Cesky Krumlov

Everyone’s heard of Prague, the alluring capital of the Czech Republic, but what about Cesky Krumlov? You’ll find tourism companies in Prague advertising day trips to see the Cesky Krumlov Castle, and the city does have a significant number of tourists. But it warrants much more than “day trip” status, and we’re not the only ones who think so!

Old Pharmacy

Cesky Krumlov is an old Medieval town dating back to the 1200′s, and has the second largest castle in the Czech Republic.  It’s a small town, with a population of about 14,000, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in atmosphere.  Walking along the old cobblestone streets of Cesky Krumlov, you can easily imagine yourself there centuries before.

Painted House

There are beautiful painted houses lining the streets, plenty of little cozy restaurants, and loads of fun shops selling everything from antiques to toys.

Toy Store

If there’s one thing you must sample in Cesky Krumlov, it’s Trdelnik…an absolutely delicious treat!  You’ll get whiffs of cinnamon before you see them, as they’re made fresh all day.  And once you try one of these warm delicacies, you’ll no doubt be back for more.  Here’s another post with a description of Trdelnik, including pictures.

Trdelnik

While there’s certainly more ground to cover in Prague, if you have the time you should spend at least one night in Cesky Krumlov.  It will give you a deeper appreciation for the Czech Republic, and you’ll have the town nearly to yourself when all the day trippers leave in the evening.

Cesky Krumlov

If you’ve got your own car, there are also a couple of great sites around Cesky Krumlov that make staying for two or three nights a great option, including Ceske Budejovice and the Hluboka Castle:

Hluboka Castle

So if you’re planning a trip to the Czech Republic, don’t forget about little Cesky Krumlov!