South Bohemia · UNESCO
Český Krumlov
UNESCO · Vltava · Castle and château · Evenings
The historic centre in a bend of the Vltava has been on the UNESCO list since 1992. By day it fills with tour groups. Mornings and evenings belong to those who stay the night.
- Population
- ≈ 13,000
- UNESCO
- 1992
- From České Budějovice
- ≈ 22 km
- To Třeboň
- ≈ 51 km by road
Stay DNA: Český Krumlov
An editorial profile of the place, not a measurement. How the scores are made
- Nature
- 6/10
- Cycling
- 6/10
- Wellness
- 4/10
- Family
- 7/10
- Food
- 8/10
- Nightlife
- 7/10
- Peace
- 4/10
- Dogs
- 6/10
- Car-free
- 8/10
Where to stay
| Area | Character | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Vnitřní Město (Inner Town, inside the river bend) | medieval lanes, closest to everything | one night, couples |
| Latrán (below the castle) | just as historic, closer to the château | anyone who wants to step straight out to the château |
| Plešivec and around the station | quieter, above the town | by train, with a car, families |
| Villages round about | farmsteads and guesthouses, views | longer stays, with Šumava and Lipno within reach |
Car access to the historic centre is restricted. Before you book a room in the lanes, ask exactly where you will park and how far that is with a suitcase.
When to come
- April–June and September–October: the best balance of weather and people.
- July–August: the centre is packed between 10:00 and 17:00. Mornings and evenings are still beautiful.
- Winter: an empty town, shorter opening hours at the sights.
How to get there
- Train: from České Budějovice on line 194 (České Budějovice – Černý Kříž). It continues into Šumava towards Lipno.
- Bus: direct services from Prague and from Budějovice.
- Car: about 22 km from České Budějovice, about 51 km to Třeboň.
Nearby
- Kleť (1,087 m) – the highest peak of the Blanský les hills, 6 km to the north-west, with the oldest stone lookout tower in Bohemia (Josefova věž, Josef’s Tower).
- Holašovice – a village of rural Baroque architecture on the UNESCO list (1998), 16 km west of České Budějovice.
- Lipno – the largest body of water in Czechia, about half an hour’s drive to the south.
- Třeboň – fishponds and spa; how to combine the two towns.
On the map
Select a point on the map or in the list.
Open guideBorders: Natural Earth 1:10m (public domain). Regions and routes are schematic. Sources for each layer: how the atlas is made.
Frequently asked questions
Is one day enough for Český Krumlov?
For a tour of the centre, yes. If you want to experience the town without the crowds, stay the night – it is at its loveliest early in the morning and after dark.
Can I get to Krumlov by train?
Yes, from České Budějovice on line 194 (towards Černý Kříž). The station is above the town; it is about a 20-minute walk downhill to the centre.
Read on
Plan the trip
Three helpers, already set for Český Krumlov. All of them are also on the Planner page.
How we chose
- We wrote about Český Krumlov because it works as a base for a stay: there is somewhere to sleep, something to do on foot or by bike, and a way to get there.
- Facts such as areas, dates and rules come from official bodies and Wikipedia. Each one is in the source list below, with the date we last checked it.
- Stay DNA and the “Know before you go” panel are our editorial estimates, compared with the other places in the atlas. They are not measurements or visitor ratings.
- We name no individual hosts, and nobody pays to be included.
Sources (6) checked on
- Český Krumlov – Wikipedia (in Czech) – location, population
- World Heritage List – UNESCO – Historic Centre of Český Krumlov
- Timetable for line 194 – Správa železnic (PDF, in Czech)
- Kleť – Wikipedia (in Czech) – 1,087 m, Josef’s Tower
- Holašovice – Wikipedia (in Czech)
- Route Český Krumlov – Třeboň (in Czech)
Where a source is only in Czech, it says so. How we pick sources and fix errors: About the atlas.