Things to do in Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic

Located in the southern fringes of Czech Republic, Cesky Krumlov is a little town with an imposing castle. With the Vltava River going right through the town, flanked by Bohemian houses on either side and cobbled narrow streets, Cesky Krumlov is every bit the heritage town that UNESCO has declared it to be. Add to this the music that is everywhere in the streets and you will find yourself most charmed. Stationed here for two whole days, we stayed at one of the quaint homestays right in the middle of the town and fell in love with the town every more.

And then, the food spoiled us some more! Cesky Krumlov has a handful of restaurants you simply shouldn’t miss dining at. We will tell you all about them. First, here’s how you should go about exploring the town:

Take a tour of the Cesky Krumlov Castle: We’d suggest you start the tour from the main entrance of the castle and not from the garden side. This way, you will see the moat that has two bears, and walk up to the castle tower that offers a beautiful view of the town from the top. The tower tour, a paid one, also offers a peek into the town’s history; the winding staircases, its old bell taking you to a different era with every step. Remember, you do not need to pay to enter the castle. We’d however suggest you take a guided tour of the place in order to know about its fascinating past. Built on an elevation, the castle is big and well laid out. From every corner of the castle, the view of the town down below is spectacular.

Loiter in the castle’s garden: That’s another huge attraction. Not as big and ornate as the gardens of Shonbrunn Palace or Versailles’s Palace, Cesky Krumlov’s garden is modestly laid out. Its star attraction is the revolving auditorium used even today to stage plays and concerts. Walk out of the rear end of the garden and walk down for about 500 meters. At the end of the slope, you will find a flight of stairs to your left. Take those stairs and soon you will reach the other end of the old town. It is here that you will find the river-rafting office…

Raft through the Vltava river: We insist you do this even if you are not a water person. Not only is the water very shallow and just not dangerous even with kids, the view of the town and the castle from the river is so captivating that we were disappointed when we reached the drop off point.

Stroll through the town: And stroll leisurely. There’s so much to soak in. The lively fountain square, the monasteries, the Vitius Church, the wooden bridges across the Vltava river, the musicians playing their queer instruments – stop by all of these. And stop by the many trdelník-corners (Doughnut ice-cream). Stop by to admire the window dressing of the shops. We stopped by this lovely shop called Bora Bora for some awesome homemade chocolates….!

Walk out of the old town towards the houses in the hills: We walked across the old town, past the Synagogue, crossed the main road and walked up the residential colonies right to the top where there was a horse-riding training center. Gave us a wonderful peek into the lovely homes and gardens of the locals…..

(Want to plan a holiday in Czech Republic? We help you with the itinerary, sightseeing suggestions, places to stay, where and what to eat. Read our post — All about a Czech Holiday)