South Bohemia & Český Krumlov

Český Krumlov has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992 and is considered one of the most beautiful small towns in Europe. The old town is situated in a narrow double loop of the Vltava River and is dominated by one of the largest castle complexes in Central Europe.

• Český Krumlov Castle — the second-largest castle complex in the Czech Republic after Prague Castle; a historical Baroque theater with original stage technology (1766) is among the highlights
• Castle Garden — open-air opera in summer
• St. Vitus Church — Gothic town church, atop the city hill
• Egon Schiele Art Centrum — the painter spent time in Krumlov
• Vltava Boat Tours — paddling tours or rafts through the old town in summer

Krumlov can be very crowded in summer — those who stay overnight have the old town almost to themselves in the morning and evening.

The district capital of South Bohemia is known for its monumental town square Přemysl Otakar II. — one of the largest enclosed historical squares in Europe, surrounded by Renaissance and Baroque houses.

• Samson Fountain in the center of the square
• The "Black Tower" (Černá věž) as a viewpoint
• Brewery Budweiser Budvar — this is where the Czech Budweiser is made (not to be confused with the US Budweiser). Tours available

Budweis is a good starting point for the entire region.

Hluboká nad Vltavou Castle is one of the most photographed castles in the Czech Republic — a neo-Gothic fairy-tale castle in the style of Windsor Castle, surrounded by extensive parklands. Accessible year-round, often crowded in summer.

Třeboň is the center of the South Bohemian pond area — hundreds of fish ponds shape the landscape, and carp have been bred here since the Middle Ages. The old town with its Renaissance castle and the pond area are ideal for cycling tours.

The Bohemian Forest stretches along the border with Bavaria and Austria and, together with the Bavarian National Park Bavarian Forest, forms one of the largest contiguous forest areas in Central Europe. The Czech part is protected as the Šumava National Park.

• Devil's Lake (Čertovo jezero) and Black Lake — glacial lakes
• Source of the Vltava near Kvilda
• Cycling and hiking on marked trails, well-developed network
• Cross-country skiing in winter