The basic opening hours for castles and monasteries are Tues-Sun 9am-noon, & 2-5pm; opening is often restricted to weekends and holidays in April and October; and most close for the rest of the year. In Prague the main museums open Tues-Sun 10am-6pm, though there are 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. Ask for an anglicky text, an often unintentionally hilarious English resume. Entrance tickets rarely cost more than 50-250kc, so prices are not quoted in the text except where the entrance fee is prohibitive; the last tour usually leaves an hour before the advertised closing time.

Public holidays include Jan 1; Easter Monday; May 1; May 8 (Liberation day in 1945); July 5 (the day saints Cyril and Methodius introduced Christianity into the Czech Lands); July 6 (the anniversary of the martyrdom of Jan Hus); Sept 28 (Czech State day); Oct 28 (the anniversary of the Foundation of the Republic); Nov 17 (The Battle for Freedom and Democracy Day); Dec 24, 25 and 26.