Prague Palace and Castle Tours

If you are planning to visit Prague and you want to live a complete experience through the architectural beauty of the city, you can't miss visiting its palaces and castles. One of the most fun ways to do this is to take part in a guided tour with a local, which will allow you to learn anecdotes and curiosities about each site.

A tour of Prague Castle and its surroundings, a private tour of Lobkowicz Palace or a visit to Karlstejn Castle are some of the best things to do in the Czech capital Below, I'll tell you everything you need to know about these and other tours so you can choose the option that best suits your budget and your travel plans.

Prague Castle, located at the top of Vysehrad Hill, is the tourist epicentre of the city and, therefore, a must-see if you want to get to know this destination in depth. Taking a guided tour of the site and its surroundings will allow you to discover one of the largest and oldest medieval complexes in the world.

During these tours you will be able to explore not only the castle, but also its surrounding gardens, alleys and squares. The guide, who can conduct the experience in different languages, will take you around the most important parts of the site, giving you a unique insight into the architectural and cultural evolution of this historical jewel that is considered one of the most photographed attractions in the world.

Also, during this tour, which is among the best Prague Castle tours, you will learn about the history of the building that was built in the 9th century and has witnessed important events in the history of Europe. You will also see St. Vitus Cathedral, the most important Gothic building in Prague and the Old Royal Palace, which houses the Vladislav Hall and St. George's Basilica, an outstanding example of Romanesque architecture.

In addition, the tour also includes a visit to the surroundings of the Prague Castle quarter, where you will get into the medieval atmosphere of the capital. You will see the Golden Alley, a narrow passage full of small colourful houses where goldsmiths and writers such as Franz Kafka lived. Finally, your guide will also take you to the Powder Tower, one of the oldest medieval gates of the city, which offers panoramic views of the Czech capital.

Interesting details

• Price: around 31 euros.
• Duration: approximately 3 hours.
• Advantages of this option: You will see Prague's main attraction as well as one of the most picturesque medieval quarters in the world. In addition, you will have panoramic views of the city from the top of the hill.

If you are one of those who prefer personalised alternatives and like to get to know one of the most beautiful sites in the Czech capital, then you can opt for a private tour of the Lobkowicz Palace. Located within the Prague Castle complex, this palace houses one of the largest private art collections on the continent. Moreover, from its terrace you will have one of the best views of the city.

With an exclusive guide at your disposal, you can enjoy a personalised tour through the different rooms and galleries of the palace, where each work tells a part of the history of the Lobkowicz family and Central Europe. During the tour you will discover works by Canaletto, Velázquez and Brueghel, as well as a selection of musical manuscripts by legendary composers such as Beethoven and Mozart.

The history of the Lobkowicz Palace dates back to the 16th century. The family after whom the building is named played a crucial role in European culture and politics, being patrons of famous artists and musicians. Therefore, during the tour you can learn about the special relationship that existed between the Lobkowicz and Beethoven, which is one of Prague's best-kept secrets.

On the other hand, the importance of the palace lies not only in its Baroque architecture and the richness of its art collection, which makes its heritage the protagonist of one of the best museums in Prague, but also influences the history of resistance and recovery of the city. Expropriated by the Nazis during World War II, the palace was returned to the Lobkowicz family after the fall of communism in 1989.

Interesting details

• Price: around 120 euros.
• Duration: approximately 4 hours.

On the outskirts of Prague is Karlstejn Castle, which is located on a hill surrounded by forests and which you can visit on a transfer-inclusive tour. With the assistance of an expert local guide, you can visit this building which was founded by the monarch Charles IV and which for years guarded the crown jewels and holy relics of the Holy Roman Empire.

During these tours you can explore the Great Tower, the Chapel of the Holy Cross and the royal apartments. You will also have the opportunity to discover the surroundings of the building, where you can stroll through the village of Karlstejn, which is full of craft shops, cafes and panoramic views of the Berounka river valley, making these experiences among the best excursions to do from Prague.

Throughout the tour, your guide will tell you stories about the life of Charles IV, his religious devotion and the spiritual purpose of Karlstejn Castle, which makes it one of the most enigmatic fortresses in Europe. You will also learn about the importance of this site as a symbol of power and faith in the Middle Ages.

If you enjoy imperial architecture, you can marvel at this castle , which combines Gothic and Renaissance elements, reflecting the grandeur of the period and its evolution over the centuries.

Interesting details

• Price: around 399 euros.
• Duration: approximately 4 hours.
• Advantages of this option: you will be able to see some of the most striking wooded landscapes around Prague and take some of the best photographs of your trip.

