Český Krumlov is the Czech Republic’s fairy-tale town: a tangle of red roofs and Renaissance houses wrapped in a tight S-bend of the Vltava, below a vast castle with a painted round tower. The whole historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the castle, the second-largest in the country after Prague’s, has a rare working baroque theatre, sumptuous apartments and bears living in its moat. It is also very popular: on summer days, coach tours from Prague, Vienna and Salzburg fill the lanes from mid-morning to late afternoon. Stay the night to have the town to yourself early and late, visit between April and October when the castle tours run, and add a canoe trip on the river. One full day covers the sights; two days let you slow down.
Right now in Český Krumlov
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Top tours in Český Krumlov
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Český Krumlov at a glance
- Best for: medieval and Renaissance architecture, the castle and its baroque theatre, river views, canoeing and rafting.
- How long: 1 day for the town and the castle; 2 days to add the gardens, the Egon Schiele Art Centrum and a paddle on the Vltava.
- Best time: May, June and September. Castle interiors are open from April to October only; summer weekends are very busy.
- Getting in: RegioJet buses from Prague take about 3 hours; trains need a change in České Budějovice. Linz is about 1 hour 30 minutes away by car, and Vienna and Salzburg about 3 hours.
- Castle tours: as of October 2026, Route I cost 300 Kč and the baroque theatre tour 400 Kč; the tower and museum cost 280 Kč.
- Before you go: entry rules, money and trains are in our Czech Republic travel guide.
Český Krumlov, area by area
The Inner Town (Vnitřní Město)
Inside the river loop, the old town centres on the Náměstí Svornosti square, with its town hall and plague column, and the Gothic Church of St Vitus on the hill above. Lanes lead off to riverside terraces, small museums, galleries and restaurants. Best for: sightseeing and atmosphere.
Latrán and the castle
Across the river, the Latrán quarter climbs to the castle, which stretches for almost half a kilometre along a rock ridge, linked by the Cloak Bridge (Plášťový most) to its gardens. Best for: the castle and the best views over the town.
Plešivec and beyond the centre
The streets and slopes outside the historic core have most of the parking, bus stops and cheaper guesthouses, a 10–15-minute walk from the square. Best for: drivers and budget stays.
Top things to see in Český Krumlov
Prices and hours below were checked on the castle’s official website in October 2026. They change, so check before you go.
Český Krumlov Castle
Built from the 13th century by the Rožmberk (Rosenberg) family and later rebuilt by the Eggenbergs and the Schwarzenbergs, the castle is a complex of 40 buildings and five courtyards. The courtyards are free to walk through; the interiors can only be seen on guided tours, which run in season and are limited in size, so reserve online for summer days.
| Tour | What you see | Price (adult / reduced / child), as of October 2026 | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Route I | Renaissance and baroque rooms, the chapel, the Eggenberg golden carriage, the Masquerade Hall; 55 minutes | 300 / 240 / 90 Kč | In 2026: April to October, Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00–16:00 (17:00 in summer) |
| Route II | The Schwarzenberg family’s 19th-century apartments and portrait gallery, ending in the corridors of the Cloak Bridge; 55 minutes | 260 / 210 / 80 Kč | Shorter summer season; no 2026 dates listed as of October |
| Baroque Theatre | One of only two baroque theatres in the world with their original stage machinery, scenery and costumes; groups of up to 20 | 400 / 320 / 120 Kč | Limited dates; booking required; in 2026 from 21 September to 31 October, Tuesday to Sunday |
| Castle Tower and Museum | Self-guided; climb the painted tower for the view over the river bend | 280 / 220 / 80 Kč | Daily 9:00–16:30 in September and October; Tuesday to Sunday 9:00–15:30 from 1 November to 20 December |
Reduced prices apply to seniors and young people aged 18 to 24; child prices to ages 6 to 17. Castle interiors are closed on Mondays and from November to March, except the tower and museum before Christmas. Route II and the theatre have the shortest seasons and smallest groups, so check the castle’s website for current dates.
