This year, the main visiting season for monuments under the administration of the National Monuments Office (NPÚ) has been extended until November 3. This extension includes the period of the autumn holidays and the following two days when many schools will be closed. From November 4, only selected sites, including monuments that remain open year-round, will be accessible on weekends.
The NPÚ manages over 100 castles, palaces, monasteries, and other historical monuments. By the end of September 2024, a total of 3.5 million visitors had been counted, representing an 8% decrease compared to the previous year, as announced by the National Monuments Office (NPÚ) in a press release today. The summer months were the busiest, attracting 1.8 million visitors, although many Czechs traveled abroad during that time. Factors such as hot weather, flooding, and sporting events—like the European Football Championships and the Summer Olympics—had a negative impact on visitor numbers.
The largest increase in visitor numbers was recorded at monuments that reopened following restoration work. These included Lysice Castle, whose garden with impressive terraces and a fig house reopened after two years of restoration. Litomyšl Castle also impressed visitors after the first phase of extensive renovations, showcasing new interiors, including the oldest theatre hall and a UNESCO exhibition.
This year, Lednice Castle once again led in visitor numbers, attracting 273,000 visitors, followed by Český Krumlov, Hluboká, and Karlštejn. A special attraction was the “Night of the Castles” in August, which drew 26,000 visitors to 117 monuments.
The NPÚ’s total income rose by 6.3% to CZK 627.3 million by the end of September. The trend toward cashless payments continued, with 60% of admission fees paid by card. The “Na památku” gift vouchers introduced last year are also becoming increasingly popular.
Starting in December, the monuments will offer special Advent programs. Guided tours with costumed guides, rooms decorated for Christmas, and nativity scene exhibitions will invite visitors to enjoy a contemplative end to the year.
Admission prices will remain unchanged for the upcoming 2025 season. The discount system will also stay in place, allowing children, young adults, and senior citizens to continue benefiting from discounts. A highlight will be the 15th year of the NPÚ project “In the Footsteps of the Noble Families” (Po stopách šlechtických rodů), which will focus on the Italian nobility.
