Things to Do Near Prague Castle

Although everyone knows it as the Prague Castle district, it is actually called Hradčany, and in addition to housing this ninth-century fortress has many other places to visit that you can not miss on your trip, such as the Strahov Monastery or its various palaces. Below, I indicate all the proposals offered by this place in the city.

And if after your visit to Hradčany you are looking for other leisure and tourism plans in the Czech capital, do not hesitate to read the post what to see and do in Prague.

Prague Castle, called Pražský Hrad, is located west of the Vltava River and is the most important monumental complex in the country. Since its foundation in the ninth century, it has been home to monarchs and presidents, becoming a testimony to the historical evolution of the Czech capital. It houses a series of buildings, courtyards and gardens. And, in fact, it can be described more as a citadel, rather than a fortress.

For the visit I recommend that you purchase your ticket to Prague Castle in advance. There are several circuits, but the most advisable is the circuit A, as it is the most complete and includes:

• The Old Royal Palace.
• St. Vitus Cathedral.
• The Golden Alley.
• The Basilica of St. George.
• Lobkowicz Palace.
• The Powder Tower.
• The Daliborka Tower.
• Roserverg Palace.

In addition, tickets are not subject to a specific timetable, so you are free to explore the different sites at your own pace. See information about Prague Castle tickets and Prague Castle prices. And if you are up for a tour, read the post the best Prague Castle tours and choose the option that best suits your preferences.

Useful information

• Opening hours: the grounds are open from 6 am to 10 pm. The buildings are open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in winter and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in summer. You have more info in this post about opening hoursof the Prague Castle.
• Best time to visit: early in the morning and on weekdays to avoid crowds.

The changing of the guard is another of the curious experiences you can live in Hradčany. A ceremony that, as in the case of London, has become one of the main tourist attractions of the city of Prague and consists of a parade with military music and the raising of the flag. It takes place in the first courtyard of the Prague Castle, in front of the Royal Palace.

The changing of the guard takes place at 12:00 a.m. In addition, from 7:00 a.m. every hour on the dot, the sentries change guardhouses.

St. Vitus Cathedral is located inside the monumental complex of the Castle and is the greatest exponent of Gothic architecture in the city of Prague. Its construction began in the mid-fourteenth century and has witnessed weddings, funerals and coronations of the emperors and kings of Bohemia.

In addition, from the viewpoint of the south tower which is reached by a spiral staircase you will get one of the best views of the city.

On your visit pay special attention to:

• Stained glass windows: Designed by Bohemian glassmakers.
• Clock: It is located in the highest tower, which has a height of 99 meters.
• Golden Gate: Decorated with a mosaic of 80 square meters of the Last Judgment.
• Chapel of St. Wenceslas: Stores the jewels used in the coronations.
• Royal Mausoleum: Lies the remains of former Bohemian kings, such as Wenceslas IV, Emperor Maximilian II or Charles IV.

Information of interest

• Hours: from April to October, from Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. From November to March, from Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 12 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Located in the citadel of Prague Castle, the Renaissance-style Lobkowicz Palace houses a private collection of great value.

You will be impressed by the works of art and personal objects of a noble family with an important history in Bohemia, including military items, porcelain pieces, paintings by artists such as Velázquez, Bruegel or Canaletto, decorative items or even manuscript pieces by Mozart, Beethoven or Haydn.

My personal advice is to book tickets for Lobkowicz Palace and Prague Castle to save time and money.

Interesting information

• Opening hours: from 10 am to 6 pm.
• Price: single ticket costs 12 € for adults, with reduced price for children under 15, seniors over 60 and students. The combined ticket with Prague Castle costs 24 euros.

The Golden Alley is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful streets in Prague. It is so called because for years it was the place of residence of the goldsmiths' guild.

Located in the citadel of the Prague Castle, walking along it is a real wonder. In addition, you will have the opportunity to explore some of the colorful houses that were built in the late sixteenth century, initially, to house the guards of Emperor Rudolf III. The most popular is the one at number 22 where Franz Kafka lived.

