Cesky Krumlov Itinerary: What to Do in Cesky Krumlov in One Day

Looking for one of the most beautiful places to visit in the Czech Republic that isn’t Prague, then how about the fairytale-like town of Cesky Krumlov in South Bohemia? And if you’re wondering what to do in Cesky Krumlov in one day, this article is for you. 

There are so many things to see In Cesky Krumlov. The visually stunning town is sprawled across the meandering banks of the Vltava River, dispersed with colourful houses lining cobblestone streets, a gigantic multi-arched bridge and a castle perched on top of a rock. 

This is the second most visited place in Czechia outside of Prague, and for good reason plus the city is compact enough that you can easily see all the best things in Cesky Krumlov in one day. 

Discover how to make the most out of your visit to this UNESCO World Heritage Site listed Czech destination, and add all these things to your Cesky Krumlov itinerary.

Things To Do In Cesky Krumlov In One Day

No time to read this Cesky Krumlov guide right now? no worries.

Whether you plan to visit Český Krumlov in a day from a different city or plan to stop overnight, here’s a list of all the things to put on your checklist.

What To See Cesky Krumlov

• Cesky Krumlov Castle
• The Castle Gardens
• Walk Over & Under Cloak Bridge
• Climb The Castle Tower
• Explore The Photogenic Cobblestone Alleys
• Discover The Viewpoints From Seminární Zahrada
• Ride On A Traditional Raft
• Visit The Museums
• See The Church Of St Vitus
• Muse At The Quirky Artwork

Organised Cesky Krumlov Things To Do

I’ve partnered with South Bohemia Tourism to bring you this travel guide. This article is based on the destinations and experiences I took part in. All views and opinions are my own.

Where Is Cesky Krumlov?

Cesky Krumlov is located in South Bohemia region of the Czech Republic, not far from the Austrian border.

If you’re looking for beautiful places to visit in Czech Republic other than Prague, this is it.

If you’re planning on visiting Cesky Krumlov as a day trip from a nearby city, the closest one is Ceske Budejovice, just 25km away. You can also visit from the nation’s second capital, and ask in the tourist information for the best Brno day trips to Cesky Krumlov.

However, if you’re visiting from Prague, the journey will take you around 2.5 hours. If you’re travelling around Europe, and you’re in Vienna, then Ceske Krumlov could be a convenient stop-off for a night as it’s also around a 2.5hrs drive from the Austrian capital.

Map of Places to Visit in Cesky Krumlov

Here are the top Cesky Krumlov places to visit places. Use this map to help plan your itinerary, or use the outline I give below.

Things To Add To Your Cesky Krumlov Itinerary

Here are my recommendations on the top ten things to do on your Cesky Krumlov one day trip. You’ll find information on the locations and tips for visiting to help you plan your Cesky Krumlov itinerary.

1. Cesky Krumlov Castle

Topping the list, and the number one must see in Cesky Krumlov is the 13th-century castle. 

It’s nestled on top of a rocky slope and dominates the skyline of the town, you can’t miss it and it’s visible from pretty much everywhere in the Old Town. 

I already mentioned at the start that Cesky Krumlov is the second most visited place in the Czech Republic outside of Prague. Cesky Krumlov Castle is also the second-largest castle in the Czech Republic, once again, trumped by Prague which has the country’s largest castle complex.

What you’ll see, in terms of architecture, is a whole smorgasbord of styles. The original Gothic castle was founded in the mid-13th century by a Czech noble family. Over the years, it was handed down to various families, each adding bits and renovating to leave their mark. 

Some parts of the castle date to the second half of the 16th century and are built in the Renaissance style with later additions being in a Baroque design. Two of the most striking elements that make up the castle complex are the ornate rotund bell tower and the multi-arched Cloak Bridge. 

2. The Castle Gardens

If you’re looking for free stuff to do during your one day in Cesky Krumlov, then explore the Castle Gardens. They are located on top of the rock and from the Old Town is a steep 15-minute walk to get up there, but it’s worth it!

During the summer, if the crowds of the Old Town are getting too much, this is a nice escape to find a quiet spot and relax. 

3. Walk Over & Under The Cloak Bridge

Between the Gardens and the Castle, you’ll find another of the most recognisable Cesky Krumlov sights. Spanning the gap between the rock, which would have once been the moat, is the mighty Cloak Bridge.

