Trip Options for the RunCzech Participants

Prague

The heart of Europe, one of the most beautiful cities in the world and an architectonical dream on the Vltava River – this is Prague, the capital city of the Czech Republic. The golden and hundred-spired UNESCO site!

Prague Castle

No-one can image the iconic Prague skyline without Prague Castle! It is one of the largest castle compounds in the world. There are several galleries and exhibition spaces on the castle premises, as well as the gothic jewel St. Vitus Cathedral. If you are interested in history, we recommend visiting The Story of Prague Castle permanent exhibition that will take you to the gothic floor of the Old Royal Palace and present the one-thousand-year-long history of the castle – the seat of knights, kings and presidents.

Jewish Town and its synagogues

Prague Jewish Town can be found on the right bank of the Vltava River in Old Town. It was almost completely reconstructed at the end of the 19th century, but the most important medieval buildings – synagogues – have been preserved, as well as the Old Jewish Cemetery. You can find more Jewish art and valuables in the Jewish Museum, which we definitely recommend visiting.

Old Town astronomical clock

The astronomical clock in Old Town Square is an ingenious medieval timepiece that not only shows the time and date, but also the position of the Sun, phases of the Moon, astronomical cycles and Christian holidays. You could say that it is a 600-year-old technological miracle. If you miss it, you can’t say that you’ve been to Prague.

Charles Bridge

Charles Bridge is the oldest preserved bridge over the Vltava River in Prague and it connects Old Town with Malá Strana and Prague Castle. It was built in the 14th century and is adorned with baroque sculptures and various street artists. However, if you want to enjoy the real atmosphere, visit the bridge before 9 am to avoid the crowds. It is worth getting up early.

DOX Centre for Contemporary Art

The DOX Centre for Contemporary Art is away from the tourist centre of Prague. It is home to exhibitions of leading Czech and global artists, seminars, panel discussions, performances, and family and educational programmes. If you are a fan of contemporary art, you should definitely visit DOX.

National Gallery

The National Gallery contains everything from medieval to contemporary art. Individual exhibition spaces can be found all over the Prague centre in various historical palaces, or in a former gothic monastery. The National Gallery takes care of permanent collections and also organises world-class exhibitions.

National Museum

The freshly reconstructed historical building of the National Museum at St. Wenceslas Square invites visitors in after many years of reconstruction. There are permanent expositions as well as short-term topical exhibitions there. The tour of the New Building next door is also very interesting. In the past, members of the Federal Assembly used to meet there and the building is a unique example of brutalist architecture.

Prague ZOO and Botanical Garden

Do you long for a bit of nature in the city? Visit the Prague ZOO! You can definitely spend a whole day there, exploring and learning in one of the best rated zoological gardens in the world. In close proximity to the zoo you can find the Botanical Gardens, home to numerous outdoor exhibitions and the Fata Morgana greenhouse, which houses several climatic areas under one roof.

Petřín

Petřín hill is another place where Prague citizens like to relax. Grab a picnic blanket, something small to eat and come sit under the fruit trees with a view of the whole Prague centre and the Vltava River! At the top of the hill is the Petřín lookout tower, a smaller version of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

National Technical Museum

A must-see for all fans of technology! Where else can you see historical automobiles, trains and bicycles all in one place? Moreover, the museum is home to unique world-class work. The most valuable exhibit of the National Technical Museum is the photograph entitled A Still-life in a Studio from 1839, the so-called Kynžvart daguerreotype. The photograph was taken by J. L. M. Daguerre, the inventor of photography.
 

Karlovy Vary

Karlovy Vary is a town in West Bohemia that has for centuries been a renown spa town. Today, the local hot mineral water, rising from the core of the Earth, is used for therapeutic purposes. Karlovy Vary is set amid beautiful countryside, and there are many places to see there. When visiting the town, remember to try the famous spa wafers. You can buy them on every corner!

Jan Becher Museum

Do you know the traditional Becherovka herbal liquor? Come explore its history and uncover the secret of this alcoholic beverage in the Jan Becher Museum. You will learn everything about its history, production and storage.

Karlovy Vary Springs

The Karlovy Vary thermal springs are hot mineral water springs that are formed at a depth approx. 2,500 metres below the earth’s surface. The water is hot, usually around 50-70°C and it is strongly mineralised, which makes it curative, and it also contains all the trace elements needed for our organism. Take a stroll along the Mlýnská colonnade or around the thermal spring and drink from each spring along the way!

