bohemia travel tsjechie

En wat te denken van de grote groepsaccommodaties voor vrienden en families? Bijzonder in ons programma zijn ook de diverse vakantieparken en campings. Voor ieder wat wils! Bovendien hebben wij een eigen kantoor in Tsjechië. Tevens ook een volledig Praag programma met schitterende appartementen en hotels in de historische binnenstad. Ook te boeken met vlucht of voor grotere groepen.

Neem een kijkje op onze website voor uw zomer- en wintervakantie!

Zoek en boek

Faciliteiten

Inspiratie aan de hand van onze thema's opdoen?

Aanbiedingen Tsjechië

Tsjechië is de perfecte omgeving om even uit de drukte te ontsnappen en volledig tot rust te komen. Ook voor de actieve vakantieganger is er genoeg te beleven in dit prachtige midden-Europese land. Zo kunt u bijvoorbeeld in de Zuid-Bohemen verschillende watersportactiviteiten aan het Lipnomeer ondernemen.  

En extra leuk zijn onze aanbiedingen en last-minutes naar Tsjechië

Tsjechië is de perfecte omgeving om even uit de drukte te ontsnappen en volledig tot rust te komen. En u bent verzekerd van een heerlijk landklimaat. Dus bijna altijd lekker zomers weer! Ook voor de actieve vakantieganger is er genoeg te beleven in dit prachtige midden-Europese land. Zo kunt u bijvoorbeeld in Zuid-Bohemen verschillende watersportactiviteiten aan het Lipnomeer ondernemen.

Bohemia Travel is al 30 jaar actief in Tsjechië en inmiddels is geen plekje ons meer onbekend. Doordat wij zonder tussenkomst van reisbureau’s werken en al onze vakantiehuizen in eigen beheer hebben, kunnen wij de scherpste aanbiedingen in Tsjechië garanderen.  

Genieten van de Tsjechische cultuur

Tsjechië staat niet alleen bekend om haar prachtige landschappen, maar ook om de cultuur en de vele kastelen. Het prachtige land in het centrum van Europa heeft vrijwel voor ieder wat wils. Maar vooral liefhebbers van geschiedenis natuur zullen hier in hun nopjes zijn. Breng een bezoekje aan Praag met haar prachtige historische centrum en maak een wandeling over de Karelsbrug. Maar natuurlijk valt er nog heel veel meer te beleven in Tsjechië. Ga dan ook eens zelf op ontdekkingsreis door dit prachtige land. 

Bekijk alle aanbiedingen voor Tsjechië

Bent u geïnteresserd in een vakantie naar Tsjechië? Bekijk dan onze aanbiedingen voor Tsjechië. Van kleine vakantiehuizen en chalets tot grote landhuizen en villa’s. Bij Bohemia Travel vind je het allemaal. 

Wilt u meer weten over de Tsjechische cultuur bekijk dan deze weetjes over Tsjechië.  

9 aanbiedingen gevonden

Vakantiehuis Vltava met privé zwembad

Heerlijke authentieke villa in een rustig dorpje en toch vlakbij het Lipnomeer . veel extra's: zwembad , sauna , trampoline, tafelvoetbal, enorme tuin.  

13 personen

6 Slaapkamer(s)

Internet beschikbaar

Luxe villa met binnenzwembad, sauna, jacuzzi

Prachtig huis met inpandig verwarmd zwembad. jacuzzi, biljart! Grote tuin met trampoline, tafeltennis en zéér mooie omgeving.

12 personen

4 Slaapkamer(s)

Huisdieren toegestaan

Vakantiechalet Mama

Aan het prachtige Macha recreatiemeer gelegen. Bijzonder sfeervolle bungalow met mooie inrichting. Aanrader!  

3 Slaapkamer(s)

Heerlijk ruim chalet met privézwembad

Heerlijk vakantiehuis met kleine omheinde tuin en uw privé zwembad. Heerlijke omgeving midden in de bergen.

22 personen

Villa Marieke, kindvriendelijk vlakbij Praag

Kindvriendelijk vakantiehuis vlakbij Praag, fijne omheinde tuin, speelkamer, traphekjes, etc. Praag 37 km!  

Villa met Finse privé sauna, hottub en zwembad

In 2022 gerenoveerde villa met o.a. sauna , hottub , zwembad , allerlei speeltoestellen. Gelegen in schitterende natuur! In de zomer een extra opzetzwembad  

15 personen

Luxe Villa Waterpret

Je waant je in Frankrijk of Italië. Deze prachtige en zeer luxe villa met veel extra's ligt in een mooie bergachtige omgeving.

2 Slaapkamer(s)

Vakantiechalet West-Bohemen met sauna

Net over de grens ligt dit heerlijk chalet, vlakbij historische kuuroorden en met eigen zwembad en sauna.

Landhuis Santoro met privé zwembad

Gezellig, nieuw ingericht vakantiehuis met eigen (overkapt) zwembad.

South Bohemia Itinerary – Sustainable Tourism in Czech Republic

• Last Updated: January 9, 2023

A detailed guide on our South Bohemia itinerary and road trip through Czech Republic.

If you’ve ever dreamed of getting off-the-beaten-path in Europe, then the south of Czech Republic is the place for you.

Filled with stunning forests, picturesque villages, friendly locals and plenty of activities to keep you busy, the South Bohemia region is popular for Czechs and tourists from neighbouring nations, but it is often overlooked by the general travelling population.

Almost every tourist visiting Central Europe spends a few days exploring the best things to do in Prague and visit the medieval city of Cesky Krumlov before heading to Vienna or Budapest, never to return again.

