Český Krumlov, Czech Republic Travel Guide
Český Krumlov, Czech Republic Travel Guide
Plan Your Trip
If you're researching Cesky Krumlov things to do, the good news is that most of the town's best sights are free to walk through, with fees only kicking in for interiors and museums.
If you want a guided tour through the castle's Renaissance and Baroque rooms or a seat at the Baroque Theater, it's worth booking ahead in the busy summer months, since both can sell out. The historic center is largely car-free, so park at one of the lots on the town's outskirts and walk in from there.
Bring comfortable shoes for the cobblestones and the 162 steps of the Castle Tower, along with some cash in Czech crowns, since smaller museums don't always take cards.
Here's a pro tip: the castle's courtyards and grounds are free every day, so you only need to pay for what you actually want to see, whether that's the interior tour, the tower climb, or both.
Top Things to Do
1. Church of St. Vitus—home to the Rosenberg Mausoleum and the unmarked grave of Eleonore von Schwarzenberg, known locally as the "vampire princess."
2. Egon Schiele Art Center—housed in a renovated sixteenth-century brewery, dedicated to the bold painter the town once ran out of it.
3. Barber's Bridge and the Statue of Saint John of Nepomuk—touch the polished statue for luck, then take in one of the most photographed castle views in the country.
4. Český Krumlov Castle and Chateau—the second-largest castle complex in the Czech Republic, with roughly forty buildings and five courtyards.
5. The Castle Moat with Bears—home to bears since the late 1500s, with three brown bears currently living in the historic moat.
6. Castle Tower—climb all 162 steps for a sweeping view over the Vltava River's horseshoe bend.
7. Cloak Bridge—a dramatic covered bridge connecting the castle's upper courtyards, free to explore any day.
8. Budweiser Gate and Sundial—a 400-year-old painted sundial that has tracked the same hours since 1602.
Download the Complete Travel Guide
Includes:
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✓ Complete travel guide
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✓ Printable map
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✓ One-day itinerary
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✓ Hidden gems
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✓ Travel tips
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✓ Offline access
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✓ Bonus recommendations not included on this page
Our Self Guided Tour
Want these stories playing automatically as you walk?
Take our Český Krumlov's Fairytale in Stone Walking Tour. It's a self-guided, location-aware audio tour that starts at the Regional Museum on Horní Street and ends at the Stone Bridge near the Budějovice Gate, weaving vampire legends, a painter the town once rejected, and centuries of noble history into one walk.
Free Things to Do
1. Church of St. Vitus—free to step inside and see the Rosenberg Mausoleum.
2. Castle courtyards and gardens—free to walk through any day, any season.
3. Cloak Bridge—free to cross and photograph, part of the castle's walkable grounds.
4. Museum of Commerce and Puppets—free to enter, with a small stage where visitors can try a puppet show.
5. Classic Viewpoint (Postcard Angle)—free, any day, any season, and one of the most photographed views in the country.
6. Tourist Information Center—free maps and current museum hours for the whole town.
THINGS WITH ADMISSION FEES
1. Regional Museum—about 60 to 80 Czech crowns for adults.
2. Historic Old Town museums (Museum of Torture, Wax Museum)—about 130 to 150 Czech crowns for adults.
3. Egon Schiele Art Center—about 180 to 250 Czech crowns for adults.
4. Castle interior tour (Renaissance and Baroque rooms)—about 280 Czech crowns for adults.
5. Castle Tower—about 50 to 180 Czech crowns depending on whether you add the tower museum.
6. Monastery Museum—about 170 Czech crowns for adults.
Food!
Krčma v Šatlavské ulici
A medieval cellar tavern tucked into a narrow lane, famous for grilled meats cooked over an open fire in a candlelit stone room.
Švejk Restaurant
A traditional Czech restaurant named for the classic novel character, serving hearty local dishes in a cozy setting.
Laibon
A riverside vegetarian restaurant with a terrace overlooking the Vltava, a welcome change of pace in a town known for roast meats.
Where to Stay
Budget
Pension U Hada and Vltavská pohádka both offer simple, comfortable rooms in the Plešivec neighborhood, generally $60 to $90 a night.
Moderate
Hotel Dvořák and Hotel OLDINN combine central Old Town locations with comfortable, updated rooms, generally $100 to $180 a night.
Luxury
Hotel Ebersbach and Hotel Villa Beatika offer boutique luxury with deep soaking tubs and champagne service, generally $200 a night and up.
1 Day Itinerary
1-Day Itinerary
Morning: Start at the Regional Museum, then walk through the Historic Old Town Square and past the Church of St. Vitus.
Afternoon: Visit the Egon Schiele Art Center, cross Barber's Bridge, and explore Český Krumlov Castle and the bear moat.
Evening: Climb the Castle Tower for sunset views, then dinner at Krčma v Šatlavské ulici before ending at the Budweiser Gate.
2-Day Itinerary
Day 2: Take the guided castle interior tour, visit Fotoatelier Seidel's historic photography collection, or book a spot on the Vltava River rafting trip.
Extra Time: Try to snag a reservation for the castle's Baroque Theater, one of the best-preserved of its kind in Europe, or simply wander the Latrán district at a slower pace.
FAQ's
1. How long does the Cesky Krumlov walking tour take?
Most visitors complete the full route in about two to two and a half hours, longer if you go inside the castle interiors or museums along the way.
2. Is Cesky Krumlov worth visiting as a day trip from Prague?
Yes, it's a popular day trip at about two and a half hours from Prague, though many visitors choose to stay overnight to see the town without the day-trip crowds.
3. Do I need tickets in advance for the castle?
The courtyards and grounds are free and always open, but the interior tour, Castle Tower, and especially the Baroque Theater are worth booking ahead in summer.
4. Is Cesky Krumlov good for kids?
Yes, though it does include some spooky legends and one museum, the Museum of Torture, that parents may want to skip with younger children.
5. What is the story behind the "vampire princess"?
The tour tells the story of Eleonore von Schwarzenberg, buried in an unmarked grave right as vampire fear was sweeping Central Europe, and the legend that grew up around her.
6. Where does the self-guided walking tour start and end?
It starts at the Regional Museum on Horní Street and ends at the Stone Bridge near the Budějovice Gate.
7. How much walking is involved?
The route covers just over a mile through the Old Town and up to the castle grounds, including some uphill sections and stairs near the Castle Tower.
8. What is Cesky Krumlov best known for?
Cesky Krumlov is best known for its nearly untouched medieval Old Town and its Renaissance castle, the second-largest castle complex in the Czech Republic.
9. Is Cesky Krumlov walkable, or do I need a car?
It's entirely walkable. The historic center is largely car-free, so once you arrive, everything on this tour is reachable on foot.
10. What's the best time of year to visit Cesky Krumlov?
Late spring through early fall brings the best weather, though visiting outside July and August helps you avoid the biggest day-trip crowds.
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