Karlstejn Castle & Konopiste Chateau - Prague Tours

Private day trips from Prague to Karlstejn Castle and Konopiste Chateau

Take advantage of this unique combination of a 14th century GothicCastle, 19th century chateau and picturesque villages in the Czech countryside. KarlstejnCastle, one of the most famous castles in the Czech Republic, was built by Czech King and Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV in 1348 as a place of safekeeping for the royal treasures. Konopiste Chateau is well-known as the last residence of the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, whose assassination in Sarajevo triggered World War I. After a Karlstejn Castle tour full of Gothic delights, you can have a typical Czech lunch at a traditional restaurant located in the picturesque village under the castle. As we drive you around you can enjoy the beauty of forests, rivers and villages of the local nature reserve.

Prague – Karlstejn – Konopiste – Prague: 8-hour Itinerary

45 minutes Prague to Karlstejn transfer
30 minutes Walk from the village of Karlstejn to the castle
1.5 hours Tour of Karlstejn Castle and its courtyards (Route 1)
30 minutes Walk from Karlstejn Castle to the village of Karlstejn
1 hour Lunch in the village of Karlstejn
1 hour 15 minutes Karlstejn to Konopiste transfer
30 minutes Walk to Konopiste Chateau
1 hour Tour of Konopiste Chateau
30 minutes Walk around Konopiste Chateau
45 minutes Konopiste to Prague transfer

This is a private tour, so the itinerary can be adjusted as you wish.

Karlstejn Castle – Route 1: Private and representatives halls of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV

The fortress-like castle served as the emperor’s summer retreat. Over 660 years old, Karlstejn Castle was never totally conquered. The castle even survived a seven-month siege by the Hussites in the 15th century. The most popular tour of Karlstejn Castle includes historical interiors of the Imperial palace and the lower floors of Marian Tower with valuable artifacts from the 14th to 19th centuries. A wooden bed boasts stunning engravings. On the walls surrounding it hangs a green with gold fabric that shows phoenixes and other mythological creatures. In Emperor Charles IV’s personal chapel to Saint Wenceslas, there is a 14th century portable altar full of vibrant colors. In the Throne Room the 14th century ceiling is composed of dark green squares with wooden frames. The Hall of Forebears features large portraits of the emperor’s ancestors.

Karlstejn Castle – Admission fees and opening times

Admission fees: Route 1: 270 CZK / adult; children from 6 years old, students, seniors over 65: 180 CZK / person. This year Karlstejn Castle will be open daily except Mondays, from January 1 to January 6, then in February on weekends: 2nd, 3rd, 9th, 10th, 16th, 17th, 23rd and 24th. From March 1 until November 10 and on the weekends of the 16th, 17th, 23rd, 24th, 29th, 30th of November and on the 1st, 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th, 21st, 22nd of December and from December 25 until December 31 daily (closed on December 24). The castle will be open on Easter Monday and on Czech Independence Day, Monday, October 28.

Konopiste Chateau

Konopiste Chateau was founded in the late 13th century as a Gothic castle inspired by the style of French castles with seven stout, rounded towers and five gates. During the late 19th century, Konopiste Chateau came into the hands of the 24-year old Franz Ferdinand d’Este, the oldest nephew of Austrian Emperor Francis Josef I and later heir to the Habsburg throne. He made many changes to the interior and remodeled the chateau so that part resembled a Renaissance residence in North Italian style while another section sported a medieval look. He installed much advanced technical equipment, including central heating and electric lights as well as an electric elevator. His collection of hunting trophies and Saint George-related items also appeared in the chateau. After his assassination in June of 1914, the property was taken over by the Hohenbergs, and the chateau was nationalized in 1921. During World War II Konopiste Chateau became a SS headquarters. The state took over in 1945, and now the Central Bohemian Institute for Preservation of Historic Monuments in Prague looks after Konopiste Chateau.

Konopiste Chateau – Admission fees and pening times

Admission fees: Route 1 and 2: 220 CZK/ adult; children, students, seniors above 65: 140 CZK / person; Route 3: 320 CZK/ adult; children, students, seniors above 65: 220 CZK / person. The castle is opened for the public from March 30 to November 30 but closed on Mondays. Exceptions: Open on Easter Monday and Czech Independence Day on October 28. Exceptions: Closed on the day after Easter Monday and on October 29. In October and November the chateau is open on weekdays only for reserved groups (more than 10 persons). On Saturdays and Sundays it is open to the public. With the Route 1, 2 and 3 ticket, the shooting range and Museum of St. George is free.

Konopiste – Rose Garden, peacocks, deer and the bear moat

Franz Ferdinand also established the Rose Garden. You can also admire colorful peacocks, a deer park and a bear in the fortification moat. Konopiste Chateau is located in the scenic countryside where there are forests and a lake with pathways. If you want to hike around the lake, let us know in the request form below, and we will send you an adjusted itinerary.