Cesky Krumlov Travelers Recommend

Český Krumlov combines a riverside setting with cobbled streets and Renaissance architecture. Add must-visit museums and great restaurants to the mix and you’ve got one of the Czech Republic’s top destinations. Here’s how to spend three days in Český Krumlov.

Day 1: Must-See Sights

A great way to get acquainted with Český Krumlov’s main landmarks is on a sightseeing tour. Tours typically visit Český Krumlov Castle, the Gothic church of St.Vitus, and the town's historical city center. If you’re particularly interested in the castle, pick a tour that includes a visit to its interiors—some even include a skip-the-line admission ticket. Alternatively, evening tours reveal the UNESCO-listed town when illuminated and let you explore without the daytime crowds.

In the evening, check out the restaurant scene in town. Le Jardin at the Hotel Bellevue is a local favorite, while U Dwau Maryi is famed for its generous Old Bohemian Feast, which features some of the Czech Republic’s most traditional dishes.

Day 2: Cultural Immersion

The Vltava River—which connects Český Krumlov to the Czech capital of Prague—is easily accessible from town, so start the morning with some tubing, rafting, or boating.

After an energetic start to the day, dive into regional history and culture. Don a hard hat and ride an electric wagon through the Czech Republic's last graphite mine on a tour of the Graphite Mine or admire a to-scale model of Český Krumlov at the turn of the 19th century at The Regional Museum. The Egon Schiele Centrum Museum is dedicated to the work of the Viennese artist who briefly resided in the town, while the Marionette Museum, housed in the former Church of St Jošt, displays Czech marionettes and puppets.

Day 3: Take a Trip

Though many travelers only visit Český Krumlov, there’s much more to see in the South Bohemia region. České Budějovice, which is home to the original Budweiser Budvar Brewery, is just a 30-minute drive from Český Krumlov. Every afternoon, the brewery runs 60-minute tours that guide visitors through the manufacturing process of Budvar, from the brewing system to tasting. Conclude your visit to the brewery with a meal and a few brews in the Budvarka restaurant, which serves Czech cuisine.

If you’re a history buff, visit the Gothic, 13th-century Hluboká Castle, which is a 40-minute drive from Český Krumlov. Some tours visit both the castle and the brewery in a single day trip. However you spend your day, leave time in the evening to toast your three days in Český Krumlov with a drink at one of its best bars, such as Apoteka Café Bar or Zapa Bar.

Two days in Český Krumlov give you time to thoroughly explore the charming Czech town—which boasts UNESCO World Heritage status—and get a sense of its history and culture. Here’s how.

Day 1: Explore the Sights

Morning: Check off Český Krumlov’s major attractions on a walking tour that offers a more detailed introduction to local history. Tours typically cover the Old Town, St. Vitus Church (Kostel sv. Vita), and Český Krumlov State Castle and Chateau complex.

Afternoon: Spend your afternoon catching up on regional history and culture. The Regional Museum houses archaeological artifacts, Bohemian antiques, and a to-scale model of 19th-century Český Krumlov, while the Egon Schiele Centrum Museum is dedicated to the work of the Viennese artist Schiele, who briefly resided in the town.

Night: Conclude an action-packed first day with dinner at one of the town’s many good restaurants. Afterward, have a nightcap at a cocktail bars such as Apoteka Café Bar or Zapa Bar.

Day 2: Dive Deeper

Morning: Start your second day with a visit to the Graphite Mine, located just outside of the center. Don a hard hat and ride an electric wagon through the Czech Republic's last graphite mine on a that tour introduces you to the mining history of the area.

Afternoon: The town of České Budějovice is just a 30-minute drive from Český Krumlov. There, you can tour the original Budweiser Budvar Brewery. Another option is visiting the 13th-century Hluboká Castle, a Gothic fortress hailed as one of the most beautiful in the Czech Republic.

Night: Spend your final evening in the popular U Dwau Maryi restaurant, located inside a building that dates back to the Middle Ages. The restaurant’s signature Old Bohemian Feast features an array of traditional Czech dishes.

Hailed as one of central Europe’s prettiest towns, Český Krumlov charms with its fairy-tale castle and an Old Town square filled with Renaissance and Baroque architecture. Here’s how to make the most of one day in the UNESCO-listed town. 

Morning: Take in the Sights

You can skip the stress of advance planning on a day trip to Český Krumlov from Prague. Most tours include round-trip transport, and hotel pickup and drop-off, which saves you the hassle of driving and arranging transfers yourself. Whether you’re daytripping or spending the night, a walking tour provides a great introduction and offers a more intimate glimpse into the town. Tours typically cover Český Krumlov Castle, the Gothic church of St. Vitus, and the Old Town. 

Afternoon: Immerse Yourself in Culture

Devote the afternoon to Český Krumlov’s cultural attractions. If you’re an art lover, head to the  Egon Schiele Art Centrum, a private gallery that houses a small collection of work by the Viennese painter Egon Schiele. Alternatively, the Regional Museum features archaeological artefacts, paintings, and folk art from the Šumava region, while the Marionette Museum—a branch of the National Marionette Theatre in Prague—is housed in the former Church of St. Jošt and displays Czech marionettes, puppets, and stage sets.

Night: Delve Deeper

The crowds that fill Český Krumlov during the day typically disperse come evening, making it a great time to explore the town. A private evening tour, which promises the undivided attention of a guide, offers a different perspective of the castle courtyards and cobbled streets of the Old Town. Alternatively, settle down in a local restaurant for the evening: Le Jardin, at the Hotel Bellevue, is often said to be the best in town, while U Dwau Maryi is favored for its old-style Czech cuisine. After dinner, cap your night with a cocktail at Apoteka.