Cesky Krumlov

Bus arrival and walk to old town(30 minutes)

Follow signs to Centrum. The old town is compact — everything within 10 minutes

Check-in at a pension or hotel(1 hour)

Pensions in the old town from 1,500 CZK (~€60). Book ahead in summer

Evening walk through the old town(1.5 hours)

The frescoed facades on Náměstí Svornosti (main square) glow at dusk. Cross the stone bridges over the Vltava. The castle lit from above is stunning at night

Dinner at Na Louži(1.5 hours)

Traditional Bohemian restaurant near the square. Svíčková na smetaně (marinated beef sirloin with cream sauce and dumplings, 250 CZK/~€10) with a half-liter of Eggenberg dark lager (50 CZK)

Cesky Krumlov Castle — castle tower(45 minutes)

Climb the round painted tower for the iconic rooftop panorama of the red-roofed old town in the river bend. Entry 50 CZK (~€2). Open Tue-Sun Apr-Oct

Castle guided tour (Tour I or Tour II)(1.5 hours)

Tour I covers Renaissance and Baroque rooms (250 CZK). Tour II focuses on the Schwarzenberg family (310 CZK). English tours available — book at the ticket office first thing

Walk across the Cloak Bridge (Plášťový most)(15 minutes)

A three-story covered bridge connecting the castle to the theatre. The views down to the Vltava from the bridge are excellent

Lunch at Krčma Šatlava(1 hour)

Medieval-themed cellar restaurant. Roasted pork knuckle (280 CZK) and tank beer. Atmospheric stone vaults

Castle Gardens(1.5 hours)

Terraced baroque gardens behind the castle. Free entry. Panoramic views, the Bellarie summer house, and the revolving auditorium theatre are all here. Open April-October

Evening at a riverside bar(1 hour)

Grab a beer at one of the bars on the Vltava bank. The castle illuminated above the water is the perfect backdrop

Vltava river rafting or canoeing(5 hours)

Rental companies (Malecek, Vltava Sport) on the Vltava bank. 600-900 CZK (~€25-37) per canoe for 2. Start from Vyšší Brod or Rožmberk (3-5 hours to Cesky Krumlov). Shuttle to starting point included. No experience needed. Bring dry bag for phone/camera

Post-rafting lunch at Laibon(1 hour)

Vegetarian restaurant on the riverside with outdoor terrace. Falafel plate (180 CZK), fresh juices. A lighter option after a physical morning

Dinner at Krčma v Šatlavské(1.5 hours)

Another excellent cellar restaurant. Wild boar goulash (250 CZK) with bread dumplings and Eggenberg beer

Egon Schiele Art Centrum(1.5 hours)

Gallery dedicated to the Austrian Expressionist who lived here in 1911. Rotating exhibitions alongside Schiele's works. Entry 200 CZK. Open daily 10AM-6PM

Museum Fotoatelier Seidel(1 hour)

A preserved early 20th-century photography studio with glass plate negatives documenting the town's history. Entry 130 CZK. Fascinating time capsule

Lunch at Eggenberg Brewery restaurant(1.5 hours)

Brewery operating since 1560. Fresh tank beer (50-70 CZK/half-liter) with pork schnitzel and potato salad (200 CZK). The dark lager is the local pride

Eggenberg Brewery tour(1 hour)

Guided tour of the historic cellars. 150 CZK including tasting. Book at the brewery reception

Evening stroll to the Vltava viewpoint(45 minutes)

Walk to the Seminary Garden (Klášterní zahrada) for a panoramic view of the town from the southeast. Free access

Latrán Quarter exploration(1.5 hours)

The historic street connecting the main square to the castle. Artisan shops, a marionette museum (80 CZK), and quieter corners the tour groups miss

Coffee and trdelník at a square café(30 minutes)

Yes, trdelník is tourist fare, but the chimney cake fresh from the oven is tasty regardless. Better yet, order palačinky (Czech crepes) at any café — the authentic option

Free afternoon — swimming in the Vltava or reading(2 hours)

On hot days, locals swim at the bend near the castle. The water is clean enough — look for locals as your guide

Revolving Auditorium Theatre performance (summer)(2 hours)

Check schedule at otacivehlediiste.cz. Tickets 590-1,490 CZK. The rotating audience platform is one of only two in the world

Bus to České Budějovice(30 minutes)

Frequent buses, ~50 CZK

Walk Přemysl Otakar II Square(45 minutes)

One of Europe's largest town squares. The baroque Samson Fountain, Black Tower (climb for views, 40 CZK), and arcaded buildings. Free to explore

Budweiser Budvar Brewery tour(1.5 hours)

The real Budweiser (not the American one). Factory tour with tasting, 200 CZK. Book online. The lager rooms are impressive

Lunch at Masné Krámy(1 hour)

Historic butcher's hall turned restaurant. Budvar fresh from the tank and traditional Czech goulash (180 CZK)

Early morning empty-street walk(30 minutes)

Before 9AM, the old town belongs to you. The day-trippers from Prague haven't arrived yet

Breakfast at a local bakery(30 minutes)

Rohlik (Czech bread rolls) and coffee from a pekárna

Checkout and bus to Prague or onward(3 hours)

RegioJet/Student Agency bus to Prague (3 hours, 200-300 CZK). Or bus to Linz, Austria (1.5 hours) for onward connections

Dinner at Na Louži(1.5 hours)

Svíčková (250 CZK) and Eggenberg dark lager

Castle tower(45 minutes)

