An Insider's Guide to Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic
Here's our travel guide on Cesky Krumlov, a renowned UNESCO town in the Czech Republic. We've put together everything you need to know before visiting Cesky Krumlov, including tips on the best things to do and see, practical information every first-time visitor is looking for.
For us Czechs, Cesky Krumlov is the epitome of a proper summer destination.
With the sweet smell of summer that fills the old cobblestone streets, the laidback vibes, cheers of paddlers passing through the town, and the 13th-century castle that overlooks the valley, Cesky Krumlov is a place not to be missed when visiting Czechia (and the Central Europe region).
Towering high above the meandering Vltava River, Cesky Krumlov Castle will take your breath away no matter how many times you visit this magical place.
No wonder why it's one of the best places to see in the Czech Republic.
Every time we return here, we feel reminiscent of all those great memories that instantly flood our minds once we leave the car behind and step into one of the town's courtyards or alleys.
School excursions, paddling trips, or family outings make everything here so familiar. Yet, it's not the same, Cesky Krumlov has changed a lot, and even the infamous weir was fixed.
As we've been to Cesky Krumlov so many times throughout our lives, we actually saw the staggering transformation of the town into a top tourist destination with all the pros and cons that comes with it.
No worries, we are not going to talk here about how it used to be better in the good old days. Quite the opposite, even after all those years we find the city fascinating.
And who could have blamed us? Cesky Krumlov is arguably the best UNESCO site in the Czech Republic you can visit outside Prague.
It's a fact that due to its incredible architecture, history, and scenery, Cesky Krumlov became insanely popular with international travelers as well, and this is why we presume this destination will be on your travel itinerary as well when exploring the Czech Republic.
So here is everything you should know before visiting Cesky Krumlov for the first time, including the must-visit places, top attractions, tips on how to get or where to eat.
HISTORY OF CESKY KRUMLOV
The first thing that always strikes us when we talk about Cesky Krumlov's history is that the gothic castle was founded in 1250 by the Lords of Krumlov. They were a powerful Bohemian noble family and had a five-petalled rose in their coat-of-arms.
However, the first people inhabited this area as early as the period of the Older Stone Age, which is even more impressive. The first settlement dates back to 1500 BC, but the earliest documented artifact found by an extensive archaeological search was a stone-ax about 4000 BC.
Later on, Lord of Krumlov died out (1302), and the Rosenbergs became the new rulers of the castle. The town flourished under their rule for the next three hundred years, and the castle was rebuilt in renaissance style in the 16th century.
Then the emperor Rudolf II von Habsburg bought it from the Rosenbergs, and one of his successors Ferdinand II von Habsburg gave it to Eggenbergs. During their reign, the castle was remodeled in Baroque style. Nowadays, you can admire the new playful features both from the outside and inside.
The dynasty of Eggenbergs died out in 1719, and the Schwarzenberg's inherited the castle soon after. However, in the 19th century, the castle lost its importance for various reasons, and the rest is history.
Schwarzenbergs lost the property in the 1947 when the Czechoslovak State confiscated it. Later on, it was opened to the public and declared a Czech National Monument.
In 1992, the complex was included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Monuments list and became a world-renown tourist destination ever since. We'll leave a more detailed history lesson of Cesky Krumlov for one of your guides but be prepared that it will be a long, but interesting one.
WHERE IS CESKY KRUMLOV
When looking on the map of the Czech Republic, you will find Cesky Krumlov located in the south corner of the South Bohemia Region. The nearest city to Cesky Krumlov is Ceske Budejovice, roughly 20 kilometers northwest of the town.
From Ceske Budejovice, Cesky Krumlov is halfway to Lipno nad Vltavou, another major tourist destination that you might want to include in your travel itinerary if you have time to spare.
THE NAME
Before we dive into what to see and do in Český Krumlov, we want to stop at the name of the town. The name Krumlov comes from either Latin words Castrum Crumnau or the German term Krumme Aue (Crumbenowe), which is often translated as Krivy luh (rugged meadow), which supposedly describes the shape of the area the town occupies.
Nowadays, many (mostly Asian) tourists refer to Cesky Krumlov as 'Cesky', which makes zero sense.
Český is an adjective in this case, which literally means Czech (see Ceske Budejovice, it's the same thing). Being said that, in conversation, we know what they mean as 'Cesky' is like an unofficial tourist nickname of this town.
So is it better to say Krumlov instead? Not really, because there is Moravian Krumlov near Znojmo, which you could have also heard of, as it used to be home to The Slav Epic by Alfons Mucha before it was moved to Prague.
So the next time you want to buy a bus ticket at the station or just want to share your experience from this town, use the full name Cesky Krumlov instead.
BEST THINGS TO DO
There are plenty of things to do in Cesky Krumlov that will entertain you for at least a day (or even two if you plan your trip carefully).
