the Czech Republic
Brazil
Argentina
Bolivia
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Guyana
French Guiana
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela
Germany
Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Denmark
Spain
Finland
France
Greece
the Netherlands
Hungary
Ireland
Iceland
Italy
Luxembourg
Norway
Poland
Portugal
the United Kingdomthe Czech Republic
Sweden
Switzerland
Boêmia do Sul · the Czech Republic
Castle above the Vltava, squares with arcades and rural architecture in the south of Bohemia.
In the photo: Státní zámek Hluboká
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Get to know the place
Český Krumlov brings together an extensive castle and a historic center encircled by the Vltava. The river guides the routes and changes the view at each bridge. The town deserves one night to separate visits to the castle interiors, St. Vitus Church and walks along the riverbanks.
České Budějovice serves as another base, with a regular square, arcades and the Black Tower. From there you can take trips to Hluboká and Holašovice. The first stop shows a neo-Gothic residence with a park; the second preserves a group of rural properties. Both help to understand the variety of South Bohemia.
Trains and buses allow connecting the bases, but stations are not always next to the monuments. Keep the Czech names to check the destination on the boards. To add nature, the southern part of the region approaches Lipno and Šumava; those outings require dedicated days and planning of access, not to be treated as a quick stop between castles.
This destination brings together 2 cities: Český Krumlov, České Budějovice.
One destination, many paths
Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.
Contornos: ČÚZK, via geoBoundaries (CC BY 4.0). Adaptação do Cidade Turismo.
✈ Letiště Václava Havla Praha (PRG), in Praha · 196 km to Český Krumlov
From Prague, go by train or bus to České Budějovice or Český Krumlov. Both towns have regional connections; check the distance from the stop to your accommodation.
Suggested arrival point: Český Krumlov
Český Krumlov sits on a bend of the Vltava, with a historic center, a castle on the hillside and the Church of São Vito above the roofs. Bridges and narrow streets connect the sections of the old core. The layout favors exploring on foot, with pauses to view the town from both banks.
České Budějovice is the seat of South Bohemia. The Přemysl Otakar II square brings together arcades, the town hall and the fountain, with the Black Tower nearby. The city also serves as a base for Hluboká Castle and the rural façades of Holašovice.
The local experience
The Přemysl Otakar II square organizes the center of České Budějovice. The regularly designed space is surrounded by houses with arcades and has the Samson Fountain as a reference. It is a starting point to understand the city's layout and then continue along the streets and riverbanks.
The castle of Český Krumlov extends above the Vltava, linked by courtyards and passages on the hillside. The painted tower and buildings of varying heights help identify the complex from the center. The route covers a larger area than the tower’s image alone suggests.
The Black Tower stands beside St. Nicholas Cathedral, near the central square of České Budějovice. The structure functions as a vertical reference in the old core. The climb allows observation of the regular block layout and the arrangement of roofs around the square.
The historic center of Český Krumlov occupies a narrow bend of the Vltava. Houses with ceramic roofs, narrow streets and small bridges form a core that is explored on foot. The river’s position explains why the same castle reappears from different angles during the walk.
The Church of São Vito stands out above the roofs of Český Krumlov’s center. The slender tower helps locate the building in views from the castle. It sits on the other side of the historic core and allows comparison of the religious space’s scale with the nearby streets and houses.
Hluboká Castle rises on a hill north of České Budějovice. Towers, battlements and light-coloured façades make up the neo-Gothic-looking complex. The building is surrounded by gardens and a park that extend the visit beyond the interiors.
Holašovice preserves a group of rural properties organized around a central space with a pond. The façades with gables and light decoration are examples of the so-called rural Baroque of South Bohemia. The visit offers a village landscape unlike the nearby palaces and urban centres.
Before you go
A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.
May to September usually favors gardens and walks. April and October can work for monuments, with a program of circuits to check. In winter, from December to February, the cold and short days reduce outdoor time.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Four days: two in Český Krumlov and two for České Budějovice, Hluboká and Holašovice. Add days if you include Lipno or hikes in Šumava.
In Český Krumlov, the historic core and Latrán make the visit on foot easy, but there are cobbled streets. In České Budějovice, the area around the central square brings arcades and monuments together; the surroundings of the station support connections.
Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.
Get your questions answered
Krumlov favors the experience of the old town; Budějovice makes transportation to other excursions easier. Splitting nights avoids backtracking.
Both bases have public transport. For Holašovice, check the regional connection and the return before setting out.
It is possible, but travel takes up much of the day. One night allows separating the castle visit from the walk through the center.
Reserve at least one specific day for Lipno or for an area of Šumava, depending on access and the chosen route.
