Praha Castle

The largest medieval castle in the world.

What to know:

Opening hours:

Complex: 6AM - 10PM

Buildings: 9AM - 5PM (4PM in winter)

Ticket prices: there are different combos of buildings you can enter. Check out their website for more details.

No dress code implemented.

You can enter the castle complex without charge, as well as the St. Vitus Cathedral. But for the latter, you will need a ticket to be able to go around the cathedral. The other buildings require tickets for entry.

We didn't purchase any tickets because we weren't really keen on going inside each of the buildings. Mind you, just the views of Prague from the South gardens, and the squares inside the complex will already take plenty of your time.

It usually gets crowded starting 10AM. So if you want to have photos with less tourists, I suggest you have an early start.

Recommended length of stay: dedicate at least half a day's worth especially in peak times when there's a long queue to get inside each of the buildings/attractions. But if you have ample of time (like a whole day to dedicate), I would recommend buying a ticket to be able to enter all of the buildings.

Mind you as well, before you enter the complex, there is a security/bag check and the queue here gets really long starting 10AM.

I recommend the following route:

Climb the steps to the castle starting near Malostranská station.

Steps to the castle

Believe me, the views are worth it. You can also have a wine stop at a restaurant at the top of the steps before entering the castle complex or vice versa (i.e. after a day or half-a-day's worth of exploring) while enjoying the views of Prague and the Vltava River.

Wine stop with a view

Enter the complex and head straight to the back of St. Vitus Cathedral

Courtyard at the back of St. Vitus Cathedral

You'll find:

- The Basilica of St. George

Basilica of St. George

- The Story of Prague Castle

- The Back of St. Vitus Cathedral (looking like Notre Dame)

Side of St. Vitus Cathedral near the gate to Powder Tower

Proceed to the side of St. Vitus Cathedral and marvel at it's side facade

Side of St. Vitus Cathedral

You'll find:

- The Old Royal Palace

- An Obelisk

- The Great South Tower of the Cathedral

Draped in smooth marble and gold - St. Vitus Cathedral's exterior

Watch the Changing of the Guards at 12 NN

- The main one happens in the 1st courtyard, but you have to be outside the castle complex to witness it front view. Otherwise, go to the other gates and find yourself a nice spot in front of the guards and watch the change with less people around. We watched the one in the gate going to the Stag Moat or Royal Garden.

Changing of the guards

Go Inside St. Vitus Cathedral

And marvel at the stained glass and the details of the interior.

Front of St. Vitus Cathedral

The Cathedral serves as a place of worship, coronation site, and houses tombs of important figures of Prague.

Stained glass inside St. Vitus Cathedral

St. Vitus Cathedral's interior

The exterior is mostly Gothic but the top part of the cathedral was completed in the Renaissance and Baroque styles. This is due to the fact that whenever there is a change in rule, the preferred style changed as well.

St. Vitus Cathedral

Marvel at the City of a Thousand Spires from the South Gardens

Ala-King's Landing view of Mala Strana from the South Gardens

Breath taking, I tell you. The views of Prague from the South Gardens will leave you feeling like you've been to King's Landing. Dedicate loads of time for this spot for photo-taking!

Part of the South Gardens

Walk down the steps to Mala Strana

And after all the photos taken in the South Gardens, you can head back down to Lesser Quarter through the steps on the end of the Gardens near the 1st courtyard.

View from the top of the steps going down to Mala Strana

Other things to do:

- The Golden Lane

- The Stag Moat

- The Royal Garden

- The First Courtyard

- The Powder Tower

Gate to the Powder Tower