Prague Castle: The Complete Guide
Visiting Prague Castle is the best thing to do in Prague, Czech Republic. In this guide, explore the dominant St. Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace, Golden Lane, Daliborka Tower, and much more. Everything you need to know about visiting Prague Castle with facts, tickets, opening hours, directions, general information, places to eat, and best hotels in the area.
For us, Czechs, Prague Castle is a very special place. Perched atop the hill overlooking Vltava River, Charles Bridge, and city's Old Town, Prague Castle is the true dominant of Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic.
Prague Castle complex is one of the top attractions in Prague, and overall in Czechia, the Central European country famous among travelers for its architecture, culture, history, and cuisine.
Since we were kids, we had visited Prague Castle countless times, and for sure many more times than average locals.
It is our favorite destination for leisure strolls on lazy Sundays, but also for sunrise or sunset photo walks. And the older we get the more we like our Prague Castle visits.
The entrance fee to the Prague Castle grounds is free, so the beauty, the views, and the possibility of visiting the castle on a budget have always been a major reason to explore it when we were in the vicinity.
We both remember visiting Prague Castle with our parents or on compulsory school trips when we were younger, but since then, we never bought a ticket to see the interiors of museums, the cathedral, or other significant landmarks. Until just recently.
We decided it was the right time to see Prague Castle, by the way, the biggest medieval castle complex in the world, from the tourist's point of view.
This experience was great, it actually exceeded our expectations, and we loved for a moment to be tourists in the city where we live and that we know so well.
And by the way, you will find really helpful this article Prague Guide for First-Timers.
We learned so much about the architecture and history of the complex, and this visit only reassured us that Prague Castle has its well-deserved spot on every Prague itinerary.
If you plan on visiting Prague, Prague Castle is obviously a thing you cannot miss, and it does not matter if you are enjoying the long weekend, or if you kind of have to rush around the city's top attractions in only one day.
To make your time in Prague as smooth as possible, we've put together this post on everything you need to know before visiting Prague Castle.
Even though most of the Prague visitors are headed to the complex, your trip does not need to be stressful at all, and we will also share with you tips to avoid the crowds.
In this blog post, we've put together all the practical information and personal tips including how to visit Prague Castle for free, how to buy tickets, what are the opening hours, what to do in Prague Castle, or how to get there.
PRAGUE CASTLE FACTS AND HISTORY
Even though remains proving that the area of Prague Castle was inhabited thousands of years ago had been found, the history as we know it started in the 9th century.
Prague Castle was allegedly founded in 880 by Prince Borivoj of the house of Premyslides.
At that time, there was not much but the fortifications and Church of Virgin Mary, but from the 10th century, the importance of today's Prague Castle grew.
St. Vitus Cathedral was built on the hill, but at that time, it was rather a smaller rotunda.
Actually, the Prague's gem was rebuilt many times during the centuries, and the construction of the cathedral as we know it today started in the 14th century, that's why the cathedral is built in Gothic style.
Meanwhile, the castle became the seat of Czech kings.
During the reign of Charles IV., the most famous ruler in Czech lands, Prague was a flourishing city, and Prague Castle was the seat of the Holy Roman Empire.
After the death of Charles, the complex saw some darker times, and the castle was even abandoned and fell into despair.
Almost every new century brought new dynasties, the castle was rebuilt all over again, it saw fires, wars, protests, new regimes.
Finally, in 1918, Czechoslovak Republic became an independent state, and since then, Prague Castle was the seat of presidents, and since 1993 it is the seat of Czech heads of state.
On top of that, Prague Castle is the most visited attraction in the Czech Republic.
PRAGUE CASTLE TICKETS
Did you know that it is free to visit Prague Castle? Well, it is only partially true. You can get to Prague Castle, see some of the highlights such as St. Vitus Cathedral, St. George's Basilica, and other buildings, but only from the outside.
Even though the cathedral's exterior is impressive, if this is your first time in Prague, we would really recommend you to buy a ticket and go inside, as the interiors are breathtaking.
You might have heard that it is possible to get inside the cathedral for free. It is.
You cannot walk around and admire all the details, but you can look at how it looks inside from the front door. You won't get any further as there are tourniquets.
Another place where you can save money is the Golden Lane, as it is also free to enter after the official opening hours, 6 PM in the summer, and 4 PM in the winter.
Our Tip: If you are budget traveler, then we rounded up this list of 15 Free Things to Do in Prague.
You can choose from different types of Prague Castle tickets.
The most popular one is Circuit B ticket that includes entry to St. Vitus Cathedral, Golden Lane, St. George's Basilica, and Old Royal Palace.
These are the most popular sites worth your time.
