History
Karlštejn Castle
Hrad Karlštejn
- Book
- Seasonal · Apr–Oct
- ≈1 h 45 min here
Founded by Charles IV in 1348 to guard the imperial regalia and holy relics. The Chapel of the Holy Cross is inlaid with semi-precious stones and 129 panel paintings.
- Region
- Central Bohemian Region
- Category
- History
- Est.
- 1348
- Coordinates
- 49.9392° N · 14.1882° E
Good to know
Guided tours only and the best route sells out weeks ahead – book online. Closed Mondays, with a shorter winter season.
A rough guide to seasons and booking, not live opening hours – those are on the map listings above.
Quick answers
- Do you need to book a visit to Karlštejn Castle?
- Yes. Visits run at set times or need a reservation, so book ahead – especially at weekends and in summer.
- When can you visit Karlštejn Castle?
- It's seasonal: plan your visit between April and October.
- How much time do you need at Karlštejn Castle?
- Allow about 1 h 45 min on site, plus travel.
- How far is Karlštejn Castle from Prague?
- About 40 min by car from Prague (31 km), without traffic.
- What else is near Karlštejn Castle?
- Nearby on Pinsko: Velká Amerika Quarry, 2 km; Svatý Jan pod Skalou, 5 km and Koněprusy Caves, 9 km (straight-line distances).