A distant second in popularity in the Czech Republic to Prague, Ceský Krumlov is a small storybook town that you shouldn’t miss if you are in the region. It’s only 3 hours from Prague, Salzburg, or Vienna, and it’s easily one of the best-value cities in Europe.
At least up to now, the gorgeous Ceský Krumlov manages to be very tourist-friendly without seeming overly touristy. Everything is a short walk from everything else, and the city is filled with lovely little restaurants that offer local specialties at amazingly low prices. You can even tour the impressive castle and garden complex for free, at least the exteriors.
There are a couple of cheap and well rated hostels, but even the small pensions and hotels offer rates that are very low considering how wonderful the place is. Spend two or three days here and you’ll be raving about it too. Interestingly, it’s incredibly popular with tourists from the far east, and they are really onto something here.
