A Complete Guide to the Legendary Prague Castle

Prague Castle Complex is the most iconic castle in the Czech Republic. This medieval behemoth looms over the Vltava River, proudly watching over the city of Prague and making a statement as the largest castle complex in the world. It's hard to miss this architectural masterpiece, as it can be seen from many areas around the city of Prague, especially along the riverside.

This is a view of Prague Castle on cold winter day — *Prague Castle during the winter*

Prague Castle is deeply intertwined with the history of the Czech Republic, and for anyone looking to visit the country, this majestic fortress should be at the top of their list of things to do. In this post, we will provide you with a brief overview of the castle's history and guide you through all the attractions available. Let's discover Prague Castle!

A Brief History of Prague Castle

Prague Castle's rich history dates back to the late 9th century, when it began as a wooden fortification. Later, the Pemyslid Dynasty expanded and rebuilt Prague Castle in stone. They made it the seat of the kings of Bohemia, and Prague Castle started to serve as the center of political and religious life in the Czech Republic.

Prague Castle underwent major renovations in the 14th century, under the rule of Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV. This included the construction of the Gothic-style St. Vitus Cathedral, a monumental architectural achievement and religious site. The Renaissance era also came with the addition of new palaces and gardens, and the Old Royal Palace was remodeled in the Renaissance style.

This is a view of Prague Castle overlooking the Vltava River during the evening in Prague, Czech Republic — *View of Prague Castle overlooking the riverside in Prague, Czech Republic*

In the 20th century, Prague Castle became the official residence of the Czechoslovak president after World War I. The state adapted the complex to serve as its seat, reflecting the country's evolving political landscape. The castle underwent restoration work during the communist era to preserve its historic integrity, and after the fall of communism in 1989, it still remains an important symbol of Czech statehood.

Today, Prague Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest ancient castles in the world. It now serves as the Czech President's official residence.

Exploring the Prague Castle Complex

The Old Royal Palace

The Old Royal Palace is one of the most important historical buildings of the Prague Castle Complex. First built in the 9th century, this immense palace was the home of the Czech kings and the center of political life during the Middle Ages. Since the 1600s, the Old Royal Palace has been the site of many major state events, including the election of Czech presidents.

The impressive Vladislav Hall is its most famous feature, with its huge vaulted ceiling and grand arches. The hall was once used for the Bohemian Monarchy to hold public events and later went on to be used by the Czech state. Over the years, the architecture of the old Royal Palace and Vladislav Hall has undergone changes and expansions, demonstrating a shift from Gothic to Renaissance styles.

The Old Royal Palace is where you will find much of the important history of the Prague Castle Complex and how it functioned throughout history. It is considered the most visited area of the Prague Castle Complex, so I highly recommend going to see the Old Royal Palace.

St. Vitus Cathedral

The St. Vitus Cathedral was one of my favorite experiences in the castle complex. Its beautiful Gothic architecture with Romanesque and Baroque elements immediately stands out when you approach the cathedral. As you step through the doors, the intricately decorated interior greets you with stained glass windows, huge pillars, and sky-high ceilings.

The cathedral's Great South Tower is one of the best experiences in the Prague Castle Complex. The ascent to the top of the tower is steep and provides a decent workout, but the panoramic views from the top of the south tower make it well worth the effort. From the top, you can experience a bird's-eye view of Prague Castle and all its medieval architecture in full detail, a unique view that can't be found anywhere else in Prague.

This is a view of the Prague Castle Complex on a snowy day taken from the top of the Great South Tower — *View of the Prague Castle Complex from the Great South Tower*

The tower ticket must be purchased separately from other attractions, but I highly recommend it as it provides some of the best views of the Prague Castle Complex.

Story of Prague Castle Exhibition

The "Story of Prague Castle" exhibition tells the complex story of Prague Castle from the fortified home of early Bohemian rulers to becoming the symbol of the Czech nation. The show features artifacts, multimedia, and interactive elements so you can learn about the castle’s development, historical events, royalty, and architectural innovations.