The ticket costs 450 CZK on the spot, but if you want to skip the line, there is a possibility to buy your Prague Castle Tickets in advance.
Circuit A includes all the attractions as Circuit B, plus Exhibition The Story of Prague Castle and Rosenberg Palace. This circuit will cost you 350 CZK.
Circuit C includes exhibition The Treasure of St. Vitus and Prague Castle Picture Gallery for 350 CZK, or you can visit those two sights separately, but you will need two tickets.
Consider buying a separate ticket for the Great South Tower of the Cathedral if you are looking for something unique.
The official website says you need to buy permission to take photos in the interiors (where it is possible) for 50 CZK, but when we were there, it seemed unnecessary to purchase.
All the tickets are valid for two days, so you do not have to rush in case you cannot see everything you wanted in only one day.
If you are a family or a student, do not forget to mention it, chances are you will be in a category of visitors who are eligible for a discount.
VISITING PRAGUE CASTLE INDEPENDENTLY VS WITH A GUIDED TOUR
Depending on your travel style, you can visit Prague Castle's grounds and all the buildings and exhibitions either independently or with a guide.
We prefer to wander around Prague Castle alone, mostly because we've already been there so many times and remember quite many things from school.
Still, if we were foreigners like you, we would probably consider the guided option.
The standard guided tour takes one hour, and the guide (seven languages are available) will show you St. Vitus Cathedral and Old Royal Palace.
If you require a more thorough tour and more specific information, the tour can, of course, be customized according to your needs.
You can buy the tickets on the Third Courtyard in the Information Center.
As the service during the season is popular, it is wise to make a reservation.
The price for the guided tour in a foreign language is 250 CZK per person, and you need to either be a group of at least four people or be willing to pay 600 CZK.
Many private companies also offer guided tours within Prague Castle. The advantage is that the groups are small, very informative, and you can skip the line.
One of the most popular guided Prague Castle Tours has around 4000 positive reviews and takes three hours.
If you prefer to hear about the complex history, but guided tours are not exactly what you are looking for, you can rent an audioguide that covers 96 interesting spots.
Listening to the audioguide takes three hours. The price is 350 CZK.
PRAGUE CASTLE OPENING HOURS
The grounds of Prague Castle are open every day between 6 AM and 10 PM, and during the time, you can walk around freely, even without the ticket. If you plan on visiting the historical buildings, the opening hours then differ according to the season.
Prague Castle acknowledges two different seasons.
Summer season from April 1 till October 31, and then winter season from November 1 till March 31.
OPENING HOURS IN SUMMER
In the summer season, historical buildings are open from 10 AM till 6 PM from Monday till Sunday.
The only exception is St. Vitus Cathedral, which has opening hours from 12 PM - 6 PM on Sundays. The last entrance is usually twenty or thirty minutes before the closing times, so make sure you arrive on time.
As St. Vitus Cathedral is a church in use, regular services and special ceremonies take place here.
To make sure your visit won't be affected by these ceremonies, check out the official website below where you can find the up to date information.
OPENING HOURS IN WINTER
In the wintertime, historical buildings and St. Vitus Cathedral are open from 9 AM until 4 PM. Again, on Sundays, St. Vitus Cathedral opens two hours later, at noon.
Some exhibitions halls close at 6 PM.
If you know, you will have only the afternoon to visit the Prague Castle grounds, or you plan on visiting more exhibitions, plan your trip carefully.
HOW MUCH TIME YOU NEED FOR PRAGUE CASTLE
It is highly individual, that's why we would say that a person can spend at Prague Castle anything between one hour and full day. On average, we would say that most of the travelers need three to four hours.
If you are traveling on a budget or have only one day to visit Prague, you will most likely not go inside the historic buildings.
To see St. Vitus Cathedral from the outside, have a quick sneak peek of the interior, and then walk around the must-see things in the area, you will spend near the castle something about an hour.
If you are like us, an average traveler, who wants to see the best what the landmark has to offer, you will buy a ticket to go inside some exhibitions, but you will not read every single information panel, three to four hours will do the job.
On the other hand, if you like to learn about every place you visit thoroughly, there are so many buildings and exhibitions you can see that one full day might not be enough.
THINGS TO DO AND SEE IN PRAGUE CASTLE
We admit that the word castle, in this case, can be a bit misleading. You could not have been more wrong if you'd imagined Prague Castle as a large classic medieval construction.
Simply put, it’s very different from Karlstejn or Loket, other famous Czech castles.
It is a complex of not-related buildings, nooks, galleries, and gardens that create a unique visual experience.
Here's the list of the best things to see and do in Prague Castle.
