The best time to visit Český Krumlov
The date decides whether the river runs at all here. The castle, the tower and the rafting each keep their own window, and none of them cover winter.
- Best
- May–June and September
- The castle
- Monday
- Rafting
- off season (Nov–Mar)
The best months for Český Krumlov are May–June and September; busiest in summer. The castle runs from spring to autumn and closes Monday; out of season (Nov–Mar), while rafting the Vltava needs warmer water and stops off season (Nov–Mar). Summer carries both, but also the most people on the square.
Which month to pick
If you only pick one month — May. Temperature is the mean over the whole day (not the daily high), and a rainy day has at least 1 mm of rain; averages for 2021–2024.
May, June and September keep the castle open, the water warm enough for rafting and the square short of the thickest summer crowd — May–June and September; busiest in summer. July and August carry the same two open, but also the most day-trippers from Prague.
The castle and tower: the season that decides
The castle's main circuit is open Tue–Sun 9–16 (Sep–Oct 2026), and closed Monday; out of season (Nov–Mar). The Castle Tower and Castle Museum keep longer hours in season, daily 9–16:30 (1 Sep–31 Oct 2026). The Baroque Theatre has the narrowest window of the three, closed out of season (Nov–Apr), and needs a guided slot booked ahead.
Only while the water is warm
Canoes and rafts through the centre itself run all season and stop off season (Nov–Mar). Outside that stretch, a walk along the river remains, without a boat on it.
What runs all year
Staré Město, Latrán and the Castle Garden are open with no closing day, whatever the season. The Egon Schiele Centrum and the monastery also run outside the main season, just without the summer crowd on the square in front of them.
Before you go
Short answers to what people ask most before setting out.
When is the best time to visit Český Krumlov?
May–June and September; busiest in summer, when both the castle and the rafting run, and the square is less packed than in July and August.
Does the rafting run in winter?
No, it's closed off season (Nov–Mar). The castle and the core are still open on foot.
When is the Baroque Theatre open?
Outside out of season (Nov–Apr), and only at slots slots at 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, with a guide.
Ready for Český Krumlov?
Where to next
Český Krumlov in 2 days
→Day one is the loop from Svornosti Square to the castle and back. Day two is slower, on the water, with the…
Telč · 93 km
→A square under UNESCO protection since 1992, a castle with two separate tours and two ponds standing in for the old walls — all within walking distance, with no city transport at all.
How well does Český Krumlov suit you?
→Six questions: a score for this place and others like it.
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