When the apostles appear
The scheduled show runs on the full hour from 08:00 to 23:00. The first show is at 08:00 and the last at 23:00, which makes 16 a day. The clock does not perform through the night. You watch from Old Town Square, and no ticket is needed for the show itself.
A ticket matters only if you want to go inside. The tower and the inside tours have their own hours, and the show runs later than the building is open. The Old Town Hall tickets page explains what each ticket covers, and the tower page has the opening hours.
What happens during the show
The show is short, so look at the right place at the right time.
The apostles in the windows
All 12 apostles appear in the windows above the dial, one after another.
History of the clock →Death and the side figures
Death, the skeleton at the side of the dial, rings its bell. The figures beside the dial move too: the Turk with a lute, the Miser with a purse and a stick, and Vanity with a mirror.
Figures and dials →The windows close, the rooster crows
When the windows have closed, a rooster crows. Then the clock strikes the hour.
The show is short, so plan on a few minutes, not a long performance. Not every figure on the facade is an apostle. The philosopher, the astronomer, the chronicler and the Archangel Michael stand still.
Our pick: a walk that includes the show
Our take: this walk passes the clock, so you can plan it around the hour.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Prague Old Town tours
Old Town walking tours, underground tours and evening tours near the clock, with live prices and availability. Check whether a listing includes entry to the Old Town Hall.
Crowds and where to stand
Groups wait for the show every hour. No spot is guaranteed.
Come early for the show
Look for a place on the square before the hour. The groups gather before each show, so arriving on the dot leaves you at the back.
Come back for the details
The dials are best studied between the shows, when fewer people stand in front. The guide to the dials helps you read them.
Watch your pockets
Crowds are where pickpockets work. Keep valuables zipped and close to your body, and spread cash and cards between pockets.
Try an evening show
Shows continue until 23:00, long after the tower has closed. See the clock at night for how to plan an evening on the square.
Show hours and building hours are different
The show and the building follow separate schedules. In April to December the tower is open from 09:00 to 20:00, and in January to March from 10:00 to 19:00. The show carries on after that. Do not plan to go up the tower after a late show.
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Apostle show | Every hour, 08:00 to 23:00 |
| Tower, January to March | Daily 10:00 to 19:00 |
| Tower, April to December | Daily 09:00 to 20:00 |
For most visitors, the best plan is to watch one show from the square early or late and visit the tower in the middle of the day.
Between shows: what to look at
The upper dial shows the time in several ways at once. The golden hand and the Roman numerals give Central European time. The outer ring of Gothic numerals gives old Bohemian time, and a ball with two colours shows the phase of the Moon. Below it, the calendar dial carries a picture for each month.
Use the quiet minutes after a show to look at these details. The dials are easier to read when fewer people stand in front of them, and the square is calmer in the minutes after the hour. If you want the full explanation, the page on how the clock works goes through each ring.
Restoration announced for 2026
A restoration of eight outer figures of the clock has been announced for 2026. The clock keeps running, but short technical interruptions are possible. Do not count on every figure being in place on your day. Check the current state before you visit.
Related reading: the facts page covers the age and the repairs, and the history page explains why the apostles are not medieval. They burned in 1945 and were replaced in 1948.
Prague Astronomical Clock show times: frequently asked questions
What time does the Prague Astronomical Clock perform?
Every hour on the hour from 08:00 to 23:00. The first show is at 08:00 and the last at 23:00.
Do I need a ticket to watch the show?
No. You watch from Old Town Square. Tickets are for the tower, the Knights' Hall and the inside tours.
How long does the show last?
It is short. Plan to stand on the square for a few minutes around the hour.
Do the figures move at night?
The last scheduled show is at 23:00. After that the clock does not perform until 08:00.
Can the show be cancelled?
Restoration and technical work can change things for a short time. Check the current timetable before you go.
Is pragueastronomicalclock.com the official site of the clock?
No. This is an independent travel guide, with no link to the City of Prague, Prague City Tourism, the Old Town Hall or any tour operator.