Český Krumlov castle in 2023 is open!

The castle is open

The castle of Český Krumlov is open and castle tours are available. In this article, you’ll learn what to expect from Český Krumlov castle and how to book the castle tours.

You can book tours online here, or you can buy tickets in the 2nd courtyard of the castle. We recommend booking your tour online because only 10 tickets are bookable online.

Quick facts

Castle interiors are open every day except Monday. The castle grounds are open the whole year long. You will see exteriors of the castle on the Wiseman Free Tour starting every day at 10:30 and 2 pm from the main square.

The castle opens 1.4.

The first route of Český Krumlov Castle is available from 1.4. – 31.10.  at 11:00 am and 2:30 pm. 

The Baroque theater tour is available from 1.5. – 31.10.  at 10 am and 2 pm.

The castle tower is open daily (including Mondays) from 09:00 until 4:30 pm.

The castle garden is open from 8 am until 5 pm but it’s closed in winter.

The castle tour no.1

The first castle tour takes you to Renaissance and Baroque apartments, where all 3 aristocratic families of Český Krumlov, the Rosenbergs, the Eggenbergs, and the Schwarzenbergs gradually lived. This sightseeing circuit is by far the most popular and it will give an insight into the daily life of nobles. During the tour, you will see, for example, the chapel of St. George or a gilded Baroque chariot.

The tour lasts 55 minutes. Open daily (except Mondays). Tours in English run at 11:00 am and 2:30 pm.

The baroque theater tour

But the most interesting is the Baroque theater tour. Český Krumlv Baroque theater is unique, because to this day only 4 original Baroque theaters have been preserved, and Krumlov has the oldest from 1766. On the tour you will see the original stage of the auditorium, you can admire the hand-painted sceneries and look under the stage, where there is amazing wooden machinery with 3 km of ropes to control all the moving elements of the theater.

The tour lasts 45 minutes. The Baroque theater opens on May 1st.

The castle tower – the best view of Český Krumlov

Renaissance castle tower and according to Karel Čapek the “most towering tower” of all towers in the world. If you are looking for a great view of Český Krumlov, do not hesitate and climb those 162 steps to the top.

It is open daily (including Mondays) from 09 am until 4:30 pm. The tour includes the castle museum which is worth visiting on Mondays when the castle interiors are closed.

Castle garden – great walk for free.

If you are looking for free activity on the castle grounds, I recommend the Baroque castle garden, which you will find on the hill above the castle. It is 750 m long and because it is on a hill, many tourists do not come here. But for an hour’s walk, it’s like made. The castle garden consists of two parts: you can admire the flowers in the French part, or you can go to the English park. Here you will see a controversial revolving auditorium, which will be operational again after a one-year break and reconstruction. At the end of the garden, you will come across a pond, where you can admire the blooming water lilies in summer.

The garden is open daily from 8 am until 5 pm.

Refreshments in the castle grounds, toilets, viewpoints, and souvenirs

I. castle courtyard – right at the entrance to the castle complex you will find on the left side of the bar Apotéka, which I recommend especially for drinking at night, but even during the day, you can buy something to eat and drink. There are public toilets just above the bar. In the first courtyard on the right, you will find the outdoor garden of the restaurant U Klobouku.

II. castle courtyard – in the left corner of the 2nd courtyard you will find the stairs leading to the castle tower (and the box office where you can buy a ticket for the tower). There are other public toilets and also Café Hrádek. In addition, there is a souvenir shop and printed guides.

III. castle courtyard – when you ascend the steep passage to III. courtyard, you will find another stall with souvenirs. Above all, however, on III. tours No. 1 and No. 2 begin in the courtyard.

IV. castle courtyard – just before the entrance to the bridge (which we call Plášťový) you will find another public toilet on the right side. There is a great view of Český Krumlov from the Cloak Bridge.

V. castle courtyard – before leaving Český Krumlov castle, enter the small door, which is located on the left side of this last castle courtyard. You will get to one of the most beautiful views, where it is almost obligatory to take a few photos as a souvenir. In addition, you can buy draft beer, coffee, or ice cream in a kiosk.

Conclusion

Český Krumlov Castle certainly has a lot to offer in 2023. The castle grounds are open 24 hours and especially at night without tourists it is a great place for a walk. If you want to explore the castle and chateau with a guide, I recommend our Night Tour of Český Krumlov. You can then see the interiors of the chateau every day except Monday, or you can visit the chateau garden, which is open daily and free of charge.