Orlik Castle: A Local's Guide
Read our travel guide on Orlik Castle, Czechia. It includes the best things to do and see, tips on how to get, where to stay, and when to go.
Without any doubt, Orlik is one of the most famous Czech castles.
It's situated in South Bohemia, about a 90-minute drive south of Prague. Orlik Castle is perched over the Orlik Dam, the largest water reservoir on Vltavska kaskada.
The last time I was there was more than twenty years ago, so my memories were pretty hazy. It was a pretty similar case for Lucie.
So, revisiting this site and seeing it from a completely different perspective was fun.
So here's everything you should know before visiting Orlik Castle.
How to Visit Orlik Castle
Our visit to Orlik was a part of a bigger road trip through the western part of Czechia. We started in Ceske Budejovice and headed north to Krivoklatsko and then Plzen.
This was a long weekend at the end of March, the first day of the year the castle was opened for this season.
The combination of great weather and thin crowds really elevated the overall experience.
Our first stop was the nearby Zvikov Castle, a romantic medieval castle sitting on the Orlik Dam as well. Then we headed to Orlik and, from there, to Svata Hora in Pribram.
Orlik Castle
You are free to explore everywhere outside the castle, the courtyard, and the castle park with the Schwarzenberg Tomb.
You only need a ticket to visit the interior, which is the most interesting part of the visit.
History
Ottokar II of Bohemia probably built Orlik Castle in the 13th century as a fort on the Vltava River.
The original spur castle, which was accessed only by the stone bridge over the moat, looked very different from what we see today: a romantic chateau on the shores of Orlik Dam.
Like with many similar structures, the transformation was a result of several modifications, extensions, and rebuilds.
Among the most notable families who owned the castle were the Lords of Svamberk, the Eggenbergs, and the Schwarzenbergs (who own the castle nowadays).
The castle was rebuilt as a Renaissance chateau after it burned down at the beginning of the 16th century.
The current version of the castle features a neo-Gothic style from the 19th century.
The castle was seized by the Communist regime in 1948 and returned to Schwarzenbergs after the Velvet Revolution.
Today, Orlik Castle is visited by many visitors. The only way to see inside is by guided tour.
By the way, the name Orlik means young eagle in Czech, though this word is not very commonly used.
This name was a reference to the fact that the castle sitting atop a rocky cliff resembled an eagle's nest (the valley looked very different before the Orlik Dam was constructed).
Guided Tour
As mentioned earlier, you must purchase a ticket to see the interiors.
So, what is the Orlik Castle guided tour like? Well, we can obviously comment only on our tour, which was pretty good.
Obviously, it all depends on your tour guide, who makes the journey interesting and entertaining.
The tour covers the history of the castle and its most prominent residents.
It lets you see some of the most interesting rooms within the romantic structure, including the famous Teska room or Gun's Hall.
The guided tour at Orlik Castle is about 50 to 60 minutes long.
Orlik Dam
One of the most interesting facts about Orlik Castle we learned during the tour was that the dam construction raised the water level by a whopping 60 meters.
Before the 1950s, the castle sat on a steep rocky cliff high above the picturesque valley.
Today, the castle almost touches the surface of Orlik Dam.
The before and after photos and paintings of Orlik Castle are truly extraordinary.
The 5-kilometer loop to Schwarzenberg Tomb that starts from the parking (red trail) offers a great way to explore this beautiful area on foot.
Schwarzenberg Tomb
After the tour, we headed toward the Schwarzenberg Tomb in the castle park.
The tomb is located 1.7 kilometers northwest of the chateau entrance.
This is a fairly easy trail for all ages and abilities, though be prepared that it includes a very short climb.
Even if you're not interested in the tomb itself, we believe this trail is worth your time and effort.
It's a nice little walk along the shore with stunning views of the castle and the dam.
Legends
According to an old legend, a band of thieves lived in the valley. Their fearsome leader, Batek, had a small son who disappeared during one of the robberies.
Batek relentlessly searched the woods until he heard a child crying. He climbed a steep rocky hill where he found his son unharmed, lying in the middle of an eagle's nest.
The experience changed him, and he stopped being a thief.
His comrades stayed loyal to him and built the Orlik Castle on the cliff rock within three years.
Photography
Unfortunately, photography is not allowed at Orlik Castle.
The good thing is that you won't be distracted by taking photos and will be able to focus on the tour.
Opening Hours
Orlik Castle is open every day except Mondays from July to September. The opening times are 9 AM to 5 PM.
Outside the main season, the castle is usually open only on weekends and national holidays (9 AM to 4 PM).
