Český Krumlov tours and tickets
Český Krumlov is a small town with a big castle, and tickets for the castle tours are the main thing to plan. The Baroque Theatre is the hardest to get, with a few fixed tours a season. Rafting and the revolving auditorium need a booking in summer. The lanes, the gardens and the views are free.
Book these first
- Castle guided tours
- a few days ahead in summer. Interiors are shown on tours with a language and a time, and weekends in July and August fill.
- Baroque Theatre tour
- several weeks ahead in summer. Group sizes are small, so it is the first thing to sell out.
- Revolving auditorium tickets
- a week or more ahead. Summer performances with good seats go early.
Nobody pays to be on this page. The Viator buttons are partner links: if you book through one, Viator may pay us a commission, at no cost to you. Where the official site sells the ticket, we link it too. How we rank
Churches and palaces
Castle guided tours
The castle runs several guided tours of different parts, such as the Renaissance rooms, the Baroque apartments and the Schwarzenberg era. Each lasts about an hour and has a fixed language and time.
Which to pick. Pick the tour that matches your interest rather than trying all of them. Book the English slot ahead in summer, since the group sizes are limited.
A few days ahead in summerVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorCastle tower
A climb up the round tower in the first courtyard, with a view over the town and the river bend. It is open in season and needs no guide.
Which to pick. Buy at the tower on the day, and go early or late to avoid queues. It is a good use of twenty minutes between tours.
On the day is fineOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorBaroque Theatre
A rare surviving 18th-century theater with its stage machinery and sets. Visits are very limited, in small groups on a few days a season.
Which to pick. Book as soon as the tours open, because places are few. Go only if you care about theater history, since the visit is slow and detailed.
Several weeks ahead in summerVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorRevolving auditorium
An open-air theater in the castle gardens where the seating turns to follow the stage. Performances run in summer, and tickets are sold per event.
Which to pick. Choose a performance when you book the trip, and bring a layer for the evening. A seat is the point, not a tour.
A week or more aheadVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
Outdoors
Vltava rafting and canoeing
A float down the river loop, from a gentle hour to a day's paddle with a stop for lunch. Boats and rafts are hired from several shops, and groups are common.
Which to pick. Book a morning slot in summer, since afternoons are busy and the water is lower. Choose a raft over a canoe if you are new to paddling.
A day or two ahead in summerTours and tickets on ViatorCastle gardens
A landscaped park behind the castle, with terraces, fountains and the theater. Entry is free in season, though some areas close at certain hours.
Which to pick. Walk in on your own and carry a picnic. There is no reason to book a tour here.
Not needed, entry is freeOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
Guided walks and tours
Old town walking tour
A walk through the lanes, over the Cloak Bridge and around the main square, with the story of the town and the family that ran it. Tours last about an hour and a half.
Which to pick. Join a small group in the morning or evening when the day trippers are away. If you prefer to explore alone, a map is enough.
On the day is fineTours and tickets on ViatorNight ghost walk
An evening walk through dim lanes with stories of local legends and ghosts. It runs in the evening in season and is popular with families.
Which to pick. Choose it if you are staying overnight, since day-trippers miss it. Check the language of the tour before you book.
A day or two ahead in summerTours and tickets on ViatorEggenberg brewery visit
A visit to the town's brewery, with a tour of the old hall, tasting and a story of beer in the area. It runs at set times and often fills in summer.
Which to pick. Book a tasting slot if beer is a priority. Otherwise a pint in the brewery tavern does the job.
A few days ahead in summerTours and tickets on Viator
Day trips
České Budějovice
A larger city with a big square and the original Budweiser brewery, about 30 minutes away by train or bus. Brewery tours run at set times.
Which to pick. Book the brewery tour if you want to see the beer made. The town center is easy to walk on your own.
A few days aheadOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorHluboká Castle
A fairytale castle modeled on Windsor, about 30 minutes from České Budějovice. Guided tours are the only way inside, in set time slots.
Which to pick. Pick the tour that suits you, and book ahead in summer. Gardens are free to wander.
A few days ahead in summerOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorLipno Treetop Walk
A raised path through the tops of the forest, ending in a tower with a view of the lake. It is open year-round and popular with families.
Which to pick. Go in the morning on a weekday. Buy tickets on the day or online to skip the queue.
A day or two ahead in summerTours and tickets on Viator
Booking tours and tickets in Český Krumlov
Can I visit the castle without a tour?
The courtyards, bridge and gardens are free to enter. The interiors are only by guided tour, so book one if you want to go inside.
Are tours offered in English?
Yes, but at fewer times than Czech, so check the schedule and book that slot rather than hoping for one on the day.
Is rafting safe for beginners?
The river here is calm in summer, and companies give a briefing and a life jacket. Choose a short trip if you are new.
Can I do the town as a day trip from Prague?
Yes, by bus in about three hours each way. Book the castle tour ahead if you want one, and leave the Baroque Theatre for a stay overnight.
Is there a combined ticket?
The castle sells separate tickets for each tour and the tower. Check the official site for combinations before you arrive.
What can wait until I arrive?
The town walk, the gardens, the tower and the river are all fine on the day. Book the English castle tour, the Baroque Theatre and the revolving auditorium first.