Best Czech Cities to Visit


 

Let’s see how many of these cities you’ve heard of – besides Prague, of course

It’s time to figure out your next destination spot. Sure, you could head to Marbella and lay on the beach like everyone else. Maybe Paris would be less crowded – wait… For a holiday that won’t be crowded by throngs of tourists, you should check out an Eastern European gem – The Czech Republic. Visitors here usually only explore Prague and leave the rest of the beautiful country untouched. There are numerous other cities to see, with extraordinary architecture, lovely people, and plenty of attractions that are bound to keep you interested for the duration of your holiday. It’s time to get off the tourist track, rent a car or learn the Czech train system, and explore some of the more unfamiliar parts of the country. Sometimes the best part about traveling is the journey, seeing places that aren’t in every travel guide in the world, and wandering around the streets of a new city – the best way to be lost. We bring to you the best Czech cities to visit and challenge you to visit each one in your upcoming holidays. 

Not surprising, first on our list is the world-renowned Prague – and for good reason

First up on our list of best cities, we start with the old favorite – Prague. There’s a reason thousands of people flock here each year, wandering the cobblestone streets, crossing the famous Charles Bridge, and imbibing in the cheap beer. The old architecture creates amazing backdrops against the clear sky. You can easily walk everywhere on foot, strolling from the Old Town Square to Prague Castle, through cute neighborhoods and old houses. Even though this might be the most popular city, it is well-spaced out enough that you won’t feel too crowded. We recommend checking out the Old Town, where you will find squares featuring statues, museums, and open spaces that are filled with Christmas markets in the holiday season, outside performers in the summer, and vendors selling Czech souvenirs. The Charles Bridge is a sight in itself, being a pedestrian-only walkway that constantly has live musicians performing all along the sides. The Prague Castle is more reminiscent of a village on a hill, surrounded by massive walls, than just one singular structure. Inside of the castle walls, you’ll find a beautiful church among the ancient buildings located in the compound. The Castle itself is a specimen, and can easily be explored for half a day, with never-ending passageways and rooms to discover. Once leaving the castle, you can head into the newer section of town, and check out one of the hundreds of bars in the city. The Czech Republic has insanely cheap beer prices – and Prague is no exception. Riddled with underground spots, secret bars, electric clubs, and beer gardens, this city sure knows how to drink. Grab a pint for less than $2 and enjoy the sunset at Letna Beer Garden, head to Vinohrady to check out the gay bars, or head to Klub 21 to dance the night away. Prague is one of the busiest cities for a reason – there is something for everyone. Whether you’re someone who enjoys reading a book in a cafe, surrounded by beautiful buildings and friendly people, or someone who wants to spend the night bar-hopping, meeting locals and interesting characters from across the world, this city has it. Disregard what you’ve heard about the crowds; sure, it’s crowded occasionally, but there are reasons why. The energy here sucks people in, keeps them coming back, and with endless places in the city to explore it is easy to see why. Whatever your choice, you can rest easy that Prague has it all, and there’s a reason for its popularity. 

Brno – a cultural haven

Next up, we choose a Czech city that we think most people haven’t heard of – Brno. This beautiful city is one of the most important in the country due to the convergence of the Svratka and Svitava rivers. The Gothic buildings and baroque architecture give an ancient atmosphere and enhance the multi-cultural feel that makes Brno so famous. This city probably has some of the most cultural heritage in the country, with numerous experiences, medieval-type buildings, and art attractions. You can visit Old Town Hall and wander along with the numerous street stands, deciding between food or souvenirs to take home. If you want a stellar view you can climb the tower, and ask the locals about the stories as to how it came to be – you might get a different answer every time, but that adds to the mystery. For more cultural education, the Gregor Mendel’s Abbey and Museum will be a hot spot for those interested in a mixture of science, culture, and floriculture. Don’t worry, Brno still has a great going-out scene, with many discotheques or bars for anyone’s tastes. Exploring this city is a great alternative to the always-busy Prague and lets you explore the south-eastern region of the country. 

Karlovy Vary – a peaceful retreat

Number three on our list is Karlovy Vary, a northwestern city that almost borders Germany. If you enjoy some pampering on your holidays, then look no further. Karlovy is one of the most distinguished spa resorts in the country, with people coming from all over to enjoy the beauty and wellness treatments. This city is famous for its waters which are believed to have healing and curative powers. We can thank the Romans for this theory – in fact, I mean. You can get hydrotherapy, drink water cures, or go the more traditional route of massage and facial. Being here reminds us of the baths in Budapest, and how it seems to be a part of the culture to just treat yourself on the regular. We don’t hate it. It seems like it could be pretty easy to call off sick from work to go to the spa, but you’ll just have to try it and see. 

