Visit Cheb – One of the Oldest Towns in the Czech Republic

Located in the very west of the country, not many people tend to visit Cheb, Czech Republic. Big mistake! This is one of the oldest towns in the region, packed with attractions and historical sights, and it’s truly the prettiest.

I’ve visited Cheb twice, and each time I’m surprised that this place doesn’t attract more visitors, especially given its proximity to the popular Czech destinations of Karlovy Vary and Marianske Lazne, which are just a short train ride away.

If you decide to visit Cheb (which I highly recommend), you are in for a treat! The interesting history, beautiful architecture, and monuments, along with the medieval yet laid-back vibe, make Cheb such a perfect place to visit in the Czech Republic.

I’ve put together this guide to help you discover the best things to do in Cheb and find all the practical information you need to plan your trip and enjoy this charming town to the fullest. Read on and visit Cheb!

Where is Cheb, Czech Republic

Cheb, a town of almost 33 thousand inhabitants, is located in the west of the Czech Republic, right at the border with Germany. Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, is located 170 km east of Cheb. Other nearby popular destinations are Karlovy Vary (45 km), Marianske Lazne (38 km), and Pilsen (116 km), making it easier to include Cheb in your Czech Republic itinerary.

What to see in Cheb

Cheb was first mentioned in 1061, and shortly after, in 1125, the castle was built here. Since then, Cheb has played an important role in the region, primarily due to its location at the Czech and German borderland. Along the center, you can find a long metal line on the ground with the timeline of the city’s history, starting with the year when Cheb was founded. This is such a great way to learn more about the place and all the important events that took place here. The long and somewhat turbulent history is the reason why today you can find so many interesting historical sights and beautiful buildings in Cheb.

The center of the town is its market square – Náměstí Krále Jiřího z Poděbrad. It’s a large, inclined space that is mostly empty (and used as a parking space, unfortunately). In the past, this was a bustling place, used mainly for trading purposes. Today, the vibe is completely different, but beautiful merchant townhouses still surround the market square.

The oldest and most valuable one is Schirdinger House, from the early 13th century – you can easily find it as its dark facade stands out among the colorful townhouses. There are also two interesting fountains, including the one of Hercules from the mid-18th century (although the first fountain was placed here back in 1350) and the 18th-century town hall.

In the lower part of the square, you can find Špalíček – a unique complex of eleven burgher houses that hasn’t changed since the 15th century (although the first houses date back to the 13th century!). They are made with characteristic half-timbered elements typical of this region of the Czech Republic.

In the past, there was one more row of houses here, but it was demolished in 1809. The lane that goes between the houses – Kramarska (Shopkeepers Lane) – is one of the narrowest streets in the country, with a width of only 1.6 meters. As you walk through this narrow corridor, it’s easy to imagine what life was like back in medieval times, when the place was full of shops.

A short walk away from the market square, you can visit the Saint Nicolas and Elisabeth Church. The first church, in the Roman style, was built here in 1239, but only thirty-one years later, a massive fire destroyed a big part of the town, including the temple. The reconstruction that took place after included the Gothic elements, creating an interesting mix of styles in the building. Unfortunately, the church was destroyed again, in 1809 when another fire hit the town, and in 1945 when Cheb was bombed during the Allied air raids.

That’s why you won’t find much art inside the church, even though the whole structure surely is impressive. While you are there, be sure to climb the church tower for the beautiful panorama of Cheb, too. There are 170 stairs to take you to the top, but the view is worth the effort.

One of the biggest Cheb attractions is its castle. The first Slavic settlement was here already in the 9th century, but the new stone castle was built in 1125. Shortly after, at the end of the 12th century, the place was reconstructed into Kaiserpfalz – a temporary seat of power for the Holy Roman Emperor. This was the easternmost place of that kind in Europe and the only one in the Czech Republic. The building also served as a royal castle for the Czech kings.

Only a small part of the Kaiserpfalz remains to this day, but it surely is an impressive one (mostly the defensive Black Tower and the Chapel of Saints Martin, Erhard, and Ursula). The castle chapel is one of the most unique sacral places in the region. It’s a double chapel, with the lower part built in Romanesque style, while the upper one is Gothic. (chapel pictures below were taken by my friend Osmol).

Once you are done with visiting Cheb attractions, you can simply wander around the center and enjoy its beautiful architecture, charming corners, cobbled lanes, and laid-back vibe. You can find some real gems during your stroll, such as the garden of the Franciscan monastery, the viewpoint over the castle (here is its location), or the old wooden bridge over the Ohře River. The town is full of interesting places, and it’s up to you how many of them you can discover during your Cheb sightseeing.

Visiting Cheb – practical information

How to get to Cheb

Cheb is well-connected with other places in the region. There are direct trains to Karlovy Vary, Marianske Lazne, Frantiskovy Lazne, as well as Pilsen and Prague; you can also take the train across the border to Germany. Besides trains, you can also reach Cheb by bus.

How to get around Cheb

The train and bus stations are located around one kilometer away from the main square. It’s a pleasant walk and you can learn about the town’s history along the way. Once you get to the historical center, all the attractions are located within a short walk from each other.

Where to stay in Cheb

If you decide to stay overnight in Cheb, there are a few accommodation options you can choose from. Here are the recommended ones:

• Hotel Barbarossa (8.0/10)
• Penzion u Vlčků (9.0/10)
• Penzion Papírna (8.6/10)
• and more!

Where to eat and drink in Cheb

There are a few restaurants to choose from in the center. If you would like to try local Czech food, Restaurace U Krále Jiřího serves tasty meals at reasonable prices and is located around the corner from the main square. Another good and highly-rated option is Botanik Bistro, which offers more healthy choices and good coffee.

Where to go next

From Cheb, you can continue your trip to one of the famous spa towns in the region: Karlovy Vary, Marianske Lazne, and Frantiskovy Lazne. Along the way to Karlovy Vary, you can stop in Loket – a small town with an impressive castle and a beautiful historical center. A bit further away, you can visit Pilsen, famous for its beer but offering many more attractions, Stribro, Kadan, and Zatec. You can also cross the border to Germany to explore its Saxony and Bavaria regions.

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.

---

---

For the end I left a few announcements that might interest you:

• Sign up to my newsletter or follow me on Bloglovin to get updates about the new posts
• Join my Facebook group about Eastern Europe, the Balkans and former USSR and connect with fellow travellers and enthusiasts of these regions – just click here!
• I’ve included a few handy links of services and products I personally like and use so you can plan your own trip to the Czech Republic too. They are often affiliate links. This means I will get a small commission if you book/purchase anything through my links, at no extra costs for you. Thank you!

---

LIKED IT? PIN THIS POST FOR LATER!

---