Czech Opening Hours

Before you travel to the Czech Republic, it is important to know opening hours so that you can accurately and plan your vacation. Certain stores and other sight seeing venues operate on a conservative time schedule. Below is a list of typical opening hours for stores, galleries, museums, monasteries, cathedrals, and castles that Czech tourist will want to check out.

Stores

Stores and merchants in the Czech Republic typically are open Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm. There are some shops that are open later, and most supermarkets are now 24/7. Smaller shops and places of business close for lunch for an hour or so; typically they take a lunch break sometime between noon and 2pm. In the larger towns of the Czech Republic, shops and stores stay open all day Saturday and Sunday.

Castles and Monasteries

The standard opening hours for castles and monasteries in the Czech Republic are typically Tuesday through Sunday, and are open from 9am-noon and then again from 2pm-5pm in the afternoon. Depending upon the attraction, openings can be restricted to weekend and holidays during the months of April, May, June, July, August, September, and October. There are even places that will close down completely between April and October.

Opening Hours of Museums

Inside of Prague, the main museums are typically open Tuesday through Sunday 10am-6pm, but there are some exceptions. Whatever the time of year, if you want to see the interior of a building, nine times out of ten you'll be forced to go on a guided tour that will last at least 45 minutes. The last tour of the day usually leaves an hour before the advertised closing time, so make sure to get there in time.

National Holidays

It goes without saying that castles, museums, galleries, and monasteries are closed for national public holidays. These Public holidays are January 1st, Easter Monday, May 1, Liberation Day (May 8), July 5 which is the day saints Cyril and Methodius introduced Christianity into the Czech Lands, July 6 which is the anniversary of the martyrdom of Jan Hus, Sept 28 which is the Czech State day, October 28 which is the anniversary of the Foundation of the Republic, November 17 which commemorates The Battle for Freedom and Democracy, and Dec 24, 25 and 26 for Christmas. If you are travelling to the Czech Republic during any of these holiday be aware that site-seeing attractions with be limited by the holiday.

To be on the safe side, check the phone book for contact information of museums, galleries, castles, and cathedrals that you plan on visiting. You can always call and verify what their hours of operations. By double-checking, you can schedule all the attractions you want to see without any problems.