Orlik Castle is closed from November to March.
Entrance Fee
The entry fee to Orlik Castle is 450 CZK. You can also climb the tower for an additional 200 CZK.
This is one of the most expensive castles in Czechia, and it's often heavily and rightfully criticized for that. Unfortunately, it's what it is.
Furthermore, the guided tours in English (or German, etc.) are slightly more expensive (550 CZK) and must be arranged in advance.
On the other hand, plenty of European Castles are even more expensive, so we believe even budget-conscious travelers can include it on their itinerary.
You can purchase the tickets at the site or in advance through the official website.
How Much Time Do I Need
You will need about 90 minutes to see the castle, including the guided tour.
That said, you can easily spend another hour or two exploring the castle park, Schwarzenberg Tomb, and the nearby tourist trails.
Therefore, set aside at least two to three hours if you want to make the most of your visit.
We did the castle tour and the tomb and spent around two and a half hours there.
When to Go
Due to seasonal opening times, summer is the best time to visit Orlik Castle. Czechia has beautiful summers, but you need to be prepared for crowds and higher prices.
Alternatively, you can explore Orlik during the spring and fall. The summer crowds are gone, and everything is more relaxed.
The main downside is that you need to time your visit for a weekend as the castle is usually closed on weekdays.
If the weather favors you, the Orlik area will be stunning during this period. We visited Orlik during Easter in March.
Everything was still pretty quiet as the castle opened early just for this event.
Orlik in winter can be wonderful, but you won't be able to get inside.
Still, you can walk around and explore the tourist trail with lovely viewpoints.
What to Pack
Dress appropriately for the weather and keep an extra piece of warm layer in your daypack for the tour.
Wear comfortable shoes, we usually prefer our trusty runners. Remember that you must put extra large slippers over your regular shoes during the tour.
You can check our tried-and-tested Czechia packing list here.
How to Get There
Orlik Castle is located in the tiny village of Orlik nad Vltavou, halfway between Pisek, Tabor, and Pribram.
There are several ways to get to Orlik Castle, including by car, train, or bus.
Car
The castle is located in the countryside, so the best way to get to Orlik is by car.
Driving in Czechia is fairly easy, so follow road rules and speed limits, and you should be fine.
The main advantage of a rental car is that it's very time-efficient, and you can also visit several other places along the way in one go.
Orlik Castle is about 80 kilometers south of Prague, 40 kilometers west of Tabor, 30 kilometers north of Pisek, and 80 kilometers north of Ceske Budejovice.
Travel Resources
When renting a car, we use Rentalcars.com.
Parking
There is a paid parking about 500 meters from the castle entrance.
While you might be able to find a free spot in the village, it's better to use the designated parking area. Parking here can be also paid by credit in the parking machine.
Public Transport
While you can technically get to Orlik Castle by bus, this option is not very convenient.
If traveling from Prague, you need to take a bus from Na Knizeci to Pisek or Cimelice. Here, take another bus to Orlik nad Vltavou.
The nearest train station is either Cimelice or Mirovice.
Where to Stay
If you visit Orlik on a day trip from Prague, you're spoilt for choice. There are tons of great hotels in Prague that cater to all budgets and preferences.
It gets a bit more complicated if you stay somewhere in South Bohemia.
There are plenty of great places to choose from, but the location depends on your travel itinerary.
The general rule of thumb is that you will find the best-rated hotels in the larger towns of this lovely region.
So here are the best hotels within driving range from Orlik Castle.
Pisek | Hotel U Kaplicky - This family-run hotel offers clean rooms, great food, a central location, and free private parking.
Ceske Budejovice | Grandhotel Zvon - This 4-star hotel has stylish rooms, an excellent location, Czech cuisine, and private parking.
Prague | NYX Hotel Prague - With a great location, air-conditioned rooms, modern decor, and paid private parking, NYX Hotel is a great place to stay.
Staying Safe
Orlik Castle is a popular tourist attraction that is generally very safe to visit.
If you're arriving by car, don't leave your valuables inside your vehicle.
Always stay on the designated trails if you decide to explore the castle surroundings.
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!
Is Orlik Castle Worth Visiting?
If European Castles are your thing, Orlik Castle is definitely worth seeing. It has a unique history, a beautiful setting, and great guided tours.
While the castle is heavily visited by locals, international visitors usually skip it in favor of Cesky Krumlov or Hluboka nad Vltavou when traveling down south.
So, if you like to visit places most international tourists miss, Orlik Castle may very well be a great addition to your Czechia itinerary.
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.
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.
