{This post may contain affiliate links. We’ll be sure to put the mere pennies we make towards a delicious Kozel beer next time we are in Cesky Krumlov}
Living in Germany for the past five years has allowed me to get into all the nooks and crannies of Europe that are often missed by tourists coming for a short trip or vacation. However, there is one town that is often overlooked by many that I just can’t get enough of.
Typically, I am not the kind of person to return to a place I’ve already visited. After all, there are just so many new and amazing towns and villages to explore in this world, so I don’t like to “waste” my time re-doing something I’ve already done. But then, there is Cesky Krumlov. A tiny little village in the Czech Republic that has me breaking all my rules!!!
What Is There to Love about Cesky Krumlov?
What isn’t there to love!?
Medieval Town: Some people call Cesky Krumlov the medieval sister city of the popular and tourist packed Rothenburg A.B Tauber in Germany. While Rothenburg is picturesque and a great place to see, often the mass amounts of tourists and sheer number of souvenir shops easily brings you back to reality and reminds you that you are just simply another tourist. On the other hand, Cesky Krumlov, while still a hot tourist spot (in fact, I would possibly argue that most of it’s revenue in town still comes from tourists) doesn’t have that same crowded, trying to hard and mass produced feel that many other hot spots do.
It’s as if we went back in time! (Ok, not really, but I gotta give Andy credit for even joining in the schenanigans!)
Atmosphere: In fact, it is the atmosphere of Cesky Krumlov that is so charming that you never want to leave. There is something about the windy, cobblestone streets, the river running through the center of the village and the friendly shop owners that truly does make you feel like you are in a distant, far off, alluring town and you are simply there to just be apart of it.
Food: Have you ever had Czech Food? Oh My Yum! Andy’s family is Czech, so we have had our fair share of pork and dumplings in our lives, but Czech culinary delights go WAY beyond meat and potatoes. Some of my favorites:
- Potato Pancakes: Deliciously fried potato pancakes slathered in garlic. I could eat my weight in these bad boys
- Svíčková: It is hard to describe this one, so just trust me and get it. The meat can vary (we’ve had it with beef and veal) and is then drenched in the most delicious creamy sauce that you just have to slurp up to understand. Paired with a side of bread dumplings to soak up the gravy and you may just be in Czech Heaven!
Strange looking? Sure. Delicious? HECK YES! (Photo credit: Wikimedia)
- Beer: Did you know that Czechs consume the most beer in the whole world? Maybe it’s because it’s so dang cheap, or maybe it’s because it’s so dang good. My favorite? Kozel (the most perfectly dark, stout beer without being TOO heavy)
Photo Credit: Wikimedia
- Barbakan Restaurant: No, I have no affiliation with this place, but when you find something so absolutely delicious, you can’t not share it with others. In fact, we go there every.single.time we are there and if we are taking family to visit the town, it is almost always our first stop. Nobody has ever left hungry or unhappy with ANYTHIGN they’ve ordered! Why is it so awesome? Well, everything is fresh and they have some really unique and “medieval” type dishes to go perfectly with the atmosphere of the village. You just can’t go wrong here. http://www.krcmabarbakan.cz/en/index.html
Cost: While in the EU, the Czech Republic is still on their own currency, the Koruna, and everything is crazy cheap. We are talking less than a dollar for those scrumptious beers previously mentioned. So, not only do you you get the perfect weekend getaway spot, but you don’t have to break the bank!
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On Your Way to Czesky Krumlov?
Don’t forget to research cheap things to do on TripAdvisor and book affordable Hotels at Booking.com
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My Favorite Things to Do
Cesky Krumlov is completely walk able within a long afternoon. However, that doesn’t mean you should rush through it. In fact, some of my favorite moments have been stopping at a restaurant along the river for a long lunch or taking a pivo stop in any of the back alley ways for some refreshments and people watching.
Talk about lunch with a view!
On our THIRD visit to Cesky Krumlov; just HAD to show my parents our favorite village
Free Walking Tour: speaking of walking the town, Rick Steves has the perfect free walking tour in his guidebook. For me, it was the perfect thing to not only get acquainted with the village, but also give context into the history of what we were seeing. If you don’t do this, then just set aside some time to just wander. Go to the old town square, stop on the bridge and meander through the alleyways.
