Petrin Tower is a mini copy of the Eiffel Tower (60m high), which was built in 1891 on the occasion of the Jubilee Exhibition. It was renovated and re-opened in 2002. Having been up the "real" thing, the kids really wanted to do this one too, and I do like to keep them happy! Tickets are 50CZK per adult (including up to 3 children under 10 each). There are 299 steps leading up to the top platform. Apparently, taking into account height of the hill, then at the top, you are, in fact, at the same height as the real Eiffel Tower. It certainly felt very high!
The steps up are a fairly tight spiral around the outside of the tower, which can make you feel a little dizzy, what with the views all the way down through the structure and out over the city. I can imagine that it wouldn't be very pleasant with any degree of wind or rain either! However, there's a rail on the tower to cling to and a substantial railing around the outside that stopped me worrying about the kids too much. There are wooden seats every now and then if the steps are proving a little much.
There's a viewing platform about two-third's of the way up where you can take a breather inside and also walk around the observation balcony all the way around outside. At the very top - inside is your only option - which is probably a good thing!
Having been blessed with stunning weather and autumn doing wonderful things to the trees, we had the most amazing views of the city. It was interesting being able to see more over to the west than usual, too. The kids loved pointing things out - and being up so high!
Again, we were here fairly early, so I didn't have to fight our way up or down much, but it being narrow and small, I think it could easily get quite congested.
There's a cafe at the bottom with a terrace and souvenir shop, both of which we skipped by and headed off back down the path towards the castle.