Best 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 9th century fortress, it has many other places to visit that you cannot miss on your trip, such as the Strahov Monastery or its various palaces. Below, I'll show you all the suggestions that this part of the city has to offer.

And if after your visit to Hradčany you're looking for other leisure and tourism plans in the Czech capital, don't hesitate to read the post What to see and do in Prague.

Prague Castle, known as Pražský Hrad, is located to the west of the Vltava River and is the most important monumental complex in the country. Since its founding in the 9th century, it has been home to monarchs and presidents and has become a testament to the historical development of the Czech capital. It is home to a series of buildings, courtyards and gardens. In fact, it can be described more as a citadel than a fortress.

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

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

In addition, entrance 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're up for a tour, read the post Best Prague Castle Tours and choose the option that best suits your preferences.

Useful information

• Opening hours: The grounds are open between 6am and 10pm. The buildings are open from 9am to 4pm in winter, and from 9am to 5pm in summer. You have more info in this post about opening hoursof 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 experience in Hradčany. This ceremony, which, like London, has become one of the main tourist attractions in Prague, consists of a parade with military music and the raising of the flag. It takes place in the first courtyard of Prague Castle, in front of the Royal Palace.

The changing of the guard takes place at 12 noon. In addition, from 7 a.m. every hour on the dot, the sentries change sentry posts.

St. Vitus Cathedral is located inside the monumental ensemble of the Castle and is the greatest example of Gothic architecture in the city of Prague. Its construction began in the mid-14th century and it has witnessed the weddings, burials and coronations of the emperors and kings of Bohemia.

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

During your visit, pay special attention to:

• Stained glass windows: Designed by Bohemian glassmakers.
• Clock: It is located in the highest tower, which is 99 metres high.
• Golden Gate: Decorated with an 80 square metre mosaic of the Last Judgement.
• Chapel of St. Wenceslas: Stores the jewels used for coronations.
• Royal Mausoleum: The remains of former Bohemian kings such as Wenceslas IV, Emperor Maximilian II and Charles IV lie here.

Useful information

• Opening hours: between April and October, from Monday to Saturday from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm and on Sundays from 12.00 pm to 5.00 pm. From November to March, Monday to Saturday from 9am to 4pm and Sundays from 12pm to 4pm.

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

You will be impressed by the works of art and personal belongings 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.

Useful information

• Opening hours: from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm.
• Price: Single ticket costs €12 for adults, with a reduced price for children under 15, seniors over 60 and students. A combined ticket to Prague Castle costs 24 euros.

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

Located in the citadel of Prague Castle, a stroll along it is a true marvel. You will also have the opportunity to explore some of the colourful houses that were built at the end of the 16th century, initially to house the guards of Emperor Rudolf III. The most popular is the one at number 22 where Franz Kafka lived.

Run by Capuchin monks, Loreto dates back to the 17th century and is an essential visit on your trip to Prague, as well as a European pilgrimage centre.

Among its most characteristic attractions is the replica of the house where the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary took place, which was built in the 17th century by order of the Baroness of Lobkowitz. Inside the rather austere interior is the sculpture of Our Lady of Loreto in lime wood.

The exterior is notable for its decoration of bas-reliefs and sculptures with scenes of the Virgin Mary. You can also see the Church of the Nativity, the cloister and the Loreto treasure, whose pieces include the Prague Sun.

Useful information

• Opening hours: November to March, 9.30am-4pm; April to October, 9am-5pm.

Traveller's tip:

I recommend that you set aside a whole day to see Hradčany, the Castle Quarter, as it offers a wide range of essential things to do on your trip to Prague.

The Strahov Monastery Library is one of my favourite places to visit in Prague. It is divided into two areas:

• The Theology Room, the work of architect Jan Dominik Orsi, which dates from the second half of the 17th century and is characterised by its Baroque style.
• The Classicist Philosophy Room, dating from the end of the 18th century.

The library has an important collection of antiquarian works, with a total of 200,000 items, including a Strahov Gospel Book from the 9th and 10th centuries.

Useful information

• Opening hours: 9am-12pm and 1-5pm.
• Price: 6 euros for adults and 3 euros for reduced admission.

On your visit to Hradčany, take a map and make sure you visit the various palaces in the Prague Castle district. Some you can enter and others you can just see from the outside, but it's still worth a visit. Here are the main ones:

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

A must on your trip is a visit to the Strahov Monastery brewery, the best craft brewery in Prague and, in my opinion, one of the best in Europe and I've been to more than a few.

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

Depending on the time of year, you can also try some of their seasonal beers. You can find all the information on their website.

Useful information

• Opening hours: every day of the year, from 10 am to 10 pm.

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

In these pleasant surroundings you can escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and stroll through the pleasant green spaces. You can also climb the Petrin Tower, which emulates the Eiffel Tower and is almost 70 metres high.

The most convenient way to get to Prague Castle is by tram or metro. However, if you are staying in the centre, don't hesitate to go on foot. It is a very pleasant walk.

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

For more details, read the post How to get to Prague Castle.

In the Hradčany district you have numerous options for eating. Here are a few suggestions, but if you want to find out more, don't hesitate to read the post Where to eat near Prague Castle.

• St. Martin offers vegetarian, international and traditional cuisine. The prices are very cheap and the service is of high 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, with meat dishes such as venison, knuckle, roast duck, goulash, as well as traditional soups.