Prague Castle is both the seat of the Czech president and an active religious complex with the Archbishop of Prague's cathedral inside it. Security is at airport level at every gate, and several interiors ban photography entirely. The two surprises for first-time visitors are no drones anywhere on the hill and no large bags inside the cathedral. See our visitors guide and accessibility page for related info.

Key rules to know

A short list — the rest is normal etiquette

No flash, no tripods, no drones

Photography without flash is allowed in most interiors, but flash, tripods, selfie sticks and drones are banned everywhere on the castle grounds. Photography is forbidden entirely in the Story of Prague Castle exhibition, the St. Vitus Treasury, the Powder Tower and the Picture Gallery.

Bag size limit

Large backpacks, suitcases and bags wider than roughly 40 cm are not permitted inside St. Vitus Cathedral or the Old Royal Palace. Check them at the free cloakroom in the Second Courtyard before queueing for the interiors.

Security check at every gate

Airport-style security with metal detectors and bag screening at the Matthias Gate, Powder Bridge and Old Castle Steps entrances. Allow 5–10 extra minutes during peak hours (10:30–14:00 in summer), more around the noon guard change when crowds bottleneck at the main gate.

Quiet inside the cathedral

St. Vitus is an active cathedral. Conversation should stay low throughout. During religious services (Sunday mornings, religious feast days), the cathedral is closed to tourists entirely — wait until 12:00 to enter on Sundays.

Rules & Regulations FAQ

Common questions about what is allowed

Why is flash photography forbidden?

The medieval murals in the Basilica of St. George, the painted ceilings in Vladislav Hall and the gilded altars of St. Vitus are extremely sensitive to flash and prolonged direct light. The blanket ban also keeps the galleries flowing smoothly without people stopping to set up shots.

Are sketchbooks allowed?

Yes — pencil sketching is welcome. No pens, paint, ink or pastels in the interiors. The benches in the South Gardens and inside St. Vitus are popular among art students.

What size bag is allowed inside the interiors?

Roughly cabin-bag size (40 cm wide or less). Larger bags, backpacks and any suitcases must be checked in the free cloakroom in the Second Courtyard. There is no separate luggage storage for full suitcases — store those at your hotel or one of the luggage offices at Hlavní nádraží (main station).

Are tripods or selfie sticks permitted?

No — neither is allowed inside the castle complex at any time, including the outdoor courtyards. Drones are also banned across the entire castle area as a no-fly zone.

Can I bring a baby carrier or stroller?

Baby carriers are welcome throughout. Strollers are allowed in the courtyards and outdoor gardens; for narrow interiors (Golden Lane, parts of Daliborka Tower) the cloakroom can store them and offers child slings for free.

Is silence required everywhere?

Low voices in all interiors. St. Vitus Cathedral requires silence — phone calls are not permitted there. The courtyards and Golden Lane are normal-volume spaces.

Can I bring food into the complex?

No food or drink is allowed inside the interiors. Snacks and water bottles are fine in the courtyards and gardens. There are cafés and kiosks throughout the complex — see our food & drinks page.

Is there a dress code?

Modest dress is requested inside St. Vitus Cathedral — shoulders covered, no shorts above the knee. The rest of the complex has no dress code. Comfortable shoes are essential because of the cobblestones.