Cesky Krumlov is not only a picturesque town with narrow medieval streets, romantic nooks, and cute bridges, but it's home to many exhibitions, concerts, and events throughout the year.
However, the main reason to visit the town is the impressive Cesky Krumlov Castle itself. Overlooking the Vltava River from the cliffs, the castle dominates the town's panorama. Add a rich and long history, and you will get a perfect tourist attraction.
CESKY KRUMLOV CASTLE
Perched atop steep cliffs, State Castle Cesky Krumlov is the symbol of the town. The first impression of the castle is pretty overwhelming.
Firstly, the complex is huge. If you are arriving from Prague by car, you can see it directly in front of you from the road in the distance for the first time, but not until you walk through the sprawling complex can you realize its actual size.
The original gothic castle built in 1250 underwent many renovations and style changes, so the form you can see today is the result of almost eight centuries of development.
After Prague Castle, Cesky Krumlov Castle is one of the largest complexes in the country, and you will soon realize that you will need more than just an hour to see it all.
The castle has five courtyards, includes forty buildings and palaces, and has a 7-hectare garden adjacent to it. In every aspect, you can spot the extraordinary transformation this castle underwent over time.
There is no entry fee to Cesky Krumlov Castle grounds, so you can stroll around the area even if you don't plan on taking a guided tour.
COURTYARDS
We already mentioned it earlier, but we have to say it again. The Cesky Krumlov Castle has five courtyards. Luckily, the arrow-shaped castle is easy to navigate even without a guide, and you shouldn't get lost.
The courtyards also serve as valuable orientation points, and you just need to follow the signage when getting around the castle. The fairly inconspicuous Red Gate that marks the entrance to the castle complex will take you to the first courtyard.
From there, you can slowly start walking uphill towards the rest of them. Make sure to take some time to enjoy Courtyard III and IV, which are a bit different from the open courtyards you have had the chance to see so far.
The facades here are quite unique and reflect the Renaissance character of the castle. If you bring a good wide-zoom lens, you might be able to snap some awesome photos here.
THE BEARS
By the way, when you enter the castle complex from Latran, you can see four bears in the castle's moat. And while this might come as a surprise, bears have more than 500 years old tradition in Cesky Krumlov.
The Rosenbergs believed they are related to Orsini (Orsa means female bear in Italian), a noble Italian family, and they used bears in their coat-of-arms as a symbol of the connection.
The first records of bears in Cesky Krumlov date back to the 16th century, but as the moat was built later, they were probably kept somewhere else.
A short bridge between the first and second courtyard with metal barriers is usually packed with visitors craning their necks to see the bears, but they mostly sleep hidden away.
We always find it a bit sad to see these magnificent animals in the trench below, especially after seeing them roaming in the wild in the Canadian Rockies, but it is how it is.
CASTLE TOWER
An impressive rounded tower with six stories, the Castle Tower offers beautiful views over the Cesky Krumlov and its surroundings.
As usual, the steps are narrow and steep at some sections, so it can be a bit tricky to get up or down when crowded. Nevertheless, the climb is fairly short, unlike the stairs to St Vitus Cathedral in Prague.
Once you get to the top, you will have a 360 degrees views of the town that's really worth the effort (and price).
Although we must admit, that exceptionally, we prefer here to see the tower places within the cityscape, it is fun to climb the stairs, especially if this is your first (and probably last) visit to Cesky Krumlov.
The entrance fee to Castle Tower is either 100 CZK or 150 CZK with the Museum.
MUSEUM
The museum was opened in 2011, and shows some unique items that were hidden from the public before. If you want to learn more about Rosenbergs, Eggenberg's, and Schwarzenberg's, then you shouldn't skip the museum.
The museum is well laid-out, but we found it a bit ordinary. It might be only our fault as we've visited many castle museums in the Czech Republic, including the nearby Hluboka nad Vltavou Castle, so give it a try.
Keep in mind that this is a self-guided museum tour. Once you enter the museum, you will find simple paper guides at each section. Those paper guides don't contain any extra information, so don't bother. Probably a better idea would be to rent an audio guide.
The entrance fee is either 100 CZK or 150 CZK with the Castle Tower.
GUIDED TOUR ROUTE I
Tour No. 1 will appreciate all visitors that are looking forward to learning more about the Renaissance and Baroque periods. You will see the Rosenberg Hall, Castle Chapel, Corridor with coat-of-arms, Baroque Suite, Masquerade Hall, or Eggenberg Hall.
We would probably say that this tour is slightly better than the rest of the guided tours, but that's just our opinion.
The Route I admission is 210 CZK per adult, and it takes about 60 minutes.
GUIDED TOUR ROUTE II
So the main difference between the tours lies in the details. The second route focuses only on the Schwarzenberg family. The tour starts at the third courtyard and takes about 60 minutes.
