Prague Castle & Strahov Monastery Tour by Tram 22

Summary

Tram ride to Strahov Monastery then winding down through castle courtyards and old stories

You’ll ride tram 22 up from Old Town with your local guide, wander Strahov Monastery’s grounds (and maybe try their beer), explore Hradčany’s winding streets, then cross into Prague Castle’s courtyards and St. Vitus Cathedral. There’s time for stories and quiet moments both — this day trip from Prague is more than just sightseeing.

What’s the experience like?

You know that feeling when you step off the tram and suddenly realize you’re higher than half the city? That’s how our Prague Castle tour started — just a short ride on tram 22 from Old Town, but it felt like we’d landed somewhere quieter, almost suspended above the noise. Our guide, Petr, was already waiting near the park (he joked about always being early because Czech beer tastes better after a walk). The air up there had this clean bite to it — maybe it was the monastery gardens or just nerves, but I noticed it right away.

Strahov Monastery looked almost too calm for its age. We peeked inside the library windows (couldn’t go in that day), and Petr told us about some weird things they keep there — like a stuffed dodo? I still don’t know if he was serious. There’s a brewery next door; you can smell hops if you stand close enough. I tried asking for “pivo” in Czech — Li laughed at my accent and so did the bartender, but they poured me one anyway. It tasted kind of earthy, not like what I’m used to back home.

We wandered down through Hradčany, past houses with sgraffito patterns scratched into their walls. The cobblestones are uneven and honestly my feet were starting to complain (wear good shoes). Petr pointed out where some poor soul got tossed out a window centuries ago — apparently “defenestration” is a real thing here. The main square buzzed with school groups and old men feeding pigeons; someone played accordion under an archway and it echoed up between the buildings. I kept stopping for photos but none of them really caught how big everything feels.

When we finally reached Prague Castle itself, Petr paused at the gate and let us just look for a minute before talking about its thousand-year history. The stone felt cold when I touched it — maybe that’s silly, but I wanted to see if it would feel different knowing how many kings and presidents had walked through here. St. Vitus Cathedral loomed over us; inside, colored light spilled across the floor from those stained glass windows. I didn’t expect to feel so small — or so curious about all these layers of history stacked together.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Prague Castle and Castle District

• Explain Prague public transport usage
• Take tram 22 to Castle District
• Visit Strahov Monastery
• See Monastery Brewery
• Explore Strahov Monastery library
• Walk through Castle District
• Learn about Prague defenestration
• Admire Castle District main square
• Admire Sgraffito Architecture
• Learn about Prague Castle founding
• Learn about 20th century castle updates
• Visit St. Vitus Cathedral
• See Czech president's office view
• Explore palace architectural evolution
• Visit summer gardens with city views

Top questions

How do you get to Prague Castle on this tour?

You’ll take tram 22 from near Staroměstská metro station up to the top of the Castle District with your guide.

Is entry to Strahov Monastery included?

The tour visits Strahov Monastery grounds but does not include entry inside; sometimes you can peek into public areas.

Do I need a tram ticket for this tour?

Yes, you’ll need a valid tram ticket (30kc) or your 24h/72h pass; your guide can help buy one at the meeting point.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, public transportation and most parts of the route are wheelchair accessible.

What languages does the guide speak?

The tour is led by licensed local guides who speak English fluently.

Are children or strollers allowed?

Yes, infants and small children can join in prams or strollers without issue.

Does this include lunch or drinks?

No meals are included but you may have time to try beer at Strahov Monastery Brewery during the visit.

What’s included

Your day includes guiding by a licensed local expert from Old Town up through Strahov Monastery grounds, across Hradčany and into every courtyard of Prague Castle including St. Vitus Cathedral—plus help buying your tram ticket if needed before heading out together on tram 22.