Hluboká nad Vltavou (known just as "Hluboká") is a town in South Bohemia region, with around 5,000 inhabitants. Although known mainly for its beautiful château, it offers much more to the visitor.

Understand

The town itself is very old, dating back to the Bronze Age. There has been a castle at the place of today's chateau since 14th century. Today's Hluboká sees many international tourist thanks to its well-known chateau, but in Czech Republic and especially South Bohemia Region, it is also known as a centre for luxury holidays. That's the reason why you will find here many luxurious hotels, a large golf course and a small marina on the River Vltava. It is however popular among Czech tourists in general, as it offers great biking options, ponds with clear water and a nice zoo. Houses in the town often resemble small castles, as having a house in Hluboká is very popular among the richest people from nearby České Budějovice.

Get in

Because of its convenient location near the region capital, České Budějovice, it is very easy to reach Hluboká from almost anywhere in the country. To find a transportation, use IDOS. Do find the best station to exit the vehicle, use mapy.cz

By bus

There are numerous local buses from České Budějovice. They all leave from the main bus station in České Budějovice. Just be sure to choose the right bus station in Hluboká, as there are many of them in the town.

By train

There are two railway stations in Hluboká, both of which are a little inconveniently located. More useful is probably 1 Hluboká nad Vltavou Zámostí station, located 2 km from the castle by walking. The other station, 2 Hluboká nad Vltavou station is a bit further. Both station see a lots of regional trains from České Budějovice, but long distance trains do not stop here, so you will have to change a train at České Budějovice if going from further away. You can travel between these station, as one is on the railway to Pilsen and the other on the railway to Prague.

By bike

It is only 11 km when biking from České Budějovice. The route follows Vltava river, so it is easy for everyone. If done as a day trip from České Budějovice, bike is probably the best option.

By car

There are many roads to Hluboká, but it is difficult to park there. All the parking lots in the town are paid. The cheapest parking lot near Penny Market costs 50 Kč per day.

By boat

There is a regular boat service from České Budějovice. It leaves from Lannova Loděnice in České Budějovice, and has two stops in Hluboká - 3 Hamry and 4 Kuki. Humry is a bit further from the chateau and it takes 30 minutes more before the boat gets there, but you will see the chateau from the boat if you go all the way to Hamry. The ticket for the boat cost 150 Kč and it takes 90 minutes from České Budějovice to Kuki. The boat goes only from Friday to Sunday, detailed timetable is here

Get around

Even though there are not that many people living in Hluboká, it is quite large. That said, there are not many other options to get around than walking. From one side to another (from zoo to the château), it is 2.5 km walking. If you do not want to walk, you can use the same bus as is used to get in, as there are three bus stations.

1 Tourist Information Centre, ☏ +420 387 966 164, infocentrum@hluboka.cz. 9ː00 - 18ː00 in summer, 10ː00 - 16ː00 in winter. Closed on Mondays in winter. (updated Oct 2018)

See

Chateau

1 Hluboká na Vltavou château (Zámek Hluboká nad Vltavou), ☏ +420387843911, hluboka@npu.cz. 10 - 16. Build in the 19th century in Tudor style and considered to be one of the most beautiful chateaux is all Czech Republic. The main sight is probably the château exterior, but the interior is also very nice. There are at least six different guided tours of the interior (only one in winter), costing from 100 Kč to 260 Kč, with some discounts for students, children and elderly. Guided tours are provided in many languages, including English, German, Russian and more. It is not possible to go into the interior without a guide. (updated Oct 2018)

2 Ohrada Zoo, ☏ +420 387002219, info@zoohluboka.cz. 8ː30-16ː00. Smaller, but very nice zoo. Specializes in local animals, such as deer, bears, wolf and lynxes, so it might be especially interesting if you are from far away. 110 Kč. (updated Oct 2018)

3 Mikoláš Aleš Art Gallery (Alšova jihočeská galerie), ☏ +420 387 967 120, office@ajg.cz. 9-16. A large art gallery located in former riding house next to the chateau. There is a permanent exhibition of medieval and modern art mixed together. 130 Kč. (updated Oct 2018)

4 Church of Saint John of Nepomuk. Town's main church, also build in Neo̠-Gothic Style. free. (updated Oct 2018)

Do

1 Play golf, ☏ +420 776 826 376, recepce@golfhluboka.cz. A golf club with 27 holes, 9 of them open to public (updated Oct 2018)

2 Sport and relax areal Hluboká. A large free-time areal offering numerous attractions, such as net center, trampolines, baseball field, fishing and much more. Attractions are paid separately. (updated Oct 2018)

Swim. There are numerous ponds around Hluboká in which you can swim or even yacht. Most important of them is Bezdrev (updated Oct 2018)

Buy

You can get some souvenirs directly in the chateau, near the ticket office.

1 Penny Market. 7ː00 - 20ː00. Biggest supermarket in town. You can buy some food here if you want to save money on restaurants. Also the parking lot is one of the cheapest in town (updated Oct 2018)

Eat

Hotels in town have their own restaurants, which are often expensive.

Drink

While Hluboká is a very popular among tourists, it is probably not a drinking destination. You can however get a beer in every restaurant in town.

1 Hluboká brewery (Pivovar Hluboká), pivovarhluboka@seznam.cz. A small local brewery. In addition to beer, they offer good food. (updated Oct 2018)

Sleep

There are numerous hotels and guesthouses in Hluboká. East of the chateau, in Zámostí part of the town, there are cheaper guesthouses, while in the western, older part of the town are bigger and more expensive hotels. Hluboká can probably offer the most luxurious hotels in whole South Bohemia. There are at least two camps near Hluboká, which allow you to build your own tent or rent a cheap chalet.

Connect

Free Wi-Fi is provided in the city. Also many restaurants and hotels have their own free Wi-Fi.

Go next

• České Budějovice
• Písek