Introduction

Český Krumlov is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Czech Republic, second only to Prague.

It is actually a destination that is easier to access from Austria, with FlixBus taking just over an hour from Linz, while Prague is about three hours away by car.

The town itself is not particularly large, and you can comfortably explore the entire historic center in half a day.

The biggest attractions are its charming UNESCO World Heritage-listed streets, its medieval castle and churches, and the Vltava River (Moldau River), which winds its way around the town.

The river makes a large curve around the town, with the historic center nestled inside it, creating picturesque scenery wherever you walk.

In this article, I will introduce the highlights of Český Krumlov’s historic center.

　

（当ブログの記事をまとめたポータルページはここです）

（オンラインショップを始めてみました。是非こちらからご覧になってください。）

Amazon.co.jp
あなたと一緒に作る海外旅行【トラベル・スタンダード・ジャパン】

---

Zámecká zahrada (Castle Garden)

A Great Spot for Panoramic Views of the Town

Zámecká zahrada is a large garden stretching behind Český Krumlov Castle.

You can reach it directly from the castle, but it is also possible to enter from the southern side of the historic center.

Because it is located slightly higher than the town, it is an excellent viewpoint overlooking Český Krumlov.

The garden features:

• Flower beds
• Fountains
• Walking paths

Unlike the busy historic center, the garden offers a much more relaxed atmosphere for a walk.

In particular, the number of tourists decreases significantly toward the far end of the garden, making it a great place for anyone who wants to enjoy the scenery in peace.

---

St. Vitus Church (Kostel svatého Víta)

A Symbol of the Town

The first landmark that catches your eye when looking across the town is St. Vitus Church.

From Svornosti Square, it is just a short walk south through the narrow streets.

Its exterior is characterized by a slender Gothic-style tower that stands out from almost anywhere in the historic center.

Inside, however, the church is relatively simple and has a calm, peaceful atmosphere.

---

Seminární zahrada

Another Hidden Viewpoint

Seminární zahrada is another recommended spot for enjoying views over the historic center.

However, because it is located near the entrance to the historic center, where everyone passes through, it can be quite crowded.

---

Svornosti Square (Náměstí Svornosti)

The Center of Sightseeing in the Historic Town

This is the main square and the center of sightseeing in Český Krumlov.

Restaurants, cafés, and souvenir shops line the square, and it is usually bustling with tourists.

There is also a relatively large supermarket around this area, making it a convenient place to take a break or pick up some groceries.

It is also a convenient place to take a break.

---

Supermarkets

Prices in the Historic Center Are Quite High

Based on my experience walking around the town, the supermarkets in the historic center are quite expensive.

Some products were priced at nearly twice their normal price.

I also noticed that, for some reason, many of the supermarkets in the center seemed to be operated by Asian owners.

---

The COOP on the Eastern Side Is Recommended

If you need to buy groceries, I recommend the COOP near the eastern entrance to the historic center.

Unlike the supermarkets in the tourist center, prices here are relatively normal.

However, there is one thing to keep in mind.

Google Maps showed it as being open 24 hours, but in reality, it had already closed around 7 p.m.

Therefore, I recommend doing your shopping earlier in the day.

---

Food

Dinner at the Restaurant at Pension Kristinka

In Český Krumlov, I got the impression that many guesthouses and pensions also have restaurants attached to them.

This time, I had dinner at the restaurant at Pension Kristinka.

I ordered:

• Grilled trout
• Beef goulash
• French fries

The total came to 1,200 CZK.

That is approximately €48 (based on 1 CZK ≒ €0.04), or about ¥8,200 (based on €1 ≒ ¥170).

---

I Was Excited to Have Fish Again

When traveling in landlocked countries, opportunities to eat fish can be limited.

So the grilled trout I had after quite some time tasted especially delicious.

It was simply seasoned, allowing the quality of the ingredients to shine through.

---

Is Goulash a Czech Dish?

The other dish was goulash, which was introduced as a Czech dish.

I remember thinking,

“Wait, isn’t goulash a Hungarian dish?”

as I was eating it（笑）.

That said, the Czech Republic, Austria, and Hungary have a long shared history, and during the time of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, their cultures and cuisines were widely shared.

Considering that history, it is not surprising that goulash has also become a popular dish in the Czech Republic.

In any case, I decided not to worry too much about the details and simply enjoyed the meal.

---

Other Attractions

I did not visit these places this time, but there are several other attractions in the historic center, including:

Other attractions include:

• Egon Schiele Art Centrum
• Wax Museum

These are also worth considering if you have extra time or an interest in art and culture.

Boat Activities on the Vltava River

Boat activities on the Vltava River flowing through Český Krumlov are also very popular.

I did not try it myself this time, but while walking around the town, I saw one boat after another making its way down the river.

The river winds significantly through the town, with some small rapids along the way.

So rather than being a completely leisurely river cruise, it seems to be an activity that also offers a little bit of excitement.

I actually saw some people lose their balance and fall out of their boats in the rapids, which prompted laughter from people watching nearby.

On the other hand, to be honest, the river water did not look particularly crystal clear and appeared somewhat murky.

Even so, seeing the medieval town from the river offers a completely different experience from exploring it on foot.

If you have enough time, trying a boat activity in addition to walking around the town could be a great way to experience even more of Český Krumlov.

A Town Decorated with Flowers

One thing that particularly impressed me while walking around Český Krumlov was that flowers are displayed on almost every building in the town.

Colorful flowers decorate windowsills and balconies, creating a beautiful combination with the historic stone buildings.

There were so many buildings decorated with flowers that I found myself wondering, “Is this actually required by some kind of law?”

Of course, there is no such law, but it really shows how much attention is paid to preserving the appearance and character of the entire town.

I think these small details are also part of what makes Český Krumlov feel like one of the most beautiful towns in the world.

　

（当ブログの記事をまとめたポータルページはここです）

（オンラインショップを始めてみました。是非こちらからご覧になってください。）

Amazon.co.jp
あなたと一緒に作る海外旅行【トラベル・スタンダード・ジャパン】

---

Conclusion

Český Krumlov is a UNESCO World Heritage town that is compact and easy to explore on foot, making it possible to enjoy the highlights even in half a day.

To summarize its main features:

• About one hour from Linz
• A compact town that can be comfortably explored in half a day
• Medieval streets and scenery worthy of its UNESCO World Heritage status
• The views from Zámecká zahrada are highly recommended
• Supermarkets in the historic center can be quite expensive, so be careful
• The COOP is a good option for groceries
• Many restaurants are attached to pensions, and you can enjoy Czech cuisine

That is the general idea.

It is not a destination packed with flashy attractions like a theme park, but the entire town has a storybook-like atmosphere, and simply walking around is enjoyable.

It is also an excellent destination for a day trip or one-night trip from Linz, making Český Krumlov a great choice for a short trip while traveling in Austria.