebastian and Rochus, and find out why three litres of garlic beer a day was considered solid medical advice.
Duration: 10 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
2
Step into one of Prague's most atmospheric courtyards - just 20 metres from the tourist crowds but feeling like a different century entirely. Learn how the rich escaped the plague (they always do), how ordinary families were locked inside their own homes by armed night watchmen, and how Schamsky ended up becoming a doctor against all odds.
Duration: 10 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
3
Get acquainted with the two types of plague - bubonic and pneumonic - including symptoms, survival rates and the surprisingly avocado-like nature of a bubo. Meet the plague doctor's costume up close, including the famous beaked mask and its rather pungent air filtration system.
Duration: 10 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
4
Discover why the Jewish community of Prague fared significantly better during the plague - and what that tells us about hygiene, fresh water and the dangers of throwing garbage out of windows. Also a brief encounter with Kafka, who, like the plague, appears everywhere in Prague whether you want him to or not.
Duration: 5 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
5
Pass by the oldest active hospital in Europe and meet another forgotten hero: Celestine Opitz, the surgeon who performed the first successful surgery under full anaesthesia in 1847. The patient woke up, everyone celebrated, and then the patient died. But still - progress. Learn about the rat flea, Yersinia Pestis, and receive your anti-plague pill.
Duration: 15 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
6
End your journey at the serene 13th century convent where Prague's very first plague cases were reported. Learn about alternative medieval medicine, why lavender kept the fleas away, and what ultimately happened to Alexandr Schamsky. The tour closes with a group photo and a poem - part medieval, part metal band, entirely unforgettable.
Duration: 15 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
Meeting point
Start Location
Seminářská 2, Old Town, Czechia
Our meeting point is Seminářská 2, 110 00, Prague 1, directly next to the entrance of Hotel Aurus. You should be able to find us - we have a big bag and are dressed a bit differently than others :-)
Important information
Know before you book
- Family-friendly and suitable for all ages. Children must be accompanied by a parent - no exceptions, not even in a plague.
- Well-behaved dogs welcome on a leash. Bring water and waste bags. Fleas are strictly not welcome.
Know before you go
- Bring comfortable shoes and a sense of adventure
- Bring weather-appropriate clothing - we survived the plague, we can handle a bit of drizzle
- Bring a camera - for your group photo with the plague doctor at the end
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation up to 1 days before the activity starts
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair Accessible
- Stroller Accessible
- Service Animals Allowed
- Easy Public Transport
Traveler reviews
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My friend and I booked...
My friend and I booked this tour together to learn more about Prague and about the plague. Our tour guide Thomas was informative and funny, he did an amazing job!
Sophia_FJun 29, 2026VIATOR
Very entertaining tour with special places and stories.
It was a very entertaining tour. I did this in English with Maria ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!!!!
Discover46623029011Jun 20, 2026TRIPADVISOR
Very entertaining tour
Super entertaining with a nice guide. Having a dog with us was also not a problem. The 1.5 hours flew by.
Marie SJun 4, 2026TRIPADVISOR
Plague in Prague
Very informative. Smaller group and not too much walking. Great value. Maria was our guide and would recommend highly
Jamie_CMay 7, 2026VIATOR
Guide was very...
Guide was very knowledgeable and made the subject matter fun. It was a very unique tour, learned a lot.
Ksgreene24Apr 25, 2026VIATOR
Additional information
Your plague doctor will be waiting at Seminářská 2 (House of the "Golden Well"), next to the entrance of Hotel Aurus, near Klementinum in Old Town. Arrive five minutes early - in 1713 being late could cost you your life. Today it will just cost you the beginning of the tour.