Such a shame, because Czechia has so much more to offer!

We’ve been lucky enough to spend about six weeks exploring some of Czech Republic’s more offbeat destinations, such as the hiking mecca of Bohemian Switzerland National Park in the north and Ostrava in the east of the country, and the more we visit the more we fall in love with Czechia.

On our most recent trip we explored a new region to us, South Bohemia, and were blown away with just how beautiful this place is.

We were working with Czech Tourism to help promote some new sustainable tourism products that had been developed in South Bohemia and present our findings at the annual TravelCon conference.

It was a wonderful trip and we really were blown away at just how much opportunity there is in this part of Czechia.

It is still very much off the radar for most tourists, which only adds to its appeal.

For those who have visited Czech Republic before, or want to extend their trip outside of the capital city, we’re pleased to share with you our guide for travelling South Bohemia.

Table of Contents

Check Out the Bison Ranch

Rent an e-bike to explore bohemian canada, paint your own ceramics with keramika mariz, where to stay in slavonice – hotel u ruze, learn about sustainable tourism at farm alpaka, lunch at nove hrady, walk to the terčino údolí waterfall, breweries, whiskey, chocolate and beer spas at svachovka resort, watch sunrise at cesky krumlov, check out lipno resort, learn traditional carpentry at statek u medvěda, visit the schwarzenberg canal, where to stay – statek u medvěda, go hiking in šumava national park, the golden trail from bischofsreut to české žleby, where to stay – u vyšaty, visit the goat farm at výrov, see the bisons at křišťanov, lunch at vodník vimperk, hang out with donkeys and buy handmade handicrafts at na vlně, where to stay – rezidence u černé věže, language barriers, south bohemia travel tips, our south bohemia itinerary.

The best way to start your South Bohemia itinerary is to travel to the bustling city of Ceske Budejovice, which is a wonderful place to visit in its own right and makes a wonderful launching point for towns and villages in the area.

We travelled this area on a road trip, giving us greater flexibility get between places.

As a full disclaimer we travelled with some Czech locals as part of our campaign, which meant while our travels were made easier thanks to their ability to communicate, it also allowed us to discover more places to visit in South Bohemia.

We hope our insights allow you to really enjoy your travels in this part of Czech Republic and give you a perfect idea on what to include as part of your South Bohemia travels.

Day 1 – Ceske Budejovice to Slavonice

Take the train from Prague (or drive if you have a car) and start your awesome South Bohemia itinerary in Ceske Budejovice.

From here you can get to most points in the region within an hour or two.

The first stop along our Southern Czech Republic road trip is going to be the Bison Ranch, a place that is famous for its, you guessed it, bison.

Before we came here we didn’t even know you could see bison this easily in Central Europe , but the crew at the Bison Ranch have made a fantastic place where people of all ages can come and get up close to these massive, gorgeous animals.

It’s also a great place to have some lunch, so grab a bite to eat before heading out for the afternoon’s excursion.

• Address: Roznov 1, 378 81 Cesky Rudolec
• Website:  https://www.bisonranch.cz/

The Bison Ranch is located right on the edge of what is known as ‘Bohemian Canada’, and they rent out e-bikes for people who want to explore this beautiful part of South Bohemia.

If you’re like us and have never been on an e-bike before, they are very easy to figure out, and they assist greatly when it comes to peddling. It fact it’s almost like cheating a little bit (but much appreciated after a big lunch of bison and beers).

Head out from the Bison Ranch and take a big loop through Bohemian Canada, exploring the picturesque pine forests that give the area its name.

It’s a gorgeous ride down a mixture of dirt tracks and small village roads. Aim for a visit at the Landstejn Castle, a stunning medieval construction perched on a hill.

The little towns you ride through are really quaint, and you can also check out Cesky Rudolec castle and the historic Penikov monument, which is an original mill.

Eventually make your way back to the Bison Farm where you can drop your bikes off and head to the next destination.

We had dinner at Keramika Mariz, a lovely little traditional restaurant about 2.5km from the centre of Slavonice. The meals were very Czech, hearty and tasty, and coupled with some pilsners was the perfect way to end the day.

After dinner the owner took us out to her ceramic workshop, where we were able to pick our own ceramic mugs and paint them in any way we wanted.

Even though we were pretty tired after the big day out, it was surprisingly fun getting creative under the expert advice of the owner.

Once we’d finished painting our mugs we left them to be fired up in the kiln and told we could pick them up in the morning. As we were leaving early the next day we organised to collect them later in our road trip.

• Address:  Maříž 54, 378 81 Slavonice
• Website: https://www.keramika-mariz.cz

For the night we stayed in Hotel U Ruze, right on the old square of Slavonice. It was a beautiful hotel and the location couldn’t be any better.

Our room was clean and comfortable, the bed was great, and they even had free breakfast in the morning.

• Address:  Hotel U Růže, nám. Míru 452, 378 81 Slavonice
• Website:  https://hoteluruze.cz/
• Check Prices: On Booking.com

Day 2 – Slavonice to Mirkovice

In the morning we woke up for sunrise and went for a walk around Slavonice. The old town is absolutely gorgeous, with pretty alleyways and historic buildings to admire.

We wandered around for a bit, checked out some gardens as well, then had breakfast at our hotel. Soon enough it was time to hit the road.

It’s a short drive to the alpaca farm where you can learn all about sustainable farming and tourism initiatives from the friendly owners.

