Castle Tour With Strahov Monastery

Overview

The group hops on a tram for a short ride uphill to Hradčany, then works through the castle area on foot: the courtyards, St Vitus Cathedral, Hradčanské Square, Černín Palace, the ramparts and the changing of the guard. Strahov Monastery and the Strahov Garden viewpoint sit on the route too, and the guide points out the best skyline vantage points along the way.

It runs on GuruWalk, where booking is free and guests pay the guide what they think the walk was worth at the end. The GuruWalk listing states the walk runs daily at 10.30 am and 2.30 pm, and notes that from April 1st to October 31st it also takes in the Southern Gardens. A licensed guide leads it, and the GuruWalk listing says all of them have five or more years of experience. Reviews of this exact walk repeatedly single out the same two qualities: informative and entertaining. Several reviewers also praise the guide by name, saying they enjoyed the walk a lot and recommend it.

The route has eight stops in total. People who want to go inside the paid castle buildings should note that the group explores the castle complex but does not enter the paid museums.

Itinerary

1. Meet at the RudolfinumMeet by the statue of Josef Manes next to the Rudolfinum on Alšovo nábř., in Josefov. The guide waits under a purple umbrella.
2. Tram to HradčanyThe group starts by the river and hops on a tram for a very short journey uphill to the castle district. A 30-minute tram ticket is needed for this ride, so arrive early to buy one or ask the guide for help.
3. Prague CastleThe first stop on the route as shown on the GuruWalk listing. The walk covers every courtyard in the castle complex, the changing of the guards and the castle ramparts.
4. Strahov MonasteryThe second listed stop. The guide covers the royal tales of the capital and the city's more mysterious histories as the group moves through the district.
5. Strahov Garden ViewpointThe third listed stop, a viewpoint over the Prague skyline. The route has eight stops in total.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical things to know before reserving a spot on GuruWalk.

• Buy a tram ticket. This is the one extra cost the GuruWalk listing flags. A 30-minute tram ticket is needed for the short uphill ride, and travellers are asked to arrive early and buy one beforehand, or ask the guide for help if they cannot.
• Two and a half hours. The walk runs two hours and thirty minutes, with what the GuruWalk listing calls an essential break for coffee and snacks. Plan the rest of the day around that length, and note the two daily start times of 10.30 am and 2.30 pm.
• Season changes the route. The Southern Gardens are included only on tours running April 1st to October 31st. Outside those dates the walk covers the same castle district ground without that garden section.
• Expect an engaging guide. Reviewers of this walk repeatedly describe the guide as exceptionally informative and entertaining, and several say they enjoyed the walk a lot and highly recommend it. The GuruWalk listing adds that the licensed guides all have five or more years of experience.
• Come for recommendations. The guide promises plenty of recommendations about where to eat and drink and what else to do in Prague. Travellers who want a shortlist for the rest of their stay get one here.
• Museums stay outside. Like all free castle tours, the group explores inside the castle complex but does not go into the paid museums.

Common issues. The main practical limit is the tram ticket: it is a genuine extra cost for the 30-minute ride uphill, and the GuruWalk listing warns travellers to sort it out before the start. The Southern Gardens section only runs from April 1st to October 31st, so the route differs by season.

Common Questions Before You Book