Hluboká Castle is one of the most visited castles in the Czech Republic and a popular day trip from Prague, often taken together with České Budějovice and Český Krumlov. The castle is famous for being built in a style that resembles Windsor Castle in England. It is also known for having a huge English style park and beautiful gardens immediately surrounding the castle. It is a popular wedding site.
Hluboká Castle Location and Directions
The castle is situated on a hill, overlooking the river Vltava (the same river as in Prague by the way) and the centre of Hluboká nad Vltavou, a small town 10 km north of České Budějovice. It is a short walk from the centre, although a bit uphill. You can see the map below.
Hluboká Castle Bus Stop
If you arrive by regular bus from České Budějovice or Prague, you will get off the bus at “Pod Kostelem” bus stop, which is situated near the intersection of Nad Parkovištěm and Tyršova streets. Here you can find detailed information about the bus from České Budějovice to Hluboká.
Parking
If you arrive by car, the main parking place is situated in Nad Parkovištěm street (the street name means “above the parking place”), within 200 metres from the bus stop. It is not permitted to go by car inside the castle park and up to the castle (except for weddings).
Walking to the Castle
The walk from the bus stop / parking to the castle is fairly obvious and well signed. Turn up to Zborovská street and continue up. After about 3 minutes you will see a church (Kostel Sv. Jana Nepomuckého – the Church of St. John of Nepomuk) and you will cross the main street (Masarykova). Continue up.
A few steps after crossing Masarykova, the street divides in two and the one to take is to the right – Bezručova. Soon you will see a wall that looks like part of the castle’s fortifications on the right side of the path. Once you get above the trees, there will be some nice views of the town, the ponds and nearby countryside.
After a few minutes you will pass a hotel that looks a bit like a small castle itself (Hotel Štekl) and you will enter the castle’s gardens. The castle will appear in front of you in all its beauty.
Other Things to Do in Hluboká
Besides the castle, the town of Hluboká nad Vltavou offer a wide variety of attractions. It has a small, but very nice zoo, which is situated on the shore of a nearby pond. It is quite far from the town centre – about 30 minutes’ walk, but the walk is very pleasant, along two ponds and with nice views of the castle and surroundings.
Hluboká is also a renowned sport and wellness destination. It has a golf course, large tennis grounds, outdoor swimming pool and good cycling and inline skating routes along the river on both sides, which you can use to get all the way to České Budějovice.
The entire region is also famous for fishing (that’s what all those ponds are for) and there are several good fish restaurants in Hluboká.
In sum, while most foreign tourists visit Hluboká as a day trip from Prague, spending a night or two might be a welcome change of pace if you have the time.
Hotels near Hluboká Castle
Here are detailed guides to the best places to stay in Hluboká and in České Budějovice.