A Complete Guide to Holasovice, Czech Republic
Here is our travel guide on Holasovice, a UNESCO historic village in the Czech Republic that's often skipped by travelers exploring the South Bohemia Region. Includes how to get, what to expect, and the best things to see and do.
If you want to find a less-traveled top attraction in the Czech Republic, then you really should consider visiting Holasovice.
Not only it's one of the hidden gems of our country, but it's also one of those UNESCO sites that you've never heard of, which is not a bad thing.
Holasovice is a picturesque village in the South Bohemia Region famous for its rural baroque architecture from the 18th and 19th centuries. You will find plenty of old buildings and history in Central Europe, and Holasovice is another place that fits this category.
As we are Czechs, visiting Holasovice did not have the same effect on us as it might have on you as we normally can find plenty of similar places in this region. Only a stone's throw away is another off-the-beaten-path place called Zabori, for example.
Nevertheless, the biggest draw of Holasovice is the fact that all the well-preserved houses encircle the village square creating a charming setting that will allow you to take an insight into the past of the Czech countryside.
And we have to admit that the village is indeed very well-preserved, unlike some other villages that couldn't resist the changes over the years.
And if you have just arrived from New York, Tokyo, or Sydney, and have never seen a traditional Czech village in your life, then you will probably feel like you stepped back in time.
So here's everything you need to know about Holasovice before you go.
WHERE IS HOLASOVICE
Holasovice is located within CHKO Blansky Les, about 20 kilometers west of Ceske Budejovice in the south part of the Czech Republic.
The village is relatively easy to visit and makes an interesting stop on your travels around this part of our lovely country.
HISTORY
If you've been to Vysehrad, Charles Bridge, or Prague Castle already, then you probably know that all these structures are really old.
Surprisingly, the houses in Holasovice are fairly young compared to their medieval counterparts.
While the first records of the village date back to the mid-13th century, the structures you can see there today were built around the 18th and 19th centuries.
The history of Holasovice is pretty grim, though. In the first half of the sixteenth century, most of the inhabitants died from the bubonic plague (together with other millions across Europe). Later on, the village was repopulated again.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the majority of residents were Germans. After World War II, they were forced to leave due to obvious reasons.
So the village was abandoned and left to its fate in the post-war era by the Communist regime.
There are plenty of ghost villages in the Czech Republic (especially near the borders), and they would make a fascinating trip for anyone interested in this topic.
The village was restored in the 1990s, and people moved back in.
So if you wondered why the typical architecture is so well-preserved, then this is the reason. It's also why this village is so unique and why you won't find many places like this one today.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO
Honestly, there are not many things to do in Holasovice, except for seeing the original houses and their architecture.
However, this feeling reflects reality perfectly, as there was not much to do for the farming families except for the hard work in the past as well.
So, yes, the main reason why to visit Holasovice is the architecture and the history of the local buildings.
Walking around the square won't take you more than thirty minutes, and if you don't want to go inside the museum or have lunch or coffee, then that's about it.
If you read about each house, take pictures, and have a coffee, then you will need about an hour or an hour an half.
Still, we believe it's a worthwhile stop that will show more about our history and life in the countryside.
VISITOR CENTER
Right after we left our car at the designated parking lot, we wanted to visit the local visitor center to find out more information about the village.
However, on the day of our visit, the visitor center in Holasovice was closed, so we couldn't get any information from the official brochures to find out more about individual houses.
So we grabbed our phone and quickly googled the most important houses, buildings, and structures in Holasovice.
Finding the correct information is relatively easy in the Czech language, but it's a bit more complicated in English.
VILLAGE SQUARE
Having some basic information about each house comes in handy, especially if you have arrived in Holasovice without a guide. And why is it useful?
Well, there aren't any informative panels on the buildings (obviously) so arriving prepared will allow you to learn more about the village.
Fortunately, you can find some information on the official website of the Holasovice in English (as there is an English document in PDF that you can download).
We walked in the clockwise direction as it makes more sense to start with building No. 1 and slowly make the way towards the end of the square.
Stopping by at every single house, we reached the further end in less than twenty minutes. Then we made the detour to the local 'Stonehenge' (see below), and when we returned, we continued exploring the other side of the rectangularly-shaped square.
The authenticity of a central European village couldn't be better.
Furthermore, locals still live in these buildings, but they didn't change the place into an open-air museum, which is a huge advantage.
So unlike the historical part of Cesky Krumlov, which was turned into a total tourist destination (stores, hotels, restaurants, more stores, no locals), Holasovice offer a fairly authentic experience.
Sure, there is accommodation, a couple of restaurants, or a pottery store, but it's still very decent. You know, no rickshaws or Thai massages.
Therefore, it's important to respect everyone's privacy.
FOLK BAROQUE ARCHITECTURE
We've already mentioned that you can find rural baroque architecture in the South Bohemia Region quite easily. But as most villages underwent development and modernization after the war, this is the only village whose entire core remained intact.
