7 Best Sights in Day Trips from Prague, Czech Republic

If it's a picture-book European castle you're after, look no further. Perched atop a wooded hillside, Karlštejn comes complete with battlements, turrets, and towers. Once Charles IV's summer palace, Karlštejn was originally built to hold and guard the crown jewels (which were moved to Prague Castle's Katedrála sv. Víta, or St. Vitus Cathedral, in 1619). There is a fairly strenuous hike up to the castle—lined with souvenir stands and overpriced snack bars—but it's worth the journey. Once you've reached the top, take time to walk the ramparts and drink in the panorama of the village and countryside below. There's a slightly bewildering list of different interior tours, but the pick of the bunch is Tour 2, which includes the castle's greatest treasure, the Chapel of the Holy Cross, which once held the crown jewels. Tours of the chapel are limited (and more expensive than the other tour route), so you must book in advance. On sunny days, there's also an exterior tour, or you can simply take a stroll around the courtyards at no cost. Because of its proximity to Prague, it is the most-visited site outside of the Czech capital, so be prepared for crowds, especially in the high summer months.

A man dressed as a monk asleep in the corner; children practicing archery; traditional craftsmen offering their wares—close your eyes in Křivoklát's strangely atmospheric courtyard and you can easily imagine the scene with hunters clattering back atop their horses. Because the castle is a little farther from Prague, it's much less crowded and more authentic, so you can let your imagination run wild as you wander the walls and gaze out on the surrounding forest and the Berounka river winding lazily by below. The evocative name helps as well, even if it's a little hard to pronounce (it means "twisted branches" in Czech). There also aren't many signs, which helps with the feeling that you are having an adventure. You'll meet a lot of locals, rather than tourists, enjoying the castle, mainly because it's a national favorite thanks to its many romantic references in Czech literature. The river area is also popular with hikers and cyclists.

Křivoklát began life as a humble hunting lodge back in the 12th century. Greater things were to come, thanks to King Wenceslas I, who commissioned the first castle here. Future inhabitants expanded and beautified the place, including Charles IV and his son, Wenceslas IV. A number of fires significantly damaged the buildings, and toward the end of the 16th century it lost its importance and fell into disrepair. Following the Thirty Years' War, the Schwarzenbergs took over and revived it. It's been in state hands since 1929.

Today, Křivoklát offers some of the more interesting castle tours around. There are five to choose from, with Tour 3 ("The Grand Tour"; 390 Kč in English) the most comprehensive. Over the course of 1 hour and 40 minutes, visitors will see the Great Hall, one of the largest Gothic halls in Central Europe (second only to the one at Prague Castle), the beautiful chapel, the castle library, a prison complete with torture instruments, and lots of hunting trophies. Tours of the castle are offered regularly in Czech and less regularly in English (check the website for times), but you can always join a Czech tour and purchase a pamphlet with information in English.

Even without a tour, the castle is well worth a visit. You can walk along the castle ramparts, climb the tower (for great views of the surrounding countryside), or simply sit and nurse a beer in the beautiful courtyard. There's also a lovely 2-km (1-mile) woodland walk from the castle to a viewpoint above the river; follow the path marked with yellow paint, which starts across the road from the castle entrance.

Built in 1568, this towering Renaissance château is a rare example of the "arcade" castle style in northern Europe. As you approach, the white-walled exterior appears to be made from thousands of bricks, but on closer inspection, it becomes clear the pattern has been achieved through intricate sgraffito. Each "brick" is etched into the plaster and has its own design, often incorporating imagery from the Old Testament or from classical mythology. Head into the courtyard to find even grander and more elaborate wall frescoes. While the exterior has remained largely unchanged for the last 450 years, the interior has a number of high baroque architectural additions. To see them, two guided tours are available: the first takes in a set of 12 castle rooms plus the perfectly preserved 18th-century baroque theater, complete with original stage machinery and decorations; the second takes in another set of 12 rooms as well as the elegant, vaulted castle chapel. Each tour lasts just 50 minutes, but if you have time for only one, choose the first. Tours are in Czech, but an English transcript is provided. It's also possible to visit the castle cellars—home to a permanent exhibition of contemporary sculptures by Olbram Zoubek—for a wine tasting and to stroll around the pretty castle gardens.

Dramatic Český Šternberk looms over the Sázava River and surrounding countryside and looks positively forbidding at night. Perched on an outcropping of rock, this 13th-century castle is not only striking from the exterior; it has the period interiors to match.

