Klementinum in Prague: how much the ticket costs and what you can see from the tower
The Clementinum in Prague occupies an entire block of the Old Town and sits between Old Town Square and Charles Bridge.
Inside are the National Library of the Czech Republic, the Astronomical Tower, and the most beautiful library hall in the world.
The complex is now open to visitors, and you follow a guided route. You view the Baroque library hall from the entrance, then continue to the Meridian Hall and the Astronomical Tower. Below we cover how much a ticket costs, how to buy one in advance, and how to get to the Clementinum from the city center and from the airport.
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What to see at the Clementinum
💡 In short:
- The tour follows one route: the Baroque library hall, the Meridian Hall, the Astronomical Tower.
- Groups have a limited number of spots, so book your ticket online in advance.
- Prices and opening hours: as of 09/2026, verified on the official Prague City Tourism website.
Over time, the Jesuit complex grew into the second largest building in Prague (according to the Prague tourist office). Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart performed here, and Albert Einstein lectured to students.
The halls of the Clementinum hold 27,000 old printed works. Among them are writings by Kepler with a handwritten dedication to Prague professors, and these books are accessible only on special occasions (according to the city tourist office).
Regular meteorological observations have been conducted here since the 18th century, making it the longest continuous weather record series in the Czech Republic.
History of the Clementinum
The history of the Clementinum began in the 11th century. At that time, the Chapel of St. Clement stood on this site, and a Dominican monastery grew up around it.
In 1556, the Jesuits received the site and founded a college here. The order grew wealthy, bought up the surrounding land, and new Baroque buildings replaced the old monastery one after another.
© VitVit · CC BY-SAPhoto: VitVit, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsIn total, the complex comprised more than thirty buildings. The mirror chapel, observatory, mathematical museum, weather station, and of course the library have survived to this day.
Baroque library hall
The library hall was decorated in the 1720s and has barely changed since then (according to the official Prague City Tourism website). The walls and ceiling are covered with frescoes on themes of science and art, which is why the hall is often called the Temple of Wisdom.
Two huge globes stand in the center of the hall, and massive wooden bookshelves line the walls. The most valuable items are kept on the upper levels, away from visitors.
© Václav Jiroušek · CC BY-SAPhoto: Václav Jiroušek, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsImportant: you cannot enter the hall itself. The library is viewed with a guide and only from behind a barrier; the hall itself is closed to the public (according to the official page for the site).
Astronomical tower and meridian hall
After the library, the route leads to the Meridian Hall on the second floor. Old astronomical instruments and devices are displayed there (according to the National Library of the Czech Republic).
© Richard Mortel from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia · CC BYPhoto: Richard Mortel from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia CommonsYou reach the tower's viewing gallery on foot. There are 172 steps, and there is no elevator for visitors (according to the National Library).
In return, the top offers the best view of Prague Castle and Old Town Square. At the top of the tower stands a statue of Atlas holding the celestial sphere on his shoulders.
Tickets and opening hours
What | Details |
|---|---|
Opening hours | daily 9:00-20:00 |
Standard ticket | 380 CZK |
Reduced ticket | 230 CZK, for children aged 6-15, seniors aged 65 and over, and ZTP card holders |
Youth aged 16-26 | 300 CZK |
Family ticket | 810 CZK, for 2 adults and up to 4 children |
Prices and opening hours: as of 09/2026, checked on the official tickets page.
Children under 5 enter free of charge, and visitors under 15 are admitted only with an adult over 18 (according to the visiting rules).
The only official ticket seller is Prague City Tourism. Tickets from other channels may turn out to be invalid, so buy them online in advance.
New tickets are released every week on Mondays, two weeks ahead at a time. Tours are conducted in Czech and English, and group sizes are limited.
Check this in advance: the route through the historic halls is not included in the National Library day ticket and is not accessible with a reader's card (according to the visiting page).
Guided tour tickets for the Clementinum can be viewed on Tiqets.
Tours and tickets in Klementinum
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How to get to the Clementinum
The Clementinum address is Mariánské náměstí 190/5, Praha 1 (according to the Klementinum page). It is less than a five-minute walk from Old Town Square.
By metro, you need Staroměstská station (line A), and trams stop nearby. You will find the entrance to the complex from the square side.
If you are flying to Prague, keep in mind that the metro does not reach the airport. You first take a bus and then transfer to the metro, and the trip with the transfer takes about an hour.
You can book a transfer in advance: the driver will meet you in the arrivals hall and take you to your hotel.
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Clementinum on the map
Below is an interactive map. The Clementinum stands 300 meters from Charles Bridge, between Mariánské náměstí square and Karlova street (according to the tourist office).
⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions
How much does a Clementinum ticket cost?
A basic adult ticket costs 380 crowns, and a reduced ticket for children, seniors, and ZTP card holders costs 230 crowns. For young people aged 16-26, the price is 300 crowns, and a family ticket for two adults and up to four children costs 810 crowns. Prices were checked in September 2026 (as of: official website).
Can you enter the Baroque Library Hall?
No, visitors are not allowed inside the hall. The library can only be viewed with a guide and from behind a barrier, to avoid damaging the frescoes and old books. The route covers the library, the Meridian Hall, and the Astronomical Tower.
Do you need to buy tickets in advance?
Yes, you should. Tours have a limited number of spots, and new tickets are released once a week on Mondays for two weeks ahead. There is only one official seller, so buy your ticket online in advance, otherwise you risk not getting into a group (according to Prague City Tourism).
How many steps lead up to the Astronomical Tower?
You climb to the top on foot: 172 steps await you, and there is no elevator for visitors. So leave yourself plenty of time and wear comfortable shoes. At the top you will see a panorama of Prague with Prague Castle and Old Town Square (according to the library website).
How do you get to the Clementinum by metro?
You need Staroměstská station on line A. The exit leads directly to Old Town Square, from which the complex is a couple of minutes on foot. Trams also stop nearby, so you can easily get there from any part of the city.
In short: what to book
To see the Baroque Library Hall, take a guided tour. The hall is viewed from the entrance behind a barrier; visitors are not allowed inside. With children, a family ticket is a better deal. For the panorama, climb the Astronomical Tower on foot and choose a morning slot.
If you are short on time, book the tour online in advance. When traveling from the airport, book a transfer and save yourself the hassle of changing transport with luggage.
Find excursion tickets on Tiqets, and look for hotels in central Prague on Trip.com.
Another option for exploring the city: Prague tours on GetYourGuide.
A small editorial team writing guides for independent travel. We travel ourselves, but we haven’t been everywhere, so we check prices, opening hours and how to get there against official sources.