Czechia · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in Czechia
These are the places worth your time in Czechia, from Prague's castle, pubs and cafés to the river town of Český Krumlov, the colonnades of Karlovy Vary, the bone chapel of Kutná Hora and the wine cellars of Moravia. Classics sit beside quiet corners many travellers miss, so every kind of visitor finds something to love.
Places to Visit in Prague
Arts and Culture
- Prague Castle (Hradčany)
The vast castle complex with St Vitus Cathedral, Golden Lane and sweeping city views. - Jewish Museum in Prague (Josefov)
Synagogues and the Old Jewish Cemetery telling a thousand years of Jewish life in Prague. - National Museum (Wenceslas Square)
The grand museum building crowning Wenceslas Square, with natural history and Czech history halls. - DOX Centre for Contemporary Art (Holešovice)
Bold contemporary exhibitions and a giant airship shaped reading space. - National Technical Museum (Letná)
Cars, trains, planes and a mock coal mine that fascinate all ages. - Mucha Museum (New Town)
A small museum devoted to Alphonse Mucha's famous art nouveau posters. - Estates Theatre (Old Town)
The theatre where Mozart premiered Don Giovanni, still staging opera today. - Rudolfinum (Old Town)
The home of the Czech Philharmonic and one of Europe's finest concert halls. - Museum of Communism (New Town)
A sobering and often wry look at life under the communist regime. - Strahov Monastery Library (Hradčany)
Two breathtaking baroque library halls near the castle.
Things to Do
- Charles Bridge (Old Town and Malá Strana)
The statue lined medieval bridge, magical at sunrise before the crowds arrive. - Old Town Square and Astronomical Clock (Old Town)
The historic heart of Prague, with the medieval clock putting on its hourly show. - Prague Zoo (Troja)
A large hillside zoo by the river, a favourite with families. - Žižkov Television Tower (Žižkov)
A space age tower with crawling baby sculptures and an observation deck. - Paddle boats on the Vltava at Slavonic Island (New Town)
Pedal a swan shaped boat past the castle at golden hour.
Nature and Outdoors
- Petřín Hill and Lookout Tower (Malá Strana)
Orchards, a mirror maze and a mini Eiffel Tower with views across the city. - Vyšehrad (Vyšehrad)
A quiet hilltop fortress with river views and the graves of Dvořák and Smetana. - Stromovka Park (Holešovice)
A huge former royal hunting park for picnics, cycling and skating. - Vojan Gardens (Malá Strana)
A walled garden oasis with peacocks hidden behind high walls. - Divoká Šárka (Prague 6)
A wild rocky valley with trails and a natural swimming pool on the city edge.
Bars and Nightlife
- Letná Beer Garden (Letná Park)
Locals drink under the chestnut trees with a famous view of Prague's bridges. - Riegrovy Sady Beer Garden (Vinohrady)
A big neighbourhood beer garden where people watch sunsets over the castle. - U Zlatého Tygra (Old Town)
A classic smoke free Czech pub famed for perfectly poured Pilsner Urquell and regulars' tables. - U Fleků (New Town)
A centuries old brewery pub with its own dark lager and big communal halls. - Hemingway Bar (Old Town)
An intimate cocktail bar that put Prague on the world cocktail map. - Lokál Dlouhááá (Old Town)
A long, lively beer hall serving tank Pilsner and honest Czech classics. - Vzorkovna (Old Town)
A labyrinthine cellar bar with a quirky token system and late nights. - Náplavka Riverbank (New Town)
Riverside boats and bars plus a Saturday farmers market along the Vltava.
Restaurants
- Kantýna (New Town)
A butcher's canteen in a former bank serving superb meat and beer. - Field (Old Town)
Creative modern Czech tasting menus in a stylish dining room. - La Degustation Bohême Bourgeoise (Old Town)
Refined tasting menus reinventing old Czech recipes. - Jídelna Světozor (New Town)
A retro self service canteen serving Czech lunches like grandma made. - Lokál U Bílé kuželky (Malá Strana)
Hearty Czech food and fresh beer steps from Charles Bridge. - Café Louvre (New Town)
A grand café where Kafka and Einstein once sat, serving Czech dishes and cakes. - Sisters Bistro (Old Town)
Modern takes on chlebíčky, the classic Czech open sandwich.
Cafés
- Café Slavia (Old Town)
The historic riverside café of writers and dissidents, facing the National Theatre. - Kavárna Obecní dům (Old Town)
A dazzling art nouveau café inside the Municipal House. - Café Lounge (Malá Strana)
A cosy local café with great breakfasts tucked away from the tourist trail. - Můj šálek kávy (Karlín)
A pioneering speciality coffee café beloved by locals for brunch. - Café Savoy (Malá Strana)
A restored belle époque café with a painted ceiling and its own bakery.
