Konopiste Castle
Konopiste Castle
4.5
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Founded in 1300, by the Benesovec family, this imposing castle is a magnificent example of the medieval fortification architecture influenced by the French.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
361 reviews
Excellent
218
Very good
93
Average
29
Poor
9
Terrible
12
Eoin F
Dublin, Ireland4 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
The English language tour is a disgrace. You are charged the same price as the Czech tour for shorter audio and have to stand around while the tour guide provides more information to locals, we could have been done in 20 minutes but were kept for an hour. There is no where listen to you audio where it is not competing with the tour guide making it very difficult to take in what you're being told. On a couple of occasions the guide stood right beside us when we were trying to listen to our piece and began her presentation.
When we wanted to leave early because our child was bored (we had been told this was the best tour for a child) and wanted to use the toilet we weren't let out.
Neither the restaurant or ice cream shop accept card, meaning we had to scramble for cash, we saw no notification about this, which we could have considered when ordering to ensure we didn't order more than we could pay for. The food in the restaurant is nice but a sweet dumpling festival had been advertised as running until 4 finished before 3 meaning we had upset members of our family after lunch
There are much nicer castles in the Czech Republic which are more accommodating to visitors. I would visit any of them before coming here.
When we wanted to leave early because our child was bored (we had been told this was the best tour for a child) and wanted to use the toilet we weren't let out.
Neither the restaurant or ice cream shop accept card, meaning we had to scramble for cash, we saw no notification about this, which we could have considered when ordering to ensure we didn't order more than we could pay for. The food in the restaurant is nice but a sweet dumpling festival had been advertised as running until 4 finished before 3 meaning we had upset members of our family after lunch
There are much nicer castles in the Czech Republic which are more accommodating to visitors. I would visit any of them before coming here.
Written July 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
docGamba
Roswell, GA219 contributions
Oct 2022
Being a history buff, I looked forward to learning about the Arch Duke and his ties to the beginning of World War I. The castle is authentic and one notices this right from the beginning. The tour takes a visitor from room to room. Unfortunately our English speaking guide was a real novice. I can’t believe this older gentleman with a strange sense of humor was a regular guide. I had hope to hear some interesting background narratives regarding the Archduke, the castle and the start of World War I. All this guide did was take us from room to room, remind people to stay on the carpet and try to make jokes with the kids on the tour. He basically would take us from room to room and say - this is the bedroom, this is the bath room, etc. Took away very little from this tour.
How disappointing. This could have been a great experience.
How disappointing. This could have been a great experience.
Written November 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ronnie H
Tel Aviv, Israel786 contributions
Sep 2022 • Couples
After long drive
Depend from where you intend to arrive, there is a parking lot.
What realy bather is that ealder people need to climb to the hill road, few hundreds metters, real tough. This is realy not acceptble, didn't they heard about electric cars shuttles?
Any way we had to wait half an hour just to went in, allthogh this group were pre order.
The gardens and view is realy nice.
Inside the castle tour was
Depend from where you intend to arrive, there is a parking lot.
What realy bather is that ealder people need to climb to the hill road, few hundreds metters, real tough. This is realy not acceptble, didn't they heard about electric cars shuttles?
Any way we had to wait half an hour just to went in, allthogh this group were pre order.
The gardens and view is realy nice.
Inside the castle tour was
Written September 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Accessible Travel Guy
Yukon, Canada1,373 contributions
Jun 2019 • Friends
This review is only of the exterior of the castle! They do not offer English tours that I saw, so I wasn’t prepared to pay the small price to tour inside. There are no elevators inside so a lot of stairs to climb. Walking up to the castle requires a lot of physical effort and to be honest I was exhausted getting up to the castle! There’s ridiculous inclines you have to walk up, minimal areas to sit and the weather was +32 which made for a sweaty adventure! Once in the main square of the castle there are some options for drinks and desserts! It’s a nice way to cool off and there are some outside seating options for you!
Once the last registered owner of the castle was killed while he was away , this triggered the start of WW1 which I have been told! So to know this and to be in such a historical place is quite something!
There are deer, owls, peacocks and bears which you can see in enclosed areas outside the castle, there were no fees to walk up to the castle and to walk into the inner main courtyard... you just have to pay if you’re getting a snack or taking a tour.
