DEHUROEN

Plizio Visual Lab

Prague Castle

Plizio editorial teamData Sources
castle
—°10
Prague Castle (Czech Republic)

Weather…

Prague Castle is the most significant historical monument in the Czech Republic and is recognized by the Guinness World Records as the largest ancient castle complex in the world. Its history began in the late 9th century when it was founded by Prince Bořivoj of the Přemyslid dynasty. For centuries, it served as the residence for Bohemian dukes and kings, as well as Holy Roman Emperors. The grounds feature architectural styles from every era, ranging from Romanesque basilicas and Gothic cathedrals to Baroque palaces. The centerpiece of the complex is St. Vitus Cathedral, the construction of which spanned nearly 600 years and where the Bohemian crown jewels are kept. Since 1918, the castle has been the official seat of the Czechoslovak and later the Czech President. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, the castle attracts millions of visitors annually and remains a living symbol of Czech statehood and culture.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C-2-139141820201494-1
Rain mm423239366978798153464341

📋 Practical info

🚪
Visiting
Prague Castle is open to visitors; most interiors can be seen with a combo ticket. The courtyard and gardens are accessible free of charge and offer a wonderful view over the city.
🕒
Typical hours
The castle complex is open daily, but hours vary by season and building. The Great South Tower and the cathedral usually have longer opening hours than the smaller palaces; a current overview helps with planning.
📷
Photography
Photography inside the castle is often allowed without flash; in St. Vitus Cathedral, flash and tripod are usually prohibited. Outdoor areas offer great photo opportunities at any time, especially the view from the bastions.
⏱️
Time needed
For a thorough visit of Prague Castle with all major sights, allocate at least three to four hours. If you also want to explore the gardens and surroundings, count on half a day.
➕
Combine with
Combine the visit with a walk across Charles Bridge and a detour to the Lesser Town. Prague Castle is also a well-suited starting point for a visit to the Loreta monastery.
🧭
Getting there
Prague Castle is reachable on foot from the city center in about 15 minutes via the Old Town Bridge Tower. Alternatively, trams 22 and 23 go directly to the Pražský hrad stop at the castle gate.
💡
Insider tip
Buy your combo ticket online in advance to avoid queues at the ticket office. Visit the castle in the late afternoon, when the tourist crowds have usually subsided.

Geography

Coordinates
50.09110, 14.40160

Facts

  • Founded around 870 by Prince Bořivoj.
  • Covers an area of approximately 70,000 square meters.
  • St. Vitus Cathedral built between 1344 and 1929.
  • Repository for the Bohemian Crown Jewels.
  • Official seat of the President since 1918.
  • UNESCO World Heritage site since 1992.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

St. Vitus CathedralSt. Vitus Cathedral<1 km · WExplore →
Prague Astronomical ClockPrague Astronomical Clock1 km · EExplore →
Troja PalaceTroja Palace3 km · NExplore →
VyšehradVyšehrad3 km · SEExplore →
White Mountain BattlefieldWhite Mountain Battlefield6 km · WExplore →
Lužiny Housing EstateLužiny Housing Estate7 km · SWExplore →
Zentiva Pharmaceutical PlantZentiva Pharmaceutical Plant11 km · EExplore →
Amazon Fulfillment Center DobrovízAmazon Fulfillment Center Dobrovíz13 km · WExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Prague Castle (10)

Prague Castle🏰 castle

Castle complex in Prague, Czech Republic, dating from the 9th century.

Old Royal Palace

Palace in Prague, part of Prague Castle, former seat of rulers.

All Saints Church

Church in Near Prague Castle, Czech Republic.

Saint George's Basilica

Church in Prague, Czech Republic, Romanesque basilica within Prague Castle.

🕒 Apr-Oct 09:00-17:00; Nov-Mar 09:00-16:00💶

St George's Convent⛪ monastery

Building in Prague Castle, Czech Republic, former convent.

Saint Vitus Cathedral

Roman Catholic cathedral in Prague, Gothic cathedral at Prague Castle.

Býčí schodiště

Staircase at Prague Castle, named Bull Staircase.

