Prague Astronomical Clock - A Local's Guide
Read our travel guide on the Prague Astronomical Clock, Czechia. It includes tips on what to expect, how to get there, where to stay, when to go, and more.
Living in Prague is a funny thing. Like Prague Castle or Charles Bridge, we've seen the Prague Astronomical Clock countless times.
As locals, navigating through the crowds the Old Town Square attracts is not fun.
So usually, we just leave the clock without notice and focus on getting from one side of the square to another with our wallets and phones still with us.
Still, every time we pass by, we at least take a quick glance at it. There's something magical about this clock.
Maybe it's because it's one of Czechia's most famous tourist attractions.
Perhaps it's the moving legend of clock master Hanus's work and dedication we all learn as small kids.
Or it could be the fact that this is a true marvel of engineering.
We all just call it simply Orloj, which is another word for the astronomical clocks.
If you mention Orloj in conversation with Czechs, everyone knows which place you mean. Well, maybe, except for the folks from Olomouc, but that's another story.
So here's everything you should know about the Prague Astronomical Clock before you go.
Prague Astronomical Clock
It never ceases to amaze us what a fantastic piece of engineering this popular tourist attraction really is.
So here are some basic facts about the Prague Astronomical Clock.
Location
Prague Astronomical Clock is located on the Old Town Square, where it's mounted to the Old Town Hall's southern wall.
The Astronomical Clock in Prague is like no clock we've ever seen elsewhere.
It's not the only astronomical clock in the world, but this one is rather special.
By the way, you can see another astronomical clock in Olomouc, Prostejov, and some other places.
Obviously, this is just within Czechia, as you can see more astronomical clocks in France, Germany, Italy, England, etc.
History
The Astronomical Clock was constructed by clockmaker Mikulas of Kadan and mathematician Jan Sindel in the 15th century (the first record is from 1410).
Later, the calendar dial and gothic sculptures were added.
Orloj has been repaired several times in the past, including major damage suffered during the Prague uprising (end of WW2).
On 9 October 2010, the Orloj celebrated its 600th anniversary.
The Legend
Do you recall the name Hanus from the beginning of this post?
According to an old legend, it was Hanus who constructed the Orloj.
The clock was so perfect and unique that the Prague Councillors decided to blind Hanus so he could never make another clock of this type.
Even though this is a myth, this story is extremely popular in Czechia as it was curated by Alois Jirasek, the author of Legends of Old Bohemia (Stare povesti ceske).
Interestingly enough, Hanus wasn't a completely fictional character.
His actual name was Jan Ruze, and he fixed the Orloj at the end of the 15th century.
Orloj
Another word for an astronomical clock is orloj, from the Latin horologium (clock).
That's how we call it in Czechia. Prague's Orloj has three parts.
In the upper part, there are two small windows with 12 apostles that appear every hour (from 9 AM to 9 PM).
Two additional animated figures on each side of the clock represent vanity, greed, death, and lust.
This is the middle part, which is arguably the most fascinating.
It features a large astronomical dial with a zodiacal ring, sun icon, moon icon, and outer rotating ring.
At the bottom is the calendar plate depicting a church calendar, names of saints, zodiac signs, and allegories of the months.
If you would like to see another really cool piece of engineering in Prague, visit the Head of Franz Kafka on Narodni Trida.
Visiting the Prague Astronomical Clock
There are two ways to see the Prague Astronomical Clock.
You can admire the clock from outside or take a guided tour to explore the tower and the underground.
Obviously, both options offer a completely different experience. We believe that seeing the clock from outside is enough, but that's just our opinion.
Every hour, the astronomical clock comes alive.
The skeleton on the right rings the bell every hour, the small windows open, and the apostles' walk begins.
The performance is fairly short, as saints complete their journey in approximately 45 seconds.
When it's all over, the skeleton rings the bell once again. That's it.
You can return in an hour to experience this show once again.
If you find the experience underwhelming, remember this is a medieval clock, not some attraction in Disneyland.
Alternatively, you can enter the Old Town Hall and climb the tower for 360-degree views of Prague (or take an elevator).
There are also some halls, a chapel, and the underground.
It's not necessary to go inside, and we would most likely consider this option if we had at least three days in Prague.
When to Go
The best time to see the Prague Astronomical Clock is from 9 AM to 9 PM.
Make sure to time your visit to Orloj on the hour, at least if you want to see the whole spectacle in action.
