South Bohemia is a land of ponds they say. We say that it’s also a land of beautiful towns and we present to you three of them which we’ve called the South-Bohemian Triangle. This travel itinerary is ideal if you have just a weekend to spend here.
These three towns are very close to each other. Starting in Český Krumlov in the south you can cross České Budějovice and arrive in Hluboká nad Vltavou in just 45 minutes. You can manage to visit all three of them in just a weekend but if you have more time we recommend taking at least two days for Český Krumlov.
(This article might contain affiliate links that help the blog keep running.)
Table of Contents
Český Krumlov
We begin our South-Bohemian trip in the soutmost town of the triangle – Český Krumlov. We’ve written a separate post on a walkthrough in this fairy-tale town, so read it first to know why Český Krumlov is an absolute must on your trip to Bohemia.
Where to stay in Český Krumlov
České Budějovice
Just about half an hour north from our first stop we arrive in this southern pearl founded in the 13th century. České Budějovice is internatinally known also as Budweis and this name already gives you a hint about why you might know it. Yes, this is where the famour beer brand Budweiser Budwar or Budějovický Budvar comes from. The town is not only a destination of many tourists every year but also of local and international students who decide to attend the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice.
The historical center is the place to start. The main square (náměstí Přemysla Otakara II.) features many historical sights like the Samson’s Fountain or the 18th century blue town hall building. St. Nicolas’ cathedral and the famous Black Tower are just a few meters from the square.
The town is home to several other religious sights and also two former historical prison buildings called Steal Virgin (Železná panna) and Rabensteiner Tower (Rabštejnská věž).
If you’re a theatre person, be sure to visit the Theatre of South Bohemia (Jihočeské divadlo) and as for museums, we recommend the Museum of South Bohemia (Jihočeské muzeum), the Museum of Motorbikes (Jihočeské motocyklové muzeum) and – of course – The Budweiser Budvar Museum!
Where to stay in České Budějovice
Hluboká nad Vltavou
And just another 15 minutes north to reach a charming little town called Hluboká nad Vltavou. Most people come here for the breathtaking Neogothic château but this place has much more to offer. There are several protected natural reservations in the outskirts of the town as well as a zoo and one of the most significant art galleries in Czechia – Alšova jihočeská galerie named after a famous Czech painter Mikoláš Aleš.
At the beginning we mentioned the ponds. The nobility founded many of them in the area of South Bohemia and the second largest called Bezdrev can be found just two kilometers southwest from Hluboká.
The most important landmark of the town is the chateau with its gardens. You can read more about it in Hluboká nad Vltavou – Czech Sleeping Beauty Castle.
Where to stay in Hluboká nad Vltavou
How did you like the South-Bohemian weekend trip? If you’re moving north to the capital, check out the Prague Essentials and also our suggestion for an Afternoon Walk in Lesser Town.