Karlštejn Castle

Karlštejn Castle (hrad Karlštejn) in the town of the same name is a massive mediaeval castle not far from Prague. Karlštejn Castle is a favourite destination for visitors visiting Prague, and a day trip there is a great way to spend the day. Charles IV of Bohemia, who was also Holy Roman Emperor, established it in 1348. When construction on the castle was completed in 1365, King Charles IV moved the crown jewels and other sacred artefacts there for safekeeping. The same king is honoured as the namesake of Prague’s iconic Charles Bridge.

Karlštejn Castle was finished in 1365 and stands out from the crowd not just for its stunning décor but also for its unique tiered layout that gives each section of the castle its due importance. The settlement outside the castle walls, including the Burgrave’s Palace and its original design well, is located at the base of the castle, followed by the two-story Imperial Palace housing the bedrooms of the king, his court, and noblewomen, the smaller Marian Tower housing chapels, and finally the towering Great Tower housing the Czech royal treasures.

Visiting tips

There are two tours available that will take you inside the castle. The first tour of the Imperial Palace lasts for 55 minutes and includes visits to the Chapel of St. Nicholas, the Royal Bedroom, the Audience Hall, and the Hall of Knights.

Tour 2, which lasts 70 minutes, includes visits to the Holy Rood Chapel, which is renowned for the over 2,000 precious and semiprecious inlaid stones gracing its walls, the Chapel of St. Catherine, which served as Charles IV’s personal oratory, the Church of Our Lady, and the library.

Tour 2 includes a stop at the Holy Rood Chapel, which requires advance reservations due to limited daily capacity (only 16 visitors per tour); book online through the official castle website, hrad-karlstejn.cz.

Prices for 2026: Tour 1 (Imperial Residence) costs around CZK 300 for adults and takes 55 minutes; children under 6 go free. Tour 2 (Castle Chapels, including the Chapel of the Holy Cross) costs around CZK 640 for adults, a significant increase from previous years given its restricted capacity; book well in advance, especially in summer. The castle is closed on Mondays year-round. Opening hours vary considerably by month, generally running roughly 9am to 5pm from April through September, with shorter hours and fewer visiting days in the off season (November to March); always check the official website for the current month’s exact hours before travelling.

How to get there?

Karlštejn Castle is conveniently located approximately 30 kilometres (19 miles) from Prague’s city centre. The trip from Praha-Smíchov station to the town of Karlštejn takes around 40 minutes, and trains depart frequently. Upon arriving, the path to the castle is obvious. If you’re unsure of where to go, just follow the crowds of other travellers. The castle’s hilltop location necessitates an ascent in elevation to reach it. If you’d rather not walk, you may always hail a cab or hire a horse-drawn carriage.