Beroun District: Castles, Karst and Culture

Karlštejn was founded in 1348 by Charles IV to house royal treasures, relics and the imperial coronation jewels. The castle is part of the diverse range of attractions in the Beroun region, which also includes Křivoklát. The travel experience is further shaped by karst landscapes, caves, medieval fortifications and places with a history of pilgrimage. To plan your trip, you can first decide whether cultural history, nature or several of these themes will shape your stay.

Forests, karst and caves

The Beroun region lies along the Berounka, between the forests of Křivoklátsko and the limestone landscape of the Bohemian Karst. Křivoklátsko is 62 percent forested, with mainly deciduous and mixed forests defining its character. The Berounka is considered a gently flowing river, navigable year-round and suitable for beginners. These features give the landscape a different character from the underground world of the Koněprusy Caves.

The Koněprusy Caves extend over three levels; their explored passages and chambers span 2,050 metres. The public visitor route is separate: it runs for 620 metres through the cave passages and takes about an hour. The caves are also important protected habitats for bats, including the greater horseshoe bat. When planning your visit, check the route’s seasonal accessibility. The Bohemian Karst visitor centre, Dům přírody Českého krasu, is located at Zlatý kůň near Koněprusy.

History, crafts and regional traditions

Beroun’s historic centre is protected as an urban conservation zone and is known for its exceptionally well-preserved medieval fortifications. In Svatý Jan pod Skalou, pilgrimage history and a destination in the Bohemian Karst come together: the town is associated with a former Benedictine monastery and the hermit Saint Ivan. A viewpoint on Svatojánská skála offers views of the monastery complex and the Loděnice Valley.

Crafts are also part of the region’s experiences. Tours at the Rückl glassworks introduce traditional glassmaking techniques, including glassblowing; advance booking may be required. Beroun’s traditional pottery market takes place in the main square in spring and autumn. Check the exact event dates before your visit. Craft demonstrations and a seasonal market thus complement the historic attractions, while offering a different kind of travel experience.

Excursions and getting around

Solvayovy lomy is developing into an open-air museum dedicated to the history of limestone mining and transport in the Bohemian Karst. Visitors can ride a small train, see a cable-car exhibition and enter an underground tunnel. As operations may be seasonal, check visitor information in advance.

For a longer tour, the St. Ludmila Trail offers a different scale: it is about 132 kilometres long, divided into eleven stages, and three of its stages pass through the Beroun region. A described Krasobus route connects Karlštejn railway station with Srbsko, Beroun–Hostim, Svatý Jan pod Skalou, Loděnice, Bubovice, Mořina, Mořinka and Hlásná Třebaň. Check current service before travelling. If you are looking for a hotel in Beroun District, your planned trip highlights can help guide your choice of location: castle and town history, caves and karst, or several of the experiences mentioned above.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Skřipel, Rpety, Záluží, Chaloupky, Liteň, Lochovice, Karlstejn, Nizbor, Zajecov, Zdice, Zadní Treban, Srbsko, Nový Jáchymov, Hvozdec, Podkozí, Hlasna Treban, Chynava, Beraun, Tetín U Berouna, Točník, Králův Dvůr, Trubín, Broumy, Bzová, Cerhovice, Hostomice Pod Brdy, Hořovice, Hudlice, Hýskov, Hředle, Komárov, Koněprusy, Kublov, Loděnice, Mořina, Olešná, Osov, Otročiněves, Suchomasty, Svatý Jan Pod Skalou, Tmaň, Vinařice, Vráž, Vysoký Újezd, Březová U Hořovic, Bubovice, Bykoš, Skuhrov, Drozdov, Felbabka, Chlustina, Chodouň, Chrustenice, Jivina, Korno, Kotopeky, Lužce, Lážovice, Lhotka U Hořovic, Libomyšl, Malá Víska, Málkov, Velký Chlumec, Mezouň, Mořinka, Nenačovice, Nesvačily, Neumětely, Osek, Otmíče, Podbrdy, Podluhy, Praskolesy, Žebrák, Stašov, Měňany, Svatá, Tlustice, Trubská, Újezd, Vižina, Železná, Všeradice, Svinaře

For the main travel overview: Central Bohemia.