Among other rooms, you will see Tapestry Hall, the Music Salon, Chambermaid's Room, the private suite of Eleonora Schwarzenberg, Bedroom of the Duchess, or Smoking Salon. Plus, this tour will give you an opportunity to visit the rooms above the Cloak Bridge if that was your intention.
The Route II admission is 180 CZK per adult.
We would say that both tours offer a very similar experience, so take the one that sounds more exciting to you. If you have already been to Hluboka nad Vltavou Castle, you can take only the previous tour instead.
CLOAK BRIDGE
The Cloak Bridge (Plastovy most) is a three-storied covered arched bridge supported by massive stone pillars connecting the castle with the theater and the gardens.
The lower passage is accessible to everyone (even without the tickets) and offers great views of the Vltava River and the town on one side and Klet hill on the opposite side.
The architecture of Cloak Bridge always reminds us of one of those Roman aqueducts, but it's just the looks, as this bridge doesn't carry any water.
The first records of the (wooden) bridge come from the 15th century, but the construction of the final form we can see today was finished in 1777.
The most impressive sights of the bridge open when walking under it from Lavka pod Zamkem or the small bridge over Polecnice near Parking 1.
BAROQUE CASTLE THEATRE
Visiting the 18th century Baroque Castle Theatre is a unique experience as this is one of the best-preserved Baroque theatres in Europe. Therefore, if you are a history fan, this is something you shouldn't miss out on.
For example, there's only a few theatres in the Czech Republic that didn't burn down (the candles, lamps, and wood materials didn't go well together), so you can see it pretty much intact even after all those years.
It's not as easy to get in with a guided tour, as it's often closed, and there is only a single time slot per day (3 PM).
The entrance fee is 250 CZK ($11).
CASTLE GARDEN
One of our favorite parts of the castle, the 17th-century Baroque gardens, is the icing on the cake. The grounds offer a peaceful place to walk away from the crowds that flock to the castle every day.
Krumlov Castle Garden covers an area of almost eleven hectares and is particularly beautiful in the early summer when you can see the flower in full bloom.
A beautiful Rococo Cascade Fountain is another gem you cannot miss, and it creates an atmosphere that reminded us of famous European Gardens, for example, in France or Austria.
The Revolving Theatre can be found in the gardens in its second half, and there are Stables in the northeast corner as well.
There is no entry fee to Castle Garden in Cesky Krumlov.
If you have left your can on Parking IV, this will be the first place you will visit in Cesky Krumlov.
REVOLVING THEATRE CESKY KRUMLOV
One of the things you wouldn't probably expect to find within the grounds of a medieval castle is an open-air theatre with a rotating stage.
It's called Otacive hlediste Cesky Krumlov in Czech, it's located in the Castle's Garden, and it's often said that this is the theatre with the highest ceiling in the world.
The whole theatre is pretty impressive, and seeing a play on a hot summer night is always a memorable experience.
Interestingly enough, the UNESCO people don't share the excitement and try to relocate it, claiming it doesn't belong there.
Drama, opera, or ballet are among the most common types of plays you can see there, and if you have the chance, don't be afraid to reserve a ticket.
The ticket prices to the revolving theatre at Cesky Krumlov range from 250 CZK to 1600 CZK ($10-$70), depending on the type of the play.
You can even borrow tablets with subtitles at the ticket counter so that you can enjoy the plays in Czech.
TOWN SIGHTSEEING
The historical heart of Cesky Krumlov is divided into two parts. Latran is the older one, and it's closer to the castle. If you've parked your car at the P2, then you are already in the area. From there, it's just a short walk to the Red Gate that marks the castle entrance.
If you follow Latran Street a bit further, you will eventually come across the Lazebnicky most.
Once you walk over it, you've entered the second part, Vnitrni Mesto (Inner Town). Both areas are packed with stores, hotels, restaurants, cafes, or museums, and even though they are fairly small, you should take your time to explore them fully.
On your explorations, you will find there also St. Vitus Church (similar name to St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague) and the former St. Jost Church, which you can quickly spot from most of the castle's best viewpoints.
Namesti Svornosti is the main square where you will find a fountain and the Plague Column (you've probably seen a very similar scene on Old Town's Square in Prague as well).
It's a very lively area surrounded by many beautiful houses and a perfect spot to take some pictures of traditional Czech architecture.
By the way, the architecture here is pretty stunning, and you can find some extraordinary houses such as Kaplanka, Town Hall, or Krcin House (if you like it, then you should also go to Telc, another Czech UNESCO town).
Both parts are quite pedestrian-friendly as the town council regulates vehicle access, so you can enjoy it even more.
If you want to learn more about the city itself, then it might make sense to you to take a guided tour.
On this 2-hour Cesky Krumlov Private Walking Tour with a local guide, you will learn more about town's architecture, tales, and history.
