Hluboká Castle is one of Czechia's most recognisable châteaux, with elaborate Neo-Gothic interiors, a distinctive white façade, and gardens overlooking the South Bohemian countryside.
Hluboka nad Vltavou Castle is one of the most romantic and most visited places in the Czech Republic. The castle's exterior is truly stunning, and when you stand in front of the building, you can feel the grandeur. Hluboka Castle is also set in a wonderful large park that invites visitors for leisure and romantic strolls. Finally, the castle sits on the top of the hill above the Vltava River, which guarantees perfect views.
It is one of the reasons why Hluboka nad Vltavou Castle is a popular place for weddings and engagements, but it is also a common film location. In one of our posts, we've surely told you that Czechia is our home country, and even though this country lacks high mountains or wonderfully blue lakes like we could see, for example, in Canada, it has an insane number of castles and palaces.
Growing up in South Bohemia, we have many memories of Hluboka Castle, as both of us visited this place with our parents when we were little numerous times. We found the castle fascinating back then, and it certainly did not lose the awe-inspiring character today.
We are certain that the Czech Republic capital, Prague, is on your travel itinerary. But in our opinion, it would be a mistake not to visit at least a few destinations outside the city limits. We now talk about UNESCO gems such as Kutna Hora, Lednice or Cesky Krumlov.
Even though Hluboka nad Vltavou is not in UNESCO, it is still the fourth most visited castle in this country. And believe us, the competition is pretty tense, as the first place occupies Prague Castle. Moreover, Hluboka Castle is on the way from Prague to Cesky Krumlov, so there's really no reason why not to incorporate this destination in your travel itinerary.
History of Hluboka Castle
It seems there's hardly a better place to build a castle than on the high cliff overlooking the surroundings. The first mentions of the fortress where nowadays stands Hluboka Castle date back to the 13th century. The castle changed its owners very often, until 1661 when it was taken over by a traditional Czech noble family (with German roots), the Schwarzenberg family.
Hluboka Castle underwent several architectural style changes. It was first built in the Gothic style; later, it was rebuilt in Baroque style, and the castle got its unique romantic appearance. In the 19th century, a Schwarzenberg family member was deeply influenced by the English Windsor style, and Hluboka Castle got its final look.
Schwarzenberg's loved hunting, so thanks to it, you can admire the large property and also many trophies inside the castle. In 1947, the castle was nationalized by a special law called Lex Schwarzenberg, and since then, it belongs to the state.
Tickets to Hluboka Castle
To enter the grounds of Hluboka Castle, there's no admission. But if you want to see the interiors, it is necessary to take a guided tour. You can choose from several tours that will take you either to representation rooms, private apartments, chateau kitchen, suit rooms, or you can climb to the tower. These routes are available from April till the end of October.
The ticket price varies depending on the tour, but be prepared to pay anything between 180 CZK and 320 CZK. These rates are valid for foreign language speaking guides as well as for those in Czech language. Of course, there are available discounts for students or families. Tours usually take up to one hour, and they run very frequently, and you do not need to make a reservation in advance unless you travel as a part of the group.
Only a basic tour is available in winter, and it will take you around several rooms on the main floor. This is the tour we took. It cost 200 CZK and we found it great and very informative.
Photography at Hluboka Castle
Please note it is not allowed to take photos inside Hluboka Castle at the moment. Anyhow, you can fully concentrate on a guided tour. Hluboka is not the only place with this rule. When we visited Orlik Castle, it was the same.
Opening Hours of Hluboka Castle
Hluboka Castle is opened all year round, but opening hours change throughout the year depending on the season. In the high season in July and August, which coincides with school holidays in the Czech Republic, the castle is opened every day between 9 AM and 5 PM. Except for July and August, the castle is closed every Monday.
In May and June is Hluboka Castle opened between 9 AM and 5 PM. The gates in April, September, and October are opened from 9 AM till 12 PM and then from 12:30 PM till 4:30 PM. The offseason, from November till March, has again different opening hours, between 10 AM till 12 PM and then in the afternoon from 12:30 PM till 4 PM.
Once again, from September till June, the castle's interiors are closed on Monday. In case you cannot postpone your trip, do not despair. The exteriors of Hluboka Castle and the large park surrounding the building will make it up for you, and we still think the place is worth visiting.
Visiting Hluboka Castle
What can you expect from visiting Hluboka nad Vltavou Castle? No matter if you arrive by car, bus, or train, you will have to walk uphill through a small center to the castle. From the town center, it takes approximately ten minutes to get to the castle on foot. Despite the ascend, we think every type of traveler should be able to get to the castle's park in no time.
If not, in the main season here operates a tourist train for an extra fee. We find it very touristy, and would never use it, but especially Asian travelers love this option. Hluboka Castle can be seen when you arrive in the town as it sits above the river, but the views are the best once you reach the park. It is only up to you whether you want to explore the grounds first and then sign up for the tour or vice versa.
You can decide based on the weather forecast as well. We went first to the counter to check out the next tours available, and as the first one was about to start in ten minutes, we bought the ticket straight away.
We've already mentioned that to see the castle's interior; you need to take a tour. All the guides are very knowledgeable. No matter which tour you choose, you will see extraordinary rooms both private and representative, wonderful wooden decoration, beautifully carved furniture, fireplaces, hunting trophies on the walls, and chandeliers, pottery, portraits, and tapestries.
When the weather is clear, make sure you buy a ticket for the observation tower. Once you are done with the castle itself, explore the grounds. Hluboka Castle is very photogenic, especially from the front. It is a place where you can take the most iconic photo. It can take you hours to walk around the castle, so it is only up to you how much time you plan on spending here. If you want, it is also possible to visit an on-site gallery and restaurant.
