Day-trip to Cesky Krumlov – 5 best things to do!

In this article we give you an itinerary of 5 things to do when you come to Cesky Krumlov for just one day.

Český Krumlov in one day – the itinerary: 

• Try to arrive in Český Krumlov before 10 am and leave the bus at bus station Špičák. It’s closer to the castle. If you are going from Prague on bus leave either at 6 am or 7 am with Regiojet bus company.
• Visit the castle Baroque Theater from 10:00 am – 10:45 am
• Visit the Castle Tour number I from 11:00 am – 12:00 am
• Have lunch until 2 pm
• Join Wiseman Free Walking Tour at 2 pm at the main square

See detailed information below.

1. See the castle Baroque Theater

The Baroque Theatre in Český Krumlov is one of the four original Baroque theatres that have survived centuries of fires and demolitions until today. If you are coming to Cesky Krumlov and you love history, you should definitely not miss the Baroque Theatre.

Baroque operas are still performed inside the baroque theater built in 1766!

Buy the Baroque Theater before you arrive in Český Krumlov! 10 tickets are available online and the remaining 10 tickets can be purchased on the day of the tour at the castle box office. So to be on the safe side, buy your ticket online a few days in advance on the webpage of the castle.

Opening hours: The Baroque Theatre is open from April 1 to October 31 (except Mondays) and English tours take place twice a day at 10 am and 2 pm (45 minutes long). But sometimes only once a day at 10 am! So don’t forget to buy the tickets in advance.

How to get to the theater: It´s necessary to arrive before 10 am. Leave your bus at the first bus stop of Cesky Krumlov and follow the Google map to the point where the tour starts. Unless you bought your ticket in advance, you need to go to the castle ticket office in the second courtyard of the castle (where the castle tower is located) and buy the ticket. The baroque theater tour starts in front of it in the fifth courtyard in front of its big wooden door.

What to expect: On a tour of the Baroque theatre, you’ll learn all about its 250+ year history, sit in the auditorium, see the stage with its hand-painted backdrops, and even get to go backstage where you’ll be shown the original Baroque machinery with three kilometres of ropes that were used to quickly change the scenery on the stage above you. They will also show you special machines that were used to imitate the sounds of nature such as wind, rain, or thunder (pictured here).

More tips: If you want to know more about the theater read our article on 5 tips how to get to Český Krumlov castle baroque theater.

2. Visit the castle interiors on the Castle tour number I

Cesky Krumlov castle is the second biggest castle in the Czech Republic after the Prague castle. It took 500 hundred years to finish this monster with 5 courtyards, 40 buildings, and more than 350 rooms. Being nationalized by communists and never returned to its previous owners it´s a tourist attraction you shouldn´t miss. Especially if you like beautiful interiors, old paintings, and bear rugs (really).

Opening hours: The Castle Tour no. 1 is open from April 1 to October 31 (except Mondays) and English tours take place twice a day at 11 am and 3:30 pm (60 minutes long). Visit the castle right after the Baroque Theater tour! The Baroque Theater tour ends at 10:45 in the 5th courtyard and the Castle Tour I starts 15 minutes later in the 3rd courtyard (1 minute walk away). Buy the Castle tour no. 1 in advance online to avoid lines and stress.

What to expect: On the tour you´ll see about 20 renaissance and baroque interiors including bedrooms and living rooms of nobles, a baroque ballroom, a renaissance kitchen, a chapel of St. George and more. You’ll see a golden carriage, weapons and armor, gobelins or rugs of castle bears that lived in died in the bear moat in front of the castle. If you want to learn more about the castle tour I wrote an article Why should you visit Cesky Krumlov castle.

3. Climb the castle tower and visit the castle garden

The castle tower is the most prominent dominant of Český Krumlov reaching 54 meters above it. Built in 1581 in Renaissance style the tower shows its Italian heritage through its rounded arches at the gallery level and the fresco decoration.

Opening hours: the castle tower is open every day from 9 am to 5:30 pm (from November to March closed on Mondays). The ticket includes the castle museum.

