Old royal palace in Prague: what to see and how to get inside
Old Royal Palace at Prague Castle is open to visitors again from October 2, 2026, after an autumn closure. Since the 12th century, the palace was the main residence of Czech kings. Today, the presidential inauguration takes place in Vladislav Hall. Since 2013, the president has been elected by direct vote. Important state meetings are also held here.
Below is the history of the halls, opening hours, ticket price, the route from the tram, and one honest catch.
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History of the old royal palace
💡 In short:
- The palace is part of the main route of Prague Castle and is open daily from 9:00 to 17:00 from April to October; in winter it closes an hour earlier.
- A ticket costs 450 CZK for an adult, 300 CZK discounted, and 950 CZK for a family (as of 09/2026, price list at hrad.cz).
- In September 2026, the palace is closed to the public; the nearest dates for a visit start in October.
- Prices and opening hours: 09/2026, verified on the official Prague Castle website.
© Jan Polák · CC BY-SAPhoto: Jan Polák, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia CommonsThe first wooden structure on this site appeared in the 11th century; it was a small princely residence. In 1135, Prince Soběslav began stone construction in the Romanesque style. The palace was built into the fortifications of Prague Castle, and until the 16th century the rulers of Bohemia lived here (as of: Prague Castle website).
Under Přemysl Otakar II, the complex was completely rebuilt and given a Gothic appearance. In 1303, the building was destroyed by fire. Charles IV and his son Wenceslaus IV rebuilt the palace and added a spacious Coronation Hall. The palace acquired its modern appearance in the 15th century under Vladislaus II, when Vladislav Hall, the Vladislav Bedroom, and the Louis Wing were added (verified at hrad.cz).
The Louis wing and the north wing
Vladislaus II built the Louis Wing for his son. It is the first Renaissance building in Bohemia, although late Gothic traditions are still strong inside. Louis Jagiellon himself barely lived in the palace: he ascended the throne as a child, and the country was effectively run by the court chancellery, which took over the wing.
© Skot · CC BY-SAPhoto: Skot, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsAt the age of twenty, Louis died in war and left no heirs. With him, the Jagiellonian dynasty came to an end, and the Bohemian throne passed to the Habsburgs. After that, the palace lost its former importance and was almost forgotten.
In 1766, Maria Theresa took an interest in the palace. On her orders, a passageway was built, called the North Wing: it connected the Renaissance palace of Louis and the Institute of Noble Ladies (Ústav šlechtičen). The reason may have been that her daughter served as abbess of that institute (as of: hrad.cz).
The Maria Theresa Wing is not the same as the North Wing. Today it houses an exhibition dedicated to the creative arts. The building itself conveys the contrast between two eras well: austere Gothic stands wall-like next to Renaissance.
Opening hours and ticket price
The historic buildings of Prague Castle operate on a seasonal schedule, while the courtyards are open for walks every day. The main ticket options are listed in the table below (as of 09/2026, seasonal schedule on hrad.cz).
Route | What's included | Price |
|---|---|---|
Main | Old Royal Palace, St. Vitus Cathedral, St. George's Basilica, Golden Lane | 450 CZK |
Main discounted | same set for concession categories | 300 CZK |
Family | same set for a family | 950 CZK |
The ticket is valid for two consecutive days, and each interior can be visited once. In summer, from April to October, the buildings are open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. In winter they close an hour earlier, at 4:00 PM. Check the seasonal dates in the schedule on hrad.cz.
Important: from September 3 to October 1, 2026 the palace was closed to the public, and since October 2 it has been fully open again (as of 09/2026, announcement on the official website). The closure was linked to an exhibition of the Czech crown jewels in Vladislav Hall. Check the restrictions section on the official website before your trip.
- The catch: there is no separate ticket for the palace alone, so you'll have to buy the main route for 450 CZK.
Online tickets for the main route are sold by partner services GetYourGuide and Tiqets. Before you buy, check the official website for temporary closures on your date.
Tours and tickets in Prague Castle
Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and activities — most offers can be cancelled free of charge.
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How to get there on your own
The palace stands in the third courtyard of Prague Castle, to the right of St. Vitus Cathedral. The most convenient way is to take tram 22 to the Pražský hrad stop, which is right at the entrance to the complex. From Malostranská metro station it's about 1 km, roughly a 15-minute walk uphill (according to the map).
If you're traveling with luggage or coming straight from the airport, there's an option with an airport transfer.
Tours and tickets in Prague
Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and activities — most offers can be cancelled free of charge.
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Old Royal Palace on the map
The palace is located in the third courtyard, to the right of St. Vitus Cathedral. The point on the map helps you avoid getting lost between the courtyards and gates. Open on the map.
⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions
How much does a ticket to the Old Royal Palace cost?
There is no separate ticket for the palace alone. The palace is part of the main Prague Castle route, and an adult ticket costs 450 CZK (as of 09/2026, prices and tickets on hrad.cz). The other options are listed in the table above.
When is the palace closed in 2026?
From September 3 through October 1, 2026, the palace was closed to visitors, and since October 2 it has been open again (as of 09/2026, announcement on the Prague Castle website). The Castle announces new closures in the restrictions section of its website, so check it before your visit.
How much time do you need?
Allow half a day for the main route if you want to see everything without rushing. The palace halls themselves take less time than St. Vitus Cathedral and Golden Lane: there are more places to stop there. In high season, arrive at opening time, 9:00 AM. That way you will avoid most of the line.
How do you get to the castle?
The easiest way is to take tram 22 to the Pražský hrad stop or walk from the Malostranská metro station. A detailed route and map location are above.
Are there discounts for children and families?
Yes. A reduced ticket costs 300 CZK, and a family ticket costs 950 CZK (as of 09/2026, tickets on hrad.cz). Check the exact conditions for your category at the information center on site. The ticket is valid for two consecutive days, so you can split your visit into two parts.
In short: what to book
Prague Castle is open for walks every day. Before buying a palace ticket, check the Castle website for temporary closures.
If you are going for one day: get the main route, it covers the palace, the cathedral, and Golden Lane.
If you are traveling with children or family: look at the family ticket.
If you have luggage: the option with airport transfer.
Compare dates and get your ticket online on Tiqets.
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.