About the trip
Karlštejn Castle is perhaps the most instantly recognisable medieval monument in the Czech Republic — a royal fortress rising from a steep wooded hill above the Berounka valley, its silhouette of towers and Gothic chapel unmistakable from the road below. Built by Charles IV in the 14th century to safeguard the Crown Jewels of the Holy Roman Empire, it remains remarkably intact. Velká Amerika, fifteen kilometres south, is something entirely different: a flooded limestone quarry of startling dimensions, its turquoise water enclosed by white rock walls that rise like the walls of a canyon. Together they make a tour of genuine variety — history and geology, built grandeur and raw natural drama, within a comfortable distance of Prague.
You might also enjoy: Kutna Hora & Bone Church, Konopiste Castle & Tabor, Pilsen.
Karlštejn is approximately 40min from Prague — the closest major monument on our tour list. Velká Amerika is 15km south of Karlštejn, a short drive through the Bohemian karst landscape. Plan for a 7–8 hour day. Interior tickets to Karlštejn’s Chapel of the Holy Cross must be booked well in advance (it is one of the most popular sites in the country).
Price and Capacity: Book your private day trip for a single price, valid for your entire group of up to 4 people.
Included: Private vehicle, professional driver, fuel, tolls, and parking.
Not included: Castle interior entry fees, meals, or beverages.
Category: Historic | Nature
Duration: Half-day to full-day (approx. 6–8 hours)
Seasonality: Year-round; Velka Amerika best in summer and autumn
Suitable for: Families, nature lovers, photographers, castle enthusiasts
Stops
Karlštejn Castle 2 h
Karlštejn Castle was founded by Emperor Charles IV in 1348 as a repository for the imperial crown jewels and sacred relics — and it was built accordingly: not as a residence or a military fortress in the conventional sense, but as a sacred storehouse. The centrepiece is the Chapel of the Holy Cross in the Great Tower, its walls encrusted with semi-precious stones and 129 painted panel portraits of saints and emperors by Master Theodoric, court painter to Charles IV. It is one of the finest Gothic interiors in Central Europe, and access is strictly limited to small guided groups. The castle exterior — its towers climbing the hillside in a deliberate sequence that mirrors the hierarchy of the sacred objects inside — is equally impressive from the valley below. The village of Karlštejn beneath the castle is a single long street of houses and restaurants leading to the castle gate; the approach up the path through oak forest, with the towers appearing above the trees at each turn, is part of the experience. We recommend arriving before the main visitor rush — the castle in morning light, with mist still in the valley, is something to hold onto.
Velká Amerika Quarry 1 h
Velká Amerika — Great America — is the name local quarry workers gave to a flooded limestone pit in the Bohemian Karst, and the comparison is not entirely fanciful: the sheer white rock faces rise 50 metres from the green-turquoise water below, the scale unexpectedly vast for what is, geologically speaking, a hole in the ground. The quarry was active from the mid-19th century until 1963, extracting limestone for the cement and glass industries; once pumping stopped, groundwater filled it to its current level within a few years. The viewpoint at the top of the rim looks almost straight down to the water, with the white cliffs framing the view like a small fjord. A second lookout on the far side gives a different angle across the full width of the pit. The surrounding Bohemian Karst landscape — officially a Protected Landscape Area — is crossed by walking paths and punctuated by other quarry lakes, caves, and limestone formations; if time allows, a short walk through the karst scrubland between the two viewpoints is worth taking.
Price per vehicle with driver (max. 8 persons)
Frequently asked questions
Planning your trip with Private Tours Czech is simple:
- 📍 Choose your pick-up location.
- 🗺️ Plan your route and stops.
- ⏱️ Select the length of each stop or 🛏️ overnight stay.
- 📍 Set your final destination (which can be the same as your starting point).
- 👶 Choose additional services – child seats, a tour guide, 📸 a photographer, or a special photography tour with a photography course.
🚐 Travel in comfortable, spacious vehicles and complete your booking easily online.
💡 If you don’t want to plan the entire trip yourself, you can choose from our Popular Tours section with recommended routes and then customise them to suit your needs.
💳 Payment is made directly to the driver – you can pay in cash or by card in your chosen currency (CZK / EUR / USD upon request).
✅ The price includes everything listed in your confirmed booking – for example, transportation in a comfortable vehicle, professional driver services, and selected additional services.
❌ The price does not include expenses such as parking fees, entrance tickets, local guides, meals, overnight stays, or other personal expenses.
⚠️ Please cancel at least 12 hours before the scheduled pick-up time. For quick cancellation, use the cancellation link in your confirmation email.
🔄 There are two ways to change your booking:
- ❌ Cancel your existing booking using the cancellation link in your confirmation email and create a new one.
- 💬 Contact our customer support via email or chat – our team will make the changes for you.
🚐 We use fully equipped Hyundai Staria 4×4 vehicles for up to 8 passengers, with a fixed price and large luggage capacity.
Perfect for airport transfers, transporting multiple passengers and luggage, weddings, families with children, and trips.
All vehicles feature:
- 🛋️ Leather seats
- 👶 Britax Römer child seats
- 💧 Vittel water
- 🚪 Electric doors
- 🕶️ Tinted windows
- 🛡️ Modern safety systems
- 📶 USB and air conditioning
👨✈️ Drivers are carefully selected, follow strict quality codes, and are regularly checked.
✍️ If you have special requests – such as assistance for passengers with reduced mobility, transport of sports equipment, specific vehicle equipment, or route adjustments – include them in the “Notes” field when booking.
💬 You can also contact us via email or chat for personalised advice.
📌 Don’t want to plan from scratch? Choose from our range of Popular Tours with carefully designed routes and itineraries.
You can customise each one – change the order of stops, adjust the length of visits, add services, or include your own stops.
