5 Amazing Cities You Need to Visit in the Czech Republic

5 amazing cities you need to visit in the Czech RepublicPrague is the first city that comes to mind to most when talking about the Czech Republic. It is the capital and its beauty and culture is well known. However, the Czech Republic has way more to offer than just its capital. Other cities – big and small are part of the UNESCO World Heritage and rightly so. Let’s have a look at 5 cities that I believe are worth visiting even for 1 or 2 days.

1. Český Krumlov

Český Krumlov with the castle in dusk – by Ales Motejl – Czechtourism.com

One of the gem stones of Czech cities is located only 2-hour drive South from Prague. It’s none other than Český Krumlov.  Its rather smaller size (population of only 13 thousand) creates the impression of a cozy, picturesque town.

The town is on the Vltava river which creates the best conditions for visiting the city on rafts during the summer (read more about River Rafting in the Czech Republic here). Moreover, a stunning castle that’s worth visiting towers above the river and the town itself.

While walking through the town, you will be able to observe lovely buildings in a variety of colours. Sit down at one of the café’s patios and enjoy the moment looking around while taking the atmosphere in. If you have the time, wait for the dusk and see how the town transforms under the evening lanterns.

Should you decide to go for a walk, note that the entire town takes approximately 20 minutes to walk across and its paved in the classic cobble stones. The houses around you are mostly in the gothic, renaissance and baroque architecture, and the castle is the second largest complex in the country following Prague’s Hradcany. An interesting fact about the castle is that it includes an original theatre built in the 17th century.

Even thought the theatre was renovated in the 18th century, it still retains its original stage machinery, scenery and props. For that reason, it is open to public only twice a year when a Baroque opera is performed under a simulated candlelight. That’s worth seeing, don’t you think?

Český Krumlov is a place-to-be especially in the summer months. For medieval culture lovers, the inner city turns into a medieval village during the Five-Petaled Rose Festival. When passing through, you will run into medieval craftsmen, artists and local people in costumes matching that period. This year the festival will take place from June 19 – 21, so make sure you include Český Krumlov in your itinerary for that weekend.

Music lovers should plan their visit to catch the International Music Festival that usually begins in July and goes until August. This year the dates are set from July 17 to August 8 and the tickets are available for purchase now. The program features variety of styles including classical music, opera, musical, jazz and the world music.

2. Karlovy Vary

Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad) – photo sourced from Amazingczechia.com

Leaving Český Krumlov behind, we will now move to the West. Another 2-hour drive from Prague is a city that I believe most of you heard of before – Karlovy Vary or Carlsbad. Karlovy Vary is just the place to visit if you want to treat yourself. There are variety of hotels and spa facilities offering different types of treatments. You can stroll along the river and enjoy its relaxed atmosphere.

Karlovy Vary became a popular destination for international tourists in the 19th century when it became famous for its spa treatment. The treatment includes a sipping of the natural mineral waters that have different tastes, some of them quite unique. Probably the most popular mineral water that has its origin in Karlovy Vary is Mattoni. It is widely available in cafés, restaurants and grocery stores, so I am sure at some point of your visit in the Czech Republic you will try it.

Julienne Moore and the Crystal Globe Award in 2019 – by MARTIN DIVISEK/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock (10323852f) – Variety.com

The city is not only famous for its architecture and spa but also for the International Film Festival that takes place annually (July 3 – 11, 2020) and hosts world-known celebrities. The festival is one of the oldest in the world and also one of the major film events in Europe. The city is pulsing with life during the festival and celebrities are mingling with the crowds. In the past, the festival awarded its main award – the Crystal Globe for Outstanding Artistic Contribution to World Cinema – to artists such as Susan Sarandon, Richard Gere, Julianne Moore, John Travolta and many more.

Have you been thinking about what to bring home as a souvenir or just buy something for yourself? Have a look at locally produced goods such as famous herbal liquor – Becherovka that Czechs use as a medicine for an upset stomach or glass from a famous glasshouse – Moser Glass. Let’s not forget about a little sweet treat – the Carlsbad wafers. In case you cannot make it to Karlovy Vary, you can buy all these things pretty much anywhere in the country, as they are widely available in any other city, especially in Prague.

3. Kutná Hora

Kutná Hora with St. Barbara Cathedral on the left – photo sourced from AmazingCzechia.com

We will come back to Prague now and turn to the East. Only 1-hour drive from Prague is another small but interesting city. Some of you might have heard about Kutná Hora and its famous ‘Bone Church’. This church – officially Sedlec Ossuary – is actually only one of 3 religious places that Kutná Hora has to offer. The main sight is the St. Barbara Cathedral and the Cathedral of Assumption of Our Lady and St. John the Baptist.

