Image: Český Krumlov taken from the park near the Church of St. Vitus.
Highlights
– How to see the medieval town of Český Krumlov in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic.
Time of Visit: August 2025
Duration of Visit: Two Nights
Description
Český Krumlov is a fairy-tale medieval town. The town underwent unbelievable and extensive restoration after the Velvet Revolution in 1989, following a long period of neglect during Communist rule. The town was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1992 as a result of preservation efforts.
The town is filled with cobblestone streets, colorful Renaissance and Baroque facades, and charming squares that have changed little over the centuries. The town’s dominant structure is the sprawling Český Krumlov Castle complex. It is the second largest in the country after Prague Castle. The castle has ornate halls, gardens, and a striking tower offering panoramic views.
Beyond its architectural beauty, Český Krumlov has a vibrant cultural scene. The town hosts festivals, outdoor concerts, and the unique revolving auditorium in the castle gardens during summer months. Its riverside cafés and restaurants offer both Czech specialties and international flavors, while boutique shops and art galleries showcase local craftsmanship. With its combination of historical charm, cultural activities, and a relaxed pace, Český Krumlov feels like stepping into another era.
Activities
Here is a Youtube video of what to see and do in Český Krumlov. Below is a description of what we did while we were there for two nights.
Walking Tour With A Local
We joined a “free” guided English walking tour with a local. It is not really free as you are obliged to give the guide a tip at the end of the tour. The tip amount is left to the individual but our guide said that they typically get 10 to 15 Euros per person. Tours like this have become popular in Europe (we joined one in Tallinn, Estonia; Vilnius, Lithuania and Prague, Czech Republic and saw one in Warsaw, Poland).
It is recommended to book a spot on the “free” guided walking tours in case there are a lot of people and it only happens once a day. We lucked out as we were just walk-ins and our group had only 12 people.
The tour started in front of the Information Center at the Old Town Square and finished at the castle gardens about two hours later. We learned a lot about the history of the castle and the town both during the medieval period and during the communist era.
It was really mind blowing that the Czech Republic was free from communism as late as 1989. The pictures that our guide showed us during the communist era is a far cry from how Český Krumlov looks today. It was just hard to fathom how dilapidated the structures were during communist occupation because there was no incentive for owners to do any upkeep as everything was owned by the state.
Tour the Baroque Theater
Cesky Krumlov Castle’s Baroque Theater is one of Europe’s best-preserved Baroque theaters. Built in the late 17th century for the Rosenberg family, it features elaborate architecture, stunning ceiling frescoes, and innovative stage machinery, including ropes and pulleys for quick scene changes and special effects. Still in use today, the theater hosts performances, offering visitors a chance to experience its historical charm and cutting-edge design from the Baroque era. It’s a rare, living example of Baroque theater design and stagecraft.
On Your Own
After the tour, we explored the Old Town at our own pace. To us, the best time to be roaming around is early in the morning and at dusk all the way to around 10 PM during the summer.
Early in the morning (before 8 AM) will give you a better chance of having empty streets so you can take a photograph without being photobombed. However, Český Krumlov is popular with Chinese tourists, according to our tour guide because there was a Chinese movie that was filmed there. Indeed, we did see a lot of Chinese and they were out and about early in the morning.
At dusk, the temperature becomes more comfortable and the bus loads of tourists are long gone. The streets may still be buzzing but not as busy as during the middle of the day. We headed over to the castle viewpoints to snap pictures of the Old Town below as the red roofs seemed more vibrant with the waning rays of the sun. It was a full moon during our visit and returned to the castle viewpoint to snap the same photo in the evening light.
Drink Beer and Eat Czech Cuisine
There are two food groups that Czech people love – beer and meat. Beer costs almost the same as bottled water at restaurants so why not order one. It goes great with grilled meat whether it is pork or beef. There are many restaurants that serve traditional food and beer.
How To Get There
Here is a Youtube video (at the 1:30 mark) of how to reach Český Krumlov.
For our case, we came from Prague Airport and went straight to Český Krumlov. Flixbus and Regionjet have regular bus service between Prague and Český Krumlov. Advanced booking is recommended as seats could fill up. The last trip from Prague is at 7PM. Regionjet seems to be the better choice as their buses have headrest screens that play a limited selection of movies making the almost three hour journey go fast.
There is an information desk at Prague Airport’s Terminal 2 arrival hall. You can ask the wonderful staff there on how best to reach the Flixbus/Regionjet bus station (Na Knizeci Bus Station) from the airport. For us, we took Bus 100 at the airport and got off at Zlicin bus station to take the Metro B (yellow line) to Andel Station. Using the Metro is the quickest way as it avoids road traffic.
Where To Stay
We stayed at the Pension Adalbert which is near the Old Town Square of Český Krumlov. Its location is convenient as it allows us to return to our room during the hottest part of the day to rest. Our room was big and the bed was particularly comfortable. The breakfast buffet was great too.
Avoid bringing a large suitcase if you are staying in the Old Town. All the streets are cobbled and uneven. Dragging a heavy suitcase on such a surface can be difficult and awkward. If you are stuck with a large suitcase, there are taxis that can drive you into the Old Town, though you may have to call one as there were none waiting at the bus station where Regionjet dropped us off.
How To Get Around
Old Town Český Krumlov is meant to be walked. The old town can be walked from one end to the other in about 15 to 20 minutes. There is no public transportation within the old town unless a taxi happens to drive by.
Expected Expenses
There are no fees to enter the old part of town. There are museums that charge a fee (we did not enter one).
It is free to roam the castle grounds and garden. However, there is a fee to tour the inside of the castle. There are basically three castle tours – the tower, the castle rooms and the theater. Our guide recommended the theater tour.
Summary
Český Krumlov is a top tourist destination because it offers one of the most enchanting and well-preserved medieval townscapes in Europe. Nestled along a winding curve of the Vltava River, the town’s centerpiece is the grand Český Krumlov Castle complex, complete with elegant Renaissance and Baroque details, sweeping gardens, and a towering lookout that provides stunning panoramic views.
Visitors are drawn to its UNESCO-listed Old Town, where narrow cobblestone streets, pastel-colored buildings, and historic squares create a storybook setting that feels frozen in time. Its compact size makes it easy to explore on foot, allowing travelers to fully immerse themselves in its architecture, history, and romantic riverside vistas.
In addition to its visual charm, Český Krumlov is rich in cultural experiences. The town hosts lively festivals, outdoor performances, and the unique revolving auditorium theater set in the castle gardens. The Vltava River offers opportunities for rafting and canoeing, while quaint cafés, local breweries, and artisan shops provide a taste of authentic Czech life. With its rare combination of historical grandeur, natural beauty, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere, Český Krumlov offers visitors a destination that is both relaxing and unforgettable.