Frequently asked questions

How does the ticket work — do I have to visit on a specific date?

No specific date is required. Your Old Town Hall Tower ticket is open-date and valid for any single visit within 30 days of purchase. You pick a planned date at checkout so we can send you weather forecasts and the audio history at the right time, but operationally you can walk up any day within that 30-day window during opening hours (09:00 to 23:00 daily) and the tower will admit you. No specific time slot — show up when convenient.

What's included in the ticket?

Skip-the-line entry to the Old Town Hall Tower — the 42-metre panoramic gallery overlooking Old Town Square and Prague's red-tiled rooftops, plus the platform where you see the working mechanism of the 600-year-old Astronomical Clock from inside. NOT included: the Chapel of the Virgin Mary, the representative halls, and the Romanesque-Gothic underground — those are only accessible as part of a separate guided tour, purchasable on-site at the visitor centre. The Tower ticket does not include use of the lift; visitors climb stairs to the gallery.

What are the opening hours for the Tower and when does the Apostles procession run?

The Tower is open daily 09:00 to 23:00 year-round. The Apostles procession — the moving figures of the twelve apostles that the clock is famous for — runs every hour on the hour from 09:00 to 23:00. The procession is visible from Old Town Square below (free, no ticket needed). Our ticket gives you access to climb INSIDE the tower itself, see the clock mechanism, and look out across Prague from the upper gallery.

Can I change my visit date after booking?

Because your ticket is open-date for 30 days, small plan shifts often don't need any change at all — just visit a different day. If you need to move beyond the 30-day window, email us and we'll exchange the ticket where the operator allows. Most date shifts are handled on your end without contacting us.

What is your refund policy?

All sales are final. The one exception: in the rare event we are unable to secure your tickets from the operator, a full refund is issued within 24 hours. Once tickets are confirmed, the booking stands. Date changes remain free; cancellations for refund are not offered.

How quickly will I receive confirmation?

Confirmed within 2 hours during business hours. You receive a confirmation email with your ticket details and any operator-specific instructions. Delivery is digital, instant, by email. Check your inbox and spam folder; if nothing arrives within the window, contact the concierge line.

Where do I meet, and what does the ticket include?

The tower entrance is on the southern wall of the Old Town Hall in Old Town Square. Your ticket includes access to the tower observation deck, the historical interiors (Gothic chapel, state rooms, Romanesque-Gothic vaults), and views of the astronomical dial and Apostles procession from the square. You may take the elevator or climb the stairs.

Can I book for multiple people in one order?

Yes. Add the total number of visitors during checkout. All tickets arrive together in one confirmation email. Each person in your party uses the same booking reference at the entrance. Group size does not affect the concierge price structure—the all-in rate applies per ticket regardless of party size.

What should I bring with me?

Bring your confirmation email (digital or printed) and photo ID. Comfortable shoes help if you choose the stairs over the elevator. A camera is welcome for the tower views and the astronomical dial. In winter, dress warmly—the tower observation deck is open-air. No large bags; standard day packs are fine.

Is the tower accessible for wheelchair users?

A modern elevator installed in the tower provides wheelchair access to the observation deck. The elevator runs from ground level to the top. The underground vaults and some historical interiors may have steps; confirm specific accessibility needs with the concierge team when booking, and we relay details from the operator.

What is the Apostles procession, and when does it happen?

Every hour from 8 am to 11 pm, twelve wooden Apostle figures parade past the two windows above the astronomical dial, accompanied by a skeleton striking the time and a golden rooster crowing. The show lasts roughly one minute. The figures were restored by Vojtěch Sucharda after World War II damage and returned to operation in 1948.

Can children visit, and is there a minimum age?

Children of all ages are welcome. The hourly Apostles show captivates younger visitors, and the tower views engage older children. Supervise children on the observation deck and stairs. No minimum age restriction applies. The concierge tier covers children at the same per-ticket rate; confirm any child-specific operator policies when you book.

Are photography and video allowed inside?

Yes. Photography and video are permitted throughout the tower, observation deck, and public areas around the astronomical dial. No flash restrictions are mentioned by the operator. Capture the dial's zodiacal ring, the golden Sun hand, and the panoramic Old Town views. Tripods may be restricted in tight interior spaces; handheld shooting works everywhere.

What happens if the weather is bad on my visit day?

The astronomical dial and Apostles procession are outdoors but covered by the tower facade. The observation deck is open-air, so rain or wind affects comfort but not access. The historical interiors (chapel, vaults, state rooms) are fully enclosed. If severe weather closes the site, we rebook you at no charge to another date.

How long should I plan to spend at the Astronomical Clock?

Budget 60–90 minutes. Ten minutes to watch the hourly Apostles show from the square, 20–30 minutes in the tower and on the observation deck, and another 20–30 minutes exploring the chapel and underground vaults. Arrive a few minutes before the hour to secure a good viewing spot for the procession.

What is the history of the clock mechanism?

The mechanical clock and astronomical dial date to 1410, created by horologist Mikuláš of Kadaň and astronomer Jan Šindel. The calendar dial was added around 1490. Wooden Apostle statues arrived in 1629 or 1659. The clock suffered heavy damage during the 1945 Prague Uprising; repairs finished in 1948. The 2018 restoration replaced a 1948 electric mechanism with an original 1860s mechanism.

What does the astronomical dial show?

The dial is a mechanical astrolabe displaying the Sun and Moon's position relative to Earth and the zodiac. A golden Sun icon moves around the zodiacal ring, showing its place on the ecliptic. The blue center represents Earth; blue above is sky above the horizon, red and black below. Golden Roman numerals mark Central European Time; curved lines show unequal hours (1/12 of daylight).