Prague tours and tickets
Prague is easier than most capitals. Few sights sell out far ahead, and a castle ticket, a concert and one day trip are the main things worth planning. The Jewish Museum and the castle queue in summer, so go early or buy online. Most of the Old Town, Charles Bridge and the river are free or can be booked the same day.
Book these first
- Prague Castle tickets
- a few days ahead in summer. Queues at the ticket office can be long, and a pre-booked circuit saves time.
- Concert or opera tickets
- a week or more ahead. Popular performances sell out, and the official venues are better than street sellers.
Nobody pays to be on this page. The Viator buttons are partner links: if you book through one, Viator may pay us a commission, at no cost to you. Where the official site sells the ticket, we link it too. How we rank
Monuments and landmarks
Prague Castle
A large complex with St Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, St George's Basilica and Golden Lane. Circuits of different lengths cover different buildings, and guided tours and audio guides are sold. Allow half a day.
Which to pick. Pick the longer circuit if you want the cathedral and palace, and buy it online to skip the ticket line. Go at opening, before the tour groups arrive.
A few days ahead in summerVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorOld Town Hall tower and astronomical clock
The medieval clock performs on the hour in the square outside, which is free to watch. A ticket takes you up the town hall tower for a view over the roofs, and guided visits cover the interior halls.
Which to pick. Watch the clock from the square just before the hour. Buy the tower ticket on the day, and go up in the late afternoon for the light.
On the day is fineOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorCharles Bridge Tower
The bridge itself is free and open all day. A ticket gets you up the Old Town tower for views along the bridge to the castle. It closes at dusk, so check the hours.
Which to pick. Walk the bridge at sunrise for the quiet, and climb the tower at the end of the day. No tour is needed here.
On the day is fineVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorPetřín Hill lookout tower
A small copy of the Eiffel Tower on a hill above Malá Strana, reached by funicular or a walk through orchards. A ticket takes you up the tower, and the views cover the whole city.
Which to pick. Take the funicular up and walk down. Buy the tower ticket at the door, and skip it on a hazy day.
On the day is fineVisitor guideTours and tickets on Viator
Museums and galleries
Jewish Museum in Prague
One ticket covers several synagogues in Josefov and the old cemetery. The Spanish Synagogue and the Pinkas Synagogue are the main stops, and some halls close on Saturdays and Jewish holidays.
Which to pick. Buy the combined ticket and plan a morning here. Check the closing days first, since the sites shut on Saturdays, and the queue is shortest at opening.
A few days ahead in summerOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorMuseum of Communism
A museum of Czechoslovakia under communist rule, with reconstructed rooms, propaganda and a film about the Velvet Revolution. It takes about an hour, and audio guides are available.
Which to pick. Buy a ticket at the door, since it rarely sells out. It suits a short visit or a wet afternoon.
On the day is fineOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
Experiences and nights out
Concert or opera
Performances run at the Estates Theatre, the State Opera and in churches and halls across the Old Town. The big houses sell proper seats, while street sellers offer short tourist concerts of mixed quality.
Which to pick. Book a full performance at an official venue, and buy through the venue itself or a trusted partner. Check the start time and the seat before paying.
A week or more aheadOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorCzech beer tasting
Tastings and brewery visits cover pilsner and darker lagers, often with a guide who explains how they are made. Many include a small snack, and some run in the evening.
Which to pick. Pick a small-group tasting if you want the background, or simply drink in a good pub. Either works without booking far ahead.
A few days aheadTours and tickets on Viator
Day trips
Kutná Hora
A medieval silver town with a Gothic cathedral, and the Sedlec Ossuary, a chapel decorated with human bones. It is about an hour from Prague by train, and the sights sit a short walk apart.
Which to pick. Go by train and buy tickets for the ossuary and the cathedral on arrival. A tour helps only if you want a driver and a guide in one.
Not needed, buy on the dayOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorKarlštejn Castle
A Gothic castle on a hill, about 40 minutes by train from Prague, followed by a walk uphill through the village. Guided tours of the interior run at set times, and some are sold out in summer.
Which to pick. Book a guided tour in advance if you want to see the inside, and arrive early. Go on a weekday when the village is quieter.
1 to 2 weeks ahead in summerOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorČeský Krumlov
A small riverside town with a large castle, about three hours from Prague by train or bus. It is a long day trip, so many visitors stay a night. Castle tours run on fixed times.
Which to pick. Stay the night if you can, since the town is best in the evening. For a day trip, book a castle tour ahead and leave early.
1 to 2 weeks ahead in summerOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
City and museum passes in Prague
- Prague Visitor PassA pass that bundles entry to a number of sights and public transport for a set number of days. It suits people who plan many visits and use trams. Check that your top sights are included before you buy. Official page
Booking tours and tickets in Prague
Do I need to book Prague Castle in advance?
In summer, yes, a few days ahead. Buying online saves time at the ticket office. Outside peak months you can buy on the day, though the queue can still be long.
Is Charles Bridge free?
Yes, the bridge is free and open at all hours. Only the bridge tower needs a ticket. Go early in the morning if you want it without crowds.
Are concerts for tourists worth it?
Some are. Full performances at the Estates Theatre or the State Opera are the best, while the short church concerts sold on the street vary. Book through an official venue.
Can I visit the Jewish Museum on a Saturday?
No. The synagogues and the cemetery close on Saturdays and Jewish holidays. Plan Josefov for another day, and check the opening times before you go.
Is the Prague Visitor Pass worth it?
Only if you will see many ticketed sights and use public transport a lot. For a short trip with the castle and a few towers, single tickets are usually enough.
What can wait until I arrive?
The Old Town Hall tower, Charles Bridge Tower, Petřín, the Museum of Communism and river boats can be bought on the day. Book the castle in summer and any concert ahead.