Quick Picks for Your Vysehrad Visit

If you are short on time, use these quick picks. They help you focus on the best parts of the fortress. You can find more details on the Prague official tourism portal for current events.

• Best Overall: The Casemates and Gorlice Hall tour.
• Best for Families: Vysehrad Gardens and the playground.
• Best Free Activity: Walking the fortress ramparts for river views.
• Best Rainy-Day: The Brick Gate exhibition and underground tunnels.

12 Best Things to Do When Visiting Vysehrad Fortress Casemates

Exploring the fortress requires a mix of walking and guided tours. Most visitors spend about three to four hours here. Here are the top 12 things to see and do.

1. Name: Gorlice Hall Type: Museum Why go: See the original Baroque statues from Charles Bridge. Best for: Art lovers. Where: Inside the casemates. Time: 30 minutes. Cost: Included in casemates ticket. Tip: Check out the Gorlice Hall statues tour for deep history.
2. Name: The Casemates Type: Experience Why go: Walk through 17th-century narrow military tunnels. Best for: History buffs. Where: Entrance at the Brick Gate. Time: 45 minutes. Cost: Moderate. Tip: These are the hidden underground passages you cannot miss.
3. Name: Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul Type: Iconic sight Why go: Admire the stunning Neo-Gothic twin spires and interior murals. Best for: Architecture fans. Where: Center of the fortress. Time: 30 minutes. Cost: Small entry fee. Tip: Look for the Art Nouveau details inside.
4. Name: Vysehrad Cemetery Type: Sight Why go: Visit the graves of famous Czechs like Antonin Dvorak. Best for: Culture seekers. Where: Next to the Basilica. Time: 45 minutes. Cost: Free. Tip: Use a Vysehrad cemetery map to find specific graves.
5. Name: The Ramparts Viewpoint Type: Viewpoint Why go: Get the best views of the Vltava River and Prague bridges. Best for: Photographers. Where: Along the fortress walls. Time: 1 hour. Cost: Free. Tip: Go at sunset for incredible golden hour photos.
6. Name: Rotunda of St. Martin Type: History Why go: See the oldest surviving building in Prague from the 11th century. Best for: History enthusiasts. Where: Near the Leopold Gate. Time: 10 minutes. Cost: View from outside only. Tip: Look for the cannonball embedded in the wall.
7. Name: Libuse’s Bath Type: Ruins Why go: Explore the ruins associated with the legendary Princess Libuse. Best for: Legend hunters. Where: On the rocky cliff over the river. Time: 20 minutes. Cost: Free. Tip: This is a great spot for dramatic cliffside views.
8. Name: The Brick Gate Type: Museum Why go: Learn about the fortress history through a 3D model and film. Best for: First-time visitors. Where: Northern entrance. Time: 20 minutes. Cost: Included in casemates ticket. Tip: This is the meeting point for the casemates tour.
9. Name: Leopold Gate Type: History Why go: Walk through a beautiful Baroque gate built in the 1600s. Best for: Sightseeing. Where: Main road into the fortress. Time: 5 minutes. Cost: Free. Tip: It is the most ornate gate in the complex.
10. Name: Vysehrad Gardens Type: Nature Why go: Relax in the manicured lawns and see large statues of Czech heroes. Best for: Families. Where: Behind the Basilica. Time: 30 minutes. Cost: Free. Tip: Perfect for a picnic on a sunny day.
11. Name: Karlstejn Castle Type: Day trip Why go: Visit a massive Gothic castle founded by Charles IV. Best for: Day trippers. Where: 40 minutes by train from Prague. Time: 5-6 hours. Cost: Moderate. Tip: Book your tour tickets in advance online.
12. Name: Sedlec Ossuary Type: Day trip Why go: See a chapel decorated with the bones of 40,000 people. Best for: Unique experiences. Where: Kutna Hora. Time: Full day. Cost: Moderate. Tip: Take a Sedlec Ossuary day trip from Prague main station.

Planning Your Trip to Vysehrad in 2026

Visiting Vysehrad fortress casemates is easy with public transport. Take the Metro Line C to the Vysehrad station. From there, it is a short, flat walk to the gates. You can also take trams 17 or 3 to the Vyton stop.

The fortress is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is open year-round, but the casemates have specific tour times. Tours usually run every hour. Check the official website for the latest 2026 schedule before you go.

If you enjoy underground history, consider other tours too. You might like nuclear bunker tours in Prague for a different perspective. These sites show the city's complex 20th-century history.

What to Know Before Visiting Vysehrad Fortress Casemates

The casemates are cool and damp even in summer. Bring a light jacket for the tour. The floors can be uneven and dusty. Wear comfortable walking shoes to stay safe during the walk.

Most of the fortress area is accessible for strollers. However, the casemates have narrow paths and some stairs. If you have mobility issues, the Basilica and gardens are easier to visit. There are several cafes near the Basilica for a break.

Photography is allowed in most areas. In Gorlice Hall, you can take photos without a flash. This protects the original statues from damage. Respect the quiet atmosphere of the cemetery during your visit.