Managed by Capuchin monks, Loreto dates back to the 17th century and is a must-see on your trip to Prague, as well as a European pilgrimage center.

Among its most characteristic attractions is the replica of the house where the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary took place, which, by order of the Baroness of Lobkowitz, was built in the seventeenth century. In its interior, quite austere, is the sculpture of Our Lady of Loreto in linden wood.

Regarding the exterior, it stands out for its decoration of bas-reliefs and sculptures with scenes of the Virgin Mary. In addition, you can also see the Church of the Nativity, the cloister and the treasure of Loreto, among whose pieces highlights the Sun of Prague.

Information of interest

• Hours: November to March, 9:30 am to 4 pm; April to October, 9 am to 5 pm.

The traveler's tip

I recommend that you allocate a full day to see Hradčany, the Castle district, as it brings together a wide range of essential plans on your trip to Prague.

The Strahov Monastery Library is one of my favorite visits in the city of Prague. It is divided into two areas:

• The Theology Room, the work of architect Jan Dominik Orsi, dating from the second half of the 17th century and characterized by its Baroque style.
• The Hall of Philosophy, classicist, from the late eighteenth century.

This library has an important collection of ancient funds that holds a total of 200,000 works, including a Strahov Gospel Book of the ninth and tenth centuries.

Information of interest

• Hours: from 9 am to 12 noon and from 1 pm to 5 pm.
• Price: 6 euros for adults and 3 euros for reduced admission.

On your visit to Hradčany get a map and be sure to visit the various palaces located in the Prague Castle district. In some you can enter and in others you can simply see them from the outside, but still worth a visit. Here are the main ones:

• The Archbishop's Palace is in Baroque style and was rebuilt in 1765. It is the current seat of the Archbishopric of Prague.
• The Thun Palace or Tuscan Palace, from the late seventeenth century.
• The Sternberg Palace is a baroque building from 1700, now houses the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Prague.
• The Salmovský Palace is also managed by the National Gallery of Prague.
• The Schwarzenberg Palace houses the Baroque art collection of the National Gallery of Prague.
• The Martinitz Palace dates from the second half of the 16th century.
• The Czernin Palace, from the late 17th century, is currently the seat of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• The Lobkowicz Palace houses an important private collection of the family.

A must on your trip is to visit the brewery of the Strahov Monastery, the best craft brewery in Prague and, in my opinion, one of the best in Europe and I have not been to a few.

On your visit you can try a delicious selection of beers from the Sv. Norbert (St. Norbert) brand, including an Amber Lager, a Dark Lager and an IPA.

In addition, and depending on the time of year you go, you can also try some of their seasonal beers. You can check all the information on their website.

Information of interest

• Opening hours: every day of the year, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at night.

And finally, don't hesitate to climb Petřín Hill and capture the best snapshots of the Hradčany district. To do this, you have the option of climbing from the Strahov Monastery or taking the funicular.

In this pleasant setting you can escape the hustle and bustle of the city and stroll through its pleasant green spaces. In addition, you can climb the Petrin Tower, which emulates the Eiffel Tower and is almost 70 meters high.

To get to Prague Castle the most comfortable options are the streetcar or the metro. Still, if you are staying in the center do not hesitate to go on foot. It is a very pleasant walk.

• Streetcar: for this, you will have to take line 22 and get off at Pražský hrad, Pohořelec and Malostranské náměstí.
• Metro: you will have to take the green line A and get off at Malostranska stop. From there, in just a few minutes you will reach Hradčany.

If you want more details, read the post how to get to Prague Castle.

In the neighborhood of Hradčany you have numerous options to eat. Below, I indicate some proposals, but if you want to know more, do not hesitate to read the post where to eat near the Prague Castle.

• St. Martin offers vegetarian, international and traditional cuisine. The prices are very cheap and the service is of great quality.
• U Černého Vola is ideal for a pint of beer with a typical dish such as goulash, knuckle or kid.
• U Tri jelínku: the dishes are plentiful and its meats such as deer, knuckle, roast duck, goulash, as well as its traditional soups stand out.