This picturesque town lies in a deep, meandering valley of the Vltava River in the very southern-most part of Bohemia. Its golden age was during the rule of the Lords of Rožmberk (1302-1602) who made their residence there. At that time, Krumlov was a point of contact between the Czech interior, the Austrian/German Danube region, and Northern Italy. The Italian Renaissance greatly influenced the appearance of the town and its castle. At the end of the 17th century, during the rule of the Eggenberg dynasty, a baroque theater was built and the château garden remodeled. During the rule of the Schwarzenbergs, Krumlov received a decorative baroque makeover. However, Český Krumlov is more than an exceptional complex of 300 historical buildings. The town presents itself to visitors as a lively hub for culture, conventions and tourism. The International Music Festival takes place annually, as does the festival of Renaissance music; theatrical productions are held in the castle garden, the Festival of Five-petal Roses is a major summer attraction, and the Egon Schiele Center is open to visitors year round.

Český Krumlov is situated some 180 km south of Prague, near the Austrian border. A network of long-distance bus lines connects it to major cities. In the summer, an express train from Prague (the Šumava) comes here daily.