Last Updated on 15/05/2024 by kami
Central Europe is changing really fast and I love the way it is becoming. The majority of the big cities in most of the countries are now a cool, hip small versions of Berlin (that’s how they are often called anyway) with the amazing cafe culture, decent street art scene and some great events to attend. And so is Czech Republic too. Big cities there are often in the shadow of Prague (that is an incredible place, no matter what) but the whole country has so much to offer and it’s definitely worth spending more time there and discovering other, than just the capital city, destinations. And since Czech Republic is probably my favourite country here’s my subjective list of cool places to visit in Czech Republic and reasons to include them in your next trip there!
Czech Republic essentials
Planning a trip to the Czech Republic? Here are the services I always use and personally recommend:
- Accommodation: I always book a place to stay on Booking.com
- Tours: when I decide to go on a tour I either use Viator
- Get insured for your trip to the Czech Republic with SafetyWing
Prague
For most of the visitors in Czech Republic this is the only place they see during their trip. And even then they only focus on the historical sights that surely are incredible (after all Prague is known as the most beautiful city in Europe for a reason). But the Czech capital has so much more to offer! From the amazing cafes to great street art scene and controversial sculptures by David Cerny, everyone will find something for their taste in Prague! My favourite places and activities there are:
– Naplavka. In the summertime the banks of Vltava river turn into the major hotspot in the city. Every evening hundreds of people enjoy the warm and long days there, meeting with friends, sipping beer and attending various events (exhibitions, concerts etc). That’s probably the best way to spend any evening in Prague!
– DOX gallery in Holesovice – an independent center for contemporary art that always has some good exhibitions and a really decent gift shop
– view from Letna park – probably the best one in Prague! And Letna itself is a great place to relax in!
– alternative Prague tour where you can see some less known yet extremely interesting spots in the city
– Zizkov with its quirky atmosphere and the biggest number of pubs in Europe. Wandering around the random streets is a pure pleasure!
Liberec
I spent quite some time there, back in the days when I was really into winter sports and loved seeing nordic combined competitions live. Liberec is this lucky place that has both interesting downtown (with beautiful architecture, museums and another David Cerny’s work – a bus stop right behind the town hall) and an amazing nature just a tram ride away. It’s perfect especially for hiking and skiing in Jizera Mountains and the futuristic building at the top of Jested peak, that serves as a hotel and restaurant, offers some breathtaking views of the area.
Olomouc
Many people say it’s their favourite Czech city after Prague and I surely can see what they mean. Olomouc feels small and cozy but since it’s an important university town there’s always something going on and students make it a very vibrant place. Also, Olomouc is a home to probably the quirkiest Czech attraction – an astronomical clock, similar to Orloj in Prague yet made in the socialist realism style. If you ask me it’s so much better than its more famous brother in the capital!
Ostrava
The post-industrial city is the home of one of the best music festivals in Europe – Colours of Ostrava. In the former steel grounds thousands of people enjoy some most famous artists that play in numerous stages hidden in the corners of the factory. But Ostrava knows how to party all year round. A small street – Stodolni – is famous for its pubs and clubs and it’s basically the place that never sleeps. Also, when you make it to Ostrava be sure to visit nearby Cesky Tesin/Cieszyn, a town divided by the Polish-Czech border that happens to be my favourite place on earth too!
Ceske Budejovice
It is mostly know for its famous beer – Budweiser – but there’re more reasons to visit this lovely town. It feels even calmer and quieter than Olomouc but that’s just fine as Ceske Budejovice is a perfect getaway from hustle and bustle of big cities. However, once a year students take over the city and organize Budejovicky Majales – the biggest non-commercial and free of charge festival of live culture in Czech Republic that lasts for few days. The city is also a perfect base to explore beautiful southern part of the country, with picturesque Cesky Krumlov only 20 kms away.
Brno
This is probably the most perfect Central European city you can think of! Brno has everything: incredible architecture, vibrant students’ life, excellent cafes, intellectual vibe and this charming spirit that makes you love the place from the moment you arrive. And at the same time it doesn’t feel overwhelming, even if it’s a second biggest Czech city. I fall in love with Brno big time and for me it’s the coolest place in Czech Republic (right after Prague).
There’s one more place worth mentioning here yet I haven’t been there yet (even though it’s always on my list when I go to Czech Republic!). It’s Pilsen – 2016 European Capital of Culture. This year is pretty special for the city, with lots of events and things going on but it’s worth visiting it no matter when! I know I will do my best to finally make it there soon!
