How to Beat the Crowds at the Prague Astronomical Clock
The hourly show is free to watch from the square, but crowds gather 10-15 minutes before each hour from mid-morning. For a calmer view, watch the 9 pm or 10 pm show. To climb the Old Town Hall tower, go in the first hour after opening, when the box office gives 50% off and the queue is short.
- Hourly show
- Free, about 45 seconds, 9 am to 11 pm
- Tower ticket
- About 350 CZK adults, half price in the first hour
- Lift
- Partly by lift, partly by stairs
- Best show
- 9 pm or 10 pm, the smallest crowds
- Best time for the tower
- First hour after opening, or after 5 pm
- Busiest
- Midday in summer, and the 10 minutes before each daytime hour
- Time to allow
- 45 minutes to 1 hour with the tower
How busy is the Astronomical Clock?
The Orloj, built in 1410, is the oldest working astronomical clock in the world. Every hour, the apostles appear in the windows above the dial, and the square below fills with people for a show that lasts under a minute. The tower ticket office gets long queues at midday in summer, and the viewing gallery at the top is narrow.
Before you go, check how busy the Astronomical Clock is likely to be. BeatTheCrowd shows the live crowd level and an hourly forecast for any date, adjusted for Czech holidays, school breaks and weather.
Check today’s crowds at Prague Astronomical Clock →