Visit Pardubice, Czech Republic – a Perfect Day Trip from Prague

Pardubice (Czech Republic) is one of those overlooked places in Central Europe that are always in the shadow of more popular destinations, but are definitely worth visiting. Located between Prague and Olomouc, the city offers some great attractions, historical sights, and plenty of interesting things to do in Pardubice. It’s a perfect option for one of the day trips from Prague, but you can also spend more time here or even use Pardubice as a base to explore the surrounding area.

Over the years, I have had a chance to visit Pardubice a few times, and it’s always such a treat to return there. The city is so pleasant, and it’s always such a joy to stroll the winding lanes in the historical center, admire its beautiful architecture, and explore all it has to offer.

If you are looking for an underrated yet interesting place to visit that is not overrun by crowds yet has the undeniable Central European charm and vibe, Pardubice is an excellent option for you. I put together this guide to help you plan your trip and enjoy all the Pardubice attractions. Read on and visit Pardubice!

Where is Pardubice, Czech Republic

With a population of over 90 thousand inhabitants, Pardubice is the 9th largest city in the Czech Republic. It is located 120 km east of Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. Olomouc is 140 km away, and Brno is 150 km away from Pardubice, making it an easy trip from all the most popular places in the Czech Republic.

Why visit Pardubice

Pardubice dates back to medieval times. The place was first mentioned in 1295, and in the next few centuries, the city grew and developed. The prosperity lasted until the Thirty Years’ War (first half of the 17th century), after which the importance of Pardubice declined. The city regained its position again when the railway line connecting Prague with Olomouc was opened in 1845. Today, you can find many historical buildings and sights in the center, which is a lovely area to explore.

Pardubice is also famous for its horse races (you can even find the horse in the city’s coat of arms). One of the most important and prestigious events of this kind in the world – Velká Pardubická – takes place each year on the second Sunday of October, since 1874.

Another reason to visit Pardubice is to try gingerbread treats. You can find local gingerbread cookies all over the city; they come in various shapes and sizes, making them a perfect souvenir from Pardubice. Since they are handmade with high-quality ingredients, they can last for years in their untouched form.

Things to do in Pardubice

The heart of the city, where you should start your Pardubice sightseeing, is its main square, Pernštejnské náměstí. It’s such a lovely place, with the stunning town hall (built in the neorenaissance style in 1894) being its highlight. It’s one of the most beautiful buildings of that kind in the Czech Republic, and you will surely appreciate its grandness and fine details.

Just like in many places in the region, in Pardubice, too, you can find the Trinity Column on the main square. It was placed here to commemorate those who lost their life during the plague in the 17th century and to ask for grace for the city and its inhabitants in the future.

Among the beautiful townhouses surrounding the square, one is especially interesting. It’s Dum u Jonase, and on its facade, you can see a scene from the Bible where the whale swallows the prophet Jonah.

While the central square boasts the most colorful and picturesque buildings, it’s worth taking a walk around the Old Town to discover even more charming corners. The historical area is relatively small, so wandering around won’t take you much time, but you can stumble across some real gems here.

There are winding lanes with arches above, even more interesting houses, and funky posts. On the small square behind the main one (Pod Sklipky), you can find remnants of the moat from the old times, together with the city walls.

Not far from here, you can see the Gothic Church of Saint Bartolommeo from the 13th century – it’s currently being renovated, but if you happen to find it open, be sure to visit it inside and admire the valuable interior.

To see the city from above, be sure to climb to the Green Tower. In the past, it served as the entrance to the town; today, it connects the historical part with more modern areas of Pardubice. From the top, you can admire spectacular views of the city, with its beautiful main square right in front of you.

Another highlight of Pardubice is the castle, located a short walk away from the historical center. To get there, you will most likely walk through the old servants’ quarters, with the fountain from the early 19th century built here.

The castle itself dates back to the 14th century, but numerous further renovations changed its look to the current Renaissance style. You can visit the interiors, home to the Museum of East Bohemia. There are numerous valuable artifacts and beautiful features there, including the oldest Renaissance frescoes in Bohemia. The castle grounds are inhabited by beautiful peacocks, wandering around like they own the place (which they kind of do). The premises are surrounded by a large and pleasant park, perfect for a stroll.

While most of the attractions in Pardubice are in the historical center and are a great testimony to the centuries-long importance of the place, the city offers much more. Across the Chrudimka River from the Old Town, you can see the impressive Automatic Mills. They were designed in the cubism style by the famous Czech architect Josef Gocar (whose many works you can see in nearby Hradec Kralove or in Prague) in the early 20th century. Today, the building is home to the art and creativity center and the home of numerous cultural events.

On the other side of the Old Town, once you exit the historical area through the Green Tower, you can see a bit more modern part of the city. There are some beautiful buildings in Art Nouveau and modernist styles, as well as hidden passages and many details that make the place special. You can find the best spots along Miru Avenue.

Where to go next

You can use Pardubice as a base to explore the surrounding region, as there are so many interesting places not far from the city. That’s what I did during one of my recent trips to the Czech Republic. Some of the great places you can visit near Pardubice include: Hradec Králové, Kolin, Kutná Hora, Litomyšl, Podebrady, or Olomouc.

Visiting Pardubice – practical information

How to get to Pardubice

Pardubice is very well connected with numerous other destinations in the Czech Republic and abroad. You can get here directly from Prague (1 hour), Olomouc (1 hour and 20 minutes), Brno (1 hour and 30 minutes), Ostrava (2 hours and 20 minutes), as well as from Warsaw, Katowice, Krakow, Vienna, Budapest, and Bratislava. You can find the connections on the website of the Czech Railways here.

Once you arrive in the city by train, be sure to stop for a moment inside the train station building and admire the huge map on the wall (it’s impossible to miss it). It dates back to the times of Czechoslovakia and shows the best tourist attractions in the current Czech Republic and Slovakia. It can serve as a great inspiration for planning your trip in Central Europe.

How to get around Pardubice

The train station is located almost 2 km from the historical center. Walking should take you under half an hour, and you’ll pass some interesting spots along the way. There are also city buses and trolleybuses to take you around Pardubice. Once you are in the historical center, all the best Pardubice attractions are near each other.

Where to stay in Pardubice

If you decide to stay overnight in Pardubice, here are some recommended accommodation options in the city:

• Hotel Zlatá Štika (8.2/10)
• Hotel U Zlateho Andela (8.5/10)
• Hotel 100 (8.4/10)
• and more!

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.

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