The Czech Republic, with its diverse terrain and rich history, is a place that can’t be missed. Visitors from all over the world come for the famous architecture, medieval castles, and must-try cuisine. Here are ten attractions you should see when in the Czech Republic.
Prague
Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, is a must-see when in the country. The city is full of history and culture, and there’s plenty to see and do. Some of the best attractions in Prague:
The Charles Bridge. This iconic bridge spans the Vltava River and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Prague. It’s lined with statues of saints and offers beautiful views of the city.
The Old Town Square. The heart of Prague, and home to many of the city’s historical landmarks, including the astronomical clock, the Týn Church, and the Old Town Hall.
The Jewish Quarter. The Jewish Quarter (Josefov) is an important part of Prague’s history and culture. There are several historic synagogues and the Old Jewish Cemetery to visit, along with the Franz Kafka statue by the Spanish Synagogue.
Prague Castle. No visit to Prague would be complete without a stop at Prague Castle, the largest ancient castle complex in the world and home to Czech kings and, later, Czechoslovak presidents. Be sure to see St. Vitus Cathedral while you’re here.
Wenceslas Square. This busy square in the centre of Prague is a popular gathering place for locals and tourists alike, home to the National Museum and the statue of Saint Wenceslas.
Karlovy Vary
Karlovy Vary is a spa town in the west of the Czech Republic, and one of the country’s most popular destinations for visitors seeking to relax in its mineral springs. The town is also home to a number of historical landmarks and cultural attractions, making it well worth a visit even if you’re not looking to take the waters.
Must-see sights in Karlovy Vary include the colonnades, a series of covered walkways that house the town’s mineral springs; the Vřídlo (Hot Spring), the most famous of the springs, which erupts as a geyser up to 12 metres into the air; the neo-Renaissance Mill Colonnade, with its 124 Corinthian columns; and the wooden Market Colonnade, the only one of the town’s colonnades built from timber.
For history, visit the Church of St. Mary Magdalene, an imposing Baroque church built between 1732 and 1736; and the Jan Becher Museum, dedicated to Becherovka, the herbal liqueur produced in the town since 1807. For glasswork, Moser, the luxury Bohemian crystal maker founded here in 1857, offers tours of its glassworks and a museum.
Cesky Krumlov
Cesky Krumlov is a small town in southern Bohemia, about two and a half to three hours from Prague by bus. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most popular destinations in the Czech Republic, with a well-preserved medieval centre of beautiful buildings and cobbled streets.
Cesky Krumlov Castle is the main attraction, the second-largest castle complex in Bohemia, including a rare surviving Baroque theatre, gardens, and a tower with great views over the town. Other attractions include the Gothic Church of St. Vitus and the Egon Schiele Art Centre. There are also many good restaurants and cafés in the town.
The town is very popular with visitors and can get busy during the summer months, but it’s still possible to find a quiet spot to enjoy its beauty, and with its proximity to Prague, Cesky Krumlov makes for an ideal day trip or an even better overnight stay.
Kutna Hora
Kutna Hora is a small town about an hour outside Prague. It’s best known for the Sedlec Ossuary (the Bone Church), decorated with the artistically arranged bones of an estimated 40,000 to 70,000 people. Other attractions include the Gothic Cathedral of St. Barbara, with its distinctive tent-shaped triple spire, and the Italian Court (Vlašský dvůr), the medieval royal mint.
Getting there. Kutna Hora is about an hour from Prague by direct train from Praha hlavní nádraží, or a similar time by car via the D11 and D2 motorways.
What to see and do. The Sedlec Ossuary is the main attraction; the bones were arranged into their current form in 1870 by local woodcarver František Rint. Other sights include St. Barbara’s Cathedral and the Italian Court. There’s also the Czech Museum of Silver (České muzeum stříbra), housed in the historic Hrádek building, which covers the silver mining history that made Kutná Hora the second-wealthiest town in medieval Bohemia, plus the Gallery of Central Bohemia (GASK).
Telc
There are plenty of must-see attractions in the Czech Republic, and it can be difficult to narrow them down. If you’re looking for something distinctive, check out Telc.
This small town in the southern part of the country is known for its picturesque Renaissance architecture. The whole town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it’s easy to see why, from the continuous colourful facades around the main square to the surrounding chateau and moat.
Telc is also home to a couple of good small museums covering the region’s history and the town’s own chateau. Whether you’re after stunning architecture or a slower pace than the bigger tourist towns, Telc is well worth the detour.
Konopiste Chateau
Konopiste Chateau is a beautiful castle near Benešov, an hour or so from Prague. Founded in the 13th century and later remodelled, it was the last residence of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, whose assassination in 1914 triggered the First World War. The chateau is open to the public and offers tours of the interiors, grounds, and rose garden. Visitors can also see Franz Ferdinand’s extensive, and genuinely striking, hunting trophy collection.
Liberec
Liberec is a city in the north of the Czech Republic, close to the German and Polish borders, and the region’s main hub. Its most famous landmark by far is the Ještěd Tower, a striking 1973 structure combining a TV transmitter, hotel, and restaurant atop Ještěd Mountain, widely regarded as one of the finest pieces of modern Czech architecture and visible from much of the city. The historic Town Hall, a neo-Renaissance building from 1893 modelled loosely on Vienna’s, anchors the main square. Liberec also has a good zoo, botanical garden, and the North Bohemian Museum, along with a lively student population and a growing craft beer scene.
Lidice
Lidice is a village that was destroyed by the Nazis in 1942 in reprisal for the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich, with the entire adult population murdered and the village razed. It has since been rebuilt nearby and now serves as a memorial to the victims of this and other Nazi atrocities. Visitors to Lidice can see the Memorial Museum, which documents the history of the village and its destruction, and the mass graves of those who were killed.
Ceske Budejovice
Ceske Budejovice, sometimes called Budweis in English, is a South Bohemian city on the Vltava river founded in 1265 by King Přemysl Otakar II. It’s home to a number of interesting sights, making it a great place to visit in southern Bohemia.
Some of the must-see attractions in Ceske Budejovice include:
The Black Tower. One of the city’s most iconic landmarks, offering great views over Ceske Budejovice from the top.
Piarist Square (náměstí Přemysla Otakara II). A beautiful square in the centre of the city, surrounded by historic buildings and monuments.
The Budweiser Budvar Brewery. The home of the original Budweiser lager, offering tours and tastings that cover the town’s long brewing history.
South Bohemian Gallery (AJG). An art gallery with a collection of works by regional artists alongside temporary exhibitions.
Domazlice
Domazlice is a historic town in the west of the Czech Republic, near the German border, and the cultural centre of the Chod region, known for its distinctive folk traditions and bagpipe music. The town has a number of historical and cultural attractions, as well as shops and restaurants.
Some must-see attractions in Domazlice include:
The Town Hall and main square. A historic square lined with arcaded houses, anchored by the Gothic Chod Castle tower dating back to the 14th century.
The Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. A historic church with a Baroque interior, standing beside the town’s distinctive round tower.
The Chod Museum (Muzeum Chodska). Housed in the town’s Gothic castle tower, the museum covers the history and folk culture of the Chod region.
There are also shops and restaurants throughout the town, so be sure to explore during your visit.
Conclusion
The Czech Republic is a beautiful country with plenty to see and do. If you’re planning a trip, be sure to add these attractions to your list. From historic castles and charming towns to natural wonders and lively cities, you’ll find something for everyone. The Plan Your Trip hub and Day Trips hub cover exact routes and timing for building these into an itinerary.