I don’t recommend this place for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users due to the high degree of inclines, lack of seating getting up to the castle, the number of stairs and lack of English speaking tours. I think this place could do a better job with making the experience for people with mobility challenges much more easier ie. drop off/pick up areas at front of castle etc.
Once the last registered owner of the castle was killed while he was away , this triggered the start of WW1 which I have been told! So to know this and to be in such a historical place is quite something!
There are deer, owls, peacocks and bears which you can see in enclosed areas outside the castle, there were no fees to walk up to the castle and to walk into the inner main courtyard... you just have to pay if you’re getting a snack or taking a tour.
I don’t recommend this place for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users due to the high degree of inclines, lack of seating getting up to the castle, the number of stairs and lack of English speaking tours. I think this place could do a better job with making the experience for people with mobility challenges much more easier ie. drop off/pick up areas at front of castle etc.
Written June 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
marimh
Southern Finland, Finland21 contributions
Jul 2017 • Business
What can I say. Pros: Konopiste Castle is definitely an interesting place historically, and the garden is lovely. Our guide was enthusiastic and knowledgeable.
Cons: I do not understand the fascination for hunting trophies (historical or not), which the place is full of. They boast that Franz Ferdinand killed almost 300,000 animals by himself. The worst part for me, however, was the poor bear they keep in this small moat-like hole next to the castle. The guide told us there used to be two bears, but one died, and that they are looking for another one. He also said that 'unfortunately' the bear hides a lot, because 'he doesn't like people throwing stuff at him'. Really? That depressing hole is not suitable for one living creature, let alone two. What a disgrace. It would be best if they moved the bear to somewhere else where he’d have more decent living conditions.
Please stick to the history part of the place, and do not support animal abuse anymore. It is 2017, and this kind of 'attraction' is not what most of us want to see in this day and age. The castle and the garden are impressive enough on their own to attract visitors.
I visited Konopiste Castle with a group, but had I been on my own, I would have chosen not to go. The place made me really sad.
Cons: I do not understand the fascination for hunting trophies (historical or not), which the place is full of. They boast that Franz Ferdinand killed almost 300,000 animals by himself. The worst part for me, however, was the poor bear they keep in this small moat-like hole next to the castle. The guide told us there used to be two bears, but one died, and that they are looking for another one. He also said that 'unfortunately' the bear hides a lot, because 'he doesn't like people throwing stuff at him'. Really? That depressing hole is not suitable for one living creature, let alone two. What a disgrace. It would be best if they moved the bear to somewhere else where he’d have more decent living conditions.
Please stick to the history part of the place, and do not support animal abuse anymore. It is 2017, and this kind of 'attraction' is not what most of us want to see in this day and age. The castle and the garden are impressive enough on their own to attract visitors.
I visited Konopiste Castle with a group, but had I been on my own, I would have chosen not to go. The place made me really sad.
Written July 20, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WImom
Fond du Lac, WI2,275 contributions
Apr 2017 • Couples
Took the train from Prague's main station to Benesov Station for less than $5 each. Across the street from the Benesov train station to your right is the Benesov bus station where you can catch a local bus to Konopiste Castle. It is possible to walk but the bus ride is very inexpensive, only 12 Czech crowns each way. Just tell the bus driver that you want to be dropped off at Konopiste Castle. Both local buses #455 and #438 will get you there and back. Look for the bus numbers on the posted signs in the bus parking lot so you know where to stand to pick up the bus. Booked advance reservations for two castle tours in English-Tour 2 (salons of the northern wing with a beautiful historical Armory) and Tour 3-the best of Konopiste Castle-the private rooms. Was nice to book in advance because I was able to select the times that was convenient for us. Others did go on the tour with us when we were there. No photos allowed and it was not possible to sneak any photos either. Guide spoke English very well.
Written June 2, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Justin T
20 contributions
Sep 2015 • Solo
I made a mistake, and didn't read enough about Franz Ferdinand, nor his "fondness" of hunting. He reportedly killed 300.000 animals (yes, you read that right) during his life.
Thousands of animals were stuffed, preserved and exhibited in Konopiste.
I eat meat and have no issues with animals being used for food.
