The capital
Almost every trip begins in Prague, a city of a hundred spires where Prague Castle looks down over Charles Bridge, the Old Town Square and the river Vltava. Give it at least three nights. It is also the hub for trains and buses to the rest of the country.
Easy day trips from Prague
Kutná Hora is about an hour away by train and holds two unforgettable sights: the Sedlec Ossuary, decorated with the bones of tens of thousands of people, and the soaring Gothic Cathedral of St Barbara. It fits in a day, though staying the night lets you enjoy the old town once the tour groups leave.
South Bohemia
Český Krumlov is the storybook town of the south: a vast castle above a tight loop of the Vltava, red roofs, painted facades and riverside pubs. It is about three hours from Prague by bus or train and is best enjoyed with an overnight stay.
The spa country
In the west, Karlovy Vary is the grandest of the famous spa towns, with hot springs flowing through ornate colonnades and pastel hotels lining a narrow river valley. It pairs well with Mariánské Lázně and the beer town of Plzeň.
Moravia
East of Prague, Brno and South Moravia offer a younger, less touristy side of the country: Brno's cafés and modernist architecture, then the wine villages, cellars and chateaux of Mikulov, Lednice and Valtice near the Austrian border.
How to combine them
For one week, try Prague, a day in Kutná Hora and two nights in Český Krumlov. For ten to twelve days, add Karlovy Vary in the west or Brno and South Moravia in the east. Trains are comfortable and frequent, so you can travel without driving. Our places to visit list and the free trip planner help you fill in the details.