Dating  back to the 14th century Cesky Krumlov's fairytale castle is second only in grandeur in the Czech Republic to that of Prague. It almosts grows  out of the rock cliff that towers above the Vlatava River and the town.  And at night viewed from one of the riverside restaurants the castle has a mysterious air.

A visit to the castle is a must. Whilst you have to pay to go inside the  castle buildings, you can walk free through the castle courtyards day  and night, giving you access to the beautifully decorated courtyards and stunning views of the town - take your camera. Children will enjoy  watching the bears in the castle moat.

At one end of the castle is the richly decorated renaissance tower  (covered with frescos), at the other end you cross a statue-lined bridge to enter the castle's lovely gardens. If you have to choose one tour,  we recommend the guided tour 1, which ends at the amazing and definitely weird masquerade hall. The castle has just opened the castle museum which unlike the tours operates all year round and is well worth a visit.

There are two theatres in the castle complex, the first is the baroque  theatre with all its original theatre machinery and decoration and the  second the revolving theatre in the castle gardens, which is used for  productions in the summer.

Do walk up into the gardens, they are beautiful and offer fine views of  the town, views which inspired artist Egon Schiele. Beyond the formal  gardens with their clipped yew hedges and flowerbeds, you will find a  less formal wooded area. This is where the revolving theatre is sited  and where you can picnic beside a lake.

Cesky Krumlov Castle

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