Planning Your Litomysl Castle Guided Tour Schedule

The castle operates on a seasonal basis. It is usually open from April through October. In the peak summer months, tours run every hour. You should check the UNESCO World Heritage Centre site for historical context. Always verify specific times on the official castle portal before traveling.

Tours are typically offered in Czech. English tours are available at specific times or with audio guides. If you are traveling in a group, book weeks in advance. Solo travelers can often find spots on the day of arrival. However, morning slots fill up very quickly.

Getting there from Olomouc is straightforward. You can use the driving directions from Olomouc to Litomysl for a quick journey. The drive takes about 75 minutes. Public buses also run frequently between the two cities. Plan to arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled tour starts.

11 Must-See Highlights for Your Litomysl Castle Visit

Before you arrive, review these top picks for your itinerary. These items combine the best of the castle and the surrounding town. Here are the top things to see and do:

• Best overall: Litomysl Castle Interior Tour
• Best for families: Monastery Gardens
• Best rainy-day: Portmoneum
• Best free: Smetana Square

1. Name: The Renaissance Castle Exterior Type: sight Why go: See over 8,000 unique sgraffito envelopes on the walls. Best for: Photographers. Where: Main Castle Courtyard. Time: 30 minutes. Cost: Free to view from outside. Tip: Look closely to see the different patterns on each square.
2. Name: Baroque Castle Theatre Type: experience Why go: It is one of only five preserved 18th-century theatres in the world. Best for: History buffs. Where: Inside the castle. Time: 45 minutes (part of a tour). Cost: Included in the main tour price. Tip: Notice the original stage machinery still in place.
3. Name: Castle Cellars Type: museum Why go: View the permanent exhibition of sculptures by Olbram Zoubek. Best for: Art lovers. Where: Underneath the main castle. Time: 40 minutes. Cost: Moderate fee. Tip: The cellars remain cool even in the hot summer.
4. Name: Monastery Gardens Type: nature Why go: Enjoy perfectly manicured lawns and modern statues by the cathedral. Best for: Relaxing. Where: Next to the Piarist Church. Time: 1 hour. Cost: Free. Tip: This is the best spot for a picnic with a view.
5. Name: Bedřich Smetana Birthplace Type: museum Why go: Learn about the famous composer born in the castle brewery. Best for: Music fans. Where: Castle grounds. Time: 1 hour. Cost: Small entry fee. Tip: Check for local festival dates to hear his music live.
6. Name: Piarist Church of the Finding of the Holy Cross Type: sight Why go: Climb the tower for the best panoramic view of Litomysl. Best for: Viewpoints. Where: Near the castle entrance. Time: 45 minutes. Cost: Small fee for tower access. Tip: The light inside the church is beautiful in the late afternoon.
7. Name: Portmoneum Type: experience Why go: Visit the house of Josef Váchal, filled with vibrant, mystical murals. Best for: Unique art. Where: 10-minute walk from the castle. Time: 1 hour. Cost: Moderate. Tip: This is a great indoor activity if it starts to rain.
8. Name: Smetana Square Type: neighborhood Why go: Walk through one of the longest arcaded squares in the country. Best for: Shopping and dining. Where: Town center. Time: 1.5 hours. Cost: Free. Tip: Look for the historic town hall clock.
9. Name: Toulovcovy Maštale Type: nature Why go: Explore a nearby sandstone rock city with narrow canyons. Best for: Hiking. Where: 15 km from Litomysl. Time: 3-4 hours. Cost: Free. Tip: Wear sturdy shoes as the paths can be sandy.
10. Name: Bouzov Castle Type: day trip Why go: Visit a fairytale fortress frequently used in movies. Best for: Families. Where: Between Olomouc and Litomysl. Time: 2 hours. Cost: Paid tours. Tip: Consider visiting Bouzov Castle on your way back to Olomouc.
11. Name: Kroměříž Gardens Type: day trip Why go: See another UNESCO site famous for its Baroque landscaping. Best for: Garden enthusiasts. Where: South of Olomouc. Time: 3 hours. Cost: Paid entry. Tip: Combine this with other day trips near Olomouc for a full week of sightseeing.

Practical Tips for Your Litomysl Day Trip

Check the weather before you leave Olomouc. Most of the castle tours are indoors. However, the gardens and sgraffito are best enjoyed in the sun. Wear comfortable walking shoes for the cobblestone streets. Many areas around the castle are pedestrian-only.

The official tourism board offers maps and brochures. You can pick these up at the information center on the main square. They can help with last-minute tour bookings if the online system is full. Most restaurants in Litomysl accept credit cards.

Budget around 500 to 800 CZK for a full day. This includes tour tickets, lunch, and a few souvenirs. If you travel by train, check the schedule for the final return trip. Evening connections back to Olomouc can be less frequent.