Sights in Czechia

Czechia's castles and châteaux are among the best-preserved in Europe and cheap by Western standards, but most interiors can only be seen on a guided tour at a fixed time, in one language per tour. The rule that matters most: book your tour online in English, and check the season, because most state castles close their interiors on Mondays and from November to March.

Checked 6 October 2026

Our sight guides for Czechia

Visiting sights in Czechia

Passes and combined tickets

There is no national sightseeing pass a visitor can buy. The National Heritage Institute (NPÚ), which runs more than a hundred state castles and châteaux, piloted a year-round pass in 2026, but only 250 were sold, at 2,000 Kč, and it sold out at once. In Prague, the Prague Visitor Pass combines public transport with one entry to over 50 sights, including the Prague Castle circuit: 2,700 Kč for 48 hours, 3,300 Kč for 72 hours and 3,900 Kč for 120 hours per adult (October 2026). It pays off only if you fit in several paid sights a day; the 72-hour transport ticket alone costs 350 Kč.

Free days and discounts

NPÚ castles price by age: at Karlštejn and Český Krumlov the basic tour costs 300 Kč for adults aged 25–64, 240 Kč for seniors over 65, young people aged 18–24 and disabled visitors, 90 Kč for children aged 6–17, and nothing for under-6s (October 2026). A companion of a disabled visitor goes free. In 2026 NPÚ ran two free open days, Sunday 30 August and Sunday 27 September, with free tickets that still had to be reserved online for a set tour time; watch the NPÚ site for similar days. In Prague, children under 15 ride public transport free with proof of age.

Getting between the sights

Czech Railways (ČD, cd.cz) runs most trains; its standard tickets are valid on any train that day and seat reservations are optional, so you can buy on the day. Private operators RegioJet and Leo Express run trains on main lines such as Prague–Brno and Prague–Ostrava, often cheaper, but their tickets include a seat and are only valid on the train you booked. For Český Krumlov, one direct train leaves Prague each morning; other trains run about every two hours with a change at České Budějovice. In Prague, a 24-hour ticket costs 150 Kč on paper or 140 Kč in the PID Lítačka app (October 2026); stamp paper tickets when you board, and stamp only once.

Tours, languages and paying

At state castles you buy a ticket for a named tour at a set time, and each tour runs in one language. Popular sites run many English tours: at Karlštejn in October 2026 about half the basic tour times were in English, but the three-hour whole-castle tour ran only in Czech. At smaller castles English tours are rarer and visitors often join a Czech tour with a printed English text, which Český Krumlov offers. Prices are in Czech crowns (Kč, CZK); Czechia does not use the euro. Euros, where accepted, come at a poor rate; when a card terminal or cash machine offers to charge you in your home currency, choose CZK. Karlštejn's audio guide needs a 500 Kč cash deposit.

Seasons, holidays and crowds

The castle season runs roughly April to October. From November to March most state castles close their interiors; NPÚ lists the exceptions open in winter, including Český Krumlov, Hluboká, Lednice, Telč, Karlštejn and Křivoklát, often only at weekends or on reduced routes. Many castles, including Karlštejn and Český Krumlov, close their tours on Mondays in season. Karlštejn, for example, opens only Friday to Sunday in November and December, and its Chapels tour does not run from November to April. National holidays (28 October and 17 November) bring Czech families out, and some castles add extra openings on those days. Summer weekends and July–August are the busiest time; book popular tours a few days ahead.

Scams and problems to know about

Exchange offices in central Prague set their own rates, which can be far worse than the bank rate. Under Czech rules, commission is banned, VIP rates may not be advertised, and you can cancel an exchange of up to the equivalent of €1,000 within three hours at the same office, free of charge. Ask for the receipt, which the office must give you. Never change money on the street, where the notes are often fake. The UK Foreign Office warns of pickpockets on airport buses and on trams to Prague Castle, and of fake plain-clothes police who ask to see your money. Book taxis by app or phone: street taxis usually charge more.

Also worth the trip

Not on Sightsale yet, but worth knowing about.

  • Telč

    A Renaissance town square of pastel gabled houses and a château, on the UNESCO list and far quieter than Český Krumlov. The château is on NPÚ's list of sites open in winter.

Questions people ask about visiting Czechia

Can you visit Czech castles in winter?

Only some. Most state castles close their interiors from November to March, but NPÚ keeps a list of sites open in winter, including Český Krumlov, Hluboká, Lednice, Telč and Karlštejn, often only at weekends. Check each castle's own opening hours page before you travel (October 2026).

Do Czech castle tours run in English?

Yes, at the main sites. You book a tour time in a chosen language: at Karlštejn about half the basic tour times were in English in October 2026. At smaller castles English slots are fewer, and you may get a printed English text on a Czech tour instead.

Should I pay in euros or crowns in Czechia?

Pay in Czech crowns. Euros are accepted in some tourist places at poor rates, and choosing your home currency on a card terminal adds the merchant's exchange margin. Withdraw crowns from a bank cash machine and decline the conversion offer.

Is the Prague Visitor Pass worth it?

Only for busy sightseers. The 72-hour pass costs 3,300 Kč per adult (October 2026) and includes transport and one entry to over 50 sights. With the 72-hour transport ticket at 350 Kč, you need around 3,000 Kč of entries in three days to come out ahead.

Can I cancel a bad currency exchange in Prague?

Yes. Czech law lets you cancel an exchange of up to the equivalent of €1,000 within three hours at the same office, free of charge, according to the Czech National Bank. Keep the receipt, and complain to the Czech National Bank if the office refuses.

Sources for this page (21)
  1. National Heritage Institute (NPÚ): home page (accessed 6 October 2026)
  2. NPÚ: Heritage sites open all year round (accessed 6 October 2026)
  3. NPÚ: Special Open Days with free admission (accessed 6 October 2026)
  4. Novinky.cz: NPÚ visitor pass sold to 250 people (Czech) (accessed 6 October 2026)
  5. Karlštejn Castle: admission (accessed 6 October 2026)
  6. Karlštejn Castle: opening hours (accessed 6 October 2026)
  7. NPÚ ticket portal: Karlštejn tour times and languages (accessed 6 October 2026)
  8. Český Krumlov Castle: admission (accessed 6 October 2026)
  9. Český Krumlov Castle: opening hours (accessed 6 October 2026)
  10. Český Krumlov Castle: Tour Route I (English guidebook) (accessed 6 October 2026)
  11. Prague Visitor Pass: official site (accessed 6 October 2026)
  12. Prague City Tourism: public transport (accessed 6 October 2026)
  13. Prague City Tourism: getting around (taxis) (accessed 6 October 2026)
  14. PID Prague Integrated Transport: tickets (accessed 6 October 2026)
  15. Czech National Bank: Ten Golden Rules for Bureau-de-Change Clients (accessed 6 October 2026)
  16. GOV.UK foreign travel advice: Czech Republic safety and security (accessed 6 October 2026)
  17. Prague-trip.com: Currency and money in Prague (accessed 6 October 2026)
  18. Seat61: Trains from Prague (RegioJet and Leo Express tickets) (accessed 6 October 2026)
  19. Seat61: Day trip to Český Krumlov (accessed 6 October 2026)
  20. Office Holidays: Czech Republic public holidays 2026 (accessed 6 October 2026)
  21. Sedlec Ossuary: official site (accessed 6 October 2026)