Old Town Square and the Astronomical Clock at a glance
The square is the open heart of the Old Town. Around it stand the Old Town Hall, the Church of Our Lady before Týn, St Nicholas Church, the Kinský Palace, the House at the Stone Bell and the Jan Hus monument. Crosses in the paving recall the 27 executions of 1621.
The Astronomical Clock is on the Town Hall tower. Twelve apostles appear at its windows once every hour from 08:00 to 23:00. This show is not tied to the hours for entering the Town Hall, and you should not count on a set length.
Old Town Hall tickets and hours
Prices in 2026. The Town Hall is open daily, with no weekly closing day.
| Ticket | Price | Who |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | CZK 350 | Basic ticket |
| Young adult | CZK 280 | Ages 16 to 26 |
| Reduced | CZK 230 | Children 6 to 15, seniors over 65, ZTP card holders |
| Family | CZK 750 | 2 adults and up to 4 children |
| Children up to 5 | Free | ZTP/P card holders also enter free with one companion |
The basic ticket covers the tower and the Knights' Hall. A guided tour A, with the chapel, the state rooms and the underground, costs CZK 150 extra. A guided tour B of the underground costs CZK 100 extra. Both run only at the dates offered. The lift to the tower viewing level costs CZK 100 for adults, children and young adults, and CZK 50 for seniors. The first opening hour carries a 50 percent discount on entry.
Opening hours are 10:00 to 19:00 from January to March and 09:00 to 20:00 from April to December.
Our picks: Old Town tours
Walks through the Old Town, one with the astronomical clock and one that continues to the castle.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Old Town, astronomical clock and underground tour
An English-speaking guide on a walk of two to three hours. The underground, town hall interiors and clock tower entry are included only with the underground option; food and drink are extra.
Check availability →
Old Town and Prague Castle walking tour
Three hours with a guide and a tram ticket. Admission tickets are not included.
Check availability →Old Town tours and the Astronomical Clock
Walking tours of the Old Town and Charles Bridge, day tours and combined tickets, with live prices and availability.
Watching the clock
The figures start on the hour. Arrive a few minutes early to find a spot where you can see the clock face. Do not use the Town Hall opening hours as show times. The two are separate.
If you want the interior as well, plan it for a separate visit, ideally in the first opening hour for the discount. For the tower view, the lift is an extra ticket.
On public holidays the hours change. For 24 December 2026 the Town Hall opens from 09:00 to 15:00, on 25 December from 11:00 to 18:00 and on 26 December from 09:00 to 20:00. On 31 December it opens from 09:00 to 16:00, and on 1 January 2027 from 11:00 to 20:00. The morning discount does not apply on 25 December and 1 January.
From the square to Charles Bridge
From Old Town Square the bridge is about 10 minutes away on foot via Karlova street. By Metro, Staroměstská station on line A is about 5 minutes from the Old Town end of the bridge. Trams 2, 17 and 18 stop at Staroměstská and Karlovy lázně.
A guided walk covers this ground in a set order. An English-language walk called Charles Bridge and Lesser Town costs CZK 600 per person and lasts 1.5 to 2 hours, with a group of 15 to 20 on the booking page. A German-language version has the same price and length. The group meets at the Guides and Tours counter on the ground floor of the Old Town Hall, Staroměstské náměstí 1, and ends at Malostranské náměstí.
The route runs from the square through the Lesser Square, the Klementinum passage, the Old Town Bridge Tower, Charles Bridge, Kampa, the Lennon Wall, Maria under the Chain, Maltese Square and Karmelitská to the Lesser Town Square. Admission to buildings is not included, so tower, Town Hall and castle tickets are extra. Booking is by date, and places depend on capacity.
Seasons on the square
What changes through the year.
Christmas market
A Christmas market fills the square from late November into early January. Stall hours vary, so check them for your date, and expect the area to be busier than at any other time of year.
Best time to visit →Town Hall hours
The Town Hall opens from 10:00 to 19:00 from January to March and from 09:00 to 20:00 from April to December. The apostles appear from 08:00 to 23:00 all year.
Continue your walk
Where the square leads.
Old Town Square and the Astronomical Clock: frequently asked questions
When does the Astronomical Clock show its figures?
On the hour, every hour from 08:00 to 23:00. The twelve apostles appear at the windows. No fixed length for the show is promised.
Is the Astronomical Clock free to watch?
You can watch the figures from the square. Entering the Town Hall tower and interior needs a ticket.
How much does the Old Town Hall cost?
The basic ticket costs CZK 350 for adults, CZK 280 for ages 16 to 26 and CZK 230 for children 6 to 15 and seniors over 65 in 2026. A family ticket costs CZK 750. The lift and guided tours cost extra.
How far is the square from Charles Bridge?
About 10 minutes on foot via Karlova street. Staroměstská Metro station is about 5 minutes from the Old Town end of the bridge.
Is there a discount for the first hour?
Yes. The first opening hour carries 50 percent off entry. It does not apply on 25 December and 1 January.