Loket Castle
Loket
Castles near
Plzeň
Castles and chateaus within reach of West Bohemia's capital — from Loket's horseshoe gorge to Prague Castle and the Gothic fortresses of Central Bohemia
Explore castles
130 km from Prague
Loket Castle
Loket
Find a castle that fits your journey
Plzeň sits at the western edge of Bohemia's castle heartland. Drive northeast from the city and within 75 to 95 kilometres you reach three of the most historically significant Gothic castles in the country, clustered along the forested Berounka valley. Křivoklát, the oldest royal hunting castle in Bohemia, presides over a forested bend in the river and has changed little since the reign of King Wenceslas IV. Further east, the dramatic ruins of Točník — a Gothic fortress begun by Wenceslas IV himself — command sweeping views across Central Bohemia. And at the eastern end of the route lies Karlštejn, built by Emperor Charles IV in 1348 to safeguard the crown jewels of the Holy Roman Empire, and today the most visited castle in the Czech Republic outside Prague. The three form a natural castle trail that also makes an excellent stop on the road between Plzeň and the capital.
8 castles
Planning your day trip
Best time to visit
May to October for the best weather and longest opening hours.
All three castles are closed on Mondays during the season. Karlštejn is open year-round; Křivoklát and Točník close from November to March.
By car from Plzeň
Křivoklát is about 75 minutes from Plzeň via the D5/E50 motorway east toward Beroun, then regional roads through the Berounka valley.
Točník adds another 15 minutes east. Karlštejn is about 95 minutes from Plzeň. Two per day is comfortable by car; all three in one day requires an early start.
Castle trail between Plzeň and Prague
The three castles sit on a northeast axis that aligns almost perfectly with the Plzeň–Prague route.
Křivoklát first, then Točník, then Karlštejn — you can visit all three on a single drive from Plzeň toward Prague, arriving in the capital by evening.
By train
Křivoklát is served by regional trains — take a train from Plzeň toward Prague and change at Beroun for Křivoklát (total about 2 hours).
Karlštejn is best accessed from Prague (40-minute direct train from Praha hlavní nádraží). Točník has no rail connection; a car or taxi from Žebrák village is needed.
Tour booking
Karlštejn's Chapel of the Holy Cross (Tour 2) requires advance booking and sells out weeks ahead in summer — book online before your trip.
Křivoklát and Točník are less crowded and tours can usually be joined on the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about visiting castles in this region
How far is Křivoklát Castle from Plzeň?▾
Křivoklát Castle is approximately 75 km northeast of Plzeň — about 75–80 minutes by car via the D5 motorway and regional roads through the Berounka valley. By train, the journey requires a change at Beroun and takes around 2 hours. Křivoklát is one of the oldest and best-preserved royal castles in Bohemia, set in the protected Křivoklátsko forest landscape.
Which castles near Plzeň are accessible by public transport?▾
Křivoklát is the most accessible by rail — take a regional train from Plzeň toward Prague, change at Beroun, and continue to Křivoklát station. Karlštejn is best accessed by train from Prague (40-minute direct service from Praha hlavní nádraží), making it a natural stop when travelling between Plzeň and Prague. Točník has no rail connection and requires a car.
Can I visit Karlštejn as a day trip from Plzeň?▾
Yes, though it is a longer day. Karlštejn is about 95 km northeast of Plzeň, roughly 90–100 minutes by car. The most practical approach from Plzeň is to drive toward Prague and stop at Karlštejn en route, then continue into the capital. Alternatively, take a train from Plzeň to Prague and then a direct train from Praha hlavní nádraží to Karlštejn — 40 minutes from the capital.
What is Točník Castle?▾
Točník is a ruined Gothic castle founded at the end of the 14th century by King Wenceslas IV of Bohemia, who used it as his preferred royal residence. It sits on a hilltop above the town of Žebrák in Central Bohemia, adjacent to the older ruined Žebrák castle. The two ruins together form an impressive hilltop complex with panoramic views across Central Bohemia. Točník remains one of the more atmospheric Gothic ruins in Bohemia and is far less crowded than Křivoklát or Karlštejn.
Which castle near Plzeň is the most famous?▾
Karlštejn is the most famous — it is the most visited castle in the Czech Republic outside Prague, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Emperor Charles IV built it between 1348 and 1365 to hold the crown jewels and holy relics of the Holy Roman Empire. Its Chapel of the Holy Cross, decorated with over 100 Gothic panel paintings by Master Theodoric, is considered one of the finest examples of Central European Gothic art and requires a separate tour booking.