Turnov Travel Guide

City Historic town in Liberecký kraj

Turnov sells garnet jewelry beside Gothic towers and a small castle. Hikers use it as a base for Bohemian Paradise rock formations, climbing routes, and river walks; expect gem-cutting workshops and hearty Czech taverns.

Costs

Typical daily budget: $50-$75

Affordable Czech small-town prices; mid-range for tourists.

Safety

Very safe and welcoming

Safe and tourist-friendly; great for solo hikers.

Best Time

May to October

Ideal for hiking rock towns and castle visits.

In This Guide

Why Visit Turnov?
Top Things to Do
Plan Your Visit
Where to Stay
Where to Eat

Time

—

Weather

—

Population

14,507

Infrastructure & Convenience

Good regional rail and bus links, tourist trails well marked, basic English at sights.

Popularity

Popular with Czech weekenders, climbers and hikers; modest international profile.

Known For

Bohemian Paradise access, sandstone rock formations, garnet and gem cutting, medieval churches, hiking, climbing, castles, local craft shops

Turnov is the Czech Republic's traditional centre for garnet cutting and gemstone craftsmanship.

Why Visit Turnov? #

Gateway to the Bohemian Paradise, Turnov is known for centuries-old gem-cutting and a strong tradition of Bohemian garnet jewelry. Sandstone formations such as the Prachov Rocks sit just outside town, drawing climbers and photographers, and local workshops and museums make the jewelry craft accessible. Combine outdoor exploration with visits to historic silversmiths and tiny cafés serving Czech pastries for a mix of craft heritage and natural scenery.

Top Things to Do in Turnov

All Attractions ›

Trosky Castle

Romantic castle ruins atop twin volcanic rock peaks

Castle

Kost Castle

Well-preserved Gothic castle retaining medieval defensive architecture

Castle

Sychrov Castle

19th-century romantic castle and landscaped estate in Bohemia

Castle

Bezděz Castle

Gothic hilltop castle dominating North Bohemian landscape

Castle

Lemberk Castle

Medieval castle overlooking Jizera foothills with historic interiors

Castle

Hrubý Rohozec

Romantic neo-Gothic castle and cultural monument

Castle

Grabštejn

Gothic-Renaissance castle with restored interiors near Liberec

Castle

Lusatian Mountains

Low mountain range on Czech–German border

Mountains

Don't Miss

Museum of Bohemian Paradise (Muzeum Českého ráje v Turnově) - Garnet-focused exhibits, archaeological finds and local history displays in Turnov.
Prachov Rocks (Prachovské skály) - Labyrinth of sandstone towers and trails, excellent for hiking and climbing.
Hrubá Skála Chateau - Romantic castle perched on cliffs within Bohemian Paradise offering views and guided tours.

Hidden Gems

Turnov town square - Charming square with carved facades, cafes and several longtime local jewelers.
Local garnet workshops - Small ateliers demonstrating garnet cutting and jewellery-making, often open to visitors.
Lookout trails around Turnov - Short forest paths leading to viewpoints over sandstone formations and valley landscapes.

Day Trips

Trosky Castle - Iconic twin-towered castle ruins overlooking Bohemian Paradise landscapes and hiking trails.
Sychrov Castle - Neo-Gothic chateau with French-style interiors, extensive park and guided tours.

Best Time to Visit Turnov #

Visit May through September for warm, mostly dry weather and clear days perfect for hiking in Bohemian Paradise; winters bring snow, cold temperatures and shorter daylight that limit outdoor plans.

Winter

December - February · -4 to 3°C (25 to 37°F)

Winter is cold and snowy in the uplands, good for quiet walks or nearby skiing; expect frozen ground and limited daylight for sightseeing.

Spring

March - May · 4 to 16°C (39 to 61°F)

Spring rapidly turns green-wildflowers and milder weather make trails pleasant, though early spring can still be chilly and muddy on forest paths.

Summer

June - August · 15 to 26°C (59 to 79°F)

Summer is warm and ideal for climbing sandstone formations, exploring castles and swimming at local reservoirs; afternoons can be hot, so start hikes early.

Best Time to Visit Turnov #

Climate

Turnov's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -4°C to 23°C. Moderate rainfall (577 mm/year).

Best Time to Visit

JulyAugustSeptember

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

37°

Warmest Month

-27°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of 1°C and lows of -4°C. Light rainfall and mostly overcast skies.

39 Poor

Comfort

-2°

Feels Like Freezing

-2°C

Temperature

-4° – 1°

94%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

28 mm

Rainfall

3.9 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.1

UV Index

Low

8.4h daylight

February

February is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -3°C. The driest month with just 26 mm and mostly overcast skies.