RAFTING AND CANOEING
Due to easy rapids, the Vltava River is a perfect place for canoeing and rafting. It's popular with families with kids and all ages and abilities.
And why do we talk about rafting in connection with Cesky Krumlov? Because this town is the most popular stop for all paddlers, rafters, canoers, and kayakers on their rafting trips on the Vltava River (usually from Vyssi Brod to Borsov nad Vltavou).
The rafting season starts at the turn of May and June. Depending on the year, it ends roughly at the end of September. The high season is during the Czech summer holidays between July and August.
Most people passing through the town make a stop here, and you can expect even more crowded streets than usual. We both went on plenty of canoeing trips on the Vltava River, and we both agree that the stop in Cesky Krumlov was always our favorite one.
Well, there is just one more little thing. So the thing you should know about rafting on the Vltava River is that it's not exactly white-water rafting but more like floating.
Back in the day, it was popular with tramping culture, and the idea of canoeing and camping was idealized.
However, as the popularity surged in the past decade, the Vltava became overcrowded and it sort of lost its former atmosphere.
Moreover, there were some incidents, and alcohol often played the main role. Floating and drinking became the standard, and you could see some really bizarre scenes there.
The government had to react, so they said they would enforce the (old) law of zero alcohol tolerance. It caused a big uproar but sort of turned things back to normal. However, since 2019, the law has changed, and now you can have 0.05 of BAC, something like a beer or two.
From our own experience, paddling the Vltvava River is a very interesting activity for those travelers who have more time here in the Czech Republic and want to try something else.
A lot of Czech people will tell you that the river is overcrowded and too commercialized, but it's what it is.
And there is a reason why paddling the Vltava Rives is so popular, as the castles, natural attractions, and towns along the way such as Vyssi Brod, Rozmberk nad Vltavou, Cesky Krumlov, Zlata Koruna, or Divci Kamen are not to be found anywhere else.
If you are short on time, then you can take a wooden raft river cruise. This mini-adventure with a commentary will allow you to see the town from a different perspective.
EGGENBERG BREWERY
You really didn't think we would leave out a local brewery from our list of top Cesky Krumlov's activities, did you?
Well, it's not that easy, as the original brewery was closed in 2014 (under very suspicious circumstances, to put it mildly), and the technology was moved to Pardubice.
Two years later, a historical brewery reopened on the same grounds with a new owner. The beer itself is sort of okay (not the best you can get in the Czech Republic), and the restaurant you find in the same building is also mediocre.
Nevertheless, it's still a beer, and they still serve Svickova, so if you want to really visit a local brewery, then be our guests.
MOUNTAIN OF THE CROSS
When we talk about the lookouts, we can't fail to mention the Mountain of the Cross (Krizova Hora), a place of pilgrimage a bit outside of the town's center.
The small hill with a lovely chapel south of the town's center offers excellent views, and the relatively steep but short trail provides a great way to escape the crowds.
Mountain of the Cross hike is for those travelers who have enough time and want to admire the town from a distance with Klet in the backdrop.
The best part is that the walk to Krizova Hora can be done as a loop.
There are two hiking trails (Blue and Red), so the only thing you need to do is decide which one you want to use to go uphill.
We followed the blue trail to get to the top and returned via the red trail (heading northwest) that eventually turned into EV7 cycling path, so we could see the cute Egon Schiele Garden Studio, Synagogue, or Museum Fotoatelier Seidel.
VLTAVA RIVER
Back in school, our teachers taught us that the Vltava River is the longest river in the Czech Republic.
While the Vltava is not the mightiest river in the world, the meanders that formed through the valley of Cesky Krumlov are absolutely breathtaking.
Together with the city built around, the natural attraction is best seen from one of the castle's lookouts.
BRIDGES
Cesky Krumlov has many picturesque bridges, and you will probably cross at least a few of them during the trip. The most famous one, Lazebnicky Bridge is heavily used, which is not surprising as it connects Latran and Vnitrni Mesto. It offers nice views of the castle and the river, so don't forget to make a quick stop there.
But there is one bridge in Cesky Krumlov that is not like the others.
Rechle Bridge is one of the hidden gems in Cesky Krumlov that not many (international) travelers visit on their trip.
It's located between Plesivec and Nove Spoli, about 1.5 kilometers south of the town's center, and you can easily get there on foot. You can actually make a detour when walking to Krizovy Vrch to save some time.
This historical L-shaped roofed wooden bridge over the Vltava River was built at the end of the 18th century (1798) and was used for counting passing rafters.
While the walk to this Cesky Krumlov's attraction is highly optional, it's a perfect activity to see more of the town.
WEIRS
There are four weirs in the town controlling the flow of a river. However, the weir U Jeleni Lavky is the most popular and worth mentioning for two simple reasons.
