Prague Castle

Prague Castle crowns the hill on the western side of the Vltava, the river which divides Prague into two. Wander through the castle courtyards, visit the museums, palaces and St Vitus Cathedral because all are inside the castle complex. Be sure to include a romantic walk in the castle gardens situated on the slope just below the castle. It is probably the largest castle complex in the world, not so much the castle itself, but the area around the castle. Every year more than one million visitors flock up to the castle.

Access without a ticket allows you to wander through the castle gardens, streets and squares that make up Praszký Hrad, Czech for Prague Castle. The changing of the guard is free to see. This ceremony begins at 12 noon and you can witness it in the first courtyard every day of the year.

Tip: Buy your tickets for Prague Castle, Pražský hrad, online and skip the waiting line! Or book a Tour with Guide of the Prague Castle interior: the Royal Palace, St. Vitus Cathedral, St. George Basilica and Golden Lane.

Prague Castle: Where to Buy Tickets?

Tickets are best bought online. This way you are sure to skip the often long waiting line. If you are in Prague, you purchase your tickets  at the information centre of the Castle in the first and second courtyards, in the Holy Cross Chapel in the second courtyard, at the counter of the Old Royal Palace and at the entrance of the exhibition; The Story of Prague. Is all this too overwhelming? It simply means that you can buy admission tickets in many different places. You won’t lose your way because everything is signposted. Guided Tours

The Castle can only be visited on a guided tour. You can join three different types of guided tours.

Tour A includes

St. Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace, exhibition ‘The Story of Prague Castle’, St. George’s Basilica, Golden Lane with Daliborka Tower, Powder Tower and Rosenberg Palace.

Tour B includes

St. Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace, St. George’s Basilica, Golden Lane with Daliborka Tower.

Tour C includes

Exhibition ‘The Treasure of St. Vitus Cathedral’, Prague Castle Picture Gallery, exhibition ‘The Story of Prague Castle’, exhibition ‘The Treasure of St. Vitus Cathedral’, Powder Tower – Exhibition of the Castle Guards and Great South Tower with the Viewing Gallery.

Opening Hours

The castle complex – gardens and courtyards are open every day.
1 April – 31 October from 05.00 to midnight
1 November – 31 March 06.00- 22.00

The Historical Buildings
1 April – 31 October from 09.00 – 17.00
1 November – 31 March from 09.00 – 16.00

Prague Now tips:

* Tickets are valid for two days, the day of the purchase and the next day.
* Do not visit U Kanovniku or any of the other restaurants and cafes in the castle grounds unless you want to pay steep tourist prices.
* The castle determines Prague’s skyline and can be seen from almost any position in Prague. Especially at night when illuminated, the view of the castle is magic.
* The towers of St Vitus Cathedral stand out against the night sky and are extremely photogenic. Stand on Charles Bridge or Smetanova nábrezí for the best photos.

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