Shopping and Markets
- Náplavka Farmers Market (New Town)
Saturday morning market on the riverbank with local food and coffee. - Prague Christmas Markets (Old Town Square)
Mulled wine, carols and a giant tree in Advent.
Events
- Prague Spring International Music Festival (Citywide)
A great classical music festival held each May and June. - Signal Festival (Citywide)
Light installations and projections across the city each October.
Stays
- Augustine Hotel (Malá Strana)
A luxury hotel in a former monastery with its own monks' beer. - Hotel Josef (Old Town)
A sleek design hotel on a quiet Old Town street. - Mosaic House (New Town)
A sustainable hostel and hotel with private rooms and a lively bar.
Places to Visit in Český Krumlov
Arts and Culture
- Český Krumlov Castle (Castle)
A huge castle with a painted tower and a rare baroque theatre. - Egon Schiele Art Centrum (Inner Town)
A gallery in an old brewery celebrating the Austrian painter who loved the town.
Nature and Outdoors
- Castle Gardens (Castle)
Terraced baroque gardens with fountains and a revolving open air theatre. - Seminary Garden (Inner Town)
A small garden with one of the best views back to the castle.
Things to Do
- Vltava rafting from Český Krumlov (Riverside)
Float or paddle through town down gentle weirs. - Castle Bear Moat (Castle)
Bears have lived in the castle moat for centuries.
Restaurants
- Krčma v Šatlavské (Inner Town)
Medieval style cellar tavern grilling meat over open fires. - Hospoda Na Louži (Inner Town)
A wood panelled pub serving hearty Czech dishes and local beer.
Events
- Five Petalled Rose Festival (Old town)
A Renaissance festival every June with parades and jousting.
Stays
- Hotel Ruze (Inner Town)
A historic hotel in a Renaissance building with river views.
Places to Visit in Hluboká nad Vltavou
Arts and Culture
- Hluboká Castle (Hluboká nad Vltavou)
A white romantic castle styled on Windsor.
Places to Visit in Brno
Arts and Culture
- Villa Tugendhat (Černá Pole)
Mies van der Rohe's UNESCO listed modernist masterpiece. - Špilberk Castle (Centre)
A hilltop castle with casemates, museum and city views. - Brno Ossuary at St James (Centre)
The second largest ossuary in Europe, beneath a city church. - Cathedral of St Peter and Paul (Petrov)
The spired cathedral whose bells ring noon at eleven. - Moravian Gallery (Centre)
The country's second largest art museum across several buildings.
Things to Do
- Labyrinth under the Cabbage Market (Centre)
Medieval cellars and passages under the old market square. - Brno Observatory and Planetarium (Kraví hora)
A modern planetarium with digital shows for all ages.
Shopping and Markets
- Cabbage Market (Centre)
A daily market on one of Brno's oldest squares.
Bars and Nightlife
- Bar, který neexistuje (Centre)
The bar that does not exist, Brno's famed cocktail spot. - Super Panda Circus (Centre)
An immersive cocktail bar with a theatrical twist.
Cafés
- Café Spolek (Centre)
A bookish neighbourhood café loved by students. - Skøg Urban Hub (Centre)
A café, bar and gallery mix with a laid back crowd.
Restaurants
- Pivnice Pegas (Centre)
A brewery pub making its own beer, with classic Czech plates.
Nature and Outdoors
- Punkva Caves and Macocha Abyss (Moravian Karst)
Boat rides on an underground river near a dramatic abyss.
Places to Visit in Mikulov
Things to Do
- Mikulov Chateau and old town (Mikulov)
A hilltop chateau above wine cellars and a historic Jewish quarter.
Places to Visit in Valtice
Arts and Culture
- National Wine Centre, Valtice Chateau (Valtice)
Tasting rooms in chateau cellars showcasing Czech wines.
Places to Visit in Lednice
Nature and Outdoors
- Lednice Chateau and Park (Lednice)
A romantic chateau with a park, minaret and boat trips on the lake.
Places to Visit in Karlovy Vary
Things to Do
- Mill Colonnade (Spa quarter)
The grand colonnade sheltering several drinking springs. - Hot Spring Colonnade (Spa quarter)
Watch the most powerful spring shoot hot water into the air. - Elizabeth Spa (Smetanovy sady)
Day treatments and mineral baths in a historic spa house.
Arts and Culture
- Jan Becher Museum (Centre)
The story and tasting of the herbal liqueur Becherovka. - Moser Glassworks and Museum (Dvory)
See master glassmakers at work on famous crystal.
Nature and Outdoors
- Diana Lookout Tower and Funicular (Spa quarter)
Ride the funicular to forest trails and a valley view.
