Magical Cesky Krumlov Old Town in pictures

This charming town is considered one of the most picturesque in Europe.

Picture of Cesky Krumlov Old Town

Cesky Krumlov Old Town is one of the most enchanting places to visit in Europe. This stunning town in South Bohemia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and has one of the most impressive castles in the Czech Republic on a hill across the river Vltava.

We’ve already written articles on things to do in Cesky Krumlov and the outstanding Museum Fotoatelier Seidel, the latter a one of a kind museum that tells some of the history of both Cesky Krumlov and photography at once.

Many visit Cesky Krumlov on day trips from Prague – first time around, many moons ago, I did – but this is somewhere that deserves a bit more time, at least a one-night stay, just to soak up the atmosphere of this stunning small country town.

We filled up a serious amount of memory card during our recent 4-night stay in Cesky Krumlov, so here are 27 photographs of this wonderful place to encourage you to dream of travelling once again.

Cesky Krumlov Old Town Photo Essay

Image of Cesky Krumlov town, Castle and river
The first view many have of Cesky Krumlov, from close to the bus station
Image of sgraffito decoration on a house in Cesky Krumlov Czech Republic
Many buildings in Cesky Krumlov feature sgraffito decoration like this
Image of Cesky Krumlov Castle and murals on an exterior wall
Renaissance-era murals at Cesky Krumlov Castle
Image of Široka Street in Cesky Krumlov
Houses and hotels on Široka Street
Image of a cobbled street in Cesky Krumlov
One of the narrow cobbled streets near St Vitus Church
Image of a house in the Latran district of Cesky Krumlov
This magnificent house is in the Latran district, just below the Castle
Image of houses by the river in Cesky Krumlov
The River Vltava’s quiet meander before the rapids below the Castle
Image of riverside bars in Cesky Krumlov
A bird’s eye view from the Castle of riverside bars in Cesky Krumlov
Image of Cesky Krumlov Castle from the Old Town
The Castle at night, framed by houses on Hasna Street
Image of a mural of a bear in Cesky Krumlov
A mural of a bear, just below the Castle where three of them reside below the entrance bridge
Image of houses on the main square in Cesky Krumlov
Houses on the main square, Namesti Svornosti
Image of sgraffito on a house front in Cesky Krumlov
Hang on – where’s me foot?
Image of a mural on a house in Cesky Krumlov
Firefighting medieval-style
Image of houses and St Vitus church Cesky Krumlov
The Old Town and St Vitus Church from the Latran – north – side of the river
Image of Cesky Krumlov Old Town at night
The Old Town from the south side, again showing St Vitus Church, and also the Castle Tower
Image of colourful houses in Cesky Krumlov
Brightly coloured Cesky Krumlov houses – Pension Marie on the left, the Wax Museum on the right
Image of the Commerce Museum in Cesky Krumlov
The wonderful quirky Commerce Museum in the Old Town
Image of house facades in Cesky Krumlov
Colourful facades on Namesti Svornosti square
Image of the Castle tunnel in Cesky Krumlov
The atmospheric Castle Tunnel
Image of a 16th century house in Cesky Krumlov
A typical 16th century Renaissance house in the Old Town
Image of the main square in Cesky Krumlov at night
Namesti Svornosti, the main square, at dusk
Image of a cafe in Cesky Krumlov
Just the place for a caffeine pit stop
Image of Cesky Krumlov Castle and riverside houses
A view of the Castle Tower between houses in Latran
Image of the Hotel Dvorak in Cesky Krumlov
Rooms with Castle and river views – Hotel Dvorak, Cesky Krumlov
Image of Siroka Street Cesky Krumlov at night
Široka, this time at night

Český Krumlov Old Town – Final Words

Image of Český Krumlov in snow
Český Krumlov in winter

I hope you have found my guide to Český Krumlov Old Town enjoyable and inspiring.

I have written several more guides to the town and the region of South Bohemia which may entice you to explore further.

If you’re thinking about visiting the town, don’t miss my guide to the best things to do in Český Krumlov. It’s one of the most beautiful small towns in Europe, its relatively quiet role in history preserving it in pristine condition.

Also check out my Museum Fotoatelier Seidel guide. This extraordinary Museum, in a photographer’s studio, takes you back to small-town Bohemia in the 1930s, and also into the analogue photographic world of glass plates and film.

We have visited Český Krumlov a few times. Take a look at my article on our most recent visit, to Český Krumlov in Winter. Český Krumlov is magical year-round, but my son and I were blown away by the beauty of Český Krumlov Old Town covered in snow.

Český Krumlov is all that most visitors of South Bohemia, but the region deserves far more exploration than it gets.

Check out my guide to the regional capital, České Budějovice. It’s hugely underrated, a beautiful medieval city that just isn’t on the tourist radar yet. Except for its beer, that is. The town’s German name is Budweis. It’s home to the famous Budweiser Budvar beer – not to be confused with the American Budweiser, which tastes very different. And nowhere near as good.

České Budějovice makes a great base for exploring South Bohemia. It’s a short bus ride from there to Hluboka Castle, a fairytale white wedding-cake-style Castle that’s one of the most famous in the Czech Republic.

Image of houses in Holašovice village in Czech Republic
Holašovice’s main street

Also don’t miss Holašovice, an amazing village mainly built in the 18th century. It’s the only one of its kind to have survived intact, 23 farmsteads around a central green. It’s a rare example of the ‘folk Baroque’ style, and is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Further afield, check out my guide to Blatna Castle, a stunning water castle with a beautiful Deer Park just across the lake.

And next to the Austrian border, and the former Iron Curtain, take a look at my guide to the the breathtaking Renaissance houses of Slavonice. Many houses in this sleepy border town are decorated with stunning detailed sgraffito style. It’s the best collection of such houses anywhere in Europe, and blissfully way off the beaten path.


Image of David Angel found of Delve into Europe Travel Blog / Website

David Angel is a British photographer, writer and historian. He is a European travel expert with over 30 years’ experience exploring Europe. He has a degree in History from Manchester University, and his work is regularly featured in global media including the BBC, Condé Nast Traveler, The Guardian, The Times, and The Sunday Times.  David is fluent in French and Welsh, and can also converse in Italian, German, Portuguese, Spanish, Czech and Polish.