First of all, yes, they have alpacas (and they are adorable!), but they also have horses, goats, cows and other farmyard animals. It’s a wonderful property and you could easily hang out here for an entire day.

We only hung around for a little while though to have some coffee and snacks. Tomas, the owner, asked us if we wanted milk with our coffee, and when we said yes he grabbed a goat and milked it right then and there. Doesn’t get any fresher than that!

Tomas also took the time to explain to us his idea for keeping his property peaceful and sustainable. They have a number of accommodation options available, including a tepee and an old wagon, but he prefers not to advertise so he can keep control of how many people stay there at once.

He also welcomes RVs, but only one at a time. The whole reason is that he loves his farm and lifestyle, and wants to share it properly with every guest.

He knows that he could make much more money by opening up more rooms or letting additional campers stay, but he doesn’t want the pressure, and is scared the quality of service with drop if there were too many people.

If you have the time (and he’s open to it), the Farm Alpaka would be a great place to stay. For us though it was time to go do some hiking.

• Address:  Dobrá Voda čp 23, obec Číměř, 378 33 Nová Bystřice 
• Website:  https://www.farmaalpaka.eu/

We drove out to Nove Hrady, a state park that is very popular for domestic and neighbouring tourists. There’s a number of mellow hikes and bike paths to enjoy, as well as a great place for lunch.

Penzion Hamr serves up traditional Czech food, and we filled our stomachs before heading off for a walk through the park.

• Address:  Penzion Hamr, Údolí u Nových Hradů 149, 374 01
• Website:  https://www.novehrady-penzionhamr.cz/

You could spend all day walking around the park here, but we only spent an hour or so check out the Terčino Údolí waterfall, a short distance from the pension where we had lunch.

The walk was pleasant and very easy, following a small river before popping out at the base of the man-made waterfall. It’s created by piping water down from higher in the mountains, and it’s quite a sight to see.

We snapped our pictures then continued on our further up stream, crossing a bridge then coming back on the trail above the waterfall. Before too long we were back at the Pension and ready to move onto our next stop.

We don’t normally get excited about ‘resorts’, but this one was different.

Svachovka Resort manages to tick a whole bunch of boxes by having its own microbrewery, whiskey distillery and chocolate factory right there on site.

We spent the entire afternoon wandering around with one of the workers, sampling beers, tasting delicious liquor and trying to eat our weight in chocolate.

To say it was fun would be an understatement.

But another attraction they have which is sure to bring in visitors is a beer spa – basically a hot tub filled with beer!

We had two bathtubs in our room (!), and after our little tasting tour of the property we got back to find the tubs had been filled with hot beer.

Naturally we stripped down and jumped in, pleasantly surprised to find that we also had a beer keg situated right between us filled with, thankfully, cold pilsner.

It’s kind of touristy, kind of gimmicky, but definitely worth doing at least once in your life.

The resort also has a bunch of other activities to check out besides drinking and bathing, including a golf course, a lake for fishing and more, but we didn’t do any of these due to not having enough time.

Where to Stay – Svachovka Resort

Naturally the best place to stay is here at Svachovka Resort.

The food they serve in the restaurant is lovely, and best of all you can go on the brewery and distillery tours in between your beer baths!

Our room was enormous, and even had a beer spa right inside, which made it hard to want to leave the accommodation at all. Definitely worth spending at least a night here.

• Address:  Svachova Lhotka 1, 382 32 Mirkovice
• Website:  https://www.svachovka.cz/
• Check Prices:  Booking.com

Day 3 – Mirkovice to Nová Pec

Today is a fun-filled and jam-packed day, so it’s best to try and get to bed early the night before (without consuming too much alcohol) so you can get up and go in the morning.

The great thing about Svachovka Resort is that it’s only 5 minutes from the stunning and popular medieval village of Cesky Krumlov.

There’s a good chance that if you’re planning a trip to the Czech Republic you already have Cesky Krumlov on your list of places to visit. But if you do it as a day tour from Prague, you’re going to be swarmed with tourists.

We’ve been before, and know how crowded it can get during the day. But early in the morning? That’s a different story.

As part of our South Bohemia itinerary we decided to head into Cesky Krumlov and explore the castle for sunrise. It’s truly gorgeous, and to be there without any other people is surreal.

We took photos of sunrise from the castle before heading back to the resort for breakfast.

You might not know this, but the Czech Republic actually has a number of ski resorts around the country. We’ve been to a few in the Jeseniky Mountains in the north of the country, so this time we headed off to check out Lipno, the best one in South Bohemia.

Just because it’s summer doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do at the ski fields. In fact some are even busier when the snow melts!

Lipno Resort has turned into a year-round destination, with hiking paths, mountain bike and scooter trails and the installation of a brand new Tree Top Walkway that twists its way above the mountain.

Rather than taking the chair lift to the top of the hill, we walked up, making the most of the gorgeous weather. It only took 20 minutes or so, and we took a quick rest before heading to the Tree Top Walkway.

This style of spiralling boardwalk has become quite popular throughout Czechia and parts of Central Europe as a great walk to get above the treetops and admire the stunning forests and lakes the region is known for.

In Lipno the walkway has a number of interactive exhibits along it so kids (and adults) can learn about the local wildlife and landscapes.

Once we got to the top we spent some time checking out the view, then made our way down. But here we didn’t need to walk down…

The Tree Top Walkway has a long and steep enclosed slide through the centre that visitors can fly down. It’s very enjoyable and a lot quicker than walking. Don’t worry though, it’s very safe.

After we had slid down the walkway we went and rented some downhill scooters to get back to the bottom.

