Why Does Český Krumlov Castle Have Two Completely Different Tour Routes?
Route 1, 300 CZK for adults, covers the castle's original Renaissance and Baroque interiors from the 16th to 18th centuries, including the Castle Chapel of St George and the Masquerade Hall. Route 2, 260 CZK, instead focuses on the Schwarzenberg family's own history, a genuinely different subject rather than a shorter version of Route 1. The interiors close entirely from November through March, reopening April through October with hours that shrink slightly outside the June-to-August peak.
Why picking between the two routes is a genuine subject decision, not a length one
Route 1 and Route 2 aren't a long tour and a short version of the same tour, they cover genuinely different subjects, Route 1 the castle's own period interiors from the Renaissance and Baroque eras, Route 2 the Schwarzenberg family's specific history within the castle. That's worth deciding based on which story actually interests a visitor more, rather than defaulting to whichever route happens to be cheaper.
Why the castle interiors disappear entirely for five months a year
Unlike many European castles that simply reduce hours in the off-season, Český Krumlov's interiors close completely from November through March, with no guided tours running at all during that window. That's a genuine, firm planning constraint, a winter visit to the town can still take in the exterior and grounds, but the interior tour routes themselves simply aren't available until the season reopens in April.
Why the tower stays open even when the interiors don't
The castle tower is a genuine exception to the interior closure, staying open daily, including Mondays when the interior tours are closed, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. year-round. That's worth knowing specifically for a winter visit, the tower remains a genuine, accessible option even in the months when Routes 1 and 2 aren't running.
Why the free gardens still have their own seasonal limit
The castle gardens don't require a ticket at all, but they aren't a year-round fallback either, closing from November through April alongside the interior tours. That's a detail worth checking against trip dates specifically, since a visitor picturing free garden access as a backup plan during the interior closure would find the gardens shut for the same months.
What This Means for Planning a Český Krumlov Castle Visit
The practical takeaway is that Route 1 and Route 2 are worth choosing based on genuine subject interest, period interiors versus family history, not simply cost, since both cover genuine, distinct ground. Given the interiors and gardens both close entirely from November through March, only the tower staying open, a winter visit needs to be planned around that gap rather than assumed to work the same way as a summer one.