One reason is that it's situated close to Cloak Gate where all tourists are passing by. The second one was that it was not easy to run.
A common entertainment of tourists was to observe how the paddlers tackle the weir, most of them vocally estimating the success of their attempts and whether they capsize or not.
You could clearly guess their chances by the way they approached the weir (and by the level of their drunkenness in many cases).
Experts always said that running this weir was not about skills but luck, so the chances of the guesses and successful paddlers' attempts were the same.
However, the weir was no longer considered safe, so Krumlov's officials decided to improve it in 2013, resulting in that it's not fun anymore, and Krumlov lost one of its weirdly Czech-specific attractions.
On the bright side, the main benefit of the improvements is that it allows better fish migration.
LOOKOUTS
Cesky Krumlov has many lookouts that are worth mentioning, but it's not in our strength to list them all.
Our favorite lookout is probably from the Castle Tower, but the small viewpoint just behind the Cloak Bridge is amazing as well.
Speaking of which, the Cloak Bridge offers some stunning views as well.
We can't forget to mention that even the views from the bridges or sidewalks along the Vltava River are incredible as too.
To be honest, enjoying the views is one of the best things to do in Cesky Krumlov, which is great news, especially for budget travelers who do not want to spend much on entrance fees.
GRAPHITE MINE
If you have already been to Ostrava or Kutna Hora, you probably know that Czechia has many mines that you can visit. The mining history in Czech Lands has a long tradition and you can find some mines in almost every destination.
So it's quite surprising that this particular graphite mine in Cesky Krumlov is relatively young. The mine was opened in 1975 and closed in 2003, even though graphite mining was first recorded in this region in 1767.
And what is graphite used for? Graphite is used in writing materials (you might have heard of a big Czech manufacturer Koh-i-Noor that makes pencils, among other stationery products).
If you want to visit the Graphite Mine in Cesky Krumlov, make sure to make a reservation online in advance. Otherwise, you might end up waiting for an available spot (it can be an hour, it can be two).
The mine is open daily from May to August (usually from 9 AM to 3,4 or 6 PM, depending on the month). The entrance fee is 160 CZK ($7) per adult or 200 CZK ($9) if the tour is in a foreign language.
If you are a solo traveler, you can join the tour in the Czech language; just ask for the translated texts that hold all information you need.
Make sure to bring an extra layer, as the mine is quite cold (10°C).
SHOPPING
Walking through the historical part of Cesky Krumlov while seeing all the stores inevitably puts a light smile on our faces. The amount of various stores selling souvenirs, jewelry, and all other sorts of tourist things is staggering.
A special category on its own is the jewelry stores that are on every corner, which always makes us wonder how much jewelry an average tourist buys on every trip.
Pandora, Swarovski, Moldavite Store, it's all there. It's actually very similar to Karlovy Vary, which is a famous Czech spa town known for shopping (and probably every other top European travel destination).
If you want to buy some souvenirs for your relatives or friends, then go ahead. Just remember that not everything that has a big Czech souvenir label on it is, in fact, a typical Czech souvenir.
MUSEUMS
The reason we put the museums in Cesky Krumlov so low in this text is that the majority of them are just not worth a visit. And it's not that we don't like museums.
But most of these so-called museums (located outside the castle grounds) don't have much in common with traditional informative museums.
They remind us of places that want you to sell something (sometimes it's just an expensive experience, most of the time, it's overpriced products).
From Fairytale House and Puppet Museum, Moldavite Museum to Museum Fotoatelier Seidel, they all have the same vibes.
So the only good museum we would consider worth visiting is the Regional Museum located at the eastern end of Horni Street.
The admission is 60 CZK, and the museum is closed on Monday. They have all information in English, and you can spend surprisingly a lot of time there.
EATING OUT
The fun part of every trip to Cesky Krumlov usually starts when you want to find a good restaurant. So here's the thing. You can expect pretty much everything here as the town is filled with restaurants aimed at tourists.
The experience varies from great service and good food to rude waiters and poor meals. It's like searching for the needle in the haystack.
So in our opinion, which is highly skewed by the fact that we are Czechs, we usually avoid eating out in these tourist types of restaurants.
We are not fond of typical Czech cuisine, and the rest is not very appealing to us as they are overpriced, and the service is usually hit or miss.
Truth to be told, the last time we went to Cesky Krumlov, we stopped at Ceske Budejovice for a meal. But that's just us.
On the other hand, you can find a restaurant serving decent food, and if you have never had a typical Czech meal, then why not give it a try.
We would skip most of the recommendations this time and follow your intuition.
And if you are wondering, then yes, they have Trdelnik in Cesky Krumlov as well.
EVENTS
So the historical part is fascinating, but not everyone might be thrilled by hearing that some guy decorated this room in that style six hundred years ago. Or that he used to drink from this cup of tea. Right?