HRADCANSKE SQUARE
Hradcanske Square (Hradcanske Namesti in Czech) is one of the three official entrances to Prague Castle, but definitely the most used one by foreign visitors.
Do not rush to get to the castle yet.
First, take a view of the imposing gate to the complex.
The entrance is dotted with wonderful sculptures. There are guards on each side of the entrance (nowadays, the gate for the visitors is on the left side, only a couple of hundreds of meters away).
Behind the gate, you can see the I. Castle Courtyard, and then Matthias Gate that connects I. and II. Courtyard of Prague Castle and dates back to 1614.
It would be a mistake to skip Hradcanske Square entirely, so do the sightseeing either before or after visiting the castle.
The square is lined with several former palaces and historical buildings. Many of them now host various museums and exhibitions, so it is worth it to check it out.
The Schwarzenberg Palace, a beautifully decorated Renaissance building, really stands out among the rest.
When you face the castle, on your right-hand side in front of you are Castle Stairs, that is one access route you can take, and on the same side, but behind your back is another access route from Nerudova street and street Ke Hradu.
In the middle is one of the best views of Prague overlooking the city and its hundred spires. If you want to know if Prague really has a hundred spires, read this article amazing facts about Prague.
ST. VITUS CATHEDRAL
It is impossible to overlook the largest temple in the Czech Republic. St. Vitus Cathedral is not worth your attention only because of its size but also because of its splendid interiors and exteriors.
The official construction of the cathedral began in 1344 when it replaced a rotunda that stood here from the 10th century.
The main architectural style here is Gothic, but as it took more than 500 years to finish it, you can see here Baroque or Renaissance influence as well.
The cathedral is wonderful from all angles, but you will have the best experience when coming from II. Courtyard.
St Vitus Cathedral will all of a sudden appear in front of you, and you will have to lean your head back as far as you can to see the whole face of the church.
To get the entire experience, head inside the cathedral to admire stained glass windows and many artifacts from different periods.
GOLDEN LANE
The Golden Lane dates back to the 15th century after the construction of the new wall. Houses in the Golden Lane represent the small-scale architecture. This cobblestone street is narrow, and the small houses that line the street make this place even cuter.
The houses were inhabited by goldsmiths (therefore the name), and servants of the castle.
Nowadays, most of the houses were turned into small stores selling local crafts.
One of the most famous houses is number 22, where the renowned author Franz Kafka lived between 1916 and 1917.
Kafka was tightly connected with Prague, and Prague Castle is not the only place in the city where you'll stumble upon his presence.
If you are into modern art, do not forget to visit Kafka's Head near Narodni Trida. And of course, pack a book or two to Prague with you.
Our Tip: And we really mean it as we are huge fans of his books. So do yourself a favor, and for starters, read The Castle and The Trial.
OLD ROYAL PALACE
Old Royal Palace dates back to the 12th century, and it is yet another gem that stands on the III. Courtyard, right next to the president's offices.
Old Royal Palace is a complex of halls, small chambers, and corridors that are very significant for Czech people and our culture.
One of the highlights in the palace is Vladislav Hall, featuring impressive ribbed vaulted ceiling and the wooden floor.
Inaugurations, coronations, and many other special events took, and still take place in Vladislav Hall. One of the corridors will take you to a smaller chamber called Bohemian Chancellery famous for Prague's second (or third) defenestration.
Well, simply put, some of the royal governors were thrown out of the window by protestants.
On the left side of Vladislav Hall, take a detour to New Appeal Court and Hall of Diet. You will find here the Land Rolls that were official books of the Court of Justice of the Realm.
THE STORY OF PRAGUE CASTLE
The exhibition named fittingly the Story of Prague Castle shows its visitors the more than thousand-year history.
The serious of displays tell the story from the very first settlements (remains prove that the area was inhabited more than 3000 years ago), through times of princes and kings to the presence.
You will learn about the history and significant Czech characters such as prophets and writers, and the exhibition also features artifacts from different periods.
The gallery is dimly-lit, very informative, and we would not recommend it for families with really small kids. Well, you can go there, but your children won't probably be entertained for that long, as a lot of reading is required here.
ST. GEORGE'S BASILICA
We cannot even count how many times we walked around St. George's Basilica, but it never crossed our mind to go inside.
Honestly, we thought it is yet another church where the concerts for tourists are held. But during the task of seeing Prague Castle as tourists, we decided to see the interiors finally.
Is it worth it to go to the basilica?
If you have your ticket, do not skip it by no means, we really loved the Romanesque appearance, the elegant main nave, apse, and steeples.
St. George's Basilica was initially founded in 920, so it also happens to be one of the oldest churches in Prague.
