Prague Castle, which overlooks the Vltava from Hradčany hill, is a complex of palaces, churches, courtyards and gardens founded in the late 9th century and the seat of the President of the Czech Republic. Access to the complex’s courtyards and streets is free, from 6 am to 10 pm; only the historic buildings charge admission. The « Main Tour » (Old Royal Palace, St. George’s Basilica, Golden Lane, St. Vitus Cathedral) costs 450 Czech crowns (CZK) for an adult, and the ticket is valid for two days, according to the castle administration. This page explains which ticket to choose, what time to come and how to organize the visit.
For the rest of the city, see our guide to visiting Prague, and for the weather our page on the best time to visit the Czech Republic.
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Prague Castle: key facts
- Complex (courtyards, streets): free access every day from 6 am to 10 pm (checked on 27 October 2026 on hrad.cz)
- Historic buildings: 9 am – 5 pm from April 1 to October 31, 9 am – 4 pm from November 1 to March 31
- St. Vitus Cathedral: on Sundays, opens at noon only; last entry 4:40 pm in summer, 3:40 pm in winter
- Main Tour: 450 CZK adult, 300 CZK reduced, 950 CZK family; free for under-6s (official price list valid since March 1, 2024)
- Validity: two days, one entry per building; tickets are non-refundable
- Purchase: castle information centers; online for the Main Tour through the GetYourGuide network, according to hrad.cz
Prague Castle in brief
According to Wikipedia, construction began around 885, when Prince Bořivoj I founded a first church within the compound. The Guinness Book of Records lists it as the largest ancient castle in the world. The complex was the residence of the rulers of Bohemia before becoming that of the head of state: the visitor rules remind visitors that it is a national cultural monument and the seat of the President of the Republic, which explains the security checks and occasional closures.
The centerpiece is St. Vitus Cathedral, begun in 1344 and completed only in 1929, according to Wikipedia. Around it are the Old Royal Palace and its Vladislav Hall, the Romanesque St. George’s Basilica, Golden Lane with its small houses built against the ramparts, and the gardens.
Tickets: which tour to choose?
The official price list (in English, valid since March 1, 2024, still online on 27 October 2026) offers several tickets:
| Ticket | Adult | Reduced | Family |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Tour: Old Royal Palace, St. George’s Basilica, Golden Lane, St. Vitus Cathedral | 450 CZK | 300 CZK | 950 CZK |
| Permanent exhibitions: The Story of Prague Castle, Guard exhibition, Picture Gallery, Rosenberg Palace | 300 CZK | 200 CZK | 700 CZK |
| Prague Castle Picture Gallery only | 200 CZK | 150 CZK | 500 CZK |
| Great South Tower of the cathedral (panoramic gallery) | 200 CZK | 150 CZK | 500 CZK |
- Free entry: children under 6, holders of a disability card (and a companion if indicated on the card), with official proof.
- Audio guide: 350 CZK for 3 hours, plus a 500 CZK deposit; available in several languages.
- Guided tours by castle guides: 250 CZK per person per hour, in several languages.
- People attending religious services: entry to the cathedral without a ticket for services.
The ticket is valid for two days, but each building can be visited only once. Tickets purchased are non-refundable, even if unused. The administration reserves the right to close buildings, or even the entire complex, for operational reasons or state ceremonies.
Buying your ticket: counter, online or guided tour
The official website says tour tickets are sold at the castle information centers, and that Main Tour tickets can also be bought online through the GetYourGuide network. Many other resellers offer « skip-the-line » tickets or guided tours, often more expensive than the official price. Before buying, check what is included (the Main Tour or just a walk around the free courtyards), the guide’s language, the meeting point and the cancellation terms.
