Change Of Guards And Golden Lane

Overview

This walk starts below Prague Castle rather than in the Old Town, which is the whole point of it. The group meets at the Malostranska metro exit at Klárov, rides a tram up the hill, and covers the castle district in a total of two hours and 15 minutes. Because the meeting point sits directly below the castle, less of that time goes into the climb and more goes into the grounds, the squares around them and the buildings that line them.

The walk comes in two versions that cover the same sites otherwise. The 11 AM version includes the Big Change of Guards with Music at 12 PM. The afternoon version covers Golden Lane, where Franz Kafka lived; Golden Lane sits inside the paid Prague Castle Main circuit (CZK 450 adult, CZK 300 reduced), so entry is not part of the free walk. Either way, the route takes in the exterior of St Vitus Cathedral, the Giants' Gate, the Presidential Palace, the Old Royal Palace, the Basilica of St George, the Second Courtyard and the castle district streets around them, finishing near the eastern edge of the castle grounds, a short walk from the Old Town.

The castle area is free to enter, though a handful of buildings inside it, including St George's Basilica, the Old Royal Palace, Golden Lane and St Vitus Cathedral, can only be visited with an entrance ticket. The walk stays outside those buildings; Golden Lane and the Kafka house on it sit inside the paid Prague Castle Main circuit ticket (CZK 450 adult, CZK 300 reduced). It runs in English, is reserved on the guide's GuruWalk page, and is free to book with pay what you want at the end.

Itinerary

1. Meet at KlárovThe guide waits in front of the Malostranska metro station exit at Klárov, near the drinking fountain, holding a red umbrella with a large white 100 on it. The group takes a tram shortly after the start, so arriving on time matters.
2. Tram to PohořelecThe group rides the tram up to Pohořelec, the stop where the walk proper begins. Some guides make a short WC break here before continuing.
3. Czernin PalaceMost guides lead the group to Czernin Palace, one of the largest Baroque palaces in Prague, and talk through its history and the sights around it. Some guides instead take the group to a viewpoint over the Old Town before climbing to the castle.
4. Castle and finishThe route continues through the castle district, taking in the exteriors and squares named in the tour description, with either the Big Change of Guards with Music at 12 PM or Golden Lane included depending on the version. The walk finishes at the eastern edge of Prague Castle, about a 10 minute walk from the Old Town, with no further transport needed to return.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points worth knowing before you reserve.

• Buy a tram ticket. The group takes a tram up to the castle, and a public transport ticket is needed. The description says tickets can be purchased at the beginning of the tour, so travellers without one are not stuck.
• Arrive early. The description asks travellers to be there at least 10 minutes before the start, because latecomers cannot join once the group has moved off. Guides cannot answer chat messages while waiting or walking, so there is no way to catch up.
• Mind the steps. The description states the activity is not recommended for people with mobility challenges. Travellers with strollers may need to carry them onto the tram, since not all trams are accessible, though a car road offers a way back down instead of the castle steps.
• Group size. The operator caps groups at 30 people and does not accept bookings for groups larger than 6 adults. Anyone wanting a smaller group than that is pointed towards hiring a private guide instead.
• Guides get praise. Reviewers repeatedly mention guides who knew the history of the area well and presented it clearly. Several travellers said their guide kept checking that everyone was enjoying themselves and left plenty of time for questions.
• Leave the dog. Pets are not allowed on this walk, so travellers visiting with an animal need to plan around that. The walk ends within walking distance of the Old Town, so no return ticket is needed afterwards.

Common issues. The main constraint is timing: the group takes a tram shortly after the start, latecomers cannot join, and guides cannot help anyone who arrives after the group has left, even by chat. The 11 AM and afternoon versions are not interchangeable, since only the morning one includes the Change of Guards with Music and only the afternoon one covers Golden Lane, where Franz Kafka lived. Golden Lane, including the Kafka house, sits inside the paid Prague Castle Main circuit ticket (CZK 450 adult, CZK 300 reduced), so entering it is not part of the free walk. The walk does not enter the paid buildings on the morning version, and St Vitus Cathedral is viewed from the outside, with the description noting that organ installation work is under way. The description also flags the hill and tram as difficult for people with mobility challenges, and pets are not allowed.

Common Questions Before You Book