But what I have seen there was too much. It just felt wrong on a completely other level.
Tall (5+m) corridors filled with so many horns and trophies that you start questioning whether you are in a royal castle, or some bizarre witch cave.
The guide was very strange as well. She didn't quite understand what was she talking about.
To illustrate: she was smiling while telling that the owner killed 275k (Wiki has the count to 300k) animals, and with an enlightened smile pointed at which point in the family cousins married, causing degeneration and mental illnesses to their descendants. These things are not something you are excited or happy about. They are sad points in history.
On top of that, the tickets were ridiculously expensive.
You pay per part of the castle. There are 4 in total, so the price ends up somewhere around 40-50 euros per person.
To sum it up: bizarre, wrong and sadistic.
Avoid this place.
Thousands of animals were stuffed, preserved and exhibited in Konopiste.
I eat meat and have no issues with animals being used for food.
But what I have seen there was too much. It just felt wrong on a completely other level.
Tall (5+m) corridors filled with so many horns and trophies that you start questioning whether you are in a royal castle, or some bizarre witch cave.
The guide was very strange as well. She didn't quite understand what was she talking about.
To illustrate: she was smiling while telling that the owner killed 275k (Wiki has the count to 300k) animals, and with an enlightened smile pointed at which point in the family cousins married, causing degeneration and mental illnesses to their descendants. These things are not something you are excited or happy about. They are sad points in history.
On top of that, the tickets were ridiculously expensive.
You pay per part of the castle. There are 4 in total, so the price ends up somewhere around 40-50 euros per person.
To sum it up: bizarre, wrong and sadistic.
Avoid this place.
Written September 30, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
boglin_sue
UK270 contributions
May 2013 • Friends
It isn't difficult to travel to Konopiste Castle from Prague; we took the train and got a taxi from the station to the castle car park. Neither are expensive and train travel is good in and out of Prague. The journey offers the chance to see some of the Czech countryside, especially if you sit on the upper level of the train. You can buy tickets on the train. There is a taxi rank at the station and you can ask your driver for their phone number to call when you are ready to return. You could walk from the station, but it's a few kilometres.
The castle is a bit of a walk from the car park with its cafes and souvenir shops, but it's a pretty walk along a woodland path and there's a pub/restaurant along the way, along with some animals to look at (live ones; there will be plenty of their dead ancestors to view later). There are lockers where you can stow bags etc during your tour. There are also a couple of cafes and a restaurant in the castle courtyard. We ate a late lunch in the restaurant, and it was very enjoyable and reasonably priced.
Included in the entrance fee is a guided tour. You can choose which tour to take and we chose the one that took us through some of the main rooms and into the gallery of armour and weapons. We booked the English tour and had coffee and cake in the castle courtyard while we waited. Our tour guide certainly knew his stuff, and would probably have told us even more, but time/deconflicting with other groups seemed to be an issue. Once we had tuned into his accented English his commentary was interesting and informative, and he really came to life when he showed us into the arms and armour gallery, which was hugely impressive, even for those of us with little interest in firearms. You couldn't fail to be amazed at the intricate and ornate decoration on each item, even the armour for horses!
I enjoyed seeing the living rooms and chapel, but really did not like the abundance of dead animals and horns that were displayed everywhere. I do realise that Ferdinand was a very enthusiastic and accomplished hunter, but having to see the hunting trophies wasn't my cup of tea! I much preferred seeing the live peacocks in the pretty landscaped gardens after our tour.
The castle is a bit of a walk from the car park with its cafes and souvenir shops, but it's a pretty walk along a woodland path and there's a pub/restaurant along the way, along with some animals to look at (live ones; there will be plenty of their dead ancestors to view later). There are lockers where you can stow bags etc during your tour. There are also a couple of cafes and a restaurant in the castle courtyard. We ate a late lunch in the restaurant, and it was very enjoyable and reasonably priced.
Included in the entrance fee is a guided tour. You can choose which tour to take and we chose the one that took us through some of the main rooms and into the gallery of armour and weapons. We booked the English tour and had coffee and cake in the castle courtyard while we waited. Our tour guide certainly knew his stuff, and would probably have told us even more, but time/deconflicting with other groups seemed to be an issue. Once we had tuned into his accented English his commentary was interesting and informative, and he really came to life when he showed us into the arms and armour gallery, which was hugely impressive, even for those of us with little interest in firearms. You couldn't fail to be amazed at the intricate and ornate decoration on each item, even the armour for horses!
