Prague’s Old Town Hall: Tower, Clock, and Guided Tours

• Location: The Old Town Hall on the Old Town Square comprises several historic buildings.
• Astronomical Clock: The twelve apostles appear on the hour from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.; you can see the clock from the square.
• Opening hours: Daily, 10 a.m.–7 p.m. from January to March and 9 a.m.–8 p.m. from April to December; special dates may differ.
• Standard admission: 350 Kč for adults, including the tower and Knight’s Hall. The elevator and guided tours of the historic interiors cost extra.
• Guided tours: Tour A visits the chapel, ceremonial rooms, and underground; Tour B explores the Romanesque-Gothic underground. Start times vary.
• Accessibility: The tower gallery can be reached via a step-free entrance on Mikulášská Street and by elevators. The historic interiors are not wheelchair accessible.
• Time: Allow about 60 to 90 minutes for the tower and Knight’s Hall; a guided tour makes it a longer visit.

The Old Town Hall was established in 1338 as the seat of the city administration and was later expanded to include several houses. Three areas are of interest to visitors: the astronomical clock on the exterior façade, the Gothic tower, and the historic rooms. First decide whether you want to see the apostles, enjoy the view, or learn about the building’s history inside.

You can watch the Astronomical Clock from the Old Town Square; you don’t need a tower ticket. If you just want to experience the square and the clock’s hourly show, you can include the visit in a walk through the Old Town and use the next hourly chime to plan your timing.

Standard admission includes access to the tower, with its gallery 42 meters above ground, and the Knight’s Hall. The hall features exhibitions on the history of the Old Town Hall and a digital model of the Astronomical Clock. A tour of the chapel, ceremonial rooms, or underground is not included; it is a separate part of the visit.

As of October 11, 2026, standard admission costs 350 Kč for adults. The reduced rate of 230 Kč applies to children aged 6 to 15, seniors over 65, and holders of a ZTP card; visitors aged 16 to 26 pay 280 Kč. A family ticket for two adults and up to four children costs 750 Kč, and children under five enter free. Visitors under 15 must be accompanied by an adult.

The tower elevator costs an additional 100 Kč for adults and visitors aged 6 to 26, or 50 Kč for seniors over 65. According to the operator, holders of Czech TP, ZTP, or ZTP/P cards and one accompanying person can use the elevator free of charge. Tour A costs an additional 150 Kč, and Tour B 100 Kč; both are offered only at the times published. The skip-the-line online ticket costs 450 Kč for adults and is valid for the tower only. You can pay the extra charge for an interior tour on site on the day of your visit.

The Old Town Hall is generally open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in January, February, and March, and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. from April to December. Holiday hours or special opening times may differ. For your chosen date, check in particular when the tour you want starts. The Prague guide to day routes and neighborhoods can help you plan your visit to the Old Town Hall alongside other trips around the city; the operator’s official visitor information on tickets, tours, and access brings together the details.

Allow about 20 to 30 minutes to see the clock from outside and take a short walk around the square, unless you have a long wait for the next hourly chime. Allow 60 to 90 minutes for the tower, Knight’s Hall, and the view. These are planning estimates, not official minimum visit times; crowds may make your visit longer.

If you’re taking a guided tour, set aside a longer block of time and plan around its published start time. About two to three hours is a reasonable estimate for the tower and a tour together, including walking and waiting time. Avoid scheduling a tight connection if the interiors are important to you, as tours don’t start throughout the day.

Prague Castle is in another part of the historic center and requires its own visit block. If you want to see both places, it’s better to schedule the Old Town Hall and the castle at different times of day. The Prague Castle visitor guide explains its own route. For more museums, castles, and cultural attractions, see the guide to sights and culture in the Czech Republic.

The Old Town Hall is right on the Old Town Square. It’s easy to include in a walking tour of Staré Město; Staroměstská metro station on Line A is in the central Old Town area. Driving is less convenient in the city center: parking is restricted in many areas and reserved mainly for residents. Consider using a Park and Ride lot on the outskirts and continuing by public transport; fees vary by facility.

The step-free entrance to the Old Town Hall is through the passage from Mikulášská Street. One elevator connects the ground floor to the third floor, and a second elevator serves the tower gallery; a mobile platform connects the two. The platform is not suitable for electric wheelchairs; a manual wheelchair is available for transfers. There is an accessible restroom on the third floor; you can get the Eurokey needed to access it at the ground-floor ticket desk.

The accessibility information applies to the tower, not every part of the Old Town Hall: the historic interiors do not have step-free access. If you need a step-free route, the viewing gallery is an alternative to the interior tour. The operator’s visitor information describes the elevators and assistance available.

If you don’t need the view, see the clock from outside and continue your walk through the Old Town. If you’re short on time, the tower works well as a standalone stop; if you want to visit the historic rooms and underground, plan your day around the published tour times. This lets you tailor the visit to the crowds, your mobility needs, and the time you have available.

If you’re staying for several days, it’s also worth considering the routes between your accommodation and the Old Town. Accommodation options in Prague are spread across different neighborhoods; where you stay can affect whether you combine the Old Town Hall with other places on foot or return to your accommodation in between.

Can I see the Astronomical Clock without a ticket?

Yes. The clock is on the outside of the Old Town Hall façade, on the Old Town Square. You need a ticket to visit the tower or the interior.

What does standard admission include?

It covers the Old Town Hall tower and Knight’s Hall. The elevator costs extra; the historic interiors and underground are included in separately priced guided tours with set start times.

Is the Old Town Hall wheelchair accessible?

The tower can be reached via a step-free entrance and two elevators connected by a mobile platform. The platform is not suitable for electric wheelchairs; a manual wheelchair is available for transfers. The historic interiors are not wheelchair accessible.

How much time should I allow for the visit?

Allow about 20 to 30 minutes for the clock and square. The tower and Knight’s Hall take around 60 to 90 minutes; allow about two to three hours for the entire visit if you’re taking a guided tour.