These are an immense amount of fun, and you can really pick up some crazy speed if you feel comfortable doing so.

There’s a great downhill dirt track that winds its way back to the ski base through a beautiful forest. We charged through as fast as we comfortably could, and we were thankful the scooters’ brakes worked well or we would have been in real trouble – they are quick!

After a fun-filled morning we grabbed lunch at one of the nearby restaurants. The whole village really does have a traditional ski resort-vibe, and we really enjoyed sitting in the sun having a beer while we rested.

• Address:  Lipno nad Vltavou 87, 382 78 Lipno nad Vltavou
• Website:  https://www.lipno.info/en/

It’s a bit of a drive to Nová Pec, but well worth it, as it’s one of the most picturesque areas in all of South Bohemia.

We arrived to the coolest guesthouse in the village, Statek U Medvěda, and the group checked in to our 3-bedroom traditional apartment.

It was one of the nicest places we’ve seen in Czech Republic, with amazing timber construction being the highlight of it. Each corner of the building was built with the finest attention to detail and expert craftsmanship.

After we relaxed for a bit we went outside and met the owner of the guesthouse, who was chopping wood in the backyard.

He owns a huge skateboard and snowboard shop in Lipno, and over the years he discovered that carpentry helped him alleviate the stress of running a successful business.

When he bought the old guesthouse he became fascinated with how it was constructed using ancient techniques, so he took it upon himself to learn these as well.

Now he has built an entire new wing and renovated the old house completely by hand. He chops down trees into shape using axes, carves them with hand planers and tries to never use any electric tools.

We spent an hour with him watching how he works, and he even let us have a go at it ourselves. Using an axe to chop down a pylon to millimetre-precision is incredibly hard, and we received a new-found respect for the techniques of yesteryear and how our apartment was built.

We took a short drive into the nearby Šumava National Park and went on one of the most popular trails to check out the Schwarzenberg Canal.

This manmade canal was built in the late 18th century to transport huge timber logs from up in the mountains to inland regions. It worked incredibly well and was considered a great feat of engineering.

You can follow the canals for a long way, but we just visited one of the old tunnels that it runs through and walked around the gorgeous forest. You could spend hours in the Šumava National Park.

The best place to stay in Nová Pec is definitely Statek U Medvěda. The guesthouse is absolutely stunning, and if you’re travelling in a group or with your family you can fit everybody inside the apartments and have your own kitchen to cook.

It’s also a very short walk down to the river, and we actually borrowed some stand-up paddle boards from the guesthouse to go for a quick SUP before sunset.

It’s the little touches like that, as well as having an amazing place to hang out at in the evenings, that makes Statek U Medvěda the best place to stay while here.

• Address:  Dlouhý Bor 12, 38462 Nová Pec
• Website:  https://www.statekumedveda.cz/

Day 4 – Nová Pec to Vlachovo Březí

Today is another awesome day with lots of outdoor activities planned, so get out of bed early and head off again into the Šumava National Park.

Today we actually crossed the border into Germany. The Šumava National Park straddles both countries, and we were going to climb to one of the high points to look back into Czech Republic.

The great thing about travelling around the Schengen region in Europe is that you can cross borders with no hassles.

Our goal was to hike the mountain ridge to Třístoličník, known as Dreisesselberg in German, and after parking the car in a lot near the top of the hill we walked the last kilometre or so to the top.

There’s a well-worn path up the mountain and some stairs to get you to the top of the highest points. The wind was crazy the day we hiked up, so we didn’t spend much time in the exposed sections.

Once we’d seen the view, which was fantastic, we had an early lunch in the restaurant on the mountain (downed with some German beers of course) then made our way back to the car.

If you want additional information for this particular hike, here’s a post with more details on how to do this yourself .

We drove back down to the village just below the Dreisesselberg called Bischofsreut and jumped out, sending the driver back into Czech Republic where we’d meet them later that afternoon.

The plan was to hike the Golden Trail from Bischofsreut in Germany to the little town of České Žleby in Czechia, and the trailhead starts right on the border.

This was a very important salt trading route back in the medieval times, and today it remains a wonderful historical trail for hikers of all abilities.

We hiked about 5km along the old road, through old farmland and forest, before finishing up at České Žleby. It was a great way to finish off our day of outdoor activities.

We drove to the town of Chlumany and spent the night at the best accommodation of the entire trip, U Vyšaty.

This wonderful locally-run guesthouse had a large apartment with 3 bedrooms, a kitchen and living room and backs onto a superb garden.

We opted to have dinner with the family that night, and they served up the nicest traditional Czech food we have ever had, no exceptions.

After days of heavy, meaty meals, it was very refreshing to have some tasty vegetable dishes thrown in with the home-cooked spread. We’re not normally foodies, but this was some of the most memorable in all of Central Europe for us.

• Address:  Chlumany 61, 384 22 Vlachovo Březí
• Website:  https://www.uvysaty.cz/

Day 5 – Vlachovo Březí to Ceske Budejovice

Today is the final day of our Southern Czech Republic road trip, and the plan is to check out some more sustainable businesses in the area before returning back to Ceske Budejovice.

Before you leave enjoy a world-class breakfast in the guesthouse, and if it’s a sunny day take your barista-style coffee from the owners and drink it in their garden.

Once you’ve packed your bags it’s a short drive to the first stop of the day, the award-winning Roddina Farma Vyrov and their super cute goats!

This place is famous in the region for producing the best goat cheeses on the market, and we couldn’t wait to try them. But first we had the chance to have a little tour of their property.

