1 / 6Prague's Old Town Hall Tower and Astronomical Clock (the Orloj) is really two experiences sharing one famous name. The medieval clock face and its hourly "Walk of the Apostles" show are completely free to watch from Old Town Square. Climbing the Gothic tower and touring the historic interior, on the other hand, need a ticket. This guide keeps the two clearly separate so you know exactly when to reach for your wallet and when to simply look up.
🎟️See Old Town Hall Tower and Astronomical Clock tickets on GetYourGuide →Where it is
You'll find it at Staroměstské náměstí 1/3 (Old Town Square), Staré Město, Prague 1, right in the pedestrianised historic centre. Take Metro Line A to Staroměstská and it's about a 5-minute walk; several tram lines also stop at Staroměstská. The Orloj is mounted on the southern wall of the Old Town Hall, facing the square, so the free show is impossible to miss on the hour.
What to see
- The Orloj itself is free. View the astronomical clock from the square at no cost, and catch the hourly Walk of the Apostles procession, which runs from 9am to 11pm.
- The tower gallery (ticketed). Your ticket unlocks the 42-metre Gothic tower and its gallery, with panoramic views over Old Town's rooftops. Stairs are included; there's also an elevator for an extra 100 CZK.
- The interior (ticketed). Inside you can see the Knight's Hall and the historical Town Hall rooms.
- A genuine piece of history. Built in 1410, the Orloj is the oldest astronomical clock still running with its original mechanism.
Skip-the-line vs guided tour
For the ticketed parts, you have a couple of honest options:
- Timed entry ticket (skip-the-line). A pre-booked tower entry ticket lets you head straight in at your chosen time rather than queuing at the desk, which is a real advantage in high season when the square is packed. Some tickets bundle a digital audio guide and are quick to do (around 20 minutes).
- Guided tour. If you'd rather have context and often more of the building explained, guided Old Town and underground tours are available. You trade flexibility and a slightly higher price for a guide's commentary.
Pros of skip-the-line: cheapest, fastest, self-paced, great when queues are long. Cons: no live commentary. Pros of a guided tour: expert context and extra sights; cons: fixed times and a higher cost.
Book Old Town Hall Tower and Astronomical Clock tickets & tours
GetYourGuide has the widest choice for Old Town Hall Tower and Astronomical Clock — GYG genuinely sells timed tower/interior ENTRY: "Old Town Hall Tower Entry Ticket" (t209055) and "Astronomical Clock Tower Entry Ticket & Audio Guide" (t499853, ~20 min, skip-the-line, digital audio guide). Also guided Old Town + underground tours (t392905). These are real admission products, not just external walking tours., most with free cancellation. Check live prices:
Prices and availability change. Some links are affiliate links — booking through them supports the site at no extra cost to you.
Insider tips
- To see the free apostle show, arrive a few minutes before the hour, the crowd gathers fast in the square.
- Don't pay just to see the clock, no ticket is needed for the clock face or the procession. A ticket is only for the tower and interior.
- If stairs aren't for you, budget the extra 100 CZK for the elevator.
- In peak season, a timed skip-the-line ticket is the difference between walking straight in and standing in a long queue.
Is it worth it?
Yes, with a clear caveat. Seeing the astronomical clock and the hourly apostles show costs nothing, so budget travellers can enjoy the headline attraction for free. The tower climb (around 350 CZK / €13) is worth it if you want one of the best panoramas of Old Town and a look at the Knight's Hall and Town Hall rooms. Prague City Tourism / ColosseumTicket is the official seller, but unlike some Prague attractions this one is not official-site-only, so booking a valid tower-entry ticket through a reseller like GetYourGuide is legitimate and can save you time in high season.
FAQs
Do I need a ticket to see the astronomical clock?
No. The clock face and the hourly Walk of the Apostles are free to watch from Old Town Square. A ticket is only required to climb the tower and visit the interior.
How much does the tower cost and what does it include?
Around 350 CZK (about €13). It covers the 42m tower gallery with its panoramic views plus the interior, including the Knight's Hall and historical Town Hall rooms. The elevator is an optional extra 100 CZK.
How do I get there?
Take Metro Line A to Staroměstská (about a 5-minute walk), or one of the tram lines that stop at Staroměstská. It sits right on Old Town Square in the pedestrian historic centre.
🎟️ Top things to do in Prague
Skip the queues with pre-booked tickets. Compare prices across GetYourGuide and Tiqets — both offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Prefer to explore at your own pace?
A self-guided audio tour is the cheap, flexible alternative to a booked guided tour — you get the stories and history on your phone and walk Prague Astronomical Clock & Old Town Hall Tower in your own time, with no group to keep up with.
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Where to stay near Prague Astronomical Clock & Old Town Hall Tower
Making a trip of it? Prague hotels fill up fast in peak season — compare live prices and free-cancellation rooms near Prague Astronomical Clock & Old Town Hall Tower before you book.
Prices change daily. Some links are affiliate links — booking through them supports the site at no extra cost to you.
