Overlooking the city of Prague is a fantastic medieval castle. Its mix of architectural styles are best made sense of on a castle tour.
(Photo: Getyourguide.com)
The Gothic elements of St Vitus Cathedral, which forms part of Prague’s sprawling castle, are the most striking visual aspect, when viewed from across the Vltava River. As you get nearer, you’ll notice that the slopes of the hill, atop which the castle sits, are lined with vineyards that stretch down to the river. The castle complex itself is a large maze of buildings with a long and storied history. While many tours of Prague, with local guides who can help illuminate the past, will include at least a walk-through of Prague Castle’s publicly accessible parts, those that focus on Prague Castle are the best. Here are five of them.
Prague 1-Hour Castle Tour with Fast-GET Admission Ticket
Travelers keen to save money and maximize their time tend to opt for this brief introduction to Prague’s Hradčany District. Your guide will contextualize Prague Castle and its surrounding streets with historical and cultural anecdotes over an hour, with a skip-the-line ticket meaning that you won’t have to waste time waiting to gain access to the castle. Once the introductory tour is finished, you’ll be given a map and the freedom to explore the castle interior to your own schedule. This tour is available most days of the year, but doesn’t always run on Mon and Wed during the winter months. From $24 per person.
(Photo: Getyourguide.com)
Prague Castle Tour with Local Guide and Entry Ticket
Prague Castle is the kind of sight worth exploring in depth with a guide. The sheer wealth of art, architecture and history on display is difficult to appreciate without a little guidance. From St Vitus Cathedral to the tombs of Charles IV and St Wenceslas (as well as his chapel), the interior is vast and spread over multiple buildings. Your ticket allows you to skip the queues and follow your guide to the most notable parts of the castle, such as the 14th century Last Judgement mosaic and 12th-century frescoes of the Basilica of St George. From $38 per person.
3-Hour Walking Tour of Old Town & Prague Castle
Prague’s Old Town exhibits a confection of architectural styles, most notably the Gothic Karlovy Most (Charles Bridge), and the Baroque and Mannerism styles exhibited at Prague Castle. Take a three-hour guided walking tour of this remarkable city center to discover the choicest sights. It’s ideal for anybody looking to get to grips with the city in the shortest time. You’ll cross the Charles Bridge and take a tram to Prague Castle, where the tour ends. Entering the castle proper requires an additional fee, allowing you to explore this impressive space at your leisure. From $28 per person.
(Photo: Getyourguide.com)
Prague Castle 2.5-Hour Tour Including Admission Ticket
There’s also a tour combining a walk through parts of Prague’s Old Town with an examination of Prague Castle’s highlights, such as Vladislav Hall. You’ll start at the landmark bridge of Karlovy Most, crossing the Vltava River to reach the medieval warren of streets clustering around the base of the castle’s hill. Hop on a tram (ticket included) to the hilltop and enter the castle, where your guide will unravel stories of royals and Czech saints whose stories have elevated Prague Castle to such a celebrated status. From $39 per person.
Prague Castle and Jewish Quarter Tour with Cruise and Lunch
There’s so much more to the Czech capital than Prague Castle, although it is undoubtedly a highlight. This excellent six-hour tour unveils more of the city than any other. Explore the Old Town, Jewish Quarter, Charles Bridge and parts of the Prague Castle complex that are accessible without an entry ticket. Lunch and drink (Czech food and beer), and a cruise along the river Vltava are also included. Tours depart daily at 10am throughout the year. From $81 per person.