Rick Steves Tour: Prague Castle

Prague Castle Tour

ORIENTATION

THE TOUR BEGINS

1 Castle Square (Hradčanské Náměstí)

Map: Prague Castle Quarter

2 Second Courtyard

3 St. Vitus Cathedral (Katedrála Sv. Víta)

Map: St. Vitus Cathedral

4 Third Courtyard

5 Old Royal Palace (Starý Královský Palác)

6 The Story of Prague Castle Exhibit (Příběh Pražského Hradu)

7 Basilica of St. George (Bazilika Sv. Jiří)

8 Golden Lane (Zlatá Ulička)

9 Lobkowicz Palace

10 Toy Museum

Pražský Hrad

For more than a thousand years, Czech leaders—from kings and emperors to Nazis, communists, and presidents—have ruled from Prague Castle. When Christianity arrived in the Czech lands, this promontory proved a perfect spot for a church. Later, the nobles built their palaces nearby, creating an elegant neighborhood that survives to this day.

This large complex contains a number of worthwhile sights: the castle itself (the grounds, gardens, and Old Royal Palace interior), St. Vitus Cathedral (stained glass and royal tombs), and a museum on the castle’s history. With more time, you can step inside a number of historic sights and museums (such as Lobkowicz Palace) within the complex. Various combo-tickets cover some or all of these options.

If you plan to see these separate sights—the Strahov Monastery and Loreta Church (both covered in the Sights chapter)—it’s easiest to visit them before the castle, since they’re nearby and on the same hill.

ORIENTATION

Cost: Admission to the castle grounds is free, but you need a ticket to enter the sights. Most visitors choose “Circuit B” (250 Kč), which covers the highlights: St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, the Basilica of St. George, and the Golden Lane. The more comprehensive “Circuit A” (350 Kč) adds a few sights, most notably The Story of Prague Castle exhibit (read the description on here before investing in this ticket). Tickets are good for two days.

Hours: Castle sights—daily April-Oct 9:00-17:00, Nov-March 9:00-16:00, last entry 15 minutes before closing; castle grounds—daily 5:00-24:00. On Sunday, St. Vitus Cathedral is closed until noon for Mass. The cathedral can close unexpectedly for special services (check “events” at www.katedralasvatehovita.cz or call 724-933-441).

Buying Castle Tickets: There are three ticket offices (each marked by a green “i”): two in the Second Courtyard, and one in the Third Courtyard (in front of the cathedral). Lines can be long at one and nonexistent at the next, so if it’s crowded, check all three. Hang on to your ticket; you must present it at each sight.

Crowd-Beating Tips: Prague Castle is one of the city’s most crowded sights. Peak times are 9:30-12:30, especially May-Sept. Early birds should leave their hotel no later than 8:00 to be able to buy their ticket and be standing at the doors of St. Vitus Cathedral when they open at 9:00. Alternatively, arrive after 14:00, when crowds start subsiding (and leave crowded St. Vitus until the very end). At night, the sights are closed, but the grounds are free, floodlit, and atmospheric.