Prague Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and it holds the title for the largest castle complex in the world. This area of Prague is home to several magnificent sites including St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Place, St. George’s Basilica, Rosenberg Palace, and Golden Lane. When visiting Prague Castle, one also has the opportunity to see and experience museum exhibits, gardens, and beautiful views of Prague.
Visiting Prague Castle
My visit to Prague Castle was part of the Rick Steves’ Best of Prague and Budapest tour, and the stop at this site could best be described as a whirlwind adventure. In three short hours, I had the opportunity to tour the incredible St. Vitus Cathedral, St. George’s Basilica, and Old Royal Place, as well as meander through the homes and stores of Golden Lane. St. Vitus Cathedral and St. Stephen’s Basilica in Budapest were the top highlights of my 10-day European Trip.
Prague Castle should be on every traveler’s must-see list, with this site truly having something for everybody. Visitors who have a passion for history and architecture will enjoy stops at St. Vitus Cathedral, St. George’s Basilica, and Old Royal Place. Art aficionados will enjoy the galleries at the Lobkowicz Palace and the stained glass windows at St. Vitus Cathedral. All will love the scenic views of Prague from the South Gardens.
Here are some thoughts to keep in mind when visiting Prague Castle.
Given its popularity, Prague Castle can get crowded, especially during peak travel seasons like summertime. I visited during the last week of May, and this site was crowded, particularly St. Vitus Cathedral and Golden Lane. Admittedly, I did not enjoy my time at Golden Lane because it was packed with tourists, making it a challenge to visit the many homes and stores that line that narrow lane.
Our tour leader’s goal was to arrive early in the morning, just as the site was opening, and it appears that all other tour groups in Prague had the same idea. Based on my experience and research I did after the trip, try visiting Prague Castle later in the morning or early afternoon. It seems that most tour groups aim to visit first thing in the morning. I do know that for the 2025 Rick Steves’ Best of Prague and Budapest tour, the group will be visiting Prague Castle on a Sunday afternoon versus Monday morning.
Regarding time needed at the site, I suggest at least three hours to cover the sites included in the “Main Circuit” (St. Vitus Cathedral, St. George’s Basilica, the Royal Palace, and Golden Lane) and to walk around the South Gardens. Of course, you will need considerably more time if you plan to also visit Lobkowicz Palace, the South Tower, and the exhibits found throughout the site.
When visiting St. Vitus Cathedral, I highly recommend that visitors either hire a guide or rent an audio tour. Fortunately, during my visit, we were guided by Honza Vihan, who did a masterful job of sharing the history and explaining the art and architecture of that magnificent cathedral. He also guided the group through other places in Prague Castle, and his knowledge of the site really enhanced our visit.
Audio tours are available in several languages and can be obtained at one of the information booths. Guided tours are also available for those who are interested.
Prague Castle sells four types of tickets, the most popular of which is the “Main Circuit” pass. This pass provides admission to St. Vitus Cathedral, St. George’s Basilica, the Royal Palace, and Golden Lane. The other passes are for the South Tower and for permanent exhibitions found throughout the site. The back of the ticket includes a map of Prague Castle.
All passes provide discounts for families, certain age groups, and students. Free admission is available for children under 6.
Prague Castle tickets are valid for two consecutive days and the “Main Circuit” ticket can be purchased online.
Prague Castle, located north of Hradčany Square and west of the Vltava River, has several entrances and is accessible by foot or Tram 22. I recommend taking the tram, especially if you are lodging on the other side of the river, because the walk will be mostly uphill and include hundreds of steps.
Most sites at Prague Castle are accessible to those with mobility impairments with a notable exception being the South Tower of St. Vitus Cathedral as it requires climbing over 280 steps to reach the top. The terrain throughout the site is cobblestone and there are spots where the ground is not even.
Resources
The Prague Castle website provides the history of each building plus information on tickets, guided tours, and upcoming events.
Travel Tips
Inside the gates of Prague Castle, travelers can find the Lobkowicz Palace, home to an impressive museum, a venue that hosts classical concerts, and a restaurant with beautiful views of Prague. The palace was built in the mid-16th century and it is the only privately owned building in Prague Castle. The museum is home to over a thousand paintings, including one of the best collections of Spanish Renaissance portraits outside Madrid and Vienna, decorative and sacred art objects, and a music archive comprised of works from over 500 composers, including music from Mozart, Handel, and Beethoven.
If you are interested in visiting Prague Castle’s “Main Circuit” sites and the museum at Lobkowicz Palace, a combo ticket that includes all five sites is available. This combo ticket will save you money compared to purchasing the “Main Circuit” and museum tickets separately.
Another great experience associated with Prague Castle is the daily Changing of the Guards. This daily event starts at 12PM as the guards march down the street toward the Gate of the Giants, which marks the entrance to Courtyard 1. Upon reaching the courtyard, there is a brief ceremony. To catch a glimpse of the ceremony, you must arrive early to get a good spot in front of the gate. As for the march, anywhere along the street provides a good view.
I had the opportunity to experience the Changing of the Guards twice during my trip and I will say it was a highlight.
Leave a Comment