Prague Castle

High on the hill above Prague’s Old Town, Prague Castle is a complex of varied buildings. Royal and religious structures have stood here since the 9th century. Today, it is home to the official office of the President of the Czech Republic. Once in the walls of the castle, you will find architecture of different styles spanning about 1,000 years. 

This post contains affiliate links. Clicking on them may result in a commission being paid to us if you purchase afterwards. This is at no extra cost to you. Thanks.

The Cathedral of St. Vitus is a must-see

The most stunning structure on the castle grounds is St. Vitus Cathedral.. It’s not only an architectural gem but also is a place of Czech history and culture. Your eyes will be drawn to this massive cathedral with its soaring spires.

The spires alone are magnificent, and the gargoyles are enchanting (or frightening!).

The detail is amazing. Look at the ironwork on just one door.

A brief history of the St. Vitus Cathedral

The cathedral’s history dates back to the 10th century. Prince Wenceslaus of Bohemia founded a Romanesque rotunda dedicated to St. Vitus on this site. This was a significant religious and political move, as St. Vitus was the patron saint of Saxony. The goal was to foster ties with the Holy Roman Empire.

After many reconstructions involving Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles, the cathedral was finally completed in 1929. This marked the 1000th anniversary of St. Wenceslaus’s martyrdom. The modern era added neo-Gothic elements.

Climb up to the dome for amazing views

You can climb the many steps to the Great South Tower of St. Vitus that houses the cathedral bells. The view from here takes in the Old Town of Prague, the Vlatava River, and the iconic Charles Bridge. The red roofs of Prague are stunning.

Explore the Castle grounds courtyard and gardens

Back down to ground level, you can wander around the spacious courtyard. You may even happen on a wedding in the midst of busy tourists.

Prague Castle also has large gardens, complete with a view.  Here you can clearly see parts of the castle wall.

Other fun parts of the Prague Castle grounds

The toy museum: You’ll find a toy museum, said to the second largest collection of toys in the world.

Old Royal Palace: Visit the historic halls and the famous Vladislav Hall of the Old Royal Palace.

Golden Lane: Wander through charming Golden Lane with its tiny, colorful houses. 

Enjoy lunch at a café in a historic building on the grounds, imagining all the history of this place.

Walk by the government offices

Here’s the entrance to the government offices. The serious guard reminded me of London’s royal guards. If you look closely you’ll see the armed soldier at the gate. This is a great place for us tourists, but Prague knows to protect this landmark castle.

Walking down the hill from Prague Castle, you wind down picturesque streets like this one.

I took a tram to our next destination, though you could keep walking and cross a bridge over to the Old Town.

Information on hours and tickets

Take tram 22 to wind up the hill. For detailed directions and map, visit the castle website.

Entrance to the grounds is free. If you want to go inside the museums and displays, a variety of ticket prices is available, depending on how many of the exhibits you plan to see. Check the official website for more information.

Book your train tickets with Rail Europe for easy and reliable service. 

Rail Europe partners with more than 230 train services such as SCNF, DB, and Swiss train lines. So, you can always find the transportation you need for your trip.

Renting a car? I can recommend renting with Auto Europe.

Where I Stayed in Prague

The Hotel Jungmann, named after a man who ensured that Czech would remain the language of Prague, is located just a few long blocks from the main square. The rooms are large, and a little sidewalk cafe is right outside. My favorite part was the breakfast room down a winding stairway into a stone room. There’s some history here, right? The hotel is not fancy, but it was the perfect location and very comfortable.

Read these posts for more about Prague:

Visiting the Charles Bridge in Prague

Prague’s Old Jewish Cemetery

How to Spend Two Days in Prague

Prague’s Old Town Square

Prague’s Heroes of WWII

PIN IT FOR LATER!!