We went out the back to the large pen, and the moment we reached the gate dozens of healthy-looking goats came running up to us. They weren’t scared at all, and in fact seemed happy to see humans.

The owners explained how every single goat had a name, and they knew each one by sight. It was obvious that they truly loved their goats.

We spent about 20 minutes playing around with the farmyard animals before heading back inside to have a look at their milking station.

The place was spotless, and you’d almost never know that they milk their goats every single day in there. Not only did they love the goats, they took their business very seriously.

After the tour we went upstairs where we were treated to a tasting session of their best cheeses. There was a variety of flavours, from standard to experimental, and they were all delicious.

We tried our best to eat our weight in cheese, all downed with fresh goat milk, then it was time to move on. They had all of their cheese for sale, but as we were flying out soon we couldn’t commit to getting any.

It’s awesome to visit sustainable businesses like this in Czech Republic, where you are given a genuine insight into how family-run companies operate and survive in this growing age of mass development.

• Address:  Výrov 21, 384 21 Husinec
• Website:  https://www.farmavyrov.estranky.cz/

There were still plenty more animals to see this morning so we bid farewell to the goats and headed to Křišťanov to check out their herd of American and European bison.

The farmers here breed the bison for the purpose of research and introducing the European species back into the wild where they once thrived before being almost hunted to extinction.

We wandered around the property and joined the manager while he fed them. The bison came right up to the fence where the feeding troughs were, allowing us an up-close-and-personal view of just how enormous these beasts are.

It was a quick visit, but it was awesome to see these bison so close.

• Address: Pivovarská 197, 383 01 Prachatice
• Website:  https://www.agrokomplex-sumava.cz/vracime-pratury-na-sumavu/

For lunch we stoped by a famous restaurant known as ‘The Picnick Restaurant Vodník’ to enjoy some fish, which is something we hadn’t really had the chance to sample properly on this trip so far.

The location was lovely, with the log cabin restaurant built on the edge of a large man-made lake filled with fish and surrounded by forest.

Outside was packed, so we grabbed a table inside by the bar and ordered a bunch of different platters.

The food was simply delectable, and was a welcome change from the heavy Czech meals we’d been eating so far. Plus they had their own beer on tap, making it a great spot to fill the stomach.

• Address:  Výletní restaurace Vodník, K Vodníku 614, 385 01 Vimperk
• Website:  https://www.vimperk-vodnik.cz/en/

Our final stop for the day was the diverse farm of Na vlně, located in the bucolic village of Čkyně.

The owner Ivana took us up to her property at the end of the town where she introduced us to her pets – donkeys, goats, llamas and sheep!

Just like at the goat farm earlier that morning, the animals seemed incredibly happy and we spent the better part of 30 minutes playing with them, taking photos and seeing how they were treated like family members.

Once we’d had our donkey fix we headed back down to Ivana’s shop, where she taught us all about how she makes a variety of handicrafts from scratch.

She is an expert when it comes to using a traditional loom, stretching out wool and turning it into carpets, clothing and souvenirs.

It’s a labour-intensive process, and she’s been working hard at it for years to create some of the most unique hand-made items in South Bohemia.

She shared with us though how hard it is to make a living from it, as the markets in Czech Republic are constantly being flooded with cheap Chinese-made products made en-masse, meaning most people are reluctant to pay a higher price for something that has been made by hand.

It’s a touch industry to be in, which is why she also offers tours of her property and works full-time in another job. It’s a common theme we found with businesses in South Bohemia, which is why it’s so important to support them in every way possible.

We said our thanks to Ivana, bought a couple of souvenirs from her, and headed off to Ceske Budejovice.

• Address:  Bošice 45, 384 81 Čkyně
• Website:  https://www.navlne.com/

We stayed the night in the lovely, high-end property Rezidence u Černé Věže in Ceske Budejovice.

The location is perfect, only a few blocks from the old square which means it’s close enough to be in the heart of Ceske Budejovice within in minutes while still being quiet enough to get a good night’s sleep.

We had an entire apartment to ourselves, with a kitchenette, washing machine, big bed and sitting area. Well worth staying at!

• Address:   U Černé věže 17, 370 01 České Budějovice
• Website: https://www.ucerneveze.cz

South Bohemia Travel Guide

There’s quite a few things to know about travelling in South Bohemia, and even though it’s a fantastic region to explore, it’s not the easiest place to get around.

Here’s our South Bohemia travel guide to help you make the most of your trip.

Transport in South Bohemia

The first thing to know is that getting around South Bohemia can be quite difficult for foreign visitors, mostly due to the fact that a lot of the information is only provided in the Czech language.

It’s not impossible though, and here’s our best tips for transport in South Bohemia.

Despite first impressions, it’s actually actually fairly easy to get around South Boehmia thanks to the excellent train network that navigates its way around the country.

It does take a bit of time to get between many of the villages, but almost every single one has a train station, so with a bit of commitment you can easily do this trip on public transport.

The people working in the train stations are very helpful, and if you get to Ceske Budejovice and use that as your jumping-off point you can get almost anywhere.

If you’re comfortable riding a bicycle and want to get out to all of the main attractions we’ve listed in this South Bohemia itinerary, one way to do it is to rent (or bring) a bike to get around.

You can bring bikes on the trains, and by leaving your luggage at your accommodation in each town you can then use your bike to get around.

The most options for renting a bike are in Prague.

By far the easiest and most convenient way to get around South Bohemia is to rent your own car and drive around.

