Moravian Karst in Summer: How to Handle the High Season

July and August are peak season in the Karst. The caves keep their longest opening hours, but tickets for the Punkva Caves (Punkevní jeskyně) are often sold out by around midday at weekends, and the car park at Skalní Mlýn fills up early in the morning. Book ahead and arrive for opening time. The upside of summer: even in a heatwave it stays at around 7–10 °C inside the caves, you can swim at Olšovec, and the Podvrší lookout tower is open every day. In June, the Magic Tones of Macocha (Čarovné tóny Macochy) concerts are held in the caves.

QUICK LINKS 🎟️ Tackling the caves in season · 🌡️ When it’s hot · 🏊 Swimming · 🎵 Events · ❓ FAQ

According to climate data, summer in the southern part of the Karst lasts around 102 days, from roughly the end of May to the beginning of September. And that is exactly when the most visitors arrive. It’s perfectly manageable, though; it just takes a little planning.

Tackling the caves in season

• Book your tickets in advance. Punkva Caves tickets are often sold out by around midday at summer weekends. You’ll find out how to reserve in our article Tickets and booking.
• Arrive for opening time. Kateřinská Cave (Kateřinská jeskyně) opens at 8:20 in July and August, with the last tour at 16:20. In the morning there are fewer people and parking is still easy.
• Make use of the 20% discount. With a ticket from another cave that is no more than a month old, you get a discount on a further cave. It doesn’t apply to the Punkva Caves. More in the cave price list.
• Lesser-known caves such as Balcarka or Sloup-Šošůvka Caves (Sloupsko-šošůvské jeskyně) tend to be quieter than the Punkva Caves. We compare them in our article All 5 caves compared.

When it’s hot

It’s around 7–10 °C in the caves all year round, which makes them the best refuge from the heat in summer. Just bring a fleece, as the difference in temperature is considerable.

The deep gorges are also well worth a visit in hot weather. Pustý žleb and Suchý žleb are cut deep between the rocks and are pleasantly shaded. You can cycle through them on the circuit in our article Cycling through Suchý and Pustý žleb.

By contrast, the steppe slopes in the south of the Karst, such as Hádecká planinka, get scorching in summer. Head there in the morning or evening.

Swimming

• Olšovec in Jedovnice is a recreational pond with facilities and a campsite, and the most popular swimming spot around the Karst.
• The new indoor swimming pool in Blansko comes in handy when the weather turns. Prices and opening hours are in the article Moravian Karst when it rains.

Events and extra openings

• Magic Tones of Macocha: a series of concerts right inside the caves. In 2026 it ran from 3 to 7 June, and tickets sell out quickly. More in the article Concerts in the caves.
• Býčí skála (Bull Rock Cave): cavers open it to the public during open days, which in 2026 took place over three weekends in June.
• The Podvrší lookout tower near Veselice is open every day from 9 am to 7 pm in July and August. See Podvrší lookout tower.

FAQ

Are the Punkva Caves crowded in summer? Yes, at weekends in July and August tickets sell out around midday. Book ahead and arrive in the morning.

What is the temperature in the caves in summer? Around 7–10 °C, the same as all year round. Bring a warm layer.

Where can you swim in the Moravian Karst? At the Olšovec pond in Jedovnice, where there’s a campsite and facilities.

When is the Karst at its busiest? In July and August, especially at weekends. You’ll find quieter spots in the article Moravian Karst without the crowds.

Information verified as of 10 October 2026. Sources: AOPK ČR (Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic), Rozbory CHKO Moravský kras (2017), ch. 2.4 Klima; Caves Administration of the Czech Republic, Kateřinská Cave: opening hours; our articles on concerts, the Podvrší lookout tower and cave prices, which list further sources.

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