Top 10 Castles & Chateaus to Visit in the Czech Republic (with Hours & Ticket Prices)
A view of Karlstejn castle
Czech Republic is rich with majestic castles and chateaus beyond its famed capital, Prague. Here are top 10 Czech castles and chateaus you should visit, complete with their history, significance, opening hours, and ticket prices for 2025.
1. Loket Castle
This ancient castle, over 800 years old, originally served as a frontier fortress during the reign of Charles IV. It later became a royal castle and prison, which is why you can find a fascinating museum of torture instruments and medieval punishments in its dungeons. We had so much fun exploring in our video!
⏰ Opening hours:
Nov–Mar 9:00–16:00 daily; Apr–Jun 9:00–17:00; Jul–Aug 9:00–18:30; Sep–Oct 9:00–17:00.
🎟️ Ticket prices:
With an audio guide, prices range from 145 CZK to 175 CZK depending on the language of the tour and age. Children under 6 are free. Check the official website for more information.
💡 Pro tip: Check out the Old Slavic Cuisine Restaurant at the foot of the castle for a delicious lunch! 🍽️🏰😋
Červená Lhota Chateau
2. Červená Lhota Chateau
A fairy-tale castle uniquely situated on a small island in the middle of a pond, famous for its distinctive red walls. It has been featured in many Czech movies and TV shows. Once upon a time, there was an aristocratic family that lived there, and the château is still filled with the toys of their children, their paintings, and other curious knick-knacks. I will link our vlog from this castle at the end of this article.
⏰ Opening hours:
May and September: daily except Monday, 9:30–12:00 and 13:00–16:00
June–August: daily except Monday, 9:30–12:00 and 12:30–17:00
April and October: Saturday and Sunday, 9:30–12:00 and 13:00–16:00
December and January: on selected days
🎟️ Ticket prices:
Adults: 200 CZK
Seniors and Youth (18–24 years): 160 CZK
Children (6–17 years): 60 CZK
Under 5: free
💡 Pro tip: Check out the gift shop for handmade toys and souvenirs!
3. Žleby Chateau
Once a medieval fortress, Žleby was converted into a Neo-Gothic chateau. It features luxurious interiors and extensive collections of weapons, furniture, and everyday items of 19th-century nobility, collected by the chateau’s owners. The couple loved dressing up as medieval knights and holding mock battles with their staff. They were into cosplay before it became mainstream! I will link our vlog from this castle at the end of this article.
⏰ Opening hours:
April and October: Saturday and Sunday 10:00–15:00
May, June, September: Tuesday–Friday 10:00–15:00, Saturday and Sunday 10:00–16:00
July and August: Tuesday–Sunday 10:00–16:00
🎟️ Ticket prices:
Available online; typical guided tour prices are around 160–220 CZK (exact details available on the official site).
💡 Pro tip: Check out the small animal sanctuary in the chateau’s park. We fell in love with a family of wild boars and a rare white deer with a feisty temperament!
Karlštejn Castle
4. Karlštejn Castle
Karlstejn is the castle of all Czech castles so it of course made it on our list! Founded by Emperor Charles IV in the 14th century, it is renowned for its Gothic architecture and as a treasury for the Imperial Regalia. It offers various guided tours of richly decorated chambers. We recommend taking a tour of the interiors, especially the Royal Chapel, if you have the chance. Karlštejn is easily accessible by train from the main train station, and the journey takes only 45 minutes. We have shown you how to get to the castle and what to see around it in the video linked below.
⏰ Opening hours:
May 1 to October 31, daily except Monday; varied times, mostly from 9:00 to 18:00.
🎟️ Ticket prices:
Around 300 CZK for adults (basic tour), with discounts for youth and seniors. The Castle Chapels circuit costs 640 CZK per adult. Check the official website for more information.
💡 Pro tip: It is a steep climb, so wear comfortable shoes!
Konopiště Castle
5. Konopiště Castle
Known as the last residence of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, Konopiště offers Baroque and Renaissance interiors surrounded by a beautiful rose garden. The Austrian royal was a big fan of hunting, so you will find deer and pheasants in the park surrounding the castle. We highly recommend the tour of the Archduke’s family apartments; it really feels like they have never moved out and will come back any second.
⏰ Opening hours:
April to October, daily except Monday; hours vary, approximately 9:30–17:00. See more info here.
🎟️ Ticket prices:
Around 280 CZK for adults, with discounts for seniors and youth, and various tour options including apartments (420 CZK per adult) and the hunting route.