DALIBORKA TOWER
Daliborka Tower is at the end of the Golden Lane. Although you can visit Golden Lane after hours, it is not possible to get to the tower later in the evening.
The tower was built at the end of the 15th century, and it served as a prison and a place to torture prisoners. The tower has its name after the first inmate, Czech knight, Dalibor of Kozojedy.
Every small kid in the Czech Republic knows a famous legend about Dalibor, who was imprisoned in this tower and was forced to learn to play the violin by the circumstances.
Thanks to this legend, we have a nice Czech saying 'Nouze naučila Dalibora housti' that roughly translates to 'But necessity is the mother of invention.'
To be honest, there is not much to see in the tower, but why not have a look when you are there, right?
ROSENBERG PALACE
This Renaissance Palace was later rebuilt in Baroque style and was used as a residence for unmarried noblewomen. The residence belonged to the family of Rosenbergs, therefore the name.
It is worth it to go inside to see the lovely courtyard, and the fresco decoration that occupies three floors, so you can see the most when looking in the large mirror installed on the floor.
Once you make it to Rosenberg Palace, you can walk a little bit further, have a coffee in Lobkowicz Palace, and then continue to the gate in the direction of Old Castle Stairs.
Even if you do not plan on exiting the complex this way, you must see the wonderful view just before the stairs.
By the way, the Rosenberg family is connected to several other top attractions in South Bohemia, such as Cesky Krumlov Castle or Rozmberk Castle.
GREAT SOUTH TOWER
Do you love viewpoints? Then you should not miss climbing the Great South Tower. Two hundred eighty-seven narrow steps will take you to one of the unique views in Prague, so make sure that your knees will make it to the top.
The tower's construction started at the end of the 14th century, and one of its biggest features was a large bell called Zikmund from 1549.
The legend says that the silencing the bell means a future national tragedy.
In 2002 the clapper of the bell cracked, and the same year disastrous floods destroyed many Czech villages and heavily damaged towns and cities. The bell has been repaired, and you still can hear it ringing.
CHANGING OF THE GUARDS
If you want to see something special, arrive at Prague Castle, on the Hradcanske Square just before 12 PM.
At noon, you can see the ceremonial changing of the guards.
Changing of the guards at Prague Castle happens every hour (7 AM to 8 PM in the summer and 7 AM to 6 PM in the winter), but at noon it is with fanfare and flag ceremony as well.
WHAT TO PACK FOR PRAGUE CASTLE
The chances are that you will spend all day sightseeing, so rule number one is to pack comfortable shoes. We won't bother you here with the enumeration of things you need to pack, just make sure you have comfortable clothes you usually wear in the city.
But there is actually the reason why we wanted to talk about this topic here.
Since most of the time we visited only the grounds of Prague Castle, we were always dressed according to the current weather outside.
This time at the beginning of June, we also visited the interiors, and it was a big mistake, not having a fleece jacket or thin sweater in the backpack.
Even when it is hot outside, always pack at least a light layer, in case you plan on purchasing a ticket for the exhibitions or the cathedral.
Also, don't forget to bring your compact mirrorless camera. It's worth it.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
THE BEST TIME TO VISIT PRAGUE CASTLE
Prague is an all-year-round destination, so we would say that there is no bad time to visit Prague Castle.
Winter in Prague is more peaceful and best for travelers who want to avoid the crowds.
Said that, in December, Prague is flocked by tourists who come to visit visit Christmas Markets. So the most important thing you should know is that the true offseason in Prague is only from January till February.
Days are colder and rainy, it can even snow, but if you pack according to our Prague Winter Packing List, you won't have a problem.
The other thing you need to remember that the sunrise is quite late, after 7 AM, and sunset is early, between 4 PM and 5 PM.
Both spring and autumn are colorful, and although this time is quite busy, we can still consider most of the months as the shoulder seasons.
Many people visit Prague Castle in the summer, between June and August. The days are warm and long, but you can expect that you won't have the place just for yourself.
You might also expect people queuing outside the castle because of compulsory security checks. On the other hand, Prague in the summer is a buzzing place with a unique atmosphere.
When it comes to the time of the day when is the best time to visit Prague Castle, we would say early in the morning, and then later in the afternoon.
Even though the buildings open at 10 AM in summer and 9 AM in winter, the grounds are open from 6 AM, so you can walk around and enjoy the place without others.
The same goes for visiting the complex after hours, as the gates close at 10 PM.
Prague is usually even more packed from Friday to Sunday and then on holidays of some other European countries, so in case you can plan your visit for weekdays, do it.
