Not just famous for beer and Prague, the Czech Republic has many wonderful attractions. Here are 18 of the most beautiful places in the Czech Republic.
Bordered by Germany to the west, Austria to the south, Slovakia to the east and Poland to the north. Famous for its beer festivals: the biggest is the Czech Beer Festival, which takes place in Prague every 17 days in May.
Table of Contents
Best places in the Czech Republic
Prague
Starting with the Czech Republic’s most visited destination, Prague, whose historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Prague is known by many evocative names: the city of a hundred spires, the golden city, the queen of cities. Integral to the city is one of Europe’s most famous bridges, Charles Bridge, and the castle that looms on a hill.
What sets Prague (and the Czech Republic) apart for me are the gothic, dark-spired churches. A prime example is the Tyn Church in the Old Town. The capital is rich in Gothic-style buildings.
And of course, the Prague pubs. Every step reveals a Czech pub. During one of my visits, I even stopped by the pub where the former Czech president, Václav Havel, liked to drink beer.
Český Krumlov
Often regarded as the most beautiful city in the Czech Republic, Český Krumlov sits on the Vltava River and is home to the country’s second-largest castle. Its circular tower is the symbol of the city.
The historic city center exudes a genuine medieval atmosphere. Walking through the narrow streets, you can feel the strong influence of Baroque and Renaissance styles.
Brewing beer in the town dates back to the 13th century, with the Eggenberg family brewery operating continuously since 1630. A visit to Krumlov often includes a brewery tour.
Český Krumlov attractions, museums
Karlovy Vary
Czech Republic’s most significant spa town is located near the German border. The entire city has been under heritage protection since 1992.
As Europe’s first spa town, it boasts 13 major and over 300 smaller thermal springs, with temperatures ranging from 34 to 73 °C. The waters are used for drinking, bathing, and specialized cures for digestive and metabolic disorders.
The city is also renowned for its porcelain and glass factories, as well as the Becherovka herbal liqueur.
Punkva Caves
Located north of Brno in the Moravian Karst region, the Punkva Caves are the Czech Republic’s most beautiful and visited caves.
Accessible from the Macocha Gorge, the caves offer both walking and boat tours. The most famous and stunning sight is the Mirror Room, which features a lake. Other chambers hide distinctive stalactites with whimsical names like Sitting Rabbit, Eternal Lovers, and Umbrella.
Kutná Hora
Located east of Prague, the town center has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1995. It was once one of Europe’s financial centers.
Its most beautiful attraction is the St. Barbara’s Church, a prominent example of late Gothic architecture in the Czech Republic. It’s particularly imposing when illuminated at night.
Another bizarre but equally popular sight is the Sedlec Ossuary, or Bone Church. Its interior is decorated with furnishings and ornaments made from human skeletons. The most famous piece is an 8-meter chandelier containing every bone in the human body.
Kroměříž
Selected as the Czech Republic’s most beautiful historical town in 1997, Kroměříž sits on the Morava River.
Founded in the 13th century, its historical center has been preserved and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The town is famous for its flower garden, considered one of the most beautiful in Europe.
České Budějovice
The capital of Moravia presents the facade of a town rebuilt after a 17th-century fire, where the old town exudes an authentic medieval atmosphere.
České Budějovice has been known for its excellent beer since the 13th century. The largest brewery is Budějovický Pivovar (Budweiser), founded in 1895.
Telč
For a truly medieval Czech small town experience, Telč is the destination.
The colorful houses in the town center showcase Gothic-Renaissance style. A must-see is the town’s castle, whose interior is also magnificent.
Brno
On the way to Prague, we pass by Brno, the Czech Republic’s second most significant city and the largest in Moravia.
Most visitors are drawn to Špilberk Castle and the Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul, both located on Petrov Hill in the old town, in the heart of the city. These are the city’s most famous buildings, often cited as its symbols.
Another important structure is the functionalist Tugendhat Villa, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Brno is often called a „mini Prague” where you can also find many pubs and restaurants along its charming streets.
Prachov Rocks
Northeast of Prague, in the Czech Paradise Protected Landscape Area, is a natural wonder known as Prachov Rocks.
A popular destination for hiking, the area features gorges, rock formations, and more than 200 towering rock towers formed from sandstone and marl shaped by rain and wind.