Having the freedom to get around without restrictions on sticking to a schedule will make your trip here so much more enjoyable, so if you’re comfortable renting a car from Prague or Ceske Budejovice, that’s what we’d recommend.

The best place to check for car rentals in Czech Republic is on this website .

We have to be completely honest here and say that unless you speak Czech or German, you’re probably going to have a hard time communicating with a lot of the people who live in South Bohemia.

That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t travel here, it just adds an extra challenge.

The people are very warm and friendly (especially when compared to the capital Prague), and are more than happy to help if you need assistance.

Most people working in tourism will speak basic English, but if at all possible it’s best to get a Czech phrasebook before you go.

We used Google Translate at times in South Bohemia, and while it worked pretty well, there were still some issues, such as the time we told the lady at the goat farm that we ‘love her goats’ using Google Translate, only to find out that ‘ goats ‘ translates as a slang word for ‘ boobs ‘ in Czech.

Embarrassing? A little bit. But isn’t that the fun of travel?

Here’s some of our best South Bohemia travel tips.

• Book Ahead:  A lot of the accommodation is quite small and if you travel in the summer, they may be booked out a few weeks in advance.
• Rent a Car:  Yes you can get around with public transport and a bicycle. But we recommend renting a car for convenience and speed.
• Travel Slow:  At times our South Bohemia itinerary felt a little rushed. We probably could have added an extra day or two quite comfortably, and enjoyed a lot more of the hikes in the area.
• Buy Fruits:  Czech cuisine, while delicious, is notoriously meaty, starchy and heavy. We recommend stocking up on some fruits whenever you see a local market so you can get your vitamins.
• Get a Local SIM Card:  Life will be much easier for you if you have internet access while you travel around South Bohemia. Get yourself a SIM card with data in Prague or Ceske Budejovice before you head off into South Bohemia.

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Bohemia Travel Guide

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Prague is circled by the region of Bohemia , which covers the western two-thirds of the Czech Republic. To the west of Prague is Karlovy Vary , a picturesque spa town in the woody Sudeten hills, while southeast of that is Plzeň , brimming with industrial vigour and Pilsner Urquell beer. Travelling east towards Slovakia you’ll reach Kutná Hora , with its sinister bone church. South of Prague, close to the Austrian border, is another beer-brewing giant, České Budějovice , home of Budweiser, and Český Krumlov , with its rose-coloured churches and frescoed palaces.

České Budějovice

Český krumlov, karlovy vary.

Top image: Ceske Budejovice © Henryk Sadura/Shutterstock

Tailor-made travel itineraries for Czech Republic, created by local experts

15 days  / from 6206 USD

Capitals of Europe - Berlin, Prague, Vienna and more

This trip is ideal for all city & culture lovers: the Reichstag in Berlin, the castle in Prague, historical Cesky Krumlov, St Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna, the fortress above Salzburg and Schloss Neuschwanstein near Munich - these are just some of the highlights of this incredible roundup trip.

11 days  / from 4173 USD

Castles across Austria and Czechia

Austria and Czechia are home to some of the world's most beautiful architecture and culture gems, such as Schloss Schönbrunn in Vienna, Prague castle, the fortress above Salzburg and many more. Finish your tour with a visit to Schloss Neuschwanstein before flying out of Munich.

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Fairytale Czech Republic and Hungary

Visit 3 countries at once: Czechia with the beautiful cities of Prague, Cesky Krumlov and Kutna Hora. Afterwards, visit Bratislava in Slovakia before continuing to Budapest. Hungary's capital is full of interesting activities and wonder.

České Budějovice is a sweet kernel of medieval town inside a tough shell of industrial sprawl. It was built in 1265, and its history has been connected with beer since the beginning, when citizens brewed lager for the Holy Roman Emperor. In the seventeenth century war and fire devastated the town, but it was lavishly rebuilt by the Habsburgs. Today its elegant arcades and winding backstreets are the perfect place to enjoy a Budvar beer – which is, after all, the reason most people come here.

The compact medieval town centre forms a grid around magnificent Přemysla Otakara II Square , one of Europe’s largest marketplaces. Just off the square is Black Tower (Černá věž), which you can climb for good views.

Budvar brewery

The Budvar Brewery is 2.5km up the road to Prague, on Karolíny Světlé. You’ll need to book ahead for a one-hour English tour ( w www.budweiser.cz).

Tiny, red-roofed Český Krumlov nestles between two bends in the Vltava River like a patch of wild strawberries. In summer, tour buses unload crowds of visitors at the city gates at noon and pick them up in the afternoon, creating a five-hour stampede through the narrow streets. The only solution is to stay overnight; there’s too much to see in a day anyway. The town’s been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992.

Egon Schiele Art Centrum

Just off the main square, on Široká, is the wonderful Egon Schiele Art Centrum , devoted to the eponymous Austrian painter, who moved here in 1911 and caused outrage by painting nude teenagers and putting his feet on café tables. There are also temporary exhibitions of contemporary art and design.

Krumlov Chateau

Krumlov Chateau rises above the Latrán quarter. You can stroll through the castle’s grounds and main courtyards day or night, but to go inside you’ll have to pay for one of the three guided tours. Climb the tower for beautiful views and explore the chateau’s geometrical gardens and two theatres, the exquisite Rococo Chateau Theatre, and the cunning Communist Revolving Theatre, which spins on a mechanical axis.

