Quick, name one of the many interesting cities in the Czech Republic!
Let us guess. You said Prague, didn’t you?
When asking people about cities in the Czech Republic Prague is usually the first one that gets mentioned. In fact it’s the only Czech city most people who don’t live in the region even know about.
But this Central European country which is so famous for its beer, comfort food and folklore offers plenty of interesting (and picturesque) towns and cities to visit.
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Most Interesting Cities in the Czech Republic
We’re going to introduce you to the 15 most interesting and prettiest cities in the Czech Republic and what makes them so special.
Hopefully you will give one, or a few of them, a day trip visit while you are in Prague.
Prague
The most obvious choice to begin with, of course. Prague is the Czech Republic’s crown jewel.
Czech Republic’s capital is the 7th biggest city in all of Europe and combines marvelous architecture with history and eerie legends. Much of what we see in today’s Prague is the work of Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV, who transformed the city in 14th century, making it the third-largest city in Europe back then. This metropolis is home to 1.3 million people and spreads out into 22 districts. Offering a vast choice of sights, there is also a bunch of culture and art to explore in the beautiful city that is Prague.
Prague Highlights
How to get to Prague: Because it is the capital of Czech Republic getting to Prague is incredibly easy. Whether you choose to travel by bus, train or plane, there is plenty of rides and flights to the City of a Hundred Spires.
More Info: For much more information read our dozens of articles about Prague!
Brno
As the second largest city of the Czech Republic, Brno has about 400,000 inhabitants. With its stunning castle, the cute Old Town, and loads of amazing cafés, Brno charms visitors. Though heavily destructed in World War II, the city is now charming to wander through and is a big cultural hub for theater and music lovers.
Brno is no slouch once the sun goes down, either. The city has a thriving nightlife, with many restaurants, pubs, clubs, and events to attend. We highly recommend anyone visiting Prague take at LEAST a day trip to Brno, if their schedule allows.
Brno Highlights
You can read about the top 32 things to do in Brno here, but below are a few must-visit sites!
- Brno’s Castle Grounds and Old Town
- Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul
- Augustinian Monastery
- Brno’s Theater and Music Scene
How to get to Brno from Prague: To get to Brno, simply hop on a 2.5 hours long bus or train ride from Prague.
Brno Tours: We recommend this four-hour walking tour led by a private guide. The tour will take you to some of the best sites in Brno including the Parnassus Fountain, Church of St. James, Capuchin Monastery, and more!
Pilsen
Nearly 200,000 people – a good portion of which are students – inhabit the pretty city about a 1-hour drive from the capital. Well-known as home to the Pilsner Urquell brewery, Pilsen was also the cradle of puppeteering in Czech Republic. A tradition that has been added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Fancy getting up close and personal with the craft? Then check out the super impressive puppet museum.
Pilsen Highlights
- Pilsen Brewery
- Puppet Museum
- Underground tour of Pilsen
- Synagogue of Pilsen
How to get to Pilsen: To visit Pilsen, simply hop on a train or bus that will take you to the birthplace of Pilsner Urquell within an hour.
Recommended Tour: Pilsner Urquell Tour with Tasting
Want More? For more information read our article on visiting Pilsen.
Olomouc
Couples and hopeless romantics will love one of the oldest cities of the Czech Republic. Legend has it that the city was founded by Julius Caesar and served as the capital of the Moravian region after 1187. Olomouc not only offers beautiful architectural pearls – like the Holy Trinity Column – but also interesting sights like the Mausoleum of Yugoslav Soldiers. Lovebirds can go for a romantic stroll in Smetana’s park.
Olomouc Highlights
- Holy Trinity Column
- Mausoleum of Yugoslav Soldiers
- Saint Wenceslas Cathedral
How to get to Olomouc from Prague: A mere two hours long train ride or bus trip through the Czech Republic will get you to one of the most marvelous cities in the Czech Republic.
More Info: For more on this sweet city have a look at our article on things to do in Olomouc.