Moser Glassworks

Are you looking for an experience of a lifetime? If so, visiting the Moser Glassworks is the perfect thing to do. You can experience the real atmosphere of luxurious crystal glass manufacture, explore the secrets of glass blowing and shaping in the glass foundry, and learn about the craft of making glass. And you can top this unique experience off in the largest Moser sales gallery in Karlovy Vary.

Diana lookout tower and Jelení skok scenic overlook

The most beautiful views of the town can be found at the Diana lookout tower and the Jelení skok scenic overlook. Start at Grandhotel Pupp, from where you can continue along a forest trail, or take a chairlift. Jelení skok is the first stop of the chairlift on the way to the brick Diana lookout tower, from where you can enjoy panoramic views of up to 70 km when the weather is good.

Loket Castle

Near Karlovy Vary, there is Loket, a fortified town with a monumental castle. Many people used to call it the “Key to the Bohemian Kingdom”. In the Middle Ages, people believed that if you could conquer Loket, you would conquer the entire Kingdom of Bohemia. Visit the local castle and the brewery in the outer bailey; Loket and the Ohře River below will not disappoint you.
 

České Budějovice

České Budějovice, the capital of South Bohemia, offers many interesting places that are worth visiting. In addition to the sights with a long history, you can take a ride along the first horse railway on the European continent, taste famous South Bohemian fish specialties or enjoy great beer.

Přemysla Otakara II Square and the Black Tower

The main square of České Budějovice is well-known for its square ground floor and an area larger than one hectare. It is one of the largest square-shaped plazas in the Czech Republic and it carries the name of the founder of the city, Přemysl Otakar II. At the centre of the square is the baroque Samson fountain, and an erratic boulder that can be found embedded in the pavement close by next to an engraved cross is the source of many legends. The square is guarded by the gothic Black Tower providing beautiful views of the city and the surroundings.

The Budějovický Budvar Brewery

Beer lovers should spring to attention. The brewery tour includes experiencing a bit of the history (beer has been brewed here for almost 700 years) and a visit to the modern production spaces. And tasting beer straight at the source is always the best…

Mariánská Gallery

The Mariánská Gallery, which has opened recently, showcases artwork by Czech and internationally renowned artists to its visitors. The expositions in the former reconstructed barracks, where President Václav Havel used to serve, are not permanent; they are always changing.

Český Krumlov Castle and chateau

The chateau and castle in Český Krumlov (about 25 km from České Budějovice) is rightfully registered on the UNESCO list. Visit Český Krumlov to explore the history of the noble family that used to live there. However, the most important monument at the chateau is the world-famous baroque theatre, which is one of the best preserved 18th century theatres in Europe, almost completely furnished with period decorations, costumes, props and stage technology.

Hluboká nad Vltavou Chateau

A slice of English Windsor in the middle of South Bohemia: this could be the description of the Hluboká chateau (about 10 km from České Budějovice), which acquired its contemporary look in the 19th century after it was reconstructed in the neo-gothic style. The tour takes you to the private rooms as well as the lavish representative halls.
 

Olomouc

The Moravian city of Olomouc offers many interesting places – monasteries and churches, museums, parks, and a nearby zoo. However, the pride and joy of Olomouc is the baroque Holy Trinity Column at Horní náměstí, registered on the UNESCO list.

The Holy Trinity Column

The 35-metre-high baroque Holy Trinity Column at Horní náměstí in Olomouc is the highest sculpture in the Czech Republic. There is a small chapel at its base. The column was consecrated in 1754 at the behest of Maria Theresa, and people from all over the world come to admire it to this day.

Archdiocesan Museum in Olomouc

The Archdiocesan Museum in Olomouc contains all the important works of art collected by the bishops of Olomouc. For example, you can see gold shrines there, or a beautiful episcopal carriage. The museum is also interesting from an architectonic point of view because its space is a varied mixture of architectural styles, from the Romanesque period, through gothic and renaissance, late baroque and rococo, to the 21st century.

Fort Science

Do you want to experience experiments and see things that you cannot see anywhere else up close? Then visit the interactive science centre that is based in Korunní Fort. It provides an informal environment for a playful discovery of natural and social phenomena.

