Are you on vacation in the Czech capital and have you heard about Prague’s famous Golden Lane? In this post let’s find out together the details and useful information about visiting the Golden Lane. We will find out what the hours are, the tickets, where exactly it is located the directions to get there, and we will also talk about what to visit and what are the legends surrounding this magical landscape that seems almost straight out of a fairy tale.
Are you ready? Let’s get started
“Skip the Line” Tickets at Prague Castle
Gain access to Prague Castle and its interior by skipping the line at the ticket office and listen to a brief introduction at the meeting point.
You can cancel your visit up to the day before.
Golden Lane Prague: description
The Golden Lane (Zlatá Ulička Prague) is one of the most popular streets for tourists who decide to visit Prague.
It in fact leads to the Prague Castle and has a quaint and striking appearance, to say the least.
The alley consists of a long series of small Mannerist-style houses dating back to the late 1500s.
The original plan was for these lodgings to be used by the royal guards and their families, however they were mainly occupied by goldsmiths (hence the name of the street). Franz Kafka also lived in these houses in more recent times.
Golden Lane Prague: legend and history
Photo by Felix Mittermeier on Unsplash
According to legend, several alchemists also found a home in this alley, engaged in extracting gold from iron, discovering the secret of the philosopher’s stone and, above all, finding a potion that could guarantee a long life expectancy for the king.
The Golden Lane is in fact also known as Alchemists’ Street.
This popular rumor draws from King Rudolf II’s proclaimed passion for such ancient science.
The ruler, in fact, often surrounded himself with alchemists, magicians and esoteric experts because he was strongly attracted to the world of the occult and what we would today call chemistry.
Lending credence to the legend was perhaps the appearance of these houses all characterized by something magical and enchanted.
The buildings are in fact very small, leaning in and having doors and windows undersized for the average man’s stature.
It seems that King Rudolph ordered this small village to be built in this way so that he could make better use of the space and to accommodate as many archers first and alchemists later as possible. The visitor passing through here, however, almost has the impression of crossing a street populated by children or gnomes.
This architecture apparently was indigestible instead to the nuns of the nearby Convent of St. George.
The sisters therefore asked Queen Maria Theresa to intervene in this regard.
All those who resided at the time (‘600) in the alley were then forced to restore their houses and paint the walls in cheerful, bright tones.
Many were even asked to abandon their homes.
During the 19th century, however, the street was often inhabited by artists and men of letters of a certain caliber.
Only in the middle of the last century was it finally considered to implement a forced restoration of the houses in the alley, which took on its current appearance.
What to see in Prague’s Golden Lane
Photo by Rocío Perera on Unsplash
Any self-respecting guidebook would include the Golden Lane in the roster. This is because, in addition to the history and legends that distinguish this portion of the country, it is interesting to admire some of the buildings that stand here and that have much to tell us.
Let’s see together what to see in the Golden Lane on this guided tour.
The entrance to the alley: the White Tower
The White Tower stands at the entrance to the alley.
The structure originally had a purely defensive function, but nowadays it is used for quite different activities.
In fact, original medieval weapons and some valuable reproductions that can be freely purchased are on display here.
Finally, there is no shortage of a small souvenir store.
A corridor unravels from the White Tower, overlooking the houses and once feverishly traversed by the archers who guarded and protected the castle.
Number 14: the house of the fortune teller
Madame de Thebes lived right here: at number 14 in the Golden Lane.
The woman was perhaps the best known and most appreciated fortune teller in all of Prague.
When her pharmacist husband died, the poor woman waited for about thirty years for the return of her son, who was called to arms in World War I.
Meanwhile she bided her time by answering questions posed to her by curious people from all over the world who wanted to know their future.
The woman is said to have been able to prophesy the outcome of World War II.
The Nazis, given up as losers by the sorceress, sent a small squad of Gestapo soldiers to Madame de Thebes’ door. The woman was tortured and eventually killed by them.
Number 19: the director’s house
Number 19 in the Golden Lane is occupied by the director’s house.
This is where Joseph Kazda lived, and an important film library can be admired here today.
There is also a small projection room and an unpretentious kitchenette. The director’s love of films and the world of cinema in general led him to collect films and movie posters.
Many of them would not have come down to us without his meticulous care and attention.
Number 22: Kafka’s house
At number 22 lived Franz Kafka instead.
The writer, who resided here from 1916 to 1917, shared the house with his sister.
The house is distinguished from the others by thepale blue of its exterior walls.
The building currently has been converted into a small bookstore specializing, of course, in the sale of Kafka’s writings.
The exit from the alley: the Dalibor Tower
Upon reaching the end of the Golden Alley one comes across Dalibor’s Tower.
Dalibor was a champion defender of the rights of the lower classes, peasants above all.
His ideals made him an uncomfortable figure for institutional power and earned him imprisonment in the tower.
In the years leading up to his execution, he learned to play the violin.
He practiced often, and every day the nearby castle and the surrounding village were joined by his melodies.
Since the commoners were not slow to make Dalibor a hero, the institutions did not want to tell anyone what date was chosen for his execution.