In this case, we have some good news. Cesky Krumlov is a lively town that holds various festivals and events throughout the year, so you won't get bored that easily.
Even the official marketing official website claims that there is always something going on in Cesky Krumlov.
Of course, summer is the best time of the year for cultural events as there are plenty of open-air concerts in the gardens and plays at the revolving theatre.
A few years ago, we went to see the concert in Cesky Krumlov that took place in Castle Riding Hall (Zamecka jizdarna), and the combination of classical music and the exceptional interior was pretty magical.
Make sure to check out the event calendar in Cesky Krumlov on the day of your visit. and remember, it pays off to make a reservation.
KLET
With impressive 1084 meters, Klet is the highest mountain of Blansky Les. The mountain dominates the backdrop of Cesky Krumlov (well, you need to climb to the castle to see it) and a large part of the South Bohemian region.
And if you climb the stairs of the lookout tower, you might even be the first person ever to see the Alps (sorry, Czech joke, couldn't help it).
There are several ways to reach the top, so you can choose the one that fits your preferences.
The lower lift station (Krasetin) is located in the northeast corner of the mountain, about 17 kilometers from Cesky Krumlov, and can be easily reached by car.
There is a parking lot where you can leave your car (40 CZK - $2 per day) and then take a unique single chairlift to the top (180 CZK - $8 round trip). Be prepared that this is not the fastest lift in the world, as it takes about 15 minutes to conquer the elevation of 383 meters and length of 1792 meters.
However, it's less than 10 kilometers by bike, and we believe that this is the best way to get to the top for anyone who wants to stay fit while traveling (and has enough time).
A nice cycle path leads to the top, and you can rent a bike for less than 390 CZK - $20 a day. And yes, you can rent e-bikes as well (750 CZK - $35 per day).
HOW TO GET
With a little planning, it's easy to get to Cesky Krumlov from anywhere in the Czech Republic. However, the vast majority of travelers visit Cesky Krumlov from Prague, so we'll mention the most common ways to get here from the capital city of the Czech Republic.
Both buses and trains frequently run between these two places, so it shouldn't be difficult to get there independently.
We would love to recommend you the best way to get to Cesky Krumlov, but as they all have pros and cons and they take roughly a similar time, we would leave it on your preferences.
We usually drive to Cesky Krumlov by car, as it's the most convenient for us.
BY CAR
If you like driving, then you should rent a car in Prague and drive to Cesky Krumlov by yourself.
The 172-kilometer long ride takes about 2 to 2.5 hours, depending on the current traffic. As you will drive on a highway, make sure that your car has a valid e-vignette.
Leave Prague via D1 Brno Exit and stay on the highway for approximately 30 kilometers. In Mirosovice, leave the highway and turn right onto E55, and continue through Benesov and Votice to Tabor.
Before you reach Tabor (near Mezno), the highway starts once again and continues to Ceske Budejovice (where it ends). In Ceske Budejovice, follow the Linz/Austria Transit signs, and near Kamenny Ujezd, turn left onto Road 39, which will lead you to Cesky Krumlov.
The biggest advantage of the car is that it allows you to visit other interesting places along the way. Moreover, you don't need to follow the same route back. Alternatively, take the western road that runs through Pisek, Pribram, and Dobris to see more of the Czech Republic.
BY TRAIN
To everyone who likes the trains, we have some good news for you as well. The only downside is that you need to change the train in Ceske Budejovice.
Take the train from Prague's Main Train Station (Praha hl. n.), and make sure to take the EC (Eurocity) train from Prague, as it's faster than the regular express train.
The train ticket to Cesky Krumlov costs about 169 CZK ($8) one way, and you can also buy it online.
BY BUS
If you don't want to bother with a rental car, then you can catch a bus - search for the tickets via Regiojet - from Na Knizeci station (Andel - B Line metro station).
The biggest advantage of the bus from Prague to Cesky Krumlov is the fact that this is a direct bus, so you don't need to change the bus, which is very convenient. Moreover, you don't have to deal with heavy road traffic, and you can enjoy the ride without the stress.
The bus ticket to Cesky Krumlov costs about 150 CZK ($7) one way, and it's reservable online.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
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DAY TRIP FROM PRAGUE
If you're wondering whether you can visit Cesky Krumlov on a day trip from Prague, then we have some excellent news for you. Not only it's feasible, but it's also the most popular option among international travelers.
It takes about two and half hours to get to Cesky Krumlov from Prague, so we understand that not everyone wants to travel independently.
Cesky Krumlov Day Tour from Prague | Enjoy Cesky Krumlov, World Heritage Site, in a relaxed manner with a local guide on a day trip from Prague. Includes lunch in a local tavern.
Cesky Krumlov Private Tour from Prague | If you prefer to travel on private tours, this one should be the right fit for you.
