Living abroad in the Czech Republic as a Zimbabwean has opened me up to different ways of doing things. One such thing is the trips out into nature and to historical monuments that Czechs value. During this time, I have enjoyed going to different places and having new experiences.

A visit to Konopiště Castle gardens during the late summer was one such experience. The castle gardens are known for their grandeur, peacocks and proximity to Prague. Konopiště Castle is located just 35km outside of Prague about a 25 – 30 minute drive, making it the perfect day trip outing on a budget.

Parking is plentiful and there are numerous vendors who cater to your sweet or salty tooth needs, with others selling souvenirs related to the historical site. It fascinates me that it is normal to explore castle gardens when living in Europe.

My Notes & Recommendations

• Entry to the castle gardens is free. Should you wish to take a tour inside the castle, you would have to pay admission as listed on the castle website.
• Bring comfortable walking shoes – the walk up to the castle and castle gardens from the main parking lot is relatively steep, so you want to be as comfy as possible
• If you’d like to feed the reindeer – yes, there are reindeer close to the castle gardens – then bring some vegetables to share with them. Other foods are strictly prohibited.
• There is a souvenir and small coffee shop in the castle courtyard so you can bring some cash along for that

I share some cultural parallels between Africa, specifically Zimbabwe, and Europe, specifically The Czech Republic, on my YouTube channel: