Recommended by TripAdvisor travelers, DK Eyewitness, Michelin, Fodor´s, Luxury Travel Magazine
This trip to the south Bohemian town of Cesky Krumlov will definitely become a highlight of your stay in the Czech Republic. A UNESCO World Heritage site since 1992, Cesky Krumlov is one of Bohemia´s most picturesque towns. It is made up of beautiful Renaissance style buildings housing quaint cafes, excellent restaurants and unconventional shops. Along the way, you can enjoy the amazing landscape of south Bohemia.
“We took a day trip from Prague to Cesky Krumlov with Private Prague Guide. We found our driver-guide Premysl to be very informative and an excellent guide. He knew the history, where to eat and shop…” Read more testimonials at our Private Prague Guide Day Tours profile at TripAdvisor.com.
2,5 hour Prague to Cesky Krumlov transfer
1 hour Krumlov Castle tour (with a local tour guide)
1 hour Sightseeing tour (1st part) of the old town in Cesky Krumlov
1-1,5 hour Lunch at a traditional restaurant
30 minutes Sightseeing tour (2nd part) of the old town in Cesky Krumlov
30 minutes Souvenir shopping
30 minutes Cesky Krumlov to Ceske Budejovice (Budweis) transfer
30 minutes Sighthtseeing in Ceske Budejovice (buy original Budweiser beer glass!)
2 hour Ceske Budejovice to Prague transfer
This is a private tour, so the itinerary can be adjusted as you wish.
We will explore the labyrinthine streets of the Renaissance Old Town with its 300 medieval buildings and enjoy crossing a footbridge over the Vltava River which offers many wonderful views. You will be able to see the impressive Egon Schiele Art Centre and admire Hotel Ruze, a former Jesuit College with beatiful Renaissance graffiti. At the square in front of HotelRuze, there are pictures of crowds saluting Hitler during World War II, when Cesky Krumlov was home to a German-speaking majority. We will also visit Saint Vitus Church and the town square with its Renaissance town hall, Plague Column and fountain. In Latran Street, you will see colourful houses from the Middle Ages. Naturally, we will not miss the largest castle in Bohemia with a bear moat and actual bears.
While in the Old Town, we will have a lunch at a traditional restaurant near the Vltava River with a great view of the castle. In winters, we dine at a beatiful, medieval-like restaurant with a fireplace, located in one of the romantic, winding streets. Also, you should not forget to experience the local Eggenberg beer.
The Castle of Cesky Krumlov is the most popular attraction in the town. With its five courtyards and 11 hectares of gardens, it attracts visitors from all over the world. Cesky Krumlov Castle became the main residence of the Rosenbergs in 1302, and they remained there for almost 300 years, greatly influencing the castle’s and town’s history. You will definitely be amazed by the golden carriage inside the castle. Made from gilded walnut in 1638, the carriage was used to transport presents from the newly-elected Emperor Ferdinand III von Habsburg to Pope Urban VIII. But Cesky Krumlov has much more to offer. The Baroque theatre is one of the longest-surviving of its kind in Europe. Constructed from 1680 to 1682, it is one of only a few Baroque theatres in the world still retaining its original stage machinery, costumes, scenery and props.
Cesky Krumlov Castle consist of the Upper and Lower Castle. The Upper Castle is accessible daily from April through October except Mondays. If you are in Cesky Krumlov on a Monday, do not worry – you can still visit the interiors of the Lower Castle and/or its tower. In winter (November – March), when the Upper Castle is closed for visitors, one can still walk through the interiors of the Lower Castle daily except Mondays. The castle interiors are fully closed on Mondays in winter (November-March) and during the winter holiday season from December 22 until January 1. Even then, you are free to look at the exteriors of the five courtyards of Krumlov Castle and walk around the Old Town. During that time of year, we will take you to an additional UNESCO site: the preserved village of Holasovice. We will also make a stop in Ceske Budejovice (Budweis, the capital of South Bohemia, Budejovice, where you can taste the original Budweiser beer or enjoy mulled wine at the Christmas markets. That means the tour will not be shortened during the holidays. Admission fees: Upper Castle 260 CZK / person, Lower Castle (Museum): 100 CZK / person or Lower Castle + Tower: 150 CZK / person. Reduced price for students and seniors over 65.
Cesky Krumlov offers numerous cultural activities and is the setting for several hundreds of events each year. There are dozens of galleries and museums, and of course the medieval castle complex with its enchanting gardens. The Cesky Krumlov Castle Baroque theatre, built in the 17th century, is not the only theatre in the town. One can also visit the 20th century Revolving Auditorium, for instance. The Five-Petalled Rose Festival is a three-day event held in mid-June. At this time, Cesky Krumlov comes alive as a Renaissance town again. Beside all the other festival attractions, visitors can see concerts, dances, duels and theatre performances. There are also processions of noble ladies and gentlemen in the streets and it is easy to meet knights or jugglers. The Middle Ages are all around Cesky Krumlov in mid-June!
If you wish, we can also visit other interesting places on the way to/from Cesky Krumlov. You may want to take in the atmosphere of the old square in Ceske Budejovice, the capital of south Bohemia founded in 1265, where you can enjoy the original Czech Budewiser beer. Alternatively, you may wish to see the uniquely preserved village of Holasovice or visit Hluboka Chateau (surcharge), one of the most admired chateaus in the country. Once back in Prague, we also recommend to experience our highly rated Prague tours.
If you wish to explore more sights in one day, you can combine the visit to Cesky Krumlov with another UNESCO site: Kutna Hora and Bone Church.
| Location | 180 km / 2,5 hour drive south of Prague (direction Austria - Salzburg) |
| Sights to See | Cesky Krumlov - UNESCO Pearl, Cesky Krumlov Gardens, Cesky Krumlov Old Town |
| Interiors | Cesky Krumlov Castle, Cesky Krumlov Museum (also opened in winter) |
| Included | Car / van, driver-guide, fuel, toll roads, parking |
| Excluded | Entrance fees, food and drinks |
| Availability From-To | All year round |
| Departure Time and Location | We will pick you up at the agreed place and time, most likely at the reception of your hotel in Prague. (To be specified in the request form below) |
| Duration | 10 hours |
| Return Location | We will finish the tour anywhere you wish in Prague. |
| Means of Transportation | Walking and/or Driving - Car, Van, Minibus, Bus |
| Required Walking Ability | Medium |
| Language | All tours are in English, but exceptions can be made in advance. |
| Additional Info | We will stop for lunch at a traditional Czech restaurant. This will be the best time to ask our tour guide about cultural life, dining venues, where to change your money, etc. |
