
Destination guide
Český Krumlov
Czechia
Český Krumlov (German: Krumau) is a beautiful town of 14,600 inhabitants in Southern Bohemia, in the Czech Republic. Like Prague, the town is situated on the Vltava River and is full of Baroque buildings housing cafes and bars, features a spectacular castle (the second largest in the Czech Republic), and an old-town…
AI insights
AI-written from the Wikivoyage listings, transport section and the video stats on this page
Book your interior castle and Baroque Theatre tours at the main ticket office well before you intend to start them; the entrance points for these tours are located a significant, tiring walk away from the ticket office itself.
Avoid the crowds at the popular jailhouse tavern by visiting during off-hours, and when dining at Maštal, ask for a half-portion (poloviční porce) to manage your meal size and save on the cost.
If you plan to navigate the Vltava River, use a free interactive river map to check current water levels and weir safety before launching, as conditions change significantly after rainfall.
Prioritize a visit to the Regional Museum's top floor to view the detailed ceramic scale model of the town, which illustrates how the skyline appeared with significantly more towers and spires in the past.
For a unique perspective of the town, plan your river rafting for the evening; night-rafting tours offer a view of the illuminated castle and architecture that daytime visitors often miss.
How we vet these picks
Every pick is drawn from real sources — YouTube creators, Wikivoyage, and Wikipedia. We only surface sources that actually exist and that we've checked for authenticity — no filler, no dead-end searches.Watch first
Ranked by views and how well each landed with the people who watched it, judged against the other coverage of this place — plus a local creator where we found one.
Best time to go
Best window: May–October
January is the month to avoid — cold. The window below is when it is genuinely pleasant.
Rated from ten years of daily temperature and rainfall recorded at this destination, via Open-Meteo's ERA5 reanalysis. Hover a month for its real numbers.
Getting around
By bike
Many good biking paths lead you to and from Český Krumlov, but you're not encouraged to ride through the streets once you get here. Park and lock your bike and enjoy not pedaling for a while.
By boat
No tours are necessary, boat rentals will sort everything out for you. If you are only interested in the Český Krumlov section of the river, it's about 2 hours long trip. Night rafting is also possible with some rental services.
By foot
Ambling around the town's crooked ulices is the best way to get lost in Český Krumlov's 750 years of history. Bring solid walking shoes for the uneven cobblestones.
Transport notes from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0.
What to see
Places are listed from Wikivoyage and our own sourced research. Worth it means a second, independent source names the place too; “3 sources agree” means three or more do — and each card names them, so you can check.
Český Krumlov State Castle
Worth itAlso recommended by Lonely Planet
A Renaissance and Baroque castle on a river bluff, complete with a nearly intact 18th-century Baroque theatre still fitted with its original stage machinery.
Vetted sources
Castle Tower and Museum
Worth itAlso recommended by Lonely Planet
Climb the tower for photo-perfect views over the town's red rooftops and the looping Vltava below.
Vetted sources
Castle Gardens
Worth itAlso recommended by Lonely Planet
Terraced Baroque gardens behind the castle, far quieter than the castle itself and at their best in spring and summer bloom.
Vetted sources
Regional Museum
Horní 152
Permanent exhibitions of Bohemian antiques, geological fossils, archeological finds from the nearby Celtic oppidum, and interesting rotating exhibits of local interest.
Vetted sources
Chapel on the Mountain of the Cross
Way of the cross that leads to chapel on Cross Mountain, with nice view of the city.
Vetted sources
Český Krumlov Monasteries
There are interactive exhibitions and nice gardens.
Vetted sources
Český Krumlov State Castle and Chateau
The most-visited site in town and is composed of the Little Castle (Hrádek) hosting the Castle Museum, the six-storey Chateau Tower from the Renaissance period, the Chateau, the Baroque Castle Theatre, the Chateau Garden, the Gothic…
Vetted sources
Technical Monument - Graphite Mine
Chvalšinská 243
This mine offers a bit of information about the history of mining and about the region of Český Krumlov. Before you set off on the excursion, you get a special miner uniform, including helmet and miner torch.
Vetted sources
What to do
Old Town walk
Worth itAlso recommended by Lonely Planet
A 20-minute-across old core of cobbled lanes and Gothic-Renaissance houses that Lonely Planet calls Prague in miniature.
