Sights in Budweis - Historic downtown and Hluboká castle
Updated: Feb 21
The Czech city of Budweis has about 90,000 inhabitants and is located in South Bohemia, not far from both the German and Austrian borders.
The name "Budweis" is probably familiar to you, as the world famous Budweiser beer is brewed here. In addition, the city offers a historic city center and a breathtaking castle about 10km from the city center.
For German tourists, the cost of living in the Czech Republic, and thus also in Budweis, is comparatively cheap. Therefore, we really enjoyed ourselves in Budweis and feasted extensively in various restaurants and cafes.
One day in Budweis: Culture and Gusto in South Bohemia
Within the city of Budweis there are plenty of parking facilities (both parking garages and parking lots directly in the center of the city). These are mostly paid, but still reasonably priced.
...and if you're ever here, be sure to drink a Budweiser - we particularly enjoyed the pale bear.
In addition to inexpensive food, remarkably hearty Czechs and an extremely clean small town, you will also find a beautiful small park and all kinds of historical buildings.
You can also start a boat trip on the Vltava River from Budweis.
The Black Tower from the 16th century, which you can see directly from the market square in the city center, but also the baroque town hall - also on the market square - and the Samson Fountain from the 18th century, which is located directly in the middle of the market square and as a protected cultural monument is another landmark of the city.
In addition to the beautiful historical town, a trip from Budweis city to the fairytale castle Hluboká is worthwhile.
Trip to Hluboká Castle near by Budweis
From our point of view, the view of the Hluboká Castle is as impressive as that of the Neuschwanstein Castle. The castle is located not far from the city of Budweis (about 10 km), is easily accessible by car and definitely worth a side trip if you are in the area.
The history of Hluboká Castle dates back to the 13th century, but it has been rebuilt repeatedly over the centuries (e.g. in the 18th century in the Baroque style and in the 19th century in the Neo-Gothic style).
The style of the Hluboká Castle is based on the English royal Windsor Castle.
The castle has changed owners over the centuries and today it is owned by the state.
You can either explore the castle on your own or book a guided tour.
More information on the guided tours:
Within the castle, several different guided tours are offered at regular intervals:
Representative rooms (duration approx. 1 hour)
Private rooms (duration approx. 45 min.)
Castle kitchen (duration approx. 30 min.)
Castle tower (duration approx. 1 hour)
The prices per guided tour are approximately between 5 and 15€ each.
In our opinion, the castle park is also extremely worth seeing - and also free to visit.
The small town of Hluboká nad Vltavou at the foot of the castle is also very pretty and worth a walk.
More info about the tours and the castle can be found here.
More ("insider") tips for a trip to Budweis
If you stay a little longer, you can, for example, make a massage appointment in one of the (Thai) massage practices to recover a little from all the travel or to relax a little, because: Services in the Czech Republic are also much cheaper than e.g. in Germany (this of course also applies to manicures, pedicures, etc.).
However, it is best to make an appointment early - as the practices are similarly well booked as e.g. in Germany.
"Savings potential" in Budweis/Czech Republic
- Gasoline (about 15% cheaper)
- Alcohol (up to approx. 40% cheaper)
- Massage (about 50% cheaper)
- Eating in restaurants (about 50% cheaper)
- Manicure/pedicure (about 50% cheaper)
Please note: these are data from a tourist city near the German border (Budweis). Further outside the city, the prices are even a little cheaper. The prices of imported goods are similar to those in Germany.
In addition to significantly lower gasoline prices and low prices in restaurants (about 50% less), as well as the well-known low prices for alcohol and tobacco products, the Czech Republic impresses above all with its extensive nature and the warm-hearted inhabitants.
Please keep in mind: The Czech Republic is a member of the EU, but has no Euro as currency but Czech Crowns. In the cities, however, you can mostly pay by card.
Was wollt ihr in Budweis besichtigen?
Die schöne Altstadt von Budweis
Schloss Hluboká
Beides!
I came for the beer!
