There are plenty of things to do in Cesky Krumlov and most take place in the city center and usually inside museums and buildings. Sometimes on warm sunny days, it’s nice to get outside and enjoy the beautiful outdoors. That’s where rafting in Cesky Krumlov comes up because in our opinion it’s the best outdoor activity to do in Krumlov.

The best part is that there are multiple options and distances to choose from which we discuss in the post. There are canoes, kayaks, rafts, and even guided boat tours around Cesky Krumlov to pick from. Big or small groups there will be a way for you to cruise down the Vltava River to Cesky Krumlov.

Rafting in Cesky Krumlov is also a great activity to do if you’re spending a few days in the city and want to get away from all the crowds and somewhere more quaint and relaxed. The city is beautiful, historic, and has lots to see but the rafting down the Vltava River is equally as fun as everything else so it’s definitely worth it if you have the time.

Disclosure: This post has been created in collaboration with Cesky Krumlov Tourism. All reviews and opinions expressed in this post are based on our personal opinions and experiences.

Which company is best for rafting in Cesky Krumlov

A view from a canoe on the Vltava River near Cesky Krumlov.

Our recommendation comes directly from our experience rafting in Cesky Krumlov using Vltava Sport Service. Before we dive in, we want to mention that there are plenty of other companies that run similar tours in Krumlov like Malecek, Rafting and Canoe and also Rafting Krumlov which offer similar tours for similar prices. 

After looking around, comparing prices, and seeing the different options we went with Vltava Sport Service which is located right in the heart of Cesky Krumlov next to the Vltava River. They’re a local small business which is one of the things we look for when booking guided tours.

Vltava Sport Service offers quite a few different types of trips which is great because that way you can decide how much time you want to spend out on the water. They have different types of rafting, different starting points, and different distances so there are options both for newbies like us and for more experienced rafters as well.

Another thing we loved about this tour in Cesky Krumlov is that the tour company is located within walking distance from the center. They drive you from their office to the starting point and from there you canoe, kayak, or raft all the way back to the office right next to the river. It makes the whole trip easy and with nothing to worry about other than staying dry 😉

If going down the Vltava River isn’t enough then they also have bike rentals at their shop which you can rent.

⭐️ Check out Vltava Sport Service’s reviews on Tripadvisor here ⭐️

Meeting point for rafting in Cesky Krumlov

One of the most convenient things about this tour in Cesky Krumlov is that Vltava Sport Service’s main office is right down by the river in Cesky Krumlov. Here is the Vltava Sport Service location on Google Maps.

We recommend booking in advance especially during the summer months when the river (and these tours in specific) get really busy. If you do end up booking last minute though you can always walk down to their office and see if they have a spot available. 

All the tours depart from the office in Cesky Krumlov so that’s where the meeting point is. From the office you’ll jump in one of their vans with your rafts and one of the staff members will drive you to the starting point you decided on. 

The three different types of rafts to take down the Vltava

What type of raft you use is based depending on your group size and what you’re comfortable with. You can either canoe, kayak, or raft down the Vltava River from your drop-off point back to Cesky Krumlov.

Whichever boat you choose you’ll still go down the same river and go the same way (unless you do the rafting + bike tour). The only difference is the boat and the number of people that can fit in each one. 

Kayak in Cesky Krumlov

The kayak is perfect if you’re travelling by yourself or with a friend but you each want your own boat. The kayak is meant for only one person and you have a little more freedom with it since you’re not dependent on any other paddlers! 

You can also go quite a bit quicker in the kayak if you’re a good paddler. It’s definitely fun to kayak and have the freedom to go as fast as you want!

Canoe in Cesky Krumlov

Canoeing in Cesky Krumlov is perfect if you’re a couple or multiple couples that want to go together but each have their own boat. Each canoe can fit two people and they are quite fun to cruise around and navigate. 

You definitely have to be on the same page as your partner while you’re canoeing in Cesky Krumlov or else you’ll end up doing circles around the Vltava (we’re talking from experience lol).

 We took the canoe out and it was an absolute blast! Even though it took us a few minutes to get our rhythm it was so much fun riding down the river and over the “mini” rapids along the way. 

Raft in Cesky Krumlov

The raft is if you really want to have fun with a bigger group and all be in the same boat. A raft fits anywhere between 3-6 people and is a whole lot of fun. It takes a group effort to work together and get down the river but it’s a blast shouting and giving directions so everyone works together. 

If you’re a group and want to stay together we’d recommend the raft over the canoes so that you don’t get split up and get to enjoy the day together. Rafts are a whole lot of fun especially when you have a good group of people to float down the Vltava with.