The bear moat. Brown bears have lived in the moat at the castle entrance since the 18th century, a reference to the Rožmberks’ claimed descent from the Orsini family, whose emblem was a bear. Look down from the bridge to the second courtyard.
The Cloak Bridge and the gardens. The multi-storey Cloak Bridge, with covered walkways over a deep gorge, gives one of the best views over the town. Beyond it, the baroque castle garden, with its rococo fountain and the Bellarie summer house, is free to visit from April to October (in October, 7:00–17:00). In the garden, the revolving open-air theatre stages summer performances.
Náměstí Svornosti and the old town
The main square is surrounded by Renaissance and baroque houses with arcades. From there, wander to the Church of St Vitus, the Latrán quarter and the riverside lanes; nearly every corner gives another view of the castle tower. The Seminary Garden behind the church has a viewpoint over the river loop and the castle.
Egon Schiele Art Centrum
The Austrian painter Egon Schiele, whose mother came from Krumlov, lived here in 1911 and painted the town many times, scandalising locals by using young girls as models. The art centre in a former brewery shows his work alongside temporary exhibitions of modern art; until 3 January 2027 it features the photographer Luděk Rathouský. As of October 2026 it costs 280 Kč (230 Kč reduced) and opens Tuesday to Sunday 10:00–18:00.
More to see
The Regional Museum has a model of the town; the Museum of Fotoatelier Seidel preserves an early 20th-century photographer’s studio; and the Church of St Vitus has Gothic vaults and Rožmberk tombs. On a hill above the town, the Křížová hora pilgrimage church gives a view over everything.
Other sights
- Marian Plague Column
Monuments
- Church of St Vitus
Castles and forts
- Český Krumlov Castle
Museums
- Atelier of Josef Seidel
- Graphite mine in Český Krumlov
Monasteries and convents
- Minorite monastery in Český Krumlov
Protected areas
- Cvičák
Things to do in Český Krumlov
Canoe and raft on the Vltava
The Vltava through Český Krumlov is the country’s most popular paddling river. From April to the end of October, rental companies hire out canoes and rafts for trips through the town, sliding down small weirs with chutes, or for longer routes upstream from Rožmberk or Vyšší Brod (about 33 km, a long day). Life jackets are provided; expect a soaking at the weirs, and crowds of boats on summer weekends. See our boat trips guide.
The Five-Petalled Rose Festival
Every June, the town turns back the clock to the Renaissance for the Five-Petalled Rose Festival, with costumed parades, jousting, music and markets. The 2027 festival is on 18–20 June. Book accommodation months ahead.
Hiking and cycling
Trails lead along the river and into the Blanský les hills, to the ruins of Dívčí Kámen castle and to the Kleť hill with its observatory and lookout tower. South Bohemia’s quiet lanes are good for cycling; see our hiking guide.
Eat and drink
South Bohemia is fish country: try trout and carp from the Třeboň ponds, as well as roast duck and dumplings. The local brewery is Eggenberg, in the castle’s former brewery; Budweiser Budvar is brewed half an hour away in České Budějovice.
Activities and best months
- Boat tripsBoats and rafting equipment for the Vltava can be rented in Český Krumlov (the town also publishes the river's boating restrictions for May to November 2026).
- City sightseeingČeský Krumlov's tourism office offers guided walks with local guides through the old town's lanes, shops and architecture, and publishes suggested walks in and around the town.
- CyclingBicycles, e-bikes and kick-bikes can be rented in Český Krumlov.
Crowds: how to enjoy Český Krumlov
Český Krumlov has about 13,000 inhabitants and receives a very large number of visitors a year, most of them on day trips. The town has started to manage the flow: since April 2025, tour coaches must book a slot in advance at the bus terminal and can stop for only 20 minutes to let passengers off, and the historic centre is a pedestrian zone closed to visitors’ cars. To avoid the worst of the crowds:
- Stay overnight: the lanes are calm before 10:00 and after 17:00.