Detailed models of the castle’s stages of construction, artifacts from famous reigns, and information about its role in Czech history can all be found in this exhibition. The Story of Prague Castle is a great way to get to know the timeline of the Prague Castle Complex and how it was adapted to different periods of Czech history.

The ticket for the Story of Prague Castle exhibition also includes entry to the Castle Guard Exhibition and the Rosenberg Palace. These three are permanent exhibitions, and this ticket bundle provides great value for 300 czk. It allows access into all three of these exhibitions, so for those really looking to explore the history of Prague Castle, I highly recommend visiting these three permanent exhibitions.

St. George’s Basilica

Admire the incredible architecture of St. George’s Basilica, a Romanesque church that dates back to the 10th century. St. George’s Basilica has undergone various restorations over the years, it was damaged in wars and fires, but it has withstood these hardships.

What stands today as the St. George's Basilica is a pristinely preserved example of Romanesque architecture with tombs of the Premyslid dynasty leaders. The church is free to enter, and you do not need tickets to the castle interior to visit the St. George’s Basilica. This makes it an easy place to visit as it does not require any extras.

The Golden Lane

The Golden Lane is a series of medieval-style shops and houses that display the exhibits of the medieval Czech Republic. Here you can see examples of weaponry that were once used by castle guards and the Czech military. The Golden Lane was also used to house the castle workers and even had goldsmiths residing there.

History buffs will love this place as it gives a detailed view of the Czech castle throughout history, showing how the maids and workers lived, what weaponry the guards used, and how the castle operated from day to day.

This is a view of the Golden Lane at the Prague Castle Complex — *View of the Golden Lane at Prague Castle Complex*

You can also explore the Golden Lane with Daliborka Tower in this area. The tower was once a medieval prison, which was used from the 14th century to the 18th century. It was designed as part of the Prague Castle Complex and is located near the Golden Lane. It's an interesting little site for those wanting to see how the castle functioned during the Middle Ages.

I highly recommend the Golden Lane, especially as it's free and gives a great insight into the Prague Castle Complex and medieval life in the Czech Republic.

Picture Gallery at Prague Castle

The Picture Gallery is the oldest surviving collection of paintings in the Czech Republic. Over 100 paintings are exhibited at the Picture Gallery, with many works once belonging to Emperor Rudolf II, a 16th-century leader known for his extensive collection of paintings.

Here you will find paintings from famous artists like Titian and Rubens amongst the exhibited works. The Picture Gallery is a must-visit for those who like to indulge in their creativity and experience one of the finest collections of paintings in the Czech Republic.

Prague Castle Gardens

Prague Castle Gardens are a peaceful oasis in the heart of one of Europe’s most famous sites. Hidden among the grandness of the castle complex, these beautifully landscaped gardens are a calm contrast to the city below. You can stroll through the Royal Garden, a Renaissance masterpiece with ornate fountains, pavilions, and flower arrangements that reflect the luxury of the time.

The South Gardens have incredible scenic views of the city while providing trimmed hedges and peaceful paths to walk by. Prague Castle Gardens are a unique blend of history and nature that invite visitors for a peaceful escape from the crowds of the castle. Together, they are a perfect blend of art and nature, which add to the castle’s majestic atmosphere.

Planning Your Visit to Prague Castle

The St. Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace, Basilica of St. George, Golden Lane, and the Royal Garden are all part of Prague Castle complex. The Czech crown jewels and other historical and cultural treasures are housed there, and it also serves as the official residence of the president of the Czech Republic.

View of Prague Castle on a snowy day during the winter — *View of Prague Castle on a snowy day*

Typical exploration time for this 70,000 square meter complex is two to three hours. For a more in-depth understanding of the castle grounds, guided tours are recommended. Multiple tickets are available, each granting access to a different part of the castle.

Best Time to Visit

The months of April through October are perfect for a visit to Prague Castle, thanks to the mild weather and abundant flower displays in the gardens. If you want to go when it's least crowded, go in the morning or late afternoon rather than during the middle of the day when everyone is out and about.

