Karlštejn Castle and Pilsen Day Trip from Prague, Small Group or Private

A day out of Prague to Karlštejn and Pilsen, eight hours with a local English-speaking guide. It runs either as a small-group tour for up to 8 guests or as a private trip for your party alone.

The drive out runs through the Bohemian Karst protected area, past the hills and the villages, which is a reason not to book the train.

Karlštejn comes first. The walk goes through the village and uphill to the castle, taking in the exteriors, the courtyards and the viewpoints, and the guide talks about Emperor Charles IV. The standard programme stays outside. A tour of the interiors is an optional extra, arranged in advance and subject to tickets, opening hours and the day's schedule.

Pilsen follows: a drive through the streets, then a photo stop at the Pilsner Urquell brewery grounds. The standard visit has no brewery tour and no tasting. The guided tour is an optional extra, arranged in advance on the same terms as the castle.

The guided walk through the Old Town centres on Náměstí Republiky, the old square, with the Renaissance town hall on it and the cafés around it. St Bartholomew's Cathedral stands in the middle: Gothic, with a landmark tower, seen from outside. Admission to the cathedral interior and the tower is not included.

Lunch is free time in Pilsen, at your own expense.

Small-group pickup is within central Prague, and the group needs at least 4 participants to depart. Private tours pick up anywhere in Prague and leave room for a more flexible plan by prior agreement. Expect about 3 km of walking, with cobblestones, stairs and a 20-minute uphill approach to the castle.