Just a day trip from Prague to Cesky Krumlov is worth it!
Cesky Krumlov, one of the most beautiful medieval towns in Europe, attracts visitors from all around the world with its unique atmosphere. You can spend hours just strolling in the cobblestoned lanes of this picturesque UNESCO inscribed town. The town is dominated by the magnificent Krumlov castle, entrenched on the rock above the horseshoe bend of the Vltava river. Inside the castle, you can see the oldest Baroque theater in the world. Various cultural events are taking place in the town throughout the year and the scenic landscape around the town offers many possibilities for sightseeing trips.
You can also simply include our private tour of Cesky Krumlov into your trip around the Central Europe. After the tour, our driver can take you back to Prague or we can drive you from Cesky Krumlov to Vienna, Passau, Salzburg or Budapest.
The standard full-day trip to Cesky Krumlov from Prague includes a visit to the historic centre, the castle and the St.Vitus church (the trip contents are adjustable).
What to see in Cesky Krumlov
Krumlov castle
This second largest castle in the Czech Republic towering above the meander of the Vltava river and its baroque theater are the main attraction.
St. Vitus Church
The 2nd dominant of Cesky Krumlov and the religious counterpart of the castle - which is the secular symbol of power, is the church of St.Vitus.
The Oldtown square
The lovely square is located in the very center of the town. Its main attraction is the colorful houses and the Marian Plague Column, dating from 1716.
Cesky Krumlov tour - the contents
Our tours from Prague to Cesky Krumlov begin when the guide (or our English-speaking driver if you did not order a throughout guide) picks you up at your hotel. The drive from Prague to Cesky Krumlov takes about 2.5 hours and we can make a stop or two on the way.
After the arrival, the Cesky Krumlov city tour starts. If you ordered the local Cesky Krumlov guide, the city tour takes around 2 hours and it is typically followed by free time for lunch (the guide can recommend a restaurant). You can join the public tour of the Cesky Krumlov castle after lunch with the castle guide - please note there will be other tourists as well. This order might be reversed depending on the castle tour availability.
We usually include some free time for shopping or taking photos, or we can depart earlier and make a short stop at the Hluboka castle on the way back to Prague.
Important tour info:
- The transfer from Prague to Cesky Krumlov by car takes about 2.5 hours
- The city tour with a local guide takes 2 hours and is done on foot - good shoes are recommended
- If you do not book a guide, our driver will escort you to the castle entrance
- The individual visitors of the castle can join the public guided tour with other tourists - it takes about 50 mins
- The Krumlov castle is closed between 01 Oct and 31 Mar, only the tower is open during winter
If you do not order a private guide (from Prague or local on the spot), our English-speaking driver will point you to the main sights of Cesky Krumlov and take you to the meeting point with the castle guide.
Important: The driver is not a licensed tour guide - please do not expect detailed explanations from him.
Photos
A little bit of history and useful information
Cesky Krumlov is worth visiting whether you are interested in history or you just want to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and architecture. Its historical centre with roughly 300 houses was inscribed in the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List in 1992.
According to a legend, the name Krumlov is derived from the German "Krumme Aue", which may be translated as "crooked meadow". The name comes from the natural topography of the town, specifically from the tightly crooked meander of the Vltava river. The word "Český" simply means Czech, or Bohemian.
The Cesky Krumlov castle was built in the Gothic style by the lords of Krumlov sometime before 1250. In the 1680's, thanks to Johann Christian I. von Eggenberg, farming, building activities and arts flourished and the castle surmounted the period of provincial backwardness, stagnation in economy and arts resulting from the Thirty Years' War. Johann Christian I. von Eggenberg transformed Český Krumlov into an impressive Baroque seat.
