Where to Stay in Cesky Krumlov [Best Places to Stay for 2024]
While the capital of Prague offers nightlife, landmarks and an endless list of attractions and activities, those seeking a more relaxing trip would be better off basing themselves in a smaller city.
The South Bohemian city of Cesky Krumlov in the southwest of the Czech Republic close to the Austrian and German borders is a fantastic choice.
There are lots of cool neighbourhoods so figuring out where to stay in Cesky Krumlov will be straightforward with this guide.
Cesky Krumlov is an incredibly small city with a population of only around 13,000 residents. However, there are so many historic sites in the Old Town like the Cesky Krumlov Castle, that are worth visiting.
Due to the city’s small size, most of the top landmarks and restaurants are within walking distance of each other.
It doesn’t matter too much where you book accommodation in Cesky Krumlov as you will be able to travel to other parts of the city easily. However, there are some Cesky Krumlov neighbourhoods that suit some travel styles more than others.
❤️ Best Area first timers | Cesky Krumlov City Centre |
💸 Best Luxury Hotel | Bellevue Hotel Diamond Suites |
👪 Best Hotel for For Families | Konekt Apartment |
🏨 Best Mid-Range Hotel | Villa Celnice |
🛏️ Best Budget Hotel | Villa Gall Apartmán Viktoria |
✨ Best Hostel | Hostel 99 |
Luckily, the Czech Republic is generally a more affordable place to visit for western travellers than many other places so it should suit most budgets too!
This guide on where to stay in Cesky Krumlov will include the best hostels, apartments, and the best hotels in Czecky Krumlov Czech Republic.
It lists the best places to stay for first-time visitors, couples, families, and those travelling on a budget as well as the neighbourhoods to avoid. This guide will break down each of the main neighbourhoods so you know where to go and have the best trip possible!
Plan your trip
Save on fees abroad with the Wise Card—use it at ATMs, restaurants, and for flights or hotels in over 150 countries. Manage 40+ currencies in real-time with the Wise app.
Need Help Planning?
- Cheap Flights: Find the best deals.
- Accommodation: From hostels to luxury stays.
- Car Rental: Affordable options worldwide.
- Sightseeing Tours: Explore without breaking the bank.
- Travel Adapter: One adapter for all your needs.
- Travel Insurance: Don’t risk it—stay covered.
This post includes affiliate links. Read my full disclosure and content policy.
Cesky Krumlov City Centre (Horní Brána) – Where To Stay in Cesky Krumlov for First-Timers
One of the best places you could stay in Cesky Krumlov, with some of the best hotels in Cesky Krumlov, is the city centre also known as the Horni Brana district.
This neighbourhood is on the eastern banks of the Vitava River and makes up part of the historic centre along with Latran.
It’s the perfect place for first-time visitors in Cesky Krumlov for several reasons. First, it’s only 2.6 km south (a 6-minute taxi ride) of the train station so it’s very easy to reach.
It’s central so that all of the top attractions and landmarks in the Old Town like the castle, Church of St. Vitus, and the Moldavite Museum are within walking distance.
Plus, if you stay in one of the Cesky Krumlov hotels on this side of the river, you get phenomenal views of the iconic landmarks on the other side of the river. Top tip!
There are plenty of hotels, guesthouses and apartments in Horni Brana to suit all travel styles, though they are mostly upmarket guesthouses. You won’t find many accommodation options for the equivalent of under €50 a night here!
Best places to stay in Cesky Krumlov City Centre
Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Cesky Krumlov City Centre
Budget accommodation in Cesky Krumlov City Centre
Mid range accommodation in Cesky Krumlov City Centre
Family Friendly accommodation in Cesky Krumlov City Centre
Affordable Luxury accommodation in Cesky Krumlov City Centre
Latrán – Best Neighbourhood in Český Krumlov for Couples
Just west across the river from Horni Brana is Latran, the other neighbourhood that comprises Cesky Krumlov’s Old Town.
This is where you’ll find most of the city’s landmarks like the 14th-century Kláštery Český Krumlov heritage museum, the Český Krumlov Castle Tower and the Monastery of the Minorites.
There are also lots of beautiful bridges connecting this neighbourhood to the Horni Brana neighbourhood in the east.
This is a fantastic place to stay in Cesky Krumlov if you’re travelling as a couple. It’s the liveliest part of the city with lots of top restaurants and local bars which might be too noisy for families but ideal for young couples who love nightlife.
