About 600 meters long, the Prague Castle is the largest castle complex in the world boasting a beautiful blend of different architectural styles from Gothic and Romanesque to Renaissance. On your Prague Castle tour, experience the rich history of the cultural capital of Central Europe within its fortified walls comprising several iconic buildings, gardens, and roads like the Basilica of St. George, the Old Royal Palace, St. Vitus Cathedral, and the Summer Palace, among others.
The Prague Castle guided tour includes an expert historian who will tell you about all that there is to know about this landmark – its history, cultural significance, architectural styles, artworks, and more. The Prague Castle tickets include priority access to the attraction so that you don’t have to waste time waiting in long queues to enter the site.
Advantages of a Prague Castle Guided Tour
Skip the line entry
The Prague Castle usually witnesses huge crowds throughout the year due to which you might just have to wait for a good hour or two to access the site. Your guided tour ticket includes a skip-the-line feature that will allow you to skim past long queues, meet your expert guide, and enter the castle on priority at your chosen time slot.
A licensed expert guide
An architectural marvel as large as the Prague Castle has a huge historical significance and comes with its own share of fascinating stories and anecdotes. It is always a great idea to have an expert historian who knows the attraction like the back of their hand. They know every little detail and interesting story hidden within the fortified walls of the castle. You can tap into your guide to know the history and lesser-known facts about the castle.
AC Minibus transfers (selected tours only)
With your Prague Castle tickets, you can enjoy a comfortable minibus ride from the Get Prague Guide office to the castle. Once you reach, you won’t have to wait in line for your turn to enter the castle because your tickets include a skip-the-line feature, which guarantees priority access. Your driver will help you navigate security check lines and give you a brief orientation after which you are free to explore the castle at your own pace.
Can opt for a Prague city tour (selected tours only)
Enjoy a relaxing river boat cruise from the Astronomical Clock in Old Town Square to the castle and bask in the mesmerizing sights and sounds that the beautiful and historic city of Prague has to offer. On your Prague Castle guided tour, visit the historic structures, walk along the streets of the old town, and explore Charles Bridge and Castle Square. Also, enjoy a delicious Czech lunch at a traditional restaurant in Old Town.
The Best Prague Castle Guided Tours
Guided Tours
Combo Guided Tours
Prague Castle: The Complete Guide
Choosing the Best Prague Castle Guided Tour
Before choosing your tour, take a look at the main features of each type of tour and then make an informed decision. Here’s a list of all your Prague Castle tour options and their highlights.
1Skip The Line Guided Tour
Enjoy priority access to Prague Castle on your skip-the-line guided tour ticket. With the help of your driver, navigate long queues and security check lines to enter this 9th-century marvel from where the kings of Bohemia and the Holy Roman emperors ruled. Some iconic points of interest that you must see include St. Vitus Cathedral, St. George’s Basilica, the Old Royal Palace, the Golden Lane, and the Daliborka Tower.
2A Night Guided Tour
Immerse yourself in the beauty and grandeur of the illuminated city of Prague against the dark. Take this Prague Castle guided tour at night and bask in the glory of the largest castle complex in the world in the dark. Explore Prague Castle with your guide, who will take you around Old Town Square, St. Vitus Cathedral, and St. George’s Basilica, and also tell you stories about the city’s darker days and all the interesting legends and mysteries associated with the castle.
3Mobile Audio Guide with Skip The Line
Enjoy a hassle-free entry into Prague Castle through skip-the-line tickets that guarantee priority access to the palace. Your Prague Castle tickets have a two-day validity and one-time entry to the castle, thereby giving you enough time to explore the iconic structures and streets like Golden Lane, St. Vitus Cathedral, Basilica of St. George, and the Old Royal Palace. Marvel at and learn about beautiful artworks, important places, and personalities through the optional mobile audio guide included in your ticket.
4Prague City Tour
Enjoy a 6-hour guided tour of the city of Prague and soak in the unparalleled views it has to offer. Visit the Astronomical Clock in Old Town Square, explore Charles Bridge and Castle Square, walk along the streets of the old town, and enjoy a delicious Czech lunch at a traditional restaurant. Soak in the stunning views of the city on a relaxing river boat cruise on the Vltava River and witness the sights and sounds of Prague in a different way.
5Walking Tour of Old Town, Charles Bridge, and Prague Castle
Enjoy a walking tour of Prague’s Old Town and marvel at some of the most prominent and historical landmarks in the city like the still-functional Astronomical Clock, the Charles Bridge, Hradcany or the Castle District, and the Prague Castle. Get a glimpse of the medieval towers, palaces, and churches from the Charles Bridge. Take a tram up to Prague Castle and soak in the cultural and artistic treasures on display.
5Combo Tours
The two combo tours include priority access to Prague Castle and the Astronomical Clock Tower or a panoramic cruise on the Vltava River. The former allows you to explore the 600-year-old clock tower and witness its trapdoors, zodiac parts, and planetary motion as well as learn about how the centuries-old clock tells the date, time, and more. The latter gives you the chance to sail past iconic landmarks on a cruise along the Vltava River.
Prague Castle Tours Deconstructed - A Typical Guided Tour Experience
One of the most iconic structures in the world, Prague Castle is home to several historical buildings, monuments, art galleries, gardens, and cathedrals that tell a story of their own. Here are a few must-see landmarks on your visit to the castle.
Hradcany Square
A terrible fire in 1541 burned most of the houses of the Hradcany residents after which wealthy aristocrats began buying the land and building magnificent palaces because everyone wanted to live close to Prague Castle. Hradcany Square, as it is now called, is home to several castles like the Tuscany Palace, Martinic Palace, the Archbishop’s Palace, Church of St. Benedict, Salmov Palace, and more.
