Best things to do in the Czech Republic

“Prague never lets you go,” said Franz Kafka, “this dear little mother has claws”. Prague also gets her golden claws into tourists, and few ever make it outside the capital. But those who tear themselves away won’t be sorry. The colonnade- and park-filled spa towns, Bohemia’s Renaissance breweries and hilltop ruins, and Moravia's rolling hills are among the many best things to do in the Czech Republic.

The information in this article is inspired by The Rough Guide to Europe on a Budget, your essential guide for visiting Europe.

1. Prague Old Town

Discovering architectural pearls among the winding alleys of the Old Town (Staré Město) in Prague is one of the best things to do in the Czech Republic. Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí) was the city’s main marketplace from the eleventh century until the nineteenth century. On the west side is the medieval astronomical clock (Pražský orloj), which gives a mechanical show featuring saints, deadly sins and Jesus.

Across the square are the dour Gothic steeples of Týn Church. If you look closely, one steeple is slightly bigger – they represent Adam and Eve. In the centre of the square is the Jan Hus Monument, built in 1915 to mark the 500th anniversary of the Protestant reformer’s execution.

2. Get lost at Prague Castle

Once the heart of the Holy Roman Empire, Prague Castle is home to the Czech president and crown jewels. Wandering the grounds is one of the best things to do in the Czech Republic for free. But to enter the buildings, including St Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace and the Basilica of St George, you need to buy a ticket from the Castle Information Centre, opposite the cathedral entrance.

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3. Visit the Spanish Synagogue in Prague

Northwest of Old Town Square is Josefov, a mixture of narrow cobbled streets – the remains of the old Jewish ghetto, and wide Art Nouveau boulevards – the legacy of 1890s slum clearance. The Old Jewish Cemetery is a poignant reminder of the ghetto, its inhabitants overcrowded even in death. To the south is the Pinkas Synagogue, inscribed with the names of 80,000 Czechoslovak Jews killed by the Nazis.

The Old–New Synagogue, Europe’s oldest, is the heart of Prague’s Jewish community. Opposite is the Jewish Town Hall (Židovská radnice), with its distinctive anticlockwise clock. East of Pařížská is the gorgeous neo-Byzantine Spanish Synagogue (Španělská synagoga), which hosts classical concerts. This wonderful Neoclassical synagogue in Prague serves as a testament to over a thousand years of Jewish settlement and struggle.

Where to stay in Prague

• For a unique experience: Boat Hotel Matylda
• For luxury: The Julius Prague

Read our guide to the best areas to stay in Prague and find your perfect accommodation options.

4. Get your beer history at Plzeň

Rough and ready, industrial Plzeň (Pilsen) was built on beer and bombs. Bohemia’s second city was founded in 1292 then swelled in the nineteenth century when the Industrial Revolution brought an ironworks and an armaments factory and diversified to cars and trams under Communism.

One of the best things to do in the Czech Republic and Plzeň’s star attraction is the Plzeňský Prazdroj Brewery, better known for its German name, Pilsner Urquell, U Prazdroje 7. In the original brewery, at Veleslavínova 6, the Pivovarské Brewery Museum provides some history and a film on brewing.

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Where to stay in Plzeň

• For price and quality: Hotel Rango
• For central location: Wellness Hotel Republika

Find more accommodation options to stay in Plzeň.

5. Marvel at bone sculptures at Sedlec Ossuary

A short bus ride from Prague, Kutná Hora has a handful of tourist attractions and a sleepy, provincial atmosphere. Beneath the town are kilometres of exhausted silver and gold mines. From 1308, Bohemia’s royal mint at Kutná Hora converted its silver into coins that were used all over Central Europe, but when the mines ran dry the town dwindled.

One of the best things to do in the Czech Republic is to visit the town’s most popular attraction the ghoulish Sedlec ossuary (kostnice). It houses 40,000 human skeletons arranged in intricate patterns by local oddball František Rint, a carpenter, in 1870. Take bus #1 or #4 from Kutná Hora to Sedlec.

6. Visit the mountains for a SPA

You might be forgiven for thinking you took a wrong turn and left the Czech Republic when you reach the heart of Karlovy Vary. This over-renovated spa town, awash with fur hats and poodles in D&G handbags, feels decidedly un-Czech, largely due to its (now slightly waning) popularity with Russia’s wealthy and partly because tourists outnumber locals.

Peter the Great, Goethe and Beethoven all visited the town and the old-style pleasures of central European spa life – hiking in the forest, bathing in hot spring water, and eating sweet nut wafers (oplatky) to chase away the taste of the water – are still the best.

Where to stay in Karlovy Vary

• For boutique stays: Golden Key Boutique Hotel
• For couples and families: Revelton Studios Karlovy Vary

Find more accommodation options to stay in Karlovy Vary.

7. Sample up on young wine

Burcak is a partially fermented Moravian wine, whose arrival marks the beginning of the annual wine market. From September, there are boisterous vinobraní festivals all over the country, marking the grape harvest – with the best in wine country, Moravia.