💡 Pro tip: Take a walk alongside the lake to enjoy stunning views of the
6. Blatná Castle
A Renaissance castle with rich history tied to noble families, including the Hildprandt family, with a beautiful English landscape park attached. Crowds flock to Blatná because of the deer herd that lives on its grounds. The curious inhabitants will check your pockets if they suspect you are hiding snacks there, so be careful! The park has a small entrance fee, and you can get some healthy food for the deer at the turnstiles.
⏰ Opening hours:
May, June, September: Tue–Sun 10:00–17:00
July, August: daily 9:00–18:00
April, October, November: weekends 10:00–17:00 (closing at 16:00 in November)
The park is open from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm (March 15–October 14) and from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm (October 15–March 14).
🎟️ Ticket prices:
Park admission: 50 CZK
Guided castle tours: approximately 100–200 CZK
💡 Pro tip: The tour of the interiors felt a bit underwhelming, but the Green Renaissance Chamber was gorgeous!
Trosky Castle
7. Trosky Castle
A striking ruin notable for its two basalt volcanic plugs, Baba and Panna towers, and location in the Bohemian Paradise area. Thanks to its menacing look, Trosky has featured in many movies and is still one of the most visited Czech castles today. You will have to climb to the top, so we recommend wearing comfortable shoes.
⏰ Opening hours:
April: weekends only
May, June, July, August: daily (except Mondays in May and June); typically 9:00–17:30 in summer
September: daily except Mondays, 9:00–16:00
October: Saturdays and Sundays, 9:00–16:00
27.10.–2.11.: daily, 9:00–16:00
🎟️ Ticket prices:
Adults: 160 CZK
Seniors/Youth: 130 CZK
Children: 50 CZK
Under 5: free
Křivoklát Castle
8. Křivoklát Castle
One of the oldest and most significant medieval castles in Czechia, Křivoklát was a royal hunting lodge and later a prison. Its impressive Gothic halls and museum collections tell stories of Czech history and royalty. Charles IV was imprisoned there as a child by his own father—a tragic period in his life that, curiously, did not drive them apart. Another famous captive of Křivoklát was an English charlatan (or a genius?)—alchemist Edward Kelley. He spent a long time in the castle’s tower, negotiating his escape with a local guard.
⏰ Opening hours:
May 1 to September 30: Tuesday–Sunday, 9:00–16:00 (long tour), 9:00–17:00 (short tour)
October: Tuesday–Sunday, 10:00–15:00
November to December 21: Saturday and Sunday, 10:00–14:00
December 27–31: Monday, Tuesday, Saturday, Sunday, 10:00–14:00
🎟️ Ticket prices:
Adults: 280 CZK
Seniors: 220 CZK
Youth: 220 CZK
Children: 80 CZK
Children under 5: free
Various tours with different prices are available.
💡 Pro tip: Take a short walk to a viewpoint located on the hill opposite the main tower of the castle.
Kost Castle
9. Kost Castle
One of the best-preserved Gothic castles in the Czech Republic, Kost Castle is famous for its defensive architecture amid the forests of the Bohemian Paradise. A tour of the castle interiors feels like traveling back to the Middle Ages! We recommend reserving tickets in advance, as even in the low season they often sell out.
⏰ Opening hours:
May–September: Tuesday–Sunday 9:00–17:00
April and October: Wednesday–Sunday 10:00–16:00
🎟️ Ticket prices:
Full price: around 220 CZK for adults
Discounts apply for children, students, and seniors.
💡 Pro tip: You can combine a visit to Kost Castle with a hike around the Bohemian Paradise national park.
Švihov Castle
10. Švihov Castle
Svihov is a medieval castle built in the late 15th century, known for its sophisticated water defenses and folklore, such as Cinderella’s shoe being filmed there. It is one of the few surviving water castles of the Gothic period in Central Europe, making it an architectural gem. We thoroughly enjoyed the tour of the interiors, which they run regularly. The castle’s structure turned out to be even more impressive from the inside!
⏰ Opening hours:
July–August: Tue–Sun 9:30–17:00
September: Tue–Sun 10:00–16:00
October: weekends 10:00–15:00
26 Oct–2 Nov: daily 10:00–15:00
🎟️ Ticket prices:
Basic castle tour (adults) 220 CZK
Cheaper tickets available for other tours and children
Boat tours available for an additional fee
These castles and chateaus offer a window into Czech history, architecture, and culture, with varied tours and experiences suitable for all visitors. Make sure to check their official websites or contact them before visiting, as opening hours might vary on holidays or special events. Enjoy exploring Czechia's majestic heritage beyond Prague!
Author: Valeriia Zahradnikova, a Prague guide certified by the Prague City Tourism agency. Valeriia and Vaclav have worked in tourism for over 8 years and have guided thousands of Prague visitors.