- Visit midweek and outside July and August: May, June and September are lovely; October is quieter still.
- Book castle tours ahead: online, for a morning slot.
- Respect the town: people live here; keep noise down at night and avoid blocking narrow lanes for photos.
Day trips from Český Krumlov
- České Budějovice: a big, handsome square and the Budweiser Budvar brewery tour, about 30 minutes away.
- Hluboká Castle: a white neo-Gothic chateau modelled on Windsor Castle, near České Budějovice.
- Holašovice: a UNESCO-listed village of South Bohemian folk-baroque farmhouses.
- Rožmberk and Vyšší Brod: a castle and a Cistercian monastery upriver.
- Lipno: a large reservoir with beaches, water sports and a treetop walkway.
- Linz and Salzburg: across the Austrian border.
Nearby destinations
- Wachau96 km
- Prague142 km
- Salzburg147 km
- Hallstatt148 km
- Vienna166 km
- Brno173 km
- Karlovy Vary189 km
- Zell am See-Kaprun200 km
Getting to Český Krumlov
By bus. The simplest way from Prague: RegioJet buses leave from Praha Florenc and Na Knížecí and take about 3 hours to Český Krumlov’s bus station, a 10-minute walk from the centre. Book seats ahead in summer.
By train. Trains from Prague go to České Budějovice (about 2 hours 30 minutes), where you change to a slow local train for the last 45 minutes or so. The station is above the town, a 20-minute walk.
Shuttles. Private shuttle minibuses run from Prague, Vienna, Salzburg and Linz.
By car. Park in one of the car parks on the edge of the centre: as of October 2026, P1 Jelenka (243 spaces, 480 m from the centre) costs 60 Kč an hour, and P2 Pod Poštou and P3 Městský park 40 Kč an hour. A day ticket for the main car parks costs 280 Kč. Visitors’ cars are not allowed in the historic centre.
Getting around Český Krumlov
On foot only: the historic centre is small, steep and cobbled. The castle is uphill from the river; the Castle Steps lead up from the Latrán quarter.
When to go and how long to stay
South Bohemia has warm summers and cold winters, and the river valley can be foggy in autumn and winter mornings. The table uses the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute’s 1991–2020 averages for nearby České Budějovice, about 25 km away.
| Season | Average high | Average low | What it’s like |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | 3–5 °C | −4 to −2 °C | Cold, often foggy or snowy, castle interiors closed; magical and empty |
| Spring (Mar–May) | 10 °C rising to 20 °C | 0 °C rising to 8 °C | Castle tours start in April; quiet weekdays; canoe season from mid-April |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | 24–26 °C | 12–13 °C | Warm, the busiest time, paddling and festivals; thunderstorms |
| Autumn (Sep–Nov) | 20 °C falling to 8 °C | 9 °C falling to 1 °C | Golden colours, fewer crowds; the baroque theatre tours in late September and October |
České Budějovice gets about 660 mm of rain a year, most of it in summer.
Český Krumlov in 1 day
Arrive early, walk the old town and the square, take Route I in the castle, climb the tower, cross the Cloak Bridge to the gardens and finish with dinner by the river.
Český Krumlov in 2 days
Add the Egon Schiele Art Centrum, the Seminary Garden viewpoint, a canoe trip on the Vltava or a walk up Křížová hora, and the baroque theatre tour if it is running.
Weather month by month
Where to stay in Český Krumlov
- The Inner Town: historic guesthouses and small hotels in old houses; magical at night but with steep stairs and no cars.
- Latrán: below the castle, close to the sights and the bus station.
- Outside the centre: easier parking and better value, 10–15 minutes’ walk away.
The town charges an accommodation fee of 50 Kč per person per night. Book well ahead for summer weekends and the Five-Petalled Rose Festival.
Practical tips for Český Krumlov
- Check the castle season: interiors close from November to March, and on Mondays; Route II and the theatre have limited dates.