Liberec
Attention outdoor fans! Liberec, with its roughly 103,000 inhabitants, is located North of Prague and home to many tech students. It is also an optimal gateway for hiking in the legendary Jizera Mountains. Once the capital of the ‘Sudetenland’, during World War II, Liberec was an important area which gained prosperity from the textile industry and other factories in the area. The castle and botanical garden make your visit to the city of Liberec complete.
Liberec Highlights
- Ještěd Mountain
- Jizera Mountains
- Liberec Castle
- Botanical Garden
How to get to Liberec: To get to one of the most Northern cities in the Czech Republic, simply hop on a train and get to Liberec within 75 minutes from Prague.
České Budějovice
Though not blessed with all too many sights, České Budějovice is THE perfect gateway to explore the Southern cities of the Czech Republic. The capital city of South Bohemia, inhabited by a mere 94,000 people, is also home to the Budvar Brewery. It is also home to the largest main square in the Czech Republic.
České Budějovice Highlights
- Budvar Brewery Tour
- Samson’s Fountain
- Summer River Activities
How to get to České Budějovice: To get to South Bohemia’s capital, hop on a bus or train from Prague (2.5 hours).
Hradec Kralove
Hradec Kralove in East Bohemia is one of the most marvelous cities in the Czech Republic. Once an important counter-reformation center, the town along the Elbe and Orlice rivers was almost completely redone in the 20th century and now houses many modernist buildings. The town is an important cultural hub for music and hosts one of Europe’s biggest hip-hop festivals, Hip Hop Kemp.
Hradec Kralove Highlights
- Hip Hop Kemp
- International Jazz Festival
- Cultural and Musical hub of Czech Republic
How to get to Hradec Kralove: A short, 1-hour long bus ride from Prague will get you to the cultural center of Eastern Bohemia.
Ústí nad Labem
Ústí nad Labem, or translated ‘river-mouth of the Elbe’, is located – as the name implies – along the river Elbe. Its proximity to the dormant volcanoes Milešovka and Lovoš makes it the perfect place to set out from for a daylong hike to the Czech Middle Mountains. Castle lovers will also find what they seek: Ústí nad Labem is one of the few cities in the Czech Republic near two castles. With 93,000 inhabitants, Ústí nad Labem ranks on the 7th place on the list of most populated cities in the Czech Republic.
Ústí nad Labem Highlights
- Dormant Volcanoes Milešovka and Lovoš
- Střekov Castle
- Větruše Chateau
How to get to Ústí nad Labem: To get to Ústí nad Labem, simply hop on a train from Prague’s main train station. 2.5 hours later, you will get to your destination.
Karlovy Vary
The picturesque town in the west of Czech Republic is well-known for its natural mineral springs that are said to cure all sorts of ailments. The stunning architecture of the Colonnades around town will make you think you are staying in a place straight out of a fairy tale. Though visited by many, Karlovy Vary only has 48,000 inhabitants.
Karlovy Vary Highlights
- The Mineral Springs all around town
- The Colonnades
- The Spa treatments
- Moser Glassworks
How to get to Karlovy Vary: Because of its famous mineral springs, getting to Karlovy Vary is incredibly easy. Simply jump on a bus or train and get there about 2.5 hours later.
Karlovy Vary Tours: From Prague: Full Day Karlovy Vary and Moser Glass Factory Tour
More Info: For more information on this gorgeous spa town read our article on visiting Karlovy Vary.
Tabor
What can inquisitive visitors find in Tabor? Castles, caves and chocolate, for starters. Don’t be fooled by size! There is plenty of ground to cover in the 35,000 person town of Tabor. Established as a military camp in 1420 by Hussite refugees, today’s Tabor is a welcoming and charming maze of narrow streets and sights like Kotnov Castle and Chýnov Cave.
Tabor Highlights
- Castle Kotnov
- Cave Chýnov
- Museum of Chocolate and Marzipan
- Granátová skála
How to get to Tabor: Simply hop on a roughly 1.5 hours-long bus ride from Prague to Tabor and get to explore one of the Medieval cities in the Czech Republic.
