Alex DROP | Flickr
Kevin Oliver | Flickr
Richard Mortel | Flickr
Kevin Oliver | Flickr
Alex DROP | Flickr
Felix Mittermeier | Unsplash
Felix Mittermeier | Unsplash
Travel Tips for Karlštejn
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Get the most authentic sightseeing experience. Check out these guided tours and skip-the-line tickets around Karlštejn.
Grab your camera and trek uphill to this famous 14th century gothic fortress that once housed royal treasures.
Built by Charles IV, King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor in 1348, Karlštejn is one of the most popular castles to visit in the Czech Republic. Karlštejn Castle is a registered UNESCO World Heritage Site and a top contender for the most beautiful castle in the country, so make sure you bring your camera!
This hilltop gothic fortress was the King’s private country residence, built to serve as a treasury for all the royal treasures, crown jewels and his impressive collection of holy relics which were kept in the Chapel of the Holy Cross, a richly decorated chapel covered in gilding and precious stones. Legend says that the King deemed the chapel so sacred that he forbade women to live, lie down and sleep in the chapel. The Chapel is open to visitors (including women as part of a guided tour that must be booked online in advance. While the exterior of the castle is free to visit, the interior with the Imperial Palace, the Chapel of the Holy Cross, the Church of the Virgin Mary and the St. Catherine Chapel, and the Great Tower are worth seeing if you have the time.
Of course, if you’d prefer you can simply enjoy the stroll up to the castle where you can capture wonderful photos of it’s gothic facades and towers, sit in its courtyard or walk around its walls and look out over the countryside. Although a little pricey, you can also stop in one of the nice local pubs and restaurants on the way up or down for a pivo (czech for beer!).
Tips and Tricks
- You can walk around the castle and visit the courtyard for free.
- Restaurants on the route up to the castle are touristy and very overpriced.
- Gets busy in the summer so visits in the morning are best.
- If you’re keen to see the Chapel of the Holy Cross, make sure to book online in advance
Getting There
- By Car: Paid parking available in the town below the castle.
- By Train: Short walk away from Karlštejn train station. Local trains run from Prague every 30 minutes.
Jun - Tues - Sun 9:00am - 5:30pm
Jul - Aug - Daily 9:00am - 6:00pm
Sept - Tues - Sun 9:30 - 5:30pm
Oct - Tues - Sun 9:00am to 4:30pm
Nov - Dec - 10:00am to 3:00pm.
All seasons
Free. Guided Tours of Interior and Towers start from 220 CZK (adult)
- You can also book your tickets in advance online (click here to get your tickets)
Open; Interiors closed.
We recommend to book your stays in Karlštejn in advance as it can get booked up quickly during certain periods. If you use this link , you pay the same price and we get a small commission - thanks for your support!
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