Castles and châteaux do not have to be visited only in the summer. They are magical also in the winter. The basic tour of the State Castle Karlštejn, not far from Prague, is open almost all year long. To feel the historical atmosphere intensified by the cool weather, without crowds of tourists, is usually a powerful experience.

Opening hours in the winter season

Only few castles in the Czech Republic are open to public in winter, and Karlštejn is one of them. After the busy advent December, the castle had a break in January, but it is open since 1 February again: from Friday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. In March, the castle will be open also on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, all days from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Interior guided tours

In winter, it is possible to take the nearly an hour-long basic tour called ‘The Private and Representative Rooms of Emperor Charles IV’. Take a look into the interior of the two floors of the Imperial Palace and the first floor of the Marian Tower. You will also see the Knights Hall with St. Nicholas Chapel, the Courtiers Hall, the Banquet Hall, the Karlštejn Castle Treasury, and even the Emperor´s Bedchamber with St. Wenceslas Chapel.

How to book a tour at Karlštejn

For more than 10 people (the maximum number of people in a group is 55), book the tour on the phone number +420 311681617 or via e-mail rezervace.karlstejn@npu.cz. Reservations that are not picked up at the cash desk 15 minutes before the arranged time will expire. Individuals do not need a reservation. The tours take place for at least five participants. If the number of visitors is smaller, the guide waits until the time of the following tour that takes places for any amount of listeners.

Entrance fee to the winter Karlštejn

The outdoor premises of Karlštejn Castle are freely accessible during the opening hours. Dogs are allowed on the courtyard on a leash but they cannot join the tour. The price for a guided tour in winter is CZK 210, the reduced price is CZK 150, and children up to 6 years of age can come for free. It is possible to buy the tickets online or directly at the castle cash desk.

How to get there

Karlštejn Castle is situated above the town of the same name about 40km to the southwest of Prague. If you come by car, you can park only in the central parking which is 15-minute walking distance to the castle gate. If you park outside of the marked parking lot, you risk a fine CZK 2,000! Trains from Prague or Beroun to Karlštejn leave every half an hour. Then you cross the Berounka River and go through the town up to the castle.