48 Poor

Comfort

0°

Feels Like Freezing

0°C

Temperature

-3° – 3°

91%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

26 mm

Rainfall

3.7 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.2

UV Index

Low

9.9h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (32 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

48 Poor

Comfort

4°

Feels Like Cold

4°C

Temperature

0° – 8°

85%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

32 mm

Rainfall

3.8 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.4

UV Index

Low

11.7h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (36 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

62 Good

Comfort

8°

Feels Like Cold

8°C

Temperature

3° – 13°

78%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

36 mm

Rainfall

3.4 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.7

UV Index

Moderate

13.6h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (70 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

64 Good

Comfort

13°

Feels Like Cool

13°C

Temperature

8° – 19°

75%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

70 mm

Rainfall

3.1 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.1

UV Index

High

15.3h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

66 Good

Comfort

16°

Feels Like Cool

16°C

Temperature

11° – 21°

72%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

72 mm

Rainfall

3.0 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.3

UV Index

High

16.2h daylight

July

July is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 12°C. The wettest month with 84 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.

75 Very Good

Comfort

18°

Feels Like Cool

18°C

Temperature

12° – 23°

69%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

84 mm

Rainfall

2.8 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.3

UV Index

High

15.7h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (75 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

75 Very Good

Comfort

18°

Feels Like Cool

18°C

Temperature

12° – 23°

69%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

75 mm

Rainfall

2.6 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.1

UV Index

High

14.3h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (44 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

71 Very Good

Comfort

14°

Feels Like Cool

14°C

Temperature

9° – 19°

75%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

44 mm

Rainfall

2.8 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.7

UV Index

Moderate

12.5h daylight

October

October is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (39 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

58 Acceptable

Comfort

9°

Feels Like Cold

9°C

Temperature

5° – 13°

85%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

39 mm

Rainfall

3.2 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.3

UV Index

Low

10.6h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (37 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

3°

Feels Like Cold

3°C

Temperature

1° – 6°

92%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

37 mm

Rainfall

3.6 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.1

UV Index

Low

8.8h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 2°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (34 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

38 Poor

Comfort

0°

Feels Like Cold

0°C

Temperature

-2° – 2°

95%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

34 mm

Rainfall

3.9 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.0

UV Index

Low

7.9h daylight

How to Get to Turnov

Turnov is a gateway to the Český ráj (Bohemian Paradise) region. The best air access is via Prague (PRG), then a direct regional train to Turnov; local buses serve nearby villages and natural attractions.

By Air

Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG): The main international gateway for the region, about 75-110 km from Turnov. From PRG you can take a bus to Prague main stations then a direct train to Turnov; total travel time is commonly 2-3 hours. Taxis from PRG to Turnov are 1.5-2.5 hours and cost more.

Pardubice Airport (PED): Smaller airport used mainly for charter and low-cost flights; it is farther and less convenient for Turnov than Prague, but can be an option depending on schedules.

By Train & Bus

Train: Turnov has a railway station (Turnov) with regular ČD regional and fast train services to Prague (Hlavní nádraží) and Liberec. Direct trains to Prague take about 1.5-2 hours; fares typically start around 100-200 CZK depending on train type.

Bus: Regional buses connect Turnov with surrounding Bohemian towns and tourist sites (e.g., Hrubá Skála, Český ráj). Buses are useful for reaching villages and attractions not on the rail line; fares are modest and journeys short.

How to Get Around Turnov #

Turnov is a small, easily walkable town; the historic centre and many shops are close together. Regional trains and buses connect Turnov with larger towns in the Liberec Region, and taxis can be used for shorter hops. If you plan to explore the Bohemian Paradise area, having a car makes visiting outlying rock formations and villages much easier.

Where to Stay in Turnov #

Budget

Mid-Range

Luxury

Where to Eat in Turnov #

Bohemian & Regional

Turnov offers hearty Bohemian cooking in family-run restaurants and pubs - roast meats, dumplings and local beers in a relaxed small-town setting.

Local restaurace - Czech classics and local beers
Pivnice / beer pub - Draft beers and hearty dishes
Cukrárna / café - Cakes, coffee and light meals

Cafés & Casual

Cafés, hotel restaurants and market stalls provide lighter options - coffee, pastries and quick international meals for visitors exploring nearby sandstone formations.

Hotel restaurants - Polished regional dishes for visitors
Pizzerias and bistros - Quick international options
Market and street stalls - Seasonal snacks during festivals

Breakdown of cuisine types found across Turnov's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.

Regional

Pizza

Kebab

Vietnamese

Czech

Thai

Asian

Burger

Chicken

Sandwich

Coffee Shop

International

Nightlife in Turnov #

Evening life in Turnov is quiet. There are a few cafés, beer pubs and family restaurants in the centre; nightlife is low-key and mostly oriented toward locals and tourists winding down after daytime sightseeing.

Shopping in Turnov #

Turnov is known regionally for gemstone and glasswork, especially Czech garnet jewellery and related items - you’ll find several small shops and workshops in town selling jewellery, souvenirs and locally made glass. Most retail is small-scale and aimed at visitors to the Bohemian Paradise.