Most of the hotels and guesthouses in Latran are a little bit pricer than in other parts of the city but you probably won’t mind splashing a bit more cash if you’re enjoying a romantic weekend away.
Best places to stay in Latran
Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Latran
Budget accommodation in Latran
Mid range accommodation in Latran
Family Friendly accommodation in Latran
Affordable Luxury accommodation in Latran
Domoradice – Where To Stay in Cesky Krumlov With a Car
Are you driving around the Czech Republic or to lots of places in Central Europe and will have a car during your trip to Cesky Krumlov?
Domoradice is probably a more ideal place for you to stay. Many roads in the historic Old Town are pedestrianised and a lot of the hotels and guesthouses there do not offer free parking or even any nearby parking for that matter.
Domoradice, on the other hand, is ideally located right on the main 39 highway that travels through Cesky Krumlov.
There are lots of amenities here like petrol stations and grocery stores but also a surprising number of accommodation options. Most are short-term rental apartments and guesthouses so you’ll be able to see a more local side of Cesky Krumlov.
Best places to stay in Domoradice
Budget accommodation in Domoradice
Mid range accommodation in Domoradice
Family Friendly accommodation in Domoradice
Nádražní Předměstí – Best Area in Cesky Krumlov to Stay Near the Train Station
If you’re not travelling by car and your train is either getting into Cesky Krumlov late in the evening or leaving early in the morning, it’s better to stay close to the train station. The best neighbourhood nearby is Nádražní Předměstí.
Cesky Krumlov Station is in the north of the city which is around a 30-minute walk from the Historic Old Town.
You don’t want to face that journey in the wee hours or after an entire day of travelling! Yes, you could order a taxi but if you’re a solo traveller you might not feel safe doing so and you might not want to navigate finding one if you’re new to the city.
Luckily, Nádražní Předměstí has lots of accommodation options as well as restaurant and bar options like Bistro U slepé Koleje and Restaurace Vyšehrad.
It has its own little river (the Nádražní Potok) too. Like Domoradice, most of the best places to stay here are short-term rental apartments and guesthouses.
Best places to stay in Nádražní Předměstí
Budget accommodation in Nádražní Předměstí
Mid range accommodation in Nádražní Předměstí
Family Friendly accommodation in Nádražní Předměstí
Nové Dobrkovice – Where To Stay in Ceskty Krumlov for Nature Lovers
Located west of Latran down the main highway, Nové Dobrkovice is around 2 km from the historic centre. It sits on the banks of the Polecnice River and it’s a fairly residential area.
It sits just south of a sprawling park called Vyšenské Kopce. This is a generously-sized green space with acres of fields, woodland, hiking paths, flora and fauna.
If you love getting outdoors and can’t be stuck wandering through cities for too long, Nové Dobrkovice is the best neighbourhood for nature lovers.
It has the best of both worlds, plus, there are beautiful views of the city and beyond from some areas of the park.
Guesthouses, short-term rental apartments and cosy cottages on the land of locals seem to be popular accommodation options here.
Best places to stay in Nové Dobrkovice
Budget accommodation in Nové Dobrkovice
Mid range accommodation in Nové Dobrkovice
Family Friendly accommodation in Nové Dobrkovice
Staré Dobrkovice – Best Off the Beaten Path Neighbourhood in Cesky Krumlov
Literally, just next door to Nové Dobrkovice to the west is Staré Dobrkovice. It is also a compact neighbourhood on the main 39 highway and is also around a 30-minute walk from Cesky Krumlov’s historic centre.
It’s also within close proximity to Vyšenské Kopce park but it’s also within walking distance of the Dobrkovická cave archaeological site and multiple rivers.
All this to say, Staré Dobrkovice has a lot of cool quirks and it’s a fantastic place to stay off the beaten path in Cesky Krumlov! You’ll also find no shortage of cool authentic guesthouses in this neighbourhood.
Best places to stay in Staré Dobrkovice
Mid range accommodation in Staré Dobrkovice
Family Friendly accommodation in Staré Dobrkovice
Plešivec – Where To Stay in Cesky Krumlov With Family
Heading slightly south of Cesky Krumlov’s historic centre is where you’ll find the Plešivec neighbourhood.
It’s just below Horni Brana (but it spans both sides of the river) so it’s within walking distance of the historic centre but is slightly quieter. This is why it’s perfect if you’re looking for where to stay in Cesky Krumlov with family and young kids.
You can find schools and libraries in this neighbourhood so you know it’s more child-friendly. There are lots of small neighbourhood parks and grocery stores just in case your children are picky eaters.