River Rafting: After our first trip to Cesky Krumlov and a disastrous rafting adventure, I was convinced that ALL couples should be forced to maneuver a canoe with their loved one before getting married. You can read more about how this experience, and other travel moments, can bring couples closer together. Like I said earlier though, we’ve actually returned several times to Cesky Krumlov, one involving another ride around the Isthmus and river with a MUCH more successful, happy (and dry!) outcome! (Phew! Andy and I really ARE meant to be together!) There are several shops throughout town, most have the same prices and equipment, so just pick one as you are wandering around enjoying the city.
Learning to communicate can be a matter of a happy wife or a very wet and not happy wife!
Brewery: Sip a pivo along the river at the Eggenberg Brewery (still run by monks!) and if you are lucky, even get in on a brewery tour
Castle: You can’t miss the castle when in Cesky Krumlov. It is that giant building that looks as if it is growing from the cliffs looming over the entire village. Take a tour to go back in time and check out the bear moat (yes, you read that correctly….a moat… filled with bears).
There is still more to do in Cesky Krumlov, like go horse back riding in the country side or stop into any of it’s museums, but truly, just give yourself a few days and just take it all in as you go. No need to plan an itinerary here!
Whether you are looking for a great weekend trip or are touring Europe and want a unique pit stop that has you feeling like you are back in time, put Cesky Krumlov on your list.
With all there is to do here, tell us in the comments what is the first thing you’d want to czech out (yikes, that was a bad one) in Cesky Krumlov.
LeAnna Brown
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I am dying to go to Croatia! When we lived in Europe we explored a lot of Western Europe but not much of Eastern and I really want to go back and do more, especially Croatia. The food would definitely be a huge draw for me, but I like small towns that are off the beaten path and not as crowded.Cesky looks perfect for that!
Well, while Croatia is fantastic, this is in the Czech Republic 🙂
A bear moat??? Bahahaha!
The pics of you guys with your heads poking through are fabulous. Lots of great info here to keep in mind when visiting the area – thanks for sharing!
Cesky Krumlov is a beautiful place. I’ve seen pictures of it a few times and really makes me want to go there. Maybe later in the year I can squeeze a trip to the Czech Republic..or should I say Czechia? 🙂
Haha! Nice!!! Andy’s family is very Czech, so the whole “Czechia” thing is kind of a running joke right now!! Let’s see if it actually takes hold
I absolutely adore the quaintness of this town. Sounds like it is as lovely as it looks in the pictures. I love places that offers free walking tours. It’s a great introduction to the city.
The city itself doesn’t offer free walking tours, which is why I rely on my main man- Rick Steves to step in 🙂
This looks like an awesome place for couples! would love to try the river rafting!
I think one of the reasons why I love this town so much is because it is great for everyone. It’s quaint and romantic for couples, unique and characteristic for families, etc!
First, I read it as beer moat…now that would have been so much more interesting and less scary! But, I must say, you really know how to enjoy a place! Haven’t even bene to Prague!
LOL!!! Well, a beer moat actually would make sense in the Czech Republic, but I think that would have the opposite effect on the security of the castle!
The castle looks stunning, but I kinda feel sorry for the bears trapped in the moat.
I agree, I am not a fan of animal tourism. I think it has more to do with “tradition” though. Hopefully they are well cared for!
Ok, you just made me super hungry for Czech Food, lol! Thanks for the great suggestions–we are heading to the Czech Republic this summer and have been looking into making a stop in Cesky Krumlov. The town looks so adorable and the rafting sounds like fun, if you can make it through, haha! We might have to add this into our itinerary! 🙂
I’m always hungry for Czech Food! And yes, even if you just have 2 days, make a stop here, it’s well worth your time 🙂
Looks like a great place to visit. I think it’s a balance to revisit places so you really have a chance to explore somewhere and get to know it on a deeper level and finding new places to explore. Thanks for sharing.