What to expect: Climbing the castle tower takes just ten minutes, but the breathtaking view makes it a must-do! From the top, you’ll enjoy a panorama of Český Krumlov’s fairytale-like rooftops—perfect for capturing unforgettable photos. Look down, and you might spot the local bears in the castle moat! Your tower ticket also grants access to the castle museum, where you can explore fascinating historical exhibits in just 15 minutes. Each room offers informative leaflets to bring the town’s rich history to life. Don’t forget to discover rooms in front of the museum. In one of them, there is a model of the castle showing how it looked in the year 1500 when it was still a fortress with defensive towers, draw-bridges and moats.

Free view-point: If you don’t want to pay for a visit to the castle tower, go to the end of the castle grounds where you will find the entrance to the best viewpoint of Český Krumlov. From now on, it’s just a few steps to the 18th-century castle garden, which is open from April 1 to October 31 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admire a French and English park there, a cascade fountain of a god Neptun or the most controversial building of Český Krumlov, a 20th-century open-air theater in the middle of the garden with an auditorium that rotates.

4. Lunch in Český Krumlov

The best trip is a trip with a pub, right? Český Krumlov is a small town with 80 restaurants to choose from. Here we give you three tips for restaurants to have lunch.

Czech Food: Hospoda Na Louži is the best place in town to have traditional Czech food and great local beer. The restaurant is created in the 1930s traditional style which makes it quite special. Try traditional Czech roast pork with dumplings and cabbage, regional speciality “Kaplicka cmunda” (smoked pork, potato pancake and cabbage) or fried cheese (the only typical Czech vegetarian meal).

Burgers: Můstek is right next to the main square. They offer craft Czech beer, amazing hotdogs, burgers, or crispy sweet potato fries.

Vietnamese restaurant: We recommend in Český Krumlov is called My Saigon. We like their sushi, Bun Cha, or Pho soup.

Coffee: Go to Kolektiv café right under the castle. They have nice coffee and amazing deserts.

Budget: Have a Döner Kebab 5 minutes away from the main square for 6 EURO. We like Kebab House.

5. Join the Free Walking Tour of Český Krumlov

Learn about the history of Český Krumlov and finally discover the town on a Free Walking Tour.

When and where: The Free Walking Tour runs every day in the main square in front of the information center (náměstí Svornosti) of Cesky Krumlov at 10:30 am or 2 pm. Look for a tour guide with in a red t-shirt with a red umbrella. Book your spot on the tour in advance on www.wisemanfreetour.com. The tour is based on tips at the end of the tour.

What to expect: The Wiseman Free Walking Tour is and introduction to Cesky Krumlov history. You’ll learn about local nobles – who they were, how they got rich and why they built the second biggest castle in such a small town like Český Krumlov. You’ll also learn why the town survived so many centuries until today and why it became a UNESCO heritage place. On the tour you’ll discover the old town, view points, a church, the exteriors of Cesky Krumlov castle,  and much more.

Book your spot on the Wiseman Free Tour in advance on www.wisemanfreetour.com.

What to do next? 

It the afternoon we recommend several short but truly fun activities that are usually one-hour long. Here is the list of the best of them:

Escape Room the Alchemist: Great fun for couples and groups of friends (2-6 players). Get locked in a medieval alchemist’s laboratory, solve puzzles and logical tasks and escape! Pay with your credit card and get 20% discount using this coupon: CK-JAN-FWPUB

Even though the last bus to Prague leaves at 9 pm, the majority of Český Krumlov attractions close at 6 pm. Until 7 pm (from May to September) you can see the baroque castle gardens above the castle and enjoy beautiful ornamental flower beds and an English park with an artificial lake. Later you can have dinner or join our Private tour or the Night tour with us.

Cesky Krumlov, being one of the most charming towns in the world, is also a perfect place for a day trip. Arrive before 10 am, go to the baroque theater, learn about the town on the Wiseman Free Tour, do a boat trip and see the castle. It will be a long day but it will be definitely worth it.