With its snow white facade, intricate design details and immaculate gardens, Hluboká Castle is considered one of the most impressive Czech Republic castles. And it’s one that might look awfully familiar: it turns out this beauty was modelled after England’s royal residence, Windsor Castle, which makes a trip here the next best thing to visiting Queen Liz herself.
Hluboká nad Vltavou Castle
The palatial palace (Zámek Hluboká) is found near the storybook town of Hluboká nad Vltavou near České Budějovice in South Bohemia, which makes a great pit stop if you’re driving between Český Krumlov and Prague.
First built in the 13th century as a military fortification overlooking the Vltava River, it’s been transformed throughout the years as it changed hands, including a stint with the noble Schwarzenberg family whose diplomatic trips to Great Britain inspired the current design. The chateau saw Baroque and Romantic updates in the 18th and 19th centuries, and is now a National Monument open to the public.
Visiting Hluboka Castle
As one of the most opulent places to visit in Czech Republic, Hluboká Castle has plenty of attractions both inside and out to wow visitors. You can easily spend a couple of hours wandering around the expansive grounds, where rows of manicured hedges frame the rose bushes, lush foliage and pathways leading up to the grand front gate.
There are incredible vantage points from all different angles, so be sure to do a full loop around the castle to admire the gold-gilded pillars, labyrinthine wrought-iron staircases, lion statues and towering turrets.
Visitors can also wander through the courtyard, keeping an eye out for beautiful design details like amber lanterns, crosses carved into the stone, and deer antlers jutting out of the walls. There’s also a chapel, art gallery and tea room, which is a serene spot to enjoy a quick break before heading inside.
The elegant interiors are dressed with masterpieces dating back as far as the 16th century, woodcarvings, rich tapestries, dazzling chandeliers and portraits of Schwarzenberg family members. You can also see the private rooms of Prince Adolf and his wife Hilda, who were the last owners of Hluboká.
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Booking a Hluboká Castle tour
Entrance is free to the grounds of Hluboká Castle, but you must purchase a ticket to tour the interior. There are also a number of guided excursions, like this day trip that visits both Hluboka Castle and the medieval city Český Krumlov, or this two-day tour from Prague through South Bohemia that includes an overnight stay. Click to book
How to get to Hluboka Castle
It takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes to drive to Zamek Hluboka from Prague, and just half an hour from Český Krumlov. There is no parking on site: instead, there are public spaces next to the market on Nad parkovištěm street, Masaryk Street or at the local swimming pool (see details for accessible options here).
Visitors must walk about five minutes up a somewhat steep hill, or hop on the local train which will drop you off near the main entrance.
While there aren’t any direct trains from Prague with Czech Railways, you can get to Hluboká nad Vltavou by transferring in České Budějovice.
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