Czech Republic | 14x the most beautiful castles to visit

There is no better place for a castle tour than in Czech Republic. In the Central European country you stumble across the Disney-like castles, fortified castles and romantic country houses. In the country there are more than 3000. Many castles in the Czech Republic are located in a spectacular location or are surrounded by fragrant gardens. Admire the splendor and learn about the history at these 14 locations across the country.

14x the most beautiful castles to visit

1. Prague Castle

There is one castle in the Czech Republic that is even considered the largest ancient building in the world! This is Prague Castle in Prague. The royal palace includes fortifications, a cathedral, gardens and several outbuildings. Prague Castle is the repository of the holy relics and is also the residence of the president.

Tip:: Visit Prague Castle with the Prague Visitors Pass and gain access to St. Vitus Cathedral, the Cathedral Tower, Golden Lane, Lobkowicz Palace, and the Basilica.

2. Chateau Sykhrov

Chateau Sykhrov is located in the vicinity of the rock cities of Hrubá Skála, Malá Skála and the Prakhov rocks in the protected natural area Bohemian Paradise. The chateau was owned by the French Rohan family for many years and this is reflected everywhere in the interior. The country house is surrounded by a large English park. In the summer, the orangerie is a wonderful place for a cup of coffee with something delicious. 

3. Bouzov Castle

A drawbridge, bay windows, battlements and a moat. Bouzov is exactly as you expect a castle. The medieval fortress was built for defense and later came into the hands of a clerical knighthood. Now it is a popular landmark and a beloved filming location. The Netflix series 'The Letter for the King' was last filmed there.

4. Chateau Nove Mesto nad Metuji

The chateau of Nové Město nad Metují in East Bohemia offers two guided tours of the residential palace of the Bartoň family. A wealthy family in their 20s^th century owned a textile factory. They had the castle modernized with water, electricity and even a telephone connection. What you may not like during a visit to Nové Město nad Metují is the castle garden. Here is the wooden bridge by the Czech architect Dušan Jurkovič. The bridge in the style of Bohemian half-timbering gives access to the French ornamental garden, vegetable garden and orchard.

5. Chateau Litomysl

Many residences in the Czech Republic were built not only to defend land or an important trade route, but also as 'maisons de plaisance'. Luxurious residences that had no military function and were not permanent residences. Chateau Litomyšl is an example of this. The summer palace was a present from Vatislav II of Pernštejn to his Italian wife. The building therefore has many Italian influences, such as the arcade arches. A hidden gem is the wooden baroque theater that the family loved to use. During a performance they let the whole court take part. 

6. Chateau Decin

The cozy town of Děčín is located on the border of Germany, situated on the river Elbe. Děčín is an ideal base for the Bohemian Switzerland National Park to visit. Nevertheless, the place itself is also worth a visit. In July and August chateau Děčín opens its doors. The structure is located on a rock and has a fragrant rose garden. The composer Fréderic Chopin visited Děčín regularly and composed the piece of music “Děčínský Waltz” here. 

7. Hradec nad Moravicí Castle

The north of Moravia has a particularly rich mining history. Yet there are also cultural attractions, such as it castle in Hradec nad Moravicí. The white chateau is surrounded by a brick wall with stables and turrets. It resembles the Disney castle and is therefore called the “Moravian Disney castle”.

8. Kroměříž Archbishop's Palace 

A palace where wealth flies around your ears. Kroměříž in eastern Moravia was the representative summer residence of the bishops of Olomouc. The Great Dining Room is the largest room in the palace. It is no less than 30 meters long, 16 meters high and there are 14 chandeliers that required a total of 440 candles. The Flower Garden is a fifteen minute walk from the palace. The symmetrical garden with pavilions, a colonnade and mazes is, together with the palace, on the UNESCO World Heritage List. 

9. Lednice Valtice Cultural Landscape

De castles Lednice en Valtice and the surrounding landscape are also on the World Heritage List. The area in South Moravia covers 283 km2 with two chateaus, French gardens, several ponds, chapels, a minaret and many other buildings in romantic style. 

10. Chateau Telc 

The idyllic town of Telč in the south of the Czech Republic stands out for its huge square with pastel-colored houses. The town is surrounded by ponds, which were dug thanks to the Zacharias of Hradec family. They were also the ones who turned the castle into a renaissance jewel. In the Knight's Hall and the African Hall you will marvel at the remarkable trophies.

11. Cesky Krumlov Castle 

An unmissable landmark of the city Czech Krumlov is her castle. The tower is the oldest building and is not only photogenic, but also offers a fantastic view of this picturesque town from the viewing platform. The castle of Český Krumlov is connected with many interesting stories and on a tour you will discover the richly decorated rooms of the Schwarzenberg family, the last owners.

12. Rabi Castle

No pomp and circumstance in West Bohemia Rabbi. The function of this structure was to defend the trade route between Bavaria and Bohemia. Until the 17th century, Rabí was an important military site, but when it was decided that trade should go through a different route, Rabí began to decline. Although Rabí has ​​not yet been restored to its former glory, it remains an impressive structure, partly due to its great location in the middle of the Bohemian Forest National Park. 

13. Křivoklat Castle

Due to the many trade routes to Prague, there are dozens of castles and palaces around the capital. The Castle of Crooked is an hour's drive west of Prague and was built in the 13th century as a royal residence. It was a popular place for hunting parties and parties, but also for diplomatic negotiations and later as a prison. Křivoklát had to be rebuilt regularly because of fires. The castle is open to visitors all year round and there are regular events in the courtyard during the summer.

14. Castle Loket

Finally, we have the castle Loket in the middle of the West Bohemian spatriangel. The castle is located on the castle route Burgenstrasse' which starts in Mannheim and ends in Prague. Just like Rabí, Loket is accessible without a guided tour. The castle rises above the city and was an important fortress. In the castle you can learn more about the history of the city and admire a meteorite that fell in 1422 in the courtyard.