Best Things to do in Český Krumlov
A guide for how to spend a day or two in the most picturesque fairytale town of the Czech Republic.
Český Krumlov is one of the best options for a day trip out of Prague, so if you have a few extra days on your trip or if this isn’t your first time visiting the city, we recommend going to see what this quaint and historical town has to offer!
Fun fact: Český Krumlov is a 1000 year old medieval village which was left untouched during the bombings of WWII. The village is now a dedicated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This means everything is in its original, pristine condition. The frescos painted on the walls are dated back to as far as 500 years ago! The charm of this fairytale town is very much alive. From the cobblestone streets, to the building facades and the copper rooftops, you will be transported back in time.
How to get to Český Krumlov from Prague:
Take a bus (3 hrs) southbound, (we recommend the FlixBus from Prague’s Florenc bus station)
Rent a car (2 hr 20 mins)
The FlixBus roundtrip ticket was was £14 with the option to select the front row “Panorama” seats. (We did this and saw so much scenery!) The extra 2 GBP was worth it to make that happen.
We woke up early to get on the 8:00 am bus out from Prague’s Florenc station. This was to our advantage for a number of reasons:
There was very little traffic, so we got to take in the morning countryside
We got to take naps in order to make up for our shortage of sleep
Upon arrival, as we took our first steps into town, we felt an immediate sense of magic in the air. There is a giant gate as you enter the village, (you can’t miss it), but be aware of the cobblestone streets!
Before you know it, your camera will be out and snapping photos before you have time to think! The town will immediately encapsulate you with its rich history and ancient architecture. Enjoy the walk through the main street past the castle, across the bridge of the river, and into the town square.
Český Krumlov is small, however there is an abundance of map stands that point towards the town’s best viewpoints. It won’t take you long to stumble into them and marvel at all of the red roofs.
We spent our entire day wandering through the various streets and quiet pathways, finishing up at the castle. The one thing we regrettably missed was the 162 steps up to the top of the castle…
Beware: The steps up to the top of the castle close at 3:30pm sharp, so you’ll want to make sure to get there by 3 at the latest. We showed up just before 3:30 and were unfortunately turned away. We were surprised by the early closure time, however the rest of the castle is open much later.
Also, there are bears kept at the entrance of the castle in its moat, which we morally felt slightly uncomfortable about.
Top Spots for food & drink:
Sjeck
Travellers Pub
Krcma U dwau Maryi
We ended up staying in Český Krumlov until 5pm and we were comfortable with how much time we had to explore the area.
Disclaimer: We love museums, but tend not to go into any, especially when it is our first trip to a new place. We typically visit museums/historical houses/etc. once we feel like we’ve seen the city and gotten a feel for the vibe. That being said, in Český Krumlov, there is no shortage of museums and preserved houses to visit.
If returning to Prague via bus, make sure to go to Bus Station 1. The signage confused us and we almost missed the bus back! The bus should be picking you up exactly where it dropped you off earlier that day.
We hope you enjoy your trip to Český Krumlov! It is absolutely worth it. Let us know if you’ve visited, or are planning to visit, we are always happy to help :)
Joe