Powder Tower🗼 tower

Defensive tower on the north side of Prague Castle, Powder Tower.

Garden on the Ramparts

Garden in Prague, part of Prague Castle, laid out on the ramparts.

White Tower🗼 tower

Tower of Prague Castle, White Tower, former prison.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

What is Prague Castle?
The largest coherent castle complex in the world and the seat of the Czech president.
Which cathedral is located there?
St. Vitus Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece and the burial place of Bohemian kings.
What is the Golden Lane?
A famous narrow street with colorful houses where alchemists and guards once lived.
When does the changing of the guard take place?
The ceremonial changing of the guard with music takes place daily at 12:00 in the first courtyard.
Do you need a ticket for the grounds?
Entry to the grounds is free, but a ticket is required for the interiors (cathedral, palace, Golden Lane).
Prague Castle: where is it located?
Prague Castle is located in Czech Republic.
Prague Castle: what is there to see?
Highlights include Prague Castle, Old Royal Palace, All Saints Church.
Prague Castle: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Prague Castle: why is it worth visiting?
Prague Castle is the most significant historical monument in the Czech Republic and is recognized by the Guinness World Records as the largest ancient castle complex in the world.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
Europe
Explore with Plizio Discover more places in Europe
More places in Czech Republic →

Nearby cities

Prague — Prague Castle (Czech Republic)
Prague
The Golden City on the Vltava River, famous for its historic Charles Bridge and the massive Prague Castle complex.
Prague — Prague Castle (Czech Republic)
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic, situated on the Vltava River and famous for its historic center and Charles…
Plzeň — Prague Castle (Czech Republic)
Plzeň
Plzeň is known worldwide as the birthplace of Pilsner beer and is a major industrial and cultural center in Western Bohemia.
Liberec — Prague Castle (Czech Republic)
Liberec
Liberec is located at the foot of the Jizera Mountains in northern Bohemia, known for its textile tradition and the iconic TV tower on Je…
Pardubice — Prague Castle (Czech Republic)
Pardubice
Pardubice is a major industrial and transport hub in eastern Bohemia, widely known for its traditional gingerbread and horse racing.
Kladno — Prague Castle (Czech Republic)
Kladno
Kladno is the largest city in the Central Bohemian Region and historically a major center of coal mining and heavy industry.
Most — Prague Castle (Czech Republic)
Most
Most is a North Bohemian city whose historic center was demolished in the 1970s to make way for lignite mining and subsequently rebuilt.
Lužiny Housing Estate — Prague Castle (Czech Republic)
Lužiny Housing Estate
Lužiny is a large housing estate in the southwest of Prague, known for its modernist architecture and excellent connections to the city c…
Teplice — Prague Castle (Czech Republic)
Teplice
Teplice is a spa city in northern Bohemia at the foot of the Ore Mountains, considered one of the oldest spas in Central Europe.
Chomutov — Prague Castle (Czech Republic)
Chomutov
Chomutov is a city in northwestern Bohemia at the foot of the Ore Mountains, shaped by the heavy industry and mining of the region.
Děčín — Prague Castle (Czech Republic)
Děčín
Děčín is located in the deep valley of the Elbe in northern Bohemia, serving as a major river port and the gateway to Bohemian Switzerland.
Jablonec nad Nisou — Prague Castle (Czech Republic)
Jablonec nad Nisou
Jablonec nad Nisou is world-famous for its glass and jewelry industry, situated picturesquely in the foothills of the Jizera Mountains.
Mladá Boleslav — Prague Castle (Czech Republic)
Mladá Boleslav
Mladá Boleslav is a major industrial city in Central Bohemia and the heart of Czech automobile production.
Česká Lípa — Prague Castle (Czech Republic)
Česká Lípa
Česká Lípa is located in northern Bohemia on the Ploučnice River and grew rapidly in the 20th century due to uranium mining in the area.
Tábor — Prague Castle (Czech Republic)
Tábor
Tábor was founded in the 15th century by the Hussites as a fortified settlement and is closely linked to the history of the Czech Reforma…