🗺️ Petrin in Prague: routes up, opening hours and tower prices

Petřín Tower is visible from almost anywhere in Prague, but getting up to it is harder than it looks. The funicular to the hill has been closed for reconstruction since September 13, 2024, until further notice, with no reopening date announced (checked on 09/16/2026 on the official Prague tourism office website). That leaves the walk up, and it changes the plan for your outing.

Petřín is not just a single observation deck: it is an entire park hill. On it stand the tower, a mirror maze, an observatory, several churches, gardens, and old defensive walls. You climb along paved paths between the trees and go from the noisy center into what feels almost like a country park.

What is worth knowing in advance: how much tickets cost, when it is best to come, and which routes to take up without the funicular.

Ad: this article contains affiliate links, we earn a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you.

What to see on Petřín

💡 In short:

Petřín Tower: 299 steps or an elevator, see the ticket section for prices (Prague office rates).
Next to the tower are the mirror maze, the Štefánik Observatory, and the Rose Garden.
The funicular is closed, so you walk up from the Újezd stop.
Prices and opening hours: 09/2026, checked on the official website.

The hill's main landmark, Petřín Tower (Petřínská rozhledna), stands in the upper part of the park. All the entertainment side of Petřín is gathered around it: the maze, the observatory, a cafe, and souvenir stalls. Farther along the ridge, the gardens and monuments begin, where you will meet noticeably fewer people.

Walking along the park paths is free; you only pay to enter the tower, the maze, and the observatory. Many people come up here at sunset: the city below lights up, and the tower itself is illuminated.

History of Petřín and the Hunger Wall

The hill's name most likely comes from the Czech word "petr," meaning stone. Pagans worshiped their gods here, and in the 10th century the first Catholic church appeared. Later the slopes were covered with defensive walls.

Hunger Wall with battlements on Petřín in winter

The Hunger Wall (Hladová zeď), Petřín's most famous historical monument, dates from that era. It was built in the 14th century by order of King Charles IV to protect the city and at the same time give work to the poor. The builders received food for their families in return for their labor, hence the name.

The wall runs along the ridge of the hill, and a convenient path follows it. You come out onto it if you walk up from the Pohořelec tram stop. Bring water with you: cafes are rare on the upper sections.

Church of St. Lawrence

The Church of St. Lawrence (kostel sv. Vavřince) was built in the 10th century on the very spot where pagans worshiped Perun. Over its long history, the building was rebuilt many times, closed, and reopened.

Today it is a Baroque church with a distinctive dome. St. Lawrence is considered the patron saint of mountains and people who live on slopes, so a church on a hill makes sense. Other church buildings have also survived nearby on the summit, some of them closed to public access.

The church is convenient to see together with a walk through the gardens: it stands right by the upper path. If you want to go inside, check the schedule on site, as it depends on services.

Observation tower: 299 steps and a panorama of Prague

The tower was built for the 1891 Jubilee Exhibition as a free copy of the Eiffel Tower at a 1:5 scale. It is 58.70 meters tall, and its top sits at the same elevation above sea level as the real Eiffel Tower (tower description). From here you can see all of Prague, and on clear days almost the whole of Czechia.

Smetana Embankment and the Vltava in Prague at sunset

There are 299 steps to the top. There is also an elevator: it takes you to the platform at 51 meters for 150 CZK, or 50 CZK for visitors over 65 (as of 09/2026, fares and elevator). In summer the elevator line can be longer than the stairs, and you lose more time waiting than you would climbing on foot.

An adult ticket costs 250 CZK; for children aged 6 to 15, visitors over 65, and ZTP card holders it is 170 CZK. Young people aged 16 to 26 pay 200 CZK, and a family ticket for two adults and up to four children costs 500 CZK (as of 09/2026, prices and conditions).

Below the tower there are souvenir shops and small cafes serving Czech desserts. In the evening the tower is lit up, and the view of the city changes completely.

Panoramic view of Prague with red roofs and the Vltava from above

Mirror maze on Petrin

The Mirror Maze (Zrcadlové bludiště) opened together with the tower in 1891 as an exhibition pavilion of the Czech Tourist Club. In 2026 it, like the tower, turns 135 years old (history of the tower and maze).

Inside you enter a hall with corridors made of mirrors and move almost by feel. Go slowly and keep your hands in front of you: bumping into a mirror here is a normal occurrence, not an incident. Children enjoy this attraction more than adults do.

A combined "tower and maze" ticket costs 300 CZK for adults, 200 CZK for discounted categories, and 600 CZK for a family (as of 09/2026, combined ticket conditions). There is little point in going for the maze separately from the tower: it is a short walk through the park between them.

Stefanik Observatory on Petrin

The Stefanik Observatory (Štefánikova hvězdárna) operates a few minutes from the tower. It hosts lectures about space, themed exhibitions, and at the kiosk you can buy a meteorite fragment as a souvenir.

Štefánik Observatory with white dome and people

The main reason to come here is to look through a telescope. Two large instruments are set aside for visitors, and in clear weather you can observe the Moon, planets, stars, nebulae, and galaxies through them. On cloudy days observations are canceled, so check the forecast in advance.

The combined "Petřín" ticket for the tower, maze, and observatory is valid for 365 days and costs 340 CZK for adults (as of 09/2026, ticket description). This option is more convenient if you plan to visit the maze and observatory on different days.

Rose garden and other gardens

The hill has several gardens, and the main one, the Rose Garden (Růžový sad), is planted with thousands of roses. During the blooming season the air above the paths smells stronger than you would expect from a city park.

