Cesky Krumlov is a small town found in Southern Bohemia in the Czech Republic – it also happens to be one of the dreamiest destinations in Europe. Wandering the winding, cobbled streets of Cesky Krumlov really does feel like you’ve been transported into a fairytale. It is like no where else I have ever been.

Being one of my favourite places in Europe I’ve decided to put a little guide to Cesky Krumlov together for other travellers visiting – read on for more!

Guide to Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic

Getting There

Cesky Krumlov can be easily reached from Prague, or even nearby Austria. I am a lover of train travel so I was determined to catch the train, despite reading many reviews that said the bus was an easier option. Spoiler – the bus is the better option!

I booked tickets the day before by going to the main station in Prague (Praha hlavní nádraží). The train from Prague to Cesky Krumlov takes about 3.5 hours, but the catch is there are no direct trains – you must get the train to a town called Ceske Budejovice and from here take a bus for about 1 hour. I managed to miss the bus and had to wait around for the next one, which wasn’t exactly the best way to spend my morning.

My advice would be to forget the train and take the bus that runs direct from Prague – RegioJet (previously Student Agency) buses run every hour and only take about 3 hours. It will cost you €7.70 each way and tickets can be booked online using the Regiojet website.

Where to Stay

Being the budget-friendly traveller that I am, the accommodation I was looking for needed to affordable but I also wanted somewhere that would fit with the charming, quaintness of Cesky Krumlov. Luckily I stumbled across Krumlov House.

This has to be one of the best hostels I have ever stayed in, it is located in a perfect part of town for exploring, the owners/staff are lovely and incredibly helpful and the hostel itself is fantastic – comfy beds, homely lounge for socialising, great kitchen area and much more. I wrote an entire review about Krumlov House so be sure to check that out (no pun intended).

What to Do

Whilst small, there is plenty to keep you busy in Cesky Krumlov! The huge castle overlooking the town is the most popular attraction for tourists, and rightly so. It is one of the most well-preserved castles in Europe, and being so large there is lots to explore. There are bears in the surrounding moat (a tradition that dates back to the early 1700’s – but I still felt bad for the bears), castle gardens to explore and a round tower to climb that will provide you with amazing views of the town below.

After making your way through the castle it’s time to head down to wander the town itself. Due the Cesky Krumlov’s small size it is an incredibly easy place to get around, so don’t worry about getting lost and enjoy aimlessly strolling the colourful, cobbled streets. This was one of my favourite things to do in Cesky Krumlov.

Other fun things to do:

• Cathedral of St. Vitus, which is free to visit and absolutely beautiful inside and out
• The bustling old town square which is so magnificent it has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Check out the Moldavite Museum
• Explore Cesky Krumlov surroundings by taking an easy hike
• If you’re visiting in summer there will also be plenty of activities happening alongside and on the Vltava River

Where to Eat

If you are feeling peckish there are a plethora of restaurants and cafes to take your fancy. Some of my favourites were:

– Na Louzi, Kájovská 66, 381 01 Český Krumlov

Fantastic and cheap authentic family-owned Czech restaurant. Very easy to find, directly off the main square. Also a hotel. 

– Antre, Horni 2, 381 01, Cesky Krumlov

This place has the BEST hot chocolate I’ve ever had, I dream about it to this day. If you are looking for a place to relax for a bit I would definitely recommend Antre, comfy chairs, wifi, delicious cakes and coffee/hot chocolate – what more could you want? Be sure to try the traditional Medovnik (honey) cake, a real treat! 

– Deli 99, Latrán 106, 381 01 Český Krumlov

Great spot for breakfast for the early riser as they open at 8am (a lot of places didn’t seem to open until 11am or later). Deli 99 is part of Hostel 99, another hostel with good reviews that I considered staying in.

– Travellers Restaurant, Soukenicka, 43, Cesky Krumlov 381 01

Another great places for traditional Czech food, good prices and located in the old town centre. Lovely outdoor courtyard to sit in, if the weather is nice!

When to Visit

I’d imagine Cesky Krumlov would be lovely all year round. Personally, I visited in the winter and found it to be an absolutely beautiful time to be there, the cold winter days really added to the fairytale vibes. It also snowed while I was there which was completely magical (and was my first time seeing snow fall). Visiting in the low season meant the streets were far less crowded, which was fantastic!

From what I can tell there are loads of activities in the summer, such as kayaking down the Vltava River or hiking in the hills surrounding the town. If you’re an adventure seeker, summer might be a good time for you to visit!

I truly think whatever time of year you choose to visit Cesky Krumlov is going to be amazing, so don’t let a season stop you from making the trip.

In terms of how long you spend there, again this is really up to you. It is the perfect day trip destination from Prague, this is what a lot of people tend to do, if you wake up early you can spend four or five hours wandering the town which would be plenty of time to see all of the main attractions. I decided to spend three days there and honestly still wasn’t ready to leave at the end! Cesky Krumlov is one of those places you could plan on visiting for a few days and end up staying weeks – there is just something about it that pulls you in and has you falling in love.

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Have you been to Cesky Krumlov – if so, what did you think?

Let me know your must-visit place in Europe?!

Let me know in the comments! 

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Want more?

Check out my other posts about the Czech Republic

Krumlov House, Cesky Krumlov – Hostel Review

The Best Places to Eat in Prague