According to Guinness World Records, Prague Castle is the largest castle complex in the world, covering more than 70,000 square meters. It isn’t a single building but a cluster of palaces, churches and gardens that has housed kings, emperors and, today, the President of the Czech Republic. This guide covers what you need to plan your visit: opening hours, ticket prices and how to avoid the long lines at the main entrance.
What to see at Prague Castle
- St. Vitus Cathedral: the most important church in the country, built over almost 600 years in Gothic and Neo-Gothic styles. It holds the tomb of St. Wenceslas and stunning stained-glass windows, including one designed by Alphonse Mucha.
- Old Royal Palace: home of the Bohemian kings for centuries. The highlight is Vladislav Hall, with an impressive Gothic vaulted ceiling and no supporting columns.
- St. George’s Basilica: the best-preserved Romanesque church in Prague. Its rust-red Baroque façade contrasts with the plain original interior.
- Golden Lane: a street of tiny, colorful houses where craftsmen and goldsmiths once lived. House number 22 briefly belonged to the writer Franz Kafka.
- Castle gardens: the Royal Garden and the Paradise Garden are a quiet break from all that stone, with great views over the city. Keep in mind that they only open in the warmer season and are closed during the winter months.
Prague Castle opening hours
The outdoor courtyards are free to enter and open year-round, usually from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (with shorter hours in winter). The castle gardens only open in season (roughly April to October), so you won’t be able to visit them in winter. The ticketed buildings (the Cathedral, Royal Palace, Basilica and Golden Lane) generally open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in high season (April–October) and from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in low season (November–March). Always check the current hours on the official website before you go, as they can change because of official events or maintenance.
Prague Castle ticket prices
The castle sells different ticket circuits depending on how many buildings you want to see inside. The most complete circuit (St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, St. George’s Basilica and Golden Lane) usually costs around €21–25 for adults, with discounts for students, families and children. Prices and circuits change fairly often, so check the official source before buying.
How to visit Prague Castle without the lines
- Get there early: lines at the main entrance (Hradčany Square) start building around 10:00 a.m. Arrive at opening time and you’ll miss the worst of it.
- Use a side entrance: the entrance through the Paradise Garden on the south side is usually much quieter than the main gate, where the changing of the guard draws crowds.
- Buy your ticket online in advance: it saves you the ticket-office line, though not the security check.
- Avoid midday in summer: that’s when tour groups pile in and the complex is at its busiest.
The best way to get to know the castle, with the history told by a local guide instead of read off information panels, is the free walking tour of Prague Castle and Malá Strana, which also covers the area around the complex.
How to get to Prague Castle
The castle sits on Hradčany hill, above the Malá Strana neighborhood. You can walk up from Charles Bridge (about 20–25 minutes uphill) or take the tram to the Pražský hrad stop. Our guide to Prague public transportation explains tickets and lines in more detail.
Our advice
Plan at least half a day if you want to see the main buildings inside without rushing. If you’re putting together your full trip, our Prague itinerary for 2, 3 or 4 days shows how to fit the castle in with the city’s other must-sees.
