The first must-see destination for a visitor in Czech Republic is probably the capital Prague. Once one of the prettiest cities of Europe has been explored, it is time to move on. Here is our recommendation for the next destination. South from the capital, near the Austrian border, you can discover a spectacular small town of Cesky Krumlov. The medieval Unesco Heritage community has been built in a dramatic place where the canyon of river Vltava has provided a natural landscape.
Cesky Krumlov is located in the Czech province of Bohemia, but even more important than that is its location at the heart of Central Europe. The border with Austria and its capital Vienna are not far from the town, or the border with Germany and Bavaria’s capital Munich. The town has gradually developed during centuries, but the exceptional feature is the preservation of its original buildings, architecture and layout. Unesco World Heritage organization listed Cesky Krumlov in 1992, honoring the settlement for its:
“… high authenticity. Its present form and appearance closely reflect the type of a town linked to the noble residence since the Middle Ages. The historic centre has preserved its original layout, as well as the characteristic castle-city relationship very clearly, thanks to its undisturbed development over several centuries. It remains untouched by the devastating effects of 19th-century industrialization.”
A lot has happened in Cesky Krumlov since the construction of the castle that started in the 13th century. The first written mentions of a castle on a hill above the Vltava River are from 1253. During centuries, the castle changed owners multiple times – families adding or modifying sections in the large building – until Schwarzenberg family held it for more than 200 years until 1947. So, there is a reason why the castle features Gothic, Late Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque elements.
The only way to get around the historic center of Cesky Krumlov is walking. Distances are short, and narrow cobblestone streets with houses from multiple centuries provide plenty to see. The entire town is a tourist attraction with lots of cafes and restaurants that welcome both selfie photographers and excited explorers.
The key places in the town from the sightseeing point of view – that also help you to navigate in the compact community – are the Castle, the main square Namesti Svornosti, and the river Vltava.
Practically all the buildings in the town have a story to tell. Cesky Krumlov Tourist Office provides brief descriptions for the churches, monasteries, museums and other key buildings.
The easiest way to travel to Cesky Krumlov is to drive there or to join a bus tour that is going to the town. A day trip from, for instance, Prague, Vienna, or Munich is easy to organize and navigate. There are no border formalities since all neighbor countries are members of EU. Czech Republic, however, hasn’t adopted Euro as its currency, but we survived a couple of days with payment cards alone – without local cash.
If you are driving to Cesky Krumlov, there are car parks at the entrance to the town center along the main road number 39. Campervans can park at a dedicated area that is a couple of hundred meters further away from the entrance to the town.