There are tons of accommodation options here so no matter whether you prefer to stay in hotels or spread out in an apartment, you will find what you’re looking for in Plesivec.
Best places to stay in Plesivec
Budget accommodation in Plesivec
Mid range accommodation in Plesivec
Family Friendly accommodation in Plesivec
Nové Spolí – Where To Stay in Cesky Krumlov On a Budget
The nest neighbourhood south down the river after Plesivec is Nove Spoli. It’s around 2.6 km away from the historic centre (around a 30-minute walk) which is doable if you’re willing to save the money!
This neighbourhood is so picturesque on the outskirts of the city that you’ll find lots of campgrounds and budget motels here, as well as short-term rental apartments That’s why it’s the best place to stay in the city on a budget!
It might make more sense to stay in the Nádražní Předměstí district if you aren’t driving and are travelling in and out of Cesky Krumlov by train.
If you are driving and want to save some pennies, this is the best spot. There are lots of cool hikes here, including one to the Abandoned industrial tower here.
Best places to stay in Nove Spoli
Budget accommodation in Nove Spoli
Mid range accommodation in Nove Spoli
Family Friendly accommodation in Nove Spoli
Added Extra: Areas to Avoid in Cesky Krumlov
In general, Cesky Krumlov is a very safe city and crime rates over the last few years continue to fall. There is no specific neighbourhood or part of the city that you should avoid going to or staying in because it’s too dangerous.
In fact, Cesky Krumlov and other smaller Czech cities are far likelier to be safer than capitals and bigger cities for tourists. There are far fewer pickpockets and travel scams.
Some of the neighbourhoods in Cesky Krumlov that you should avoid for other reasons include Vysny (a city in the north of the city), and Slupenec and Drahoslavice to the south. All three of these neighbourhoods are just too far away from the Historic Old Town.
While you can order taxis, there aren’t any good public transport options between these neighbourhoods and Cesky Krumlov’s city centre.
You’ll be spending more time walking into the city than you would be exploring it! They are also extremely quiet, more residential neighbourhoods with not a lot of buzz.
FAQs for Where To Stay in Cesky Krumlov
Is it Worth Staying in Cesky Krumlov?
In a word, yes! It is 100% worth staying in Cesky Krumlov! The South Bohemia region, in general, is an up-and-coming destination with lots to offer all types of travellers. Don’t just pop in for a day trip and miss the city coming alive at night.
It’s an incredibly picturesque, historic city and the perfect place to escape the tourist crowds that flock to the Czech capital of Prague or spa towns like Karlovy Vary. There are lots of fantastic accommodation options and if you like a good view or historic hotels, Cesky Krumlov can deliver.
How Many Days Do You Need in Cesky Krumlov?
Cesky Krumlov is a very small city with only around 13,000 residents. While there are lots of historic buildings in the Old Town like the castle, you will only need one or two full days to explore Cesky Krumlov.
It’s an ideal place to add to a European interrailing trip as it’s in the middle of Krakow in Poland and Munich in Germany.
It’s also directly between Vienna in Austria and Frankfurt in Germany. Stopping off for one or two days in Cesky Krumlov in between long journeys like these is ideal.
Is Cesky Krumlov Touristy?
Despite being 175 km south of Prague which takes two and a half hours to drive, it’s still a popular day trip. You might find that Cesky Krumlov gets an influx of tourists from mid-morning until dinner due to all the day trippers.
That being said, it’s not completely overrun with tourists like other picturesque cities in France or Germany are. Due to Cesky Krumlov being in the Czech Republic, it’s slightly more obscure and therefore slightly less popular with tourists.
This is also another reason why you should find where to stay in Cesky Krumlov rather than travelling in and out on a quick day trip. Cesky Krumlov is much quieter and feels more authentic and local at night. If you stay in Cesky Krumlov, you will get to experience a less-touristed side of it!
What Is Cesky Krumlov Known For?
Cesky Krumlov is known for being an incredibly well-preserved medieval city. Many of its buildings date back to the 14th century and little about the city’s skyline has changed since then.
Cesky Krumlov also straddles the River Vltava with a magnificent horseshoe bend that looks simply stunning in photographs.
Cesky Krumlov’s castle is a beautiful blend of Renaissance and Baroque architectural styles and, due to its position perched on top of a hill, many think it resembles the castles seen in Disney movies.
This has naturally made it a popular city amongst people who love visiting gorgeous and unique European cities.