Prague realized that it had lost one of its most beloved champions of civil rights only when the notes of his violin no longer echoed in the air.
To this day, a number of ancient torture instruments are preserved in the tower. Also still present is the trapdoor through which prisoners forced into long and unbearable starvation passed between the walls of Dalibor’s Tower.
Prague’s Golden Lane: useful information
Ticket prices for Prague’s Golden Lane
A visit to the Golden Lane is included in the ticket for the Prague Castle tour itinerary.
After closing time, admission is free but without the opportunity to visit the interiors of the small houses.
“Skip the Line” Tickets at Prague Castle
Access Prague Castle and Golden Lane by skipping the line at the ticket office and listen to a brief introduction at the meeting point.
You can cancel your visit up to the day before.
Tickets for Prague Castle: 2.5-hour guided tour
Join a guided tour of this fairytale castle with a professional guide. Discover the history and mysteries behind the castle and visit St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, St. George’s Basilica, and the Golden Lane.
You can cancel your visit up to the day before
Prague Card: purchase the official tourist card of Prague
Buy the official Prague Tourist Card and access over 60 attractions for free or at a discounted price.
Golden Lane Opening Hours
The Little Houses of the Golden Lane are open daily:
- april through October: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m
- november through March: 09 a.m. to 4 p.m
After closing hours, it is possible to visit the Golden Alley but there is no opportunity to enter the little houses.
| Month | Opening days | Opening hours | Closing hours |
| January | Daily | 09:00 | 16:00 |
| February | monday to Sunday | 09:00 | 16:00 |
| March | monday to Sunday | 09:00 | 16:00 |
| April | monday to Sunday | 09:00 | 17:00 |
| May | monday to Sunday | 09:00 | 17:00 |
| June | monday to Sunday | 09:00 | 17:00 |
| July | monday to Sunday | 09:00 | 17:00 |
| August | monday to Sunday | 09:00 | 17:00 |
| September | monday to Sunday | 09:00 | 17:00 |
| October | monday to Sunday | 09:00 | 17:00 |
| November | monday to Sunday | 10:00 | 16:00 |
| December | monday to Sunday | 10:00 | 16:00 |
Length of visit
How long does the visit to the Golden Lanetake? It takes at least 2-3 hours to visit Prague Castle and the Golden Alley. If you want to visit only in the alley by entering the different small houses along the way, however, plan at least 1 hour.
Golden Alley Prague: where it is located and how to get there
The Golden Alley is located in the Prague Castle complex. Getting to the alley is very easy. You can get off at the Pražský hrad streetcar stop (lines: 22, 23, 41) and walk a few minutes from there.
Prague Golden Lane: frequently asked questions
The name of the Alley comes from the goldsmiths who lived in the little houses inside it (as you can see in house #15). In the 16th century it was called “Goldsmiths’ Alley,” which later changed to the current “Golden Lane”.
The area where all the colorful houses in Prague are found is known as Golden Lane. This narrow street between the Bílá Tower and the Daliborka Tower is lined with colorful houses that look like something out of a fairy tale. These houses were integrated into the castle fortifications around the end of the 16th century and were occupied until World War II.
In the Prague Castle complex we recommend you visit the Golden Lane (Zlata Ulicka Prague), a 100-meter-long narrow street with colorful little houses that look like something out of a fairy tale.
Yes. If you are planning a visit to Prague, you absolutely cannot miss this magical street. It is very interesting to admire all these tiny houses, which almost feels like going back in time. But be careful, if you decide to visit it during peak hours, be aware that it becomes easy to run into a large amount of tourists visiting the Alley.
The Golden Lane is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (November to March) and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (April to October). After these hours, it is possible to enter the alley but all the little houses (and related exhibits and displays) will be closed.
Definitely early morning (at 9 a.m.) or mid-afternoon (3 p.m. onwards). Avoid lunchtime: the 12-15 slot is undoubtedly the busiest.
Approximately one hour. The Alley has a total length of about 100 meters. Although it seems like a short distance, as you walk down the street you have the opportunity to enter many of the little houses along the way, so you will necessarily have to put in quite a long time to visit everything.
A visit to the Golden Alley is included in the Prague Castle tour ticket. However, you can enter the Golden Lane for free only after 4 p.m. (November through March) and after 5 p.m. (April through October). However, by entering for free you will only get a preview of the alley, because during these times the little houses are closed, as are the exhibitions.
You can purchase tickets for Prague Castle and Golden Lane by clicking here. If you wish to visit more attractions instead, you may decide to purchase the Prague Card, which entitles you to free and discounted admission to several sights in the Czech capital.
Yes. Between 1916 and 1917 Franz Kafka lived in his sister’s residence on this street. It was here that he wrote the series of short stories entitled A Country Doctor. Kafka’s former home in Prague is located at 22 Golden Lane.
“Skip the Line” Tickets at Prague Castle
Gain access to Prague Castle and its interior by skipping the line at the ticket office and listen to a brief introduction at the meeting point.
You can cancel your visit up to the day before.
