Prague Castle Grounds & Highlights: Efficient Guided Tour with Historical Context and Insider Tips
5.0
47 Ratings
Praha 1
Discover the rich history of Prague Castle on an efficient guided tour. Explore the highlights, learn about famous figures, and get insider tips for a memorable experience.
Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Prague Castle - ON THIS TOUR: Meet your local expert guide and hear the story that spans over one thousand years. From the tribal foundations and medieval fortification, through the age of imperial city, world wars and communism dark age, all the way to the so-called Velvet revolution and today’s governmental democracy. This walk aims to provide you with a historical context and a tailor-made source of information.

The castle complex is so large it is easy to lose a precious time here - therefore, this tour was designed to show you “the best of”, we walk through the castle GROUNDS & EXTERIORS. Thanks to the afternoon time of our visit, we avoid the bigger crowds.

Our tour is perfect in case you do not want to / do not have time to dedicate 3-4 hours to explore the castle, but still want to visit, learn and spend a quality time here.

We start in the Lesser Town district, right next to the iconic Charles Bridge. We take a short tram ride to get to the side gate of the castle.

  • St. Vitus Cathedral - St. Vitus Cathedral is the largest and the most important temple in Prague. Apart from religious services, coronations of Czech kings and queens also took place here. The cathedral is a place of burial of several patron saints, sovereigns, noblemen and archbishops. Here we even visit the entrance hall interior of the cathedral. (apart from special closed days)
  • Old Royal Palace - The original residence building, mostly wooden, was built at Prague Castle already at the turn of the 9th and 10th century. Its exact location is not documented. It was prince Soběslav in the 12th century who had a stone Romanesque palace built right next to a new fortification wall. Remains of it have been preserved in the underground till the present times. The palace was adjoined on its eastern side by All Saints’ Chapel, which was consecrated in 1185.
  • Golden Lane - The Golden Lane originated after the construction of a new northern wall of the Castle. The area of the northern bailey was used for the building of modest dwellings, which are now the last remainder of the small-scale architecture of Prague Castle. Based on the seasonal hours, we’ll get just outside the street and tell you about its importance, or even walk through.
  • St. George’s Basilica - St. George’s Basilica originated as the second church at Prague Castle. Only parts of the building, founded about 920 by Prince Vratislav I have been preserved. When the convent of Benedictine nuns was founded in 973, the church was enlarged and reconstructed.
  • Zahrady Prazskeho - As a seasonal bonus and as per the guide’s decision, we might add a walk through the Castle gardens.
What's Included
  • Free map
  • Prague Castle Circuit B ticket (if you select this option)
  • Poncho (in case of rain)
  • Tram ticket
What's Not Included
  • Circuit B castle interiors ticket - please note, this is the castle grounds and exteriors tour
Additional Information

Experience Prague Castle in the most time-saving manner!

Join your local and friendly guide to discover a tale that spans more than a thousand years. From its tribal origins and medieval defenses, via the era of its imperial city, world wars, and the gloomy epoch of communism, right through to the Velvet Revolution and this day’s democratic government. This trek aims to provide a historical backdrop, along with a personalized information source.

The itinerary features prestigious locations such as Saint Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace, Golden Lane, and more, showcasing renowned individuals like Charles IV., Vaclav Havel, Rudolf II., Franz Kafka, among others.

The castle’s enormous complex can easily whittle away invaluable time - thus, this tour is designed to expose “the highlights” and offers you the opportunity to delve into the interiors afterward (with fast-track Circuit B tickets). Moreover, it is adapted to current weather conditions.

  • To enter the castle grounds, there is no entrance fee. We will pass through the security gate.
  • This is a guided tour inside the castle grounds and only covers exteriors. You are able to see the exterior of buildings and the palace grounds. For the entrance to the buildings, you can purchase OPTIONAL circuit B tickets and spend another 1-3 hours in the Castle after we finish this tour. Our tour is designed to provide you with the orientation and historical overview.
  • When not closed due to special occasions, you WILL enter the cathedral and be able to see its interior from the entrance hall area.
  • Circuit B tickets needed to visit selected interiors are possible to purchase inside the castle.
  • For parents with babies and little kids: please use a carrier rather than a stroller.
Location
Tourist Information Center and Prague Sightseeing Tours
Mostecká
We are located in Mala Strana historical district of Prague. The address is Mostecka 53/4. You will find us in the Charles Bridge Economic Hostel’s Tourist info office just 20 meters from bridge tower. Please arrive 10 minutes before the start, as the guide can only wait five extra minutes. (!)
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(47 Ratings)
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F1737agadrianc
May 19, 2024
A great tour. - It was a great tour, the views were amazing and Victoria was a great guide. It was very interesting learning about the castle.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
685desirees
Apr 15, 2024
Excellent tour of castle, palace and gardens - Our tour with Elisabeth was excellent. So informative and at a great pace. She was also helpful with other tips about things to do in Prague. So worth it!
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Global33192534593
Apr 4, 2024
A great tour that should be an your bucketlist - I had an amazing tour with Agata who gave ma a great overview about all the important infos to enhance my knowledge about the interesting culture
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Jjclay
Apr 3, 2024
Excellent guided Castle tour with David - We did a Castle tour yesterday and it was excellent. Our guide David was very informative and entertaining. He also gave us lots of useful tips that only a local can do, which we appreciated. Would definitely recommend to anyone else.
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Meeganb2024
Mar 30, 2024
Interesting tour in a beautiful place - Johana was our guide in an informative interesting tour of the Prague Castle. The tour was the right level for us. A great mix of history and stories. Thanks Johana :-)
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M5055hamanojm
Mar 27, 2024
Fun excursion. - Agatha was very knowledgeable. Encouraged questions. Pleasant personality. The tour was fun . Was paced well. Would highly recommended.
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Trip10071401948
Mar 26, 2024
Good experience - We had a nice touring experience… our tour guide Agatha was very informative and friendly… we saw the change of castle guards too Thanks Agatha
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106coralw
Feb 29, 2024
Very good. - Our tour guide Vitek was very informative and knowledgable . The tour was very good, lasted 2 hours. We got to the castle via the tram, and at the end of the tour we walked down via the steps. We saw the changing of the guard, which happens every hour.
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Kelseyk853
Feb 24, 2024
Prague castle tour - 10/10 for Seb’s Prague castle tours. Skirted past the tourists and boring spots. Focused on cool stuff. For the chance to ride the tram, cliff notes history (my preferred version) and a stop at a cafe. Thanks, Seb!
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Elisasa9652bm
Jan 6, 2024
Fantastic experience with Adela - Adela has been a fantastic guide. He has discovered many things for me about Czech history and culture. She has been very nice, close and professional. It has been a highly recommended tour. Thank you very much Adela!
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
July 2024
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