The Cloak Bridge at Cesky Krumlov dates back to the 15th century, although it was thought to be made of wood and more like a drawbridge back then. Between then and 1777 various iterations of the impressive, multi-arched bridge were built. It’s changed very little since that date. 

As part of your Cesky Krumlov day trip itinerary, plan to walk across it, as well as under it. Looking at the bridge from below, you’ll be able to get a sense of scale, it’s huge.

4. Climb The Castle Tower

If you don’t want to do a full castle tour, and only want to enter one part, then make sure it’s this. Climbing the iconic Castle Tower should be on everyone’s Cesky Krumlov bucket list. The pinky-coloured Renaissance-style tower can be seen from most places across town, so it’s no surprise that it’s a great vantage point to look down from.

There are 162 rickety steps going up the tower, some of them have low overhanging beams so watch out for your head. Although the climb to the top of the tower is steep, it’s worth it.

At the top you can walk around the whole tower, so you’ll get a full 360 view of the Old Town below.

5. Explore The Photogenic Cobblestoned Alleys

Like many other Medieval cities, Cesky Krumlov is a criss-cross network of streets going off in all directions. Although it’s easy to lose your bearing here, part of the fun is getting lost in the colourful building-lined cobbled alleys. You join a walking guided tour of Cesky Krumlov or explore by yourself.

You’ll stumble across pretty courtyards, stairs, lanes and beautiful old buildings. If you want to find out more about the town, then do a Cesky Krumlov walking tour which will take you around all the important places such as the Cesky Krumlov castle theatre, music school and various lookout points.

6. Discover The Viewpoints

Because this is such a photogenic town, you’ll probably want to know where the best Cesky Krumlov viewpoints are.

For the best photos of the city, try to arrive either late in the day or early in the morning when the sun is less harsh. Annoyingly, the day I visited, the morning was cloudy. However, even with the clouds, the city still looks beautiful.

One of the prettiest spots in Cesky Krumlov to photograph from is at a courtyard called Seminární Zahrada. From here you’ll be able to get a great shot of the castle, a bit of the cloak bridge, the towers and the terracotta rooftops.

This is one of the most iconic Cesky Krumlov photos, and the best bit, it’s free.

If you don’t mind paying a small fee, then another great view of Cesky Krumlov view is from the Castle Tower. This gives a much closer bird’s eye view of the Old Town, this is also the view where you’ll get a 360 view of the city.

7. Ride On A Traditional Raft

Because the town is intertwined with the Vltava River, rafting in Cesky Krumlov is one of the best ways to see the city. Although there are kayaks for hire, the most fun way is by going on one of the traditional wooden rafts. 

The rafts don’t look much more than a load of logs tied together and a few benches put on top to sit on. You’re not wrong. The rafts also come with a guide who will point out various things along the way and also do the paddling for you. 

You might have noticed there are a couple of weirs along the river, and to the side of them, there are channels pretty much the same width as the rafts. This is how the rafts get down the river, going down them is a lot of fun, and always attracts quite a few spectators from the banks.

8. Visit The Museums

If you’re visiting the city and the weather isn’t great, then you might be wondering what Cesky Krumlov attractions are indoors.

I’ve already mentioned the obvious one earlier, the Cesky Krumlov Castle Museum which you get entry to with the Castle Tower ticket. However, there are several other great museums worth checking out. Here are three great options.

• Ceský Krumlov Regional Museum: Covers the history of the city and its residents. It features a mix of folk art and objects.
• The Museum of Torture: It seems that every major town in the Czech Republic has a torture museum. It’s located in the cellars of the Town Hall and goes into quite some depth, with examples of the torture device, about how criminals were treated. 
• Museum Fotoatelier Seidel: A great museum if you’re an avid photographer. You find examples of early photos along with equipment dating back to the 19th century.

9. See The Church Of St Vitus

The Church of St Vitus is one of the oldest buildings in the city as well as it is one of the most recognisable. This is a Roman Catholic Church built in a Gothic style. It took more than 30 years to complete the building. 

The church holds historical importance and is the resting place of numerous members of the Rosenberg and Schwarzenberg families which were two of the main families that resided in the castle. 

