A Day Trip to the Karlštejn castle in the magical countryside outside of Prague

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There is no better time to visit Prague than in the springtime when the city is waking up to blooming flowers and sunshine and the hordes of tourists are just beginning to arrive. The city becomes alive with outdoor restaurants, cafes and bars where you can sit and watch the world go by. The rain is tapering off and the unruly level of tourists (that most likely make summertime in Prague unbearable) is still at a manageable level.

We thoroughly enjoyed our four days in Prague, spending hours on foot exploring this spectacular city awash in history, culture and charm. I was mesmerized by the beauty of Prague with her immaculate architecture that has made this city one of the hottest tourist destinations in Europe. Little did I know, the Prague countryside is equally as lovely and magical as the crown jewel herself.

On a Saturday morning, we decided to hire a driver for the day and headed out to explore the glorious Prague countryside and see what the locals do in their spare time. It was a stunning May day with brilliant blue skies, a gentle breeze and not a sign of rain. We were grateful to have it after spending our first few days in Prague in the drizzling rain.

Prague, Czech Republic

Leaving Prague

Our driver was an amiable young man who filled us in on the history of Prague. He had an encyclopedia of knowledge and a wonderful car with a front to back sunroof that gave us a bird’s-eye view of the passing countryside.

After leaving the city, it wasn’t long until we reached the lush fertile countryside. We immediately came across brilliant yellow fields of flowering rapeseed which emitted a delicious, heavenly fragrance that filled the car. We learned that rapeseed is the main crop allowed by the EU in the Czech countryside and accounts for about 75% of cultivated fields. It is used to produce canola oil.

Rapeseed

I noticed the rapeseed immediately when we were landing into Prague as its brilliant yellow fields interspersed with the green grass looked like a giant quilt.

View of the rapeseed fields from the plane

Many locals were out riding their bikes along the rapeseed fields and enjoying the fantastic Saturday day. It would have been a lovely day for a picnic among the flowering fields.

In about an hour, we reached our destination for the afternoon, the tiny village of Karlstejn located about twenty kilometers southwest of Prague. We had planned to spend the day visiting the Karlštejn castle (Hrad Karlštejn), one of the most famous castles in the Czech Republic.

The Karlstejn Castle was built by the Czech king and Roman emperor Charles IV between 1348 and 1355 as a place to store the royal treasures, collections of holy relics and the crown jewels. It was impressively built on top of the hills overlooking the town below near left bank of river Berounka. To reach the castle, you must go on foot up the steep hillside blanketed in forest.

It is about a ten minute walk through the forest or else you can follow the long way up through the medieval village below the castle.

The views from the bell tower of the countryside below were astounding.

The castle itself did not disappoint. I will be dedicating an entire post to Hrad Karlštejn which Charles IV visited only six times! We were also there on a special day, Charles IV birthday.

As we headed back to Prague, our friendly driver made one more stop for us to see where the locals go on their weekends to enjoy the great outdoors. Malá a Velká America (Small and Big America) are two man-made lakes that were made from mining. Now it is a popular weekend destination for locals to escape the city to picnic, camp, hike and swim.

So this is what the locals do in their spare time! I can’t think of a better place to relax and be outdoors. If only we had more time.

Getting there:

Karlštejn castle (Hrad Karlštejn castle) is about 20 km outside of Prague. There are several tour companies that will take you there via bus. We hired our own driver from the hotel for $65 (4 hours). You can only see the castle via organized group tours which can be purchased at the window or online in advance (highly recommended to avoid the long lines). Visit the official website here for more details.

Malá a Velká America (Small and Big America) is only a short distance away from the castle.

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42 thoughts on “A Day Trip to the Karlštejn castle in the magical countryside outside of Prague”

  1. dwdirwin – Wife of Naggiar Vineyards winemaker Derek Irwin, mother to 4 active kids and one dog and newbie blogger!
    dwdirwin on said:

    Stunning pictures! I went to Prague a year or two after it was opened up to the West and it was a beautiful city (however it rained there) and it was summer. What gorgeous weather and a beautiful time of year to visit!

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks so much! I went for my first time in 1993 and hadn’t been back since then. It was so cool to see it again over 20 years later!

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Yes it was a little rainy but I just can’t imagine what it would be like there in the summer. There were already so many tourists at points you could hardly get through the streets!

      Reply ↓
  3. Ruth – Retired from Pittsburgh Public Schools Visual Art/photography teacher, photographer, knitter, reader, cook,baker, poet, filmmaker, Grandmother, traveler, Friend,
    Ruth on said:

    Magical and so colorful. Wow! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks Ruth! 😌

      Reply ↓

  4. Pingback: Spare (Cow) | What's (in) the picture?

    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thank you! So glad you enjoyed! 😊

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      You’re welcome Sally! Glad you enjoyed!

      Reply ↓
  7. Tina Schell – I am passionate about photography, love traveling and exploring new places and faces, and seeing the world from different perspectives. My lens is always on the lookout for something beautiful or interesting.
    Tina Schell on said:

    Lovely travelogue Nicole. We loved Prague and the countryside nearby but the rapeseed wasn’t in bloom while we were there. It’s one of my favorite things to shoot!

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks Tina! I was blown away by the rapeseed as I have never seen it before. Lovely!!!

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks Sue! It sure was lovely!

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks Janet!