The architecture style is officially known as South Bohemian folk baroque as it can be found mostly here, and the result of restoration efforts is quite striking.
The village has a rectangular layout, the colorful facades were beautifully restored, and each house has a bit different style.
It's fun to walk around and notice all those small details that make each building unique.
BUILDINGS
There are 23 buildings of importance in Holasovice encircling the square, a green area with a typical pond, a former firehouse, a small chapel, and a maypole.
By the way, while the front side of the buildings decorated by charming facades is interesting, you will soon realize that the first impression you get from seeing the house from the square doesn't tell the whole story.
So walking through the gate onto the farmyard is the best way to comprehend what these buildings were about.
The U-shaped farmsteads are quite large, and we would recommend stepping inside the one that's open to the public. Your best bet is either the Pension Špejchar u Vojty (restaurant, accommodation) or Muzeum Ceskeho venkova (Selsky dvur).
The museum itself is not worth it (for the price), as it's basically a single room (and you can see a similar exhibition in Tourist Information Center for free). So the only reason we would be willing to buy the ticket is if we wanted to see the farmhouse from inside.
There is also a tiny pottery shop where you can buy some souvenirs (near the parking lot).
TEMELIN
It's strange to talk about a nuclear power plant in connection with a traditional Czech village, but here it is.
Once you park your car, you will immediately spot four plant cooling towers in the distance (you can see them from pretty much anywhere in South Bohemia Region). So we just want to share the information, so you know what you see.
If you are more curious, you can actually visit the power plant on a guided tour, but you need to make a reservation in advance.
We've been there, and believe it's worth it for people interested in this sort of stuff, plus they offer tours in English and German.
HOLASOVICKY STONEHENGE
If you've ever wanted to see the definition of a tourist trap with your own eyes, then you won't find much better places than Holasovicky Stonehenge.
This is a private property with some rocks scattered around the area, a fake 'Stonehenge', and good energies.
The entrance gate is located a short walk from the main square in the southeast corner of the village. The whole concept feels like when you would install a roller coaster in the middle of Old Town Square.
The entrance fee is about $2 per person, which might not sound like too much, but it's $2 more than it should be.
Our biggest impression from this so-called Stonehenge was that you could see Temelin (Czech nuclear power plant) in the distance from there, which is not much as you can see it from the parking lot for free.
We went there just for the blog and sacrificed our two bucks, so you don't have to. Really, don't bother. This is not worth any of your time or money.
CROWDS
We already mentioned the village is fairly quiet, but that doesn't mean that there are not times when it gets crowded.
The best strategy is to wait it out on one of the benches in the green area of the square, as most visitors and bus tours don't spend too much time there.
Also, keep in mind that Holasovice Countryside Festivities are held every summer, and the village gets really busy.
On the upside, the local fair gives you an insight into traditional arts, crafts, and folk culture.
Sometimes, the village is completely empty, so it usually depends on your timing and luck.
OPENING HOURS
Holasovice is a normal village, so it's open all day. There are no opening hours except for the visitor center and the museum.
The local visitor center is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 9 AM to 5 PM in the high season. In the off-season, it's open from Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM. It's closed from December to March.
ENTRANCE FEE
The village square is an open public area, and there is no entry fee. That's really good if you are a budget traveler. There is an entrance fee to the local museum, though, 80 CZK per person.
Also, you need to buy a ticket to the fair mentioned above (only a few days in a year).
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
HOW TO GET
Getting to Holasovice from Prague is relatively easy, but it requires some planning if you want to travel there independently.
It's also important to keep in mind that there is no direct bus or train to Holasovice from Prague, so you need to get to Ceske Budejovice first (by bus or train).
From Ceske Budejovice, only a local bus runs to Holasovice. Before you purchase the ticket online, make sure that all your transport connections make sense.
CAR
Driving around the Czech Republic is fairly easy, and as we have a car, it's our favorite way to get around our country.
Renting a car in Prague is straightforward; just make sure it has an e-vignette as you will also drive on a highway.
You can choose from two routes - the west one goes through Dobris, Pribram, Pisek, and Vodnany (152km). The east one will lead you to Benesov, Tabor, and Ceske Budejovice (164km).
Both ways have a very similar ETA, so choose the faster one according to the current traffic.
Our Tip: When searching for Holasovice on your navigation, make sure that you enter the correct village. The full name of this village is Holašovice, Jankov. There is another village carrying the same name near the Poland border on the other side of the country, so be careful.
BUS
Taking a bus to Holasovice is your next best bet. Firstly, you need to take the bus to Ceske Budejovice from Na Knizeci station near Metro Andel (it's usually the same one that goes all the way to Cesky Krumlov).
You can book your bus ticket via Regiojet here.
Once you reach the main bus station in Ceske Budejovice, you need to change the bus. The local bus departs from the same station but leaves from a different platform.