50 CZK

Castle guided tour(1.5 hours)

250-310 CZK

Vltava rafting/canoeing(5 hours)

600-900 CZK per canoe

Egon Schiele Art Centrum(1.5 hours)

200 CZK

Museum Fotoatelier Seidel(1 hour)

130 CZK

Lunch and tour at Eggenberg Brewery(2.5 hours)

Tour 150 CZK

Revolving Theatre (summer)(2 hours)

590-1,490 CZK

Budvar Brewery tour(1.5 hours)

200 CZK

Bus to Hluboká nad Vltavou(45 minutes)

Via České Budějovice

Hluboká Castle tour(2 hours)

Entry 200-300 CZK depending on route. The most visited castle in South Bohemia after Cesky Krumlov. English tours available. The white neo-Gothic turrets are photogenic from the gardens

Castle park and gardens(1 hour)

Free. English landscape garden, ponds, and a deer park

Lunch at Štekl restaurant in Hluboká(1 hour)

Czech cuisine with castle views. Duck with red cabbage and dumplings (220 CZK)

Hike to Plešné jezero (Plešné Lake)(3 hours)

A glacial lake at 1,090 m surrounded by virgin forest. 8 km loop trail, moderate difficulty. The Stifter viewpoint above the lake is spectacular

Drive to Kvilda — highest village in the Czech Republic(30 minutes)

At 1,065 m. Walk the peat bog boardwalk trail (1 hour, easy). Source of the Vltava River is marked here

Browse artisan shops in the old town(1.5 hours)

Marionette workshops, Bohemian crystal, and hand-printed paper. The Marionette Museum on Latrán is quirky (80 CZK)

Walk Třeboň's Renaissance square and castle(1.5 hours)

A beautifully preserved Renaissance town with an arcaded square. Castle tour 150 CZK. Less touristed than Cesky Krumlov

Cycle the fishpond trails(2 hours)

500-year-old fishpond system covers the landscape. Flat cycling trails connect the ponds. Bike rental in town ~200 CZK/day. Birdwatchers will spot herons, egrets, and kingfishers

Lunch at Šupina & Šupinka(1 hour)

Famous for carp dishes — fried carp (smažený kapr, 180 CZK) is the traditional Czech Christmas dish, served here year-round

Walk the village(1.5 hours)

A single village green surrounded by 23 farmsteads in 'South Bohemian Folk Baroque' style. UNESCO World Heritage since 1998. Free to explore. The ornate gable facades are unlike anything else in Europe

Lunch at a local hospoda (pub)(1 hour)

Simple pub food — schnitzel and beer in a village setting (120-150 CZK)

Zlatá Koruna Cistercian monastery(1 hour)

A 13th-century monastery on the Vltava. Tour 150 CZK. Beautiful Gothic architecture and a medieval scriptorium

Kayak the Cesky Krumlov town loop(2 hours)

Rent a kayak from the outfitters on the river bank (400 CZK). Paddle the bend around the old town — the castle from the water is spectacular

Photography walk — best viewpoints(2 hours)

The Seminary Garden, the castle tower, the Cloak Bridge, and the weir below the castle are the four best photo spots

Lunch at Cikánská Jizba(1 hour)

Roma-themed restaurant with live music in the evenings. Grilled meats and beer (200-250 CZK)

Early morning walk(30 minutes)

Before 9AM the old town is yours alone

Bus to Prague, Linz, or Vienna(3 hours)

RegioJet to Prague (3h, 200-300 CZK). FlixBus to Linz (1.5h) or Vienna (3.5h)

Dinner at Na Louži(1.5 hours)

Svíčková (250 CZK)

Rafting from Vyšší Brod(5 hours)

600-900 CZK/canoe

Rožmberk Castle tour(1.5 hours)

One of the oldest castles in South Bohemia. Tour 150 CZK. The English-style park and Vltava views are lovely

Vyšší Brod Cistercian Monastery(1.5 hours)

Founded 1259. Tour 130 CZK. Remarkable library, medieval painting collection, and a functioning brewery (50 CZK tasting)

Treetop Walkway (Stezka korunami stromů)(1 hour)

A 675-m elevated boardwalk through the forest canopy with a 40-m observation tower. Entry 200 CZK. Panoramic Šumava and lake views

Swimming or paddleboarding on Lipno Lake(2 hours)

Rent SUP boards or pedal boats at the lakeside. Clean warm water in summer

Ars Electronica Center(2 hours)

Museum of the future — interactive digital art and technology. Entry €11. Unmissable if you're interested in art and tech

Walk through Linz old town and Hauptplatz(1 hour)

Baroque old town, Austria's largest main square. The Linzer Torte (world's oldest cake recipe) is a must-try at Café Jindrak (€4)

Five-Petalled Rose Festival (if June)(5 hours)

Three days of medieval pageantry — costumes, jousting, music, craft markets, and fire shows. The entire old town becomes a medieval fair. Free street events, some shows ticketed

Alternative: Glassblowing or pottery workshop(3 hours)

Several studios in the old town offer hands-on workshops. Expect 500-800 CZK for a 2-hour session. Make your own Bohemian glass ornament

Dinner at Apotheka cocktail and wine bar(1.5 hours)

Cocktails and small plates in a converted pharmacy. Creative drinks from 150 CZK

Live music at a riverside bar(2 hours)

Check local listings — summer brings outdoor concerts and jazz evenings