Visit Prague Castle: tickets, prices, schedules

On a trip to Prague? So don't miss visiting Prague Castle, a must-see historic monument!

Not far from France, for a weekend or for a week, Prague opens your arms. The Czech capital offers a wide range of activities and visits that will appeal to as many. Visiting Prague Castle is one of the must-sees. Indeed, the Czechs have seen great for their castle since it appears on The Guinness Book of Records. Thus, the complex of the castle, whose area reaches near 70,000 m2 , is the greatest in the world. It should be noted that it is classified as UNESCO World Heritage.

Would you like to visit the Prague Castle? In this article, you will find all the necessary information to discover it in the best conditions. Tips, history and practical information through rates and times, you will know the essentials to plan your visit and appreciate it at best!

The Prague Castle in a few words

Prague Castle is founded around 880 by Prince Bořivoj The Přemyslides Dynasty. It is composed of a vast set of palaces and churches of very varied architectural styles, including vestiges of different centuries, and is visited especially for the Cathedral of Saint Guy, the Basilica of Saint Georges and its convent or for the famous Golden Ruelle. According to legend, in the latter, the alchemists of Rodolphe II transformed lead into gold.

This medieval castle is not a place like others because in addition to being of a sacred site for more than 1000 years, it is also the centre of worship and power for a very long time. The former royal palace was the seat of Czech power as well as Bohemian princes. It is certainly the spiritual and political heart of the nation.

Visit the Prague Castle reserves many surprises that will plunge you into the past: between history and arts.

Our tips for visiting Prague Castle

You will soon arrive in the Czech capital and want to organize your discoveries? We understand you perfectly, time is precious! To help you, here are some tips to visit the Prague Castle at best.

The best time to visit Prague Castle

The best season to go to Prague is located between April and September. To avoid high affluence, it is best to visit Prague Castle in the spring. Indeed, you will enjoy a milder weather than in the summer and less tourists outside the Easter holiday where the destination meets great success.

It should be noted that the opening hours vary depending on the periods.

The duration of a visit

The ticket for the Prague Castle is valid for two days, so you can take your time and admire every corner of the Castle, every flower of the garden and every table in the rooms. The area is so large that we recommend one of these three circuits:

• A: Old Royal Palace, exhibition “L’Histoire du château de Prague”, basilica Saint-Georges, Ruelle d’or and Tour Dalibor, Tour poudrière, Palais Rosenberg, Cathedral Saint-Guy, Saint-Venceslas and Saint-Adalbert.
• B: Old Royal Palace, Saint-Georges Basilica, Golden Ridge and Dalibor Tower, Saint-Guy Cathedral, Saint-Venceslas and Saint-Adalbert.
• C: Exhibition: "The Treasure of St Guy", Prague Castle Gallery.

The guided tour of Prague Castle lasts About 1 hour. Nevertheless, you can continue to stroll through the gardens afterwards.

Some practical information

• The reservation is not necessary because you can buy your tickets on site. However, we recommend it to save time.
• The Castle is not equipped with storage boxes and inhibits the voluminous bags, so be not too loaded.
• A check is carried out at the entrance, so any metal object will be confiscated.
• It is forbidden to eat or drink in the building’s enclosure. Think about eating before your visit. Why not picnic in one of the parks around Prague Castle.
• Animals are allowed but only on leave.

What to do during your visit to Prague Castle?

Visiting Prague Castle is no rest as you will have understood. Constituted with several buildings, the castle is full of surprises.

Religious monuments

• Saint-Guy Cathedral : The symbol of Prague and the whole Czech Republic is one of the most emblematic monuments of Prague Castle.
• Basilica and Convent Saint-Georges : Founded in the year 920, the old basilica had an extension in 973, with the construction of the convent, which now hosts the 19th century bohemian art collection of the National Gallery of Prague.

The towers

• The Daliborka Tower : Celebrate prison of the city which initially enclosed the members of the nobility, it is subsequently the place of reception of all kinds of prisoners.
• Black Tower : This tower which owes its name to a fire that had blackened it, served as a prison for the indebted, which nevertheless enjoyed many privileges inside.
• The White Tower : This tower served as a place of imprisonment for members of the nobility.
• Powder Tower : Built in the 15th century, it was part of the fortification of the castle. It was eventually transformed into a laboratory for the alchemists of King Rodolphe II.

