Bohemia is definitelly the land of castles. They have looked over the valleys of the region for centuries and their ruins make us remember their former glory. Here is a list of TOP 25 castles to visit in Bohemia.
Also, don’t forget that there not only castles in Bohemia but also châteaus worth visiting, here’s the list of TOP 10 châteaus to visit in Bohemia. And if you’re heading east, don’t forget to check out also our list of TOP 15 castles and TOP 10 châteaus to visit in Moravia and Silesia.
Table of Contents
1. Prague Castle (Pražský hrad)
Most famous
Region: Prague
The largest and most famous of the castles in Bohemia and according to the Guinness Book of Records also the largest ancient castle of the world. It rises over the river Vltava and together with the St. Vitus Cathedral it’s part of our Prague Essentials. Its construction started in the 9th century. You can read more about this castle in our article Prague Castle.
2. Český Krumlov Castle
National Heritage Site
Region: South Bohemia
This 13th century castle with its famous cloak bridge is the main tourist attraction of the town. You can read more about it in our post Český Krumlov – Live the Fairy-tale.
3. Karlštejn
Gem of Český kras
Region: Central Bohemia
Karlštejn is another of our Prague Essentials although it’s not directly in Prague. This castle is located in the natural protected reservation of Český kras and it was the location of the famous Czech movie A Night At Karlstein. Its construction started in the 14th century and the castle underwent several reconstructions.
4. Okoř
Castle of the tramps
Region: Central Bohemia
Not far from Prague is the ruin of the 13th century castle. It is the object of several tramp tales and songs as well as the destinations of many hitch-hikers. Quite uncommonly this castle doesn’t stand on a hill but at a creek side.
5. Křivoklát
Look at that white tower
Region: Central Bohemia
Without any doubt one of the most beautiful and also ancient Czech castles. It’s first mentioned in the chronicles from the 12th century and a typical feature of Křivoklát is its round white tower.
6. Žebrák
Once a luxurious mansion
Region: Central Bohemia
This ruin was once a luxurious mansion of Wenceslaus IV of Bohemia who built the neighbouring castle Točník. Its construction started in the 13th century. It was never renewed after the fire in the 16th century and now it’s a complex of ruins with a beautiful view of the Křivoklátsko Protected Landscape Area.
7. Dívčí kámen
History and nature in perfect harmony
Region: South Bohemia
Called also Maidstein (Girls’ Stone) this 14th century ruin exists in perfect harmony with the nature in the Protected Landscape Area which bears the same name. It is located next to the village of Kremže close to Český Krumlov.
8. Kost
The awe of Bohemian Paradise
Region: Hradec Králové
The Kost (kost means bone) castle’s construction started in the 14th century. What was originally a fortress later became castle. It rises over three valleys of the protected landscape area and microregion called Bohemian Paradise.
9. Gutštejn
The one that resisted the Hussites
Region: Pilsen
Gutštejn, built around 1300, successfully resisted the attacs of the Hussites and served as a nobility mansion until the 16th century when it was abandoned. It is a frequent destination of many tramps who head to its camping sites around the rivulet called Úterský potok.
10. Loket
Home to a meteorite
Region: Karlovy Vary
Loket, whose name literally means “the elbow” was built in the 13th century. It rises in the protected landscape area of Slavkovský les and the castles exposition features a fragment of a meteorite which fell on the courtyard in 1422.
11. Rábí
Most massive Czech castle
Region: Pilsen
Rábí is known to be the most massive Czech castle. It was built in the first half of the 13th century and it’s where the famous Hussite military leader Jan Žižka z Trocnova lost his second eye.
12. Bezděz
Mystery in the forests
Region: Liberec
Bezděz, built in the 2nd half of the 13th century, rises on a hill called Velký Bezděz and offers astonishing views of the surrounding nature including the famous Lake Mácha.
13. Helfenburk
Romantic ruin
Region: South Bohemia
This 14th century castle is now a romantic ruin in the Central Bohemian Highlands and next to the Milešovka mountain. You can reach the castle following red touristic markers from the village of Husinec or the blue markers from Bavorov.