If you want to see one of the city's finest imperial buildings but also combine it with a local experience, then one of the most complete alternatives is the Lobkowicz Palace tour with classical music concert included. This option, which is one of the most interesting activities you will find in the Prague Castle district, will allow you to delve into the artistic profile of the Czech capital.

This palace, located within the imperial complex, has one of the most outstanding art collections in Europe, so on the tour you will get a detailed overview of the cultural treasures accumulated by the Lobkowicz family over the centuries. The tour does not end there, however, because at the end you can attend a classical music concert in one of the palace halls.

The concerts usually take place in a hall adorned with frescoes and Baroque decoration. These musical exhibitions usually include pieces by Beethoven, Mozart, Vivaldi and other European composers, always following the melodies whose original scores are part of the Lobkowicz collection. The acoustics and the intimate atmosphere of the palace do the rest, especially in winter, which is one of the best times to travel to Prague for this experience.

Attending one of these concerts is also a way of honouring the palace, which has been a place of refuge and preservation of culture, especially during times of war and repression. The Lobkowicz family, known for their patronage of the arts, played a crucial role in the development of European classical music and on these tours you will have the opportunity to enter their world for at least a few hours.

Interesting details

• Price: around 25 euros.
• Duration: approximately 2 hours.

There are several alternatives. You can either book such a tour in advance online or you can book it once you are in the city. Keep in mind that the Czech capital is a busy tourist destination all year round, especially if you are visiting Prague in summer, as it is high season. However, in winter the closed places provide shelter from the cold and also tend to fill up.

This is why you will have better alternatives if you book in advance. In addition, you will be able to get better prices and freeze the rate. On the other hand, this way you can also design a more detailed itinerary, maximising your time in the city. This is vital if you are planning a short 3-day stay in Prague or even less.

Finally, several of these palaces are included in the All Inclusive Pass, although in this case they usually only include the entrance ticket and not the guided tours. The advantage of these passes is that they usually include priority entry and no queuing.

On these tours you will mainly discover the imperial side of Prague, as most of the castles in and around the city were built during the Middle Ages and many of them were rebuilt, renovated or remodelled during the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Thus, these buildings are the perfect way to get an insight into the medieval architecture of the Czech capital and the lifestyle of the local nobility.

On the other hand, as most of these sites are located high up or on top of hills, from the terraces, courtyards and surroundings of the palaces and castles you can also discover some of the best views of the city. From Prague Castle, for example, you can see from the Danube to the watershed of the Czech capital's Jewish quarter, which is one of the most famous, visited and picturesque parts of the destination.

Also, if you opt for the combined options, such as those that include classical music concerts, you can not only discover the architecture of these sites, but also live a magical experience by attending the performances that take place in the majestic royal halls.

• If you plan to visit Prague in August or during peak season months, book in advance to avoid losing your place on tours or being forced to choose times that are not beneficial to your itinerary or travel plan.
• When making your ticket purchase, keep in mind the strategic times and highlights of each site. The opening hours of Prague Castle, for example, cover a wide range, so if you want to see the sunset from Vysehrad Hill, you can schedule your visit in the late afternoon.
• The Lobkowicz Palace is located within the imperial complex, so it is an excellent opportunity to combine a tour of this historic building with a tour of the area, which is one of the most popular and visited areas of Prague.
• If you book in advance and avoid booking once you are in the city, the ticket prices for Prague Castle and its tours, as with the other buildings in the city, will be cheaper and you will be able to save money.

Prague's castles and palaces form an essential part of the city's skyline and are closely linked to its history, especially in the medieval part of the city. If you miss them, you will be missing out on an important part of the local spirit.

In addition, living this experience within the framework of a guided tour will allow you to enjoy the visit more relaxed and you will be able to learn more and better about each site. As places with a thousand-year history, the walls of Prague's castles and palaces hide anecdotes, secrets and palace intrigues that you will love to discover, because they will enrich the tour.

On the other hand, these castles are located in places that offer many nearby attractions. The surroundings of Prague Castle, for example, offer some of the best viewing platforms to discover the skyline of the city and in the area you can also find distinguished restaurants offering the best dishes of Czech gastronomy.

You can tour the city's castles on your own and, if you are well informed before the tour, you will enjoy the experience. But if you opt for a guided tour, you will be accompanied by an expert local guide who will not only take care of all the organisation, but will also take you to the best places and tell you all the secrets of the place. Plus, these guides are often good advisors for nearby sites!

Often, opting for a guided tour is the best option, because although these experiences cost more than unaccompanied entry, they put you in touch with locals who will be able to recommend the best places to eat, free museums and low-cost places to visit on certain dates, as well as hidden experiences that you might not otherwise know about.