Explore Holašovice, a stunning UNESCO Heritage village

Planning on visiting Holasovice? Holašovice is one of the most beautiful villages in Europe, a trip 200 years back in time to rural Bohemia and one of the Czech Republic’s less-known UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Discover this tiny bucolic beauty in our Holašovice guide. 

Holašovice is one of the loveliest – and least-frequented – World Heritage Sites you’re ever likely to visit. It’s also one of the smallest, a tiny Czech village with 23 farmhouses gathered around a central green, the only one of its kind preserved for posterity. 

We were keen to visit Holašovice for a long time, and it became apparent that we’d be travelling a few hours to visit somewhere that would only take an hour or two to see. In this article we’ll run through several other places which you could combine with  Holašovice, including on a day trip from Prague. 

We’ll also show you how to get to Holašovice, and everything you can see and do there, with options on where to stay in the village and surrounding area. 

Where is Holašovice? 

Holašovice is 16 km (10 miles) west of the largest city in South Bohemia, České Budějovice, which is 125 km (77 miles) south of the Czech capital, Prague. It is also less than an hour’s drive from another Czech World Heritage Site, the gorgeous medieval town of Český Krumlov. 

What is special about Holašovice? 

Holašovice in South Bohemia is one of the most beautiful villages in Europe and it’s uniquely preserved, its original integrity and identity intact, and this was why it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998. 

Holašovice village consists of 23 farmsteads clustered around a green with a chapel and a small fish pond. Most of the houses were built in the early-to-mid 19th century, though the village dates back as far as the 13th century.   

The Holašovice architecture style is derived from earlier vernacular Baroque, and is usually referred to as folk Baroque, rustic Baroque and occasionally rural Baroque. Similar houses can be seen in the nearby villages of Zaboři and Čakov, but in both cases newer houses have been built around them, thereby undermining the villages’ historical integrity.   

Holašovice History 

Holašovice was first mentioned in historical documents in 1292, when it became the property of the wealthy Vyssi Brod monastery 40 miles to the south, though no buildings survive from this time. 

The village was devastated by an outbreak of the bubonic plague in 1520, which killed 12 of the 17 families resident there. Over the following centuries the population of the village became mixed, with more German farmers moving to the village. By the early 20^th century the population of Holašovice was predominantly German. 

In the aftermath of World War Two, millions of Germans across Central Europe – especially in Poland and the former Czechoslovakia – were forcibly expelled, with many killed in retribution, in what has since the 1990s been known as ‘ethnic cleansing’.  Holašovice was empty for much of the ensuing period as its population was forced out, and the Communists mercifully didn’t ‘develop’ it. The unique architecture and nature of the village was recognised and it was declared a National Cultural Monument. 

It was only after the 1989 Velvet Revolution, when the Communist regime was overthrown – that Holašovice was re-settled. The core of the 19^th century village remains, and some additional houses have subsequently been added on the outskirts of the village.   

What about things to do in Holašovice?  

The main thing to do in Holašovice is admire the architecture of the farmhouses. They make wonderful photographic subjects, whether you’re looking at several in a row or details of the gables with the date of construction and motifs against a deep blue sky. 

We visited Holašovice in autumn, and the rich fall colours enhanced this gorgeous village greatly. There is a small pond on the village green, and if you’re there in the morning the houses on the west side of the green (the same as the pub) reflect in the still water. Take the time to see all of the houses – it won’t take long – and to walk around the back of one of them (at the far end of the green from the chapel) to gain an idea of the size of the farmsteads. 

One of the Holašovice farmhouses – Selsky dvur – is usually open to visitors, though sadly it wasn’t when we visited in October 2021. Its name means ‘Peasant Court’ or ‘Rural Court’, and it, like the other 22 Holašovice farmhouses, is built around an inner courtyard, with the house on one side and stables and other outbuildings around the other sides.  

And then there’s the pub. Holašovicka Hospoda  is on the west side of the village green, and serves various Czech classics (svickova, roast duck with cabbage) as well as hearty soups in very generous portions. The prices aren’t quite 19^th century, but are far less than in nearby tourist spots like Hluboka. They also serve the superb local Budvar beer, and have tables outside in the warmer months. During the colder seasons the interior is warm and cosy, an ideal spot to replenish before heading on your way.   

