The Royal steps, Prague, Visitor Guide & Things to Do Nearby

The Royal Steps, also known as the Castle Steps (Zámecké schody), are a public stairway in Malá Strana, the Lesser Town of Prague. They link the streets below with Prague Castle above, which was the seat of Czech kings and is now home to the Czech president. The climb is short, free to walk and rewarded with changing views over the city.

The story behind it

Prague Castle has crowned the hill above the Vltava for centuries, and the Lesser Town spreads out at its foot. The steps tie the two together, so anyone going up from the town to the castle gate follows a route that has long made sense for people heading to the seat of power. Today the castle is the residence of the Czech president, so the stairs still lead to a working centre of state.

Walking up gives you the same slow reveal that makes the approach to the castle so memorable. The busy streets fall away behind you, the walls and gates grow closer, and each landing opens a slightly wider view of Prague.

What to look for

• Look back over your shoulder as you climb, because the red rooftops of Malá Strana open up a little more at every turn.
• Watch for glimpses of the Vltava and the bridges beyond the rooftops, which are best seen from the higher landings.
• Notice the towers and domes of the Lesser Town churches rising above the roofline below you.
• Pay attention to the castle walls and gateways as they draw closer, a reminder of how much the site dominates the hillside.

Tips for your visit

• Allow about 15 to 30 minutes, more if you stop at each landing for photographs and the view.
• Go in the morning for fewer people on the stairs, or late in the afternoon for softer light over the rooftops.
• The steps are an open-air public stairway, so you do not need a ticket to climb them. Entry to buildings inside the castle is separate, so check current opening hours and access rules.
• Wear comfortable shoes with good grip, and combine the climb with a wander through the Lesser Town streets below or the castle grounds at the top.

See it on a quest

The steps are one stop on Save the Emperor: The Alchemy Mission, Prague, a self-guided walk through the area with an alchemy theme. You reach the stairs on foot as part of a longer route, the app tells you about the place as you arrive, and you solve a puzzle based on what is in front of you. Start whenever you like, with no guide and no group to join. One ticket covers the whole group.