Revellers dance, drink and feast in an event that dates back to the Middle Ages, and the star of the show is burčák, wine fresh from the press. Sweet and bubbly, it’s only part fermented so it tastes as innocent as peach juice, but it’s up to 8 per cent alcohol. It’s only available from late August to late November at festivals, wine bars and markets.

8. Visit festivals in Olomouc, Moravia

“They say we are going to Olomutz,” wrote Tolstoy, “and Olomutz is a very decent town.” It’s strange that few people have discovered how right he was. In the Middle Ages Oloumouc was the capital of the Great Moravian Empire, and its wealth crystallized into magnificent palaces and churches before trickling away to Brno carrying a wave of industrial sprawl.

With its long-held reputation as a centre of culture and the arts, Olomouc is a natural home for festivals. April brings Academia Film, screening international science documentaries, the Religious Music Festival and the flower festival Flora Olomouc. In May is the Dvořák Festival; actually a celebration of all the major Czech composers.

Where to stay in Olomouc

• For price and quality: Theresian Hotel
• For couples: CENTRAL PARK FLORA

Find more accommodation options to stay in Olomouc.

9. Visit the Renaissance town of Český Krumlov

Quaint, picturesque, red-roofed Český Krumlov nestles amid the meanders of the sluggish River Vltava, just setting out on its journey to Prague. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992, the town is deservedly popular, with tour buses unloading crowds of visitors at the city gates at noon for a five-hour stampede through the narrow streets. For a more enjoyable experience, stay overnight and avoid the crowds.

Krumlov Chateau rises above the Latrán quarter. You can stroll through the castle’s grounds and main courtyards for free day or night, or take a guided tour of the chateau itself. Climb the tower for beautiful views and explore the chateau’s geometrical gardens and two theatres, the exquisite Rococo Chateau Theatre, and the cunning Communist Revolving Theatre, which spins on a mechanical axis.

Where to stay in Český Krumlov

• For historic feel: Orangerie
• For central location: Villa Conti

Find more accommodation options to stay in Český Krumlov.

10. Exploring Šumava National Park - one of the best things to do in the Czech Republic

One of the best things to do in the Czech Republic for outdoor activities is visit to Šumava National Park. This national park is located in the southwestern part of the Czech Republic and is one of the largest national parks in the country.

In Šumava National Park, you will find numerous opportunities for outdoor activities and recreation. In particular, it is a great place for hiking. There are extensive hiking trails that allow visitors to explore the natural beauty of the park, including the famous Šumava Arterial Trail. In addition to hiking, the park offers popular recreational activities such as cycling, fishing and horseback riding.

11. Hike in the Bohemian Paradise (Ceský ráj)

Bohemian Paradise, also known as Ceský ráj, is a spectacular region in the northern part of the Czech Republic. It is one of the oldest nature reserves in the country and is known for its unique rock formations, extensive forests and medieval castles.

As well as hiking trails that allow you to fully enjoy the local scenery, Bohemian Paradise is famous for its castles, in particular the Trosky Castle, which is the symbol of the park and the most famous landmark spot in the area.

12. Take a day trip to Pruhonice Park and Castle

Pruhonice Park and Castle is a park and historical landmark located in the vicinity of Prague. The park is known as one of the best-preserved landscape parks in Central Europe, with gorgeous gardens, rich botanical diversity and the impressive Pruhonice Castle.

One of the attractions of Pruhonice Park is its extensive collection of rhododendrons and azaleas, which blossom in brilliant colours in spring, creating a stunning backdrop. The Průhonice Castle is a neo-renaissance manor house that was built in the 19th century. A visit to the castle gives an insight into the life of the aristocracy in the past, and the castle also serves as a venue for weddings and cultural events.

13. Discover the caves in the Moravian Karst

The Moravian Karst is another stunning natural attraction in the Czech Republic, located near the city of Brno. The karst is characterised by limestone formations, underground caves and picturesque valleys. One of the best things to do in the Czech Republic is to explore the Punkva Caves in this region.

The Punkva Caves are a network of underground caves and gorges formed over millions of years by the underground Punkva River. There is also the Makocha Abyss, also known as the Makocha Gorge, which is a sinkhole that is a popular place to visit for experienced divers.

14. Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the capital in Kutná Hora

A short bus ride from Prague, Kutná Hora has a handful of tourist attractions and a sleepy, provincial atmosphere. Beneath the town are kilometres of exhausted silver and gold mines. From 1308, Bohemia’s royal mint at Kutná Hora converted its silver into coins that were used all over Central Europe, but when the mines ran dry the town dwindled.

Kutná Hora’s old town is so small it can be explored in a couple of hours. Most of its sights sit between the main square Palackého náměstí and the Cathedral of sv Barbora ten minutes to the southeast.

Where to stay in Kutná Hora

• For families: Hotel U Kata
• For peaceful stays: Penzion U Hrádku

Find more accommodation options to stay in Kutná Hora.

Visiting the Czech Republic is a truly unforgettable experience. For more inspirational travel tips check our Rough Guide books.

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