Litomyšl is a town that charms you at first glance with its historic atmosphere and Renaissance monuments, but the second you look closer, it surprises you with just how modern and fresh it can feel. This little town in eastern Bohemia, right on the border between Bohemia and Moravia, has long since stopped living solely off its famous past, even though it boasts a spot on the UNESCO list and is the birthplace of one of the country’s most important composers.
Once you start digging into what to see in Litomyšl, Czech Republic, you’ll quickly realise that a single day might not be enough. The town is dominated by a gorgeous Italian-style arcaded chateau that is a genuine European rarity, but right next door you’ll stumble upon top-tier contemporary architecture that keeps racking up one award after another. It’s precisely this mix of Renaissance heritage, the music of Bedřich Smetana and modern design that makes Litomyšl a place that sticks in your memory.
TL;DR
- Litomyšl Chateau: a Renaissance monument inscribed on the UNESCO list.
- Bedřich Smetana’s birthplace: a renovated exhibition in the chateau brewery.
- Smetana Square: the third-longest square in the country, lined with arcaded burgher houses.
- Monastery Gardens: a modern park with sculptures by Olbram Zoubek and soft music by Smetana.
- Portmoneum: a house uniquely painted by Josef Váchal.
- Modern architecture: sensitive updates to the chateau hill and public spaces.
When to Visit Litomyšl
The best time to visit Litomyšl really depends on the kind of experience you’re after and whether you want to see inside the chateau. The main season runs roughly from April to October, when all the monuments are open, including the famous chateau, and the Monastery Gardens are in full bloom. If you love music and don’t mind bigger crowds, the absolute highlight of the year is the turn of June and July, when the international opera festival Smetana’s Litomyšl takes over the chateau courtyard. It’s one of the oldest music festivals in the country, so be sure to book your tickets well in advance.
That said, the town has its charm off-season too. In autumn, for example, when the trees around the chateau hill turn golden, you can wander the historic lanes undisturbed and soak up the calmer atmosphere in the town’s beloved cafés. Just bear in mind that some monuments will already be closed or running on a limited weekend schedule, so you won’t get to see the interiors.
Where to Stay in Litomyšl
If you want to get to know this beautiful town properly and soak up its evening atmosphere, it’s definitely worth staying at least one night. Litomyšl offers a whole range of options, from cosy little guesthouses to lovely hotels right in the historic centre, so there’s something here for every traveller.
Local accommodation often prides itself on a personal touch and a connection to the town’s history. Below you’ll find a few tried-and-tested tips depending on the type of stay you prefer, whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway for two or comfort for a family with kids. In season, and especially during the music festival, rooms tend to sell out fast, so don’t put off your booking for too long.
- For lovers of luxury and history: Hotel Zlatá Hvězda Litomyšl
- Stylish stay in the centre: Hotel Aplaus Litomyšl
- Family comfort and a great location: Penzion V Podzámčí Litomyšl
- Cosy surroundings and peace and quiet: Antik Hotel Sofia Litomyšl
What to See and Do in Litomyšl
Most of the best stuff happens up on the chateau hill and around the long square, so Litomyšl is easy to explore on foot. So what shouldn’t you miss here? The chateau hill, the picturesque lanes and a few slightly mysterious corners are all waiting for you.
1. Litomyšl Chateau
Right off the bat we can’t skip the town’s main landmark, the beautiful Renaissance chateau inscribed on the UNESCO list. This Italian-style arcaded chateau was built between 1568 and 1581 for Vratislav of Pernštejn and his wife, following the designs of Italian architects Giovanni Battista and Ulrico Aostalli. Even from a distance, you’ll be drawn to the richly decorated façades covered in sgraffito, the little rectangular “envelope” patterns. There are reportedly around eight thousand of them, and on closer inspection you’ll spot large figural scenes too, which give the building an incredible sense of dynamism.
Inside the chateau, which over the centuries belonged to the Pernštejn, Wallenstein and finally Thurn-Taxis families, hides one absolute gem: a rare, well-preserved Baroque theatre from 1796–1797, which opened a year later. It’s the second-oldest palace theatre in the Czech lands after the one in Český Krumlov, and it still boasts its original stage sets by Josef Platzer. The chateau interiors can only be toured in season from spring to autumn; outside of that, the hill is at least accessible from the outside.
2. Bedřich Smetana’s Birthplace
Did you know that one of the country’s most celebrated composers came into the world right in the chateau brewery? Bedřich Smetana was born here on 2 March 1824, as his father František worked at the brewery as a master brewer. The brewery itself stands right next to the chateau, and today it houses an engaging museum exhibition that walks you through the life and work of this musical genius.