Founded in 1241 by Zdeslav of Divišov, it was originally built as a fortress. Amazingly, descendants of Zdeslav have remained in the castle, making it their residence through the centuries and up to the present day. Šternberk is the Czech spelling of the German composite word Sternberg (it was customary to use German names at the time), which roughly translates to "star on the hill." Look out for the eight-pointed gold star on the family coat of arms, which can be found throughout the property.

The exterior of the castle retains a late Gothic look, while the interiors were mainly redone in a baroque style. The latest major work was done in 1911, when electricity and water were added. Guided tours lasting around 45 minutes are required to see the interior, but the rooms are gorgeous and the guides are excellent. There are regular English-language tours in summer, but out of peak season it's best to call or email in advance to book your place.

Furnishings date back to the Renaissance and are either original from the castle or brought from other Šternberk properties around Europe. Beautiful frescoed walls and stucco ceilings can be found throughout, including the Knight's Hall lined with paintings. You'll see items in the rococo and Czech baroque style, Louis XVI furnishings, and an amazing collection of copper engravings dating back to the 17th century.

Look out for a (literal) family tree, with portraits of generations of the Šternberk family. Its members included scientists, bishops, officers, and government employees, all of whom left their mark on aspects of the country's history. One even helped found the Národní muzeum (National Museum) in Prague.

During the nationalization period under communism, the castle was seized and became government property; however Jiří Šternberk agreed to stay on as caretaker and guide, thus keeping the family's connection to the castle. The Šternberks received the property back in 1992.

There are some lovely walks in the woodlands around the castle. One route leads to Hladomorna, a stand-alone fortress tower you can climb during the summer for a fine view of the castle, river, and surrounding forest.

The word orlík means "young eagle," and the castle Hrad Orlík, dating back to the 13th century, was always thought to be reminiscent of a young eagle in a nest far up on a rocky ledge. Though the builders of the original structure are not known, the current castle was built in the early Gothic style by King Wenceslas II. The castle housed important figures in Czech history such as Jan Hus, after whom the Hussites are named, and Jan Žižka, the Hussite military leader after whom Prague's Žižkov district is named. It became the property of the Schwarzenberg family in 1719. Communism nationalized the castle after World War II; then, after the Velvet Revolution, it was returned to the Schwarzenbergs in the early 1990s. The rather dramatic appearance today is mostly due to renovations in the mid-1800s in the neo-Gothic style. Castle tours, like those of Český Šternberk, help you appreciate the history of the castle and what you're looking at. Hour-long tours show you the portraits in the Small Empire Hall, the Napoleanic-era furnishings of the Great Empire Hall, and the incredible wooden sculpture by Jan Teska in the Teska Court.

Set in a huge, beautiful park, Konopiště Castle dates to the 14th century and is best known as the hunting lodge of the ill-fated Archduke Franz Ferdinand, whose assassination sparked World War I. He no doubt had a whale of a time hunting on the grounds before he met his untimely end, and now visitors can wander the forests, gaze at the lake, and even watch plays in summer, as well as muse on the archduke's global significance. In a suitably historic touch, there's also a bear who lives in the castle moat; he's a bit shy so you might not see him.

The castle itself is also worth a look, with a carefully preserved interior including many original furnishings from Ferdinand's time. The rooms reflect his incredible opulence as well as his fondness for hunting—there are animal trophies and weapons everywhere. It can be seen only on a guided tour, and there are a choice of four: opt for Tour 3 to see the hunting corridor and the archduke's private apartments. Book in advance for an English-speaking guide or, if one isn't available, ask for an English text to accompany the tour.

The town's castle may be petite but it hovers grandly over the confluence of the Labe (Elbe) and Vltava Rivers. On entering, the courtyard's three dominant architectural styles jump out at you, reflecting alterations to the castle over the years. On the north side, note the typical arcaded Renaissance balconies, decorated with sgraffiti. To the west, a Gothic touch is still easy to make out. The southern wing is clearly baroque (although also decorated with arcades).

Inside the castle, you can walk through 10 ornate rooms filled with paintings, furniture, and porcelain belonging to the old aristocratic Lobkowicz clan, as well as a vestry chapel. In particular, look out for the Big Hall, which is decorated with 17th-century European maps and vedute (views) of cities including London, Paris, and Madrid.

Day-tripping wine lovers can also tour the wine cellars under the castle and book a wine tasting. The town is known best for its special Ludmila wines made from local grapes. As the locals tell it, Emperor Charles IV was responsible for bringing wine production to the area. Having a good eye for favorable growing conditions, he encouraged vintners from Burgundy to come here and plant their vines.

The castle also has a good restaurant, looking out on the vineyards, river, and fields beyond, as well as a café and wine bar.