Winter Wonders: Guide to Open Castles and Châteaus

1. Loučeň Castle

Our journey begins in the Nymburk region. If you’re seeking a truly unique experience paired with a lively narration of château history, Loučeň Château is the perfect destination. Here, history truly comes to life! The castle chambers are brought to life by costumed guides portraying members of the noble Thurn-Taxis family, who share fascinating details about their lives at the château.

For children, there’s a specially tailored tour designed just for them. And if the weather allows, take a walk through the château’s park—a true maze-lover’s dream, featuring 12 labyrinths and mazes made from various materials.

During the winter months, from late November to late January, the château hosts a stunning display of up to 20 beautifully decorated Christmas trees, adorned with handcrafted ornaments from the Vysočina region. Alongside the Story of the Christmas Tree tours, visitors can enjoy a creative workshop where they can make their own holiday decorations.

👉🏼 Find the opening hours of Loučeň Château here.

2. Brandýs nad Labem Château

A Renaissance treasure adorned with intricate sgraffito designs, Brandýs nad Labem Château was a favorite retreat for Habsburg rulers. This imperial and royal residence offers guided winter tours every weekend, starting on the hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. During the tour, you can explore the apartment of Emperor Charles I and Empress Zita, the Tuscan Habsburg library, and the imperial cavalry armory. For an extra dose of adventure, try the Lost Treasure of Rudolf II. escape game, set amidst the château’s authentic historic interiors.

👉🏼 Find the latest updates about Brandýs nad Labem Château here.

While you’re in the area, be sure to visit the remarkable Volman Villa in Čelákovice, a functionalist gem designed by Karel Janů and Jiří Štursa in the 1930s. This architectural masterpiece combines clean lines with First Republic elegance and is open to the public even in winter, offering access to its sleek interiors and surrounding garden.

Wrap up your day at U Bohuslavů, a cozy restaurant and butcher shop in the heart of Čelákovice. Their locally sourced dishes are the perfect way to warm up and recharge after a day rich in cultural exploration.

3. Radim Château

Radim Château is a hidden gem in Central Bohemia. While it may not seem grand at first glance, inside it holds a unique Renaissance treasure waiting to be discovered. Located just outside Kolín, it’s definitely worth a visit. Every weekend, guided tours are offered at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m., with the passionate owners—who have poured their hearts into restoring the château—providing three different tour options. Children can try on period costumes and even challenge a mischievous sorcerer.

The château’s welcoming atmosphere is further enhanced by its charming café, open on weekends and holidays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. During winter, it offers homemade cabbage soup, strudel, pastries, and hot drinks, all served with a smile from the hostess and the friendly humor of the ticket seller.

👉🏼 For more information about visiting Radim Château, click here.

4. Kačina Château

The Neoclassical Kačina Château, near Kutná Hora, looks like it could be straight out of Bridgerton. With its elegant columns, symmetrical façades, and vast English park, open year-round, it offers a taste of aristocratic England. Kačina is also open during winter weekends, where visitors can explore thirteen stunning rooms of the Chotek family. The tour delves into the château’s rich history, sharing the story of its founder, Jan Rudolf Chotek, who built the estate for his family. The exhibition reveals the lifestyle and daily routines of the aristocracy who once resided here.

Managed by the National Agricultural Museum, your visit can be extended to the Agricultural Technology Museum in Čáslav. With a combined ticket, you can enjoy both sites and explore the world of both aristocracy and agriculture.

👉🏼 For more information about the National Agricultural Museum and its branches, click here.

5. Český Šternberk Castle

Reflecting on the surface of the Sázava River, Český Šternberk Castle combines both a château and fortress character. With over 700 years of history, it has been the home of the Sternberg family. While the exterior may seem austere, inside you’ll discover beautifully decorated chambers that rival those of any château. During the winter months, guided tours of the castle’s main circuit are available on Saturdays and Sundays at 11:00 and 14:00.

👉🏼 For more details on visiting the castle, click here.