Blooming roses on white trellises in the rose garden

In spring, cherry trees bloom on Petřín, and there is a local tradition tied to this: on May 1, couples kiss under the blossoming trees. The record still stands: 108 kissing couples at once (official tourism office website).

The garden route is convenient to finish at the Rose Garden: the Koleje Strahov and Stadion Strahov bus stops are nearby. If you want to walk the entire hill on foot, start at the tower and make your way down through the gardens.

Monument to the victims of communism

In the lower part of the park, on the slope toward the Újezd and Malá Strana districts, stands a monument to the victims of communism. It was installed after the fall of the communist regime in Czechoslovakia.

The composition consists of several figures, each one more decayed than the last. This device symbolizes the disintegration of the individual under totalitarian rule and the sacrifices the country endured. It is worth viewing without rushing; the monument is designed for a careful, attentive look.

You can easily reach the monument on your way from the hill down to the center: it stands right next to the paths leading to Újezd.

Bronze figures of emaciated people on steps in the woods

Monuments to poets and writers

All over Petřín there are monuments to poets, writers, and cultural figures. The most famous of them is dedicated to Karel Hynek Mácha, the author of the poem "Máj."

Couples like to arrange to meet at this monument, so the spot has long been considered romantic. The surroundings are suited to a leisurely stroll: tree-lined paths, benches, and a view of the rooftops of Malá Strana through the trees.

Take the upper path from the tower toward the gardens: that way you will pass nearly all of the monuments in sequence.

Tickets and opening hours (as of 09/2026)

The fares and opening hours below are taken from the official website of the Prague tourist office, which sells tickets for Petřín (checked on 16.09.2026).

What to visit	Ticket	Opening hours
Petřín Tower	250 CZK	9:00-18:00 in September, 9:00-19:00 from April to August
Elevator in the tower	150 CZK	during tower opening hours
Tower and mirror maze	300 CZK	during the opening hours of the sites
Combined ticket for three sites	340 CZK	valid for 365 days

In winter the tower operates on a different schedule: from January to March and from October to December it is open from 10:00 to 18:00 (opening hours). Children under 5 enter free of charge. Tickets are sold only by Prague City Tourism, tickets from other sources may be invalid.

Buy your ticket within the first hour after opening if you want to save money: a 50% discount applies during this time every day (discount terms). An online ticket with a separate entrance costs 320 CZK, which is more expensive than a regular ticket. Check on the official website whether the first-hour discount applies to it.

Tours and tickets in Petrin Tower

Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and activities — most offers can be cancelled free of charge.

See offers on Tiqets

The widget loads once you give your consent.

How to get there on your own

The closest tram stop to the hill is Újezd: trams 9, 12, 20 and 22 stop here (transport and funicular). The ascent through the Seminary Garden starts from the stop, and this is the shortest walking option.

The Újezd - Nebozízek - Petřín funicular has been closed since September 13, 2024 due to a landslide and track reconstruction. As of 09/2026 it is still out of service until further notice, check the status with the operator before your trip (official funicular page).

There are other routes to the top: from the Pohořelec stop along Strahovská or Úvoz streets, from Malostranské Square via Tržiště and Vlašská. The ascent from Újezd takes about half an hour (according to the map), the paths are paved, but the hill is not suitable for strollers and visitors with reduced mobility (accessibility).

If you are flying into Václav Havel Airport, the most convenient way to reach the center of Prague is by transfer: book a car in advance so you don't have to look for a taxi at the exit.

Tours and tickets in Prague

Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and activities — most offers can be cancelled free of charge.

See offers on Kiwitaxi

The widget loads once you give your consent.

Petřín Hill on the map

The hill rises between Malá Strana and Hradčany, so from the top you will see both Prague Castle and the old town. Landmarks for your navigation app: the Újezd stop at the bottom, Petřín Tower at the top.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Is the funicular running to Petřín in 2026?

No. The funicular is closed, and as of 09/2026 no reopening date has been announced (official tourist office page). Walk up from the Újezd stop through the Seminary Garden or from Pohořelec along Strahovská Street. Wear comfortable shoes.

How much does it cost to go up Petřín Tower?

An adult ticket costs 250 CZK, a reduced ticket 170 CZK, a family ticket 500 CZK (as of 09/2026, ticket fares). The elevator to the platform at 51 meters is paid separately: 150 CZK for adults. See the tickets section for discount terms and online ticket details.

How much time do you need for Petrin?

Plan half a day if you want to cover the tower, the mirror maze, the observatory, and the gardens. Access to the hill itself is free; you only pay extra for the tower, the maze, and the observatory. The descent takes less time than the climb.

When is the best time to go up the tower?

Come in the first hour after opening: the ticket is cheaper and the elevator line is still short. In September the tower is open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and from April through August until 7:00 PM (seasonal schedule). Sunset is also worth it, but in summer the tower gets noticeably crowded at that time.

Can you visit Petrin with children?

Yes. Children under 5 enter the tower for free, and the mirror maze usually appeals to them more than the panorama itself. The elevator saves you from 299 steps, though in summer there can be a line for it. A stroller will be difficult: the hill is not suited for visitors with limited mobility.

In short: what is worth booking

If you are coming for the panorama: Petrin Tower and the evening illumination.
If you are with children: the mirror maze and the Stefanik Observatory.
If you enjoy leisurely walks: the Hunger Wall, the gardens, and the monuments.
If you are planning several days in Prague: a combined ticket for the tower, the maze, and the observatory.

To save on the tower ticket, come in the first hour after opening. For guided tours of Prague, see GetYourGuide, where you can find options that include Petrin.

Petrin Hill in Prague: tower, gardens and the climb without the funicular