Prague Castle: Tickets and Tours
Prague is a magnificent city steeped in dark history and mystery that spans several centuries. One of the most notable attractions that tie modern-day Prague to its illustrious past is the Prague Castle. It is an unmissable beacon peering out over the city from its hilltop perch. It is the largest ancient castle in the world and is still used as the office of the President of the Czech Republic. No visit to the capital is complete without a tour of Prague Castle and a look back at the country’s fascinating past.
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Prague is a magnificent city steeped in dark history and mystery that spans several centuries. One of the most notable attractions that tie modern-day Prague to its illustrious past is the Prague Castle.
It is an unmissable beacon peering out over the city from its hilltop perch. It is the largest ancient castle in the world and is still used as the office of the President of the Czech Republic.
No visit to the capital is complete without a tour of Prague Castle and a look back at the country’s fascinating past.
Here's all you need to know about Prague Castle tours, one of the most famous attractions in Prague.
How much do Prague Castle tickets cost?
The Prague Castle tickets are sold in the following configuration:
Prague Castle Circuit (Old Royal Palace, St. George’s Basilica, Golden Lane, St. Vitus Cathedral)
- Adult: CZK250 (€10.50)
- Discount: CZK125 (€5)
- Family: CZK500 (€20)
Cathedral Tower and Viewing Deck
- Adult: CZK150 (€6.50)
- Discount: CZK80 (€3.50)
- Family: CZK300 (€13)
The Story of Prague Castle
- Adult: CZK150 (€6.50)
- Discount: $CZK80 (€3.50)
- Family: CZK300 (€13)
Who is eligible for discounts?
There is a generous discount on Prague Castle entry tickets for children aged 6-16. Full-time secondary school pupils and students up to the age of 26 can also make use of the discounts. The last discount category is for adults over 65 years old.
Children under 6 and disability cardholders are eligible for free Prague Castle admission.
Is it possible to visit for free?
You need a Prague Castle ticket to enter the building but there are several free areas around the castle.
You can visit a few of the courtyards, Deer Moat, some of the gardens and the entrance of St. Vitus Cathedral for free. The Golden Lane is also free to the public after 5 PM.
Should you book in advance?
Booking Prague Castle tickets online in advance ensures that you get a spot on a group tour or allows you to arrange a private tour at a time that suits you.
We also recommend booking in advance to access skip-the-line tickets if you don’t want to do a full tour, helping you to avoid tiresome lines at the attraction.
What are the best Prague Castle tours?
Prague Castle Group Tour
This 2.5 to 3-hour Prague Castle tour will give you a comprehensive look at the city’s most famous landmark. Start your journey through time at Charles Bridge and move on to the Lesser Town Square to catch the tram up to the castle.
At the castle, you will visit St. Vitus Cathedral, tour the old castle and Vladislav Hall and then head to St. George's Basilica to learn about Czech saints. The last stop on the tour is a visit to the Golden Lane to learn more about local life and the city’s residents.
Prague Castle Self-Guided Tour
This is the best tour for visitors that prefer to explore a location at their own pace. A Prague Castle guided tour offers you a 15-minute introduction and access to a mobile guide.
You can enjoy entry to various parts of the castle and make your way through each part at your own pace and in any order you like.
Private Prague Castle Tour
The ultimate custom experience is a private Prague Castle tour. Tailor your itinerary to your needs and enjoy the services of a private driver and guide to usher you around the city.
See all the sights you want and visit landmarks like the Old Town Square, Charles Bridge or St. Vitus Cathedral in comfort. Upgrade your experience to a full-day tour for even more sightseeing.
Are there any combined tickets or tours including Prague Castle and other attractions?
Your Prague Castle ticket gives you access to several areas of this grand building but a combo ticket is the way to go if you want to see as much of Prague as possible.
- Skip the Line: Prague Castle, Astronomical Clock, National Museum/Jewish Quarter: This 3-in-1 combo gives you priority access to Prague’s top attractions over the course of 2 days.