6. Berchtold Château

Located in the Posázaví region, Berchtold Château Hotel is just a half-hour drive from Český Šternberk. Beyond offering charming accommodation and a refined restaurant, it’s a haven for history and collectors. Highlights include the world’s most beautiful postage stamp from 2010 and a collection of silver and gold coins dating from 1012 to the present.
The large salon hosts a permanent exhibition, The Beauty of Banknotes, showcasing currency from Austria-Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Russia, Germany, Italy, and other countries from 1878–1945. Outside, in the park, you’ll find miniatures of Czech castles and châteaux, offering a playful and unique perspective on Czech landmarks. Berchtold is a perfect stop for those who appreciate comfortable stays and numismatic, notaphilic, and philatelic treasures.

👉🏼 For more details on visiting the Berchtold Château Hotel, click here.

7. Vlašim Castle

Vlašim Castle is home to the Podblanicko Museum, which stays open throughout the winter season, from Tuesday to Sunday. With a combined ticket called A Day in Vlašim, you can explore all five permanent exhibitions of the museum.
The exhibition on Castle Parks and the history of the castle tells the story of the Vlašim natural landscape park, while The Mirror of the Past features over 420 objects showcasing life in the Podblanicko region. History enthusiasts will enjoy With a Steady Aim, an exhibition dedicated to the traditions of shooting arts. Another section of the museum focuses on the Auerspergs, the last family to own the castle.

You can also visit the Castle Chapel of St. Vincent and the basement lapidarium, which displays beautiful stucco decorations. A walk through the park—whether in autumn or winter—is enhanced by an educational trail with unique structures, such as the Chinese Pavilion and Znosim Gate.

👉🏼 For more details on all exhibitions and opening hours, click here.

8. Mníšek pod Brdy Castle

To discover the life of the nobility during the First Republic, visit Mníšek pod Brdy Castle. On weekends, from 11 AM to 3 PM, and daily from March (except Mondays), you can explore the First Republic – Representative Salons tour. For younger visitors, the castle offers special Fairy Tale Tours around noon.

The castle’s art studio is also open during this time, where children can paint plaster casts or mugs. After your castle tour, take a short trip to the nearby Skalka pilgrimage site. A fire, lit every Friday to Sunday at the local café, will warm you up both physically and spiritually, while a roasted sausage will bring back memories of summer barbecues.

👉🏼 For more information on tours and opening hours, click here.

9. Dobříš Castle

Families with children will love Dobříš Castle, where they can explore the exhibition on the Colloredo-Mannsfeld estate and a charming fairy-tale display about Krteček The Little Mole by Zdeněk Miler, complete with informational panels and film clips.

The beautiful castle garden, with its carefully tended flower beds, sculptures, and parrots, is also a highlight. During the winter season, the exhibition is open from Wednesday to Sunday, and this year, the usually closed French park is accessible—though only in good weather and at your own risk. The English park is open daily and can be visited anytime.

👉🏼 For more details on visiting, click here.

10. Karlštejn Castle

If you haven’t yet visited Karlštejn, it’s a must-see—this medieval castle is one of the Czech Republic’s true gems. Even in winter, you can explore the first visitor route, which takes you through the historic rooms of the Imperial Palace and the lower floors of the Marian Tower, showcasing exhibits from the 14th to the 19th centuries. Walk in the footsteps of one of Czech history’s greatest figures and immerse yourself in the medieval atmosphere of a castle known around the world. It’s open every Friday to Sunday from 10 AM to 3 PM. The castle grounds are also open during these hours, with an audio guide available on your phone.

Make your visit even more memorable by stopping by the Nativity Scenes Museum at the castle’s base, where you can admire nativity scenes made from various materials, many of which are interactive. The museum is open weekends from 10 AM to 4 PM, and for those drawn to the mysterious, there’s also the alchemical workshop of Emperor Rudolf II.

👉🏼 For more information on the tour and winter opening hours, click here.