Cesky Krumlov – the fairy-tale city

For number four, we continue with Cesky Krumlov. The medieval buildings, houses built onto the hillside, and pastel-colored architecture create a fairy-tale vibe. Featuring a river running right through the city, the beauty here is unparalleled. Plus, the river provides some great activities. You can go night rafting down the Vltava, choosing between the slower wooden raft or the regular raft, letting you go as fast as you can. If you want to do something a little less active, you can learn how the city makes their famous beer. The ample amount of breweries lets you choose which one strikes your fancy, and you can learn the process of the beer making. And of course, at the end, you get a free sample of the Eggenberg beer. You really shouldn’t need any other incentive, as this beer is just that good. This South Bohemian Region city is centered around the Cesky Krumlov Castle, a World Heritage Site. The Castle looms above the other buildings in the city, showing how massive this structure is when compared to a smaller city. You should go and see the garden, bridge, baroque theater, and moat – as all castles should have. 

Plzeň – a place for history

Bringing in number five, we have Plzeň, the fourth most populous city in the country. Located in western Bohemia, this city is close enough to Prague that you can do it as a day trip, or easily drive/take public transport to this charming city. Head here and see the famous Gothic St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral, a 13th-century church that boasts the highest tower in the Czech Republic. Nearby, see the Renaissance Town Hall, the Moorish Revival Great Synagogue, and the underground tunnel and cellar network. The Synagogue is the second largest in Europe, combining a Gothic style with Arabian touches and Russian Orthodox details. If you’re lucky, you can see a concert in the central hall or come here for worship in the winter prayer room. For those who have always thought about going underground, you might be interested in the tunnel network beneath the city. The Pilsen Underground has the longest network of tunnels in Central Europe. These transportation passages were used to store and transport water and sewage, with over 12 miles of passageways beneath Plzeň. Nowadays, you can head down below the city and walk through the dimly-lit corridors that seem to go on forever. If you don’t want to go to the Pilsner Underground, you can drink some Pilsner above ground instead. The Plzeňský Prazdroj is a popular brewery tour where you can learn about the history – since Josef Groll created the world-renowned Pilsner here in 1842. 

Olomouc – the dark horse

Next up on our list of best Czech cities to visit, Olomouc is a Moravian city in the eastern half of the country that stands out to us. Formerly the capital of Moravia before the Thirty Years’ War, this metropolis is the sixth-largest city in the Czech Republic. Part of the charm and appeal about this city is the intense history that has shaped it today. The years of turmoil, with the Swedes destroying the town in the 17th century, the Prussians occupying it in the 18th century, the near German-takeover in the 19th century, to the destruction of the astronomical clock by the Germans in the 20th century, the traces of historical events can be seen throughout the city today. Even after all of the damage and unrest that plagued the city, many historic religious buildings still remain. Saint Wenceslas Cathedral was founded in the 12th century and refurbished in the 19th century, featuring Gothic and Baroque styles. This church is right next to Bishop Zdik’s Palace, a unique building that is rare to find in Central Europe. Palacky University is located in the city and is the second oldest in the country. Even though the Germans destroyed some of the parts of the clock decades ago, the rebuilt Astronomical Clock remains and goes off at 12pm every day for a mid-day show. For some other outdoor fun, head to one of the many parks and green areas that frequent the city, with botanical and rose gardens freshening the air. Once you get hungry from the hours of exploring, you’ll be happy to know that Olomouc has a great restaurant reputation – especially for cheese. Olomoucké tvarůžky, the city’s traditional cheese, is not to be missed, with this delicacy being mixed into savory cakes and pastries. We might argue that Olomouc is the hidden gem of cities in the Czech Republic since it hasn’t been discovered by tourists like the aforementioned metropolis’ have. 

Perfect destinations for a city-holiday in Europe, these Czech cities have something for everyone

The Czech Republic boasts numerous cities that deserve a holiday all on their own. Despite having world-famous Prague as the most popular spot in the country, the other cities scattered around the country have a unique style that you won’t find anywhere else. Brno’s culture sets it apart from other places, with multi-cultural vibes seeping out from all the cracks in the buildings and spaces between the cobble-stone streets. The combination of museums and importance placed on art with the more-modern city indulgences like breweries and bars, this is a great spot for people of any age. Karlovy Vary is the place to go if you want to relax in beautiful surroundings, and detox from your stressful daily life. Cesky Krumlov boasts a castle just as beautiful as Prague’s, with medieval buildings as the backdrop and a river cutting through the middle. Plzeň features historic underground passages and the history of the world-famous Pilsner, creating a historically-centered municipality to learn and explore. Olomouc is the dark horse of the cities in Czech Republic, but arguably the most valuable – the off-the-beaten-path spot is great for those who want to really mix with the locals and get a sense of Czech city life. No matter what destination you choose for your next holiday, this country has an option for everyone, from beer-lovers to history-aficionados. 

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