14. Český Šternberk
Most beautiful castle around the Sázava river
Region: Central Bohemia
Rising over the river Sázava, the 13th century castle Český Šternberk underwent many reconstructions and style changes which is why it looks more like a château nowadays. The castle is a private property, however, it’s open to the public.
15. Landštejn
Gem of Czech Canada
Region: South Bohemia
Landštejn was built in the 13th century on the borders between South Bohemia and South Moravia in an area called Czech Canada knows for its beautiful nature and landscapes. The castle hill offers magnificent views of the area as well as visits to the public. You can park under the castle and follow one of the several marked touristic routes.
16. Kokořín
Hidden but worth visiting
Region: Central Bohemia
Kokořín was built in the 14th century in the forrest of the now protected landscape area called Kokořínsko. It became a ruin after the Hussite wars and fortunately underwent reconstruction at the beginning of the 20th century. Several touristic routes lead to the castle.
17. Litice
Come here if you want to see the stars
Region: Pardubice
Litice was built in the 13th century and the reconstruction in the 15th century made it into one of the most significant fortresses in the Czech lands. Nowadays, it’s one of the most popular places of the astronomers because there are only few areas left in Czechia with such a small light pollution.
18. Hazmburk
The black and the white
Region: Ústí nad Labem
Hazmburk was built in the 1st half of the 14th century in the Central Bohemian Highlands. Although now a ruin, it’s quite popular among the tourists. The two dominant features are the twin towers, one black and one white. You can reach the castle on foot following the touristic markers.
19. Frýdštejn
True romanticism in Bohemian Paradise
Region: Liberec
Frýdštejn was built in the 14th century and abandoned two centuries later. You will see its ruin from far thanks to its dominant circular tower. It’s the destination of many hitch-hikers in the Bohemian Paradise and it was used as a location in the famous Czech fairy-tale Princess Jasnenka and the Flying Shoemaker (O princezně Jasněnce a létajícím ševci).
20. Zvíkov
King of Bohemian castles
Region: South Bohemia
Rising over the junction of the rivers Vltava and Otava this castle’s nickname is “the king of castles of Bohemia”. The dominant feature of Zvíkov, which was built in the 13th century, is its massive tower. You can park about 500 m from the castle or hitch-hike following one of the touristic routes.
21. Valečov
Growing out from the sandstone
Region: Central Bohemia
Valečov seems to be growing out directly from the sandstone. It was built in the 14th century at the western border of the Bohemian Paradise and if you decide to visit it, don’t forget to enjoy the tunnels in the sandstone under the castle.
22. Choustník
Feared even by the Hussites
Region: South Bohemia
Choustník was built at the end of the 13th century and it served as a prison during the Hussite wars. If there was one place the brave Hussites feared it was this castle which they never attacked. The castle is accessible on foot and you can admire some beautiful geological rock structures around it.
23. Trosky
Symbol of the Bohemian Paradise
Region: Liberec
Trosky (The Ruins) is one of the most famous castle ruins in Czechia. The castle was built in the 14th century on two basalt rocks called Baba (The Old Woman) and Panna (The Virgin) which you can see from almost all places in the Bohemian Paradise. You can follow one of the six touristic routes to reach Trosky.
24. Švihov
Region: Pilsen
This Gothic water castle comes from the 14th century. It underwent many changes in the course of the time and its systematic reconstruction started in 1950. It was chosen as a location for movies like the famous Czech fairy-tale Three Wishes for Cinderella (Tři oříšky pro Popelku, 1973) or the German movie Das Vermächtnis der Wanderhure (2012).
25. Střekov
Charmed even the great Goethe
Region: Ústí nad Labem
Střekov is a 14th century castle built on a trachyte rock at the side of the river Labe. In the 19th century it attracted artists like J. W. Goethe or Richard Wagner whom it inspired to write the opera Tannhäuser.
How did you like our list of castles in Bohemia? Have you been to any of these?
Also, don’t forget about the Moravian castles!