Events
- Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (Hotel Thermal)
A historic film festival each July filling the town with premieres.
Cafés
- Café Pupp (Grandhotel Pupp)
Cakes and coffee in the grandest hotel in town.
Stays
- Grandhotel Pupp (Spa quarter)
The legendary grand hotel at the end of the colonnades.
Shopping and Markets
- Spa wafer stalls (Spa quarter)
Freshly made spa wafers, thin and crisp.
Places to Visit in Loket
Things to Do
- Loket Castle (Loket)
A tiny castle town on a loop of the Ohře river.
Places to Visit in Kutná Hora
Arts and Culture
- Sedlec Ossuary (Sedlec)
The bone chapel decorated with the remains of tens of thousands. - Cathedral of St Barbara (Old town)
A soaring Gothic cathedral built with silver wealth. - Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady (Sedlec)
A rare Gothic baroque church across from the ossuary. - Italian Court (Old town)
The royal mint where Prague groschen coins were struck. - GASK Gallery of the Central Bohemian Region (Barborská street)
Modern art inside a vast Jesuit college beside St Barbara's.
Things to Do
- Czech Museum of Silver, Hrádek (Old town)
Go underground in a medieval silver mine in hard hats.
Restaurants
- Dačický Restaurant (Old town)
A traditional tavern serving Czech classics and local beer.
Nature and Outdoors
- Barborská street walk (Old town)
A statue lined promenade with valley views.
Places to Visit in Olomouc
Arts and Culture
- Holy Trinity Column (Upper Square)
A UNESCO listed baroque column in the main square. - St Wenceslas Cathedral (Václavské náměstí)
A Gothic revival cathedral beside the Archdiocesan Museum. - Archdiocesan Museum (Václavské náměstí)
Art treasures inside the former Přemyslid castle.
Things to Do
- Olomouc Astronomical Clock (Upper Square)
A clock remade in socialist realist style with workers instead of saints. - Svatý Kopeček Basilica (Svatý Kopeček)
A hilltop pilgrimage church with views and a zoo nearby. - Olomouc Zoo (Svatý Kopeček)
A hilltop zoo next to the basilica.
Restaurants
- Svatováclavský pivovar (Centre)
A brewery restaurant serving its own beer.
Shopping and Markets
- Olomoucké tvarůžky shops (Centre)
Try the famous pungent Olomouc cheese.
Nature and Outdoors
- Bezručovy sady (Centre)
Leafy park along the old city walls.
Events
- Flora Olomouc (Výstaviště Flora)
A big seasonal flower show.
Places to Visit in Bohemian Switzerland
Nature and Outdoors
- Pravčická brána (Hřensko)
Europe's largest natural sandstone arch. - Edmund's Gorge boat ride (Hřensko)
Boats through a narrow gorge.
Places to Visit in Plzeň
Things to Do
- Pilsner Urquell Brewery (Plzeň)
Tour the birthplace of pilsner beer.
Places to Visit in Karlštejn
Arts and Culture
- Karlštejn Castle (Karlštejn)
A Gothic castle built by Charles IV.
Places to Visit in Terezín
Arts and Culture
- Terezín Memorial (Terezín)
A sobering memorial at the former ghetto and fortress.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- Manifesto Market Anděl (Smíchov, Prague)
A container food market with global street food and a relaxed crowd. - Vnitroblock (Holešovice, Prague)
A converted factory with a café, sneaker shop and events. - Pražská tržnice (Holešovice, Prague)
A sprawling old market hall complex with food halls and stalls. - Kubista (Old Town, Prague)
Cubist design pieces sold inside the House of the Black Madonna. - Botel Matylda (Smíchov, Prague)
Sleep on a boat moored on the Vltava. - Hotel Ruze Restaurant (Inner Town, Český Krumlov)
Dining inside a Renaissance former Jesuit college. - Papa's Living Restaurant (Latrán, Český Krumlov)
Riverside terrace dining with castle views. - Café Kaplan (Inner Town, Český Krumlov)
A riverside café with a cosy terrace. - Krumlov House Hostel (Inner Town, Český Krumlov)
A friendly hostel with private rooms by the river. - Lokál U Caipla (Centre, Brno)
Tank beer and Czech food in a cosy local pub. - Koishi (Centre, Brno)
Fish and seafood restaurant known for refined cooking and Moravian wines. - Restaurace Karel IV (Old town, Karlovy Vary)
Czech food with views over the valley. - Café Blues (Old town, Kutná Hora)
A small café with views towards St Barbara's. - Hotel U Kata (Old town, Kutná Hora)
A simple family run hotel near the centre. - Belmondo Bar (Centre, Olomouc)
A local cocktail bar. - Hotel Arigone (Centre, Olomouc)
A charming hotel in historic townhouses.