Český Krumlov travel guide

Český Krumlov is a small town where a castle tour and an old-town walk fill half a day to a day.

Castle Tour Route 1 costs 300 koruna for adults and takes about 55 minutes. The castle museum, tower and gardens have seasonal hours, so fix your date first. UNESCO listed the town's historic centre in 1992.

On days you travel to and from Prague, your time in town depends on transport times, so choose the tour day first. The town is walkable, so staying inside the old town is convenient. Hours here follow the 2026 schedule.

Visa and entry requirements for Czechia

Whether you need a visa, how long you can stay and which pre-arrival forms apply all depend on your nationality and the purpose of your trip. Check the official source below, and your own government's travel advice, before you book.

• Information for foreigners (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic)
• ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) (European Union)
• EES (Entry/Exit System) (European Union)

Český Krumlov Castle Tour Route 1 costs 300 koruna for adults, 240 for seniors and students aged 18 to 24, and 90 for ages 6 to 17; under-6s are free. It takes about 55 minutes, with up to 45 people per group. Under the 2026 schedule, it runs Tuesday to Sunday 9:00 to 16:00 from 4 April to 31 May and 1 September to 31 October, and 9:00 to 17:00 from 1 June to 31 August.

Route 2 costs 260 koruna for adults and runs at weekends in June, Tuesday to Sunday in July and August, and at weekends in September; it's closed from January to May. The castle museum and tower are open 9:00 to 16:30 in April and May, 9:00 to 17:30 from June to August and 9:00 to 16:30 in September and October. From 1 November to 20 December they open Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 to 15:30.

Based on the castle's 2026 schedule, checked on 23 October 2026.

The castle gardens open 7:00 to 17:00 in April, 7:00 to 19:00 from May to September and 7:00 to 17:00 in October. A walk before or after your tour naturally fills about an hour.

UNESCO listed the historic centre of Český Krumlov in 1992 as an example of a small central European medieval town whose structure and architecture have survived well over some five centuries. As you walk, notice how the castle and town are preserved as one whole.

On a day trip, arrive in time for a morning tour, see the castle before lunch, and walk the old town and gardens in the afternoon. Fix your return time first so the last walk isn't rushed. For two adults and a 10-year-old on Route 1: 2 × 300 + 90 = 690 koruna; under-6s are free.

With one night, see the castle by day and walk the town in the evening. From November to 20 December the museum and tower close at 15:30, so start early. For 21 December onwards and January to March, read the official schedule first, and check how to book tours once your date is set.

In town, keep meals simple with Czech beer, potato dishes and goulash, a filling paprika meat stew for lunch. We don't pick restaurants or prices here. Eating lunch after the tour leaves more time for an afternoon walk. Check prices on the menu, and ask whether cash or cards are accepted before ordering.

Castle tours, museum and tower opening vary by season, so check the official schedule once your date is set. Czechia is in the Schengen Area; check entry requirements for your nationality. Keep belongings close, and save the local emergency number 112.