      Reply ↓
  10. Alison and Don – Occupation: being/living/experiencing/travelling. In our sixties, with apparently no other authentic option, my husband Don and I sold our apartment and car, sold or gave away all our stuff and set off to discover the world. And ourselves. We started in Italy in 2011 and from there have travelled to Spain, India, Bali, Australia, New Zealand, SE Asia, South America, Egypt, Japan, etc. - you can see the blog archive. We travelled full-time for nearly six years, and then re-established a home in Vancouver. We now travel 2-3 months per year. We are interested in how the world works, how life works, how the creation of experience works, how the mind works. As we travel and both "choose" our course, and at the same time just let it unfold, we discover the "mechanics" of life, the astounding creativity of life, and a continual need to return to trust and presence. Opening the heart, and acceptance of what is, as it is, are keystones for us both. Interests: In no particular order: travel, photography, figure skating (as a fan), acceptance, authenticity, walking/hiking, joy, creativity, being human, adventure, presence, NOW. Same for Don except replace figure skating with Formula One motor racing.
    Alison and Don on said:

    What a beautiful place – all of it. Lovely photographs Nicole.
    Alison

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks Alison!

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks Tammi!

      Reply ↓
  12. lexklein – I’m a restless, world-wandering, language-loving, book-devouring traveler trying to straddle the threshold between a traditional, stable family life and a free-spirited, irresistible urge to roam. Even when I was young, I always wanted to be somewhere else. I was the kid who loved camp, vacations, sleepovers, and all forms of transportation. Did my restlessness spring from a love of languages and other cultures? From a fiction fixation and all the places I’ve visited on the pages of a globeful of authors? I think it’s more primordial, though, an innate itch that demands scratching at regular intervals. I’m sure I won’t have a travel story every time I add to this blog, but I’ve got a lot! I’m a pretty happy camper (literally), but there is some angst as well as excitement in always having one foot out the door. Come along for the trip as I take the second step …
    lexklein on said:

    The fields are beautiful! That yellow just screams ‘Europe in summer’ to me; there’s something about the light and the crops that doesn’t exist outside of that part of the world.

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks Lexi! They were amazing and smelled so incredible! Yes I don’t believe I have ever seen anything like it here.

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thank you so much!!

      Reply ↓
  14. Miriam – Australia – I’m a wonder lusting woman, a musician, a freelance travel writer and magazine columnist. Utterly passionate about travel and life and turning the ordinary moments into the extraordinary. My motto is “just do it”.
    Miriam on said:

    Looks absolutely gorgeous. Every time I look at your photos Nicole I get an urge to travel there. 🙂

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Oh thank you Miriam! Hope you are doing well! 😊

      Reply ↓
      • Miriam – Australia – I’m a wonder lusting woman, a musician, a freelance travel writer and magazine columnist. Utterly passionate about travel and life and turning the ordinary moments into the extraordinary. My motto is “just do it”.
        Miriam on said:

        Thanks Nicole, I am! Could just use a holiday in a nice warm climate, that’s all! Hope you are too. 🙂

      • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
        thirdeyemom on said:

        Yes our summer has finally arrived Miriam after months of cold.

      • Miriam – Australia – I’m a wonder lusting woman, a musician, a freelance travel writer and magazine columnist. Utterly passionate about travel and life and turning the ordinary moments into the extraordinary. My motto is “just do it”.
        Miriam on said:

        How lovely … enjoy.

    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Great! Where are you now Lisa? 😊 looking forward to an update!

      Reply ↓

      • Ahoy from the Whitsundays Nicole. We arrived here safely in spite of a few engine problems. All sorted now. Going to do a bit of island hopping here for a few days while waiting for spare parts, and then heading out for more snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef. Life is good!

      • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
        thirdeyemom on said:

        Wonderful Lisa! Just read your post. I just love following you so much. Your photography has truly blossomed by the way. It is amazing. I am envious about the GBR! I loved it so much. Yes life is very good. Enjoy!!!

      • Thank you so much for your very kind words about my photography Nicole. I feel like I’ve been struggling a bit with the nature shots, so your feedback is especially encouraging now. We’ve secured our spare parts and new underwater camera and are headed back to the GBR tomorrow. I hear that there has been extensive coral bleaching north of there which is very sad.

      • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
        thirdeyemom on said:

        You have extraordinary photos Lisa!

  16. restlessjo – Hi! I’m Jo! Johanna when I’m feeling posh, Jan to my Dad, and Joasiu to my Polish family. A bit of a mix-up, that’s me. The one constant, however, is my restless nature. I love to travel and to explore our world. It doesn’t have to be the big wide world. I can be ridiculously happy not too far from home, so long as I’m seeking new horizons. Of course I have a wish list, and it was to help me fulfil my dreams that I started to write travel guides for a venture called Simonseeks. I’d always kept a travel diary, and it was hugely satisfying to share my experiences and to make new friends who shared my passion for travel. Alas, Simonseeks hit a few troubles, but I still find myself writing about my travels. I’ve become addicted. I’d love to share them, and to make more friends. So, it has to be a blog- right? Or do I mean- write?
    restlessjo on said:

    The setting for the castle is wonderful, isn’t it? 🙂 The rapeseed fields are all too familiar, as we have lots here too.

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Oh that is wonderful Jo! I had never seen the rapeseed fields before! This was the first time. They smell so nice!

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thank you! 🙂

      Reply ↓
  18. Cynthia – Just an ordinary girl, serving an extraordinary God, and doing her best to live a sweet & simple life! Blogger - Adventurer - Dreamer - Lover of fresh air, sunshine, fresh cut flowers, and wide open spaces.
    Cynthia Zander on said:

    All of these pictures are beautiful! It looks like an amazing place to visit!

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thank you! I love Prague. It is really quite spectacular.

      Reply ↓

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