The Smetana family’s flat underwent an extensive renovation for the composer’s 200th birth anniversary in 2024 and now offers visitors a wonderfully authentic glimpse into the era. The tour is said to be genuinely captivating even for those who aren’t particularly into classical music, since you’ll pick up plenty of fascinating details about what everyday nineteenth-century life actually looked like.
3. Smetana Square
Once you’ve had your fill of the chateau hill, head down into town to Smetana Square, the true heart of Litomyšl. At an impressive 493 metres long, it ranks as the third-longest square in the Czech Republic. It’s beautifully elongated and lined on both sides with colourful Renaissance and Baroque arcaded houses, with the arcades known locally as podsíně. Thanks to them, you can cross the entire square nice and dry even in the heaviest downpour, something the local burghers have apparently appreciated for over five hundred years.
As you stroll, you definitely won’t miss one of the square’s most striking buildings, the Renaissance House of the Knights (U Rytířů). Its façade features incredibly rich and detailed stone decoration that you won’t be able to look away from. This is where you’ll really grasp just how wealthy and important this town once was.
4. Monastery Gardens
If you fancy a break from sightseeing, there’s no better spot than the Monastery Gardens. This modern park sits on a rise right between the chateau and the Piarist church, and it opened to the public in 2000. It’s an ideal place to unwind, where you can sit on the grass or a bench and just soak up the surroundings, with a lovely view over the whole town below.
The gardens are dotted with the distinctive slender sculptures by the renowned artist Olbram Zoubek, which lend the space a slightly dreamlike feel. The overall effect is heightened by soft music by Bedřich Smetana drifting discreetly from speakers, and by evening lighting that shifts with the time of day. Locals reportedly adore this spot for late-afternoon walks and relaxing with a book.
5. Piarist Church of the Finding of the Holy Cross
Right beside the Monastery Gardens rises the majestic Baroque Church of the Finding of the Holy Cross, which you simply can’t miss. It was built between 1714 and 1722 to a design by the celebrated architect Giovanni Battista Alliprandi, and together with the adjacent former Piarist college it forms an unmissable landmark of the whole chateau hill.
The church interior is genuinely awe-inspiring and is often used for exhibitions or musical events, thanks to its absolutely superb acoustics. Travellers especially rave about the view from the observation platform between the towers, from where you get all of Litomyšl laid out at your feet. It’s well worth climbing those few steps up.
6. Portmoneum, the House of Josef Váchal
A completely different experience awaits you at the Portmoneum, an unassuming townhouse hiding an utterly unique work of art inside. Between 1920 and 1924, the eccentric painter, graphic artist and writer Josef Váchal covered the walls and even the furniture with paintings for his good friend and art collector Josef Portman. The result is fascinating and a little unsettling at the same time.
This is the only surviving interior that Váchal decorated so comprehensively. All around you, fantastical scenes flicker past, full of bizarre devils and goblins, but also saintly figures and mystical symbols. It’s a place guaranteed to leave a strong impression on you, and it might even send a little shiver down your spine.
7. The Red Tower
A short walk from the centre, you’ll come across a prismatic late Gothic structure known as the Red Tower. It dates from the turn of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, when it was built under the rule of the Kostkas of Postupice, and it’s the only visible remnant of the original town fortifications. Its name is no coincidence: the masonry reportedly scorched red during one of the devastating fires that plagued Litomyšl in the past.
The tower stands nearly sixteen metres tall, and today its historic spaces are used by a nearby faculty as a museum of restoration. So you can take a close look not only at the Gothic architecture itself, but also at the intriguing process of saving old works of art, a field that modern Litomyšl is quite well known for.
8. The Chateau Hill and Modern Architecture
Our tour wouldn’t be complete without mentioning just how brilliantly Litomyšl blends history with the present day. The entire chateau hill, which includes the chateau, brewery, riding hall, stables, Piarist college and church, has undergone an incredibly sensitive revitalisation in recent years. The former riding hall is now a modern cultural venue, and the Piarist college houses the Faculty of Restoration of the University of Pardubice, which breathes new energy into the historic setting.
The town is generally renowned for its high-quality contemporary architecture, which keeps earning it awards from the experts. This modern approach shows in the redesigned square, the revitalised banks of the Loučná River and small structures scattered throughout the public space. The result is a unique dialogue between old and new that shows how heritage can be cared for cleverly and with vision.
💡 Tip: If you’re travelling to Litomyšl with younger kids, they’ll love the mysterious Portmoneum with its fairy-tale and spooky creatures, and they’ll also have a great time running around the Monastery Gardens. The chateau interiors might not thrill them as much, but the hill itself and its surroundings full of sculptures will keep them happily occupied.
