15 Great Things to do in Ostrava, Czech Republic

Last Updated on 04/11/2026 by kami

Ostrava might not be the most popular place to visit in the Czech Republic, but the country’s third-largest city definitely has its moments. Even if it’s best known for its industrial heritage, there are so many cool things to do in Ostrava that everyone can find something to enjoy.

You’ll find there a picturesque Old Town, beautiful architecture, a great cafe and food scene, interesting museums, industrial sites, and much more. The city might live in the shadow of the more popular nearby destinations (mainly Krakow and Prague), but it is definitely worth your time!

I was lucky enough to visit Ostrava on numerous occasions: for various events, weekend trips, or simply as a stop on my way from Poland towards the south. And each time I had a great time there!

Ostrava is one of the most underrated cities in Central Europe, yet most travelers exploring the region tend to skip it. But I can guarantee this place is worth your time, and I bet you will enjoy a unique mix of Ostrava attractions.

I put together this guide with the best things to do in Ostrava so you can enjoy the city and all it has to offer to the fullest. At the end of the article, you will find all the practical info you might need when planning a trip to Ostrava. Read on and have a great time visiting Ostrava!

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Where is Ostrava, Czech Republic

Ostrava, a city of close to 300.000 inhabitants, is located in the north-east part of the Czech Republic, close to the borders with Poland and Slovakia. Prague, the country’s capital, is 340 km from Ostrava, Brno is 170 km away, and Olomouc is 90 km away from Ostrava.

Things to do in Ostrava

Below, you can find all the best things to do in Ostrava, in no particular order.

See the Old Town

The Old Town in Ostrava is small but charming, perfect for a relaxing stroll around. It might not be as stunning as in other popular Czech cities, like Olomouc or Brno (not to mention Prague), but it has its moments.

The heart of the Old Town is Masaryk Square (Masarykovo náměstí). It’s as picturesque as other main squares in Central Europe, surrounded by 19th- and early 20th-century townhouses, with the 17th-century St. Mary’s Column in the middle.

In one corner of Masaryk Square, you can find the Old Town Hall, originally from the 16th century, with later renovations. Inside, you can visit the Ostrava Museum, with a large collection of artifacts about the city and the region.

Masaryk Square isn’t the only part of Ostrava’s Old Town worth seeing. Wander around the area so you can find more gems and interesting spots, such as Kuří Rynek with some of the most beautiful townhouses in Ostrava, the Church of St. Wenceslas (the oldest building in the center, with the history dating back to 1297), the impressive Neo-Renaissance Cathedral of Divine Savior, and many more.

Visit Plato Gallery

Located in the 19th-century slaughterhouse building, Plato Gallery is the hub of contemporary art in Ostrava. Not only can you see interesting exhibitions there (although, with contemporary art, it all depends on luck and your taste), but the space also hosts numerous events and lectures you can attend.

The heritage building itself is also a good enough reason to visit the Plato gallery, as some of the original features were kept during the renovations. The gallery is surrounded by a beautiful, carefully designed garden, which is a nice addition to the place.

Enjoy Stodolni Street

If you enjoy nightlife, Stodolni Street is a place for you. During the day, it’s a sleepy spot in the center of Ostrava, like many similar streets in the area. But once the evening comes, especially on Fridays and Saturdays, Stodolni turns into a party hub, with numerous bars, restaurants, and nightclubs, bringing people from Ostrava and beyond to enjoy this vibrant place.

Admire street art

Ostrava isn’t very big on the street art scene, but it has its moments. There are a few nice murals around, along with some smaller pieces, so explore the city with a curious mind, and you will surely find them.

Two of my favorite murals are “the Madonna of Ostravica” by Nils Westergard (probably the most famous street art work in Ostrava), located at 28. října street, near the Výstaviště tram stop, and “Jump” by Mariusz “M-City” Waras, located on Nádražní street near the corner of Chelčického street. But there are so many more works, especially smaller ones in the underground passages, that I bet you will not be disappointed.

Visit the castle

To be honest, Ostrava Castle is a bit underwhelming, although still worth visiting. Located in the green area, only a short tram ride or walk away from the Old Town, it makes a nice detour when exploring the city.

The castle was originally built in the late 13th century as a border point and later rebuilt in the Renaissance style. Due to the heavy mining work, the building was damaged and rebuilt in the early 21st century.

