Overview
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1. Český Krumlov
Arguably the most charming village in the Czech Republic is Český Krumlov. This magical medieval town feels like it’s been plucked straight out of a fairy tale book. It’s filled with cobblestone streets, colorful houses, and a stunning castle perched on a hill, all nestled into the bend of a horseshoe-shaped river.
You can wander through its winding alleys, take in the postcard-perfect views, and enjoy some delicious Czech food at one of the cozy restaurants. The highlight is Český Krumlov Castle, where it’s easy to imagine a princess waiting at the top of the tower to be kissed awake.
Hotels
Find the best places to stay in Český Krumlov and enjoy a comfortable trip.
Český Krumlov
Český Krumlov
Český Krumlov
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2. Adršpach-Teplice Rocks
It’s no surprise that the Adršpach-Teplice Rocks are one of the most famous natural wonders in the Czech Republic. This incredible national park is filled with huge sandstone towers, narrow gorges, and unique rock formations. What’s even better? It’s actually two parks connected by the stunning green Wolf Gorge! That means you get two amazing experiences for the price of one—if you’re up for walking the 3.5 km long gorge, of course.
You can wander through this fantasy adventure movie-like landscape, squeeze through narrow passageways, or simply relax by the beautiful turquoise lake. The park is so vast that without the marked paths, you could easily lose yourself in its labyrinth of gigantic rock towers.
3. Bomehian Switzerland
In the northwest corner of the Czech Republic, near the German border, you’ll find Bohemian Switzerland. It’s a stunning national park with unique rock formations and beautiful canyons, perfect for exploring along various hiking trails.
The park’s most famous landmark is the Pravčická Gate, the largest natural sandstone arch in Europe.
For something completely different, head to Edmund’s Gorge, where you can take a boat ride through a narrow canyon between big cliffs.
You can even spend the night in a unique way at the famous Gasworks building. As you can see, there are many reasons to visit Bohemian Switzerland.
4. Bohemian Paradise - Český ráj
Český ráj, or Bohemian Paradise, didn’t steal its name as it truly is a paradise! This stunning region has a perfect mix of unique sandstone towers, lush green forests, and medieval castles, making it one of the most beautiful places in the Czech Republic.
If you liked the towering rock formations in Adršpach and the fairy-tale castles like the one in Český Krumlov, you’ll fall in love with Český ráj. Here, you get the best of both worlds.
You can wander through the Prachov Rocks, a maze of towering sandstone pillars, or visit Hrad Valdštejn and the iconic Trosky Castle, with its twin towers, located high on a volcanic hill.
5. Karlovy Vary
Karlovy Vary, also known as Carlsbad, is one of the most beautiful and unique cities in the Czech Republic. It’s a historic spa town, located in western Bohemia, and is famous for its hot springs and colorful, fairytale-like buildings.
The city is home to 13 hot springs with healing mineral waters that you can try at special drinking fountains scattered around the town. One of the highlights in Karlovy Vary is strolling along the colonnades, where you can sip the warm, mineral-rich water straight from the springs.
Other must-see spots include the Diana Observation Tower, which offers amazing views over the town and surrounding hills, and the Grandhotel Pupp, an iconic luxury hotel that’s been featured in movies like Casino Royale.
For something more relaxing, you can enjoy a spa day in one of the local spa houses, including a massage. It is not without reason that Karlovy Vary is one of the best spa towns in the Czech Republic.
6. Spiral Tower of Krásno
Something unique about the Czech Republic is that there a many incredible lookout towers spread all over the country. These towers are scattered across national parks, forests, and even cities, each providing a unique view of the Czech countryside.
One of the hidden gems among them is the Spiral Tower of Krásno, located in the picturesque Slavkov Forest. This tower has a fun, twisting design that makes climbing it an adventure. From the top, you have a beautiful 360-degree view of rolling hills, green forests, and quaint little villages.
