2-Day Cesky Krumlov Itinerary

Arrival day

Before Day 1. The old town is small enough to cross in minutes, so there is no hurry.Details

From Prague: Buses and some trains run between Prague and the town. Check ahead for the route that suits you, and for how long it takes on the day you travel. Leave the car behind if you can, since the old town is closed to most traffic.
On foot: Everything in the old center is a short walk, but the lanes are cobbled and several are steep. Flat, grippy shoes matter more than anything else you pack, especially after rain.
First evening: Walk over the stone bridge, find a table by the water and let the castle tower glow above you. Day 1 starts at that same tower, so you will already know the way.

Day 1. The castle and Latrán

3 stops · 0.5 km

Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.

1
MorningWorth the time, check ahead
Český Krumlov Castle
A huge castle complex on a rock above the river bend, with courtyards, a painted round tower and gardens behind. Walk the courtyards first, then check ahead for tours of the rooms and for whether the tower is open to climb. The tower view over the rooftops and the loop of the river is the one to earn.
Go when Morning, soon after the gates open, before the day visitors arrive.
Local tip Walk the courtyards first. Check ahead for tours of the rooms and for whether the tower is open, and wear shoes made for cobbles.
Photo: VitVit, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
About 3 min walk0.2 km
2
MorningWorth the time
Castle Gardens
A long park behind the castle, laid out in formal Baroque style with lawns, fountains and shaded paths. In the gardens stands an open-air theatre whose seats turn to face the stage. Check ahead whether it is open and whether a performance is on.
Go when A calm morning, when the paths are shaded and quiet.
Local tip Walk the long axis of the garden slowly. Check ahead whether the open-air theatre is open and whether a performance is on.
Lunch
Svíčková with dumplings
Svíčková is sliced beef in a velvety cream sauce, served with bread dumplings and a spoon of cranberries. Dumplings, called knedlíky, are the heart of a Czech lunch.
Local tip Order one plate and add a second to share, since the portions are generous.
Photo: Matyáš Havel, CC BY-SA 3.0 on Wikimedia Commons
About 4 min walk0.3 km
3
MiddayWorth a short walk
Latrán
The old quarter at the foot of the castle, a short lane of painted houses that leads up to the castle gate. Walk it slowly and look up at the facades.
Go when Early morning or late evening, when the lane is empty.
Local tip Look up at the painted facades as you climb. It is the lane that leads to the castle gate, so you will walk it more than once.

If it rains. Český Krumlov Castle is covered, so keep it. Move Castle Gardens and Latrán to a dry day if you can.

Day 2. The old town

3 stops · 0.3 km

Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.

1
MiddayPick your rooms, check ahead
Egon Schiele Art Centrum
A museum of art in the old town, named for the Austrian painter whose mother came from here. He painted the roofs and lanes of the town. Check ahead for what is on show.
Go when A wet or hot midday, when you want an hour indoors.
Local tip Look for the paintings of the town itself, then go outside and find the same roofs. Check ahead for what is on show.
Photo: Jirka Dl, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
About 2 min walk0.1 km
2
AfternoonA resting stop
Svornosti Square
The little main square of the old town, ringed by Renaissance and Baroque houses with a plague column at its center. Sit for a while and watch the town go by.
Go when Late afternoon, when the day visitors thin out.
Local tip Find a bench near the plague column and look at the gables. The lanes that leave the square are quieter than the square itself.
Lunch
Dumplings and a local beer
A plain lunch of potato or bread dumplings with roast pork and sauerkraut, with a glass of local lager. Heavy, so keep the afternoon slow.
Local tip Ask for the daily dish, which often comes fastest.
Photo: jeffreyw, CC BY 2.0 on Wikimedia Commons
About 2 min walk0.1 km
3
AfternoonSummer only, check ahead
The Vltava by raft or canoe
In summer, boats, rafts, canoes and tubes drift down the river through the bends of the old town. Check ahead on the water level, the season and the age and swimming rules before you go. Stay on the bank if the river is high.
Go when A warm afternoon in summer, once the water level has been checked.
Local tip Check ahead on water levels, the season and the age and swimming rules. If the river is high or you would rather stay dry, watch from the bank near the weir.
Dinner
Roast duck by candlelight
Roast duck with red cabbage and dumplings is a long-loved Czech supper, crisp and rich. Find a candlelit cellar room or a table by the water.
Local tip Walk a few lanes from the square for a calmer table, and book ahead on a weekend.
Photo: N509FZ, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons

If it rains. Egon Schiele Art Centrum is covered, so keep it. Move Svornosti Square and The Vltava by raft or canoe to a dry day if you can.

Departure day

After the last day. The town is quiet in the early hours, so keep the last morning slow.Details

Last morning: Take a final walk along the river before the day visitors arrive, when the lanes are empty and the water is still. Ask your lodging to keep your bags if your bus leaves later in the day.
Back to Prague: Check the bus or train times the night before and book a seat if you can. Arrive at the station a little early, since the walk from the old town has a cobbled stretch.
A last sweet: Buy a warm trdelnik or a paper bag of pastries for the road, and eat it on the bridge for one more look at the castle.

Questions people ask

When is the best time to visit Cesky Krumlov?

By average weather from 2021 to 2025, May to October are the most comfortable months for walking around Cesky Krumlov. This plan is built for late May, which is one of the best months. Crowds and prices change through the year, so check them before you book.

How many days does this plan cover?

It covers 2 days in Cesky Krumlov, planned for late May. Each day is built around a small number of stops, with room to rest.

Who is this plan for?

It was planned for most travelers. The pace and the places reflect that, so check it fits how you travel.

Is anything on this plan booked?

No. Places marked "book ahead" need a reservation. Hours, prices and availability change, so confirm before you go.

Can I plan my own days like this?

Yes. Archie drafts a day by day plan for your dates and takes your pace, the weather and who is travelling into account. You can start one from the Archie app.

Can I change this plan?

Yes. It is a starting point you can change to fit your own trip: swap a place, add a day or move the pace.

How much walking is there?

Each day has about 0.3 to 0.5 kilometers between its stops, and 0.8 kilometers in all across 2 days. A short hop is a walk and a longer one a ride. Distances are straight-line estimates, so allow extra for the streets.