Český Krumlov

Český Krumlov takes 1–2 days, because the Vltava loops tightly around the historic core here and the whole visit is on foot: inside that loop there is no city transport, none, all on foot. The train from Prague takes about 3 h, and arrives right at the edge of the core.

The Jižní expres train from Prague stops at a station about 35 minutes on foot from the centre; anyone with luggage does better getting off at the bus station, 10 to 15 minutes from the core. From there on it's on foot only — the historic core has been closed to traffic since its 1992 UNESCO listing, which is also why its narrow lanes still follow their medieval layout today.

From either direction, the way in leads first to Svornosti Square, the old town's centre, then uphill to the castle. Český Krumlov Castle is the second-largest complex in Czechia after Prague's — five courtyards, a 13th-century Gothic core later built up in Renaissance and Baroque style. The main circuit, Circuit I with the Renaissance and Baroque apartments, is €12.30 and opens Tue–Sun 9–16 (Sep–Oct 2026); closed Monday; out of season (Nov–Mar). A second circuit, from the 19th century, is a separate ticket.

The Castle Tower and Castle Museum stand at the entrance to the first courtyard and are seen before the castle itself — a combined ticket is €11.48, the visit takes 55 min, booking no. Past the fifth courtyard, in a wing overlooking the town below, stands the Castle Baroque Theatre of 1766–1767 — one of only a handful of Baroque theatres anywhere to keep its original machinery, scenery and costumes. It's guided-tour only, at slots slots at 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, admission €16.39; out of season (out of season (Nov–Apr)) it closes. The Castle Garden behind the theatre is free and open until evening.

From the castle hill the way drops back towards the river and the Egon Schiele Art Centrum, dedicated to the painter who lived and worked in the town; admission €11.48, open Tue–Sun 10–18, closed Monday. A few steps on is Šatlavská Lane, one of the core's narrowest streets, and the Monastery of the Poor Clares and Minorites, whose museum is €7.79 and opens daily 10:30–18.

Stay a second day and spend it on the river: a canoe or raft down the Vltava through the centre itself takes 1 h and costs €16–27, helmet and vest included in the price. Longer trips on the same boats go further upstream, to Zlatá Koruna monastery (3–4 h) or the Papouščí skála cliff (1–2 h), with the return transport included in the ride.