-Europe.CzechRepublic.Cesky Krumlov
The weather is changing from winter cold to decidedly spring-like and the travel bug is once again awakened. My friend and I had wanted to take a trip together again , preferably a foodie trip like the one we did in London years ago. After years of having our schedules crossed, we all finally made plans for an extended weekend to visit Prague. I sneaked in a stop at Cesky Krumlov for lunch and a walkabout.
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Table of Contents
Getting to Cesky Krumlov
Driving to Cesky Krumlov
We decided to drive from Austria to Prague making the stopover at Český Krumlov much more convenient – it was a 4.5 hour drive which made a perfect time for stopping and having lunch there.
Parking at Cesky Krumlov
Our target was convenience as we were on a very short stop enroute to Prague, so we parked at P1 which is close to the entrance heading to the Cloak Bridge.
Parking there within 40 mins is for free but after that it is 50 CZK (2 Euros) every hour. Cash and card payment accepted at the machine.
Parking is open 24-hours and facilities include restrooms and electric car charging stations.
*$aving Tip: If you plan to spend a longer time here , park at P4 it costs 100 CZK (4 Euros) for the day . Location wise it is a bit harder to get to especially during winter. It is next to the castle gardens.
What to see in Cesky Krumlov
Český Krumlov is entirely pedestrian-friendly. Vehicles are parked outside of the town and we walked across the bridge to get to the center. Right off the bat ,the town just looks very neat and welcoming.
We walked across moats and bridges and explored the Unesco World Heritage site. I was excited!
Český Krumlov Castle
Plan to explore the State Castle and Chateau Český Krumlov. It’s the second largest castle complex in the Czech Republic and dominates the town. The approach itself is memorable, often involving crossing the Bear Moat, where bears have been kept as a tradition since the 18th century.
Once inside the complex, dedicate your time to wandering through the five castle courtyards. These are freely accessible and offer a fantastic immersion into the castle’s scale and evolving architecture. Admire the painted facades, the historic structures like the old burgrave’s house, and the stone fountain in the Lower Castle’s courtyard.
Walk on the Cloak Bridge (Plášťový most). This impressive multi-tiered arched bridge connects different parts of the castle complex over a deep moat. More importantly for a short visit, it offers arguably the most iconic and breathtaking panoramic views over the red-roofed Old Town nestled in the Vltava’s embrace. Have your camera ready!
For the absolute best 360-degree perspective, consider the Castle Tower. This colorful Renaissance tower is the town’s defining symbol. Climbing its 162 steps rewards you with unparalleled views. However, this requires an admission ticket and takes time (allow 30-45 minutes). Here is the link for opening times and tickets.
Assess your schedule upon arrival; if minutes are tight, the views from the Cloak Bridge are still spectacular and free.
Český Krumlov Main Square
The Heartbeat of the Old Town is centered around Náměstí Svornosti (Main Square). This vibrant square is lined with beautifully preserved Renaissance and Baroque burgher houses. Take a moment to admire the impressive Town Hall and the central Marian Plague Column and fountain. It’s the perfect place to simply pause and soak in the historic atmosphere.
Walk-about Český Krumlov
It’s nice just to wander around the cobbled streets of the town. The atmosphere is lovely and we went into a gift shop with crafts. We saw lovely individual buildings and peered over the riverside to the buildings across. Below are just some of the scenes on the lovely day we visited.
What we ate in Cesky Krumlov
If you read my post on Brno , you read about the Vietnamese migration to the Czech Republic. I was looking forward to have a staple diet of Asian food on this trip. My Saigon did not disappoint – the menu encompassed Vietnamese, Thai and Japanese Sushi and Bento sets. I ordered the fried rice (Khao Pad) which was good but Rainer and Juin ordered the Curry Udon which was the better choice. All in all a restaurant that I definitely recommend.
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