The palaces

• The Old Royal Palace : Created in the 9th century, the palace was originally a wooden construction. Over time, the palace has undergone many renovations until it became the impressive building it is today.
• The rotation of the castle guard : You can attend the guards every hour from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. in summer and from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in winter. Don't miss the solemn rotation as a fanfare and hissing of colors in the Palace's yard at 12:00.

Things to see

• La Ruelle d’Or : It offers a beautiful alignment of colorful small houses now converted into artisanal boutiques, ideal for buying souvenirs.
• Le Palais Lobkowicz : Located at the end of Prague Castle, near the exit leading to the Old Stair of the Castle, it is owned by a house of Czech privates, the Lobkowicz.

How much does a ticket cost to Prague Castle?

Rates to visit Prague Castle vary according to your age, status, and choice of visit. Note that the reduced fare applies only children between 6 and 16, students under 26 and seniors over 65. As for the family ticket, it can be used maximum for 7 people, including 5 children under the age of 16.

Entry price

• Full rate: 350 CZK (13.85€)
• Reduced price: 175 CZK (6.93€)
• Family rate: 700 CZK (27,71€)

For circuits

• A: CZK 350 (13.85€) for a full price, CZK 175 (6.93€) for a reduced rate and CZK 700 (27.71€) for a family ticket
• **B:**CZK 250 (9,90€) for a full price, CZK 125 (4.95€) for a reduced price and CZK 500 (19.79€) for a family ticket
• **C:**CZK 350 (13.85€) for a full price, CZK 175 (6.93€) for a reduced rate and CZK 700 (27.71€) for a family ticket

Note that you can also buy Prague Card which will allow you to discover various monuments of the capital and thus visit the Prague Castle. The prices of this card range from 46€ to 81€ depending on your age and the number of days you want.

How to book an online ticket for the Prague Castle?

You can easily book your visit to Prague Castle on the official website of the museum. It is also possible to buy its entry on a third party site and take advantage of certain discounts or special visits.

Also, don’t hesitate to which will allow you to benefit from reduced fare on various monuments of the city such as the Shrine Notre-Dame-de-Lorette or the National Museum of Prague.

Are there guided tours of the Prague Castle?

Guided tours can be programmed for groups. On the museum's official website, you can customize them. However, if you want to make the visit alone, you can rent audioguides at the entrance of the Castle. Registration is approximately 3 h which will leave you more time to stroll.

Opening hours of Prague Castle

You can visit Prague Castle:

• From November to March: every day from 06:00 to 11:00. Monuments from 09:00 to 16:00.
• April to October: every day from 05:00 to 00:00. Monuments from 09:00 to 18:00.

How to go to Prague Castle?

Prague Castle is located in the city centre of the Czech capital, on a hill above the Vltava River valley. Around you can find many tram and metro stops. The access being rather simple, you can use several options, here are the most enjoyable of them:

• Take tram 22 to the Pražský hrad stop (Château de Prague). Turn right and in less than 5 minutes you will find yourself in front of the fountain of the second courtyard.
• Take tram 22 and go down to the Pohořelec stop. Go down the hill and after ten minutes walk you will find on the Hradčanské náměstí square in front of the Giant Gate, these keep the entrance of the courtyard.
• Take tram 22 to the Královský letohrádek stop (Royal Summer Palace), enter the Prague Castle complex. Then, from Belvedere, opt for greenery and pass through the Royal Garden. About 15-20 minutes later, head to the Manège du château de Prague.

Where to park near Prague Castle?

If you have rented a vehicle to visit the Czech Republic and want to visit the Prague Castle, know that the number of places available in the area is very small. We highly recommend you to get there by public transport.

Where to stay near Prague Castle?

We advise you to choose your area well, even if it is easy to move to Prague, to be accommodated more or less away from the center allows you to be either at the nearest to the historical or tourist heart, or to be located in a more lively area, close to the Prague Castle and the locals! Several choices are offered to you:

• Amateurs of friendliness and atmosphere « colony / group of friends », we recommend a hostel for you.
• If you prefer a typical house full of charm, we offer you rent an apartment Airbnb.
• You search relaxation, Then the choice of a hotel is the wisest.