Things to Do in Hluboka nad Vltavou
Even though Hluboka Castle is undeniably the reason to travel to Hluboka nad Vltavou, make sure you spend in the small town some time as well. Hluboka nad Vltavou feels very resort-like, especially in the main season when tour buses come and go. Sure, it takes the peaceful atmosphere away, but you will have time to get a completely different experience if you spend the night here.
What are other things you can do in Hluboka nad Vltavou after visiting the castle? You should not miss the small square where you can find a very photogenic Church of Saint Jan of Nepomuk. It is actually located on Masarykova Street, the main shopping zone lined with souvenir shops and restaurants.
Most of the hotels are also located nearby. You can then walk to a new jetty, a part of a sports complex that offers an ice hockey rink, golf court, and much more. Hluboka nad Vltavou is also popular for its zoo. We are not fans of the zoo, but families with kids might find this tip useful. If time allows, walk around a few ponds and the Vltava River as well.
From the very first sight, it is clear that Hluboka nad Vltavou thrives and prospers because of tourism, and thanks to it, it is a charming town to spend several hours, if not longer. We cannot fail to mention Hluboka Brewery, a brewery right next to the main church. Even if you drive and cannot taste their beer, buying a bottle or two for later consumption is possible.
Where to Stay in Hluboka nad Vltavou
Hluboka nad Vltavou is a popular tourist town with a good amount of hotels. The town international travelers and locals alike, so make sure you reserve your room in advance, especially if you travel between May and September.
The best place to stay in Hluboka nad Vltavou is Hotel Diamant which is our favorite because of its fantastic wellness. I know that touring the castle and walking around the park is not as tiring as skiing in Zermatt, where we really needed that spa time, but I do have to admit that even after this light activity being able to relax in the sauna is awesome. There are more accommodations in the town, like Hotel Stekl, which is basically right next to the castle, or Hotel Podhrad which is not much further, too.
Hluboka nad Vltavou is a small town, and it certainly cannot accommodate all visitors, especially in the high season. Fortunately, you have several options. It is possible to make a day trip from Prague and spend the night in Nyx Hotel Prague once you get back. You can also consider staying in one of the nearby towns to see more of South Bohemia.
Grandhotel Zvon is a popular choice in Ceske Budejovice, while Tabor has a beautiful Hotel Nautilus. Both hotels are located on town's main squares, ideal for further explorations. Lastly, we'd consider stayin in Cesky Krumlov is also home to good accommodations, like Garni Hotel Castle Bridge.
When to Visit Hluboka Castle
Hluboka nad Vltavou Castle is one of a few castles in the South Bohemia region that is open all year round, even in the winter. We've been told that it is quite challenging to heat up the interiors, and it is the reason why so many castles in the Czech Republic are closed during the winter. Fortunately, you can plan your visit as you please.
Although the summer season, roughly between June and September, is considered the best to visit the Czech Republic, there are a few things you need to know. Summer in the Czechia is perfect. Temperatures are pleasant, and chances to have sunny weather are high. On the other hand, everyone travels. That means that the top destinations such as Hluboka nad Vltavou Castle are crowded.
Our guide told us that the maximum capacity of one tour in the season is 55 people at once, which is something we can hardly imagine. The advantage of visiting Hluboka Castle in the summer is the large number of tours you can choose from.
The last time we visited Hluboka Castle was in December, and it was perfect. There were only a few people, and we enjoyed walking expansive grounds and the interior tour, where we were only with ten other people.
On the other hand, there's only one tour available during the cold months that will give you a brief idea of how the castle looks inside. We were fine with it, but history buffs might prefer to see more.
Of course, it is also good to know that the castle is stunning from the outside, and the park is really vast. So it pays off to visit it even if you do not want to go inside, if you are a budget traveler, or if you arrive when the castle is closed for the public.
How to Get to Hluboka nad Vltavou
Hluboka nad Vltavou lies less than two hours drive south of Prague and is well-accessible by several transportation options. We've put together a more detailed guide on getting to Hluboka Castle from Prague, but we would like to outline all the possibilities here shortly.
By Car
The fastest, the most convenient, and our favorite way to get to Hluboka Castle is by car. From Prague, the journey to Hluboka Castle takes about two hours. Renting a car in Prague is super-easy, and the daily rates are very reasonable. It is a great choice, especially if you want to see more of South Bohemian's countryside or seek flexibility.
By Public Transport
It is also possible to get to Hluboka nad Vltavou by bus or train, but at the moment, there's unfortunately not a direct service. Still, it's very easy. From Prague, take a bus from Na Knizeci station (metro station Andel) or a train from the main train station (metro station Hlavni Nadrazi).
You need to get first to Ceske Budejovice, which is the biggest city in the South Bohemia region, which is actually only a few kilometers from Hluboka nad Vltavou, Here, change to a bus or train that will take you to this town. Or you can change to a train in Tabor (another South Bohemian gem), which is now the fastest option.
Hluboka Castle Tours
Being one of the top Czech sites has one advantage. There are many transportation alternatives. If traveling by public transport is not your thing, but you also do not want to rent a car, it is always possible to take a Hluboka Castle Tour. Because the visit to the castle itself takes just a couple of hours, this tour also visits nearby Cesky Krumlov.
By Boat & Bike
If you are looking for more unorthodox ways to reach the castle, it is possible to get there by boat from Ceske Budejovice, but only in summer months of July and August. Hluboka nad Vltavou is also connected with other interesting sites in South Bohemia by many cycling paths, which is great news for active travelers.
Hluboká Castle is a Neo-Gothic château in South Bohemia, famous for its white towers, elaborate interiors, historic collections, and landscaped gardens.