Best Times: Early morning (8-9 AM) once ticketed areas open, or late afternoon (4-5 PM). While castle grounds are accessible earlier for free exploration, the main attractions require tickets starting at 9 AM. Avoid 11 AM-2 PM crush when tour buses arrive from Vienna and Budapest.

Essential Areas: St. Vitus Cathedral (Gothic architecture), Old Royal Palace (medieval halls), Golden Lane (reconstructed medieval street). Skip the modern galleries unless you're specifically interested in contemporary Czech art.

Time Required: 2-3 hours for highlights with a comfortable pace. Unlike Versailles or Windsor, Prague Castle is actually multiple buildings and courtyards - not a single palace tour.

Tickets: Circuit A covers all major areas. Circuit B skips modern galleries but includes cathedral and palace. Buy online to skip ticket lines.

Pro tip: Gardens close 30 minutes before castle areas but offer excellent city views and are often overlooked by rushed visitors.