Třebíč
Třebíč doesn’t seem like the most exciting place to visit at first glance. Don’t let that fool you! There is more to this city than initially meets the eye.
Třebíč is home to not one, but two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Old Jewish Quarter and Saint Procopius’ Basilica both harken way back to the 13th century, and represent an interesting juxtaposition of two religions that existed side by side for hundreds of years.
In addition to the two UNESCO sites, Třebíč is also home to a sprawling old town square, a fantastic brewery, and a fascinating museum. We reckon this makes the small city an excellent destination to visit on a day trip from Prague.
Trebic Highlights
- The Old Jewish Quarter
- Saint Procopius’ Basilica
- Pivovar Dalešice
- Jan Kubis House
- Eco-technological Centre Alternator Třebíč
Kutná Hora
Well-known for its Bone Church and Ossuary, Kutná Hora is located approximately 1.5 hours from Prague by train. The town in the east is called home by roughly 20,000 people and houses the stunning St. Barbara Cathedral – one of the prettiest Gothic churches in Europe, along with a contemporary and modern art museum.
Kutna Hora Highlights
- Bone Church & Ossuary
- St. Barbara Church
How to get to Kutná Hora: Trains to Kutna Horá leave hourly from Masarykovo train station in Prague and will get you to your destination within 1.5 hours.
Kutna Hora Tours: Kutna Horá and Bone Chapel Tour
More Info: For more information read our article on visiting Kutna Hora.
Český Krumlov
Known for its illustrious Old Town, the fairytale-like Český Krumlov attracts over 350,000 visitors every year. Despite being well-known, the population of this small town is a mere 13,800 people. Added in 1992 to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the medieval town with its stunning castle also offers a special outdoor activity to undertake – rafting.
Cesky Krumlov Highlights
- Krumlov Castle
- Church of St. Vitus
- Castle Theater
- Cesky Krumlov in the fall
How to get to Český Krumlov: Buses to Český Krumlov leave several times a day from Prague and take 2.5 hours to reach the city.
Cesky Krumlov Tours: Night Walking Tour
More Info: For more info on this fairy-tale town have look at our article on things to do in Cesky Krumlov.
Telč
Back in 1530, when a raging fire wound its way through Telč, no one would have thought that it would one day become one of the most beautiful cities in the Czech Republic. With its marvelous Castle and the uniform Renaissance buildings of Telč’s main square, they earned the city a spot on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
Telč is often visited in combination with Třeboň and Třebíč, both beautiful medieval towns with knight festivals and mighty castles.
Telc Highlights
- Telč Castle
- Old Town
- Třebíč and Třeboň
How to get to Telč: As mentioned above, starting your journey in Třeboň might be the best thing to do, if you want to visit Telč. Explore Třeboň and stay there overnight; then catch a bus to Telč and move further on to Třebíč to complete your journey.
Uherské Hradiště
Uherské Hradiště Highlights
- Baroque Church in Old Town
- Chriby Mountains
- Slovakian Traditions and Folklore Museum
- Rovnina viewpoint
How to get to Uherské Hradiště: Located about 1-hour train ride from Brno, Uherské Hradiště makes for a perfect day trip when staying in Brno.
Ostrava
The third-largest city of the Czech Republic started to expand after rich coal deposits were found nearby. The city was then full of chemical plants, mines and steelworks, which caused a big pollution problem. Regeneration, however, is underway. Many steelworks have been closed in the 90s, the historic Old Town was placed under protection, and the city now hosts a highly successful yearly music festival: Colors of Ostrava. A rags-to-riches story made in Czechia.
Ostrava Highlights
- Colors of Ostrava Festival
- Mining museum
- Hiking in Silesia
How to get to Ostrava: To get to the far east of the Czech Republic, hop on a train or bus to Ostrava, which will take you about 3.5 hours from Prague and an hour less from Brno.
And there you go, folks, some great cities and towns in the Czech Republic. We hope you visit at least one other than Prague during your travels here. As always, happy travels, and we’ll see you on the road!
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