Ceský Krumlov, a Unesco World Heritage Site, has a special charm that makes it one of our favorite European cities to visit. Its imposing hilltop castle, a scenic and sinuating river slicing through the town, and a beautiful maze of cobblestone streets, all make it very hard not to fall in love with Krumlov. As you can imagine this fascinating city is very photogenic and has boatloads of fantastic and Instagrammable photo spots. That’s why we put together this guide, Best Viewpoints and Photo Spots in Cesky Krumlov, designed to help you get the most out of your visit to this enchanting South Bohemian town.
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You might also be interested in these pages:
4-Day Itinerary in South Bohemia
Best Things to See and Do in Cesky Krumlov
Best Day Trips from Cesky Krumlov
For more information on visiting Cesky Krumlov, we’ve compiled a more comprehensive travel guide: Best Things to See and Do in Cesky Krumlov. There is a lot of overlap in terms of the sites and attractions presented, but you’ll find a lot more detailed information in that guide. In particular, the opening times and ticket prices of most attractions are presented, and larger attractions such as the Cesky Krumlov Castle, along with a description of the different tours that are available. We also have another guide that presents some of the best day trip excursions you can take from Cesky Krumlov.
Regarding the present guide, all of the viewpoints and photo spots described below include a hyperlink to their location on Google Maps. Cesky Krumlov is a very walkable city as most of the viewpoints described below are very close to one another.
If you haven’t booked your rental vehicle yet, we highly recommend using Discover Cars to get the best rates on your rental in Scotland.
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Brief Overview of the City Layout
Cesky Krumlov’s historical core is comprised of two parts (or neighbourhoods), each forming a sort of peninsula within the Vltava River’s sinuating shape. If you were to walk through both neighbourhoods in a straight line, you could probably do so in about 15 minutes, but there are so many beautiful side streets and alleyways to keep you busy for much longer.
The older section, Latrán, forms the northern section of the town that developed under the castle along the west bank of the Vltava River (upper peninsula on the map below). Latrán is also the name of the main street that runs through the neighbourhood. It starts at the wooden Lazebnický Bridge (the main bridge that connects both parts of town) and ends at the Budjovická Gate (illustrated in the walking route below).
Vnitrní Mesto (“Inner Town”) district is located within the smaller southern peninsula, on the other side of the Vltava River, and is centred around Svornosti Square.
Best Aerial City Viewpoints
Because of the city’s hilly nature and the castle’s elevated position, there are a few fantastic elevated viewpoints in the city.
Seminární Sahrada plaza
Located along Horni Street in Vnitrní Mesto, Seminární Sahrada Plaza will provide you with the best aerial views of the city with the castle in the background.
Baroque Theater Belvedere
Just outside the Castle’s Baroque Theater, just before the entrance to the Castle Gardens, there is a small Belvedere with an outdoor cafe that will provide you stunning aerial views of the city and the castle to your left.
Castle Tower
Although you have to pay to enter the castle tower (280 CZK (2024) – a price that also includes access to the Castle Museum), you will get amazing views from the highest vantage point in the city.
Stations of the Cross Hill
This hilltop viewpoint requires a bit more work to get to — about a 25-to-30-minute walk from the city center, with the second half of the walk spent climbing a hill — but it will provide you with a stunning vista of Cesky Krumlov set between the green rolling hills of South Bohemia.
Riverside Viewpoints
Banks of the Vltava River (Náplavka Street)
In the southern end of the Latran area, you’ll find Náplavka Street, which hugs the twisting Vltava River. This specific viewpoint is right next to our recommended place to stay in Cesky Krumlov, Pension Fortna.
Cloak Bridge and Lávka pod Zámkem Bridge
The point where Lávka pod Zámkem Bridge arrives just under Cesky Krumlov Castle’s Cloak Bridge is a very photogenic spot, in multiple directions. Directly ahead you have the imposing Cloak Bridge, turn east and you get great views of the castle and castle tower and turn south for a scenic view of the small waterfalls.