There is also a small playground behind the visitor information centre for the little ones. 

How Long Do You Need In Holašovice? 

Some of the bus schedules allow you around two hours in Holašovice before returning to České Budějovice , and this gives you ample time to see everything, including the small exhibition and have a drink or snack at the pub.

It is possible to linger longer, of course – it’s a wonderful, idyllic spot and much as we were all enchanted by it, unless you’re intent on photographing the village and you’re waiting for the light, you don’t really need more than a couple of hours in Holašovice. 

Ideally, you’d look to combine two hours or so in Holašovice with visiting somewhere else in South Bohemia.  We stayed a few days in nearby České Budějovice, and a short bus trip here from the main bus station, spending two hours there before heading back.

We also took other day trips around South Bohemia from České Budějovice, a wonderful small city that most only pass by en route to Český Krumlov, 25 km to the south. Other places worth a visit nearby include the towns of Pisek, Třeboň and Hluboka Castle. 

So Is It Worth Visiting Holašovice? 

Even though you’re unlikely to spend long there, the answer is an emphatic yes.  The three of us loved the place.  We have seen a great many beautiful European villages, but there’s something exceptional about Holašovice – the unity of the village, the feeling of almost being in a time capsule, or perhaps a film set, and the peaceful location and slow pace of life. 

It doesn’t resemble it visually, but the quiet rural world-away feel of Holašovice is reminiscent of that of Monsaraz, a stunning Portuguese village overlooking the Spanish border. 

We only spent two hours there, and this short time passed blissfully slowly, full of an abundance of happy memories. We feel Holašovice is one of the best places to visit in the Czech Republic, and are so glad we made the effort to get there. 

So if you’re heading for Český Krumlov or anywhere else in South Bohemia, try to make an hour or three free to allow time to see Holašovice. 

See Also: 15 Best Places To Visit In South Bohemia

Getting to Holašovice 

If you’re travelling by car, Holašovice is around 20 km (13 miles) west of CB on the 14324 road which also passes through neighbouring Jankov. It’s a beautiful drive through bucolic Bohemian backroads, passing forests, lakes, gentle sloping fields and classic Czech villages with cream and mustard-coloured cottages and churches. The roads are single-track, and it’s amazing how two wide vehicles can somehow pass each other on such a narrow strip of tarmac.  

The bus ride from České Budějovice is even more enjoyable as you can savour the scenery without having to squeeze past road-hogging tractors.

Several buses depart each day from České Budějovice bus station, which is located above a shopping centre across the street from the railway station. The journey usually takes between 30-50 minutes each way – for up-to-date bus times check out the excellent idos.cz transport website. We were lucky to see the Bohemian countryside in its full autumnal glory, the trees radiant in their seasonal orange, golden and brown hues.

The bus stops at the northern end of the village green, and returns to České Budějovice from the same spot. 

If you’re travelling down from Prague to Holašovice, there’s not a great deal of difference between going by train or bus. Check out the Rome to rio website for departures from Prague main station (Praha hl.n on the drop-down menu) to České Budějovice. Journey times and fares are roughly the same as the RegioJet bus, which departs almost hourly from Stop 2 at Na Knížeci bus station in Smíchov, Prague 5.  

The trip takes around 2 hours 15 minutes, and usually costs 170 CZK per adult. Expect an additional 30 CZK each way for the bus to and from Holašovice. At the time of writing, the Holašovice bus leaves from stand 17 at České Budějovice bus station. 

Holašovice Accommodation  

If you really want to experience backwoods Bohemia at its quietest, there are a couple of places to stay in Holašovice, both in original farmhouses.

Pension Špejchar u Vojty is a 2-star guesthouse across the green from the pub> They have family and double rooms, and apartments.

The aforementioned Selsky dvur also serves as a pension,  with two apartments available. 

We opted to base ourselves in nearby České Budějovice, and got a great deal at the 5-star Grandhotel Zvon, the oldest hotel in the Czech Republic, which offers superb views over the city’s wonderful main square.   

I also recommend the 3-star Hotel Metropol CB in České Budějovice. Its location is ideal, halfway between the bus and train stations and the Old Town. So it’s perfect if you’re planning a few day trips from České Budějovice.

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.

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