7. Hluboká Castle
If fairy tales were real, Hluboká Castle would be where the princess lives. This stunning white castle, often called the most beautiful in the Czech Republic, looks like it’s straight out of a storybook. It is located in South Bohemia and built in a romantic Neo-Gothic style, with turrets, spires, and dreamy gardens.
Inside, you’ll find fancy rooms with beautiful wooden decorations and shiny chandeliers that make you feel like a royal. The surrounding gardens are perfect for a walk or a picnic with a view of the castle!
8. Sumava National Park - Plechý Mountain
Šumava is often called the Green Roof of Europe because of its vast forests, rolling hills, and wetland. There are also glacial lakes, rivers, and plenty of hiking trails perfect for both short walks and longer hikes.
One of the best hikes here is Plechý Mountain, which is the highest peak in the park at 1,378 meters. The trail takes you through the forest and past amazing viewpoints. It’s a bit of a climb, but the views from the top are worth it. On a clear day, you can even see into Austria!
9. Třeboň & Schwarzenberg Tomb
The whole of the Czech Republic is full of cute, beautiful villages, and Třeboň is one of them. It is a quiet, charming town in South Bohemia, with charming, cozy streets and colorful buildings. Highlights include Třeboň Castle and the charming town square, ideal for grabbing a drink. Beer lovers can visit the Regent Brewery, one of the oldest breweries in the country.
One place you can’t miss is the Schwarzenberg Tomb. This beautiful Neo-Gothic building is a mausoleum that served as the final resting place for members of the Schwarzenberg family, one of the most influential noble families in Czech history. It is a bit hidden among the trees in a park, and has a slightly mysterious feel to it. You can stroll around the tomb or step inside to learn more about the history of the Schwarzenberg family.
Practical
Entrance fee without guide: 30 CZK
Guided tomb & chapel tour: 150 CZK
Guided chapel tour: 60 CZK
The opening hours and tour times of the Schwarzenberg Tomb depend on the season. You find all current opening hours on the official website.
10. Karlštejn Castle
Besides many charming villages, you may have noticed that you can also find many beautiful fairytale-like and medieval castles in the Czech Republic, just as Karlštejn Castle. This 14th-century castle was built by Emperor Charles IV to keep the crown jewels and other royal treasures safe. Pretty fancy, right?
The castle sits on a hill, surrounded by forests, making it look super dramatic. It’s designed in layers, with different parts of the castle for different purposes. The highlight? The Chapel of the Holy Cross is covered in gold, precious stones, and amazing medieval art. It’s so fancy you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a treasure chest.
You can choose between three guided tours to visit Karlštejn Castle, all available in Czech and English.
- The basic tour focuses on the castle’s history and takes you through the former living quarters of Charles IV, including the impressive Great Hall.
- The exclusive tour goes a step further and brings you to the castle chapels, with the Chapel of the Holy Cross as the absolute highlight. For this one, booking ahead is required.
- If you really want to see everything, there’s also a special tour that covers almost the entire castle, including areas normally closed to visitors. This tour is limited to small groups, so booking in advance is strongly recommended.
Practical
Basic tour: 300 CZK
Exclusive tour (castle chapels): 640 CZK
Special tour (entire castle): 1800 CZK
The opening hours and tour times of Karlštejn Castle depend on the season. You find all current opening hours on the official website.
11. Velka Amerika
Velká Amerika is like the Czech Republic’s little Grand Canyon! It’s a stunning limestone quarry located near Karlštejn, famous for its turquoise-blue water and dramatic cliffs.
While you can’t swim there (sadly!), the views are absolutely worth it. There are walking trails around the top of the quarry, so you can see it from different angles. Just make sure to always stay behind the fence and avoid unnecessary risks, as the cliffs are pretty high and steep. There have been several accidents in the past.
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Win-Win for everyone
Did you know that, if you buy or book something through our links, we receive a small commission?
However, you still pay the same and therefore have no extra costs! So a win-win for everyone. This way, we can continue to add even more travel inspiration and tips to this blog for your next adventure. Thanks a lot!
