South Bohemia hides plenty of gorgeous spots, and I’d argue that Červená Lhota Castle is one of the most photogenic of them all. You may well recognise it from the legendary Czech fairytale “Goldilocks” (Zlatovláska), and in real life it looks even more magical. This vivid red building perched on a small rocky outcrop is usually mirrored on the calm surface of a pond, creating scenery that looks straight out of a romantic film.
But I have to flag one hugely important thing right at the start. Since 2022 the castle pond has been drained because of a seriously damaged dam, and in the 2026 season it will most likely still be without water. The repair is complicated, so the little boats are currently out of service too. Exactly when the water will return is still uncertain.
You might be thinking there’s no point without the water, but trust me, this deep red Renaissance building has enormous charm even so. Lukáš and I visited before the pond was drained, so you’ll see the water on our photos in this article, but even if you arrive to find a dry riverbed, the walk around the castle will definitely win you over. Let’s take a look at everything you should know before you go.
TL;DR: what to expect at Červená Lhota
- Fairytale atmosphere: This is one of the best-known Czech castles, the filming location for the famous “Goldilocks” and many other Czech fairytales.
- Current state of the pond: The pond is currently drained because of dam repairs, so the popular boats aren’t running.
- Three tour routes: You can peek into the historic interiors, explore the attic rooms full of old toys, or head down into the cellars.
- A stroll through the English park: A lovely path leads all the way around the grounds and takes you about 45 minutes.
- Best reached by car: The castle sits a little off the main railway lines, so the easiest way to get here is by car, parking at the paid car park a short walk from the entrance.
- An ideal half-day trip: Two to three hours are plenty for the tour and a walk around the grounds.
When to visit Červená Lhota and what it looks like now
The castle traditionally opens its gates to visitors in spring, and the main season runs from April to October. If you go in the shoulder months like April or October, bear in mind it’s only open at weekends. In May and September the gates are open Tuesday to Sunday, and the same schedule applies during the warmest summer months. Mondays are traditionally closed at Czech castles and chateaus, and Červená Lhota is no exception. Opening hours usually start at 9:30 in the morning and finish at 4 pm, extending to 5 pm in summer. Don’t forget the guides also take a lunch break in the middle of the day.
As for how the whole site looks right now, I already mentioned the missing water in the castle pond in the intro. The dam was damaged years ago and the repair, costing roughly two million euros, takes time. Don’t let that put you off, though. The castle perched on its rock looks magnificent even when all you see below it is a grassy bed and stones. Visitor numbers are actually rising despite this complication, with people still coming to admire the beautiful Renaissance architecture.
If you fancy something really out of the ordinary, plan your trip for December. The castle regularly hosts special Christmas tours called the Schönburg Christmas, when the interiors are beautifully decorated for the festive season.
💡 Tip: Because the situation around the dam repair and refilling the pond can change at any time, I always recommend checking the current status and exact admission prices for 2026 directly on the castle’s official website.
How to get to Červená Lhota and where to park
The castle lies in the Jindřichův Hradec district, tucked away in the picturesque South Bohemian countryside. By far the most comfortable way to travel here is by car. If you’re coming from abroad, the easiest option is to fly into Prague (British Airways, Ryanair and Wizz Air all fly from London and other UK airports) and hire a car from there. The drive from Prague is just under 170 kilometres and takes around two comfortable hours. From České Budějovice it’s a little over 50 kilometres, and from nearby Jindřichův Hradec you’ll reach the castle in about 20 minutes.
Right by the entrance to the castle grounds you’ll find the official car park, which is paid but literally just a few steps from the monument. Especially in summer, I’d recommend arriving right at opening time, as parking capacity can fill up fairly quickly.
If you’d rather travel by public transport, be prepared for a slightly more adventurous trip. The nearest railway station, Kardašova Řečice, is about 11 kilometres from the castle, and although buses to the village do exist, the timetable thins out considerably at weekends. For families with children, a car really is the most sensible choice.
Where to stay near Červená Lhota
South Bohemia is perfect for a weekend getaway, and Červená Lhota makes a great base for exploring the whole region. Accommodation here is surprisingly varied and easy on the wallet too. I’ve put together some tips for hotels and guesthouses across the price ranges.
If you want to sleep right by the castle and enjoy absolute peace and quiet, take a look at Penzion a restaurace Zlatovláska. It sits just a stone’s throw from the water, has an excellent rating above nine points, its own restaurant and even a lovely wellness area. You can get up early and wander through the castle park with no tourists at all.
For those of you who prefer a town atmosphere and evening walks through historic streets, nearby Jindřichův Hradec makes the ideal base. Here you can stay at Hotel Bílá paní, a very pleasant three-star hotel just steps from the local castle and chateau. If you want a bit more luxury, book Hotel Concertino Zlatá Husa. It’s a beautiful four-star complex right in the town centre with a great wellness centre.
