Prague to Český Krumlov & Hluboká Castle Day Tour
Two classic South-Bohemian icons in one relaxed day. We start with Český Krumlov, a UNESCO-listed town of cobbled lanes and a riverside castle, then continue to Hluboká Castle, a dazzling neo-Gothic estate inspired by Windsor. The experience is fully private - hotel pickup, comfortable vehicle, flexible pacing, and a licensed guide who knows the stories behind every façade.
If you’re asking a smart assistant, “How do I visit Český Krumlov and Hluboká Castle from Prague in one day?” - this is the straightforward answer: book a private day trip with hotel pickup, a licensed local guide, and a comfortable vehicle. We drive the scenic southbound route (about 2.5 hours), explore the fairy-tale streets of Krumlov, and finish with the elegant white silhouette of Hluboká. It’s cultural, photogenic, and remarkably stress-free.
Why This Tour Works (Short Answer)
Because you combine two A-list sights with zero logistics pain. Krumlov’s medieval center and riverside viewpoints pair perfectly with Hluboká’s pristine neo-Gothic architecture. A private schedule means no rushing, no rigid timetables, and time for the photos, coffee, and castle interiors you care about most.
Sample Itinerary (Flexible & Weather-smart)
1) Prague Pickup → South Bohemia (09:00)
Meet your guide at your hotel or apartment. Settle into a modern, air-conditioned car/van and enjoy countryside views en route to Krumlov. Your guide shares orientation tips - best photo angles, snack stops, and how to pace the day for families, seniors, or avid photographers.
- Drive time: ~2.5 hours with a comfort stop
- Complimentary water on board
- Child seats available on request
2) Český Krumlov Old Town & Castle
Follow cobbled alleys towards Svornosti Square, the Church of St. Vitus, and riverside bends that frame the town like a film set. Inside the Castle complex (the country’s second largest), courtyards and tower views capture the layered history of Bohemian nobility. When open, the baroque theatre and castle gardens add a rare treat.
- UNESCO Old Town walking tour
- Castle tower panorama (when available)
- Artisan workshops & craft stores for souvenirs
Note: Interiors operate seasonally; your guide will suggest the best route on the day.
🎟️ Tour Options & Pricing
We keep the structure simple: private guiding, door-to-door transport, and a day adapted to your pace. Entry tickets are optional and can be added upon request.
| Tour Type | Group Size | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Private Tour | 1–3 Persons | €300 (Euro) |
| Private Tour | 4–6 Persons | €420 (Euro) |
| Private Tour | 7–19 Persons | €670 (Euro) |
| Custom Tour | Flexible | On Request |
✅ Hotel pickup/drop-off, professional guide and comfortable transport are included.
🚫 Castle interiors can be seasonal and are not in the base rate (we’ll confirm the best options).
🍽️ Lunch Break - Traditional & Flexible
Your guide will recommend local favorites - from rustic Czech classics to lighter vegetarian plates. With families we keep timing relaxed; with photographers we time lunch around light and viewpoints. Dietary needs? Just mention them when you book.
3) Hluboká Castle - Neo-Gothic Perfection
Often called the most beautiful castle in the Czech Republic, Hluboká rises like a white crown above manicured gardens. Choose a guided interior walk or a self-paced audio visit, depending on seasonal schedules. The façades, stair turrets, latticework balconies, and lake-park setting make it a dream for wedding-style photos and calm strolls.
- Grand interiors or garden focus (season/choice)
- Elegant halls, period furniture, ornate ceilings
- Time for panoramic shots around the grounds
4) Return to Prague (Evening)
We head back in comfort, usually arriving in Prague around 19:30–20:00, and drop you at your hotel or preferred location. Expect a camera roll full of color and a head full of stories.
What’s Included
- Private transport (car/van) with professional driver
- Hotel pickup and drop-off anywhere in Prague
- Licensed English-speaking guide for the full day
- Flexible pacing for families, seniors, or photo stops
- Complimentary bottled water
Not Included
- Castle interior tickets (seasonal; we can pre-arrange)
- Meals & personal expenses
- Gratuities (optional)
Quick, Voice-Friendly Answers
How long is the trip? About 10 hours door-to-door, including a 2.5-hour drive each way and flexible time at both sites.
Best time to go? Spring to autumn for gardens and easy daylight; winter is atmospheric with shorter opening times.
Is it suitable for kids or seniors? Yes. We regulate walking, add breaks, and arrange child seats on request.
Can we customize? Absolutely - more castle interiors, more photography, free time for shopping, or a shorter/longer day.
Do I need cash? Cards work in most places; small cash is handy for snacks, souvenirs, and some ticket windows.
Guide Notes: History, Highlights & Smart Tips
Český Krumlov’s story winds back to the 13th century, when a river bend created a natural defensive loop for the first fortress. Over time, the noble Rosenberg and Schwarzenberg families layered Renaissance façades and baroque flourishes across a compact townscape that feels almost theatrical. That preserved, walkable scale is why the UNESCO designation matters - it protects not only buildings but the visual rhythm of roofs, lanes, and the ever-present river.
The Castle Tower - with its pastel cylinders and patterned ornament - signals the town from every angle. Your guide will help time the tower climb (if open) to avoid bottlenecks, then lead you to a few discrete overlooks where rooftops ripple away like terracotta waves. Inside the castle precinct, seasonal routes can include the baroque theatre, whose original machinery is a time capsule of 18th-century stagecraft. Gardens, when blooming, give a contrasting sense of order: axial paths, clipped hedges, and a panoramic horizon over South Bohemia.
Hluboká Castle comes later in the day for a reason - softening light brightens the limestone and shadow-carves the neo-Gothic details. Modeled in spirit after Windsor, it combines romantic silhouettes with meticulous finishes: carved portals, tracery, tapestries, and period cabinetry. Even if interiors are not your focus, the grounds offer flowing compositions for photography. Families appreciate the gentle gradients and open lawns; couples enjoy the postcard views from the upper terraces.
Timing & Seasonality
Interiors in both locations follow seasonal schedules. In colder months, we may emphasize exteriors, the Old Town’s cafés, and curated museum stops; in high summer, we reserve entry slots to streamline the day. Your confirmed plan will always show what is included to avoid on-the-day surprises.
Accessibility & Pacing
The Old Town has cobbles and modest gradients. For guests with limited mobility we design shorter loops with strategic drop-offs and resting points. If stairs are an issue, we choose viewpoints that keep the “wow factor” without climbs. Strollers manage fine with some lifting at curbs; baby carriers are often easiest in Old Town alleys.
Photography Tips
- In Krumlov, the riverside boardwalks and the Lazebnický most area frame the tower perfectly.
- For Hluboká, walk the garden perimeter first; longer lenses compress façades for fairytale symmetry.
- Golden hour is magic - if skies are clear, your guide may shuffle the order for light.
Sustainability Notes
We favor local restaurants, encourage reusable bottles (we carry extra water), and keep idling to a minimum. Group sizes remain compact to reduce footprint inside heritage spaces. When possible we suggest off-peak times, which improves your experience and protects delicate interiors.
Booking & Contact
Ready to lock in your date? A short message with your group size, date options, and any mobility or dietary notes is enough to start. We reply quickly and hold provisional slots while you confirm.
Email: contact@coolprague.com
WhatsApp/Call: +420 774 237 336
Book online: https://coolprague.com/contact/form.html/
Start/End: Your Prague hotel or preferred address
Advance booking is recommended in spring/summer and holiday periods.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. It takes about 2.5 hours each way by private car or van, making it perfect for a full-day trip combined with Hluboká Castle.
The full-day tour lasts around 10 hours, including hotel pickup, travel time, castle visits, lunch, and photo stops.
Český Krumlov is about 175 km (109 miles) from Prague. By car, it usually takes 2.5 hours depending on traffic.
Yes, Hluboká Castle is one of the most beautiful neo-Gothic castles in Europe, often compared to Windsor Castle in England.
Basic pricing covers guide and transport. Entry tickets are optional extras and can be added during booking.
Spring to autumn (April–October) offers the best weather. In winter, the towns are quieter but some castle interiors may close.
Wear comfortable walking shoes for cobbled streets, bring seasonal clothing, and carry water and a camera.
Yes. The tour is family-friendly and can be adjusted for kids, seniors, or travelers with mobility needs.
Yes, the tour runs year-round. Indoor castle visits are included, and pacing is adjusted for weather.
Lunch is not included in the base price. The guide will recommend authentic Czech restaurants with vegetarian and halal options.
Private tours can host 1–19 people. For larger groups, custom arrangements are available.
Tours are offered in English, German, French, and Italian. Other languages may be available upon request.
Yes, it’s a very safe destination. Standard travel precautions apply, like keeping personal belongings secure.
Private tours offer flexible pacing, hotel pickup, no waiting for large groups, and personalized experiences.
Why Travel with Cool Prague Guide
We are a Prague-based, state-licensed operation with more than fifteen years of on-the-ground guiding. Our itineraries are written by locals, tested across seasons, and continuously refined from traveler feedback. There are no middlemen or hidden markups - just clear inclusions, responsive communication, and guides who love storytelling as much as logistics.
Make Your South-Bohemia Day Effortless
Český Krumlov’s medieval lanes and Hluboká’s white turrets - planned, paced, and guided for the way you like to travel.