Prague Castle Tickets and Tours

Prague Castle, more than a medieval fortress, is a citadel that houses the most beautiful corners of the city, as well as having the best views. It is a place full of history, with the great St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, the Basilica and the Convent of St. George.

To visit Prague Castle, you have several options and routes, whatever your budget or the length of your trip. I'll summarise them all for you so you can choose the one that suits you best:

Taking into account that it is one of the most visited monuments in Prague, if not the most, guaranteeing you the entrance by skipping the queues is the best option to not miss the imposing Prague Castle.

That is why Hellotickets offers you these tickets so that in a very easy way you have reserved the access to what is considered the oldest castle in the world and also World Heritage Site of UNESCO.

You will walk on your own around the whole perimeter of the construction of the year 880 and you can choose between two circuits to enjoy at your own pace this great castle complex.

In a 2 hour and 30 minute tour including entrance, you will walk through the entire citadel behind the walls of Prague Castle while listening to anecdotes and discovering how life has changed in Prague over the last century while the castle has remained intact like a time capsule.

What you will see

Another option is to buy tickets to Prague Castle with a transfer from the city centre, which is especially convenient when you consider that the castle is somewhat remote and at the highest point of the city.

The disadvantage of this option is that you will miss the guided tour and will have to find out on your own about the different sites you can visit inside Prague Castle, although it is true that the person in charge of taking you to the castle by minivan will give you a short introduction with practical tips when you get there to make your visit easier.

A very complete way to see the city is to combine a tour of Prague with a visit to Prague Castle. This experience combines a bus tour, a walking tour, a cruise on the Vltava River with drinks and also includes lunch and pick-up from your hotel.

This is probably the best option if you want to do a tour as soon as you arrive in Prague or if you are only staying a few days in the city, as you will visit the most important sights in just one day.

What you will see

As well as in advance on the Hellotickets website, you also have the option of buying tickets at various points of sale: the Prague Castle information booths in the second and third courtyard, at the ticket offices in the Foundry Courtyard, in the Castle Picture Gallery, in the Old Royal Palace and at the two ticket offices in the Golden Lane. Of course, you will have to queue.

Buy tickets at the ticket office

My recommendation is to secure your tickets in advance and this is something I apply to every trip I make because in my opinion, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. You won't have to look for the place to get your tickets, wait in line, pay in the local currency, and you can compare different offers and personalise your experience.

Also, buying tickets to Prague Castle can be a bit of a hassle because there are several types of tickets corresponding to different circuits, giving you access to one building or another. If you buy your tickets in advance, don't worry, most of them are Circuit A tickets, which will allow you to visit the entire Prague Castle.

Buy tickets online

If you choose to buy your tickets online, you will receive a confirmation as soon as you make your booking and you can show the confirmation email on your smartphone at the Prague Castle entrance points or to your guide if you have chosen the guided tour. You can print the confirmation email if you prefer, but it is not necessary.

In case you buy the ticket on your own, remember to choose Tour A which includes the Old Royal Palace, Prague Castle History Exhibition, St. George's Basilica, Golden Lane, Powder Tower, St. Vitus Cathedral, and Rosenberg Palace.

Prague Castle was built in the 9th century on the orders of the Premyslid monarchs and, thanks to its strategic position, became their permanent residence and thus a place for culture, religion and recreation.

Since then and up to the present day, Prague Castle has evolved behind its walls with successive reigns, making it a historical testimony to the evolution of Prague and the Czech Republic. Today Prague Castle is the residence of the President of the Czech Republic and thus continues its tradition as the centre of power in the country.

As much for its political and historical status as for its architectural appeal, it is a must-see on your visit to Prague, whether you are passionate about history or just want to enjoy a nice walk.

Opening days and opening hours of Prague Castle

During the winter season (1 November to 31 March), the Prague Castle grounds are open from 6:00 to 22:00, and its buildings are open from 9:00 to 16:00.

During the winter season, the Lány Palace Park is closed and St. Vitus Cathedral is open from 9:00 to 16:00 from Monday to Saturday and from 12:00 to 16:00 on Sundays. The last entrance to the Cathedral is always at 15:40.

In the summer season (from 1 April to 31 October), the site is open in the same time slot, from 6:00 to 22:00, but the buildings are open one hour longer, from 9:00 to 17:00. During the summer you can enjoy the Lány Palace Park and it is open from 14:00 to 18:00 on Wednesdays and Thursdays and from 10:00 to 18:00 on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

St. Vitus Cathedral is open from 9:00 to 17:00 Monday to Saturday and from 12:00 to 17:00 on Sundays, with the last entrance always at 16:40.

Duration of your visit to Prague Castle

Most tours last between 45 minutes and 1 hour, but my recommendation is that you stay a little longer and take the opportunity to discover all that this jewel of the city of Prague has to offer. If you visit in summer, you will want to explore the Lány Palace Park, so this will extend the time of your visit. Also, if you go up after lunch, you'll probably be able to admire the sunset over Prague and the views of the Malá Strana district.

Best time to visit

My first recommendation is to visit Prague Castle early in the morning. Arriving a little before 9am will save you from the crowds and allow you to enjoy the peaceful visit the place deserves.

Try to avoid weekend days for your visit. Weekdays are much less crowded and you will enjoy a more pleasant tour and fewer queues to enter the main buildings of Prague Castle.

To make your visit as comfortable as possible, I have done all the work for you and here are the answers to all the questions you will have when you set off for the Castle.

How to get to Prague Castle

If you choose the Prague Castle tickets with transfer from the centre, you won't have to worry about how to get there, but in any other case it's best to take tram 22 or 23 in the direction of Pražský hrad or Pohorelec and get off at the Pohorelec stop.

Another option is to walk up from the old castle steps (Staré zámecké schody) which start near the Malostranská metro station and lead to the beginning of Jiřská, also known as St. George's Street and one of the entrances to the castle.

In any case, my recommendation is to take the tram to Pohorelec and at the end of your visit walk back to the centre of Prague, as you will enjoy the best views of the city on the way down.

St. Vitus Cathedral

Speaking of St. Vitus Cathedral, the best thing to do is to visit it first, as it is usually filled with tourists first. With your batteries full, you'll enjoy it much more than at the end of your visit when your feet start to ache and you're thinking about lunch or dinner.

What to bring

Make sure you wear comfortable shoes as visiting Prague Castle requires a lot of walking and also take a coat if you visit in winter or wear light clothing if you visit the castle in summer.

Where to eat at Prague Castle

At Prague Castle you will find a restaurant and a café, which are usually crowded with tourists. I don't recommend them, especially since there are some restaurants near the castle which, although not spectacular, have a very authentic atmosphere and serve good traditional food:

If you have fallen in love with the Castle, I invite you to consider taking a tour of the city. It will give you an overview of its size, its history, its anecdotes.... What's more, my recommendation is to do it at the beginning of your trip to get your bearings before you set off to explore it on your own. I'll tell you all about the best ones here: Tours and excursions in Prague.