Although it is a favorite of travelers, planning a visit to Europe can be overwhelming. There are simply so many countries in such a relatively small region that it can difficult to prioritize, especially with only a limited number of vacation days available. Throw in the fact that just about every capital and coastline is famous for one reason or another and things get even more difficult. One country that is often overlooked as a first class destination is the Czech Republic – a beautiful Central European nation known for charming towns, medieval castles, and a deep and fascinating history.
Here are some of the best things you can do on a trip to the Czech Republic:
Tour Cesky Krumlov Castle
Ancient castles are among the attractions that make the Czech Republic such an interesting country, and the one in the town of Cesky Krumlov may be the best of the bunch. As a bonus to your castle visit, this entire town is wonderful to explore, full of history and less crowded with tourists than Prague. The castle dates back to the mid-13th century and has witnessed many royal inhabitants and renovations. You can take a guided tour of it today.
Walk the Charles Bridge
Walking across a bridge may not ordinarily strike you as a legitimate highlight of visiting an entire country, but the Czech capital of Prague is renowned largely for its beauty, filled with old buildings from various impressive eras of architecture, and the Charles Bridge is one of the best vantage points from which to see the surrounding city. It is not a particularly large bridge nor a terrific feat of engineering. However, for being one of the most visited sights in Prague, and for being historically significant (it was the only way to cross the Vlatva River in the 15th century, and thus important for trade), it’s been mentioned as one of the most famous bridges in the world.
Relax In Karlovy Vary
If you have a spare day and night on your trip to the Czech Republic, you should visit Karlovy Vary. It’s a beautiful town where a grouping of natural thermal spas have given way to a spa culture that dominates even today. Now, it’s a place for relaxing retreats, spa treatments, and sightseeing. It’s an outstanding place to pamper yourself, and there’s an interesting cultural nugget many visitors will enjoy as well. The Karlovy Vary Spa was actually used as the set for filming the exterior for the Casino Royale in the 2006 James Bond film Casino Royale. So, in between spa treatments, you can walk where Daniel Craig did during his first outing as 007!
Hike Through The Woods
It may sound like an odd suggestion, but the Czech Republic is known to be an excellent country for hikes. Rather than looking up a traditional hiking trail, however, one travel guide for the country recommends you “avoid the tourist crush and go where the Czechs go,” which is to say into the woods. There are color-coded trails winding through much of the lush country, through charming forests that would seem at home in old novels about knights and medieval rulers. It’s a nice way to get a feel for the country without relying on any specific attractions.
Have A Pint In Prague
Prague is a well-known pub city. It might not have the same reputation as, say, London or Dublin in this respect, but it’s still home to some wonderful local bars. U Vejvodu is a commonly recommended spot, Hangar Bar is a wonderful vintage cocktail joint, and Double Trouble Music Bar is a place to keep in mind if you want a livelier atmosphere. And those are just three of countless options!
Here are some of the best things you can do on a trip to the Czech Republic:
Tour Cesky Krumlov Castle
Ancient castles are among the attractions that make the Czech Republic such an interesting country, and the one in the town of Cesky Krumlov may be the best of the bunch. As a bonus to your castle visit, this entire town is wonderful to explore, full of history and less crowded with tourists than Prague. The castle dates back to the mid-13th century and has witnessed many royal inhabitants and renovations. You can take a guided tour of it today.
Walking across a bridge may not ordinarily strike you as a legitimate highlight of visiting an entire country, but the Czech capital of Prague is renowned largely for its beauty, filled with old buildings from various impressive eras of architecture, and the Charles Bridge is one of the best vantage points from which to see the surrounding city. It is not a particularly large bridge nor a terrific feat of engineering. However, for being one of the most visited sights in Prague, and for being historically significant (it was the only way to cross the Vlatva River in the 15th century, and thus important for trade), it’s been mentioned as one of the most famous bridges in the world.
If you have a spare day and night on your trip to the Czech Republic, you should visit Karlovy Vary. It’s a beautiful town where a grouping of natural thermal spas have given way to a spa culture that dominates even today. Now, it’s a place for relaxing retreats, spa treatments, and sightseeing. It’s an outstanding place to pamper yourself, and there’s an interesting cultural nugget many visitors will enjoy as well. The Karlovy Vary Spa was actually used as the set for filming the exterior for the Casino Royale in the 2006 James Bond film Casino Royale. So, in between spa treatments, you can walk where Daniel Craig did during his first outing as 007!
Hike Through The Woods
It may sound like an odd suggestion, but the Czech Republic is known to be an excellent country for hikes. Rather than looking up a traditional hiking trail, however, one travel guide for the country recommends you “avoid the tourist crush and go where the Czechs go,” which is to say into the woods. There are color-coded trails winding through much of the lush country, through charming forests that would seem at home in old novels about knights and medieval rulers. It’s a nice way to get a feel for the country without relying on any specific attractions.
Have A Pint In Prague
Prague is a well-known pub city. It might not have the same reputation as, say, London or Dublin in this respect, but it’s still home to some wonderful local bars. U Vejvodu is a commonly recommended spot, Hangar Bar is a wonderful vintage cocktail joint, and Double Trouble Music Bar is a place to keep in mind if you want a livelier atmosphere. And those are just three of countless options!
Here are a few more fun facts I never knew about vacationing in this friendly land.
5 More Reasons to Visit the Czech Republic
1. Solo travelers love it thanks to it's extremely low crime rate - one of the lowest in the world!
2. Looking for an authentic souvenir? Marionette puppets and locally crafted art glass are popular choices.
3. Many residents speak English, in addition to the official language, Czech.
4. It's a foodie paradise, with local cuisine leaning toward comfort dishes such as sausage, schnitzel, and dumplings. You'll also discover new foods you've never tried, and have likely never even heard of, like buchty (sweet yeast buns), svickova (sirloin in a cream sauce with vegetables), and vetrnik (cream puffs with caramel).
5. It's an affordable vacation destination. For example, searching Airbnb for a top-rated, clean home all to ourselves within walking distance of popular tourist areas, I found many options for $75, $60, and even $30 per night. You could easily spend the entire summer in the Czech Republic.
With so many things to see and do, the Czech Republic deserves a place on your travel bucket list.