Cesky Krumlov and Holasovice from Prague | This tour also includes a detour to Holasovice, which is a lovely village in South Bohemia Region featuring traditional architecture, and a UNESCO site.
If you travel without a tour, you can stay in Cesky Krumlov and enjoy the more relaxed atmosphere after all day-trippers leave. It also makes sense to spend a night there if your itinerary includes other destinations in South Bohemia.
For more inspiration, read our guide on the best day trips from Prague.
PARKING
Parking in Cesky Krumlov is very easy and straightforward. Always use the designated parking lots for tourists, and you'll be fine. While it's not free parking, it will make your life much easier.
There are five official parking lots (P1 - P5) in Cesky Krumlov, with 842 parking spaces designated explicitly for tourists. When arriving at Cesky Krumlov by car, follow the parking information system, which provides drivers with a real-time indication of available parking space at each parking lot.
Follow the navigation to parking lots that indicate VOLNO - OPEN. The signage is very intuitive and will lead you to the parking lot with available spaces.
We prefer Parking 1, as it's really close to the castle and the historical part, but others will do just fine as well. The real reason why we prefer this parking lot is the Cloak Bridge, as it's the first thing you will see once you leave the parking lot behind. It always leaves us in awe.
In fact, Parking 2 might be even a slightly better option for you as it's closer to the main entrance gate. Parking 3 is near the Inner City, while Parking 4 is adjacent to the Castle Garden. Parking 5 is near the bus station and works fine as well.
While there is free parking in Cesky Krumlov, it's not in the historical part. It's simply not worth spending time while driving around and looking for free parking spaces.
Parking at Cesky Krumlov costs 50 CZK (about $2.25) per hour. You can pay by coins, notes, or credit card. The parking payment machine we used even had a wireless terminal so we could pay with our smartwatch.
Note that you can stay up to 40 minutes on these parking lots for free, but when you exceed this period, you will be charged a whole hour (which makes sense).
HOW TO GET AROUND
The town is very compact, and the top attractions are close to each other. Therefore, the best way around Cesky Krumlov is on foot.
As we mentioned earlier, you can even walk to Krizova Hora lookout as it's only two kilometers one way.
Getting around Cesky Krumlov by car makes no sense, so leave it parked in one of the designated parking lots. Similarly, we would consider renting a bike only in case we could go to Klet.
Simply put, Cesky Krumlov is a walkable city, so take the full advantage of it.
HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU NEED
One of the questions that we are asked a lot is how much time you should spend in Cesky Krumlov. It's one of those questions that are nearly impossible to answer, as it depends on many factors, but most importantly on your Czech Republic travel itinerary.
We'll try to make it easy for you. One day in Cesky Krumlov is enough to see everything this magnificent city has to offer.
You will have time to take the guided tours, roam its streets, watch the paddlers, enjoy the gardens, have typical lunch, see a concert, etc.
In fact, you probably need only a half-day to do all this, so you will have enough time to visit Ceske Budejovice or Tabor on the same day as well.
Being said that, if you travel long term or have more time, then staying in Cesky Krumlov overnight is not a bad idea at all.
Two full days in Cesky Krumlov are not needed, and we would probably want to visit other places in the extra time, such as Lipno or Sumava.
WHERE TO STAY
Staying overnight in one of Cesky Krumlov's hotels might be an excellent idea for those who prefer slow travel or just want to see the town from a different perspective.
So where to find a good hotel or any other type of accommodation in Cesky Krumlov?
The historical part of the town is very small and compact, and you should expect to find there mostly guesthouses and apartments. The choice of regular hotels or proper hostels is a bit limited, and you won't find there some massive hotels that you booked in Prague.
Simply put, you won't find the Marriott Hotel in the center (well, you won't find it in Cesky Krumlov at all). That's not a bad thing, as your stay will be more intimate, and you can choose from dozens of accommodations.
The Inner City (Vnitrni mesto), especially the area around Namesti Svornosti, has the highest density of accommodation per square meter, so it's up to you whether you want to stay there or look for some quieter alternatives.
As mentioned above, Cesky Krumlov is easily covered on foot, so the location makes only a small difference. And if you see somewhere written 'the best hotel location in Cesky Krumlov', then know that they all have the best location as they are all next to each other.
Lastly, the small guesthouses often don't have air-conditioned rooms as they are in the UNESCO area, which can be annoying on hot summer nights.
As the competition is fierce in Krumlov, most of the accommodations have above-average ratings, making your search easier. So here is our choice of the best hotels in Cesky Krumlov.
Budget | Pension Faber - If you want to stay as close to the castle as possible, then this small Pension might be an excellent choice for you. The rooms are impeccably clean, they are bright and spacious, plus they offer secured parking.
