Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Choosing a concert and programme
What makes concerts at St. Nicholas Church special?
Unlike most other churches in Prague, St. Nicholas Church on the Old Town Square has a unique layout with a round central dome directly above the middle of the church. Together with the huge crystal chandelier and rich Baroque interior, it creates exceptional natural acoustics with a long reverberation.
Here, you can not only hear classical music – you can truly experience it. Even modern concert halls with advanced technology can hardly reproduce this kind of sound.
What will I see and hear during the concert?
Our concerts feature professional musicians, soloists and members of the National Theatre, State Opera, Czech Philharmonic and other leading orchestras and music ensembles.
The musicians perform from different places in the church – by the organ, from the balcony and directly in front of the audience.
This is not by chance. The different locations make use of the church’s unique acoustics and allow the music to come from different parts of the space. This changes both the sound and the whole listening experience, even though you may not see every musician during the entire concert.
The programme depends on the concert and may include strings, wind instruments, piano, solo or choir singing, and the gentle or majestic sound of the large pipe organ.
Who are the concerts suitable for?
The concerts are suitable for couples, families and individual visitors of all ages. They can be enjoyed by people who do not usually listen to classical music, as well as experienced listeners and true classical music lovers. Even sitting under the huge crystal chandelier shaped like an imperial crown while listening to live music is an experience you will hardly find anywhere else.
The concerts are also suitable for groups, travel agencies and event agencies looking for an original cultural experience for their clients in the centre of Prague. The combination of a unique historic place, exceptional acoustics and live music is a choice that is hard to go wrong with.
How long is the concert?
The concert lasts 60 minutes without an intermission.
Can children attend the concert?
Yes. Children up to 10 years old are free. Children aged 11–14 pay 100 CZK. See the current ticket prices.
Tickets and booking
Where can I buy tickets?
You can buy tickets online on our website, in person at the church box office on the day of the concert, at regular ticket sales points or at the reception desks of selected hotels.
VIP tickets are available only at the church box office.
How much do concert tickets cost?
Standard tickets cost between 300 and 600 CZK, depending on the type of concert and ticket category. Reduced prices are available for children and groups.
A private balcony for 2–6 guests costs 1,500 CZK per person.
For online purchases, the ticketing system adds a standard service fee. There is no service fee when you buy tickets at the church box office.
See the current ticket prices.
By buying a ticket, you also help support the maintenance and operation of this historic Prague landmark.
Is it safe to buy tickets online?
Yes. Online ticket sales are processed through the secure GoOut ticketing system in two simple steps. You can pay by standard payment card and receive your electronic ticket immediately after completing the purchase.
How does the online booking process work?
Choose your concert, ticket category and number of tickets. Then pay online by card. You will receive your electronic ticket immediately after completing the purchase.
Do I need to print my online ticket, or can I show it on my phone?
A printed ticket can make entry faster, but it is not required. You can also show your ticket on your mobile phone.
Can I return an unused ticket?
Unused tickets normally cannot be returned or exchanged. Exceptions apply if the concert is cancelled or if another change is made by the organiser.
Venue and directions
Where do the concerts take place?
The concerts take place at St. Nicholas Church on the Old Town Square in Prague 1, just a few steps from the Astronomical Clock.
Please note: there is more than one St. Nicholas Church in Prague. Make sure you are going to St. Nicholas Church on the Old Town Square, not the church in the Lesser Town.
How do I get to St. Nicholas Church on the Old Town Square?
The church stands directly on the Old Town Square, at the corner of Pařížská Street, just a few steps from the Astronomical Clock. The easiest way is to walk from the city centre or use public transport to the Old Town area.
Nearest metro and tram stop: Staroměstská (Metro A).
Are there several St. Nicholas churches in Prague? What if I go to the wrong one?
Yes. There is more than one St. Nicholas Church in Prague, so please check before you leave that you are going to St. Nicholas Church on the Old Town Square, not the church in the Lesser Town.
Check the location in Google Maps.
If you still arrive at the wrong church, do not worry. Prague’s historic centre is quite small, and in many cases you can still reach the correct church in time. Late entry is normally possible up to 15 minutes after the concert starts.