It's better to come a few minutes earlier during the peak season as the crowd can be really big.
If you want to see the Prague Astronomical Clock without crowds, you need to visit the Old Town Square early.
If you're visiting Czechia during the summer, this means as early as possible.
Winter in Prague is a bit less crowded, except for December when the Prague Christmas Markets are held each year on the Old Town Square (and many other locations).
If you're wondering when to visit Prague, read this guide.
Entrance Fee
There's one more reason why Prague's Astronomical Clock is so incredibly popular. You've guessed right.
As it's mounted on the wall, you can see the Prague Astronomical Clock for free.
Therefore, this attraction is pretty much on every list of free things to do in Prague.
Ticket
Additionally, the Prague Astronomical Clock Ticket costs 300 CZK if you take a guided tour to see the inner mechanism with additional rooms.
How Much Time Do I Need
If you time your visit right, you will need less than five minutes to see the Prague Astronomical Clock.
That said, you can easily spend an hour or two in Old Town Square. There is plenty to see and do, so make sure to have enough time to explore.
How to Get
There are several ways to get to the Prague Astronomical Clock, including on foot, by metro, tram, taxi, etc.
On Foot
Prague's city center is relatively compact and walkable. Therefore, the easiest way to get to the Prague Astronomical Clock is on foot.
Walking is one of the best ways to get around Prague (we're still talking about the historical center), so there's no need to complicate things.
Tours
Alternatively, you can consider taking one of the popular tours with a local guide.
Even though you can easily see the Prague Astronomical Clock without a guide, these tours offer a stress-free way to see Prague's highlights.
For obvious reasons, it is a great option for those who are short on time.
Here, you can book a top-rated Prague Walking Tour in advance.
Metro
Another great way to get to the Old Town Square is by metro (subway).
The nearest metro stations are Staromestska (A line - green), Mustek (A and B lines - green and yellow), and Namesti Republiky (B line - yellow).
Tram
If you want to take a tram, Staromestska and Namesti Republiky are the nearest stops.
Trams are one of the most efficient ways to get around Prague, so this can be an ideal option for you.
Bus
You can technically get to Old Town Square by bus - Staromestske Namesti stop - but we rarely use the bus in the city center. It's just too slow.
Best Places to Stay
If you're wondering where to stay near Prague's Astronomical Clock, you have several options to choose from.
There are tons of hotels around Old Town Square with varying quality and service, so make sure to select the one that suits your budget and preferences.
Keep in mind that this is one of Prague's top locations, and hotels are pricey within this area. If possible, try to book your hotel early to save some money.
Here are the best places to stay near Prague's Astronomical Clock.
Budget | Hostel Franz Kafka - This popular hostel is only a short walk from the metro station and Old Town Square. Apart from its amazing location, the hostel has clean dormitories and private rooms, a shared kitchen, and helpful staff.
Mid-range | Josephine Old Town Square Hotel - Situated 50 meters from the Old Town Square, Josephine Hotel is a great place to stay. It has stylish decor, spacious rooms, helpful staff, and a great breakfast.
Luxury | Four Seasons Hotel Prague - One of Prague's most luxurious hotels is located only a 5-minute walk from the astronomical clock. The 5-star property boasts gorgeous rooms with panoramic views, immaculate service, and a fine-dining restaurant.
Is It Safe to Visit Prague's Astronomical Clock?
The Astronomical Clock in Prague (and the Old Town Square) is generally a very safe place to see.
That said, this is one of those tourist places that the pickpockets target.
When the crowds gather at the base of the clock tower, this is when you really need to stay vigilant.
You can consider keeping your backpack in the front if the crowd is huge and dense.
Also, never leave anything valuable in your pockets.
You will most likely have a camera in your hands, so that's one thing less to worry about.
But your wallet should be safely tucked in the inner pocket of your jacket.
Here you will find helpful tips on staying safe in Prague.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
Is Prague Astronomical Clock Worth Visiting?
The Astronomical Clock is one of Prague's top-rated attractions and is definitely worth seeing.
As you can see, the Astronomical Clock is available from the outside for free, so there's no point in leaving it out of your Prague itinerary.
Some say it's just a clock, and that's more than enough to see it once.
We might be biased, but we believe it's one of the most extraordinary things you can see in Czechia.
If you stay in Prague longer, you might be tempted to see the clock every day. Either way, Orloj is a must-see attraction.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
