7 tips for a scenic drive through the castles and forests of South Bohemia

Hop in the car through the long weekend and explore the nature and history of the charmed southern Czech region.

Julie O'Shea

Written by Julie O'Shea Published on 16.11.2023 17:01:00 (updated on 22.11.2023) Reading time: 4 minutes

Travel
Photo via Unsplash by Nick Night
Photo via Unsplash by Nick Night

in cooperation with

ExxonMobil Partnership

There is no better way to enjoy the lovely fall colors than on a road trip through South Bohemia, which boasts some of the most stunning natural sceneries in all of Czechia. 

We’ve plotted an ambitious seven-day itinerary that hits many of the country’s beloved landmarks – some of which are quite challenging to reach without a car – as well as a few overlooked gems that every local should have on their bucket list.

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Collage using photos from iStock/Lumir Pecold, Sanga Park, CCat82, Castka, narvikk, VOC Znojmo

Adventure travel: Take a scenic seven-day road trip through Czechia

DAY 1: PRAGUE TO PÍSEK VIA ZVÍKOV CASTLE (108 km)

Drive time: 1 hour 34 minutes

  • Our adventure begins with a visit to the “King of Czech Castles,” before settling in for a night in Písek, a storied medieval town with a historic, well-preserved center.
  • Pit stop: About 20 km north of Písek on a steep promontory where the Vltava and Otava rivers meet is the sprawling 13th-century Zvíkov Castle, which is rumored to be haunted by a demonic imp from Slavic folklore called Zvíkovský Rarášek.
  • Don’t miss: Stone Bridge, one of Písek’s biggest attractions, is not only the oldest gothic bridge in the country, but it’s one of the rarest medieval bridges in all of Central Europe, dating back to the early part of the 13th century.
Zvíkov Castle. Wikimedia commons, public domain.
Zvíkov Castle. Wikimedia commons, public domain.

DAY 2: PÍSEK TO JINDŘICHŮV HRADEC VIA ČERVENÁ LHOTA (100 KM)

Drive time: 1 hour 37 minutes

  • We’ll be stopping to check out another famous Czech castle on today’s journey to Jindřichův Hradec, which acts as a gateway to the Czech Canada Nature Park.
  • Pit stop: The Červená Lhota Castle sits on an island in the middle of a lake and exudes a certain fairytale element that must be seen to be truly appreciated. The Renaissance castle with its distinct red coloring can be reached by a stone footbridge, which connects to a park where the Chapel of the Holy Trinity is located.
  • Don’t miss: The Jindřichův Hradec Museum’s mechanical nativity scene, listed in the Guinness Book of Records as being the biggest in the world, took its creator, Tomáš Krýza, more than 60 years to complete.
Červená Lhota. Photo via Canva by Artush
Červená Lhota. Photo via Canva by Artush

DAY 3: JINDŘICHŮV HRADEC TO ČESKÉ BUDĚJOVICE VIA HLUBOKÁ CASTLE (67 KM)

Drive time: 1 hour

  • It’s time to head to the capital of South Bohemia today – České Budějovice – home to the original Budweiser factory. On the way, make sure to pull over for a glimpse of Hluboká Castle.
  • Pit stop: Considered one of the most beautiful former royal residences in the Czech lands, the grandeur of Hluboká Castle, whose 13th-century design was based on England’s Windsor Castle, is awe-inspiring.
  • Don’t miss: You can’t visit České Budějovice without enjoying a pint of two of its revered lager while touring the Budějovický Budvar, which opened in 1895. The city’s beer brewing is legendary, and there is no shortage of micropubs to choose from around Old Town during your overnight stay.
Hluboká / Photo via Canva by Artush
Hluboká / Photo via Canva by Artush

DAY 4: ČESKÉ BUDĚJOVICE TO ŠUMAVA NATIONAL PARK (125 KM)

Drive time: 2 hour 8 minutes

  • No road trip through the Czech south region would be complete without swinging by Šumava National Park, a hiker’s year-round paradise. But first, a worthwhile detour to Nové Hrady.
  • Pit stop: Located on the Czech-Austrian border, the quaint town of Nové Hrady looks like a picture postcard, with several cultural landmarks to investigate, including the Nové Hrady Castle.
  • Don’t miss: Explore the many different hiking trails and cycle paths that Šumava – the biggest national park in the country – has on offer. If you are on a tight schedule, a leisure drive through the “Green Roof of Europe” will delight you with some breathtaking landscapes.
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DAY 5: ŠUMAVA TO LIPNO NAD VLTAVOU VIA HOLAŠOVICE (105 KM)

Drive time: 1 hour 44 minutes

  • Today’s destination is Lipno, a massive artificial dam reservoir situated in the Šumava countryside. It would be a mistake to consider the “Czech Sea” as simply a summertime hotspot, as there is so much to explore in the area by land as well as from the treetops year-round.
  • Pit stop: Many dainty villages dot the South Bohemian region, including charming Holašovice – its Folk Baroque architecture securing its spot on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
  • Don’t miss: Lipno’s unique 675-meter-long treetop walkway has been wowing visitors with panoramic views of the lake for more than a decade. The path ends at the top of an observation tower, where you can take a 52-meter-long toboggan run back to the bottom.
Holašovice / Photo via iStock by santirf
Holašovice / Photo via iStock by santirf

DAY 6: LIPNO NAD VLTAVOU TO SLAVONICE VIA ČESKÝ RUDOLEC (136 KM)

Drive time: 2 hours 28 minutes

  • Next up: Slavonice. A former artists colony that was painstakingly restored to its former glory following WWII, this lovely Renaissance town is worth the long-haul drive along Route 154.
  • Pit stop: Just outside of Slavonice is the small settlement of Český Rudolec where a herd of bison roam. Get close and personal with these majestic beasts before grabbing lunch at the Bison Ranch. Make sure to order a pint of Bizon beer!
  • Don’t miss: Slavonice’s stunning main square – Náměstí Míru – is lined with intricately decorated houses, arcades, and gables, where you can grab lunch or after-dinner drinks. Its most prominent feature is the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Climb the 176 steps of the 13th-century belfry for a stunning overview of the town.
Náměstí Míru in Slavonice. Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Aktron.
Náměstí Míru in Slavonice. Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Aktron.

DAY 7: SLAVONICE TO PRAGUE (170 KM)

Drive time: 2 hours 25 minutes

  • Enjoy an early lunch at Besídka, just off Slavonice’s main square, where many rave about the pizza menu, before hitting the motorway northwards back to Prague along Route 3.  
  • Don’t miss: Memorialize your South Bohemian road trip with some original ceramic souvenirs from the famed Keramika Maříž, where you can also grab light refreshments.

This article was written in association with ExxonMobil. See our partner content policies here.

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