Visiting Karlstejn Castle from Prague

Visit Karlstejn Castle from Prague: a superb day trip for history and nature lovers, just a stone’s throw from Prague.

Less than an hour by train from Prague, Karlštejn Castle is one of Bohemia’s most important castles and a jewel of Gothic fortified architecture. It was here that the jewels of the Bohemian royal crown, the imperial crown of the Holy Roman Empire and various holy relics were kept.

The castle also offers magnificent views of the Central Bohemian region. From Karlštejn, it’s a short hike to the Prague « canyons »: a succession of former quarries, the largest of which is Velká Amerika.

The history of Karlštejn Castle

Photo credit: Flickr – Martin Hapl

Built between 1348 and 1357, Karlstein Castle (in German) served both as a stronghold for Emperor Charles IV’s precious relics, and as an imperial residence where he could rest, hunt and receive important visitors.

At the start of the Hussite wars (Protestants against Catholics), the Czech crown jewels, previously housed in Prague Cathedral, were transferred by Emperor Wenceslas I to the fortified castle of Karlstejn to protect them from the Hussite insurgents, who even laid siege to Karlstejn in 1422 – without success.

With the end of the Hussite wars in 1436, Karlstejn Castle’s heyday came to an end: the kings of Bohemia stopped visiting.

From 1877 to 1899, the castle was again renovated: Emperor Franz Joseph I ordered a historicist – or purist – reconstruction, which gave the castle its current appearance.

Photo credit: Flickr – Rafael Escobar

From 1891, limestone mining also began in the Karlstejn region. Already used for centuries in the construction of Prague’s historic buildings, limestone became increasingly important in the 19th and 20th centuries. The quarries produced Prague’s famous « canyons », including Velka America. They closed in 1963 and were transformed into water reservoirs. Today, it’s possible to visit them on a short hike – a great way to discover Czech nature and landscapes.

Visit Karlstejn Castle and the Czech canyons of Velká Amerika

To visit Karlstejn Castle, you’ll need to cross the town to the castle hill. There are many typical Czech restaurants in town.

The interior of the castle is subject to a charge, but access to the first inner courtyard and the ramparts is free. From here, you’ll have a magnificent view of Central Bohemia and the surrounding forests.

Photo credit: Flickr – junaidrao

The hike to Prague’s Czech canyons starts from the town or behind the castle. It’s accessible to all, and takes two to three hours to get to the Velká Amerika canyon (the furthest and most beautiful) and back to the castle.

How do I get to Karlstejn from Prague? Timetables & fares

Visiting Karlstejn from Prague is easy. To get there, we recommend taking the train: there are numerous connections from Prague’s main station (Hlavní Nádraží), sometimes every half-hour for just 102 CZK return (€4). You can book your train ticket on the company’s website.

From Karlstejn station, it’s just a 5-minute walk into town to start the short climb up to Karlstejn.

Opening times vary throughout the year:

• Winter: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on average (closed from 12/17 to 12/25 and in January)
• Spring / Fall: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Summer: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (6 p.m. in July and August)

Two tours are available inside the castle: the basic tour at 330 CZK (13€) or the exclusive tour at 880 CZK (35€) to visit the castle’s sacred rooms (including the Chapel of the Holy Cross).

Please note that you can also book an excursion to Karlstejn Castle from Prague online, with a guide. The tour includes a visit to the castle with the guide and transportation from your hotel in Prague.

Main photo credit: Wikimedia – Arkadiusz Zarzecki