Like a Czech: 6 typically Czech things you have to experience or taste (vol. 1)

Experience what every true Czech "must" experience at least once in a lifetime! We present a selection of the most famous Czech phenomena to give you a better insight into the Czech mindset.

1. All roads lead to Prague!

A trip to the capital is an absolute “must” for any Czech. This is obviously a pretty pleasant duty, as although we do sometimes give Prague a hard time, we love her really. That’s because she’s nothing short of spectacular! Anyway, the unwritten rule is that at least once in a lifetime, Czechs should experience the following seven things in Prague. Can you handle them too?

Things you have to experience in Prague

Visit the National Museum.
See the astronomical clock strike the hour on Old Town Square.
Walk across Charles Bridge.
Stand in front of St. Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle.
Make a date “under the horse” on Wenceslas Square.
Kiss your partner on Petřín under the Czech Eiffel Tower.
See a performance at the National Theatre.

OUR TIP: Want to enjoy Prague Castle without the crowds and queues? Then book yourself a tour at special times (morning or evening) and take a look around St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace and Golden Lane without all the throngs of tourists.

Could come in handy, or How to say these things in Czech…

Kde je nejbližší stanice metra? - Where’s the nearest metro station?
Kudy k orloji? - How do I get to the astronomical clock?
Kolik to stojí? - How much does it cost?

2. Conquer Czechia’s highest mountain

“Conquer Sněžka!” this is something that pretty much every Czech has to do at least once in their lifetime. So, add a trip to Czechia’s highest mountain to your itinerary! Not just to prove something to yourself, but simply because it’ll be an amazing experience. The picturesque countryside of the Krkonoše National Park really is a sight to be seen!

Mountains for non-sporty types, too

Even if you’re not the sportiest person in the world, you still don’t have to cross this point off your itinerary. You can take an easy ride up to the summit in a cable car. It runs from Pec pod Sněžkou and will take you up even with a pushchair, and wheelchair users will have no problem getting up there either.

OUR TIP: You can find the highest brewery in Central Europe near the summit of Sněžka, in Luční bouda, the oldest chalet in the Giant Mountains. And believe it or not, it even includes a beer spa.

Could come in handy, or How to say these things in Czech…

Kudy na Sněžku? - How do I get to Sněžka?
Kde je lanovka? - Where’s the cable car?
Kudy k turistické chatě? - How do I get to the tourist chalet?

3. Get to know Baťa, or Baťa shoes for every family

You’ll struggle to find a Czech who’s never had his feet in a pair of Baťa shoes. The whole nation is rightly proud of this world-famous shoemaker’s legacy. And not just for the shoes, but also for the legacy he left. The Baťa phenomenon helped shape the lives of many people, especially in East Moravia, but also in so many countries all over the world.

Baťa’s Zlín

Head off to Zlín on the trail of Tomáš Baťa. Thanks to one of the first of the world's "large-scale manufacturers" of footwear, this city in the east of Czechia became a modern metropolis packed with functionalist architecture. You can walk around Baťa’s factories, see Zlín’s skyscraper with its unique office in a lift, the Tomáš Baťa Memorial, where you can also see a replica of the plane in which Baťa lost his life, Baťa’s villa, and typical red brick houses in the city’s workers’ districts.

OUR TIP: And don’t miss the Baťa Canal – the biggest man-made watercourse in the Czech Republic. You can see it on a boat cruise or a bike ride downstream.

Could come in handy, or How to say these things in Czech…

Pozor, máte rozvázanou tkaničku. - Careful, your laces are undone.
Kde je tady obuvnictví? - Where’s the nearest shoe store?
Kudy do Svitu? - How do I get to Svit? (the Baťa site in Zlín)

4. Head off to a festival in Ostrava

There’s probably no one in Czechia who hasn’t heard of Colours of Ostrava or Beats for Love. And few Czechs between the ages of 18 and 50 have never attended at least one of these great summer music festivals.

Giants in an industrial setting

Both are held in Ostrava, in a unique industrial site whose former ironworks and mine lend it a wholly inimitable atmosphere, a place unrivalled anywhere else in the world - in Dolní Vítkovice. Both take place in July. Both are true giants. The multi-genre Colours of Ostrava is one of the best and biggest festivals in the world, while Beats for Love ranks up there alongside the biggest dance music festivals in Central Europe. Amazing musical experiences you really shouldn’t miss!

OUR TIP: From 1 to 6 October 2023 Ostrava will be hosting another cool event! One of the most important puppetry festivals in Europe - Spectaculo Interesse!

Could come in handy, or How to say these things in Czech…

Kde jsou toalety? - Where are the toilets?
Jeden bramborák, prosím. - One potato pancake, please.
Ahoj, můžu tě pozvat na pivo? - Hi, can I invite you for a beer?

5. Try tvarůžky – the one and only original Czech cheese

It doesn’t appeal to every Czech, even though many love it with a passion, but there’s no doubt that it’s familiar to everyone who lives in Czechia and almost all Czechs have tried it at least once in their lives. We're talking about the one and only true Czech cheese – Olomoucké tvarůžky.

Pizza or ice cream?!

For more than 400 years this curd cheese has been made in just one place in the world – in Loštice near Olomouc. It has a wholly unique pungent flavour and a characteristic, strong aroma. It is traditionally served on bread (ideally with Czech beer!), but in many restaurants all over the country you can also find it fried, on a pizza… In Loštice, which is home to the Olomoucké Tvarůžky Museum, you can even get to try tvarůžky ice cream!

So, what do you think, will you end up loving or loathing this aromatic delicacy?

OUR TIP: Watching your weight? Then you can’t go wrong with tvarůžky! It’s naturally low in fat and high in protein. Best not take it on the plane with you, though… :-)

Could come in handy, or How to say these things in Czech…

Dobrou chuť. - Bon appetit.
Jedny tvargle, prosím. - One portion of tvarůžky, please.
Mňam, chutná mi to. - Yummy, this is delicious.
Moc mi to nevoní... - I’m not too keen on the smell…

6. For a Czech beer, visit Plzeň! Duh!

Surely you didn’t think we’d miss out Czech beer in our selection of the top Czech phenomena? Of course we wouldn’t :-) But it’s not that easy… Czech liquid gold has been enjoyed by people all over the world. But drinking a half-litre down in one? That’s a real Czechness test! And where else to rise to the challenge than the birthplace of this worldwide legend – Pilsen lager, the most popular category of beer? So pack your bags for Plzeň!

You should definitely take a tour of the Plzeň brewery, which naturally includes the chance to sample the world-famous nectar. However, you’re probably better off leaving the challenge until you’re in one of the local pubs…

OUR TIP: If you don’t have the time to travel from Prague to Plzeň, don’t despair. The capital offers a hot new attraction for 2023 – the brand new Pilsner Urquell: The Original Beer Experience visitor centre.