Karlovy Vary residents have a favourite joke. Russian President Medvedev says to Czech President Klaus, “If you get any closer to the USA I’ll bomb Prague”. President Klaus says, “If you bomb Prague I’ll bomb Karlovy Vary”. The freshly painted spa town, awash with fur caps and poodles in Dior handbags, feels decidedly un-Czech, largely owing to its popularity with Russia’s nouveau riche, partly because tourists outnumber locals. Peter the Great, Goethe and Beethoven all visited the town, and the old-style pleasures of spa life – hiking in the forest, bathing in hot spring water, and eating sweet nut wafers ( oplatky ) to chase away the taste of the water – are still the best.

Walking into town with Communist eyesore Thermal Hotel on your right, you’ll pass a series of slender white colonnades built over the springs, which can be sampled for free. The grandest spa is Mill Colonnade (Mlýnská kolonáda), containing five springs. Further up Lázeňská street are Market Colonnade (Tržní kolonáda), a delicate wooden construct, and the Communist-era Hot Spring Colonnade (Vřídelní kolonáda), a spring so hot and powerful that spa guests breathe the vapours instead of drinking the water.

International Film Festival

The Karlovy Vary Film Festival ( w www.kviff.com ) comes to town every July, bringing a smattering of A-listers and a carnival atmosphere. Anyone can buy tickets or day passes to the films, which range from Hollywood blockbusters to low-budget European indies. The town gets crowded so book accommodation and travel in advance.

A short bus ride from Prague, Kutná Hora has a handful of tourist attractions and a sleepy, provincial atmosphere. Beneath the town are miles of exhausted silver and gold mines. From 1308, Bohemia’s royal mint at Kutná Hora converted its silver into coins that were used all over Central Europe, but when the mines ran dry the town dwindled. Kutná Hora’s old town is so small it can be explored in a couple of hours. Most of the main attractions sit between main square Palackého náměstí and the Cathedral of Sr Barbora, ten minutes to the southeast.

Sedlec Ossuary

Kutná Hora's most popular attraction is the ghoulish ossuary ( kostnice ), which houses 40,000 human skeletons arranged in intricate patterns by local oddball František Rint, a carpenter, in 1870.

Tough, industrial Plzeň (Pilsen) was built on beer and bombs. Founded in 1292, the city swelled in the nineteenth century when the Industrial Revolution brought an ironworks and an armaments factory, and diversified to cars and trams under Communism. Most tourists come to pay their respects to Plzeň’s beloved son, Pilsner Urquell. The town’s diverse architecture and unpretentious vigour are strong secondary attractions.

The main square, náměstí Republiky is dominated by the Gothic cathedral of sv Bartoloměj , with the tallest spire in the country (103m). Opposite is the Italianate town hall, built in the Renaissance but sgraffitoed last century. Nearby Velká synagogue , the third largest in the world, was once the heart of the town’s large Jewish community, decimated by the Holocaust, and now houses exhibitions.

Pilsner Urquell and Brewery Museums

The star attraction in Plzeň is 12° Plzeňský Prazdroj, better known as Pilsner Urquell (Original Pilsner). Pivovarské Brewery Museum , in the original brewery, provides some history and a film on brewing.

Plzeň’s Historical Underground

While you are at the Brewery Museum don’t miss Plzeň’s Historical Underground , 500m of tunnels under the town. The tunnels were once part of an underground network of passages that rivalled the streets above.

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Bohemia is the largest part of the Czech Republic and is sometimes used pars pro toto for the entire country.

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Bohemian Paradise

Bohemian Paradise , known in Czech as Český ráj , is a region and a protected landscape area about 90 kilometers north-east of Prague . It belongs to the most popular tourist destinations in the whole of Czechia. Thanks to the spectacular beauty of the landscape and the high concentration of historic landmarks, the region has been very popular among artists of all kinds.

The word "Bohemian" in the region's name has nothing to do with "bohemians" in the sense of socially unconventional persons. The name is derived from Bohemia , which is one of the historical Czech lands, along with Moravia and Silesia .

One has to differentiate between the tourist region called Bohemian Paradise and the Protected Landscape Area Bohemian Paradise ( CHKO Český ráj ).

The tourist region doesn't have clearly defined borders. It is generally assumed that the region covers roughly the area between the towns Mladá Boleslav, Sychrov, Bozkov, Nová Paka, Staré Hrady and Libeň. It is thus divided between three administrative regions of the Czech Republic ( Central Bohemian , Hradec Králové and Liberec ) and within these regions between five districts (Jablonec nad Nisou, Jičín, Liberec, Mladá Boleslav and Semily).

The Protected Landscape Area Bohemian Paradise was created in 1955 as the first nature reserve in Czechia, and enlarged in 2002. Unlike the tourist region, it has clearly defined borders. The nature reserve covers a small part of the tourist region and its administration is in the town of Turnov.

Getting There

There is a number of significant towns in, or near Bohemian Paradise. They are easily accessible by public transportation and can serve as your base for exploring the region. Major towns in the region include Jičín, Nová Paka, Semily, Turnov and Železný Brod. You can reach them by train or bus from Prague ,  Hradec Králové , Liberec or Mladá Boleslav. More information about travelling in Czechia and where to find timetables can be found on this page .

Things to See in Bohemian Paradise

Natural landmarks.

The Prachov Rocks , in Czech called Prachovské skály , are sandstone pinnacles, situated about 5 km (3.1 mi) northwest of the beautiful town of Jičín. These iconic rock formations are one of the most recognizable symbols of Bohemian Paradise. The entrance to the area is paid, but the fee is quite low. There is a parking lot and basic tourist infrastructure at the entrance. Several lookouts (in Czech: vyhlídka ) offer fantastic views of the Prachov Rocks.