Further reading
I published many articles about the Czech Republic that you might find useful when planning your trip there. Here are some of them:
- 2 Days in Prague Itinerary
- Holesovice – a mini guide to Prague’s coolest district
- 17 Great Things to Do in Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic
- 13 Amazing Things to Do in Pilsen, Czech Republic
- Karlovy Vary Itinerary. What to Do in Karlovy Vary in 3 Days
- 20 Great Things to Do in Brno, Czech Republic
- What to See in Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
- Visit Kromeriz, Czech Republic – the UNESCO Castle and More
- Visit Marianske Lazne, Czech Republic – the UNESCO spa town
- and more!
If you are looking for articles about a specific destination – check out the map with all the articles I’ve published (and their locations). You can also join my Facebook group about traveling in Central Europe and ask your questions there.
Travel Resources
You can find the best accommodation options at Booking. They have many discounts and excellent customer service. Click here to look for the place to stay in the Czech Republic
Never travel without travel insurance, you never know what might happen and better safe than sorry. You can check the insurance policy for the Czech Republic here.
I recommend joining organized tours to get to know the place better and to visit more places during your trip. You can find a great selection of tours at Get Your Guide – click here.
Make sure to have the offline map always installed on your phone, they can save you so many troubles. I always use the free app Maps.Me.
Note: This post was written in partnership with Czech Tourism however all the opinions are 100% mine and I really believe you should visit Czech Republic as soon as possible! It’s such a wonderful country and has so much to offer!
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61 Comments
Jolanta Wicińska
22/06/2015 at 20:06Chętnie bym się tam wybrała ;)
Demi Marszewska
22/06/2015 at 20:09Czechy, Czechy, Czechy – niby tak blisko, a tak daleko. Nigdy mi nie po drodze… Dobra, byłam raz, jakoś 10 lat temu… Chyba muszę to zmienić! :D
Heather Cole
22/06/2015 at 20:15Loved Prague and also Karslbad, but these spots look cool too!
Tatiana
22/06/2015 at 21:20Shame on me. Byłam tylko w Pradze i Kutnej Horze. Zamierzam to naprawić przy najbliższej okazji – najbardziej chce mi się pojechać do Brna i Krumlova.
kami
27/06/2015 at 10:26no wstyd!! Zaplanujcie sobie jakiś weekend czy trzy w Czechach, bo naprawdę warto :) bardzo się tam miasta wyrobiły, zresztą tak samo jak u nas :)
Hanna Szczypiór
22/06/2015 at 20:20A ja się właśnie zastanawiam nad wycieczką motocyklową do Czech i zdecydowanie mnie zachęciłaś :)
Melody Pittman
22/06/2015 at 20:53Great spots to use in planning my trip there next year!
Crysta @ WellWornSuitcase
22/06/2015 at 22:13Gorgeous places – such vibrant, beautiful colors! And thank you for the tips! Brno was not previously on our to do list, but it is now!
kami
27/06/2015 at 10:30You definitely should visit Brno, it’s pretty awesome and not so overcrowded as Prague! I love it!
Varnavas Nicolaou
23/04/2024 at 19:43Hi Kami
I need your quick advice please!
I have just 1 free day tomorrow to visit a location outside Prague.
Would you recommend Brno or Karlovy Vary ?
Please let me know?
Many thanks in advance!
Best wishes
Varnavas (from Cyprus)
kami
11/05/2024 at 12:36I’m so sorry for this late answer. Where did you decide to go? I don’t think I could easily decide between these two, both are great destinations but also both are different
Tami
22/06/2015 at 22:37Wow! I really enjoyed seeing all of your photos! Another place I’d like to visit–thanks for sharing your experiences with all of us!
kami
27/06/2015 at 10:33Thank you! Hope you will go there soon!
Maureen Baeck
22/06/2015 at 22:39Great post! I have wanted to go to the Czech Republic so badly and now I have more than just Prague to add to my list! Thank you for that!!!
By the way if you like Ostrava and you come to the US we have a very similar place in Bethleham, Pennsylvania called Steelstacks. It’s a very cool artsy place and every year there is a 2 week long festival called Musik Fest.
kami
27/06/2015 at 10:34Thank you Maureen! Fingers crossed you will go to Czech Republic soon!
And thank you for telling me about Steelstacks! I wrote it down in case I will travel to the US anytime soon! I’d love to visit that one!
Paulina Szałamacha
22/06/2015 at 22:11Stolica zaliczona, ale patrząc na zdjęcia stwierdzam, że chyba czas podbijać resztę Czech :)
Catherine Houlahan
22/06/2015 at 23:23Wow! Great list and I just love the pictures!!! What beautiful architecture all around :)
kami
27/06/2015 at 10:35thank you! I really like Central European architecture :)
Katarzyna Pięta
22/06/2015 at 23:16czechy to czasem jak się odwiedzi to ma się wrażenie jakby się było w domu. lubię bardzo :))
Sue Reddel
23/06/2015 at 02:21Terrific post! Can’t wait to get there myself.
