We recently took a day trip to Karlstejn Castle, a majestic Gothic castle nestled in the picturesque town of Karlstejn, just a short drive from Prague. We'll share some photos,
Prague Trip Planning Resources: Where to Stay | Things to Do | What to Pack
What's in this Article? (Jump ahead here.)
Now that we're living in Prague (yay!), we figured we should get out there and test drive some different day trips from Prague...you know, for research and stuff.
We'll be posting details and photos from our different day trips from Prague as we go, using a super scientific method for determining their worth: how much fun we had.
A few weekends ago, we decided to head to Karlštejn Castle, an easy, beautiful, and cheap day trip from Prague.
How to Get to Karlštejn Castle from Prague
From the main train station in Prague (Praha Hlavní Nádraží), it's a 40 minute train ride and costs CZK 99 per person round trip (at the time of writing this) for the first person.
It's cheaper if you buy in groups, and you can find the train schedule online). Once you arrive in Karlštejn, it's relatively easy to get to the castle.
Follow the signs (and crowds) from the train station, cross over the Berounka river, pausing to reflect upon the pastoral tranquility in which you've found yourself, and voila: you've arrived in the town of Karlštejn.
Once you're in the town of Karlštejn, it's pretty easy to find your way. Just follow the road (and the crowds) up the hill to the castle.
It's not a particularly difficult walk, but might be challenging if you have any mobility issues, as it's about 25 minutes straight up a hill.
Visiting Karlštejn Castle
Once you reach the castle, it's free to enter the courtyard and poke around.
If you want to go into the castle, it's by guided tour only. (See my top picks for guided tours below!)
If you decide to skip the guided tour, you can simply wander around the exterior, enjoying the views of the castle and surroundings.
It's a really picturesque spot, perfect for photography.
Best Tours of Karlštejn Castle
The easiest and most low-stress way to make the trip to Karlstejn is to book an organized tour. Here are a few of my favorite options!
Best Karlštejn Castle Tours
Half-Day Trip to Karlštejn Castle from Prague
This half day tour is a great way to plan a day trip, without having to manage the logistics on your own. They'll pick you up from your hotel, and travel to Karlštejn town.
After a short walk to Karlštejn Castle, you'll get a guided tour with a local guide including the castle interiors and the treasury where the crown jewels were kept.
Karlstejn Castle & Countryside Bike Tour From Prague
For the more adventurous, try this full day bike tour, taking you on a 4 ½ hour bike tour through the Cesky Kras countryside, cycling along the bike paths of the Vltava and Berounka Rivers. You'll arrive in Karlstejn and take a guided tour of the castle. But don't worry - you get a train ride back into Prague!
Beer & Food Tasting Day Trip
If a full tour of the castle isn't your thing, but you still want to take in the sights, consider this beer and food tasting day tour from Prague.
It takes you to sample the beers and snacks at the rural (and delicious) microbreweries, where you can learn about the brewing process from the brewmaster.
But it also makes a short stop in Karlstejn to take in the sight of the majestic castle and grab some photos!
Lunch in Karlštejn
After 45 minutes or so of wandering around inside the castle walls, we headed back into town for lunch.
An expat who's lived here for years and years recommended we stop in at paad dráci skalou, a family-run restaurant about 800 meters off the main drag, with good, cheap Czech/central European food (think goulash, potato pancakes, and schnitzel; around CZK 60 to 80 for a main).
Here's the map he drew us, which we used to find the restaurant with surprising ease. So much for Google Maps!
Have you been to Karlštejn Castle? We'd love to hear what you thought.
Heather says
What a charming little town! Though I don't know how you were able to resist getting a peek at the inside of that castle!!
Naga says
Thanks a ton for your suggestion, managed to visit this beauty some days back. Was just breathtaking and enjoyed my time there.
Katie Matthews says
Great to hear, Naga! It is a lovely little trip from Prague, isn't it :)
Naga says
Absolutely! Will have to head back to another quaint town some time. :-)