Prague Castle Guards walking the grounds — *Prague Castle Guards*

Although some visitors might acually enjoy visiting during the winter. The cold weather provides a very romantic atmosphere, especially when it's snowing in Prague. I have visited the castle a few times, but by far the best views of the castle were on a snowy day. It enhanced the medieval atmosphere of the castle, and there were minimal crowds, so I was able to enjoy the castle more easily during my winter visit.

The weather is very cold during the Czech winter though, and much of the castle complex is outdoors, so be sure to check the weather in advance and decide on your preference. Visiting during the weekdays is also a good idea, as you will get to avoid the large weekend crowds.

Prague Castle Opening Hours

The grounds of Prague Castle are available to the public every day from 6 am until 10 pm. Historical structures and gardens within the castle complex may have different opening hours.

The Prague Winter Season begins on November 1st and ends on March 31st. During this time, visitors can enjoy the castle grounds from 6 AM to 10 PM and the buildings from 9 AM to 4 PM.

The summer season runs from April 1 to October 31, with the complex open from 6 AM to 10 PM and buildings open from 9 AM to 5 PM.

Getting to Prague Castle

Prague Castle is located on the Vltava River in the Hradčany district, an area known specifically for the castle complex. The castle complex is conveniently located near the old town of Prague, and it is actually very easy to walk to Prague Castle. It takes approximately 30 minutes to walk the castle from the city center (Wenceslas Square). The walk is easy and enjoyable as it will take you through the old town and over the Vltava River, providing scenic views of Prague Castle on the way.

Public transport in Prague is great, and if you would prefer to use that than walking, you can take tram 22 to stop Pražský hrad and then walk 5 minutes to the castle from there. Metro is also well connected to the station Malostranská (line A/green line), the closest station to Prague Castle. From Malostranská Station, it's an easy walk up to the castle grounds, which takes around 15 minutes.

Lastly, the funicular railway from Újezd up to the castle hill provides a fun and scenic route to the castle but is not entirely necessary as there are already many convenient ways to reach the castle.

Tickets and Tours

The grounds of the Prague Castle complex are free to visit, with entrance to the castle grounds, courtyards, and gardens.

However, tickets are required to enter the attractions. Prague Castle tickets include access to various attractions such as the Old Royal Palace, St. George’s Basilica, Golden Lane, St. Vitus Cathedral, and the Charles Bridge Museum. To enter Prague Castle, you must pass a security check and follow the rules of the security protocol.

Some interiors may require an additional fee, but the exterior areas are free to explore. This is great if you just want to view the architecture, but if it is within your time and budget, I recommend exploring the interior too. The changing of the castle guard can also be viewed free of charge within the castle grounds.

Tips for Visiting Prague Castle

Visiting Prague Castle is actually quite convenient, but the castle does get busy and Prague can get very cold during the winter, so here are some travel tips to help ensure a great visit.

It’s recommended to buy tickets early in the morning to avoid crowds.
Visiting on weekdays instead of weekends can also help you avoid crowds.
Going a little before 9 AM can help you avoid long queues to enter the main buildings.
Buying a skip-the-line ticket can help you avoid long queues at the attraction.
All visitors will still need to go through the security check.
Visiting during the summer months will be easier to explore the castle's exterior due to the warm weather.
Winter visits to the castle will give you a unique atmosphere, but it can get very cold, so make sure to wrap up to keep warm.
Taking a guided tour or audio guide is a great way to learn about the history and significance of the castle.

Summary

Prague Castle is one of the best historic castles in Europe, and the only other castle in the Czech Republic that is as beautiful is Cesky Krumlov. Whether you're strolling the tranquil castle gardens, watching the changing of the guard, or climbing the Great South Tower of St. Vitus Cathedral, Prague Castle has so much to explore. This unique site is without a doubt a medieval experience that is unmatched, and I highly recommend Prague Castle to anyone visiting the Czech Republic.