Prague Castle

Prague Castle is not a building but a walled quarter on the ridge above the Vltava, and the Prague Castle Administration describes it as the largest coherent castle complex in the world at almost 70,000 square metres, a figure it attributes to the Guinness Book of World Records. Repairs and reconstructions have continued since the Velvet Revolution. The site is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List and is a Czech national cultural monument. Most visitor buildings have barrier-free entrances.

The Administration lists nine historical buildings open to visitors: St Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, Golden Lane, St George's Basilica, the Story of Prague Castle exhibition, the Powder Tower known as Mihulka, the Prague Castle Picture Gallery, Rosenberg Palace and the Great South Tower of the cathedral. Ticketing groups them rather than selling them one by one. The Main circuit covers the Old Royal Palace, St George's Basilica, Golden Lane and St Vitus Cathedral. Most visitor buildings have barrier-free entrances.

Allow three hours for the Main circuit. The Prague Castle Administration publishes no suggested visit length, so this is the guide's judgement, but it has an operator-shaped anchor behind it: the audioguide sold at the Information Centre in the 3rd Courtyard carries 96 stops and about three hours of recording, and guided tours with Castle guides are priced by the hour on the assumption that a visit runs to several. Entry to the Prague Castle grounds is free. Castle complex: daily 06:00–22:00. Historical buildings: daily 09:00–17:00 from April 1 to October 31; daily 09:00–16:00 from November 1 to March 31. St. Vitus Cathedral: Monday–Saturday 09:00–17:00 and Sunday 12:00–17:00 in summer; Monday–Saturday 09:00–16:00 and Sunday 12:00–16:00 in winter. Cathedral admission ends 20 minutes before closing.

The Administration runs two seasons. In the summer season, 1 April to 31 October, the historical buildings open 9.00 to 17.00; in the winter season, 1 November to 31 March, they open 9.00 to 16.00, and they close on 24 December. The exhibition halls open 10.00 to 18.00 year round. Castle complex: daily 06:00–22:00. St. Castle complex: daily 06:00–22:00. Historical buildings: daily 09:00–17:00 from April 1 to October 31; daily 09:00–16:00 from November 1 to March 31. St. Vitus Cathedral: Monday–Saturday 09:00–17:00 and Sunday 12:00–17:00 in summer; Monday–Saturday 09:00–16:00 and Sunday 12:00–16:00 in winter. Cathedral admission ends 20 minutes before closing.

The price list in force is dated 1 March 2024. The Main circuit, covering the Old Royal Palace, St George's Basilica, Golden Lane and St Vitus Cathedral, costs 450 CZK for an adult, 300 CZK at the reduced rate and 950 CZK for a family. Entry to the complex outside the buildings is free. Entry to the Prague Castle grounds is free. The base adult Prague Castle Main Circuit ticket costs 450 CZK and covers St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, St. George’s Basilica and Golden Lane. Most visitor buildings have barrier-free entrances.

No car is needed and a car is close to useless here: the walkways inside the complex are a pedestrian zone and vehicle entry is regulated. From the Pražský hrad stop it is a five-minute walk left to the Second Courtyard. The operator identifies tram 22 to Pražský hrad as the easiest arrival: turn left from the stop and walk about five minutes to the Second Courtyard. An alternative is tram 22 to Pohořelec, followed by a roughly ten-minute downhill walk to Hradčanské Square and entry through the Fourth Courtyard. Metro A at Malostranská approaches through the Old Castle Stairs and requires a climb.

Large baggage is the first problem. The Administration asks visitors not to bring it into the complex at all, and before entering a building luggage and umbrellas must be left where a place is provided. Anyone entering may be asked to undergo a security search by the Czech police, and refusing means not being let in. Most visitor buildings have barrier-free entrances. Golden Lane itself is difficult for wheelchair users. An adapted toilet is available near St. Vitus Cathedral. Wheelchair users and an accompanying person receive free admission.

The rules here are stricter than at most European sites of this size, and they are written down. Photography and filming are prohibited outright in the Story of Prague Castle exhibition, in the St Vitus Cathedral Treasury, in the Powder Tower and in the Prague Castle Picture Gallery. Selfie sticks may not be used indoors at all. The Administration grants exceptions for scientific, documentary, cultural and commercial work by application and contract. An adapted toilet is available near St. Vitus Cathedral. An adapted toilet is available near St. Vitus Cathedral.