11. Křivoklát Castle

Recently in the spotlight thanks to the reality competition show The Traitors, did you know that Křivoklát Castle is one of the oldest in the Czech Republic, with a history dating back to the early Přemyslid kings? Until Easter, you can explore its historic interiors on the Gothic Palaces tour, available every weekend from 10 AM to 2 PM.

Discover the rooms where the Czech coronation jewels were once hidden, where the fraudster and alchemist Edward Kelley was imprisoned, and where the secret love affair between Archduke Ferdinand of Tyrol and Philippine Welser took place. If you’re up for a full-day trip, take the Paraplíčko educational trail—Karel Egon II. Fürstenberg’s viewpoint offers one of the best views of the castle. You can also visit the Rückl glassworks, where you can try your hand at glassblowing or even engrave your own souvenir.

👉🏼 For more details on the tour and winter opening hours, click here.

12. Červený Újezd Castle

At first glance, Červený Újezd Castle may seem like it’s been standing for centuries, but it actually just celebrated its 20th anniversary! Built from the ground up between 2001 and 2002 by Pavel Orna, the castle now features a tavern and a museum showcasing Czech rural life from the 17th to the 20th century. The castle garden is home to a small open-air museum with replicas of a windmill, hop-drying house, bell tower, wine cellars, and more. You can visit this site every weekend from 9 AM to 4 PM during the winter. The Tavern is open Thursday from 11 AM to 4 PM and Friday to Sunday from 11 AM to 8 PM.

👉🏼 For more details on visiting, click here.

13. Veltrusy Château

The Baroque Veltrusy Castle attracts many visitors with its stunning architecture, X-shaped floor plan, and its beautiful park, which rivals the famous Lednice-Valtice complex. Every weekend, from 11 AM to 3 PM, you can explore the Aristocracy: The Beginning of the End or Laboratory tours, where you’ll learn about the castle’s history, restoration efforts, and the renovation of its historical collections.

👉🏼 For more information on the tours and winter opening hours, click here.

14. Mělník Castle

We now move to the final area of Central Bohemia, the Mělnicko-Kokořínsko region, where the majestic Mělník Castle stands proudly above the royal town with its winemaking tradition. Overlooking the confluence of the Elbe and Vltava rivers, the castle is home to valuable collections and a spacious wine cellar. You can explore the castle at your own pace, taking time to appreciate each historical treasure, or opt for a guided tour where the guide will gladly answer all your questions. During the winter, the castle is open from Wednesday to Sunday, and you can enjoy a visit to the castle café or restaurant.

You can also combine your visit with a tour of St. Peter and Paul Church, the Mělník underground, or the Mělník Regional Museum, which features several interesting exhibits open year-round.

👉🏼 For more details on winter opening hours, click here.

15. Roztoky Castle

Roztoky Castle is a delightful place where history comes alive at every corner. One of its highlights is the interactive Archevita – Tracing the Ages exhibition, which takes you on a journey from prehistory to the Middle Ages. Designed to engage visitors of all ages, the exhibition lets you explore archaeological discoveries, learn about traditional crafts, and even step inside a replica of prehistoric dwellings.

The castle is open year-round, and you can also enjoy a peaceful walk in the surrounding park. Be sure to visit the castle café, a great spot to relax and refuel during your day of exploration.

👉🏼 For more details on the exhibits and winter opening hours, click here.

Year-Round Delight: Explore Castle and Chateau Ruins as a Special Bonus!

Castles are an endless fascination! We’ll pen this recommendation with a serene spirit. How about venturing to the remains of castles that, unfortunately, didn’t endure in their full splendor to this day? In the Bohemian Paradise, explore Valečov, nestled not far from Mladá Boleslav, the enchanting Zvířetice, and around the picturesque Sázava River, uncover the mysteries of Zlenice and Zbořený Kostelec. The silent guardians of the landscape, the ruins of the royal castle Týřov, slightly older than the mentioned Křivoklát, grace the banks of the Berounka River. Alternatively, embark on a journey to Toulava, where the hidden ruins of the royal castle Vrškamýk await in Kamýk nad Vltavou.