Chotěboř City
City in Vysočina, Czechia
A market town in Vysočina, Chotěboř draws visitors for its fortress-turned-chateau, tidy medieval square and forests that slope into granite ridges. Hikers take marked trails; local cafés serve thick cream desserts and roasted meats after a day on the paths.
Why Visit Chotěboř?#
Set in the rolling Vysočina countryside, this town draws travelers with its compact historic center and hilltop Chotěboř Castle. Timber-framed houses and narrow streets give a pleasing small-town feel, while local cafés and pubs invite tasting of Czech dumplings and koláče pastries. Folk festivals and castle events bring regional music and crafts to life, offering an intimate encounter with Bohemian heritage away from larger tourist hubs.
Best Things to Do in Chotěboř#
Chotěboř Bucket List#
Chotěboř Castle - Chotěboř Castle and its gardens offering historic interiors and occasional cultural events.
Town square and arcade houses - The arcade-lined town square with cafés and period merchant houses to admire.
Local museum of crafts - Museum displaying regional folk crafts, historic tools, and the town’s artisanal heritage.
Forest trails to Bohdaneč - Nearby forest trails leading to peaceful clearings and small local chapels off the beaten path.
Small-town ateliers - Independent ateliers where local painters and sculptors work and sometimes open to visitors.
Seasonal food markets - Weekend markets offering local cheeses, smoked meats, and seasonal produce from nearby farms.
Havlíčkův Brod - Havlíčkův Brod for historical centre, museums, and regional cafés only a short drive.
Žďár nad Sázavou - Žďár nad Sázavou with Pilgrimage Church of St. John near Křižovatka and UNESCO sites.
Best Time to Visit Chotěboř#
Visit from late spring through early autumn (May-September) for mild weather, long daylight and easy outdoor exploring. Winters are cold and often snowy, so plan indoor activities or avoid the deepest winter months.
December - February
-5°C to 5°C (23°F to 41°F)
Cold, occasionally snowy days make village streets quiet; museums and cafés are cosy, but outdoor sightseeing can be curtailed by frosts and short daylight.
March - May & September - November
5°C to 18°C (41°F to 64°F)
Pleasant temperatures and blooming countryside ideal for cycling, hiking and local events; expect occasional rain but far fewer tourists than in peak summer months.
June - August
18°C to 30°C (64°F to 86°F)
Warm, sunny days make exploring villages and rivers delightful; bring sunscreen and expect busy weekends as locals and visitors flock to outdoor festivals and riverbank bars.
Chotěboř's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -5°C to 22°C. Moderate rainfall (545 mm/year).
January
January is the coldest month with highs of 0°C and lows of -5°C. Light rainfall and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -5°C. The driest month with just 24 mm and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (31 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (60 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 9°C. The wettest month with 79 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (78 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (66 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (44 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (33 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (36 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is freezing with highs of 1°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (31 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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How to Get to Chotěboř#
Chotěboř is reached most easily via Prague (PRG) or Brno (BRQ) followed by a regional train or bus. Regional ČD trains and local bus services provide the last-mile connections; check current timetables for the best route.
Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG): The main international airport serving the Vysočina Region. From PRG you can reach Prague city centre by bus 119 + metro or the Airport Express/AE bus to Hlavní nádraží; journey time to Prague central station is about 25-40 minutes (bus+metro ticket or AE fares vary, see operator websites). From Prague take regional trains or buses east toward Chotěboř.
Brno-Tuřany Airport (BRQ): A smaller alternative for southern Vysočina; from Brno the onward rail/bus journey to Chotěboř is longer (typically 1.5-3 hours by train/bus).
Train: Chotěboř is served by regional trains operated by České dráhy (ČD) on lines linking to Havlíčkův Brod and Jihlava; use Prague hlavní nádraží as the main transfer point for long-distance services. Regional train rides are typically 30-90 minutes from nearby hubs; fares for short regional trips commonly range from ~40-150 CZK.
Bus: Regional bus services connect Chotěboř with neighbouring towns and with Havlíčkův Brod; buses are often the most frequent option for smaller villages and can be quicker than indirect rail connections. Intercity bus companies (e.g., FlixBus) serve larger junctions rather than the town itself.
How to Get Around Chotěboř#
Use Prague or Brno as the international arrival points, then transfer to ČD regional trains or regional buses for Chotěboř. Trains are comfortable for main links; buses give better coverage for smaller local stops.
- Regional Train (České dráhy / ČD) (40-200 CZK) - ČD operates regional trains linking Chotěboř with Havlíčkův Brod, Jihlava and Prague. Trains are generally reliable and comfortable for medium-distance travel. Buy tickets at stations, via ČD’s app or on-board where allowed.
- Regional Bus (30-120 CZK) - Regional buses provide flexible connections to nearby villages and towns; frequency is higher during daytime. Buses are useful when rail connections are indirect; validate your ticket on board or at local kiosks.
- Intercity Coach (FlixBus / others) (from ~100 CZK) - Intercity coaches link major cities and hubs-useful for reaching the region from Prague or Brno if direct local services are limited. Coaches stop at larger towns rather than small stations, so a local bus or taxi may be needed for the final leg.
- Taxi / Private Transfer (300-1 200 CZK) - Taxis are available for short hops from the station or for door-to-door transfers; helpful for early/late arrivals. Agree on a price or use meter-based services from reputable companies.
- Bicycle - The region has quiet roads and marked cycle routes suitable for day trips and local exploration. Renting a bike in larger towns is the usual option; be prepared for some hilly stretches.
- Walking - Chotěboř’s centre is compact and pleasant on foot-walking is the best way to explore the town’s historic core and market area.
Where to Eat in Chotěboř#
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Chotěboř’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.