Just south of Prague lies a Czech town that simply must be from a page in a fairytale. A town so magical that it seems unreal. Almost like a medieval fantasyland, too beautiful to be anything but a dream.
Yet somehow, Český Krumlov exists.
With its red rooftops, immaculate towers, 13th-century castle, and the Vltava River snaking through it, Český Krumlov is likely the most romantic town in all of Europe.
Clearly, a day trip to Český Krumlov is more than just a 100-mile drive from Prague. Hopping onto the bus to Český Krumlov is more like stepping into a time machine, journeying back to medieval times.
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Visiting Český Krumlov
We first entered Český Krumlov through the castle grounds. Immediately, we peered through the cutouts in the castle walls, and our eyes widened.
The sweeping views of red rooftops dusted in snow, the Vltava surrounding the medieval city like a moat, and the rolling hills of the Czech countryside in the background were almost too much. Almost.
I waited for someone to wake me up from my dream, but no one came.
This place was actually real?
Once realization set in, I pulled out my Canon, and snapped away.
Over the next few hours, Mauricio and I roamed the winding cobblestone streets and took too many photos. We stopped into a quaint restaurant for some goulash and Czech beer. We strolled through the parks and along the river. And mostly, we marveled at the fact that we were visiting a perfectly intact medieval town in the Czech Republic that couldn’t get more romantic or magical if it tried.
Our day trip to Český Krumlov was a day we won’t soon forget.



Day trip to Český Krumlov: What to see & do
- Visit Český Krumlov’s Historic Centre. The town’s Historic Center is a UNESCO World Heritage Centre, because it is a Central European medieval town whose architecture has stayed intact throughout the past five centuries. Český Krumlov’s Town Square is a sight to see, with bright buildings, cobblestones, plenty of shops and restaurants, and a plague column, which commemorates the end of the Black Death.
- Tour the Český Krumlov Castle. Built in the 13th century, this historic castle features Baroque, Gothic, and Renaissance architectural elements, and brilliant views of the meandering Vltava River and town below.
- Roam the Castle Gardens. In the summertime, the gardens are a lovely place to relax, mill about, and take in the fresh air.
- See the Church of St. Vitus. The church’s beautiful tower can be seen from anywhere in the town. Stop by and have a look inside this historic church, which dates back to 1407.
- Take a walking tour to learn about the town’s history, people, and architecture.
- Visit the Český Krumlov Regional Museum to gain more of an insight into the history of Český Krumlov and the surrounding area.
- Eat typical Czech food and drink Czech beer!
- Take hundreds of photos! This is one of the most picturesque towns you’ll likely ever visit, and you won’t want to forget a single second.



Day trip to Český Krumlov: Getting there
There are a few ways to take a day trip to Český Krumlov from Prague.
- By guided tour. Booking a tour is the easiest way to take a day trip to Český Krumlov. This is the option we chose. Most tours arrive via coach bus, and keep tour groups low, at about 20 people. With this option, a guide will give you a quick tour of the town and the castle, teaching you historic facts you wouldn’t have otherwise known. And of course, you’ll still have a couple hours of free time to explore on your own, or with the new friends you’ve made on the trip! Click here to book your tour.
- By car. Hiring a car and driving yourself to Český Krumlov is the quickest way to arrive in Český Krumlov, at about 2 hours. If you’re brave enough to drive yourself, it could end up costing less and you can stop along the way to take some photos and enjoy the Czech countryside. To do so, take the D1 to the E55, toward České Budějovice/Český Krumlov.
- By bus. A direct bus ride to Český Krumlov takes about three hours. During high tourist seasons, we recommend buying bus tickets a few days beforehand and reserving a seat!
- By train. We do not recommend this option. There are no direct trains into Český Krumlov from Prague. To take the train, you would first arrive in České Budějovice, which is a 2.5 – 3.5 hours train ride. From there, you would change trains to Český Krumlov for another 45 minute train. Once you’ve arrived, you will need to take a taxi into the city, as the train station lies about 30 minutes outside of town. Talk about a hassle!




Taking a day trip to Český Krumlov was one of the highlights of our most recent trip to Europe.
When you visit Prague, don’t miss this town. It’s the medieval gem of Central Europe, no doubt, and you may never again have the chance to visit a place as quaint and near-perfect as Český Krumlov!
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Over to you! Have you ever made a day trip to Český Krumlov before? What did you think? If not, is it on your list?
Amazing pictures! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for stopping by!
This is amazing…definitely on my bucket list now
It should be! Thanks for commenting! :)
Awwww, look at that feature photo ;) You guys are too cute (and so is this town!). Do you think a day trip is enough time to see the town and enjoy it fully? Or would you recommend more than a day? You snapped some gorgeous shots!
-Claire
tallgirlbigworld.com
Hey! Yes, one day is more than enough time to see this town. It’s tiny, and you can walk every street in just a couple of hours. Then you’ll need a few more hours just to enjoy it all, and visit some of the places I listed. You could stay a night there, but anything more than two days would be too long! Thanks! :)
Awesome! Good to know.
So I love your first photo, you guys are cute :)
Also, your pictures of this place are gorgeous! It looks like it’s right out of a fairytale!
It really is right out of a fairytale – it’s magical. Thanks! :)
I have never heard of this town before but your photos make me want to go! I’ll definitely have to remember this if I ever visit Prague and make sure I book a tour to this place. Thanks for sharing your tips! :)
https://www.mintnotion.com
Well I’m glad to have introduced you to it! Definitely visit when you go to Prague someday! :)
Wow, this place is SO beautiful! No wonder you thought it was like a fairytale. I really wish I’d known about it when I went to Prague many years ago but I do want to return to Czech Republic as husband has not been so I am definitely going to look this up next time! Beautiful aerial view photos ☺
It’s one of the most beautiful towns EVER! Happy to have introduced you to it for your next trip to Prague! It’s definitely worth making a day trip for. Thanks for stopping by!
Prague is just so gorgeous! I can’t wait to visit this country one day :)
This is actually a town called Cesky Krumlov, about three hours from Prague. But yes, Prague is gorgeous!
I’ll be here in April!!! It’s like we are swapping places haha. I am going to Prague but definitely making a day trip to Cesky. I cannot wait! Lovely photos.
Haha, it is! Enjoy your trip! :)
This reminds me of why I love the Czech Republic so much, it is just stunning.
Thanks for sharing your story of your visit, I may well be taking that bus trip when I next visit Prague!
It’s such a beautiful country, isn’t it?! Make the trip to Cesky next time, you won’t regret it!
Ahhhh these photos are gorgeous. I have been wanting to visit this place for so long!
Thank you! We had been dying to visit too! It lived up to our expectations, that’s for sure!
Stunning pictures! What a great post… Can we say how cute your kissing photo is too! Such a great pic!
Thanks for sharing :-)
Lloyd & Yaya x
Thank you so much! :)
Picturesque town Amazing place. Its wonderful that they have preserved and kept the 14th Century Town as it used to be.
It is such a beautiful, charming town. Highly recommend!