Prague Castle & Charles Bridge Walking Tour with Tram Ride

Summary

Stories behind Prague Castle, trams & medieval bridges

You’ll cross Charles Bridge before crowds arrive, ride the tram like a local up to Prague Castle, wander grand halls and quiet chapels with your guide’s stories ringing in your ears, then end above the city in peaceful gardens. Expect small surprises — maybe even luck if you touch the right statue.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest — I thought I’d just tick off Prague Castle and move on, but standing in Jan Palach Square waiting for our guide, something felt different. Maybe it was the way the Vltava looked that morning, or maybe just nerves (I always get lost in new cities). The group was small, mostly travelers like me, and our guide Karel greeted us with a grin that made it feel less like a tour and more like joining someone’s afternoon walk.

We started by crossing Charles Bridge — which sounds touristy, but at that hour there were more pigeons than people. Karel pointed out the statue of St. John Nepomuk and told us how you’re supposed to touch the plaque for luck. I tried it, but honestly, my hand was still cold from the river breeze. The tram up to Prague Castle was packed with locals heading somewhere else; I liked how nobody paid us much attention. It smelled faintly of metal and old upholstery — kind of comforting in its own way.

The castle itself is massive — bigger than I expected, honestly. Inside St. Vitus Cathedral, sunlight cut through stained glass in weird colors across the stone floor. Karel told stories about kings and emperors (I only half-remember who ruled what), but what stuck with me was this quiet moment: an older Czech couple lighting a candle near the altar, not saying a word to each other. There’s something about places that have seen so much history — you can almost feel it in your shoes.

We wandered through Malá Strana after that, down cobbled lanes where ivy hangs from windowsills and every corner smells like baking bread or coffee. My feet hurt by then but I didn’t really mind; Karel kept throwing in little details about which palace belonged to whom (I definitely mixed them up). The tour ended in these castle gardens overlooking all of Prague — rooftops and spires everywhere you look. I stood there longer than I meant to, thinking about how many people have stood right there before me.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Prague Castle and Castle District Tour

• Meet guide in central Prague
• Cross Charles Bridge
• Ride historic tram to Castle
• Explore Prague Castle landmarks
• Discover Malá Strana district

Top questions

How long does the Prague Castle walking tour last?

The tour lasts about 2.5 hours.

Does this tour include entry to Prague Castle?

Yes, your castle entrance ticket is included.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Jan Palach Square in front of the Rudolfinum.

Is public transportation used during this tour?

Yes, you'll ride a historic tram up to Prague Castle as part of the experience.

Are children allowed on this walking tour?

Yes, children up to 13 years old can join for free but need their own transport ticket.

Is this tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No, unfortunately it's not recommended for wheelchair users due to terrain.

What main sights are visited during the tour?

You’ll visit Charles Bridge, St. Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace, St. George’s Basilica, Malá Strana district and castle gardens.

What’s included

Your day includes meeting your guide at Jan Palach Square in central Prague, riding a classic tram up to Prague Castle with entry ticket covered, exploring inside major landmarks like St. Vitus Cathedral and Old Royal Palace together with your local guide’s stories along the way—plus time wandering through Malá Strana district before finishing among castle gardens overlooking the city.