It’s little surprise that Prague has become one of the tourism capitals of Central Europe. This bustling city, the capital of the Czech Republic, is home to historic buildings, natural beauty, lively nightclubs and cocktail lounges and impressive shopping districts.

But that’s just part of the appeal of Prague. This capital city is a prime vacation spot for fans of the arts, too. Prague is home to a busy music, dance, art and theater scene. Tourists can take in everything from Shakespeare to classical ballet to the latest avant-garde performance artist.

The city’s inventive theater scene is a perfect example of the wide variety of art that tourists here can expect to find.

The Narodni Divadlo, tucked along the Vltava River, offers sumptuous ballet and opera performances. And even those tourists not interested in taking in a show should make a stop at this performance space. The building, which was built from 1868 to 1881, is a prime example of Neo-Renaissance architecture. It also features a dazzling golden roof that leaves many visitors speechless.

The Divadlo Archa can be considered the Narodni’s opposite. This theater features contemporary dance, music and theater. It’s the place to go for tourists who are looking for the avant-garde.

For even more experimental works, tourists can visit the Laterna Magika. This small black-light theater, located in a glass addition to Prague’s National Theatre, features no spoken words. Instead, performers and directors communicate with the audience through film projection, elaborate dance choreography, lights and sound. It’s a great place for the Prague tourist to experience performances that are purely Czech in nature.

The city’s theater scene has something to appeal to every Prague tourist, including the youngest. Children, and their parents, will enjoy the performances at the Narodni divadlo marionet. That’s because the performers aren’t human, they’re incredibly detailed and artistic marionettes. The performers behind these marionettes have been performing Mozart’s Don Giovanni since 1991.

Finally, the Svandovo Divadlo has become one of Prague’s most popular theaters, and should be a must-stop for any Prague tourist.

The theater reopened in December of 2002 after a lengthy renovation had shut its doors. The public’s response has been overwhelming, with the theater today playing frequently to packed houses. It’s a place for the Prague tourist to take in works from the old masters. On any given day, the Svandovo Divadlo might be producing a Chekhov classic or one of Shakespeare’s famous tragedies. Even better for tourists from the Western world, the performances here usually feature English subtitles, so it’s easy for everyone to follow along with the drama.