Karlštejn, Czechia

Karlštejn

A Gothic castle on a wooded hill, a short train ride from Prague.

  • All year
  • 1 night
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Nearby hidden places
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Things to do

2 days in Karlštejn

Day 1

  1. MorningTake the 40-minute train from Prague and walk up through the village to the castle.
  2. AfternoonTour the Gothic castle built for Charles IV, then hike through the forest to the flooded Velká Amerika quarry.
  3. EveningReturn to Prague for dinner, or have a quiet meal in the village below the castle.

Day 2

Visit Křivoklát castle further along the Berounka river, or the Koněprusy caves.

What to eat

Wine from Karlštejn's own small vineyards and Czech roast duck.

Local tips

Make the most of Karlštejn

Beat the crowds

Day-trippers from Prague crowd the castle at midday. Come early.

Best photo spot

The castle above the village from the forest paths.

Getting there

Trains from Prague take about 40 minutes, then a 20-minute walk.

Don't miss nearby

The Bohemian Karst and the quarries of Velká Amerika.

Good to know

Some castle tours need booking ahead. The walk up from the station is uphill.

Secret spots

2 secret spots near Karlštejn

Our most hidden places around Karlštejn: fewer people, same wow. Unlock them with a route in Google Maps and a PDF guide of Karlštejn to take with you.

77 km away
98 km away
Unlock the secret spots · €2.99+ VAT · one payment, valid for a year

Plan your visit

Getting to Karlštejn

Getting there

  • Prague Airport (PRG)19 km away
  • Dresden Airport (DRS)135 km away
  • Prague25 km away
  • Dresden130 km away

Reachable by car or public transport; a car gives you more freedom to explore the area. Distances are in a straight line.

At a glance

Best timeAll year
TypeHidden town
Good forOld towns & architecture, Nature
Getting thereCar or public transport
Stay1 night
CountryCzechia

Questions

Karlštejn: good to know

Is Karlštejn worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you like historic old towns and nature. A Gothic castle on a wooded hill, a short train ride from Prague.

How many days do you need in Karlštejn?

Plan 1 night. Our free 2-day plan above shows how to spend your time.

When is the best time to visit Karlštejn?

You can visit all year. Day-trippers from Prague crowd the castle at midday. Come early.

How do you get to Karlštejn?

The nearest airport is Prague Airport (PRG), about 19 km away. Trains from Prague take about 40 minutes, then a 20-minute walk.

What is there to see near Karlštejn?

Nearby hidden places include Prague (23 km), Bohemian Switzerland (104 km) and Saxon Switzerland (Bastei) (114 km).

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