Do you wonder why a town of 20 thousand people has so many grand sights? Silver is the answer. Shortly after the silver discovery around 13th century, the mining worked started and Kutná Hora became the country’s supplier.  You could have noticed the silver decorations on many statues in the St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague’s Hradčany. The silver for those has its origin in Kutná Hora. Moreover, between 13th to 16th centuries, Kutná Hora was competing with Prague not only economically but also culturally and politically. UNESCO World Heritage acknowledged Kutná Hora’s city centre as UNESCO sight in 1995.

If you decide to make this trip, be aware that especially the Ossuary is not a place for someone who doesn’t like to feel a little spooky. The Church is truly decorated with bones and skeletons of the people buried on sight throughout the centuries. It all started back in the 13th century when King Otakar II of Bohemia returned from the Holy Land with a small amount of earth picked in Golgotha. He sprinkled the back-then abbey cemetery with it, and as you can imagine, from this point the cemetery became a very desirable burial site.

Chandelier in Sedlec Ossuary made of bones and skulls – CC BY-SA 3.0 – WikimediaCommons

Throughout the 14th and 15th centuries, the unfortunate events of the Black Death and the Hussite Wars left the region with thousands of deaths that were buried in the cemetery. When a new Gothic church was built there around the 1400, the lower chapel was used as an ossuary for the mass graves. Later on, as there was no more space in the chapels and the cemetery, the skeletons were slowly exhumed and used for decorating the church. That process took from the 16th to 19th centuries.

If you decide to visit, be aware that it is no longer possible to buy tickets directly at the church. You either have to purchase the tickets online (and I do reccommend buying 1 ticket that allows you to access all 3 places) or at the Information Centre in Kutná Hora. Be also aware that due to some past visitors’ inappropriate behaviour, you will no longer be able to take photographs in the Ossuary. Let’s remember that the bones are truly not replicas and so, it is the place of the final rest for many.

4. Brno

Brno is a little further away but very easily accessible by a comfortable train. There are a couple of companies – Czech Railways and Regio Jet with the direct connection from Prague. The trip will take approximately 2.5 hours and it will take you to the South Moravian region that is famous for its vineyards. Brno is a lively city  that combines historical and modern architecture. You will discover many trendy cafés and bars. Its countless squares often turn into market and fare places with traditional goodies, crafts and music.

International Fireworks Competition – Ignis Brunensis in Brno – photo sourced from IgnisBrunensis.cz

Brno is also the second largest city in the country and the home of Czech judiciary. Other than that, Brno has one of the largest exhibition centres in Europe and the tradition of races, among which the Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix is the most prestigious. If you are not into motorbike racing, another great occasion to visit Brno is the Ignis Brunensis – the International Fireworks Competition! This year, the festival will take place from May 29 to June 21, so make your visit to Brno during this time if you can.

5. Olomouc

Variety of local aromatic cheese – Olomoucké Tvarůžky – photo sourced from Stredni Morava – Tourism

The last stop we’re gonna make on our little tour around the country is a city called Olomouc. Olomouc, together with Brno are university cities with students pouring in around September and leaving around May. Don’t you think that Olomouc falls asleep during the summer though! Summer is usually the time when Olomouc is full of local and foreign tourists. The city has lots to offer – outdoor activities, sightseeing, floral festival and ZOO. We mustn’t forget about a local delicacy, famous aromatic cheese – Olomoucké tvarůžky! You can buy them in a specialty shop in Olomouc or in any other grocery store in the country.

Did you know that Prague is not the only city in the country with the astronomical clock? That’s right! Olomouc has one as well. It dates back to the 15th century but was fully renovated in 1950’s as it was severely damaged during the WWII.

Olomouc’s Upper Square with the Astronomical Clock at the back and The Holy Trinity Column – By Olmütz_hauptplatz.JPG: Dominik Tefert.The original uploader was Dominik.Tefert at German Wikipedia.derivative work: Millenium187 (talk) – Olmütz_hauptplatz.JPG, Public Domain – WikimediaCommons

Olomouc’s Upper Square – the largest in the city contains the Holy Trinity Column – a UNESCO World Heritage site. While strolling through the city centre and finding the clock and the column, have a look at the St. Wenceslas Cathedral (founded before 1107). Do you have enough of sightseeing and would like to do some outdoor activity instead? Or combination of both? Why don’t you try a modest hike to Svatý Kopeček (The Holy Hillock) with a magnificent Baroque Minor Basilica on top? Make it double and turn it into a fun family day adding a ZOO visit. The ZOO is located right next to the hillock. This will make for a full day trip and I’m sure you’ll have a good balance of culture, outdoor and fun!