Prague can easily fill a week, but some of the most memorable places in Bohemia are a short train or bus ride away. The most popular destinations for a day trip are the castles of Karlštejn and Konopiště, both surrounded by beautiful wooded countryside. Alternatively you can head north, away from the hills and the tourist crowds, to the wine town of Mělník, perched high above the confluence of the Vltava and Labe (Elbe) rivers. Further north is Terezín, the wartime Jewish ghetto that stands as a testament to the Holocaust. To the east lies the medieval silver-mining town of Kutná Hora, with a glorious Gothic cathedral and a macabre ossuary. And for a longer day, there is Český Krumlov in South Bohemia.
Below is a short overview of each, written from the point of view of someone who usually arrives with a camera.
Karlštejn Castle
Karlštejn is the best-known castle in the country. It was founded in 1348 by Charles IV, King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor, as a safe place for the imperial regalia and holy relics. The castle rises in steps above a small village in the valley of the Berounka river, south-west of Prague. Trains run from Prague’s main station and take well under an hour; from the station it is a steady uphill walk through the village to the gate.
Photo tip: the castle looks best from a distance. The walk up through the village gives several good angles, and the hills around the castle offer views of the towers above the forest. Autumn colours and misty mornings suit it especially well.
Konopiště Castle
Konopiště stands near the town of Benešov, south of Prague. It began as a medieval fortress and is best known as the last residence of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, whose assassination in Sarajevo in 1914 led to the First World War. The interiors hold his large collections of arms and hunting trophies, and the castle is surrounded by a landscaped park with a pond and a rose garden. Trains and buses go to Benešov, and from there you can walk through the park to the castle.
Photo tip: the round towers reflected in the moat and the rose garden with its statues are the highlights. The rose garden is at its best in early summer and is a favourite for couple and wedding photos.
Mělník
Mělník lies north of Prague on a hill above the meeting point of the Vltava and the Labe. It is a quiet town with a chateau, a Gothic church with a tower and an ossuary, and vineyards on the slope below; wine has been grown here since the Middle Ages. Buses from Prague are the simplest connection.
Photo tip: the terrace behind the chateau looks down on the confluence and the flat countryside beyond. Late afternoon light is soft and warm here, and you will share the view with very few people.
Terezín
Terezín was built at the end of the 18th century as a fortress town under Emperor Joseph II. During the Second World War the Nazis turned the town into a Jewish ghetto and transit camp, and the Small Fortress served as a Gestapo prison. Today the Terezín Memorial includes the Small Fortress, the Ghetto Museum and several other sites. It is reached by bus from Prague.
Photo tip: this is a memorial rather than a sightseeing spot. Photograph with restraint, follow the rules posted at each site and leave the portrait session for another day.
Kutná Hora
Kutná Hora grew rich on silver in the Middle Ages and was for a time the second most important town in Bohemia. Its historic centre, together with St Barbara’s Church and the cathedral in Sedlec, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. St Barbara’s, with its tent-like roof and flying buttresses, is one of the finest Gothic churches in Central Europe. In the suburb of Sedlec you will find the famous ossuary, a small chapel decorated with human bones. Direct trains from Prague take about an hour.
Photo tip: the terrace walk beside the former Jesuit College, lined with Baroque statues, gives the best view of St Barbara’s. Morning light falls well on the church. Photography rules at the ossuary have been tightened in recent years, so check the official website before you plan to shoot there.
Český Krumlov
Český Krumlov is another beautiful place for a day’s expedition, though it is the furthest on this list: the journey to South Bohemia takes around three hours each way by bus or train. The town sits inside a tight loop of the Vltava under a large castle with a painted round tower, and its old centre is also on the UNESCO list. If you can, stay overnight; the town is at its best early and late, when the day visitors are gone.
Photo tip: the castle terraces and the Cloak Bridge give the postcard view over the roofs and the river. Sunrise and the hour before sunset are the times to be there.
Planning and photography advice
- Start early. Castles fill up with tour groups from late morning. The first train of the day gives you an hour or two of quiet and better light.
- Check before you go. Many castles are closed on Mondays and have limited opening in winter. Opening times, tour schedules and ticket prices change every season, so always check the official website of the place you want to visit.
- Interiors. Photography inside castle interiors is often restricted or not allowed. Plan your pictures around the exteriors, parks and viewpoints.
- Seasons. May, June, September and October are the most comfortable months. Autumn gives the best colour in the forests around Karlštejn and Konopiště; winter is quiet and atmospheric, but days are short.
- One place per day. It is tempting to combine two destinations, but each of these places deserves unhurried time, especially if you want good photographs.
Looking for other places to visit and photograph? Browse more Prague guides on this site.
