Karlštejn

Bus & Minivan Tours

Leave Prague behind and travel back to the 14th century with our tour to Karlestejn Castle, one of the most impressive Gothic castles in the Czech Republic. Choose between a private and shared option and drive through the picturesque countryside, arrive at Karlestejn Castle, in the middle of dense forests not far from the capital. Founded by Emperor Charles IV, Karlestejn Castle became a treasury for the crown jewels and holy relics. Dominating the hilltop is the 60 meters high and separately fortified Great Tower built upon the massive walls that house the Chapel of the Holy Cross. From there, you can step down to the Marian Tower, the five-storied Imperial Palace and come to the Well Tower and Burgrave's Palace located at the lowest level. After your guided tour, return to Prague.

You will be picked up by an air-conditioned vehicle between 7:00 and 7:30am at your Prague residence. Enjoy the scenic and informative ride which takes approx. 30 mins. Your English-speaking guide will tell you all that interests you about the Czech culture, nature or history.   After arriving at the Koněprusy Caves southwest of Prague, join a guided excursion of the largest underground cave system in Bohemia. Admire the majestic stalagmites and stalactites all around you. Learn about the prehistoric Celtic settlements which existed there. Visit the jaw-dropping limestone domes and halls.   Afterwards, enjoy a well-earned lunch; enjoy the magic of traditional Bohemian cuisine and taste some of the best beer in the world. Hear authentic Bohemian anecdotes and stories in a traditional Czech-style tavern.  Next stop will be at Karlstejn village. From there, go either by foot or by local van up to the castle and visit the 14th-century residence of medieval Bohemian kings which is protecting the crown jewels and other royal treasures. Admire the collections of art as well as many historical relics. The tour is guided and delivered in English. After a well deserved traditional Bohemian lunch in a Czech style tavern, where you will taste some of the best beer in the world and hear authentic bohemian anecdotes and stories, head to the Great America quarry. Stop to take pictures or do a full walk around the quarry (depending on your preference).

The tour begins with pickup from your hotel in Prague or from the meeting point, then heads out towards Karlstejn Castle just an hour outside the city. Admire the castle’s impressive architecture and learn about its rich-history, which dates back to the 14th century. Retrace the steps of powerful Czech kings as you explore the castle grounds and imagine what life was like here throughout the ages. Continue the tour to the next stop of the day, stopping for a photo at the stunning Velka Amerika along the way. Arrive at one of the country’s oldest and most famous glassworks, which has been operating since 1846, and embark on a guided tour. Discover the process of crystal glass art and meet local glassmakers hard at work. Before leaving, stop at the factory’s outlet to shop for a crystal glass souvenir. At the end of an insightful and memorable tour, enjoy a relaxing lunch at a local Czech restaurant. Dine on a delicious three-course meal with a selection of traditional dishes accompanied by regional beer. The tour returns to Prague at around 4:00 PM.

On this half-day Karlstejn Castle tour from Prague, visit a majestic Gothic castle founded 650 years ago by Charles IV, King of Bohemia and of the Roman Empire. The castle was built in the 14th century as a place for safekeeping of royal treasures, especially the coronation jewels. Located in a picturesque site, the castle sits on Dragon's Rock in the middle of dense forests just about an hour drive from Prague. For many visitors, this is one of the most popular destinations. The price includes entry to the castle and a free tasting of Original Karlstejn Mead. This tour also involves 30 minutes of walking.

Your guide will pick you up at your hotel in Prague and drive you to the castle. The tour of the castle includes the historical interiors of the imperial palace and the lower floors of the Marian Tower. Take the chance to see valuable relics from the 14th to the 19th centuries. Karlštejn Castle is one of the most famous castles in the Czech Republic. It was built by the Czech King and Roman Emperor Charles IV in 1348 as a place for safekeeping the royal treasures, particularly Emperor Charles IV’s collection of holy relics and the coronation jewels of the Holy Roman Empire. The fortress-like castle also served as the emperor’s summer retreat. Over 660 years old, Karlštejn Castle was never totally conquered. The castle even survived a 7-month siege  in the 15th century. Once you have explored the castle with your guide, you will be dropped back at your hotel.

After pick up at your hotel it is about 20 min drive to the starting point at the very edge of Prague. This way you avoid most traffic and you start enjoying great cycling paths along the Vltava and Berounka rivers. Biking on flat trails surrounded by meadows and small towns all the way to the most beautiful and best preserved castle in Czech – Karlstejn. After about one hour break to soak the medieval atmosphere you head for a final push of about 12 kms to a microbrewery in the area. Though you have to climb a bit during the last part, it is really worth it. There are no more towns along the way, just little villages and lush countryside all around you. It seems people here live the same way as years ago, when communists operated a Czech biggest air-missile base carefully hidden in forests of a hill above you. When you arrive in the cozy village of Vseradice, you enjoy a decent late lunch and taste locally made beer. Usually master is present and if so, he is always happy to show you around (this is no scheduled tour, he just likes to talk and you like to listen…) Then you will ride back to near Karlstejn and then take a train back to your car and finally you are dropped at the hotel. Please be aware that you have to be able to cover up to 50 km with a few (easy) uphills in about 6 hours.