Although what you see now is a fairly new reconstruction of Ostrava Castle, it’s still a nice place to visit and get a glimpse into the city’s and region’s past. Besides the exhibitions you can see, there are also numerous cultural events taking place at the castle grounds.

See Grossmann Villa

One of the most beautiful buildings in Ostrava and a true architectural gem is the Grossmann Villa. The famous local architect František Grossmann built this historic house in the 1920s as a combination of a family home and offices for his company.

What made the villa stand out among other buildings was its beautiful design, with a traditional decorative style and fairytale-like interiors, as well as a carefully designed garden that included both local and exotic species and various decorative features.

The villa, with its original design, was unique for its time, but it still impresses today. You can visit the place and see the house both inside and outside; however, plan your trip carefully, as it’s open to visitors only on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Explore Dolni Vitkovice

Dolni Vitkovice is probably the most unique and popular attraction of Ostrava, and I definitely share the hype for the place. In the past, this large industrial area was home to ironworks that included a coal mine, coke ovens, and a blast furnace. The site shut down in 1998, and the area was eventually transformed into an industrial monument (it is even registered as European cultural heritage).

Dolni Vitkovice is a truly fascinating place where you can spend the whole day exploring and enjoying the site. You can wander around the site and admire the unique collection of industrial architecture from up close.

If you are brave enough, you can go up to the Bolt Tower and have a drink in the cafe at the top, with breathtaking views of Dolní Vítkovice and the wider city of Ostrava. There’s also a science museum for curious minds. And if you get hungry, you can find a few restaurants and cafes on site.

Entering and exploring Dolní Vítkovice is free of charge; you only need to pay extra for attractions like the Bolt Tower (it’s better to secure the ticket online before your visit). You can easily reach the place by tram from the center of Ostrava; the nearest stop is “Dolní Vítkovice”.

And if you happen to be in Ostrava in the second half of July, you are in for a treat, as Dolní Vítkovice hosts a wonderful music festival – Colors of Ostrava. There are numerous stages (including 4 big ones) where you can enjoy concerts, but the festival also includes other accompanying events: workshops, theater plays, movie screenings, and more. I was once at Colors of Ostrava, and it was probably the most unique festival I’ve ever attended, as the combination of industrial scenery with cultural events is one of a kind. I highly recommend it!

See Ostrava from above

The New Town Hall, located in the center of the city, is an interesting building, designed in 1930 in the functionalist style popular at that time (nearby Zlin is the best place to explore this architectural style further). What makes it unique is its steel structure, which keeps the building stable. As Ostrava developed rapidly in the first half of the 20th century, the new town hall became the largest town hall complex in the Czech Republic, and the building is indeed truly impressive.

While the town hall itself is worth seeing, the main reason you shouldn’t miss this place is the observation platform located at the top of the tower. You can reach it by elevator, which makes it very easy to visit.

From there, you can admire a beautiful panorama of Ostrava and beyond, including the nearby Beskydy Mountains and Poland. Seeing the city from this perspective might actually surprise you and change your perception of Ostrava, as it’s a really green city with a beautiful location.

Visit Michal Coalmine

If you would like to explore more industrial sites beyond Dolni Vitkovice, Ostrava has plenty to offer. One of the places you can visit is the former Michal Coalmine.

The mine operated from 1843 to 1993, and shortly after it was closed, the place was declared a national cultural monument, and a museum was opened there. During the visit, you will follow the same process miners used before starting their shift, from the entrance to the building through the dressing rooms, washrooms, registry, dispatching, and machine room.

You will also see original equipment, the mining cage lift, and the steam engine from 1903 that is still working. Unfortunately, the visit to the Michal mine does not include going underground, but it’s still a fascinating place to learn more about the mining industry.

Visit Landek Park

Another interesting industrial site to visit in Ostrava is Landek Park, which offers a slightly different experience than Michal Mine. The coal mine operated from 1789 to 1991, and when the works ended, the site became the largest mining museum in the Czech Republic.

Here, you can ride a small mining train, go underground in the mining cage lift, walk the original adits, and see the mining and rescue equipment. Besides the industrial part, Landek Park is a nice green area where you can enjoy nature and see the confluence of the Odra and Ostravice rivers.

