Czech Republic Grand Self-Drive Loop
Drive a loop around the Czech Republic, connecting spa towns, Český Krumlov, Moravian wine country, and Olomouc.
This loop packs the main World Heritage sites of Bohemia and Moravia into a single trip: starting from Prague, head west to the towns of spas and beer, then pass through historic southern towns into wine country, and return to Prague via Brno, Olomouc, and Kutná Hora. While you won't change locations too many times each day, the total distance is long, making it ideal for those with plenty of time who enjoy driving.
May–June and September–October are the best times; Český Krumlov gets crowded and accommodation is tight in July and August.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrive in Prague Old Town
Prague（Old Town Square & Astronomical Clock、Josefov (Jewish Quarter)、Charles Bridge）
About 40 minutes from the airport to the city center. Spend the afternoon walking in the Old Town. No car rental for these first two days to avoid city center parking.
Stay: Old Town & Josefov
Day 2 · Prague Castle and Lesser Town (Malá Strana)
Prague（Prague Castle、Malá Strana & Kampa Island、Lennon Wall）
Take the tram to the top of the Castle, then walk downhill through Malá Strana back to the Old Town. The day is primarily on foot.
Stay: Old Town & Josefov
Day 3 · Pick Up Car and Drive to Karlovy Vary
Karlovy Vary（Mill Colonnade、Market Colonnade、Hot Spring Colonnade (Vřídlo)）
Pick up your rental car and drive west to Karlovy Vary, about 126 km (approx. 1 hour 45 minutes).
Stay: Spa Colonnade District
Day 4 · Loket Castle to Pilsen
Karlovy Vary（Loket Castle） → Plzeň（Pilsner Urquell Brewery）
Drive about 20 minutes to Loket. After sightseeing, drive about 1 hour 30 minutes to Pilsen to visit the brewery in the afternoon.
Brewery tours run on set schedules; it is best to book afternoon slots in advance.
Stay: Bory
Day 5 · South to Hluboká Castle and Český Krumlov
Plzeň（St. Bartholomew Cathedral） → Český Krumlov（Hluboká Castle、Holašovice）
Drive from Pilsen to Hluboká nad Vltavou (approx. 1 hour 45 minutes), then continue via Holašovice to Český Krumlov (approx. 1 hour).
Stay: Latrán and the Castle District
Day 6 · Full Day in Český Krumlov
Český Krumlov（Český Krumlov Castle、Cloak Bridge、Castle Garden & Revolving Theatre、Svornosti Square、Regional Museum & Seminary Garden）
Spend the day walking in the Castle District and Old Town. Leave your car in the peripheral parking lots. Sightseeing is less crowded in the morning and evening.
Stay: Latrán and the Castle District
Day 7 · Třeboň to Telč
Český Krumlov（Třeboň） → Telč（Zachariáš of Hradec Square、Telč Chateau）
Drive from Český Krumlov to Třeboň (approx. 1 hour), then continue to Telč (approx. 1 hour 15 minutes) to explore the main square in the afternoon.
Stay: Zachariáš Square and Old Town
Day 8 · Třebíč to Znojmo
Brno（Třebíč Jewish Quarter & St Procopius' Basilica） → Znojmo（Znojmo Underground、Rotunda of St. Catherine & Znojmo Castle）
Drive from Telč to Třebíč (approx. 45 minutes), then continue to Znojmo (approx. 1 hour). Spend the afternoon walking in the Old Town.
Stay: Znojmo Old Town
Day 9 · Šobes Vineyard to Mikulov
Znojmo（Podyjí National Park、Šobes Vineyard） → Mikulov & Lednice–Valtice（Mikulov Castle、Holy Hill (Svatý kopeček)）
Drive about 20 minutes to Podyjí National Park for a 2- to 3-hour hike, then continue to Mikulov (approx. 1 hour).
Stay: Mikulov
Day 10 · Valtice to Lednice and Brno
Mikulov & Lednice–Valtice（Valtice Chateau & National Wine Salon、Lednice Chateau & Park、Lednice Minaret）
Drive from Mikulov to Valtice (approx. 20 minutes), then to Lednice (approx. 15 minutes), and finally to Brno (approx. 1 hour).
Wine tasting and driving do not mix; there is a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol.
Stay: Old Town Centre
Day 11 · Full Day in Brno City Center
Brno（Villa Tugendhat、Špilberk Castle、Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul, Brno、Zelný trh & Labyrinth）
Leave your car in the parking lot and explore the Old Town on foot. Take a tram or taxi (approx. 15 minutes) to Villa Tugendhat.
Villa tickets must be booked months in advance. It is closed on Mondays, so plan this day accordingly.
Stay: Old Town Centre
Day 12 · Moravian Karst to Olomouc
Brno（Punkva Caves & Macocha Abyss） → Olomouc（Holy Trinity Column、Upper Square & Town Hall）
Drive from Brno to Skalní Mlýn (approx. 40 minutes). After exploring the caves, drive to Olomouc (approx. 1 hour 15 minutes).
Cave tickets often sell out during peak season; reserve in advance and pick up your tickets early.
Stay: Upper Square Area
Day 13 · Kutná Hora and Return to Prague
Prague（Sedlec Ossuary、St. Barbara's Church, Kutná Hora）
Drive from Olomouc to Kutná Hora (approx. 2 hours 30 minutes), then continue to Prague Airport (approx. 1 hour 15 minutes) to return the car.
With a long drive today, it is best to schedule your flight for the next day to allow plenty of time for car return.