BEST HOTELS NEAR PRAGUE CASTLE
Staying near Prague Castle is magical. You can wander the cobblestone streets early in the morning, soak up the medieval city's atmosphere, admire the architecture, and enjoy beautiful views.
This side of Vltava River is a bit more peaceful than the area around Wenceslas Square and Old Town Square, and it is a great place to stay for everyone who wants to experience all the bits of Prague.
It is quite easy to find mid-range and luxury or boutique hotels near the castle, if you are looking for more budget-friendly options, search rather for apartments, or look for non-refundable deals.
We've selected the best hotels near Prague Castle for every type of traveler.
Budget | Boutique Hotel Constans - Situated in the buildings from the 16th century, this hotel offers large and reasonably priced rooms. The location is excellent, and together with tasty breakfast and friendly staff, we feel this might be the right pick for you.
Mid-range | Hotel Questenberk - Located in the palace only 500 meters from Prague Castle, this hotel offers wonderful views and a quiet atmosphere.
Luxury | Augustine Prague - Located right next to Wallenstein Garden and right in between Charles Bridge and Prague Castle, the hotel occupies Augustinian Monastery from the 13th century and the old times feeling with a combination of tastefully furnished rooms and professional service, makes from this hotel a good pick.
RESTAURANTS NEAR PRAGUE CASTLE
From local pubs like U Hrocha, touristy restaurants serving below average meals for outraging prices, to fine dining restaurants such as U Zlate Studne, the selection of restaurants, pubs, cafes, and sweetshops is enormous.
As Prague Castle is one of the top tourist attractions in the Czech Republic, it won't probably come as a surprise that prices often reflect the popularity, the same as in other must-visit places in Prague.
Unfortunately, the restaurants that focus solely on foreign tourists somehow along the way forgot that they must deserve your money, and the quality of food and behavior of waiters is often unacceptable.
It probably does not come as a surprise that you won't meet many locals in restaurants near Prague Castle.
We won't recommend you here specifically where to eat near the castle, but we strongly recommend you to read reviews online before ordering the food.
We believe that there are a few great restaurants that are reasonably priced, but if you are looking for good quality, not only to fill your belly, do not enter the first restaurant you see on the way.
Our Tip: The Czech Republic is famous for beer, so once you are near the Prague Castle, you can try the beer from Strahovsky Klaster (Strahov Monastery).
Also, when we talk about services, please, do not change your money in the exchange office within Prague Castle grounds. We do not understand why this office is even there, as they are known for ripping tourists off.
HOW TO GET TO PRAGUE CASTLE
There are many ways how to get to Prague Castle. As it is the highlight of the city, the landmark is well-connected with other must-visit places in Prague. So incorporating the site in your 1-day Prague tinerary will be easy.
We've already written a separate and more detailed post on How to Get to Prague Castle, so we will briefly cover all your options.
ON FOOT
Our favorite option is to go to Charles Bridge first, cross the famous bridge accompanied by the spectacular views of the river and the castle on the top of the hill.
Once you cross the bridge, climb to the castle via Malostranske Namesti, Nerudova Street, and street Ke Hradu, which will take you to your destination.
Another option is to get to station Malostranska by either metro or tram, and then walk to the castle via Old Castle Stairs.
BY TRAM
The easiest way to get to Prague Castle that does not include the walk uphill is by tram.
Take the regular line 22 that connects most of the major tourist sites in Prague. You want to take the tram that goes in direction to Vypich and get off either at Prazsky Hrad station, or Pohorelec station.
The least popular way to get to Prague Castle is via Petrin Hill, but we consider it interesting, including a nice walk around Petrin Gardens.
Get to Ujezd station either by tram or on foot, and from here, you can walk up via the park in the direction to Petrin Tower or take the funicular. It is only a short walk (ten to fifteen minutes) to get from Petrin to Prague Castle.
Our Tip: For better orientation in the Prague public transport system, read this post Getting Around Prague and download an app called IDOS.
What is the best thing about getting to Prague Castle?
You have so many options that you can choose a different way how to get to the castle complex and then another path to get back to the center.
That might be appreciated, especially by elderly travelers or families with kids, who can travel to the castle by tram, and then walk down, which is much more convenient.
BY CAR
If you are visiting Prague as part of a big European road trip and arrived by rental car, you might be wondering where to leave your car.
As we have already mentioned, there are multiple entrances to Prague Castle, so you have a few choices here, though it's not free.
And even though you can park your car near the castle, we recommend you leave the car in the hotel parking and reach Prague Castle on foot.
Believe us, it's much better this way.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Get Around: Buses and trains are an affordable way to get around the Czech Republic. Regiojet offers clean and modern buses and trains with all the amenities.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