Mid-Range | Pension Kristian - A modern, newly renovated guesthouse in the city center includes everything you need from a hotel room for a night or two. The hosts are welcoming and helpful, and you will feel there as you never left your home.
Luxury | Boutique Hotel Villa Beatika - Located a bit outside the historical part of the town, Villa Beatika offers a bit different experience from the rest of the guesthouses on this list. The location is peaceful and quiet, and this lovely villa has its own beautiful garden. The rooms are spacious, modern, and clean; the staff is nice and helpful. Plus, you can still reach the heart of the town on foot in less than 5-10 minutes, though.
Hotel | Hotel Grand - Our list of top Krumlov's accommodations wouldn't be complete without a proper hotel. This hotel is located on the main square in Cesky Krumlov, has air-conditioned rooms, modern amenities, and offers off-site parking for those arriving by car.
WHEN TO GO
In our opinion, summer is the best time to visit Cesky Krumlov, when the streets are busy with life and the days are warm.
It might be a bit contrary to what we usually recommend, but we believe it's worth seeing the town with everything that comes with it.
However, our favorite time to visit Cesky Krumlov is in the autumn, when the leaves start to change their color.
The town is less busy, there are fewer crowds, and you can enjoy it in a more relaxed manner. And the view from the castle of the surroundings covered in a palette of fall colors is absolutely mind-blowing.
A trip in late spring to Cesky Krumlov when the scenery turns into a lush green is also beautiful and offers a bit similar experience as the fall (but in different colors).
If you travel on a budget, then note, that you have higher chances to find cheap accommodation in Cesky Krumlov during this period.
You might also be wondering whether it's a good idea to visit Cesky Krumlov in winter. And that's not as simple to answer as Czech winters are often hit and miss.
You should know that it's often cold, cloudy, streets are slushy, and the days short. It's true that January and February will be quieter, but during this time, the town simply lacks its summer vibes and atmosphere.
The Christmas Markets in December in Cesky Krumlov is also popular time for a visit, but the city gets lively once again.
Nevertheless, don't forget to check out this blog post best things to do in Prague in winter for more inspiration.
In a nutshell, Cesky Krumlov is a year-round destination, and you won't make a mistake by arriving any time of the year.
WHAT TO PACK
Depending on the time of the year, packing recommendations for Cesky Krumlov vary a lot. In summer, you need just comfortable shoes, a t-shirt, shorts, a skirt or a dress.
The city center gets hot in the summer, so make sure you stay hydrated throughout the day.
You can bring your own reusable water bottle and refill it during the day, as tap water in the Czech Republic is drinkable everywhere. This way, you will also reduce your plastic footprint.
Spring and autumn are the least predictable, as they can be either quite warm or quite cold. Check the weather forecast when possible and pack things accordingly.
Comfy shoes, jeans, a sweater, and a jacket (a rain jacket might come in handy during this time of the year) should be fine for this period.
If you want to visit Cesky Krumlov in winter (which is not the most popular time among international travelers), make sure you come prepared.
The Czech Republic has relatively cold winters, so you make sure you have a winter coat to stay nice and warm during the day.
The good thing about Czech winters is that you don't need to bring some super extra warm clothing unless you are in the mountains.
So basically what you wear in Prague in winter, you can easily wear in Cesky Krumlov.
Cesky Krumlov is extremely photogenic, so have your compact mirrorless camera (or phone) ready.
HOW TO AVOID CROWDS
You can try to follow some of the common travel tips to avoid crowds while traveling, but the truth is that during the peak season, it won't make much of a difference as you would hope for.
Cesky Krumlov is super popular with Asian bus tours, and during the summer, the town can get pretty busy as the locals flock to the town as well.
They were not there when we visited the town the last time (for obvious reasons), so everything was more relaxed, but it's just a matter of time when the tours start running again.
So if you want to avoid the crowds in Cesky Krumlov, you need to plan your trip a bit more carefully. As we already mentioned earlier, staying overnight can help you avoid the bus tours that need to leave in the afternoon.
Being said that, the town remains lively even after dark during the peak season, so this strategy won't help a lot either.
So the only thing that actually works is to visit the town in the off-season.
Visiting Cesky Krumlov in late autumn, winter, or early spring delivers a bit different experience, but your trip will be more peaceful.
IS CESKY KRUMLOW WORTH VISITING?
Yes, Cesky Krumlov is one of the must-visit places in Czechia, and it would be a shame not to include it in your itinerary.
For most non-European visitors, Cesky Krumlov is like a wonderland. Despite the crowds, the town still has its charm, and the architecture combined with stunning scenery will make up for any negatives that you might come across.
If someone ever tells you that Cesky Krumlov is overrated, don't listen to him.
Safe travels!
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Get Around: Buses and trains are an affordable way to get around the Czech Republic. Regiojet offers clean and modern buses and trains with all the amenities.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