Look at the city from the Ema heap

While many industrial sites in Ostrava were turned into monuments, some got new life. One of those places is the Ema heap. This artificial hill once stored mined material of no use, but it was eventually turned into a lovely green area with walking paths and a great viewpoint over the city.

With a height of 314 meters, it really gives you an impressive panorama of Ostrava and beyond. The view looks especially beautiful around sunset, when the city is covered in soft orange light. To reach Ema heap, you can either walk a bit from the center or take the bus to the zoo and walk from there (it’s much closer).

Visit Ostrava Zoo

Ostrava zoo is a bit different from similar places in other cities. While animals still play a crucial part here (and there are around 400 species!), the zoo is located in the heart of the forest and is huge.

This is the second-largest zoo in the Czech Republic. With this space, you can enjoy both seeing animals and wandering through a beautiful green area. Some of the species that you can admire here are elephants, crocodiles, hippopotamuses, giraffes, zebras, and more!

Visit Gallery of Fine Arts

With over twenty-five thousand works of art, the Gallery of Fine Arts in Ostrava is one of the largest institutions of its kind in the region and a major cultural spot in the Czech Republic. Located in the House of Arts, an important functionalist gem from 1926 in the heart of the city, it is a must-visit for art lovers. Inside, you can admire works by famous artists like Dürer, Cranach, Aachen, and Klimt, as well as a collection of Czech modern art.

Explore Poruba district

If you are interested in the architecture of socialist realism, with its grand buildings, wide avenues, and symbolic details, there is one area of Ostrava that is like a textbook of this style. Poruba, as that’s the name of the district, was built in the 1950s as a new city for workers.

You will find all typical features of socialist realism, with monumental buildings (often decorated with arches, columns, and bas-reliefs), green spaces, and wide streets. The main avenue – Hlavní třída – is where you can see the most impressive buildings. However, the symbol of Poruba is the so-called “Oblouk” – a round-shaped building with towers and entrance gateways, located on Porubska street.

Go for day trips

While there are so many great things to do in Ostrava itself, the city is also a good base for exploring the surrounding area. During one of my trips, I stayed in the city and traveled around – with pretty good public transport in the region, it was super easy.

Some of my favorite places to visit near Ostrava are Opava (one of the most important historical towns in the area), Stramberk (the charming and picturesque town full of attractions), and Cieszyn in Poland (one of my favorite places ever, a historical city divided by the border) – you can reach them all by train from Ostrava. But there are so many great places nearby that it’s up to you which one you decide to visit.

Visiting Ostrava – practical information

How to get to Ostrava

Ostrava is conveniently located at a crossroads, making it easy to visit. You can get there directly by train from numerous places in the Czech Republic (Prague, Brno, Olomouc, to name a few), as well as from Poland (Warsaw, Krakow, Katowice), Slovakia (Kosice, Zilina), Austria (Vienna), and Hungary (Budapest). Ostrava also has an international airport with direct flights from Warsaw and London.

How many days for visiting Ostrava

You can see most of Ostrava highlights in one day, but I recommend staying at least two days to enjoy all the attractions the city offers (especially since it can take a while to get between them). You can add an extra day or two for day trips from Ostrava.

How to get around Ostrava

The city is rather large, and the Ostrava attractions are spread all over the city, so you will need to use public transport to get around. Fortunately, it works well in Ostrava, and you can reach all the places by tram, bus, or trolleybus.

Google Maps works fine for showing you the routes. Be sure to have a valid ticket when traveling, as the controls are often strict (or I was unlucky). Ticket machines are available, and you can also use the official app “mojeDPO” to buy tickets.

Where to stay in Ostrava

Since most attractions in Ostrava are spread across the city, I suggest staying either in/near the historical center or along Nadrazni street (with trams connecting the main train station to the rest of the city). Here are the recommended accommodation options in Ostrava:
Hotel Stračena City (8.9/10)
Hotel Ruby Blue (8.5/10)
Mercure Ostrava Center (8.7/10)
and many more!

Where to go next

From Ostrava, you can continue your journey further into the Czech Republic, to Olomouc and Prague (with stops in Pardubice, Kolin, or Kutna Hora) or to Brno (via Kromeriz and Zlin). You can also head north to Poland (most likely to Katowice or Krakow) or east to Slovakia. Ostrava really has a perfect location and can be easily incorporated into your Central Europe itinerary, together with all the other great destinations in the region.