Vtlata Bridge
To get a great view of St Vitus Cathedral with the Vtlata River, head to Vtlata Bridge, which connects Vnitrní Mesto (old town) with southern Cesky Krumlov.
Town Squares and City Gates
Svornosti Square
Cesky Krumlov’s largest and main town square is a pleasant and beautiful space surrounded by colorful and decorated building facades and a central fountain.
Red Gate Square
Not a proper square with its own name, but it’s definitely a larger open space in front of the Castle’s Red Gate, where Latran Street intersects with Zamec Street.
Budejovická Gate
Located at the very end of Latran Street, the Budejovice Gate is the only one of the nine original city gates that has survived to this day. It was built between 1598 and 1602.
Step away from the gate and you’ll imposing views of Cesky Castle.
Colorful Streets and Building Facades
Kajovska Street
Kajovska Street is probably Vnitrní Mesto’s with the most colorful facades.
Latran Steet
Latran’s answer to Kajovska Street in Vnitrní Mesto is the aptly named Latran Street, which is probably Cesky Krumlov’s most photogenic street. It often proved difficult not to stop every 5 feet to take a picture. The best section is in between the Lazebnický Most Bridge and the Red Gate Square (described above)
Klásterní Street
Klasterni Street is just a few meters long, but it’s filled with beautiful rainbow-coloured umbrellas.
Workshop Alley
A scenic little alleyway with cute signs and doors for several local artisan workshops, including a baker, blacksmith, glassmaker, potter, shoemaker, and bookbinder.
Cesky Krumlov Castle Gardens
Last but not least, this isn’t so much of a specific spot, but rather a very large green area filled with decorative fountains and statues. The Baroque Castle Gardens were founded in the 17th century and today form the largest part of the entire Cesky Krumlov castle complex (occupying a rectangular area of about 150 x 750 metres).
Preparing a trip to Czechia?
You might be interested in these Czechia pages:
4-Day Itinerary in South Bohemia
Best Things to See and Do in Cesky Krumlov
Best Day Trips from Cesky Krumlov
We also highly recommend these guidebooks:
Rick Steves’ Prague & the Czech Republic
Lonely Planet’s Prague & Czechia
Photography Gear
If you like our photography, you might be interested in some of the gear we use to shoot our travel and hiking destinations.
Camera Body – Nikon Z 6ii Fx-series Mirrorless Body
Main Lens – NIKON 24-120mm F/4G ED VR AF-S
Zoom Lens – Sigma 745-306 150-600mm f/5-6.3
Polarizing filters – Urth Circular Polarizing (CPL)
Camera Tripod – K&F Concept 64-inch Camera Tripod
Mini-tripod – Lammcou Flexible Camera Tripod
Camera/hiking backpack – Vanguard Alta Rise 48 Backpack
Universal Travel Adapter – VYLEE Universal International Power Travel Plug
Other Travel Essentials
Travel Insurance
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e-Sim cards
Airalo is the world’s first and largest eSIM store with eSIM plans for 200+ countries and regions worldwide. With Airalo eSIMs, travellers can get connected the moment they land at their destination and avoid nasty data roaming charges
eSIMS are a sustainable alternative to single-use SIM cards – they are 100% digital, require less energy to produce and be re-used rather than disposed of.
Car Rentals
Discover Cars is our go-to website for car rentals. We almost always find our preferred rate there.
Transfer from Airport
Welcome Pickups is our favourite private transfer service, which you can pre-book at a fixed price. Currently available in 220 cities all over the world (mostly in Europe, but with several major cities in Asia, the Middle East and the US).
Kiwitaxi is another private transfer service – we haven’t tried it yet, but it’s currently available in a few more countries (102 as of 2024).
Hotels and Accommodations (coming soon)
Photography Prints
If you found this blog useful, you can help support our blog by purchasing low-cost digital prints. Printed physical prints are also available for purchase.
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Well, that wraps it up! We hope you enjoyed our Travel Guide on the best viewpoints and photo spots in Ceský Krumlov, and that it will prove useful for planning your trip to the South Bohemia region of Czechia!
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