Magical Cesky Krumlov Old Town in pictures
This charming town is considered one of the most picturesque in Europe.
This charming town is considered one of the most picturesque in Europe.
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.
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.
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.
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.