Castles In The Czech Republic.. Around Prague

If  you are only visiting Prague for a few days, I will be the first one to tell you it deserves your full attention.

However, if you are here for 8 days or it is your second time visiting, you should be aware there are other amazing castles and interesting towns surrounding Prague. The following is a list of castles I’ve visited in or around Prague:

1. Prague Castle (of course)

Prague Castle in Prague, Czech Republic

You can find the Prague Castle as the centerpiece of every Prague snapshot. As a beautiful and mysterious background to the city, it effortlessly consumes your attention. If you ever find yourself in Prague during summer dusk, make sure to take a look at the sun setting behind St. Vitus Cathedral.  While your there, grab some beer and take one of the paddle boats for a spin among the swans.

Prague Castle Sunset

2. Cesky Krumlov

Castle in Cesky Krumlov

~2 1/2 hours from Prague (I visited via bus)

A few hours away in Southern Bohemia, lies the colorful and imaginative Cesky Krumlov Castle. This extraordinarily colorful castle sits perched high above the amusing  labyrinth like town and is the second largest castle complex in the Czech Republic. Cesky Krumlov is definitely worth a stop if you are in the Czech Republic.  If you are already in Prague, you are only two and a half hours away from seeing a town unlike any other.

3. Konopiště Chateau

~44 minutes from Prague (visited via car)

Placed in the middle of the woods, you can find the Konopiště Chateau. Observe the residential rooms of Franz Ferdinand who was an enthusiastic hunter and a collector of antlers. I was too cheap to splurge on the tour in English, so I chose the Czech version of the the tour instead, very interesting.

4. Karlstejn

The Karlstejn Castle

~40 minutes from Prague (visited via car)

Only 4o minutes from Prague, you can stumble upon the most famous Czech castle, the castle of Karlstejn. This intimidating Gothic style castle overlooks the old fashioned picturesque town of Karlstejn. If you are visiting, make sure it will be open. I visited on the wrong day and only was allowed to walk to the gate. They are closed on Mondays during some months and only open on the weekends on others. You can check the schedule and buy tickets here. 

I am sure there are others that I can add to this list, these are simply the ones that I visited while I was in Prague for 8 days. Feel free to comment on additional castles surrounding this region in the comments section!