A great choice for combining day trips with a spa break is the town of Třeboň, about 30 kilometres from Červená Lhota. Our favourite for lavish breakfasts is Hotel Bohemia Regent. The renowned Bertiny lázně spa is the place to treat yourself to peat treatments after a full day of sightseeing. And for lovers of smaller, more characterful places, I warmly recommend the boutique Hotel Galerie.
What to see and do at Červená Lhota Castle
This Renaissance building has surprisingly much to offer. Today it’s a national cultural monument managed by the National Heritage Institute. Let’s take a look at eight things you definitely shouldn’t miss during your visit.
1. The vivid red façade and the legend behind the colour
The very first written mention of the original fortress on this spot dates back to 1465. The Renaissance rebuild was launched around 1530 by Jan Kába of Rybňany. Today, though, every visitor is instantly struck by the bright red rendering that gave the monument its name.
Historical facts tell us the name Červená Lhota (meaning “Red Lhota”) first appeared in 1602, after the new colour of the façade. But among locals a far darker legend has been passed down for centuries. The tale tells of a lady of the castle who supposedly lost her faith and threw a holy cross out of the window. For this sin the Devil himself was said to have carried her off, leaving a bloody stain on the walls that couldn’t be washed away. The owners had no choice but to paint the whole castle red. Historical sources naturally don’t confirm this story, but it’s simply part of the place’s fairytale atmosphere.
2. The tour routes and castle interiors
The castle offers visitors several ways to look inside. The basic route takes you into the historic interiors on the first floor. This tour lasts around 50 minutes and shows you the authentic apartment of the last owners, the Schönburg-Hartenstein family. Every room is preserved exactly as it looked around 1910, so you’ll pass through roughly 16 beautifully furnished rooms.
The second route leads you to the attic rooms. On this 30-minute tour you’ll explore the children’s bedrooms and an extensive cork installation with historic toys. The third option is a descent into the castle cellars, where over 20 minutes you’ll see spaces partly cut into the rock. This third route is usually only open seasonally.
3. The stone bridge and approach to the castle
You reach the building itself across a beautiful stone bridge that spans the former pond surface. A wooden bridge once stood in its place, but the stone version gives the whole approach a far more majestic look.
This is where you’ll get a stunning head-on view of the castle, so pause here for a moment, take in the details of the entrance portal and enjoy how mightily the whole structure rises straight out of the bedrock.
4. A walk around the pond
Even though the pond is currently drained, a walk around its banks is an absolute must. A well-trodden path leads you through the whole area and shows you the castle from every possible angle. The route is very easy, and at a slow, leisurely pace you’ll circle it in 30 to 40 minutes.
At various spots along the bank you’ll discover gaps between the trees that form perfect natural frames for your photos. The great thing is these views work flawlessly even now, without the water.
5. The Chapel of the Holy Trinity
During your walk through the castle park you’ll definitely come across a small mound topped by the Chapel of the Holy Trinity. It’s a plain Renaissance building that hides a huge surprise inside.
Its interior is decorated with beautiful trompe-l’œil paintings and a lovely wooden ceiling. It’s not just an empty historical backdrop either; the chapel serves as a fully functioning church, regularly hosting masses and romantic wedding ceremonies.
6. The castle park in autumn colours
The whole complex is surrounded by a sprawling English park, founded here at the end of the 19th century. It spreads mainly across the hill above the castle and offers a peaceful place to relax after your tour.
We love the park best in autumn, when the trees turn incredible shades of yellow, orange and red. That combination with the deep red castle façade is almost unreasonably picturesque, and you’ll struggle to put the camera down.
7. A boat ride (once the water is back)
Hiring a wooden punt and drifting past the castle walls was historically a huge draw and one of the loveliest experiences at Červená Lhota. From the water, the castle looks even more inaccessible and majestic.
As you now know, though, this activity is currently suspended. We’re all keeping our fingers firmly crossed that once the demanding dam repair is finished, the water will return to the Dírenský stream valley and the boats will once again glide out onto the surface.
8. The best views for photos
If you want to bring home the best shots, I recommend properly walking the entire loop around the pond. The most famous photos come from the opposite bank, where you have the castle beautifully framed by the branches of old trees.
You’ll also find interesting compositions right by the stone bridge or from the gentle rise near the Chapel of the Holy Trinity. And if you’re brave enough for an early start, your reward will be the castle almost without tourists, which is an experience in itself.
💡 Tip for families with children: There’s usually crossbow shooting set up right by the castle in season, which little travellers tend to love. And if you decide to go inside, definitely pick the attic-rooms tour, where they’ll get to see the historic children’s toys.
