The Royal Route: Old Town to Prague Castle
The Royal Route is the path Bohemian kings walked to their coronations, and it remains Prague's most spectacular walk. It begins at the Gothic Powder Tower, crosses Old Town Square beneath the Astronomical Clock, passes between the statues of the 14th-century Charles Bridge over the Vltava, and climbs through the Baroque lanes of Malá Strana to the largest ancient castle complex in the world. From the castle courtyard, the city of a hundred spires lies at your feet.
- Distance
- 3.4 km
- Estimated Time
- ~120 minutes
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Stops
- 5
- Route Type
- Linear
Stops on the Route
-
Powder Tower
The Gothic city gate of 1475; the official start of the Royal Route.
-
Old Town Square & Astronomical Clock
The Astronomical Clock has run since 1410 and parades its figures every hour.
-
Charles Bridge
The stone bridge founded in 1357, lined with 30 Baroque statues; the heart of the city.
-
Malá Strana Square
The historic square beneath the castle hill, dominated by the Baroque St. Nicholas Church.
-
Prague Castle & St. Vitus Cathedral
The largest ancient castle complex in the world; the cathedral spires are visible citywide.
Getting There
Start from Náměstí Republiky metro station (line B) next to the Powder Tower. Tram 22 runs back down from the castle.
Open the Route on the MapThe interactive map, elevation profile and step-by-step tracking are free in the WalkPaths app.
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