The best places to visit in Czech Republic are the ones that let you see a different side of the country. Whether it's walking along the river in Český Krumlov, exploring the Bone Church in Kutná Hora or spending an afternoon among the colonnades of Karlovy Vary, each town has its own story.
If Prague is already on the itinerary, a few extra days can make the trip even better. Stay overnight in Český Krumlov, visit Karlštejn Castle or head east to Moravia for vineyards, wine cellars and small towns.
This guide covers the places worth adding to your route, how much time to spend in each and the easiest ways to get around. It also helps you decide which stops work as day trips and which ones deserve an overnight stay on your Europe trip.
Places To Visit In Czech Republic at a Glance
Not every destination needs the same amount of time. Use this quick guide to decide which Czech Republic tourist places fit into your trip.
Travel tier
Places to visit
Time to keep aside
Best for
Day-trip ring
Kutná Hora, Karlštejn, Plzeň
Half a day to one full day each
History, castles and local food
Overnight tier
Český Krumlov, Karlovy Vary
1–2 nights
Old-town walks, spa stays and a slower pace
Second-visit Moravia
Brno, Mikulov, South Moravia wine villages
2–3 nights or more
Wine cellars, countryside and local culture
A simple way to plan: Keep Prague as your base for the first few days, add one or two nearby day trips, then move south for Český Krumlov or Brno if time allows.
Exploring Prague: The Czech Republic's Capital
Prague deserves time of its own. Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, Old Town Square and the streets around Malá Strana can easily take up two or three days, especially if museums, cafés and local food are part of the plan.
This guide focuses on the places beyond the capital, so there is no need to rush through Prague just to add more names to the itinerary. If travelling in December, leave time for the Old Town Square Christmas Market, which is one of the city's main festive stops during Christmas in Europe.
Best Day Trips from Prague: 3 Places to Visit Nearby
These three places are close enough to visit from Prague without changing hotels. Each offers something different, so choose based on what interests you rather than trying to cover all three in one day.
Kutná Hora: The Bone Church and St Barbara's Cathedral
Kutná Hora is best known for the Sedlec Ossuary, often called the Bone Church. Human bones are arranged into decorations inside this small chapel, including a chandelier made from skeletal remains.
The town has more to see beyond the ossuary. St Barbara's Cathedral is known for its Gothic design, high ceilings and detailed interior. The historic centre is also worth walking through if there is time.
Getting there: Direct trains from Prague to Kutná Hora hlavní nádraží take around 50 minutes. The station is outside the historic centre, so allow extra time for the local connection.
How much time to keep: Half a day is enough for the Sedlec Ossuary and the cathedral. A full day allows time to explore the old town without rushing.
Ticket note: The Sedlec Ossuary adult ticket is listed at CZK 220. Entry is timed, and advance booking is recommended because visitor numbers are limited.
Karlštejn: A Castle Trip from Prague
Karlštejn Castle sits above a small town surrounded by wooded hills. Built in the 14th century under Charles IV, it was used to protect royal treasures and important documents. The castle is best known for its historic rooms and the Chapel of the Holy Cross.
Getting there: Direct trains from Prague take around 40–45 minutes and run frequently. The castle itself is about a 15-minute walk from the station, followed by the uphill approach.
How much time to keep: Around half a day for the castle and town. Keep longer if you want to walk through the surrounding countryside.
Good to know: Castle visits are guided tours, and opening days change by season. In 2026, the castle is generally open daily from March to October except Mondays, with a more limited winter schedule.
Plzeň: For Beer, History and a Different City Feel
Plzeň, also called Pilsen, is known around the world for Pilsner-style lager. The Pilsner Urquell Brewery is the main reason many travellers come here. Its guided tour covers the brewing process, the historic cellars and the story of the beer first made here in 1842.
Getting there: Direct trains from Prague take around 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 35 minutes, depending on the service.
How much time to keep: A full day works well for the brewery tour and the city centre.
Ticket note: The Pilsner Urquell Brewery's full adult tour ticket is listed at CZK 430 for 2026. The tour takes about 110 minutes, and the cellars stay at around 5°C, so carry an extra layer.
Český Krumlov: A Must-Visit Overnight Place Beyond Prague
Český Krumlov is the place to make time for if the plan includes more than Prague. The historic centre sits in a bend of the Vltava River, with the castle rising above its red-roofed houses. The town and its castle complex have been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1992.
A day trip is possible, but staying overnight makes a real difference. Day visitors tend to arrive in the morning and leave later in the afternoon. Staying in town gives more time to walk along the river, explore the lanes and see the castle area when the busiest part of the day has passed.
Getting there: Direct buses from Prague take around three hours. Train journeys can take longer and may involve a change, depending on the service.
How long to stay: One night is a good minimum. Two nights work better if the castle, gardens and nearby countryside are all on the list.
Good to know: The castle's interiors and guided tours have seasonal schedules. The castle is closed from 20 December 2026 to 2 January 2027, although the town remains open.
Karlovy Vary: Explore the Czech Republic's Famous Spa Towns
Karlovy Vary is known for its colonnades, mineral springs and grand spa buildings. It has a slower pace than Prague and is a good choice for travellers who want a day of walking, spa treatments and long café stops.
The town's spa tradition is closely linked to its hot springs. At the Hot Spring Colonnade, the Vřídlo spring sends hot mineral water into the air. You can try the spring water from small spa cups. The taste is quite different from regular drinking water, so it is worth trying a small amount first.
Another local treat is the Karlovy Vary spa wafer, a thin, round wafer that is often sold warm and in different flavours.