There are two hiking trails. The easier one is the 1.5-kilometer „Malý okruh” (Small Loop) with two excellent viewpoints. The other is the „Velký okruh” (Big Loop), 3.5 kilometers long, offering the most spectacular views.
Plzeň
This city in western Czech Republic is famous for its beers and beautiful historic buildings.
In the city center, you’ll find the renowned Pilsner Urquell brewery, where you can see the beer brewing process and taste the original Pilsner beer.
Another important attraction is the stunning Plzeň Cathedral, a masterpiece of medieval Gothic architecture. The city has numerous historical buildings, such as the Town Hall and Republic Square, which is the largest square in the Czech Republic.
Holašovice
This village, known for its 1870s folk baroque architectural ensemble, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1998.
Of the 120 buildings in the village, 23 are protected as monuments, forming a skansen, or open-air museum. The ensemble includes residential buildings, barns, stables, granaries, gates, and various types of fences.
It’s an almost perfectly preserved medieval settlement characterized by peaked gable houses and granaries connected by star-decorated gates and fences. The majority of the façades have preserved their folk or peasant baroque stucco decorations, lending a unique atmosphere and significance to the entire village.
Konopiště Castle
Located 30 kilometers south of Prague, this castle was the summer residence of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, on the site of an earlier fort.
It gained its present form under the Archduke’s orders. Its exhibits include the Archduke’s art collection and hunting trophies, as well as a historical arms and armor collection.
Surrounding the castle is a spacious park showcasing numerous botanical curiosities.
Olomouc
This city in eastern Czech Republic was long inhabited by Germans, an influence that is still visible and palpable today.
The city center contains several pleasant squares. One of these is the Upper Square, where you find the Town Hall and the 15th-century Olomouc Astronomical Clock. Also located here are the Hercules and Caesar fountains, as well as the UNESCO-protected Holy Trinity Column.
A distinctive landmark is the Archbishop’s Cathedral, the Saint Wenceslas Cathedral, where in 1469, some of the Czech and Moravian nobility proclaimed King Matthias as the King of Bohemia. King Wenceslaus III of Bohemia and Hungary is buried here.
Karlštejn Castle
Near Prague to the southwest, Karlštejn is one of the Czech Republic’s most spectacular and intact Gothic castles, a symbol of the medieval Kingdom of Bohemia.
Built between 1348 and 1355 by Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor (as King Charles I of Bohemia), it was originally intended as a place of relaxation, but later housed the imperial and royal crowns, coronation jewels, and relics of saints.
The castle, spanning three levels, has a stunning exterior. Its highest point is the 60-meter-tall Great Tower, where the Chapel of the Holy Cross is located. The chapel is adorned with images of saints, popes, and rulers on its walls.
Hluboká Castle
North of Ceske Budejovice, perched atop a steep cliff overlooking the Vltava River, the castle is styled in the manner of England’s Windsor Castle, inspired by Prince Johann Adolf II von Schwarzenberg’s trips to England.
Visitors can admire the interior’s wood-carved walls and ceilings, paintings by 16th-18th century European masters, portraits of important Schwarzenberg family members, stunning chandeliers and stained glass windows, valuable furniture, an impressive castle library, and a rich arms collection.
The castle is surrounded by a beautifully maintained, vast English garden. From the castle tower, 102 meters high, one can enjoy a magnificent view.
Mikulov
A charming small town in the southern part of the Czech Republic, in the heart of Moravia.
Overlooking the town is Mikulov Castle, which offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The original medieval Liechtenstein castle was transformed into a magnificent Baroque chateau by the Dietrichsteins in the 18th century. Its cellar houses a massive wine barrel, which at the time of its creation in the 17th century was the largest in the world.
Wandering through the narrow streets and beautiful buildings of the old town is highly recommended. Almost every corner offers wine tasting spots, as Mikulov is located in a famous wine region.
Třebíč
A small town near Brno known for its well-preserved Jewish Quarter and its basilica, both of which are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The Jewish Quarter is one of the most significant and best-preserved Jewish historical sites in Central Europe. It features winding alleys with original houses, arched passages, and many other typical Jewish elements.
The Saint Procopius Basilica is another important landmark. This Romanesque church was built in the 13th century and includes numerous Gothic and Baroque elements. It is situated on a hill, offering a wonderful view of the town.
