Prague Castle, number one highlight of Prague and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Even if you are coming to Prague just for a short trip, Prague Castle is the place you definitely shouldn’t miss. I am not going to explain the history now – that’s what you can find all over the internet. I will rather share with you some practical tips. For example how it works with tickets, opening hours, whether to visit the castle interiors or not, where to eat at Prague Castle, and much more.
Tips from a local guide – September 2024
Who is writing this blog for you? My name is Dana and I am the owner of a small local touring company called Prague Behind The Scenes. Besides showing travellers around Prague in a less touristy way, I also like writing about my hometown. Especially about practical things and less known topics related to Prague tourism. If you wish to see Prague with me, please drop me a line at dana@praguebehindthescenes.com or contact me via Facebook or Instagram.
1. When is the best time to visit Prague Castle?
One of the best things about Prague Castle is that the opening hours are very generous: 6am – 10pm. Every single day! The best time to visit Prague Castle is until 9am or after 6pm (the later, the better).
Early in the morning you will only meet locals, few photographers, castle employees or people leaving the morning service at St. Vitus Cathedral.
In the evening, everything will be lighted up, tranquil and peaceful. Absolutely no crowds. And as a bonus if coming in the evening: Golden Lane will be open for free after 6pm! During the day time there is paid entry + crowds.
If you plan visiting the interiors, unfortunately, you need to come during the day time. They are not open until 10pm.
2. How much does it cost to enter Prague Castle?
Courtyards, gardens, Deer moat, Golden Lane after 6pm are OPEN FOR FREE. Please just check the opening hours of the gardens, their closing times vary and during the winter they are closed permanently.
You don´t need any tickets to get to the Castle, there are no such things as skip-the-line tickets, etc. The castle exteriors are free for all!
You only need a ticket if you plan visiting the interiors (St. Vitus Cathedral, Golden Lane, Old Royal Palace and St. George Basilica).
Where to find the ticket offices: right on the 2nd and 3rd courtyard. Please don´t believe anyone who tells you that you need some skip-the-line tickets or to buy everything ahead of time, blah blah blah….don´t get stressed by this. Just stay flexible and enjoy your holiday. Whenever you plan to visit the interiors, just come and get the tickets right at Prague Castle. The best ticket offices are on the 2nd courtyard (less people). But please try to avoid the noon time, it´s usually very busy there and line ups for approx. 10 minutes.
Alternatively, you can also get the tickets on the 2nd courtyard in the Prague Castle Picture Gallery. This ticket office usually serves tour guides who are leading large tour groups, but they will help individual travellers as well. And there are barely line ups. Just note that they will only sell you the tickets, not the audioguide. For the audioguide you need to go to the regular ticket offices.
The ticket for the interiors costs 450 CZK / pp.
What areas are paid at Prague Castle: St. Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace, St. George Basilica and Golden Lane. For visiting these places you will need a ticket called Basic circuit for 450 CZK / pp. It´s a combined ticket that allows you to enter all of the above mentioned interiors. You will easily buy it in the ticket office at Prague Castle (2nd or 3rd courtyard). There are no single tickets e.g. just for the cathedral, or just for the Golden Lane.
The Basic circuit ticket is valid for two days so you can split the visit. However, every interior can only be entered once!
3. Visit Prague Castle interiors: yes or no?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions of my clients 🙂 And I always answer that it all depends on their time = how much time they have for Prague. And how many people they can handle around:)) The interiors are busy, especially the Cathedral and Golden Lane….so if you don´t like busy crowded places, skip the interiors.
If you wish to see all the interiors of Prague Castle, you should definitely reserve at least 2 hours. From my experience, most of the people skip the interiors and just enjoy time outside (gardens, courtyards).
Lot of visitors are also expecting Prague Castle to be more “romantic”, with oppulent baroque interiors (like Versailles)…nope, the interiors are quite austere because they are much, much older than Versailles…
In the castle complex you can also visit a lovely observation deck at the top of the Great South Tower of St. Vitus Cathedral (200 CZK). It´s worth the efford to climb up there!
4. What is free to see at Prague Castle?
St. Vitus Cathedral. If you don´t want to buy the combined ticket for Prague Castle interiors, you can still see the St. Vitus Cathedral for free. Not so many people know about it, but the front part of the cathedral is open for free. Just for the idea how it looks inside it´s absolutely fine. Daily services are open for free to anyone (please just respect the whole ceremony and don´t leave before it ends and don´t take pictures!!!). THE FREE PART MIGHT BE OCCASSIONALLY CLOSED. THEY ARE INSTALLING A NEW ORGAN THERE. BUT YOU CAN STILL ENTER WITH THE TICKET!!!
Prague Castle Gardens: The most beautiful ones are the south gardens (entrance through the 3rd courtyard via Bull stairs – CLOSED FROM NOVEMBER – APRIL).
Golden Lane. This picturesque street with tiny colorful houses is the paid part of the castle – but only during the day time, after 6pm it stays open for free.
All courtyards and exteriors.
5. Opening hours of Prague Castle: exteriors, interiors, gardens
They keep changing it according to the low or high season. Please, always check the actual info on the link below before you go there:-)
Opening hours of Prague Castle
6. Where to eat at Prague Castle?
Prague Castle attracts a lot of tourist. Therefore there are many touristy and cheesy restaurants, shops, cafés and bars in the neigborhood. You really need to know where to go. All of my recommended places are local and authentic businesses not owned by some anynomous companies.
Kuchyň na hradě: (“Kitchen at Prague Castle”) right by the main entrance to Prague Castle at Hradčany square. This place is perfect for a lunch/dinner and fresh beer. They specialize in Czech meat meals, but there are always some vegetarian / lighter options, too.
Kafe a hrnky: (“Coffee and Mugs”) cozy place located on Nerudova street. Former souvenir shop. Now friendly Czech coffee shop and ceramics workshop with secluded garden in the backyard. They serve small meals, coffee and beer. Simple hideaway place with very reasonable prices.
Kunsthalle bistro: (CURRENTLY UNDER RECONSTRUCTION) This is actually a gallery bistro but it´s absolutely excellent (and not crowded!! Because people don´t know about this place yet.). Kunsthalle menu is not huge but they always cook from seasonal, fresh ingredients. Open every day except for Tuesday. Barrier free + super friendly helpful staff. If you only wanna coffee and rest your feet after visiting Prague Castle, go upstairs, there is a perfect gallery café with a view over Prague Castle!! (THIS PART IS STILL OPEN:-)
Kavárna Nový Svět: (“Coffee shop New World”) a small family café located just 10 minutes from Prague Castle. Tiny, clean and cozy place, serving small meals, cakes and high-end coffee. Closed on Mondays.
Café Šternberk: Just for a coffee and good feeling, go to Café Šternberk – Mezi řádky (closed on Mondays) this is an absolutely hidden gem, a café right in front of Prague Castle where people with mental disabilities work. Cozy and well hidden.
7. Are you overhelmed with information? This is a summary of what I recommend most!
- Visit all the exteriors and courtyards (free of charge). Open daily between 6am – 10pm.
- Relax your feet and enjoy the views from Prague Castle gardens (free of charge), entrance via Bull stairs on the 3rd courtyard (CLOSED DURING THE WINTER).
- Climb up the Great South Tower of St. Vitus Cathedral.
- Attend a service at St. Vitus Cathedral (free of charge).
- Visit Golden Lane in the evening (free of charge after 6pm, open all year round).
- Have a beer and a good meal at Kuchyň restaurant (approx. 500 CZK / pp)
Dana, owner and fully certified guide for Prague Behind The Scenes | small-group tours and experiences.
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