Český Krumlov Castle: Tours, Tower, and Baroque Theatre

• Location: The complex stands on a narrow rocky promontory above the Vltava near Latrán; the tower is between the first and second castle courtyards.
• Interiors: Route I passes through Renaissance and Baroque rooms dating from the 16th to the 18th centuries; the guided tour lasts 55 minutes.
• Family history: Route II focuses on the Schwarzenbergs. As of 11 October 2026, no time slot had been published in the operator’s calendar.
• Museum and tower: Self-guided visit, approximately 55 minutes; an audio guide is available to borrow at the museum. No reservation is required.
• Baroque theatre: Small guided groups of no more than 20 people; reservations are required.
• Garden: Open daily from 7 am to 5 pm and freely accessible according to the published October 2026 schedule.
• 2026 admission for adults: Route I CZK 300, Route II CZK 260, museum and tower CZK 280, Baroque theatre CZK 400.

Route I: Renaissance and Baroque rooms

The first interior tour is a good choice if you want to see grand castle rooms, art, and courtly history. It includes, among other places, the Chapel of St George and the Masquerade Hall. The tour lasts 55 minutes; groups must reserve, but individual visitors do not. With up to 45 people, this tour is considerably larger than the theatre tour.

Route II: the Schwarzenberg collection

Route II has a different focus: it begins in the Portrait Gallery, with members of the Schwarzenberg family, and ends in the corridors of the Cloak Bridge. This tour also lasts 55 minutes. It is a good addition for visitors with a particular interest in family history and the development of the castle. However, no visiting time was listed for it in the calendar published on 11 October 2026, so do not count on it being available unless the operator announces a date.

Museum and tower: explore the exhibits and views at your own pace

If you prefer to visit without a guided group, you can explore the castle museum and tower on your own. The collection presents objects from the castle’s holdings and the history of the Rožmberk, Eggenberg, and Schwarzenberg families; an audio guide is available at the museum. The six-storey tower rises above Latrán and the Vltava. Its viewing gallery offers views across Český Krumlov and the surrounding area. Allow about 55 minutes for this visit; no reservation is required.

Baroque theatre: historic stagecraft and fittings

The castle theatre is not another tour of the castle rooms, but a separate visit at a scheduled time. You can see the preserved stage, orchestra pit, stage machinery, scenery, props, and costumes. Each time slot is limited to a maximum of 20 visitors. Book in advance; you should not expect to be able to visit the theatre without a reservation.

As of 11 October 2026, the operator listed Route I as open Tuesday to Sunday through 31 October, from 9 am to 4 pm. The Baroque theatre was listed as open Tuesday to Sunday from 21 September through 31 October, with tours starting at 10 am, 11 am, 1 pm, 2 pm, and 3 pm. The museum and tower were open daily until 31 October, from 9 am to 4:30 pm; from 1 November to 20 December, the listed hours were Tuesday to Sunday, 9 am to 3:30 pm. The castle garden was open daily in October from 7 am to 5 pm. The castle’s current opening-hours overview lists each area separately.

Admission prices for 2026 vary considerably. For children aged 6 to 17, the operator listed CZK 90 for Route I, CZK 80 for Route II and the museum and tower, and CZK 120 for the theatre; children up to and including age five were admitted free. Reservations were required only for groups on Routes I and II, and were not required for the museum. They were required for the theatre. Card and cash payments were listed as accepted. Check prices and available times for your visit date, as seasonal schedules do not automatically apply to later years.

• Route I: CZK 300 for adults; CZK 240 for ages 18–24 and 65+.
• Route II: CZK 260 for adults; CZK 210 for ages 18–24 and 65+.
• Museum and tower: CZK 280 for adults; CZK 220 for ages 18–24 and 65+.
• Baroque theatre: CZK 400 for adults; CZK 320 for ages 18–24 and 65+.

For a first visit, Route I is the obvious choice if you want to see the grand interiors. Add the museum and tower afterward if you have time for the exhibition and views over the town. Allow just under two hours for both visits, plus time for walking between areas, entry, and breaks. Add the freely accessible courtyards and garden, and you have a half-day visit. The theatre is worth adding to your plans if the time you want is available and you have booked in advance.

If you are short on time, you can combine the courtyards with the tower instead of scheduling several interior tours back to back. Allow extra walking time for a visit to the garden: it lies beyond the castle courtyards on sloping ground. Cobblestones, steps, and changes in elevation are part of the route around the complex; the climb is especially noticeable on the way from Svornosti Square through the courtyards to the garden.

The historic centre is a pedestrian zone. Since 9 June 2025, visitors have not been allowed to drive into the old town. For a visit to the castle, car park P1 is below the northern castle wall; P4 is near the castle garden. According to the city’s visitor information, parking spaces cannot be reserved online in advance. From there, continue on foot through the old town and the castle courtyards.

It takes about ten minutes to walk from the bus station to Svornosti Square and around 30 minutes from the railway station. Given the distance and changes in elevation, you can also take a local bus or taxi from the railway station. The route through the centre follows cobbled lanes and stairs. The city warns visitors about cobblestones, steps, and significant changes in elevation; the route through the courtyards to the garden is uphill. If you need routes with few or no steps, take this into account when choosing which areas to visit.

For directions between the old town, the castle, and the routes from the railway station, see the Český Krumlov visit planner. If you want to visit several places, compare the castle’s location with other stops in South Bohemia; for information on travelling around the country, see Getting to and travelling around Czechia. Staying near the old town can be convenient for an early visit to the castle or an evening programme; compare suitable places to stay in Český Krumlov by location and travel dates.

Which visit is best for a first trip to the castle?

Route I is the clearest introduction to the Renaissance and Baroque rooms and lasts 55 minutes. If you would also like a view over the town, add the museum and tower. The theatre is a separate guided tour that requires a reservation.

Can I enter the castle without paying?

According to the city’s current visitor information, the castle courtyards are freely accessible year-round. Separate tickets are required for the interiors, museum and tower, and theatre. The garden is also free, but opens seasonally; in October 2026, it was open daily from 7 am to 5 pm.

Is a day trip to Český Krumlov enough?

You can plan a day to see the old town, castle, and tower. Two days allow more time for museums, viewpoints, and the castle garden; if you want to visit additional places nearby, consider staying longer.