Marcin Wesołowski
23/06/2015 at 06:29Tylko stolica niestety :/
jolasolotrips
23/06/2015 at 07:46That right … is so beautiful. Its so many to see and so many to eat ad drink. People ar. very friendly and helps the turist. They will give good tips to see nice places. The culture is religious as we csn see everywhere. City the big and the small have architecture which catch eye .. as we can see on yr photos too. Regards
kami
27/06/2015 at 10:36Thank you for the comment! it’s all true!
Natalia | Biegun Wschodni
23/06/2015 at 08:04Nie napisałaś najważniejszego o Czeskich Budziejowicach! To destynacja Dzielnego Wojaka Szwejka, do której tak długo zmierzał :)
Powiem Ci, że wstrzeliłaś się z tym wpisem idealnie, bo ja właśnie rozważam, czy nie wybrać się do Czech we wrześniu. Niby tak blisko, a tak niewiele wiem o tym państwie.
kami
27/06/2015 at 10:38a wiesz, że na śmierć o tym zapomniałam?! a przeciez tak było!!! :)
jedź koniecznie jak będziesz miała okazję! Czechy są fantastyczne i pełno w nich perełek! Jakbyś potrzebowała jakiejś pomocy co gdzie kiedy pisz śmiało :)
Darek
23/06/2015 at 08:11Great list! Try Cesky Krumlov (near Ceske Budejovice) next time. It is IMHO one of the loveliest cities in the world.
kami
27/06/2015 at 10:51I will, it’s on my list for ages! Thanks!
Kuba
23/06/2015 at 08:29I think the Czech Republic, is so small, and big in the same time. It’s something like Poland. You can find there whatever you looking for. I like big cities, but I’d prefer the small one. Where time going slower, people have more time to admire environment. Where the nature is closer to people. Zdravím!
kami
27/06/2015 at 10:58You are so very right! That’s why I like both Poland and Czech Republic so much, there’re just so many places to choose from, so different one that you cannot be bored in either of these places! So far I’ve been mostly visiting bigger Czech cities but I know I should pay more attention to smaller ones too. Thanks for the inspiration! :)
California Globetrotter
23/06/2015 at 10:16Sad to see that Cesky Krumlov wasn’t on that list! THAT was an amazing town! We were just there a few weeks ago! http://www.facebook.com/caliglobetrotter
Magdalena Bodnari
23/06/2015 at 10:40Niestety tylko w Pradze. Ale teraz właśnie z dziećmi jest czas na bliskie kraje, więc niedługo to się zmieni -)
Zygmunt Kuba
23/06/2015 at 11:28Soczyste zdjęcia, zachęcają do wyjazdu :D
Travels and Tipples
23/06/2015 at 17:44We spent five nights in Ostrava this past April and did several day trips, including one to Olomouc. We were impressed by that whole region of the Czech Republic – and loved the prices!
Samiya Selim
23/06/2015 at 21:53havent been to Czech Republic yet but it’s on my list :-)
Sianna
24/06/2015 at 07:50I wish I had more time in prague to explore not only the historic and most popular places. But hopefully will be back for more one day. I would also love to visit Cesky Krumlov and Kutna hora.
kami
27/06/2015 at 11:00Kutna Hora is a perfect daytrip from Prague, such a lovely little town! I also would love to visit Cesky Krumlov!
Natalia Malec
24/06/2015 at 07:04My one of my favourite neighborhood countries :)
Henry | @fotoeins
24/06/2015 at 10:54Dang, i have a couple of personal contacts in Plzen and Brno, and I keep meaning to go. But in the recent past, Praha kept her pretty and sharp claws on me. :)
kami
27/06/2015 at 11:02ha, I understand that so well!!! Prague just can’t get boring! But it’s worth seeing more of the country too! Hopefully next time you will go to Brno and Plzen as well :)
Piotr Goroh
25/06/2015 at 05:40Nie wiem czy wpuszczenie ‘gości’ z zachodniej granicy było dobrym ruchem, ale porównując np.Warszawę do Pragi…
Beata Redzimska
25/06/2015 at 09:55Musze w koncu tu dotrzec, wszyscy tak sie zachwycaja Praga.
Jarek Szczygielski
25/06/2015 at 14:18Czechy kocham! :)
Hannah
26/06/2015 at 00:45I’ve only been to Prague and the nearby Kutna Hora but I would love to go back and see more. Brno especially looks amazing- very picturesque and fairytale-like which I am all for!
kami
27/06/2015 at 11:04Brno is so great!! It was one of my biggest travel surprises of last year, I loved it big time!! Since you’ll be in Vienna you should go to Brno, is pretty close and probably can be done as a day trip!
