Best Places to Visit in Czech Republic

Best Places to Visit in Czech Republic

Best Places to Visit in Czech Republic

If you are interested in visiting the Czech Republic, we suggest you consider joining a tour or contracting the services of a personal tour guide.

Independent travel outside of Prague is relatively challenging.

The Czech Republic is a rapidly developing European nation. Tourist facilities in Prague are at the level of those found in most Western European countries; outside Prague, however, these facilities are not as developed and vacation travel can be challenging.

Prague/Praga is a great town for walking, as the historic district is compact, interesting and full of fun things to see and do.  In addition, Prague’s history has been well preserved and town has become of tourist favorite for a day or two stay.

Read our recommendations on Czech travel and for the best, most fascinating places to visit in the Czech Republic.

Names in Teal are regions of the country.

  • Prague

    • Prague, Czech Republic
      Prague, Czech Republic

      Prague is one of Europe’s most beautiful cities.  Historic Prague (The Old Town, Lesser Town, and New Town) is well preserved and has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Historic Prague, which was constructed between the 11th and 18th centuries, owes much of its dramatic architecture to the Holy Roman Empire, particularly to the reign of Charles IV during the Middle Ages.

  •  The Charles Bridge shown above connects the Old Town (to the east) with the Lesser Town to the west.  The view shown, looks along the bridge over the Vltava river towards Mala Strana (Lesser Town). Up the hill is the Prague Castle and its St. Vitus’ Cathedral, a complex which dominates the city’s skyline.  Many of these attractions date from the 14th century when they were built by Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor.
  • The Castle. (Prazsky Hrad) is a popular attraction and you should make time to see it, along with its palaces and the cathedral.
  • Consider taking a river cruise to see Prague’s beautiful sights from the Vltava.
  • The Charles Bridge is an attraction in  itself and usually lined with performers during the day.
  • The Old Town includes the famous Our Lady of Tyn church, as well as the equally famous City Hall Tower.  Both attractions can be found on the Old Town Square.
    • The City Hall’s clock tower is an elegant,  “astronomy/zodiac-related timepiece that has become synonymous with the image of Prague. The clock dates from the 15th century and has an amazing movement that includes the 12 Apostles (doors above top clock), as well as an animated skeleton of Death that tolls the bell (right side upper-dial) in a dance with the three figures (representing sins) at various levels on the sides of the clock.
  • The Old Town Square and the Wenceslas Square (a grand boulevard really) in the New Town (southeast of the Old Town) are the two most popular meeting places in the city.  The Old town is filled with colorful buildings, good restaurants, and is quite interesting.
    • Head to the New Town for fine shopping, leading hotels, the Central Train Station and the National Museum.
  • Check the city’s official tourism website for information on services and activities available in Prague.

  • Bohemia

    • Ceské Budejovice

        • Ceské Budejovice was a favorite of the Habsburg Emperors and is a pleasant place to visit. The town is  famous for its brewing industry dating from the 14th century and has the legal right to market its beer in Europe under the Budweiser name.
        • Stop to see the city’s remarkable architecture and have a brew (but not if you are driving).
        • See the town’s official website for more details on visiting.

    • Cesky Krumlov

      • A UNESCO World Heritage site, Cesky Krumlov is the premier Eastern European medieval town. Its site on the Vltava River is an appropriate setting for its 13th century castle and modestly sized but architecturally rich Old Town.
      • See the official website for more details on visiting.

  • Karlovy Vary

      • One of the best of the Bohemian Spa towns.  See its official website for more details on visiting.
  • Church of St. Barbara
    Church of St. Barbara

    Kuntna Hora

      • Kutna Hora was a royal center of the Hapsburg Empire and, also, its mint ( local silver mines helped here).  Kutna Hora is known for its two majestic cathedrals – Church of St. Barbara and the Cathedral of Our Lady at Sedlek.
      • Kutna Hora is a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its remarkably preserved, opulent private homes dating from Medieval times.
      • See the town’s official website  for details on visiting.
  • If you plan to travel  in Eastern Bohemia, you might consider visiting Brno  and Olomouc, as these are the  two most  interesting towns in the eastern portion of the Czech Republic.
    • Students of design flock to Brno to the Tugendhat Villa by Mies van der Rohe.  This UNESCO World Heritage site known for its international style and contributions to modern architecture.
      • The town’s official website is not detailed, but does provide modest information about the city’s attractions.
    • Olomouc attracts many for its famed thirty-five meter high Holy Trinity Column (Zahner) in a style known as Olomouc Baroque.  This early 18th century column is decorated with religious sculptures and has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status.
      • If you visit Olomouc, be sure to see the St. Wenceslas Cathedral and the Romanesque Bishop’s Palace.
      • See Olomouc’s official website   for more details.

Additional Resources

The official tourism website for the Czech Republic is Czech Tourism.

For country facts on the Czech Republic, as well as travel information related to visas, driving rules, safety, medical conditions, visas and other travel-related information, see this page on Czech Republic Travel from the Bureau of Consular Affairs of the U.S. State Department.  Regardless of your home country, we think you will find the information provided to be useful when planning a trip to the Czech Republic.

 

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