Podtrosecká Valleys ( Podtrosecká údolí ) is a nature reserve established in 1999 near Trosky Castle. There are eight ponds in the valley: Dolský, Hrůdka, Krčák, Nebák, Podsemín, Rokytnický, Vidlák and Věžák. Some of them are surrounded by picturesque sandstone rocks.

Historic Landmarks

Kost Castle is an impressive, well-preserved Gothic castle in the village of Libošovice in Jičín District.

The aforementioned Hrubá Skála Chateau is located about 6 km (3.7 mi) southeast of the town of Trutnov. The location is extremely picturesque, the chateau stands on top of a steep sandstone rock of the same name.

The ruins of Trosky Castle are situated approx. 10 km (6 mi) south of the town of Semily. The castle was built on top of a hill and its ruins can be seen from far away, which makes it one of the most recognizable landmarks of Bohemian Paradise.

Drábské Světničky  is a former rock fortress with great views of the surrounding landscape. It is located near the town of Mnichovo Hradiště, northeast of the village of Dneboh, in the Příhrazy Rocks. It is quite popular among tourists and hikers because of the nice panoramic views. The entrance is free.

Valdštejn Castle is one of the oldest castles in Bohemian Paradise, it was built in the 13th century. The castle is located near the town of Turnov.

The ruins of Frýdštejn Castle are located near the village of the same name in the Semily District. It is an impressive rock castle built in the 14th century. The nearest bus stop is approx. 1 km (0.62 mi) away and its name is Frýdštejn, náves . There is a parking place not far from the ruins.

Ruins of another picturesque rock castle are located in the nearby village of Malá Skála . This castle is called Pantheon , Vranov or simply Skála ( skála means "rock" in Czech). There is a railway station in Malá Skála, with connections to Liberec, Pardubice, Hradec Králové, Turnov and Praha Masarykovo nádraží. From Malá Skála, you can also walk to Frýdštejn, because the distance is only approx. 3 km (1.86 mi).

The ruins of Valečov Castle are located in the village of Boseň near the town of Mladá Boleslav.

Sychrov Chateau is a very well-preserved, large Neo-Gothic chateau from the 19th century. It is located approx. 6 km northwest of Trutnov. The chateau owes its current style to the French aristocratic Rohan family who owned it for 125 years. They decided to rebuild the existing Baroque castle in the Neo-Gothic style, which was popular in the 19th century. The museum in the chateau has one of the best collections of French portrait paintings in Central Europe. You can also see there Italian paintings from the 14th century and a collection of Czech glass paintings.

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Must-see attractions in Bohemia

Konopiště Chateau

Archduke Franz Ferdinand d’Este, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, is famous for being dead – it was his assassination in Sarajevo in 1914 that sparked…

Sedlec Ossuary

When the Schwarzenbergs purchased Sedlec monastery (2.5km northeast of the town centre) in 1870 they allowed local woodcarver František Rint to get…

Český Krumlov State Castle

Český Krumlov

Český Krumlov's striking Renaissance castle, occupying a promontory high above the town, began life in the 13th century. It acquired its present…

Karlštejn Castle

Karlštejn Castle, 30km southwest of Prague, started life in 1348 as a hideaway for the crown jewels of Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV. After falling into…

Pilsner Urquell Brewery

Plzeň's most popular attraction is the tour of the Pilsner Urquell Brewery, in operation since 1842 and arguably home to the world's best beer. Entry is…

Hluboká Chateau

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Techmania Science Centre

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Karlovy Vary

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Mill Colonnade

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Loket Castle

The village's impressive castle was built on the site of an earlier Romanesque fort, of which the only surviving bits are the tall square tower, and…

Czech Silver Museum

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Ghetto Museum

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Underground Plzeň

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Lesser Fortress

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Brummel House

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Terezín Transports

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Egon Schiele Art Centrum

This excellent private gallery houses a small retro­spective of the celebrated and controversial Viennese painter Egon Schiele (1890–1918). Schiele's…

Castle Museum & Tower

Located within the castle complex, this small museum and adjoining tower is an ideal option if you don't have the time or energy for a full castle tour…

Náměstí Svornosti

The centre of the Old Town is defined by náměstí Svornosti, with its 16th-century Town Hall and Marian Plague Column, dating from 1716. Several buildings…

Singing Fountain

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Diana Lookout Tower

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Terezín Fortress

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Italian Court

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Hussite Museum

Situated in Tábor's former late-Gothic Town Hall (Stará radnice), this museum traces the origins of the Hussite movement in the Czech lands. The…

Mělník Chateau

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Třeboň Chateau

Třeboň's main attraction is its Renaissance chateau, which includes a museum displaying furniture and weapons. Today's chateau dates from 1611, the…

Rybník Svět

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Bechyně Gate & Kotnov Tower

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The crypt of the Church of Sts Peter & Paul houses an ossuary, packed with the bones of around 15,000 people, dug up to make room for 16th-century plague…

Underground Passages

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Barborská street runs along the front of the 17th-century former Jesuit College, with glorious views over the valley below, and is decorated with a row of…

St Bartholomew Cathedral

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Church of Mary Magdalene

Karlovy Vary's most important Catholic church and one of its grandest baroque buildings, this imposing, twin-steepled structure in the heart of the spa…

Black Tower

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The dominating, 72m Gothic-Renaissance Black Tower was built in 1553. Climb its 225 steps (yes, we counted them) for fine views. The tower's two bells ‒…

Church of the Virgin Mary & St Giles

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