Pro tip: If you have extra time and are visiting Cesky Krumlov during the summer, then rent a raft for 2 days and then camp at one of the many campsites along the Vltava overnight!

What does this Cesky Krumlov rafting tour include? 

Boat and equipment to float down the Vltava

Once you book your tour you’ll get everything you need to float down the river. The boat of your choice, lifejackets, and also barrels that will go inside your boat where you can store anything that you don’t want getting wet. 

Drop off at the starting point 

Whether it’s the short trip, half-day trip, or full-day trip you choose to do, Vltava Sport Service will drive you from their office with all the gear to the starting point of the self-guided tour. We did the short trip (Vetrni to Cesky Krumlov) and it took us around an hour and 15 minutes to get from the starting point back to the office where the tour finishes.  

Information and map to guide yourself down the Vltava

For the tour, you’ll get a little map with information about the river and the few rapids you go down and how to navigate them. The staff all speak English and will explain everything well and draw on your map before you go out on the water! 

You’ll get to bring the map with the different rapids and how to navigate them in case you forget. Honestly, it was our first time canoeing in a while and it was very relaxed. We barely got wet the whole trip.

Peaceful and beautiful nature 

On a busy day in Cesky Krumlov you’ll really appreciate this tour and how peaceful and relaxing it is floating down the Vltava River. Yes, the river can get busy sometimes but for the most part, it’ll be you and maybe a few other canoes or kayaks within eyesight. 

There’s a small country road that runs parallel to the river but for the majority of the trip it is nice and relaxing with a few adrenaline sections around the rapids!

Some of the best views of Cesky Krumlov 

There are plenty of amazing viewpoints around Cesky Krumlov like up from the castle tower or sitting at Drunken Coffee’s outside patio but there’s something really cool about seeing Cesky Krumlov from the river. 

As you come closer and closer to Cesky Krumlov the buildings along the river come into view, the castle tower comes into view, and this whole little magical fairytale just comes to life. It’s hard to explain but when you’re out there on the water you’ll understand. 

It’s magical, and it’s why river rafting in Cesky Krumlov is one of our favourite activities to do while visiting this special city. 

An awesome time!

If you enjoy being out in nature and outside doing something active we’re sure you’ll have a great time. It’s a pretty unique and cool thing to do in Cesky Krumlov. Not everyone knows about it and most of the time people don’t plan enough time to do something like rafting down the river in Cesky Krumlov – but it’s so worth it! 

So if you’re reading this in advance, plan to book two days in Cesky Krumlov so you can do all the sightseeing you want and also have time to do something like kayaking or canoeing. 

How to get from Prague to Cesky Krumlov

The directions from Prague to Cesky Krumlov on a map

One of the reasons why Prague to Cesky Krumlov is such a popular day or weekend trip is because of how easy it is to get from the two cities. You can find the easiest ways to get from Prague to Cesky Krumlov here. 

Our personal preference is taking the bus because of how convenient it is. You simply get on it in Prague and it takes you directly to the final stop in Cesky Krumlov. It’s affordable, convenient, and has free wifi and coffee + hot chocolate.

The bus has two quick stops along the way before getting to Cesky Krumlov: one in Pisek and one in Cesky Budejovice. A one-way ticket from Prague to Cesky Krumlov will cost you roughly 150 CZK ($6) and it takes around 3 hours to get there. 

You can see how this trip can be done in a day but 2 days in Cesky Krumlov is the optimal amount of time to be able to fully see everything. 

Buses run almost every hour so it’s easy enough to find one to take. We do, however, recommend purchasing the tickets online in advance to guarantee a spot. You can book your ticket on Omio or another similar platform. Worst case you spend an extra night in Cesky Krumlov and get to enjoy even more of this beautiful city!

More tips: 

🛶 Another fun Cesky Krumlov tour is to cruise down the Vltava on a Wooden River raft!
📅 You can check the availability for the Wooden Raft River Cruise here!

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Recap of the best outdoor tour in Cesky Krumlov

We hope you have the best time in your rafting down the Vltava River in Cesky Krumlov. Whether you end up doing the 1-2 hour trip or the full day one you’re in for a super fun time and you’ll get to experience a beautiful little area of the Czech Republic.

The Vltava River is a beautiful place to spend an afternoon, especially with how fun it is to cruise down the river in the warm summer months. 

We hope you have the best time on your trip to Cesky Krumlov and hope you get the chance to experience this awesome trip! If you have any questions about rafting down the Vltava or other things to do in Cesky Krumlov, leave a comment below and we’ll get right back to you.

Have fun!

Dom & Jo
Red White Adventures

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