St. Vitus Cathedral
Built in 1344 by Charles IV, the Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Vitus is one of the finest examples of Gothic and Neo-Gothic architecture. One of the most important churches in Prague, St. Vitus Cathedral has witnessed the coronation of many Czech kings and queens and is also home to the final remains of several patron saints and archbishops. The cathedral is also home to St. Wencesles Chapel, which houses the remains of Saint Vitus.
Golden Lane
Situated within the Prague Castle complex, Golden Lane street was originally built as a home for the castle guards of King Rudolf II. However, it was taken over by the goldsmiths, therefore the name Golden Lane. The street became famous after Franz Kafka, novelist and short story writer, made House Number 22 his home for two years during World War I. Today, most of the houses on this street have been turned into souvenir shops.
Daliborka Tower
Located at the eastern end of Golden Lane, the Daliborka Tower is rooted in several myths and legends. It served as a prison until 1781 and is named after Dalibor of Kozojedy, its first inmate. The round tower consists of several vaults as well as a circular opening through which prisoners were lowered into the secret dungeon using a pulley.
Story of Prague Castle
The Story of Prague Castle is a permanent exhibition that opened in 2004 with the aim to remind residents and foreigners of the 1000-year-old history of the castle. It depicts the story of the castle and the people associated with it – kings, queens, artists, courtiers, scholars, architects, tradesmen, aristocrats, builders, and servants. The exhibition is held inside the castle’s gothic floor in Old Royal Palace.
St. George's Basilica
The second oldest church in Prague, St. George’s Basilica is a Romanesque-style monument built by Vratislaus of Bohemia in 920. After a devastating fire burned it to the ground in 1142, the Basilica was rebuilt in Baroque-style architecture. Also, visit the Gothic-style chapel, which houses the tomb of Ludmila of Bohemia. St. George’s Basilica is also home to Baroque and Rudolphian period art and Bohemian Gothic art.
Rosenberg Palace
Constructed between 1545 and 1574, the Rosenberg Palace was originally built as a Renaissance palace by the Rosenberg family. In 1600, it was acquired by Emperor Rudolf II and later rebuilt to house the Institute of Noblewomen with the aim to educate 30 women who were over 24 years old and belonged to impoverished noble families.
Old Royal Palace
Inspired by Gothic and Renaissance-style architecture, the Old Royal Palace was the king’s home between the 13th and 16th centuries. The palace also houses the iconic Vladislav Hall, the Riders’ Staircase, and All Saints Chapel, which is home to the tomb of Saint Procopius. Comprising large Italian windows, the Vladislav Hall organized banquets, council meetings, jousting tournaments, and coronation festivities.
Changing of the Guards
The Changing of the Guards ceremony at Prague Castle is an extravagant fanfare that includes a flag hoisting ceremony in the first courtyard of the castle every day at noon. It is a formal handover carried out by the sentries along with a banner exchange amidst massive fanfare. The sentries change duties on the hour every day between 7 AM and 8 PM during the summer season and from 7 AM to 6 PM during winters.
Are Prague Castle Tours Really Worth it?
Yes, the Prague Castle tours are definitely worth the hype and your money because there are several fascinating stories to be found within its fortified walls. A Prague Castle guided tour is the best way to know more about these stories and get further insight into the history and cultural significance of the palace. Guided tours offer an immersive and wholesome experience to tourists, something that you might not be able to enjoy if you plan to explore the castle on your own. All you have to do is show up for the tour. The rest of it will be taken care of for you by the expert historian.
Prague Castle Practical Information
Opening Hours
Prague Castle is open from 6 AM to 10 PM throughout the year while the historical buildings can be accessed between 9 AM to 5 PM from April to October and between 9 AM and 4 PM from November to March. The best time to visit the castle is from April/May to September/October. Prague Castle remains closed on 24 December.
Getting to Prague Castle
- By Bus: If you are taking the bus, get off at the Sporkova bus stop.
- By Car:Several taxi and car rental services are available for Prague Castle. Both free and paid parking facilities are available at U Prasneho Mostu Street. Get off at Hradcanske Square and enter the castle through the security checkpoints.
- By Tram: If you’re taking the tram, take lines 22 or 23 and get off at the Prazsky Hrad tram stop.
- By Metro: If you’re traveling via metro, take the Green Line or A-Line metro and get off at the Malostranska metro station. The castle is about 500 meters from there.
Insider Tips
- Book your tickets online and well in advance since Prague Castle is almost always crowded and getting tickets on the spot could be difficult.
- Wear comfortable footwear because you will have to walk a lot inside the castle complex.
- The best time to visit the castle would be about half an hour before the historical buildings open. It will give you the chance to explore the grounds at your own pace before the crowd gets in.
- Visit the castle in the early hours or late afternoon to avoid huge crowds.
- Make sure you set aside at least 3 hours for your visit.
- Most parts of the castle can be accessed by people with reduced mobility. You can rent scooters and electric wheelchairs from the information desk atop the Charles Bridge.
FAQs
The best time to visit Prague Castle is during the summer months when the weather is warm and sunny. However, if you are visiting during the winter months, you can still enjoy the beauty of the castle as it is blanketed in snow.
The Prague Castle guided tours start around 9 AM when the historical buildings inside the attraction open for the public.
You should allow at least two hours for a tour of Prague Castle. However, if you want to explore the castle in more depth, you may want to allow three or four hours.
No. You cannot book a private tour just for yourself. However, you can book a small group tour of the castle.
A tour of Prague Castle usually includes a guided tour of the castle grounds, as well as entrance to the main attractions such as the Cathedral of St. Vitus, the Royal Palace, and the Golden Lane.
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