Best Time to Visit
May to September for warm weather and outdoor events; June for the Five-Petalled Rose Festival
Language
Czech; English widely understood in tourist areas, some German spoken
Currency
Czech Koruna (CZK)
Time Zone
CET (UTC+1), CEST (UTC+2) in summer
Airport
Prague Václav Havel (PRG), 170 km north (2.5 hour drive); Linz Blue Danube (LNZ), 80 km south
Population
13,000 (city proper)
Climate
Continental, warm summers (15-26°C), cold winters (-3 to 3°C), rain peaks in July
Safety Rating
Very Safe (Level 1)
UNESCO Status
UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992 — the entire historic center is protected
The second-largest castle complex in the Czech Republic after Prague Castle, with 40 buildings, 5 courtyards, and a baroque theatre with original 18th-century stage machinery. Castle tower entry 50 CZK (~€2); guided tours 250-310 CZK. Open Tue-Sun Apr-Oct. Allow 2-3 hours.
Gentle rafting or canoeing down the Vltava from Vyssi Brod or Roznberk to Cesky Krumlov (3-5 hours). Rental companies like Malecek and Vltava Sport charge 600-900 CZK (~€25-37) per canoe for 2. Best June to August. No experience needed — Class I-II rapids.
A warren of cobblestone lanes, painted Renaissance facades, and tiny squares south of the Vltava bend. Free to wander. Don't miss the frescoed facades on Náměstí Svornosti (main square). Best explored early morning before day-trip crowds arrive.
An open-air theatre in the castle gardens with a rotating audience platform. Summer performances (June-September) include opera, ballet, and drama. Tickets 590-1,490 CZK. Book well in advance — it's one of only two such theatres in the world.
Brewing since 1560, this is one of the oldest breweries in the Czech Republic. Guided tours (150 CZK) include the cellars and a tasting of their flagship dark lager. The brewery restaurant serves Bohemian dishes with fresh tank beer for 50-70 CZK per half-liter.
The terraced baroque gardens behind the castle are free to enter and offer panoramic views of the old town. The three-story Cloak Bridge (Plášťový most) is an architectural curiosity — a covered bridge connecting the castle to the theatre. Open April-October.
A gallery dedicated to the Austrian Expressionist painter who lived here briefly in 1911. Rotating exhibitions alongside Schiele's works. Entry 200 CZK, open daily 10AM-6PM. Allow 1 hour. The building itself is a beautiful former brewery.
Arrive by RegioJet/Student Agency bus from Prague (3 hours, 200-300 CZK/~€8-12). The bus station is a 10-min walk from the old town. Stay overnight to enjoy the magical evening atmosphere.
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)
The second-largest castle complex in the Czech Republic dominates the town from above.
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
Canoeing or rafting the Vltava — gentle Class I-II rapids through beautiful Bohemian countryside.
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
Art, history, and Czech beer — a rainy-day-proof itinerary that works on any day.
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
A free day to wander the back streets, sit at a café, and appreciate the medieval atmosphere.
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
The Budweiser Budvar brewery's home city, 25 km north. Good architecture and excellent beer.
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)
One last morning in the fairy-tale town.
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
Czech Republic is in the Schengen area. US, UK, Canadian, and Australian citizens get 90 days visa-free. ETIAS authorization (~€7) required from 2025 for visa-exempt travelers.
Student Agency/RegioJet buses run every 1-2 hours from Prague (3 hours, 200-300 CZK/~€8-12). Trains via České Budějovice take 3.5 hours with a change. The bus station is a 10-min walk from the old town. Driving is 2.5 hours via D3.
Czech Republic uses the Koruna (CZK), not the Euro. Some tourist spots accept Euros but at terrible rates. Use ATMs (bankomats) for the best rate — avoid exchange booths in the old town that charge 10-15% commission. Cards widely accepted.
Half a liter of local beer costs 40-60 CZK (~€2) in pubs, while bottled water can be 50 CZK in tourist spots. Eggenberg dark lager is the local pride. For food, trdelník (chimney cake) is everywhere but is actually a tourist invention — locals prefer palačinky (crepes).
Over 2 million visitors per year, mostly day-trippers from Prague arriving 10AM-4PM. The old town is almost empty by 6PM. Stay overnight (pensions from 1,500 CZK/~€60) to enjoy the evening atmosphere — river views, lit castle, uncrowded restaurants.
The Vltava is gentle but rocks and low bridges require attention. Life jackets are provided and mandatory. Don't raft after heavy rain — water levels rise fast. Secure phones and cameras in dry bags (rental companies sell them for 50-100 CZK).
Get AI-powered recommendations for your trip
Plan a Trip to Cesky KrumlovTravel GuidesA 460-year-old brewery, a rotating theatre, and beer that costs less than water. The 3-hour bus ride from Prague is the best investment in your Czech itinerary.
TipsStay overnight, skip the trdelnik, and never change money at the exchange booth. Here's what 2 million annual tourists learn the hard way.
StoriesTomas runs a beer bar in the old town. He loves his town, tolerates the selfie sticks, and has strong opinions about trdelník.