Currently, there are seven direct buses from Ceske Budejovice to Holasovice (6:25 AM, 11 AM, 2:50 PM, 4:15 PM, 5:15 PM, 6:35 PM, 10:40 PM) on weekdays. From Holasovice to Ceske Budejovice, you can catch a direct bus at 4:26 AM, 5:40 AM, 6:53 AM, 8:19 AM, 12:50 PM, and 5:45 PM.
Always check the current timetable, though, as it can change.
The one-way bus ticket costs about 160 CZK, and it takes about 3-4 hours to get there from Prague.
TRAIN
Trains frequently run between Prague and Ceske Budejovice. Just make sure that your arrival time is close enough to your departure.
Otherwise, you might end up spending several hours in the city waiting for the next bus. The train station in Ceske Budejovice is right next to the bus station.
The combo train/bus ticket costs about 180 CZK, and it takes about 3 hours to get there.
BIKE
Several cycling routes lead through Holasovice, so you can consider including it in your biking trip.
Moreover, a half-day bike trip to Holasovice from Ceske Budejovice or Cesky Krumlov might be an exciting alternative for active travelers who want to stay fit while traveling.
TOURS
Taking a day tour from Prague is the easiest way to get to Holasovice.
This Cesky Krumlov and Holasovice Guided Tour from Prague include both UNESCO sites.
Tours have the advantage over independent travel that you don't need to worry about transportation and focus only on the sightseeing part of the trip.
PARKING
Parking in Holasovice is not free. It costs 20 CZK (less than $2) per hour. However, the minimum length of the stay is 3 hours, which basically means that you have to pay at least 60 CZK (less than $6) even though you stay there for an hour or two.
People still live in Holasovice, so never park in the main square. Always use the designated parking lot located in the northeast of the village next to the visitor center.
It's relatively small and can fill up quickly, but there's always a spot as people usually don't spend too much time in Holasovice.
You can pay either with cash (the best option), or credit card (sometimes the terminal won't work), or SMS.
ACCOMMODATION IN HOLASOVICE
There is only one accommodation in Holasovice that you can book directly online, so your choices are a bit limited here. We would probably stay in one of the larger cities as you will have much better options to find a hotel that suits your preferences. On the other hand, staying in Holasovice overnight can feel quite special.
So here is our choice of the best hotels in Holasovice and its surroundings.
Holasovice | Pension Špejchar u Vojty - A lovely guest house with basic rooms, a nice garden (with an outdoor swimming pool and BBQ), and an on-site restaurant serving regional cuisine. The only downside is that they have limited availability and often require a minimum length of stay of 3 nights.
Cesky Krumlov | Garni Hotel Castle Bridge - This nice modern hotel in the heart of Cesky Krumlov offers excellent value for money. And what should you expect here? Nice showers, comfortable beds, breakfast buffet, and superb location. Try to book a room with a balcony that features beautiful river and castle views.
Ceske Budejovice | Grandhotel Zvon - If you are looking for a centrally located hotel in Ceske Budejovice, then look no further. Grandhotel Zvon is situated directly on the main square, and it's one of the most popular accommodation choices in the city. The on-site restaurant serves traditional Czech cuisine, and the hotel offers secure parking.
Tabor | Hotel Nautilus - A 4-star boutique hotel located in the heart of Tabor, Hotel Nautilus has everything you need from the accommodation. Rooms are beautifully decorated, and the on-site Goldie restaurant is known for great food. The location is hard to beat, and you won't find a better hotel in Tabor than this one.
IS IT WORTH IT TO VISIT HOLASOVICE?
There are some easy questions, and then there is the one about whether you should visit Holasovice or not. It depends on many factors such as your travel budget, your wish list of places you want to visit in Czechia, but mainly your travel itinerary.
It's not easy to find the right answer. Nevertheless, here is what we suggest.
Visiting Holasovice on its own, for example on a day trip from Prague, is not worth it in our opinion, as it takes a lot of time just to get there only to see a bunch of old houses (which you can see in many other Czech villages).
So we would include at least one or two extra stops on your trip to this area. Moreover, our primary reason to travel to this area wouldn't be Holasovice itself, but other destinations we'll mention down below.
Luckily, South Bohemian Region is beautiful, and you have many choices here.
Adding Cesky Krumlov to your day trip itinerary makes a lot of sense, as both places are the World Heritage Sites in the Czech Republic. So our main goal would be to visit Cesky Krumlov, and we would make Holasovice an optional detour.
You can also visit Tabor and Ceske Budejovice, but we would really recommend extending the trip (at least two days).
We can't fail to mention Hluboka nad Vltavou Castle, one of the most beautiful castles in the whole Czech Republic.
Finally, Holasovice Historical Village is still a UNESCO site, so even though some say that the village is overrated, you can still tick it off your UNESCO bucket list (if you have one).
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Get Around: Buses and trains are an affordable way to get around the Czech Republic. Regiojet offers clean and modern buses and trains with all the amenities.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
