Astronomical Clock

Dating back to 1410, the Astronomical Clock is one of Prague's most famous monuments, displaying not just the time but the position of the sun and moon.

Known as the Orloj, the Astronomical Clock is mounted on the southern face of the Old Town Hall tower in Prague's emblematic Old Town Square. Installed in 1410, it is the third-oldest astronomical clock in the world and the oldest that is still in operation. Every hour, on the hour, a mechanical procession of the Twelve Apostles emerges from windows above the clock face whilst figures representing Vanity, Greed, Death, and Pagan Invasion perform their symbolic dance below in a truly memorable way to announce the passage of time.

The clock face itself is a remarkable object, displaying not just the time but the position of the sun and moon, the zodiac calendar, and the old Bohemian time system simultaneously. Its intricate design reflects the medieval understanding of astronomy, astrology, and the Christian calendar, combining mechanical ingenuity with artistic symbolism

Nearby Attractions

See all attractions in Prague
Old-New Synagogue
Built in 1270, Europe’s oldest active synagogue holds years of fascinating Jewish history.
Old Town Square
Old Town Square in Prague is one of the most beautiful corners of the city, surrounded by a variety of Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, and Art Nouveau buildings.
Jewish Museum
One of Europe's oldest museums of Jewish culture and heritage, comprising six distinct sites.
Parizska Street
Expensive and exclusive, Parizska is the ultimate luxurious shopping destination.
Church of our Lady before Týn
An iconic feature of the city skyline, this church’s Gothic towers are an incredible spectacle.
Clementinum
An ancient place of learning, Baroque Clementinum is today the Czech national library.

Related Tours

Prague In a Day: Private Full-Day Walking Tour with Prague Castle

Discover the best of Medieval and modern Prague on this full-day private walking tour of the city’s most iconic sites including tickets and a guided tour of the fairytale castle, and a relaxing scenic river cruise along the Vltava at the end of the day.

On your private tour your will:

  •  Discover the fairytale magic of Prague Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to some of the Czech Republic's greatest artistic and cultural treasures;
  •  Explore the rooms of the Old Royal Palace, including the opulent Vladislav Hall;
  • Hear the stories of Prague’s kings and queens, emperors and saints – in particular the Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV;
  • Step inside the resplendent St. George’s Basilica and magnificent St. Vitus Cathedral and see the famous chapel and tomb of Saint Wenceslas – prince and patron saint of Bohemia, assassinated by his own brother in the early middles ages!;
  • Walk along Golden Lane and experience what daily life was like within the castle walls;
  • Enjoy watching the ceremony of the changing of the guard;
  • Exit the castle, walk by Nerudova and the famous John Lennon Wall before crossing Charles Bridge, and take a well-earned lunch break at a delicious local eatery;
  • Spend the afternoon exploring the rest of beautiful Prague, beginning with the historic Jewish Quarter, highlights include the Maisel Synagogue and the Hebrew Clock;
  • See Wenceslas Square, the Old-New Synagogue, and Jerusalem Synagogue;
  • Visit the Old Town Square and see the amazing Astronomical Clock and the Powder Tower;
  • Learn all about the Art Nouveau scene in Prague;
  •  End the tour at the dock where your guide will drop you off for your beautiful river cruise ride.


Prague is the beautiful, fairytale capital city of the Czech Republic, famous for its medieval gothic architecture, colourful baroque buildings, spectacular royal castle, and the River Vltava running through its city centre – the longest river in Bohemia and the lifeblood of the city.

Nicknamed the ‘City of a Hundred Spires’ for its breathtaking beauty, on your day-long private walking tour of Prague, you will explore the city’s iconic highlights, including a fully guided tour of the splendid medieval castle, a UNESCO world heritage site, including St George’s Basilica, and St Vitus Cathedral - with the changing of the guard ceremony in the morning.

After a delicious local lunch, you’ll explore the Old Town, Jewish Quarter and famous monuments – both old and new – including the John Lennon Wall and the astounding medieval Astronomical Clock dating to the 1400s.

You’ll walk through Wenceslas Square, across the old Charles Bridge built in 1402 and lined with Catholic saints, and marvel at the famous Jewish places of worship, including the Maisel, Jerusalem and Old-New Synagogues and the Hebrew Clock.

Your guide will regale you with stories of the rogues and royals of the past, the development of Gothic architecture, the emergence of Art Nouveau and the history of the Jewish community in this fascinating and beautiful city.

At the end of your walking tour, your guide will take you to the river for your relaxing, scenic cruise along the mighty Vltava. 

The Best of Prague: Private Half-Day Walking Tour

Explore the best of Prague and its most popular highlights in just half a day, with a private guide giving you the rich and complex history for which the city is known.

On your private tour, you will: 

  • Take a stroll through Prague's Old Town, a fairytale-like part of town with cobblestone streets and beautiful architecture;
  • See the medieval Astronomical Clock with over 600 years of history and one of the most photographed attractions in the city;
  • Walk across Charles Bridge, the oldest standing over the Vltava river connecting the Old town with Lesser Town;
  • Explore the Jewish Quarter located between the Old Town Square and the Vltava River including the famous Hebrew clock;
  • Discover the Gothic Quarter, known as Lesser Town and Malá Strana with incredible gothic architecture;
  • Learn about the architectural influences behind the iconic medieval Nerudova Street;
  • Finish your tour on Prague Castle’s grounds, a UNESCO World Heritage Site founded in around 880.


