The top sights in Czechia include Pražský hrad and Karlův most right in Prague, the Gothic hrad Karlštejn and Kutná Hora with its ossuary in the centre of the country, the town of Český Krumlov and zámek Hluboká in the south, the spa town of Karlovy Vary and the "beer capital" Plzeň in the west, plus the Adršpach rocks in the northeast. Most of these lie within one to two hours of Prague, making them easy to visit as day trips by train or bus. Below is a breakdown by region to help you plan your route.
Prague — the heart of the country
The capital brings together the country's most iconic landmarks, and it makes sense to start exploring Czechia right here.
- Pražský hrad (Prague Castle) — one of the largest castle complexes in the world and the seat of the President. Inside you'll find the Gothic katedrála svatého Víta (St. Vitus Cathedral), the Old Royal Palace, and the picturesque Zlatá ulička (Golden Lane).
- Karlův most (Charles Bridge) — a 14th-century stone bridge over the Vltava, founded under Emperor Charles IV and lined with thirty Baroque statues. It connects Staré Město and Malá Strana.
- Staroměstské náměstí (Old Town Square) with the Orloj astronomical clock on the Old Town Hall tower — one of the oldest still-functioning clocks of its kind in the world.
- Vyšehrad — a fortress above the Vltava with the Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul and the Slavín cemetery, where Antonín Dvořák and Bedřich Smetana are buried.
For more on what to see in the city, check out our section https://aroundprague.cz/places/, for events and exhibitions see the listings https://aroundprague.cz/poster/, and for the latest city news see https://aroundprague.cz/news/prague/.
Central Bohemia: castles and an ossuary
Within an hour of Prague are two places worth setting aside a full day for.
- hrad Karlštejn — a Gothic fortress founded by Charles IV in the 14th century, about 30 km southwest of Prague. It originally housed the imperial coronation regalia and relics.
- Kutná Hora — a former silver-mining hub whose historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The main highlights are the Kostnice v Sedlci (Sedlec Ossuary) — a chapel decorated with human bones — and the majestic Gothic chrám svaté Barbory (Cathedral of St. Barbara).
South Bohemia: Český Krumlov and Hluboká
The south of the country offers postcard-perfect towns along the bends of the Vltava and castles surrounded by ponds.
- Český Krumlov — a medieval town on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Its castle complex is the second-largest in Czechia after Pražský hrad, featuring a Baroque castle theatre and a tower with views over the historic centre nestled in a loop of the river.
- zámek Hluboká nad Vltavou — a snow-white neo-Gothic palace rebuilt by the Schwarzenberg family in the style of England's Windsor Castle. It's located near the town of České Budějovice, birthplace of Budweiser Budvar beer.
West Bohemia: spas and beer
The west is known for its mineral springs and world-famous brewing tradition.
- Karlovy Vary — the country's most famous spa town, built around thermal springs. Here you'll find the hot geyser Vřídlo, elegant colonnades (including Mlýnská kolonáda), the production of the herbal liqueur Becherovka, and the International Film Festival.
- Mariánské Lázně — the second most popular spa town, known for its "Zpívající fontána" (Singing Fountain).
- Plzeň — the birthplace of pilsner-style beer: the Pilsner Urquell brewery (Plzeňský Prazdroj) has been brewing its pale lager since 1842 and offers tours of its historic brewing halls and cellars.
For pubs and restaurants in Prague where you can try Czech cuisine, check out our picks in https://aroundprague.cz/places/eda/restaurants/, and for coffee shops, see https://aroundprague.cz/places/eda/cafe/.
Northeast Bohemia: rocks and nature
Beyond the cities lie dramatic natural landscapes beloved by hikers.
- Adršpašsko-teplické skály (Adršpach-Teplice Rocks) — a "rock town" of sandstone towers and gorges near the Polish border, with a lake formed in a former quarry. One of the most photogenic natural spots in the country.
- Český ráj (Bohemian Paradise) — the first Czech geopark under UNESCO's aegis, with rock formations, hrad Hrubá Skála, and the ruins of hrad Trosky.
How to get there and what to keep in mind
Getting around Czechia is easy using trains run by the national carrier České dráhy and buses (RegioJet, FlixBus, and others); most destinations in this guide make for convenient half-day or full-day trips from Prague.
- Check opening hours and ticket prices on official websites for castles, the ossuary, and breweries — these change seasonally, and popular sites (Karlštejn, the castle theatre in Český Krumlov, Pilsner Urquell tours) often require booking a specific time slot in advance.
- Many historic centres and nature reserves are best visited outside peak season — Prague, Český Krumlov, and Karlovy Vary can get very crowded in summer.
- For castles and rock trails, wear comfortable shoes and allow extra time to get from the train station to the site itself.
This article is for general informational purposes only. Please check official websites of attractions and transport operators for up-to-date opening hours, ticket prices, time slots, and visiting conditions before your trip.
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