Are you planning a trip to the Czech Republic? We’ll fill you in on the places you should be sure not to miss. The Czech Republic is a country castles, chateaus, and beautiful historic towns. It only occupies a small area of 80,000 km2, but it has twelve UNESCO sites and hundreds of other sights besides. Below are the most interesting historic towns and areas, though this is just the beginning of what there is to be found in the Czech Republic…
Prague
The capital city and the main focus for visitors. It has something to offer to everyone thanks to its history of more than a thousand years. The most famous sights include the Astronomical Clock on the Old Town Square and Prague Castle with its beautiful views of the city and the meandering Vltava River. Try to enjoy Prague a bit differently: visit a ballet at the National Theatre or take in an exhibition at one of the many galleries, whether the National Gallery with its amazing Gothic panel paintings or the DOX Gallery with its contemporary independent art. And if you rather enjoy a stroll through nature over ancient paintings, try the zoological garden. It is one of the best-rated zoos in the world.
Český Krumlov
The town of Český Krumlov is in South Bohemia, nestled in the beautiful meanders of the Vltava River, which winds its way through the historical city centre and beside the chateau, a UNESCO site. Even though the city is very popular with tourists, you will certainly find a place that you will like and where you can enjoy the beauty of the medieval town’s cobbled streets and roofs covered with fired red tiles.
Kutná Hora
A splendidly preserved medieval town only an hour away by car or train from Prague. Centuries ago, Kutná Hora was a locality rich in silver, the most desirable metal of the time and one that was vital to the economy. It was so central, in fact, that the silver coin minted at that time – tolar – is the source of the name of the most frequently used currency today: the dollar. You can learn all about that and much more during a tour of a medieval silver mine. After the tour, go explore GASK, a modern gallery with an interestingly designed collection (and a huge children’s art playground).
Brno
Brno, the capital of Moravia and the second largest city in the Czech Republic, is in the southeast of the country. The city will surprise you with its pleasant café culture and the quantity of functionalist buildings from the first half of the 20th century. You should definitely visit Villa Tugendhat, designed by famous architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. We recommend booking a tour on the website in advance. And you will love life in Brno: Moravia is known for the quality of its white wines, and Brno for its nightclubs. Sounds like an ideal combination.
Karlovy Vary
Karlovy Vary, a spa in the west of the Czech Republic, was the playground of European kings and nobility 200 years ago and it is still popular today. You can go there for a treatment, or to relax. And if you manage to get there in the first week in July, you will get to experience the atmosphere of the Karlovy Vary Film Festival, the only A-list festival in the Czech Republic, which is visited by world-famous film stars every year!
Kroměříž
Kroměříž is another UNESCO-listed town. It is located north of Brno in Moravia. And why should you go there? For the archiepiscopal castle and its gardens, of course! The Chateau Garden is a landscape park that surrounds the castle. But the Flower Garden is a uniquely Baroque gem of garden architecture, and it has been restored recently. The Baroque garden is so authentic that many historical movies and TV series are shot there.
Olomouc
North of Kroměříž is Olomouc, a university city with much to offer visitors, yet one that is still just off the beaten path for tourists. From Prague it is about 2.5 hours by direct train, and it is well worth visiting for a weekend to discover some of the most beautiful churches in the Czech Republic. Moreover, there is another UNESCO site at the square in Olomouc – the Holy Trinity Column, the high point of Czech Baroque sculpture.
Bohemian Switzerland
Bohemian Switzerland lies north of Prague towards Dresden near the German border and is one of the smallest national parks in the Czech Republic. There you can find rock walls, deep forests, and long scenic valleys, as well as the largest sandstone arch in Europe and rock walls perfect for climbing.
Castles and Chateaus near Prague
When you have been in Prague for a few days and have seen everything you wanted to see, it may be time to take a break from the city. There are three medieval castles worth visiting that are within just an hour of the centre of Prague. The first is Karlštejn Castle, which has been looming over the Berounka River for more than 600 years. It used to protect the crown jewels of the Holy Roman Empire and the Kingdom of Bohemia, and today, after booking a tour in advance, you can admire the Chapel of the Holy Cross, a jewel of Gothic art that represents the idea of heaven prevalent during the time of its creation. South of Prague, near the city of Benešov, there is Konopiště Chateau, which used to be a private residence of Franz Ferdinand, the assassinated heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne. He was a passionate hunter, and so the walls of the chateau are covered with thousands of trophies. Křivoklát Castle is located in the heart of the Křivoklátsko Protected Landscape Area, which used to serve as a private hunting ground of Czech kings. There are medieval fairs at the castle courtyards that children love.
Lednice-Valtice Cultural Landscape Area
Our last tip is another UNESCO site, the Lednice-Valtice Cultural Landscape Area. It is located in South Moravia, near the border with Austria, and it includes the towns of Lednice and Valtice (each with their own unique chateau) and the surrounding countryside. The House of Liechtenstein, the former owners of the chateaus and the estates, transformed the landscape around the Dyje River into a vast park where they built other chateaus, towers, and structures where they could spend their time and enjoy the countryside. We recommend renting bikes to take advantage of the extensive cycling trails through the area.