What to see: Walk through the Mill Colonnade, Market Colonnade and Hot Spring Colonnade. The Diana Lookout Tower and the spa forests are good additions if there is more time.
Getting there: Direct buses from Prague take around 2 hours 15 minutes. Check the departure station and arrival terminal when booking.
How long to stay: A full day covers the main town sights. An overnight stay makes more sense if spa treatments and a slower break are part of the plan.
Karlovy Vary is part of the West Bohemian Spa Triangle, along with Mariánské Lázně and Františkovy Lázně. All three have a long spa history, but visiting all of them needs more than one day.
Moravia: Best Places to Visit Beyond Prague
Moravia is worth adding when there is time to travel beyond the usual Prague–Český Krumlov route. It is a larger region in the east of the country, known for Brno, vineyards, wine cellars and towns such as Mikulov.
Brno: A Good Base for Moravia
Brno is the region's main city and a useful base for exploring South Moravia. It has a lively centre, historic squares, cafés and places such as Špilberk Castle and the Cathedral of St Peter and Paul.
Keep at least one full day for Brno. It is also a practical place to stay before heading to the wine towns and countryside.
Mikulov and the Wine Cellars
Mikulov is a small town near the Austrian border, with a castle above the centre and vineyards spread across the surrounding hills. It is one of the best-known stops in the Mikulov wine sub-region.
South Moravia has several wine areas, including Mikulov, Velké Pavlovice and Slovácko. Visitors can explore family-run wineries, taste local wines and see traditional wine cellars. The Plže cellars in Petrov and the Valtice Wine Salon are two places to look into.
How to plan it: Stay in Brno and set aside a full day for Mikulov, or spend a night in the wine region for a slower visit.
Getting there: Brno to Mikulov takes about an hour by the direct weekend train connection. Check weekday services separately.
Who should go: Travellers who enjoy wine, small towns, countryside drives and a slower pace. Moravia is not essential on a first short trip, but it is a good addition when returning to the Czech Republic.
How to Travel Around the Czech Republic: Trains, Buses and Transport Tips
The Czech Republic has a strong train and bus network, but not every destination is best reached by train. Some towns have direct rail connections from Prague, while others are easier by bus. Český Krumlov and Karlovy Vary are good examples where checking both options can save time.
A few things to keep in mind:
Use trains for nearby towns: Kutná Hora, Karlštejn and Plzeň have practical train connections from Prague.
Compare buses for longer routes: Direct buses to Český Krumlov and Karlovy Vary can be quicker or simpler than taking the train.
Check the full journey: A train ticket to Kutná Hora's main station does not take you straight to the Sedlec Ossuary or the old town. Allow time for the local connection.
Book longer journeys early: Fares can change depending on the train, seat and booking date. Check the operator's website before travelling.
Understand ticket options: One Ticket is a national ticket option accepted by participating train operators. It can be useful when a route involves more than one participating carrier, but check that the services on your chosen route accept it.
For a longer Central European route that continues to Vienna or Budapest, there is also the option of adding river cruises in Europe along the Danube. The river cruise would be an extension beyond the Czech Republic, not a way to travel between Czech towns.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Your right to Know!
01
Do Czechs speak English in smaller towns?
English is common in hotels, restaurants and major tourist areas, but less widely spoken in some smaller towns and villages. Save the names and addresses of places on your phone, and keep an offline map handy.
02
When is the best time for Český Krumlov?
May to September is a good time for warmer weather, longer days and exploring the castle gardens. Spring and early autumn can be more comfortable for walking, while summer is busier.
03
Is the Czech Republic cheap to travel?
It can be more affordable than several Western European destinations, especially for public transport and local food. Prague's central hotels and popular restaurants can still be expensive, so costs depend on the season and where you stay.
04
Can Kutná Hora be done as a half-day?
Yes. A half-day is enough for the Sedlec Ossuary and St Barbara's Cathedral if the train and local connections are planned well. A full day gives more time to explore the historic centre.
05
What are the best places to visit in the Czech Republic?
Prague, Český Krumlov, Kutná Hora, Karlštejn, Karlovy Vary, Plzeň and Brno are among the best places to visit. Add Mikulov and South Moravia if there is extra time for wine towns and countryside.
06
Is Český Krumlov worth an overnight stay?
Yes. One night gives you time to explore the castle, old town and riverbanks after many day visitors have left. 2 nights are better if you also want to visit the surrounding countryside.
07
What is the bone church in Kutná Hora?
The Bone Church is the Sedlec Ossuary, a chapel decorated with human bones from thousands of people. It is part of the Cemetery Church of All Saints and remains an active religious site, so visitors are expected to behave respectfully.
08
How do you get around the Czech Republic?
Trains and buses are the main ways to travel between Czech towns. Trains work well for places such as Kutná Hora and Plzeň, while direct buses can be more convenient for Český Krumlov and Karlovy Vary.
09
Is Karlovy Vary worth visiting?
Yes, especially if you enjoy spa towns, historic buildings and a slower day away from Prague. The colonnades, mineral springs and spa wafers are the main reasons to visit. Keep a full day for the town.
10
How many days do you need for the Czech Republic?
Five to seven days is a good starting point for Prague and a few nearby towns. Add two or three more days if Český Krumlov, Karlovy Vary or South Moravia are also part of the plan.
11
What is the Czech Republic famous for?
The Czech Republic is known for Prague's historic centre, castles, Gothic architecture, beer, spa towns and traditional glassmaking. Český Krumlov, Kutná Hora and Karlovy Vary are among its best-known destinations outside Prague.