- Skip the Line: Astronomical Clock and Prague Castle: If you only have time for two attractions in Prague, this should be your top choice.
What will you see inside?
Prague castle is much more than just a dramatic piece of architectural history.
It still serves as the office of the president, but the castle complex is a network of gardens, courtyards, rooms and places of worship that paint a complete picture of the medieval legacy that dominates Prague.
The Old Royal Palace
Centuries of building, breaking and expanding led to the completion of the Old Royal Palace in the 15th century.
Inside these hallowed halls, you will be struck by the grandeur of the vaulted ceilings and the detail that went into wood carvings and frescoes. This section of the palace is a near-perfect preservation of a gothic castle.
St. Vitus Cathedral
This is the be-all and end-all of religious institutions in Prague. It is a haven of both secular and non-secular importance and all Czech kings and queens were coronated in this dramatic building.
Several patron saints, sovereigns, noblemen and archbishops are also buried under its vaulted ceiling.
Golden Lane
This charming corner of the castle grounds is the last remaining example of the small-scale architecture that was known throughout the kingdom.
These petite houses were occupied by marksmen, goldsmiths, fortune tellers and the famous writer Franz Kafka. Each house tells a dozen stories and has been painstakingly restored to represent what life looked like through the centuries.
Great South Tower of the Cathedral
There are only a handful of places where you can enjoy truly unobstructed views of one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. Climb the 287 steps to the top of the south tower and you will be richly rewarded with views stretching to the horizon.
This mission is not for the faint of heart and the 100-meter-high viewing deck is vertigo-inducing, but the city view and the glimpse of the cathedral’s bells make it all worth it.
St. George’s Basilica
This was the second church built on the castle grounds. The basilica has undergone many facelifts but it maintains its Romanesque ambience. Visit the tomb of Prince Vratislav, father of St. Wenceslas and learn from the exhibits that rotate through the convent.
How to get there?
Prague Castle is accessible from almost any point in the city. The castle has 5 access points and you should consult a map of the castle grounds to determine which public transport stop gives you the easiest access.
You can get off at the Královský letohrádek, Pražský hrad or Pohořelec tram stops or get off at the Malostranská or Hradčanská metro stops. Tram stop nr. 22 and 23 (Pražský hrad) is the most popular as you arrive at the main entrance of the castle.
What are the opening times?
Different sections of Prague Castle have different opening times, which also change depending on the season.
Summer Opening Times (1 April to 31 October)
- Prague Castle complex, Garden on the Bastion: 6 AM – 10 PM
- Historical Buildings (Old Royal Palace, St. George's Basilica, Golden Lane with Daliborka Tower): 9 AM – 5 PM
- St. Vitus Cathedral: 9 AM – 5 PM (Sunday: 12 PM – 5 PM)
- Great South Tower of St. Vitus Cathedral, Exhibition Halls, Castle gardens: 10 AM – 6 PM
Winter Opening Times (1 November to 31 March)
- Prague Castle complex, Garden on the Bastion: 6 AM – 10 PM
- Historical Buildings (Old Royal Palace, St. George's Basilica, Golden Lane with Daliborka Tower): 9 AM – 4 PM
- St. Vitus Cathedral: 9 AM – 4 PM (Sunday: 12 PM – 4 PM)
- Great South Tower of St. Vitus Cathedral, Exhibition Halls, Castle gardens: 10 AM – 5 PM
- Château Park in Lány is closed in the winter.
When is the best time to visit Prague Castle?
Early mornings are the best time to visit Prague Castle. You can explore the castle grounds for hours before the castle tours start and you enter the building.
Weekdays are also much more pleasant than weekends. The castle is at its busiest over noon.
Which other attractions can be visited in Prague?
Travel tips
- The castle grounds are expansive and you can use your entry ticket over 2 days to ensure that you see everything.
- Wear comfortable shoes as you will be walking a lot during this excursion.
- Bring your own water. Tours do not allow for stopping time to buy beverages.
- Book your tour online in advance to skip the line or reserve a spot on a small group tour.