The route from Prague south through Bohemia and into Moravia is one of the most varied drives you can do in a small country. In five days you can move from medieval town centers to wine country to limestone caves, covering around 700 kilometers total without ever feeling rushed.
The Route Overview
This is the loop I have settled on after several iterations. It avoids the worst of the tourist traffic while still hitting the places that genuinely justify the detour:
- Day 1: Prague — Tabor — Ceske Budejovice (180 km)
- Day 2: Ceske Budejovice — Cesky Krumlov — Trebon (90 km)
- Day 3: Trebon — Telc — Znojmo (160 km)
- Day 4: Znojmo — Mikulov — Brno (90 km)
- Day 5: Brno — Prague via D1 (205 km)
Day 1: Prague to Ceske Budejovice
Leave Prague via the D1 south and exit onto the D3 toward Tabor. The D3 is a fast road but not a full motorway for its entire length — expect some single-carriageway sections south of Tabor. The drive to Tabor takes about 90 minutes in normal traffic.
Tabor is worth a stop of two to three hours. The old town sits on a hill above the Nezarka River and has a genuine medieval character that has not been entirely smoothed over for tourism. The main square, Zizkovo namesti, is surrounded by buildings from the 15th and 16th centuries. Park near the bus station and walk up.
From Tabor, continue south on the D3 to Ceske Budejovice. The city is the regional capital of South Bohemia and a reasonable base for the first night. The old town square — one of the largest in the country — is worth an evening walk. The original Budvar brewery is here, and the tap room near the main square serves it as it should be served.
Day 2: Cesky Krumlov and Trebon
Cesky Krumlov is 25 kilometers from Ceske Budejovice and takes about 30 minutes to drive. Leave early. By 10am in summer, the town is already crowded with tour buses. The castle complex opens at 9am and the first hour is significantly quieter than midday.
Parking in Cesky Krumlov requires some planning. The town center is pedestrianized, and the nearest parking areas fill quickly. Parking lot P1 near the sports hall is the most convenient option that does not require a long walk. Expect to pay around 50 CZK per hour.
After Cesky Krumlov, drive east to Trebon. The route passes through rolling South Bohemian countryside — fields, fish ponds, and small villages. Trebon itself is a quiet spa town built around a network of artificial ponds created in the 16th century for carp farming. The tradition continues; the local carp is still considered among the best in the country.
Fuel Stop Tip
Between Cesky Krumlov and Trebon, fuel stations are sparse. Fill up in Ceske Budejovice or Cesky Krumlov before heading east. The next reliable station is in Trebon itself.
Day 3: Trebon to Znojmo via Telc
This is the longest driving day in terms of time, though not distance. The roads through the Vysocina region are mostly two-lane and pass through small villages where 50 km/h limits apply frequently. Allow three hours for the drive to Telc, including a stop.
Telc is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most photogenic towns in Central Europe. The main square is lined with Renaissance and Baroque facades in shades of cream, ochre, and pale blue. It is genuinely worth the detour and not as crowded as Cesky Krumlov. Allow two hours.
From Telc, continue south to Znojmo. The town sits above the Dyje River near the Austrian border and is the gateway to the Znojmo wine region. The underground labyrinth beneath the old town is one of the more unusual things to do in South Moravia — 27 kilometers of tunnels dating back to the 14th century, open for guided tours.
Day 4: Znojmo to Brno via Mikulov
The road from Znojmo east through the wine country to Mikulov is one of the most pleasant drives on this route. The landscape changes noticeably — flatter, drier, with vineyards covering the low hills on both sides of the road. This is the Palava region, and the wine produced here — particularly Welschriesling and Palava varieties — is worth stopping for.
Mikulov is a small town dominated by a large white castle and surrounded by vineyards. The wine cellars in the town center are open for tastings, and the local producers are generally happy to let you try before you buy. The town is small enough to walk entirely in an afternoon.
From Mikulov, the D52 motorway runs north to Brno in about 45 minutes. Brno is the second largest city in Czech Republic and significantly less visited than Prague. The old town is compact and walkable, the restaurant scene is good, and accommodation is noticeably cheaper than in the capital.
Day 5: Brno to Prague on the D1
The D1 motorway between Brno and Prague is 205 kilometers and takes about two hours in normal conditions. It is one of the busiest roads in the country, and Friday afternoons and Sunday evenings can see significant delays near Prague. If you have flexibility, leaving Brno before noon on a Sunday avoids the worst of it.
The D1 passes through the Vysocina highlands — the highest point is around 600 meters above sea level. In winter, this section can be affected by snow and ice even when Prague and Brno are clear. Check road conditions at dopravniinfo.cz before setting out.
One stop worth making on the return: Kutna Hora is about 70 kilometers east of Prague and just off the D1. The Sedlec Ossuary — a small chapel decorated with the bones of approximately 40,000 people — is genuinely unlike anything else in the country. Allow 90 minutes including the drive from the motorway.