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The age-old 'castle side trip' question

Posted by (Canada) on

I realize a similar version of this question has been asked many times, but I am considering a castle side trip from Prague during my week there in September 2025. Of the usual three (Karlštejn, Konopiště, and Křivoklát) I've ruled out Konopiště right off the bat. I understand the historical significance of it but I'm not sure how thrilled I would be with all the taxidermy.

So, essentially I'm debating between:

  • Karlštejn is probably the classic castle day trip from Prague, but I get the impression the immediate surroundings having become a bit of kitschy tourist trap as of late. Also, the interior is apparently nothing special according to Rick.
  • Křivoklát, on the other hand, seems to be touted as a less touristy alternative to Karlštejn. I love big cities but given how busy Prague can get in September, I'm thinking even I might need a break from the tourist hordes.

With a week in Prague, I could technically do both; though I have two other day trips planned (Kutná Hora and Terezín) so I would rather choose only one castle. I'm leaning toward Křivoklát but if anyone here has been to both, I would appreciate your insight.

Posted by
452 posts

I can see the dilemma but I would not dismiss Konopiste so early. It has the history and so long as you avoid (or not spend too much time in) what they call the "hunting corridor" then you'll avoid most of the taxidermy. There are also lovely gardens and it's a 30 minute trip from Prague which makes it a half-day tour. If you are restricting yourself to the other two then a note about Krivoklat. It is less touristy but the drawback there is that there are few organised tours that go there and if they do it's normally combined with something else like a glass factory etc. If you just turn up to the castle you'll find many internal parts are not accessible unless you do one of their castle tours and they don't offer much in the way of English options because....it's not touristy.

Posted by
20827 posts

Karlštejn is probably the classic castle day trip from Prague, but I
get the impression the immediate surroundings having become a bit of
kitschy tourist trap as of late. Also, the interior is apparently
nothing special according to Rick.

I visited some years back and enjoyed it. The coutnryside was pretty nice on the way down and in the immediate area. But now that I know Rick says not to go .................................

As for the intereior, this is basically a 16th century castle so for the most part its going to be without a lot of ornamentation with a few stunning exceptions like: https://www.hrad-karlstejn.cz/pamatky/karlstejn/fotogalerie/interiery/2-okruh/p2260027.jpg .

Posted by
40 posts

@Jason - That was part of the appeal of Křivoklát to me. I usually do not hire guides in such places anyway (if I'm given the option). So, taking the train myself, joining a Czech tour and following along on my own in a book or from an English translation of the tour would suit me just fine. Also might be a good opportunity for me to practice pronouncing that elusive Czech Ř!

Good to know about Konopiště that the taxidermy is easier to avoid than I had thought. I had been a bit dismissive of it originally but if I don't end up doing Křivoklát, then I may reconsider Konopiště over Karlštejn.

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