In 2024, a total of 4,005,970 people visited the castles, chateaux, and monuments managed by the National Heritage Institute (NPÚ). For the second consecutive year, interest in state monuments exceeded the four-million mark. Lower visitor numbers during the summer and September were offset by higher attendance in the autumn months and the Christmas season.
As in previous years, Lednice, Český Krumlov, Hluboká nad Vltavou, Karlštejn, and Bouzov castles ranked as the most visited in 2024.
The highest increase in visitors was recorded by Lysice Castle, whose garden reopened to the public at the start of the visitor season after more than two years of renovation. Another highlight was the Litomyšl State Castle, which unveiled newly restored interiors in June, including a theatre hall, castle kitchen, and the exhibition Why is the castle UNESCO?. Litomyšl Castle is now open year-round, as is the Telč State Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that reopened in July 2023 following a three-year renovation.
Uherčice Castle also saw increased visitor numbers after opening its restored east wing rooms, including the unique Angel Corridor, in April. Stekník State Castle, part of the Žatec UNESCO World Heritage Site and the Žatec Hops Landscape, similarly enjoyed a rise in attendance.
Compared to 2023, when 4,231,030 visitors toured the National Heritage Institute’s monuments, attendance dropped by 5% in 2024, totaling 4,005,970 visitors. However, the strong autumn months of October and November, combined with significant public interest in the traditional Hradozámecký Advent (Castle Advent) and an extensive festive programme at the year’s end, helped offset the summer decline.
Some monuments also remain open during the winter months, offering visitors the chance to explore historical treasures outside the main tourist season. Winter openings include select days with special routes or exclusive tours. Visitors can check opening hours and purchase tickets online via the individual monuments’ websites.
The National Heritage Institute manages more than 100 sites, including castles, palaces, monasteries, churches, gardens, villas, and technical monuments. The main visitor season for 2025 begins on 5 April.
Top 10 State Monuments by Visitor Numbers in 2024
- SZ Lednice | 306.429
- SHZ Český Krumlov | 224.674
- SZ Hluboká nad Vltavou | 187.254
- SH Karlštejn | 146.679
- SH Bouzov | 101.312
- SZ Lysice | 91.395
- SH Trosky | 90.232
- SZ Sychrov | 85.185
- SH Veveří | 83.882
- SZ Telč | 79.817
