One of the things I always try to do when I travel is to save money whenever I can.
In short, the public courtyards and gardens that are close to Prague Castle are free to visit, but you will have to purchase a ticket to visit many of the sites within Prague Castle. Some gardens are seasonal, and Golden Lane has been accessible after the ticketed buildings close, though you won’t be able to go inside the houses.
After debating if I should take the free route or not with Prague Castle, I decided to purchase what was then called the Prague Castle – Circuit B ticket, which included St. Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace, St. George’s Basilica, and Golden Lane with Daliborka Tower, when I visited in 2018.
You can spend a lot of time exploring the public courtyards and gardens around Prague Castle, but in my opinion, it was worth spending the money on tickets this time around.
All the sites included in the Circuit B ticket were breathtaking and I easily spent the entire day taking in each stop.
At the time, Circuit B was the cheaper of the two main circuit tickets, and I didn’t feel like I missed out on anything.
Plus, there are many other good free activities you can do in Prague. So, I splurged a little at Prague Castle but saved money by focusing on free activities during my other days on the trip.
Here’s what you need to know about Prague Castle tickets if you choose to go.
I have also included some of my favorite free activities in the area too, so you can save some money if you want to skip paying for the tickets!
What You Need to Know About Prague Castle Tickets
Tickets may be available through official ticket offices and online options linked from the Prague Castle website. Check the official ticket page for the current purchase methods.
If you can, you should start your day early, though, because there will be a line for all the popular spots within Prague Castle and it’ll give you enough time to explore.
Walking through the Prague Castle complex does not generally require a sightseeing ticket. To enter many of its historic buildings, though, you will need admission. When I visited in 2018, I bought the ticket then called Circuit B and thought it was worth the time. The ticket options have changed since my trip, so check the official Prague Castle ticket page for the current Main Circuit, prices and purchase options before you go.
As of October 24, 2026, the official Prague Castle price list puts the Main Circuit (Old Royal Palace, St. George’s Basilica, Golden Lane and St. Vitus Cathedral) at 450 CZK for adults, 300 CZK reduced (ages 6–16, students up to 26 and visitors 65+) and 950 CZK for a family ticket. Children under 6 get in free, and tickets are valid for two days. Prices can change, so check the official ticket page before you go.
My Favorite Free Activities Near Prague Castle
One of the best things about Prague Castle is the number of free activities that surround the castle.
If you have the time, my suggestion would be to spend one day exploring the paid sites of Prague Castle and one day visiting the free sites because there is that much to do!
Here is a list of my favorite free activities near Prague Castle in no general order.
Some castle gardens and paths are seasonal. Check the official gardens and current closures pages, especially if visiting from November through February.
The Balcony in the Back of Schwarzenberg Palace Prague
When I visited in 2018, this spot had one of the best-hidden views of the city of Prague that I found. Plus, it was only a short 1-minute walk from Prague Castle. I haven’t confirmed whether the balcony is still open to visitors, so treat it as a bonus if you find it accessible.
Top of Ke Hradu Road
Ke Hradu, 118 00 Praha 1, Czechia, map
This is a great spot to catch the sunrise overlooking the city, and it made our list of the most Instagrammable places in Prague.
There really is nothing else like seeing the warm morning light hitting the red rooftops of the city.
When I visited, there was a Starbucks nearby where you could get your coffee fix too.
However, I thought the popular photo spot overlooking the city at Starbucks was worth skipping.
Chotek Gardens
118 00 Prague 1, Czechia, map
A wonderful small park to stroll around and to take in the views overlooking Prague and the bridges.
My favorite stop near this park was the walking path behind Queen Anne’s Summer Palace which has many photography spots with Prague Castle in the background.
The Royal Garden
Pražský hrad, Hradčany, 119 08 Praha 1, Czechia, map
The Royal Garden is one of the best parts of Prague Castle and the best thing about it is that it’s free.
Most of the tourists don’t come here, so if you want some quiet time with grand views of Prague Castle, this is a great place to go.
The Deer Moat Pedestrian Tunnel and Walking Path
118 00 Prague 1, Czechia, map
The Deer Moat got its name from the area being the King’s private hunting grounds for deer and bears.
Nowadays it’s a great walking or running path that brings you along what used to be the castle moat.
The winding path brings you through open grass fields and trees and was one of my favorite walks of the trip.
Can you enter St. Vitus Cathedral for free?
III. nádvoří 48/2, 119 01 Praha 1, Czechia, map
I was able to see part of the cathedral during my earlier visit, but that access has changed. The castle’s official visitor information says the former free area is closed. Plan on needing a valid admission ticket for a cathedral visit and check the official website before you go.
Golden Lane in the Evening
Zlatá ulička u Daliborky, 119 00 Praha 1, Czechia, map
Prague City Tourism has described Golden Lane as accessible after the ticketed historical buildings close. Because access and opening hours can change, check the official castle opening hours and closures pages before relying on an evening visit.
You won’t be able to go inside any of the cute, colorful houses, but in my opinion, you’re not missing much, as most of the houses were souvenir shops when I visited.
Conclusion
There you have it!
Although it is not free to enter many of the sites within Prague Castle, you can still wander around the castle grounds to your heart’s desire without spending a penny.
To be completely honest with you, my favorite parts of the Prague Castle area were all the free activities. It was such a relaxing experience to walk around the surrounding parks and gardens and to get away from the other tourists.
With that said, I still think a Prague Castle ticket is well worth it as you gain access to many historical sites that are very interesting to see.
However, if you don’t want to spend the money, don’t worry, you’re not missing out on THAT much.
If you liked this list and want to see what some of my other favorite spots were in Prague, make sure to check out our 30 Most Instagrammable Places in Prague article!
So, what did you end up doing when you visited Prague Castle?
Did you purchase a Prague Castle circuit ticket or did you enjoy yourself by strolling around the castle grounds for free?