I enjoyed seeing the living rooms and chapel, but really did not like the abundance of dead animals and horns that were displayed everywhere. I do realise that Ferdinand was a very enthusiastic and accomplished hunter, but having to see the hunting trophies wasn't my cup of tea! I much preferred seeing the live peacocks in the pretty landscaped gardens after our tour.
Written May 12, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karla H
Westchester County, NY94 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
There is no need to take a tour from Prague to reach the castle. We took the train to Benesov, which took about 50 minutes from Prague at an incredibly low cost. The train is nice, people were very helpful.
Upon arrival to Benesov we took a taxi, which drove us to the castle.
The castle is in a beautiful forest. The tour is in Czech, but they provide audio guides.
The restaurant outside the castle, down the hill is very good and prices are beyond reasonable.
I highly recommend the visit!
Upon arrival to Benesov we took a taxi, which drove us to the castle.
The castle is in a beautiful forest. The tour is in Czech, but they provide audio guides.
The restaurant outside the castle, down the hill is very good and prices are beyond reasonable.
I highly recommend the visit!
Written July 31, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FactotumDellaCitta
London, UK3,981 contributions
Aug 2016 • Couples
The interior of this castle, the last home of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, whose assassination led to World War I, is accessible by guided tour only (and requires tickets). The grounds and garden, however, are open to all free of charge.
Written December 9, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GogoShar
San Francisco, CA328 contributions
Hi Michael,
Is there car parking in the castle ? We will be traveling by rental car.
TIA
fiskat
Toronto, Canada34 contributions
Yes, but you have to walk a bit to the castle proper. It is a nice walk in the woods or through the castle gardens. It is uphill though. Four year olds can easily walk it.
Weronika K
3 contributions
Where can I buy the tickets? Where is the entrance exactly? Does anyone know how the audio tape recorder works?
daisyCalifornia
Lake Elsinore, CA658 contributions
Where do I find auto parking. I will be driving from Kutna Hora
Thank you
daisyCalifornia
vikingo47
Tenterden, UK200 contributions
No problem with parking, well, I do not know in high season. The train which can take you up there we did not see until we were back after visiting. A stop slightly up the hill was not very informative unless you speak Czech. The walk is up hill to the castle which is hard. In the end well worth it as very interesting castle. but they are not well prepared for non speaking Czech.
sgowland
kitchener13 contributions
It looks like it's not open to the public in May or June. Is this correct?
Karel5
Billingshurst, UK94 contributions
Looking at the website , I would say it don't show May or June , because opening time is same as April .From June till Sept it's open an hour later till 17.00.
stephaniebuhagiar27
Island of Malta, Malta5 contributions
How long does it take to visit the castle? If we are a group of 20 people do we need to make a reservation?
Stephanie
43 contributions
Sorry for late reply. No, you don't need to. It took us half and hour to wait for a tour. Of course if you want to make sure that it will be place for you try to call. I hope someone speak English in there. Just pay attention that they close kinda early. Hope you enjoyed your trip!
LyndaAuckland
Auckland Central, New Zealand28 contributions
Hi will it be easy in April to just arrive on the day and do a tour? How long does each tour take approximately?
Stephanie
43 contributions
Sorry for late reply. I guess is too late for reply but you can choose from multiple tours and it start approximately from half and hour. I have been multiple times and just waited till next tour which can take up to 40min max. Hope you enjoyed your trip!
Ana Maria B
Rehovot, Israel91 contributions
How do I get from Prague to the Konopiste (Ferdinand castle) by public transportation, either train or bus?
Jeff M
Hyannis, MA180 contributions
Train from Prague main station to Benesov, the taxi to base of castle, optional tram to castle.
love2travelroadtrip
Haifa, Israel198 contributions
Is it permissible to take pictures in Konopiste? Someone here said it is not, but the castle site does not indicate this.
Jeff M
Hyannis, MA180 contributions
The guide said no pictures allowed during the tour.
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