Marta
26/06/2015 at 12:32Wszyscy moi znajomi namiętnie jeżdżą do Ostravy… Podobno jest to mega imprezowe miasto :D
kami
27/06/2015 at 11:05oj jest! jedna ulica, Stodolni, a wymiata!
Ewa
26/06/2015 at 16:13Since I am more a nature-lover than city-lover, my number one in the czech Republic is and probably always be Moravsky Kras. I have been to Prague and Brno, but the caves and rocks of Moravsky Kras are for me so much better :)
kami
27/06/2015 at 11:06I was there ages ago (15 years) but I remember it was pretty spectacular! I still would love to visit Czech Switzerland and cave towns! Czech Republic really has so much to offer!
Nancie
30/06/2015 at 09:12I need to go back to Czech to visit all of these glorious sounding/looking places. I did make it to Pilsen, which was wonderful.
kami
28/07/2015 at 11:17I really hope you will make it there soon, Czech Republic has so much to offer!!! And I need to go to Pilsen soon, I heard only good things about it!
Przemysław Pawcliki
01/07/2015 at 19:07The Czech republic is very beautiful. I remember how I used to be in this beautiful country and got a delicious meal. This country immediately grabbed my heart. His monuments, market, alleys, there are beautiful places to stroll. I want to go back …
I remember that I was in a museum of old fairy tales.Very interesting was to look like once without technology, humans could do such miracles. The Czech Republic is a very nice country. And up in their vicinity refresh my chest … :)
Stefania - the Italian Backpacker
13/07/2015 at 21:18Hey Kamila! One of my favourite places in Czech Republic was Telc, I have such a fond memory of it!
kami
28/07/2015 at 14:23I’ve heard only good things about Telc but haven’t made it there yet… hopefully soon! Thanks for telling me about it Stefania!
Agnieszka /Zależna w podróży
28/08/2015 at 23:12I have some problems with Czech Republic. I’ve been there so many times as a kid and I totally don’t remember which towns I’ve visited. I look at your photos and I think – “yeah, I’ve been there”. But then I think it’s not possible that I’ve visited them all. I guess it just means I have to go there again.
kami
03/09/2015 at 22:14you definitely should! And well, that’s the problem with Central Europe, the architecture is so similar you don’t know anymore where you are, in Brno or Sarajevo, in Lviv or Przemyśl ;)
Michal
05/12/2015 at 21:48Hi, I came across on your blog and I’m really surprised that you say thay you consider Brno as the 2nd coolest city in the Czech Republic! The thing is, I come from not far away from Brno and I’ve been always thinking that you can fully appreciate the vibe of this city only as a citizen or if you’re from the region. Usually people say that it’s boring and ugly and there’s nothing to see. I study in Olomouc, which is slightly different and all the people I know, who don’t come from South Moravia, say that they hate Brno. Actually, I think that city has really changed – it’s really became a hipster, intelectual city with lots of cafés, events and stuff…sometimes I come back from Olomouc and I feel lost :D
kami
07/12/2015 at 23:19Thank you for your comment Michal! Brno is really cool, and exactly how you described it – intelectual, hispter and with so many things to do and see. And it’s really beautiful, but so is Olomouc! i visited both this summer (not for the first time) and while Olomouc felt really deserted on the Saturday afternoon Brno was lively, with lots of people outside and busy cafes and pubs. It was in August so maybe Olomouc is different when students are back but overall I appreciate Olomouc but definitely prefer Brno :)
David Holdcroft
17/02/2018 at 12:53myself and my wife also loves travelling, last years trip took us from Zadar to Bucharest via Mostar,Sarajevo, Belgrade,Timosora,Cravioa, mostly by train , we are hinting of flying to Bratislava this year and head for prague, through Brno,Olomouc and Jihlava,,,,,,,,,,,,, Is there a nicer route and whats the train system like ?, we have been in prague and ceske budejovice before and enjoyed it. Also we been to your country too ( Wroclaw,Pozan,Gnask ) and loved it
Regards
David
Ireland
kami
29/03/2018 at 20:52Hi David! It sounds like a good plan! Between Brno and Jihlava you should also stop in Trebic – the town with two UNESCO sites, it’s really interesting. Train system in Czech Republic is really easy, the trains are good and almost always on time. You can check the connections and prices at http://www.cd.cz
Mariana Banasova
01/04/2024 at 16:31Beautiful post and pictures
Please add Moravia Jesenik,
Thank you
Mariana
kami
09/04/2024 at 20:25Thank you. This article definitely needs an update and I’ll make sure to include both places in it!