Beyond Prague and the well-established day trip circuit, the Czech Republic has a genuine second tier of destinations that see a fraction of the foreign visitor numbers despite being just as rewarding. These require a car or more patient train and bus planning than the standard day trips, which is exactly why they stay quiet.
Telč #
A UNESCO World Heritage Renaissance town in the Vysočina region, roughly 2.5 hours from Prague. The main square is lined with continuous, brightly coloured Renaissance and Baroque facades, one of the most visually striking town squares in the country, and the Telč chateau offers guided tours through the noble family history that built the town’s wealth in the 16th century. Genuinely photogenic and almost entirely free of the tour-bus crowds that fill Český Krumlov.
Holašovice #
A small, UNESCO-listed South Bohemian village of traditional Baroque farmhouses, near Český Krumlov and easily combined with it if you have a car. The village is lived-in rather than a museum piece, which gives it a different, quieter character from the bigger heritage sites.
Adršpach-Teplice Rocks #
A sandstone rock formation landscape in northeastern Bohemia, with hiking trails winding between towering rock towers and narrow ravines that feel genuinely otherworldly. Popular with Czech hikers and rock climbers, but rarely mentioned in international guides, despite being one of the more dramatic natural landscapes in the country.
The Moravian Karst and Macocha Abyss #
Limestone cave country north of Brno, with the Macocha Abyss, a 138-metre sinkhole, as the headline sight. Guided tours take you through cave systems with underground rivers and stalactite formations; a natural extension for anyone basing themselves in Brno.
Český Šternberk #
A medieval castle above the Sázava River, roughly an hour from Prague, considerably less visited than Karlštejn despite comparable historical weight. The riverside setting and small-town character make it a good half-day escape for visitors who’ve already done the main castle circuit.
Practical Note #
Most of these are genuinely easier with a car than by public transport; Telč and Český Šternberk both have train connections but with limited frequency. If you don’t have a car, prioritise Kutná Hora and Karlštejn from the main day trips hub first, and treat these as a second-visit list.
Related: Day Trips Hub | Kutná Hora | Brno