Is the church also open to the public for free?
Yes. St. Nicholas Church on the Old Town Square is open to the public free of charge during its regular opening hours. During concerts, entry to the concert area is only possible with a valid ticket.
Arrival, seating and the concert
When should I arrive for the concert?
Seats are not numbered. Visitors choose from the available seats when they arrive. The church opens 30 minutes before the concert, so we recommend arriving early.
What if I arrive late?
Late entry is possible no later than 15 minutes after the concert starts. After this time, entry is no longer possible and the ticket is no longer valid.
What if I need to leave the concert early?
If you need to leave early, you can quietly use the rear exit at any time so that you disturb other guests as little as possible. The church is monitored by security cameras during the concert.
However, we recommend staying until the end, as the final part of the concert is an important part of the complete musical and acoustic experience.
What does free seating mean?
Seats are not numbered. When you arrive, you choose any available seat.
Can I reserve a specific seat?
Standard seats cannot be reserved in advance. The exceptions are VIP seats on the private balcony and front-row seats, which are available for an extra charge only at the church box office.
Where are the best seats?
For the best acoustics, we recommend the wooden pews in the centre of the church. However, when listening to the music, you will hardly notice a difference compared with the additional chairs.
At most organ concerts, the musicians perform from different parts of the church, so you do not need to choose your seat only according to the view. Seats are not numbered, so we recommend arriving early and choosing an available seat that suits you best.
If you prefer more privacy and a view from above, you can choose the VIP balcony. Opera glasses are available there, so you can look closely at the frescoes, details of the church interior and the musicians. Front-row seats are also available at the box office for an extra charge.
Are VIP seats available?
Yes. A VIP ticket includes a private balcony for 2–6 guests. The whole balcony is reserved only for your group. The price is 1,500 CZK per person.
You will also receive opera glasses, a printed programme, champagne, water, a small refreshment and a digital souvenir that you can keep on your phone. VIP tickets are available only at the church box office.
Where is the organ, and why can I not always see the musicians during the whole concert?
The large pipe organ is located on the organ gallery high above the main part of the church. During organ concerts, part of the programme naturally takes place there, so the musicians may not always be directly visible.
This is not a disadvantage or an accident. At most concerts, the musicians are intentionally placed in different parts of the church – by the organ, on the side balcony and downstairs in front of the audience. Each position uses the church acoustics in a different way. The sound comes from different directions, changes during the concert and fills the whole church with its long natural reverberation.
For this reason, we recommend not only watching the concert, but above all listening to it. The position of the musicians is part of the unique acoustic experience of St. Nicholas Church.
What should I wear to the concert?
There is no dress code. We recommend comfortable, neat smart-casual clothing.
When entering the church, it is polite to remove hats and caps.
Practical information
Are there toilets in the church?
No. This historic church does not have toilets, so please keep this in mind before the concert starts. Public toilets are available nearby on the Old Town Square.
Is the church wheelchair accessible?
The church does not have step-free access. There are several steps at the entrances, but church staff can help with the wheelchair and the steps if arranged in advance.
Strollers must also be carried up the steps. During the concert, they can be left in a designated area inside the church.
The VIP balcony is reached by additional stairs, so it is not suitable for wheelchair users, visitors with significantly reduced mobility or visitors with strollers.
Is the church heated or air-conditioned?
The church does not have standard heating or air conditioning. In summer, however, it naturally stays pleasantly cool, which many visitors appreciate on hot days.
In winter, the wooden pews are heated during concerts and services, and warm blankets are available free of charge.
Can I bring water or other food and drinks?
You may bring only water in a closed bottle. Entry to the church or concert is not possible with other drinks or food.
What if I have a large bag, stroller or other bulky item?
After speaking to the church staff, larger bags, strollers and other bulky items can be left in a designated area inside the church during the concert.
Is a printed concert programme available?
Yes. A printed concert programme in English is available free of charge.
Do you still have a question?
Did you not find the answer you were looking for? Send us a message through our contact form.
For urgent questions, please use the phone numbers listed on our contact page.