Svatý kopeček

The Basilica of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary in Svatý Kopeček is about 5 km northeast from Olomouc. At present, Svatý Kopeček is a destination for admirers of baroque art, and pilgrims, and it is also the heart of a parish where the most valuable secrets of faith take place.

Bouzov Castle

Northeast of Olomouc (about 35 km), there is the romantic Bouzov Castle, which you can see in many Czech fairy tales and movies. It used to belong to the German order, but it is now a state property open to the public. You can choose from several tours that will even take you to the technical facilities of the castle.
 

Ústí nad Labem

The north Bohemian city of Ústí nad Labem offers a lot of interesting adventures. When travelling with children, you will definitely appreciate the pleasant zoological garden or Střekov Castle. And if you leave the boundaries of the city, there is a national park with unique rock formations.

Střekov Castle

The ruins of Střekov Castle are one of the most dominant features of Ústí nad Labem and the entire Labe River valley. It looms high on a majestic rock over the Labe River. Its distinct position and a romantic look have inspired many artists including the composer Richard Wagner and writer Johann W. Goethe.

Větruše

The holiday chateau with a hotel offers the most beautiful view of Ústí nad Labem. You can try traditional Czech meals there, whether inside or in the garden, and enjoy the view of the city with a cup of coffee and cake. There is a natural and mirror maze there, as well as a lookout tower.

Ústí nad Labem Zoo

The zoological garden in Ústí nad Labem can be found in the natural environment of the Mariánská hora hillside. There are over 1,000 animals there! The garden successfully breeds and reintroduces rare animal species back into nature. Support their efforts by paying them a visit.

Bohemian Switzerland National Park and the Pravčická Archway

The Bohemian Switzerland National Park protects the unique landscape of rock formations and deep woods. It is a nesting place of rare birds and the landscape is literally breath-taking, especially during the colourful autumn. You can also find Pravčická Archway, the largest natural rock archway and the symbol of the national park, there.

Terezín Memorial

The fortified town of Terezín (about 35 km from Ústí nad Labem) was founded in the 18th century as a defence in case of war. However, the town is today known because of its tragic history as a detention camp for Czech Jews and as a transfer station to Nazi concentration camps during WWII. There is now a memorial in Terezín dedicated to the innocent victims of WWII.
 

Liberec

The north Bohemian city of Liberec lies at the boundary of the Jizerské Mountains and the Ještěd ridge and it is surrounded with mountains. The Ještěd Hotel is the main symbol of the city and its surroundings as it is visible from great distances. It is shaped like a hyperbolic paraboloid with a TV tower, a restaurant and a café. But that’s not all the city has to offer. Make sure you don’t miss the zoo or the local science centre!

Liberec ZOO

The Zoological Garden in Liberec is the oldest zoo in the Czech Republic that today mostly breeds endangered species. The two-kilometre-long trail will take you past approx. 160 animal species from all over the world. The most famous resident of the zoo is the white Indian tiger, who is also in the name of the local ice-hockey team.

iQLANDIA Science Centre with Observatory

The main crowd-puller of the iQLANDIA modern science centre in Liberec is the humanoid robot Thespian, the first in the Czech Republic, as well as the exceptionally-equipped observatory. Visitors also show great interest in the other interactive exhibits, of which there is more than four hundred. Fans of modern gadgets will be in heaven there!

Ještěd

Climb up the peak of Ještěd where the famous mountain hotel with a TV tower stands. The tower is almost 100 metres high, it has an unusual shape that received an international architectural award. It offers a unique view of the city of Liberec and the surrounding countryside. The trip up for the beautiful views is easier than it seems: you can hop on a cable car in Liberec – Horní Hanychov that will take you to the top.

Sychrov Chateau

Sychrov, which you can also find in North Bohemia (about 20 km from Liberec), is one of the few chateaus open year-round. It is one of the most important buildings in the romantic French-type neo-gothic style in the Czech Republic. And the chateau is surrounded by a large 26-hectare park that invites you to take a morning jog!

Jizerské Mountains

The Jizerské Mountains, which take their name from the Jizera River, are the northernmost mountain range in the Czech Republic. The mountains are spread along the Czech and Polish border, and there are 28 peaks with an altitude over 1,000 metres to climb. Enjoy beautiful panoramic views from the peaks of Smrk, Smědavská hora or Jizera. These mountains are definitely worth a visit!