Detailed opening hours
| Place | Summer (April 1 – October 31) | Winter (November 1 – March 31) |
|---|---|---|
| Castle complex (courtyards, streets) | 6 am – 10 pm | 6 am – 10 pm |
| Historic buildings | 9 am – 5 pm | 9 am – 4 pm |
| St. Vitus Cathedral | Mon.–Sat. 9 am – 5 pm; Sun. noon – 5 pm (last entry 4:40 pm) | Mon.–Sat. 9 am – 4 pm; Sun. noon – 4 pm (last entry 3:40 pm) |
| Great South Tower of the cathedral | 10 am – 6 pm (last entry 5:30 pm) | 10 am – 5 pm (last entry 4:30 pm) |
| Gardens (Royal Garden, Stag Moat, South Gardens) | 10 am – 7 pm (April–June, September), 10 am – 8 pm (July–August), 10 am – 5 pm (October) | Closed from November to February; March 10 am – 5 pm |
Best time to visit
Two official facts guide the choice of time: the courtyards open at 6 am, well before the buildings (9 am), and the cathedral opens only at noon on Sundays. The table below shows that from May to July the sun rises before 5:30 am: this is the time to enjoy the courtyards and the view of the city before the buildings open. In December, the sun sets around 4 pm, about when the buildings close.
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 07:55 | 16:28 | 8 h 33 |
| February | 07:13 | 17:20 | 10 h 06 |
| March | 06:16 | 18:06 | 11 h 50 |
| April | 06:10 | 19:55 | 13 h 46 |
| May | 05:16 | 20:41 | 15 h 25 |
| June | 04:52 | 21:13 | 16 h 21 |
| July | 05:09 | 21:06 | 15 h 58 |
| August | 05:51 | 20:21 | 14 h 30 |
| September | 06:37 | 19:16 | 12 h 39 |
| October | 07:23 | 18:11 | 10 h 48 |
| November | 07:14 | 16:18 | 9 h 04 |
| December | 07:54 | 16:00 | 8 h 06 |
What to take from it: for the cathedral, avoid Sunday morning; for the gardens, come from April to October, since they are closed from November to February. We have no official hourly crowd figures. For the climate, see the best time to visit the Czech Republic.
Accessibility and rules
According to the visitor rules, all buildings open to the public are accessible without steps, except the White Tower, the Daliborka Tower, the Powder Tower, the Great South Tower of the cathedral and the defensive corridors of Golden Lane. Before entering a building, bags and umbrellas must be left where a place is provided.
Common mistakes
- Paying for a « castle visit » that only walks through the courtyards, which are free to enter.
- Planning the cathedral on a Sunday morning: it opens only at noon.
- Arriving after the cathedral’s last entry (4:40 pm in summer, 3:40 pm in winter).
- Thinking you can go back into a building the next day: the ticket is valid for two days, but with a single entry per building.
- Counting on the gardens in winter: they are closed from November to February.
What to see around the castle
From the castle you walk down to Malá Strana, then Charles Bridge and the Old Town; everything is detailed in our guide to visiting Prague. For the country, see our page on traveling in the Czech Republic. For entry requirements, see our Czech Republic guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a visit to Prague Castle cost?
The Main Tour costs 450 CZK for an adult, 300 CZK reduced and 950 CZK for a family, according to the official price list valid since March 1, 2024.
Is Prague Castle free?
The courtyards, streets and the Garden on the Bastion are free to enter from 6 am to 10 pm. Only the historic buildings and some exhibitions charge admission.
What are Prague Castle’s opening hours?
The historic buildings are open from 9 am to 5 pm from April to October and from 9 am to 4 pm from November to March; the cathedral opens at noon on Sundays.
How long is the ticket valid?
Two days, with a single entry per building, according to the castle administration.
What does the Main Tour include?
The Old Royal Palace, St. George’s Basilica, Golden Lane and St. Vitus Cathedral.
Where can you buy official tickets?
At the castle information centers; the official website also lists online sales of the Main Tour through the GetYourGuide network.
Our sources
- Prague Castle Administration, hrad.cz: « Opening hours » and « Tickets » pages, « Price list » (valid since March 1, 2024) and visitor rules (« Rules and Regulations »), consulted on 27 October 2026
- Wikipedia article « Prague Castle » (foundation, Guinness record, St. Vitus Cathedral, coordinates), consulted on 27 October 2026
- Astronomical calculations: NOAA solar algorithm, applied by Destination de Voyage to the coordinates of Prague Castle (Wikipedia) (15th of each month, year 2027, clear horizon)
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026. Prices and hours may change: check the official website before you go.