Vetted sources
River rafting/canoeing on the Vltava
Worth itAlso recommended by Rick Steves
Paddle the river loop that wraps the old town, the classic way locals and visitors alike see the castle from below.
Vetted sources
Vydra Boat Rental
Nové Spolí
Vydra has been running canoe, raft, kayak and paddleboard rentals for over 30 years — full equipment and transport to your launch point included, collection at the finish too.
Vetted sources
Ontario - boat and raft rentals
Kaplická 194
If you think you know Český Krumlov well and nothing can surprise you, do night-rafting. You will explore historical centre of Český Krumlov in very different way. You ride down the river with a guide.
Vetted sources
JK Slupenec Horses
30-minute walk from Town
They provide all the gear you need, including a helmet. Wear comfortable clothing and bring a couple sugar cubes or an apple to sweeten the experience.
Vetted sources
Maleček Boat Rentals
Rooseveltova 28
Rent a boat or take the historical wooden raft tour with guides and commentary in English.
Vetted sources
Rafting on the Vltava River
You can rent rafts on several locations and hostels in and out the town, and near the camping area as well. The river can become faster flowing in summer months after rain, so approach the weirs with caution.
Vetted sources
Tubing on the Vltava River
Make sure you get proper instructions on how to navigate the weirs through town, or you could end up with some small injuries as a souvenir of your visit.
Vetted sources
What to eat
Na Louži
Worth itAlso recommended by Rick Steves Travel Forum readers via ricksteves.com community
A boisterous, wood-panelled tavern serving Czech pub classics and beer with a loyal local crowd.
Vetted sources
Krčma v Šatlavské
Worth itAlso recommended by Rick Steves Travel Forum readers via ricksteves.com community
Meat grilled over an open fire in a stone cellar dining room carved into the old town's rock foundations.
Vetted sources
Hospoda 99 and Deli 99
adjacent to the Budejovicka Gate - main entrance to the old town
Whether you are staying at the adjacent hostel or not, Hospoda 99 makes it a perfect spot to sit, relax, drink and enjoy some of the best Czech and American-inspired dishes in town.
Vetted sources
Laibon
two blocks from the town square on the right, before you reach the wooden bridge
Český Krumlov’s veggie haven and tea house. Even meat eaters enjoy the healthy departure from fried pork and take a stab at the creatively cooked grains.
Vetted sources
Maštal
Tucked away next to the Infocentrum on the town square
Serves up quality food, and lots of it. Standard Czech fare, and a good range of salads. If you’re not so hungry, ask for the poloviční porce, or half-portion. Half-portions should be half the price of the normal-sized meal.
Vetted sources
Nonna Gina
across from the castle gates
Owned by a Sicilian-Czech couple. Serves the most authentic Italian dishes in town. Here you’ll find pizzas, salads and gnocchi to nosh, and even homemade tiramisù.
Vetted sources
Where to stay
Hostel 99
1 min. from Špičák bus stop, just go over the bridge that leads you into the old town, first left after the gate.
Fun place, no bunk beds in a 16th-century building, with wooden beamed ceilings and a terrace out-looking the castle tower. Free beer on Wednesdays! Great bar/restaurant on site. Internet access and laundry available.
Vetted sources
Hostel Krumlov House
Rooseveltova 68
Lots of wood crafted details. Very quiet, spacious and clean. 100 percent non-smoking and family-friendly. Wifi, full kitchen, private rooms, lounge with DVDs and musical instruments. Laundry available.
Vetted sources
Vltavan Campground
next to the Vltava River, about a 30 minute walk from main square
Large campsite. A nearby grocery store (10 minute walk) and a couple of local restaurants next to the camping site will keep hunger at bay.
Vetted sources
Pension Ingrid
Kaplicka 194
Offers boats for Vltava trips, also kick-bike rental (scooter) for downhill ride.
Vetted sources
Kemp Krumlov
U Trojice 107, Český Krumlov 38101
A camp site with possibility of boat rental.
Vetted sources
Travel essentials
Gear worth packing for any trip — affiliate links that help keep Tripest free.
Travel content from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0. Encyclopedic context from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Videos via the YouTube Data API.






