Český Krumlov
A historic town in a horseshoe bend of the Vltava, with a large castle complex, brown bears in the moat and a Baroque castle theater that keeps its original stage machinery.
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Český Krumlov is a historic town in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic, set in a horseshoe bend of the Vltava River at the foot of the Bohemian Forest. About 13,000 people live there. The historic center and castle complex have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992. The castle complex is the second largest in the Czech Republic after Prague Castle, with about forty buildings and palaces around five courtyards. The town lies about 134 km south of Prague.
Visitors come for the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque old town, the brown bears kept in the castle moat and the Baroque castle theater, which keeps its original scenery, props and stage machinery. It is one of the most visited places in the Czech Republic, so expect crowds in summer, when the main festivals run. Driving into the historic center is allowed only at set hours and with a permit, so park outside the center.
Český Krumlov in five
- Stay the nightDay groups from Prague, Vienna and Salzburg fill the lanes from late morning. Evenings and early mornings are quiet.
- Plan the castle interiors for the warm seasonGuided tours of the castle rooms and the baroque theater run from spring to autumn. The tower and courtyards open more of the year.
- Take the bus from PragueDirect buses take about 3 hours and stop near the old town. Trains need a change at České Budějovice and stop farther out.Prague travel guide
- Float the river in summerRafts and canoes run down the Vltava through the town from spring to early autumn, with weirs to slide over.
Things to do in Český Krumlov
See all attractions in Český Krumlov
Need to know
- Airport
- Prague (PRG) about 3 hours, or Linz (LNZ) about 1.5 hours by car
- Getting there
- Bus from Prague about 3 hours; shuttle vans from Vienna and Salzburg
- Getting around
- On foot; the old town is small and mostly car-free
- Best base
- Inside the river bend or in Latrán below the castle
- Time needed
- 1 night
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryPartly cloudy11 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh3°Low-3°Cold, quietJanuaryPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 3°
- Low
- -3°
- Precipitation
- 49 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- FebruaryPartly cloudy10 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh6°Low-1°Cold, quietFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 6°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 39 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- MarchPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh10°Low1°Cool, castle closedMarchPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 41 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, castle closed
- AprilPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh14°Low4°Tours restartAprilPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 52 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Tours restart
- MayRain13 rainy daysHigh17°Low8°Green, mildMayRain
Good
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 85 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Green, mild
- JuneRain14 rainy daysHigh23°Low13°Warm, raftingJuneRain
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 107 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, rafting
- JulyRain14 rainy daysHigh24°Low14°Warm, busyJulyRain
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 96 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- AugustPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh24°Low14°Warm, busyAugustPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 95 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- SeptemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh20°Low10°Mild, calmerSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 73 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, calmer
- OctoberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh15°Low6°Autumn colorOctoberPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 48 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn color
- NovemberPartly cloudy9 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh8°Low2°Cold, quietNovemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 49 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- DecemberPartly cloudy10 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh4°Low-1°Christmas marketDecemberPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 4°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 49 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Christmas market
Average daily high and low in Český Krumlov, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Český Krumlov
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
5
- Feels like
- 2°
- Humidity
- 69%
- Wind
- 13 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 15%
Český Krumlov
09:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today5°3°15%Monday: Rain. High 5°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 15%.
- Tue4°2°18%Tuesday: Rain. High 4°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 18%.
- Wed6°1°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 6°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu4°1°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 4°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri6°0°0%Friday: Cloudy. High 6°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat6°0°0%Saturday: Fog. High 6°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun6°-3°10%Sunday: Fog. High 6°, Low -3°. Chance of rain 10%.
Updated 06:52 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 21.82 CZK
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Hluboká Castleabout 45 minutes by carA white neo-Gothic castle above a lake, north of České Budějovice.
- České Budějoviceabout 45 minutes by train or busA large arcaded square and the home of Budweiser Budvar beer.
Before you go to Český Krumlov
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Rules for Český Krumlov, checked
- Czechia is in the Schengen Area. Check entry requirements on the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs site (mzv.gov.cz) before you fly or travel.Source
- Non-EU travelers may be registered at the border under the EU Entry/Exit System. Check the European Commission's EES information for current rules.
- Driving into the historic center is allowed only at set hours and with a permit from the local municipal police. Park outside the center.
Plan around Český Krumlov
About 3 hours by direct bus
Read the guideSalzburgShuttle vans link it with the town
Read the guideViennaThe other common starting point, about 3 hours
Read the guideAll of CzechiaRegions, trains, money and entry rules
Read the guideHow EES worksBorder checks for short Schengen stays
Read the guideGetting around EuropeRail, bus and pass options compared
Read the guideČeský Krumlov FAQ
Can I visit Český Krumlov as a day trip from Prague?
You can, but it is about 3 hours each way by bus. One night gives you the town after the groups leave.
Is Český Krumlov Castle open in winter?
The castle courtyards and gardens are reachable, but guided interior tours run mainly from spring to autumn. Check the castle site before a winter trip.
How do I get from Vienna to Český Krumlov?
Shuttle vans run door to door in about 3 hours. By public transport you change in Linz or České Budějovice.
How long do you need in Český Krumlov?
One night is the sweet spot: an afternoon for the castle and lanes, an evening after the groups leave and a morning on the river. Two nights suit rafting, cycling or a trip into the Šumava forest.
Is Český Krumlov worth visiting?
Yes, if you like small old towns: the castle, the river bend and the lanes are compact and photogenic. It is crowded from late morning to mid-afternoon in summer, so stay the night or arrive early.