Where to Eat in Litomyšl
All that dedicated sightseeing can really wear you out, and luckily the town has plenty to offer its visitors on this front too. You’ll find loads of charming spots here, whether you fancy a speciality coffee, something sweet to nibble on or a hearty, energy-boosting lunch.
If you’re a stickler for really good coffee, people warmly recommend Kafemysl right on the square, whose owner was even named Barista of the Year in 2017. They also have a sister café, Dvorek Litomyšl, where you can pair your coffee with excellent homemade pastries and sit in the quiet courtyard garden. For chocolate lovers, the obvious choice is Chocco Caffé, a cosy café and patisserie tempting you with proper homemade cakes and hand-made pralines.
As for a main meal, vegetarians and fans of lighter fare reportedly can’t go wrong with the Oáza zdraví (Oasis of Health) canteen. At lunchtime they serve balanced vegetarian and vegan dishes, so you can easily tuck into fresh salads, a nourishing soup or their popular wholegrain pizza. If, on the other hand, your travel companions are after traditional eastern Bohemian cuisine and classic Czech dishes, they often praise the Restaurace a Café U Medvěda. This region also has a rich beer-brewing tradition, so a good lunch pairs perfectly with a chilled half-litre of the local golden brew.
Day Trips from Litomyšl
Litomyšl makes a fantastic base for exploring the wider area, which hides plenty more historical and natural treasures. If you have a few extra days and don’t mind travelling a little, definitely consider checking out the nearby towns and nature reserves.
- Nové Hrady Chateau: Just about twelve kilometres from town, it’s often nicknamed the Czech Versailles. This beautiful Rococo chateau from 1774–1777 is surrounded by a carefully maintained French ornamental garden, and the grounds also house intriguing museums of historic bicycles, vintage motorcycles and hats.
- Toulovcovy maštale: If you prefer nature, head to this nature reserve around thirteen kilometres away. A sandstone rock town full of narrow gorges awaits you, which, according to an old legend, served as a safe hideout for the Litomyšl burgher Vavřinec Toulovec, who apparently did a bit of robbing in his younger days.
- Polička: This wonderfully preserved fortified town lies just under twenty kilometres away. It’s most striking for its Gothic walls, over a kilometre long with nineteen mighty bastions, and it’s absolutely worth visiting the birth room of composer Bohuslav Martinů, tucked high up in the tower of St James’s Church at a height of thirty-six metres.
- Vysoké Mýto: This historic town, roughly fifteen kilometres from Litomyšl, boasts one of the largest square marketplaces in the entire Czech Republic and well-preserved gateways.
💡 Tip: Planning to visit several towns or looking for guided tours of Czech landmarks? I recommend taking a look at GetYourGuide, where you can occasionally find interesting regional excursions and book your tickets conveniently from home.
Where to Next
The Czech Republic is full of amazing places that breathe history and offer fantastic experiences. If you enjoy wandering cobbled lanes and exploring chateaus, take a look at our other articles with trip ideas too.
- Looking for more ideas for travelling around the Czech Republic? Get inspired by our big overview Where to Go on Holiday in the Czech Republic.
- If you’re drawn to more towns with rich history and old architecture, read our article What to See in Kutná Hora.
- Love picturesque squares and Renaissance house gables? Then don’t miss our guide What to See in Telč.
Frequently Asked Questions
Before you set off to this charming eastern Bohemian town, you might still have a few practical details on your mind. I’ve put together a summary of the most common questions travellers have about visiting, to make your planning as easy as possible.
How long does the journey from Prague take and how do I get there?
From Prague it’s about 170 kilometres by car and a comfortable journey takes around two hours. You’ll drive on the D11 motorway towards Hradec Králové and then continue on the I/35 road. If you prefer public transport, you can get there by train with one change in Česká Třebová and the whole route takes approximately two to two and a half hours.
How much time do I need to explore the city?
The historic center itself is fairly compact, so one full day will be more than enough for the main sights and a leisurely tour of the castle interiors. However, if you want to relax in cafés and explore the surrounding nature or museums, feel free to plan a pleasant weekend stay here.
When is Litomyšl Castle open to the public?
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The castle interiors operate on a classic seasonal schedule, which means they are accessible roughly from April to October. During the winter months, the castle is closed, so it’s best to always check the exact opening hours on the official website before your trip.
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Is the city suitable for families with children?
Absolutely, the little town offers plenty of quiet zones without heavy traffic. Kids will fall in love with the mysteriously painted Portmoneum, the spacious Monastery Gardens where they can safely run around, and various interactive elements scattered throughout the modernly renovated castle grounds.
When does the Smetanova Litomyšl music festival take place?
This international opera festival, one of the oldest and most prestigious in our country, traditionally takes place at the turn of June and July. Founded back in 1949, it transforms the entire castle courtyard into an enormous musical stage with an incomparable atmosphere.
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
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