You won’t exactly have a hard time finding beautiful cities and towns in the Czech Republic. But possibly one of the best places to visit in the Czech Republic is the scenic town of Český Krumlov in the south. This Bohemian town alongside the Vltava River is a delight to walk through, its historic splendor making it feel like a stroll into the past.
If this is your first trip to Český Krumlov, you’ll want it to be a memorable one! Read up on the most important tips for traveling to Český Krumlov before you head out the door. Without wasting any more time, let’s cover why and how you should visit this stunning and historic Czech town.
Brief Background on Český Krumlov
While Český Krumlov travel tips are the main priority here, it may be useful to touch on the history of this town and why it’s such a special experience to travel to Český Krumlov. UNESCO named the small town a World Heritage Site in 1992 because, despite its modest size and population, Český Krumlov is a perfect example of an intact medieval town with a completely preserved castle.
The town first sprung up after the castle was built on the Vltava in the 13th century. Despite the chaos that has swept through that part of Europe repeatedly throughout history, Český Krumlov has remained largely pristine. This means that the town is not just picturesque thanks to its river and surrounding landscape, but also home to beautiful Renaissance, Gothic, and Baroque architecture. With a castle on the hill and medieval streets, Český Krumlov is a fairy-tale town come to life.
Best Time to Visit Český Krumlov
One of the great things about Český Krumlov is that there’s really no bad time to go. The scenic town just rolls with the seasons, remaining beautiful no matter what the weather is doing. Of course, there are still factors that may influence your personal decision on when to visit, which is what these travel tips for visiting Český Krumlov are for.
First of all, the weather is quite typical for this part of central Europe, which means you can expect warm (but not hot) summers and chilly winter days with a good chance of snow. Visiting in winter is a trade-off between dealing with the cold and seeing the town perfectly dusted in snow.
The other factor to consider is how many people you want to share the town with. Český Krumlov is becoming one of the Czech Republic’s most popular destinations, so you should certainly expect other tourists to be around. Though it may be busiest in summer, it still won’t be nearly as busy as Prague is at that same time.
How to Get to Český Krumlov From Prague
With the town’s convenient location in the Czech Republic, you can easily work a visit to Český Krumlov into any plans you have for exploring this part of central Europe. Though the closest city is České Budějovice, it’s more likely that you’ll be coming from Prague, as it’s the country’s main tourist destination and Český Krumlov is one of many day trips possible from Prague.
On a Guided Tour
Since Český Krumlov has become one of the more popular tourist stops in the Czech Republic, you can choose from various private and group tours to get there. This is a nice way to visit without the hassle of finding your way there or around the sights on your own. Most tours to Český Krumlov last around 10 or 11 hours, taking you through the town’s main sights.
If you want to visit Český Krumlov from Prague on a guided tour, this full-day tour comes highly recommended. It includes lunch and ample free time for you to explore, and the guides are super knowledgeable about the town’s history.
By Car
As is often the case, driving is the quickest and most flexible means of travel in Český Krumlov. By driving, you are free to go when you like and can easily add other stops along the way. The drive from Prague to Český Krumlov should take you around two hours and 20 minutes. Once you arrive, head for the big paid parking lot, P1, just behind the castle.
However, this drive is along highways, which require a purchased highway vignette in the Czech Republic. Also, if you plan to drive on to Germany or Austria, find out whether your rental car company allows this and if you need to pay any special tolls in those countries.
If you do want to rent a car for your visit, check out Rentalcars.com. This site continuously offers the best rates, and its customer service is great as well.
By Public Transport
Coming from Prague, you also have public transport options. The most direct of these is the bus, as it makes the journey to Český Krumlov without any stops. Both FlixBus and RegioJet have regular buses that make the three-hour trip. The bus station in Český Krumlov is a quick walk from the center of town.
You can also make the trip from Prague by train, but there are fewer connections, and most require you to connect through České Budějovice.
What to See and Do in Český Krumlov
The traveling tips for Český Krumlov you’re probably most interested in are the ones about what to do there. After all, planning a trip to Český Krumlov is all about how much you can experience in the small town.
Walk Through the Old Town
You should definitely see the historic center of Český Krumlov while you’re there. Whether you enter from the north, south, or east, it won’t take long until you’re in the center of the Old Town. Svornosti Square is right in the thick of it and has beautiful gabled houses.
The sights get even better as you wander down the side streets and find your way along the cobblestones. Don’t be afraid to cross north or south of the river, as you can find plenty of charming spots either way. Linger a bit at Lazebnický Bridge for phenomenal views of the town.
Visit Český Krumlov Castle
It’s hard to miss the castle looming above the town as soon as you arrive, with imposing cliffs below its tower and the rest of the structure stretching along the river. But the details of the castle are just as impressive as the scale – the tower being a perfect example, with its beautifully painted Renaissance architecture.
The castle’s atmosphere is almost as alluring as its appearance. Entering from town, you’ll pass through a series of grand gates and courtyards. You’ll then climb up tunnels with delicate wooden floorboards and into grandly painted courtyards, until you’re suddenly on an elegant bridge looking out over the entire town. This bridge and the neighboring lookout terraces are where you get the classic panoramic views of Český Krumlov. Even after you’ve walked through the town yourself, it might be hard to believe that the view is real.
While this is a walk-through of the castle grounds, you can also visit inside the castle. Many different tours visit various parts of the castle, such as the chapels, theater, residences, cellars, museum, and tower. Carefully pick what you want to see if you’re short on time, as you could spend a lot of time trying to see it all.
Wander the Castle Garden
Up the hill from the panoramic viewpoints is a massive garden complex that dwarfs even the castle. Naturally, this means more walking, but this time it’s next to lawn hedges, through wooded parks, and over to a peaceful lake. When you’re done, you can take one of the shortcuts from here to back down below the castle or to the south end of the Old Town.
Sit by the Vltava Riverfront
Český Krumlov might not be half as impressive if it didn’t have the Vltava weaving through the landscape. The river’s many twists and turns give the town its shape and create the viewpoints you’ve enjoyed so far. It’s also worth spending a little time by the water’s edge for a scenic and tranquil setting, whether you’re on the island by the old mill, on one of the bridges, or over at the Český Krumlov Town Park.
Enjoy the View From the Chapel on the Mountain of the Cross
In case you haven’t had your fill of viewpoints, there’s one more to visit in Český Krumlov that offers a quite different view. At the edge of the houses to the southwest, you’ll find the small hilltop Chapel on the Mountain of the Cross (Křížová Hora).
It may be a fair walk up to the chapel, but once there, you get to see not only the town but the rolling landscape around it. With the hills and forests nearby, you’ll notice that Český Krumlov is just one small part of a beautiful pocket of the Czech Republic.
Where to Eat in Český Krumlov
While you’re enjoying the charms of Český Krumlov, you’ll need a break for lunch or dinner at some point. The town has plenty of restaurants and enough range that you’re sure to find something you like.
The most common option is one of the restaurants serving traditional Czech food, with meat and dumpling dishes such as halušky. A nice and inexpensive pick for this is Don Julius Restaurant, just a block from the main square. If you’re looking for a change from hearty Czech food, try the sweet crepes at MLS Crêperie Kájovská.
Where to Stay in Český Krumlov
Most visitors just take a day trip to Český Krumlov from Prague, but in case you’d like to stay longer in this charming little town, these are some good places to stay:
We hope our travel tips for Český Krumlov help you have a fun experience in this marvelous town!
Comments