The castle sits on a wooded ridge directly above the town and is visible from almost everywhere in Náchod. The core is a Gothic fortress from the 13th century, rebuilt as a Renaissance château in the 1570s by Italian architects working for the Smiřický family. The result is a sprawling complex of courtyards, arcades, and bastions, far larger than the town below would lead you to expect.
The interiors are open as several separate tour routes, with the Piccolomini state rooms the most rewarding — Baroque portraits, Flemish tapestries, weapons, and porcelain. The grounds and the panorama from the upper terrace are accessible for free. The walk up from the square through the castle park is short and pleasant.