🏰 Hluboka castle and Cesky Krumlov: what to see inside and when to go

A white neo-Gothic castle rises above the Vltava on a cliff. Next to it lies the small town of Hluboká nad Vltavou, and half an hour away is Český Krumlov, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Both places are on South Bohemia itineraries, and many people visit them as a day trip from Prague.

We have put together practical information: opening hours, ticket prices, what to see inside, and how to get there without overpaying. Below you will also find a second itinerary: Český Krumlov Castle and the old town, which is just a short walk away.

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The essentials of Hluboká nad Vltavou Castle

💡 In short:

The castle is open for tours year-round.
The easiest way to get there is by train from Prague to České Budějovice, then by bus.
Opening hours and prices: as of 09/2026, verified on the Národní památkový ústav website.

Hluboká nad Vltavou Castle is considered one of the Czech Republic's top attractions. In 2019 it ranked third among the country's castles by visitor numbers, with about 293,000 people seeing it that year (as of 09/2026, Hluboká Castle, Wikipedia). The snow-white facade is built in the romantic neo-Gothic style, modeled on Windsor Castle in England. Inside, the original nineteenth-century interiors, library, and weapons collection have been preserved, and you will see them on a tour.

History of the castle: from a Gothic fortress to neo-Gothic

The first fortress on this site was founded in the thirteenth century, probably under King Wenceslaus I. It was called Frohnburg and guarded the route along the Vltava. Over the centuries, the fortress changed hands dozens of times: it was mortgaged, given as a reward for service, and seized for debts (as of 09/2026, the castle's Wikipedia page).

In 1661 the estate was bought by Johann Adolf von Schwarzenberg, founder of the South Bohemian branch of the family (as of 09/2026, Hluboka Castle, Wikipedia). The Schwarzenbergs owned the estate for nearly three centuries. In the 1840s, Prince Johann Adolf II decided to rebuild the castle in the romantic style. Windsor Castle in England served as the model, and the work was led by architects Franz Beer and Damasius Deworetzky.

The reconstruction lasted from 1841 to 1871, and the castle received a white facade with crenellated towers, arches, and stone tracery. After World War II, the Schwarzenberg property was nationalized, and in 1947 the castle passed to the state (as of 09/2026, Národní památkový ústav). Today it is managed by the national heritage institute, and an English landscape park surrounds it.

The castle's exterior

The complex stretches along a promontory above the Vltava River. The facade is decorated with ornate balconies, bay windows, and pointed-arch windows. The building is crowned by eleven crenellated towers of varying heights, and hunting trophies, deer heads with antlers, hang in the inner courtyards.

White facade of Hluboká Castle with towers

The pentagonal palace complex stretches for about a hundred meters above the shore. Many windows are covered with light-proof shutters: this protects the exhibits from the sun. The former stables now house the Alšova jihočeská galerie, which holds paintings by Dutch and Flemish masters (as of 09/2026, history and interiors, Wikipedia). The surrounding park covers about two square kilometers, and it is a pleasant place for a walk after the tour.

What you can see inside: halls and interiors

The interiors have preserved their nineteenth-century furnishings. The walls, ceilings, and doors of the halls are clad in carved wooden panels, and the light comes from Venetian glass chandeliers. In the apartments you will see tapestries, porcelain and silver figurines, knight's armor, weapons, and painted Chinese vases.

The largest hall in the castle is the library. Its shelves hold more than ten thousand volumes, and around the perimeter you can see geographical globes, a Baroque fireplace, and a wooden table from the sixteenth century (as of 09/2026, guide to the halls, Wikipedia).

The bedchambers deserve special mention. The carved ceiling is filled with floral motifs, the walls are covered with leather wallpaper, and in the center stands a large four-poster bed on dark spiral columns. All of these items are authentic (as of 09/2026, description of the interiors, Wikipedia).

Opening hours and ticket prices

The castle is open daily during the season, and closes earlier in winter. The ticket price depends on the route you choose: the basic tour is cheaper, the extended tour costs more. For the exact schedule and current prices, check the official website of Národní památkový ústav.

Get a ticket for a morning slot: by midday a line of tour groups forms at the ticket office. If you are going to Český Krumlov, the castle ticket offices there also operate seasonally, and the schedule is worth checking in advance.

Tours and tickets in Cesky Krumlov

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Where it is and how to get there

The castle stands in South Bohemia, a half-hour drive north of České Budějovice. From Prague, the easiest way to get here is by train to České Budějovice, then by local bus. Buses between České Budějovice and Hluboká run every twenty minutes. There are also direct services from Prague's Florenc bus station, and the journey takes about three hours.

Book train tickets for Prague - České Budějovice in advance, especially on weekends: in summer, morning trains fill up quickly. Check schedules and tickets directly on Trip.com.

Sights of Cesky Krumlov

Half an hour's drive from Hluboka lies Cesky Krumlov. The old town sits in a bend of the Vltava River and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (as of 09/2026, city tourism portal). The narrow streets are paved with cobblestones, and the colorful houses have kept their medieval appearance. Below are the main sights worth seeing in half a day.

Panoramic view of Český Krumlov Old Town from above

Church of St. Vitus in Cesky Krumlov

Gothic Church of St. Vitus above the river

The Church of St. Vitus is considered one of the city's symbols. The Gothic church was founded in the fourteenth century, and it took its current form in the mid-nineteenth century. Inside, the basilica is laid out so that it is easy to take in from a single spot: frescoes, statues of saints, and a ribbed vault on slender columns.

The main Baroque altar was created in 1683, and the chapels contain the tombs of the Rosenberg and Schwarzenberg families and an old organ faced with marble (as of 09/2026, Cesky Krumlov tourism portal).

Svornosti Square

All the streets of the old town lead to Svornosti Square. It is framed by houses on medieval foundations, and the lower floors are occupied by covered arched galleries where craftsmen once traded. The square's main building, the town hall, was built in the seventeenth century after two Gothic houses were joined, and a small bell still hangs under the cornice.

Plague column and town hall on Concord Square

In the center of the square stands the Plague Column with a statue of the Virgin Mary and eight sculptures of saints. It was erected in memory of the victims of the 1680 epidemic (as of 09/2026, official Cesky Krumlov tourist office). Nearby, a hexagonal stone fountain flows.

Latran

Latrán Street in Český Krumlov with an arch

Latran is the name of the historic quarter that stretches from the wooden Lazebnicky Bridge to the Budejovice Gate. The street was built up in the fourteenth to sixteenth centuries and has barely changed since. Here you will see painted facades that imitate stonework, windows, and cornices. Today the ground floors house restaurants, shops, breweries, and small museums.

Minorite monastery in Cesky Krumlov

Minorite monastery garden with trees in Český Krumlov

The Minorite monastery was founded by the Rosenberg family in 1350 (as of 09/2026, city tourist office website). The order required strict vows from its brothers. The complex consists of several buildings around inner courtyards: a Baroque church, chapels, educational wings, and a tower with a bell tower. The church interior is decorated with sculptures of saints and fine wood carving.

Cesky Krumlov Castle

Český Krumlov Castle with red roofs above the town

Cesky Krumlov Castle rises on a cliff above the town. The first stone was laid around 1250, and the complex took its final form in the mid-nineteenth century (as of 09/2026, official castle website). The ensemble of several dozen buildings forms five inner courtyards and stretches for almost a kilometer. The courtyards are connected by covered passages and an arched bridge over the cliff.

The princely apartments are open inside: studies, bedrooms, dressing rooms, living rooms, and dining rooms. The furnishings date from the Renaissance, Baroque, and Neoclassical periods. A Baroque castle theater operates in the park, and a pavilion with a revolving auditorium stands in the courtyard.

Day trip: Cesky Krumlov and Hluboka nad Vltavou castle

Both places are easy to see in one day. Organized tours depart from Prague in the morning, and the drive takes about three hours each way. The itinerary usually includes both castles, lunch of your choice, and a return by evening. Prices start from a few dozen euros per person, and the date and time are confirmed at booking.

If you are traveling on your own, allow half a day for Cesky Krumlov and see Hluboka before lunch. Check tour options and available dates on GetYourGuide.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How much time do you need for Hluboka nad Vltavou Castle?

Allow about two hours for the castle itself: that is how long the guided tour route takes. Add half an hour for the park and the greenhouse. If you are coming from Prague for one day, factor in travel time and leave a buffer so you do not have to run for the last bus.

Is the castle open in winter?

The castle is open in winter, but most rooms are closed, so the full route is not available. Opening hours change by season, and some rooms are closed to save on heating. Check the schedule on the official website before your trip so you do not arrive to closed doors.

How do you get to Cesky Krumlov from Prague?

First by train to Ceske Budejovice, then by bus, or by direct bus from Prague's Florenc bus station. Travel time is about three hours.

Is it worth buying tickets in advance?

In high season, tickets for both castles sell out quickly, so book them in advance, especially for the morning. A fixed-time slot helps you avoid standing in line at the ticket office. Card payment works on site too, but available time slots may run out by then.

What can you fit in if you only have one day?

You can fit in both places: Hluboka nad Vltavou Castle in the morning, Cesky Krumlov in the afternoon. In Krumlov, walk through the old town, Svornosti Square, and climb up to the castle. The drive between the towns takes less than an hour, so you will be back in Prague by evening.

In short: what to book

If you have one day and are coming from Prague, take a tour with a morning departure: it covers both castles and the travel in one go. If you are traveling independently, allow half a day for Cesky Krumlov. If you are interested in interiors, choose the full route and check which rooms are open by season on the NPÚ monuments catalog.

For a one-day trip, an organized tour works well: find a Cesky Krumlov tour on GetYourGuide.

Hluboka nad Vltavou castle and Cesky Krumlov: tickets, opening hours and route