Prague Castle welcomes record nine million visitors as access expands

Prague Castle welcomed a record nine million visitors last year, with the historic landmark seeing growing interest from both international tourists and Czech residents, according to a new report from the Presidential Office.

The number of visitors was 700,000 higher than in 2024 and two million above the figure recorded in 2023. At the same time, Czech authorities increased spending on repairs and renovations across the castle complex, which remains one of the country’s most visited cultural sites.

One of the biggest changes was the removal of the blanket security checks introduced under former president Miloš Zeman that had long created queues at castle entrances. The former system of metal detectors was replaced with retractable security barriers designed to keep the area more open while maintaining safety.

Annual spending on Prague Castle repairs has increased significantly over the past three years, rising from CZK 82 million to CZK 344 million, according to the report published Wednesday.

Presidential Office head Milan Vašina said the goal has been to treat the castle not only as a state institution but also as a public space. “We view Prague Castle as a public space, and that is why we have approached it as such,” Vašina said.

The increased investment has supported a range of restoration projects, including the reconstruction of the Institute of Noblewomen and ongoing work at St. Vitus Cathedral. Authorities have also opened previously restricted areas to visitors, including the Hartig Garden.

A total of more than 1,800 contracts worth CZK 600 million have been signed for repairs and investment projects over the past three years, according to the report.

While Prague Castle remains a major destination for foreign visitors, the number of Czech visitors has also increased. A survey conducted in autumn 2025 found that 77 percent of visitors were from abroad, while 23 percent were Czech residents.

Paid tours of the castle’s historic circuits also reached a new record last year, with 2.7 million people purchasing tickets. The figure surpassed the previous record set in 2019, when nearly 2.6 million visitors took part in paid tours before the pandemic.

The report also highlighted efforts to improve the visitor experience, including the opening of a new souvenir shop featuring products from Czech designers and manufacturers. Officials said the move is intended to provide better oversight of merchandise sold at the castle.

Beyond renovations, Prague Castle hosted 25 exhibitions featuring Czech and international artists over the past three years, along with hundreds of lectures, guided tours, and educational programs.

The Presidential Office report was released as a midterm summary of President Petr Pavel’s five-year term, which began in March 2023. Pavel has previously been cautious about whether he would seek another term, but recently said political disagreements with the government have influenced his thinking about a possible 2028 re-election campaign.