Hluboká nad Vltavou

Late spring to early autumn is the best time to visit. Summer days are warm but rarely very hot, and the ponds and parks are at their best. Winters are cold and frosty, with occasional snow, and some castle tours run only in the main season.

The main annual event is Hluboká Music Summer (Hudební léto Hluboká), a long-running series of concerts held from summer into early autumn. Many concerts take place in the castle's former riding hall and other historic rooms.

Hluboká Castle is the reason most people come. The romantic Neo-Gothic building has richly furnished rooms, a large English-style park and views over the Vltava valley. Guided tours cover different parts of the interior, so check which tour you want before you go.

Next to the castle, the former riding hall houses the Aleš South Bohemian Gallery. It hosts changing exhibitions, mostly of modern and contemporary art.

Ohrada Hunting Lodge is a Baroque hunting lodge on the shore of a fishpond, about 2 km south of the town. Today it is a museum of forestry, hunting and fishing, run by the National Museum of Agriculture.

Zoo Ohrada is right next to the lodge. It focuses on animals from Europe and the Czech Republic and is a good stop with children.

Church of St John of Nepomuk is the town's Neo-Gothic parish church. Its tall tower is visible from much of the town.

Bezdrev is one of the largest fishponds in the country. In summer it is popular for swimming, sailing and windsurfing.

Karlův Hrádek is a small castle ruin in the forest above the Vltava, north of the town. It makes a pleasant goal for a walk or bike ride.

Knížecí dvůr Gallery is a small gallery of contemporary art and graphic design near the castle.

Some of the best moments here are outdoors and depend on the season.

• Take a boat along the Vltava: In summer, boats run between České Budějovice and Hluboká. It is a slow, relaxing way to arrive.
• Cycle the river path: Ride the flat path along the Vltava from České Budějovice, or continue north through the forest to Karlův Hrádek.
• Attend a Music Summer concert: Evening concerts in the castle's historic spaces are a good way to see them in a different light.
• Watch a pond harvest: In autumn, local fishponds are drained and the fish are caught by hand with large nets. It is a South Bohemian tradition, often with food stalls. Check local dates.
• Swim in a fishpond: On warm summer days, locals swim and sail at Bezdrev.

Hluboká is a good base for exploring South Bohemia. These trips are listed from closest to farthest.

• České Budějovice — about 15 minutes by bus, train or car. The regional capital has one of the largest market squares in Central Europe and the Budweiser Budvar brewery.
• Holašovice — about 30 minutes by car. This small village is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its rural Baroque farmhouses around a village green.
• Třeboň — about 35 minutes by car. A quiet spa town surrounded by large fishponds, with a Renaissance chateau and an easy cycling network.
• Český Krumlov — about 40 minutes by car, or about 1 hour 15 minutes by train with a change in České Budějovice. The UNESCO-listed old town and large castle sit in a tight bend of the Vltava.
• Tábor — about 50 minutes by car. The historic Hussite town has a hilltop old town with underground passages.

Hluboká lies in the České Budějovice district of the South Bohemian Region region. The regional capital České Budějovice is the closest city and the main transport hub.

Farther south, near the Austrian border, Nové Hrady is a small town with a castle and quiet countryside. For more of South Bohemia, Český Krumlov and Třeboň are both within an hour's drive.

• By air: The closest large international airport is Prague Václav Havel Airport, about 150 km away. From there, take a bus or train to České Budějovice, which takes about 2.5 hours, then continue to Hluboká. Linz Airport in Austria is about 1.5 hours away by car.
• By train: Two small stations serve the town, with regional trains from České Budějovice. From Prague, change trains in České Budějovice. Czech Railways
• By bus: Frequent regional buses run from České Budějovice. The stop Hluboká nad Vltavou, pod kostelem is about 800 m from the castle. Some direct buses also run from Prague.
• By boat or bike: In summer, boats sail on the Vltava between České Budějovice and Hluboká. A popular cycle path follows the river on the same route.

• On foot: The town centre is small and easy to walk. The castle is on a hill, so expect a short uphill walk from the square. Ohrada and the zoo are about 2 km south of the centre.
• Public transport: Regional buses connect the town centre, Ohrada and České Budějovice. You can usually buy a ticket from the driver. Use the national journey planner to check times. IDOS journey planner
• Cycling: The area is flat along the river and has good, signposted cycle routes. Bikes can be rented in the town and in České Budějovice.
• Taxi: Taxis are available but not common; book ahead by phone, especially in the evening.

• Is a car worth it? You do not need a car for the town itself. A car is useful if you want to visit several South Bohemian towns and villages in a short time.
• Parking: Paid car parks are located below the castle and in the town centre. The castle itself is reached on foot.
• Restrictions: The castle grounds and park are closed to cars.

South Bohemia is fish country. Carp and other freshwater fish from the local ponds appear on many menus, especially in autumn and at Christmas. Try fried carp or fish soup, and pair it with beer from the famous breweries in nearby České Budějovice.

Most restaurants and cafés are on the streets below the castle and around the main square. Places near the castle are busier and slightly more expensive in the main season. Tipping follows the Czech custom of rounding up or leaving about 10% for good service.

Hluboká is a very safe, quiet town. Crime against tourists is rare. In the busy summer season, keep an eye on your belongings in crowds near the castle.

Tap water is safe to drink. Ticks are common in the forests and meadows of South Bohemia. Use repellent and check your skin after walks. Consider vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis if you plan a lot of hiking.

A Gothic royal castle stood on the hill above the Vltava by the 13th century. In 1290 the powerful noble Záviš of Falkenštejn was executed in front of the castle on the orders of King Wenceslas II. A small memorial below the castle marks the event.

In 1661 the castle passed to the Schwarzenberg family. They built the Baroque hunting lodge Ohrada Hunting Lodge between 1708 and 1713. In the mid-19th century, Prince Johann Adolf II and his wife Eleonore rebuilt Hluboká Castle in the romantic Neo-Gothic style, inspired by Windsor Castle. The work was completed in 1871. At the same time the town was reshaped, and Church of St John of Nepomuk was built between 1844 and 1847.

The family lived at the castle until 1939. The Nazis seized it in 1940, and after the war the Czechoslovak state took over the Schwarzenberg property in 1947. Since 1956 the riding hall has housed the South Bohemian gallery.

Quick practical facts for the Czech Republic at a glance: