What time does the Prague Astronomical Clock perform?

On the hour, every hour from 9:00 to 23:00. The procession of the apostles lasts under a minute, so arrive five minutes early.

How long do I need for Old Town Square?

Half a day covers the square, the tower, Týn Church and the lanes to Charles Bridge. The square itself takes an hour.

Can I get to Old Town Square by car?

The centre is largely car-free. A driver drops you at Náměstí Republiky or on Pařížská street, both two to three minutes' walk away.

Is the Old Town Hall tower worth climbing?

Yes, it has a lift and the best view over the square, Týn Church and the castle.

Prague Old Town and Old Town Square: What to See

The Old Town (Staré Město) is the medieval core of Prague on the right bank of the Vltava, and Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí) is its centre: a market square since the 10th century, ringed by Gothic, baroque and rococo façades, with the Astronomical Clock on one side and the twin spires of Týn Church on the other. This guide tells you what each building is, when the clock performs and how to plan a half day around the square.

The quick answer

Give the Old Town half a day. Be at the Astronomical Clock five minutes before the hour, climb the Old Town Hall tower for the view, walk through Týn Church, then follow Karlova street to Charles Bridge or Pařížská street into the Jewish Quarter. Early morning is quiet; from 11:00 the square fills with tour groups.

Around the square

Old Town Hall and the Astronomical Clock (Orloj): installed in 1410, the oldest astronomical clock still working. On the hour from 9:00 to 23:00 the apostles pass the windows and the skeleton rings the bell; the show lasts under a minute. The tower has a lift and the best view of the square.
Church of Our Lady before Týn: the Gothic church with the twin 80-metre spires that define the skyline. Entrance is through the arcade of the house in front of it. Tycho Brahe is buried inside.
St Nicholas Church: the baroque church on the north-west corner, a concert venue most evenings.
Jan Hus Memorial: the monument in the middle of the square, unveiled in 1915 on the 500th anniversary of the reformer's death.
Kinský Palace and the House at the Stone Bell: rococo and Gothic side by side; both belong to the National Gallery.
The 27 crosses: set in the pavement by the Old Town Hall, marking the execution of 27 Protestant leaders in 1621.

The lanes around it

Karlova street winds from the square to Charles Bridge; it is the most crowded 500 metres in Prague, so walk it early. Celetná leads east to the Powder Tower and the Municipal House, the finest Art Nouveau building in the city. Pařížská, the boulevard of designer shops, runs north into the Jewish Quarter. Havelské tržiště, a street market since 1232, is two minutes south, and Wenceslas Square starts five minutes beyond it.

A half-day plan

8:30 coffee on the square while it is still quiet.
9:00 Astronomical Clock, then the tower.
9:45 Týn Church and the Kinský Palace.
10:30 Celetná to the Municipal House and back, or Pařížská to the Old-New Synagogue.
11:30 Karlova to Charles Bridge before the midday peak.

Seasonal notes

The Christmas market fills the square from late November to early January, with the city's tallest tree; the Easter market runs for about three weeks in spring. In both seasons the square is at its most photogenic and its most crowded.

Getting there

The Old Town is largely car-free, so a driver drops you at the edge: Náměstí Republiky by the Municipal House, or Pařížská by the river. Hotels inside the Old Town are reachable by car for luggage drop-off with a hotel permit; your driver knows the rules. Staying elsewhere? See where to stay in Prague.

Arriving by plane? A private transfer from Prague Airport to the city centre is a fixed 750 CZK for a sedan with up to 4 passengers, 20 to 40 minutes, with the driver waiting in the arrivals hall.

Get an instant fixed price in the booking form — the quote you see is the price you pay, for the whole car.