Where to eat nearby
After a good walk you’re bound to work up an appetite. Right opposite the entrance stands Restaurant Červená Lhota with a lovely view of the castle, but its reviews are pretty mixed, so personally I’d try my luck elsewhere. There are usually seasonal stalls right by the castle too, where you can grab a quick coffee or a scoop of ice cream to refresh.
A little further on is the aforementioned Penzion a restaurace Zlatovláska, where they make really good soups, large vegetable salads, fresh baguettes and there’s always something sweet to go with your afternoon coffee. The local pubs around here also serve honest Czech home cooking that plenty of visitors swear by.
As vegetarians, the two of us mostly went for a nice salad, a meat-free soup or pasta, and for a wider choice of meat-free dishes it always paid off to pop over to a bigger town.
If you’re after a broader selection of restaurants and cafés, I’d recommend a short drive to nearby Jindřichův Hradec or Třeboň, where you’ll find plenty of excellent places with modern gastronomy and great speciality coffee.
Day trips from Červená Lhota
South Bohemia is packed with wonderful sights, and if you’re travelling by car, everything is just around the corner. Here are our favourite tips for interesting places within easy reach:
- Jindřichův Hradec (20 km): Home to the third-largest historic centre in the Czech Republic, a huge castle and chateau, the beautiful Vajgar pond and a famous narrow-gauge railway.
- Třeboň (30 km): A wonderful spa town with the famous Svět pond, the Regent brewery and the gorgeous Schwarzenberg tomb.
- Tábor (29 km): A historic Hussite town with a beautiful square and fascinating underground passages.
- České Budějovice (52 km): The capital of the whole of South Bohemia, with its enormous Přemysl Otakar II Square and the Black Tower.
- Český Krumlov (77 km): A UNESCO-listed town that deserves a full day out.
💡 Tip: If you’re planning to explore more castles and monuments in South Bohemia, check out the tickets and guided tours on GetYourGuide. You can often find interesting experiences there and book your tickets conveniently from home.
Where to go next
- Looking for more inspiration for travelling around our homeland? Read our article on where to go on holiday in the Czech Republic.
- If you’re keen to discover more corners of South Bohemia, check out our guide to what to see in Tábor.
- And if you want to enjoy some proper spa relaxation, explore our tips on what to do in Třeboň.
Frequently asked questions
Is the pond at Červená Lhota currently filled?
No, the pond has been drained since 2022 due to a damaged dam. Repairing it is both financially and technically demanding, and for the 2026 season, water and boats are still most likely not expected.
How much is the castle entrance fee?
Prices may vary slightly, but the basic entrance ticket for the main historical circuit is around €9 for an adult. Reduced admission is approximately €7 and children from six to seventeen years old pay around €3. Children under six have free admission.
How long does the castle interior tour take?
The basic guided tour through the historical interiors on the first floor takes approximately fifty minutes. If you add a walk around the pond, allow yourself roughly two to three hours for the entire visit.
Is Červená Lhota suitable for a trip with kids?
Yes, it’s a great destination for families. Kids usually enjoy the walk around the pond, seasonal crossbow shooting right by the château, and the attic rooms circuit where old children’s toys are on display. A half-day trip will easily keep both little ones and adults entertained.
Where can you best park near Červená Lhota?
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Right before the entrance to the castle grounds, there’s a spacious official parking lot. It’s paid parking, but you’ll avoid the hassle of searching for a spot in the nearby village.
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What famous fairy tales were filmed at the castle?
The castle became famous primarily for the legendary Goldilocks from 1973. Additionally, The Weddings of Mr. Vok, Pan Tau, The Princess and the Pea, and the fairy tale About the Lost Princess were filmed here. The well-known Third Prince, on the contrary, was not filmed here.
Tips and Tricks for Your Vacation
Don’t Overpay for Flights
Search for flights on Kayak. It’s our favorite search engine because it scans the websites of all airlines and always finds the cheapest connection.
Book Your Accommodation Smartly
The best experiences we’ve had when looking for accommodation (from Alaska to Morocco) are with Booking.com, where hotels, apartments, and entire houses are usually the cheapest and most widely available.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Good travel insurance will protect you against illness, accidents, theft, or flight cancellations. We’ve had a few hospital visits abroad, so we know how important it is to have proper insurance arranged.
Where we insure ourselves: SafetyWing (best for everyone) and TrueTraveller (for extra-long trips).
Why don’t we recommend any Czech insurance company? Because they have too many restrictions. They set limits on the number of days abroad, travel insurance via a credit card often requires you to pay medical expenses only with that card, and they frequently limit the number of returns to the Czech Republic.
Find the Best Experiences
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can book guided walks, trips, skip-the-line tickets, tours, and much more. We always find some extra fun there!