10. Muse At The Quirky Artwork

If you’re near the town centre and looking for something a little bit quirky to add to your Cesky Krumlov itinerary, then take a look at some of the unusual street installations and artwork on show. There’s a nice little collection down an alleyway, look for an archway (it’s number 16) leading to a cobbled lane just off Latrán.

Along this alley, there is a house that belonged to a local artist. On the ground, there are cobblestones with the names and dates of people who visited the artist, and the whole facade of the house is covered in unusual, but quite fun-looking sculptures.

Keep following the lane around, and you’ll find more quirky art installations, including a bench with two giant feet on it.

Although not typically included on the walking Cesky Krumlov tour, it was a fun and modern addition to the Medieval streets. This lane often gets overlooked, so you’ll probably have the street to yourself.    

Restaurant Suggestion in Český Krumlov – Topinka

There’s no shortage of restaurants in Cesky Krumlov; the majority will be serving traditional food. If you’re after something with a modern twist, then check out this adorable little bistro-style restaurant called Topinka. It’s located a few streets away from the main tourist trap places in the city.

The decor inside is stunning and wouldn’t look out of place on a chic Instagram feed. The food is just as well presented.

It’s not just about the presentation; the food here is delicious too. Topinka specialises in little open-topped sandwiches. They don’t have an extensive menu, but what they do offer are locally sourced ingredients and thoughtfully prepared platters. They also have a very good selection of Czech wines to accompany the food.

I ate the Mediterranean-inspired Topinka and had a slice of their cheesecake for dessert. This is one of the best cheesecakes I’ve ever tasted. If you’re a dessert-first kind of person, just cut to the chase and order a slice. I was in heaven for a few moments here as I savoured every mouthful of it!!

Best český krumlov Tours

Whether you’re stopping in the city for a couple of days, as part of a southern Czech Republic tour, or planning to do a Prague to Cesky Krumlov day trip, check out these organised tours.

How Far Is Cesky Krumlov From Prague?

In terms of distance, it’s just over 170km. It’s a reasonable distance, but still doable as a day trip. You could drive your own vehicle, alternatively, there are dozens of tours each day from Prague to Cesky Krumlov. If you don’t have a car but don’t want to go on an organised tour, there are also public transport options. For public transport, use Omio App to compare prices.

Prague Day Trips To Cesky Krumlov

If you want the stress of making your own way there, then you might be interested in this Cesky Krumlov day tour from Prague.  Take a look at these day tours to Cesky Krumlov.

Getting To Cesky Krumlov from Prague (By Public Transport)

If you want to do your own independent day trip from Prague to Cesky Krumlov, then trains and buses go several times a day. Use Omio to check and compare prices.

There are several trains from Prague to Cesky Krumlov departing from the main stations in each. On average, the journey takes 2 hours and 45 minutes. 

An alternative option is going by bus from Prague to Cesky Krumlov. Several companies run this route, including FlixBus which does 5 direct buses per day. The journey takes on average 2 hours and 30 minutes. 

From Ceske Budejovice To Cesky Krumlov (By Public Transport)

The nearest city to Cesky Krumlov is Ceske Budejovice, which is less than 30 km away. You could stay in Ceske Budejovice and make the easy journey to Cesky Krumlov with much less travel time and therefore more sightseeing time, than if you were coming from Prague. 

The bus to Cesky Krumlov from Ceske Budejovice goes up to 20 times a day and takes on average half an hour. Going by bus is the better option. The train to Cesky Krumlov from Ceske Budejovice takes an average of 45 minutes.    

Cesky Krumlov Travel Guide: FAQs

Now you’ve discovered the best things to do in Český Krumlov, here are some useful tips and answers to questions to help you plan your Cesky Krumlov itinerary.

Ready to visit Cesky Krumlov?

So, now you know what to do in Cesky Krumlov. Whether you’re on a weekend break, or you’re limited to seeing the highlights of Cesky Krumlov in one day, there’s plenty to keep you occupied. It truly is one of the most beautiful places in the whole of central Europe 

If you’re travelling around the Czech Republic, then take a look at these other inspirational articles.

• Czech Republic Bucket List, 30+ Great Places To Visit
• Best Things To Do In South Bohemia
• Complete One Day in Brno Itinerary
• 12 Things To Do In České Budějovice