See the heart of Prague, Old Town Square, where you will learn about the religious symbolism of the absolutely stunning medieval Astronomical Clock and its long-standing historical influences. Then, your guide will take you wandering through the Old Town, where you will be able to experience what ‘Old Prague’ must have been like 500 years ago.

Be immersed in the layers of history and cultural influences that are around every corner. Your private guide will be more than happy to field any questions you may have on the history of this great city and the changes it saw, set in motion by the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles IV.

Crossing over to the Lesser Quarter of Prague over the Vltava River, your guide will show you the Gothic masterpiece of the Charles Bridge, which dates back to the 14th century. It was key in creating Prague’s New Town area, as it linked the established parts of Prague with new innovation and development.

Looming above the Vltava's left bank, with its many beautiful fairytale-like spires and towers, the stunning Prague Castle is one of the most famous and imposing buildings in Europe.

Within its walls lies a fascinating collection of historic buildings, museums and galleries that are home to some of the Czech Republic's greatest artistic and cultural treasures. For those who book the morning tour, you will have the chance to see the daily changing of the guard, which happens at noon each day. 

In the Footsteps of Franz Kafka: Private Walking Tour in Prague

Franz Kafka is one of the most important writers of the 20th Century, known for his unique blend of realism and fantasy. Kafka was born in Prague in 1883, and his life and work are deeply intertwined with the city’s history and culture. On our insightful private literary tour, you’ll follow in the footsteps of Franz Kafka through the streets of Prague in the company of a local expert well-versed in the visionary author’s oeuvre and connection to the city. From opulent Art-Nouveau cafés and medieval landmarks to striking modern art installations, you’ll discover how Prague shaped Kafka’s life, imagination, and enduring literary legacy.

On your Kafka-themed walking tour, you will:

  • Immerse yourself in Kafka’s life and work while exploring his home city with a local expert guide;
  • Visit Café Savoy, a historic café frequented by intellectuals of Kafka’s era, and enjoy a coffee while getting acquainted with Czech culture at the turn of the century;
  • Stop by the Head of Franz Kafka, the striking kinetic sculpture by Czech artist David Černý, symbolising Kafka’s complex identity;
  • Pass the Generali Insurance Building, where Kafka worked and drew inspiration for the themes of bureaucratic absurdity in works such as The Trial;
  • Explore Prague Old Town, where Kafka lived, studied, and spent much of his life;
  • Admire the iconic Prague Astronomical Clock and, when possible, witness the famous hourly show;
  • See the Statue of Franz Kafka in the Jewish Quarter, a thought-provoking piece inspired by the short story Description of a Struggle;
  • Discover Kafka’s Birthplace and learn about his family and early years;
  • Cross the historic Charles Bridge while discussing Prague during Kafka’s lifetime;
  • Stop at the colourful Lennon Wall, a powerful symbol of freedom of expression;
  • See the provocative Piss Sculpture and hear how it was inspired by themes that frequently appear in Kafka's writing;
  • Conclude outside the Franz Kafka Museum, where you'll receive tickets for a self-guided visit.

Your experience begins at Café Savoy, one of Prague’s most exquisite cafés, established in 1893. After getting acquainted with your guide, a Kafka enthusiast who knows all about the author and the enduring connection to the city, you’ll head inside the Savoy to enjoy a picturesque coffee while learning about Kafka’s life, his literary circle, and the socio-political context of early-20th-century Prague that made it so enticing for artists, writers and intellectuals.

Continuing through the city, you’ll encounter both historic landmarks and contemporary artworks that reflect Kafka’s complex themes. From the rotating Head of Franz Kafka to the Generali Insurance Building where he worked, each stop offers insight into the influences that shaped his writing.

As you reach Prague’s emblematic Astronomical Clock and the charming Old Town Square, your guide will explore Kafka’s upbringing within Prague’s German-speaking Jewish community and the cultural tensions that influenced his worldview. You’ll also visit his birthplace on the fringes of the Old Jewish quarter and discover how the city’s layered identity shaped his imagination.

Crossing Charles Bridge into the Lesser Town, you’ll experience another side of Prague, stopping at the famous Lennon Wall, which became a powerful symbol of artistic resistance against the Communist regime across the 1980s, before making your way to the Franz Kafka Museum, where another of David Černý’s provocative sculptures sits outside. The polarising ‘Piss’ sculpture depicts 2 male figures urinating into a pond designed in the shape of the Czech Republic, and is very much reminiscent of Kafka’s surreal and absurd themes, making it a thought-provoking prelude to the museum itself.

Your tour concludes here, where your guide will provide final insights into Kafka’s life and literary legacy before giving you pre-arranged museum tickets to explore its collection of photographs, manuscripts and other historical documents independently. This fascinating route is an ideal way to see Prague through Kafka’s eyes, getting a feel for how the city shaped his work and how his stories have immortalised the city on the world stage.

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