- Reserve tours: groups are small, and summer slots sell out.
- Come early or stay late: coach groups arrive mid-morning and leave by late afternoon.
- Wear good shoes: cobbles and steep steps are everywhere.
What to pack for Český Krumlov
Packing list for Český Krumlov
Comfortable shoes with grip for cobbles and castle steps, layers and a light waterproof from spring to autumn, and a warm coat in winter. If you plan to paddle, bring quick-drying clothes, a change of clothes and a dry bag for your phone.
What to pack
- City walking shoesLisbon and Porto are steep, with polished limestone cobbles that get slippery, so grippy soles matter.
- Day packs and anti-theft bagsA small zipped or anti-theft bag makes crowded trams and viewpoints less stressful.
- Dry bags and phone pouchesSpray soaks phones and cameras on open boats to the Algarve caves and on whale-watching trips.
- Fleeces and warm layersIt is cooler at sea than on land, especially on morning whale-watching trips.
- Rain jacketsA windproof, waterproof shell keeps you warm on open boats, where wind and spray cool you quickly.
- Reef-friendly sunscreenSun reflects off the water on cruises and cave tours.
- Travel adapters and convertersPortugal uses Type C and F sockets at 230 V, so most visitors from outside Europe need an adapter.
- Water bottles and hydration packsRiding in the Algarve and Alentejo heat needs more water than you expect.
- Water shoesKayak and small-boat trips to the Algarve grottoes land on rock and wet sand.
Český Krumlov travel FAQ
Is Český Krumlov Castle open all year?
The courtyards are, but the interior tours run only from April to October, Tuesday to Sunday. From November to 20 December only the castle tower and museum open, Tuesday to Sunday, and from late December to March the interiors are closed.
How much are the Český Krumlov Castle tours?
As of October 2026, Route I costs 300 Kč for adults, Route II 260 Kč, the baroque theatre tour 400 Kč and the tower and museum 280 Kč. The castle garden is free.
Do I need to book the castle tours in advance?
It is strongly recommended in summer, and essential for the baroque theatre, which takes only 20 people per tour on limited dates.
Is Český Krumlov too crowded?
It is busy from about 10:00 to 16:00 in summer, when coach tours arrive. Stay overnight, visit midweek or come in spring or autumn, and you will see it at its best.
How do I get from Prague to Český Krumlov?
RegioJet buses from Prague take about 3 hours. By train, change in České Budějovice; it takes longer and the station is a 20-minute walk from the town.
Can you canoe in Český Krumlov?
Yes, from April to the end of October. Rental companies hire canoes and rafts for short trips through town or longer routes from Vyšší Brod; expect to slide down several weirs.
Is Český Krumlov worth a day trip from Prague?
It is possible, with about six hours of travel there and back, but an overnight stay is much better.
When is the Five-Petalled Rose Festival?
Every June; in 2027 it takes place on 18–20 June.
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Sources · last reviewed 4 October 2026
Researched and last reviewed on 4 October 2026. Castle tours, prices, seasons and the garden: Český Krumlov Castle (zamek-ceskykrumlov.cz); parking prices and the pedestrian zone: the town’s official tourist site (ckrumlov.info); the coach booking system: the town of Český Krumlov; the Egon Schiele Art Centrum: esac.cz; the Five-Petalled Rose Festival dates: the festival and CzechTourism; climate: Czech Hydrometeorological Institute 1991–2020 averages for České Budějovice via secondary sources. Bus and train times, the paddling season and the accommodation fee come partly from secondary sources and are flagged for checking. Prices and seasons change, so check the official links before you go. For entry rules and money, see our Czech Republic travel guide; for the capital, our Prague guide; for the next country, our Austria guide.
Also: ckrumlov.info · ČHMÚ normals 1991–2020, České Budějovice (Rožnov) (climate)
Place data: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODBL) · Wikidata (CC0)