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Český Krumlov

Český Krumlov, in Bohemia’s deep south, is one of the most picturesque towns in Europe. It’s a little like Prague in miniature – a Unesco World Heritage Site with a stunning castle above the Vltava River, an old town square, Renaissance and baroque architecture, and hordes of tourists milling through the streets – but all on a smaller scale; you can walk from one side of town to the other in 20 minutes. There are plenty of lively bars and riverside picnic spots – in summer it’s a popular hang-out for backpackers. It can be a magical place in winter, though, when the crowds are gone and the castle is blanketed in snow.

Český Krumlov is best approached as an overnight destination; it's too far for a comfortable day trip from Prague. Consider staying at least two nights, and spend one of the days hiking or biking in the surrounding woods and fields.

Explore Český Krumlov

Český Krumlov State Castle
Český Krumlov's striking Renaissance castle, occupying a promontory high above the town, began life in the 13th century. It acquired its present…
E
Egon Schiele Art Centrum
This excellent private gallery houses a small retrospective of the celebrated and controversial Viennese painter Egon Schiele (1890–1918). Schiele's…
C
Castle Museum & Tower
Located within the castle complex, this small museum and adjoining tower is an ideal option if you don't have the time or energy for a full castle tour…
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Náměstí Svornosti
The centre of the Old Town is defined by náměstí Svornosti, with its 16th-century Town Hall and Marian Plague Column, dating from 1716. Several buildings…
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Graphite Mine
Don a hard hat and ride a clanking electric wagon through 2km of underground workings in Czechia's last graphite mine, only recently abandoned. Tours are…
M
Museum Fotoateliér Seidel
This photography museum presents a moving retrospective of the work of local photographers Josef Seidel and his son František. Especially poignant are the…
M
Marionette Museum
This is the better of two museums in town dedicated to puppetry and marionettes. It's a branch of the National Marionette Theatre in Prague and is housed…
R
Regional Museum
This small museum features folk art from the Šumava region, archaeology, history, fine arts, furnishings and weapons. The highlight is a room-sized model…
S
Synagogue
Český Krumlov's renovated synagogue was built in neo-Romanesque style in 1909. The building survived the Nazi occupation in WWII and was used as a…

Český Krumlov State Castle
Český Krumlov's striking Renaissance castle, occupying a promontory high above the town, began life in the 13th century. It acquired its present…
E
Egon Schiele Art Centrum
This excellent private gallery houses a small retrospective of the celebrated and controversial Viennese painter Egon Schiele (1890–1918). Schiele's…
C
Castle Museum & Tower
Located within the castle complex, this small museum and adjoining tower is an ideal option if you don't have the time or energy for a full castle tour…
N
Náměstí Svornosti
The centre of the Old Town is defined by náměstí Svornosti, with its 16th-century Town Hall and Marian Plague Column, dating from 1716. Several buildings…
G
Graphite Mine
Don a hard hat and ride a clanking electric wagon through 2km of underground workings in Czechia's last graphite mine, only recently abandoned. Tours are…
M
Museum Fotoateliér Seidel
This photography museum presents a moving retrospective of the work of local photographers Josef Seidel and his son František. Especially poignant are the…
M
Marionette Museum
This is the better of two museums in town dedicated to puppetry and marionettes. It's a branch of the National Marionette Theatre in Prague and is housed…
R
Regional Museum
This small museum features folk art from the Šumava region, archaeology, history, fine arts, furnishings and weapons. The highlight is a room-sized model…
S
Synagogue
Český Krumlov's renovated synagogue was built in neo-Romanesque style in 1909. The building survived the Nazi occupation in WWII and was used as a…

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Český Krumlov.

See
Český Krumlov State Castle
Český Krumlov's striking Renaissance castle, occupying a promontory high above the town, began life in the 13th century. It acquired its present…
See
Egon Schiele Art Centrum
This excellent private gallery houses a small retrospective of the celebrated and controversial Viennese painter Egon Schiele (1890–1918). Schiele's…
See
Castle Museum & Tower
Located within the castle complex, this small museum and adjoining tower is an ideal option if you don't have the time or energy for a full castle tour…
See
Náměstí Svornosti
The centre of the Old Town is defined by náměstí Svornosti, with its 16th-century Town Hall and Marian Plague Column, dating from 1716. Several buildings…
See
Graphite Mine
Don a hard hat and ride a clanking electric wagon through 2km of underground workings in Czechia's last graphite mine, only recently abandoned. Tours are…
See
Museum Fotoateliér Seidel
This photography museum presents a moving retrospective of the work of local photographers Josef Seidel and his son František. Especially poignant are the…
See
Marionette Museum
This is the better of two museums in town dedicated to puppetry and marionettes. It's a branch of the National Marionette Theatre in Prague and is housed…
See
Regional Museum
This small museum features folk art from the Šumava region, archaeology, history, fine arts, furnishings and weapons. The highlight is a room-sized model…
See
Synagogue
Český Krumlov's renovated synagogue was built in neo-Romanesque style in 1909. The building survived the Nazi occupation in WWII and was used as a…

Guidebooks

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