Part of our Czech Republic guide.
11 places and guides from our Planning Your Czech Trip coverage, gathered into one page.
Related travel guides: How To Take A Day Trip From Prague To Jince, How To Travel Prague On A Budget, How Much To Tip A Tour Guide In Prague, and Hidden Gems And Must-Do Activities On Kampa Island, Prague.
What Is Prague Known For Souvenir
Prague is known for souvenirs like hand-painted marionettes, garnet jewelry, and Czech crystal, each tied to centuries-old craft traditions. Crystal from Bohemia has been produced since the 13th century, while the wooden puppets reflect a deep puppet-theatre heritage. Visitors should look for authentic pieces marked with a “Czech Made” label to avoid mass-produced imports.
Soaking In Suds: What It’s Like To Bathe In A Czech Beer Spa
In a Czech beer spa, you soak in a wooden tub filled with warm water, hops, yeast, and malt. The experience typically lasts 20 to 40 minutes, and you can drink unlimited beer from a tap beside the tub. Many spas, such as those in Prague or the Pilsen region, also offer a bed of straw for post-soak relaxation. The practice draws on a tradition that dates back to medieval monastic remedies.
Spooky Sanctuary: Visiting The Sedlec Ossuary Bone Church
The Sedlec Ossuary in Kutná Hora contains the bones of an estimated 40,000 to 70,000 people, arranged into chandeliers, coats of arms, and a giant bell. The decorations were created in the 19th century by a woodcarver named František Rint, who bleached and arranged the remains after a plague and Hussite Wars left the local cemetery overflowing. The ossuary is a small chapel beneath the Cemetery Church of All Saints, and entry costs around 90 CZK (about $4). It is a 45-minute train ride from Prague’s main station.
Travel Guide - Best Places To Visit In The Czech Republic
Beyond Prague, the best places include Český Krumlov, a UNESCO-listed town with a 13th-century castle; Karlovy Vary, a spa city with hot springs reaching 73°C; and the Moravian wine region around Mikulov, known for its white wines. The Bohemian Switzerland National Park offers sandstone arch formations like the Pravčická Gate, the largest natural sandstone arch in Europe. Each destination is accessible by train or bus from Prague within two to three hours.
Excalibur City: The Epic Unexpected Czech Theme/Casino Town
Excalibur City, located on the Czech-Austrian border near the town of Znojmo, combines a medieval-themed shopping arcade with a casino and amusement park. It opened in the 1990s as a duty-free shopping center and later expanded to include a knight-themed hotel, a Ferris wheel, and a bowling alley. The casino operates 24 hours a day, and the complex draws visitors from both countries for its tax-free alcohol and cigarettes. Entry to the theme area is free, though rides and casino games cost extra.
Solo Travel In Prague: How To Have An Amazing Trip On Your Own
For solo travel in Prague, start with a free walking tour to orient yourself and meet other travelers—these typically last 2.5 hours and tip the guide 200–300 CZK. Stay in a hostel in the center, such as one near the Old Town Square, to keep everything walkable. Use the metro or trams (a 30-minute ticket costs 30 CZK) to reach attractions like Vyšehrad fortress or the Lennon Wall. Dining alone is easy at beer halls like Lokál, where communal tables make conversation natural. For a deeper dive, check our Prague travel guide for curated itineraries.
The Castles Of Cesky Raj, The Bohemian Paradise
Český Ráj, or Bohemian Paradise, is a protected landscape area about 90 minutes northeast of Prague. Its castles include Kost Castle, a 14th-century Gothic fortress with a moat; Trosky Castle, perched on two volcanic basalt peaks; and Hrubá Skála, a Renaissance chateau built into a sandstone rock formation. The region is crisscrossed by marked hiking trails, such as the 12-kilometer Golden Path of the Bohemian Paradise, which connects the main castles. Entry to each castle costs around 100–150 CZK.
What Makes Prague The Enigmatic City Of A Hundred Spires?
Prague earned the nickname “City of a Hundred Spires” from the 19th-century writer Karel Hynek Mácha, who counted over 500 spires on the city’s skyline. Today, the number is closer to 1,000, thanks to Gothic cathedrals like St. Vitus, Baroque towers such as those of the Church of Our Lady before Týn, and the spires of the Loreta complex. The view from the Old Town Hall tower or Petřín Hill shows this dense forest of spires, each representing a different architectural era from the 11th to the 20th century.
Why Hluboka Castle Is One Of The Prettiest Czech Republic Castles
Hluboká Castle, rebuilt in the 19th century in a Romantic Gothic style inspired by England’s Windsor Castle, features white turrets, a moat, and 140 rooms open to the public. The interior includes a library with 12,000 volumes, a 19th-century kitchen with original copper cookware, and a chapel with stained-glass windows. Entry costs 260 CZK for the main tour, which lasts about 60 minutes. The castle sits on a hill above the Vltava River, 140 kilometers south of Prague, and is a 2-hour drive or train ride.
How To Be An Expat In The Czech Republic
To become an expat in the Czech Republic, you need a long-term visa (for stays over 90 days) or a permanent residence permit, which requires proof of accommodation, health insurance, and a clean criminal record. The cost of living in Prague is about 30% lower than in Paris or London, with a one-bedroom apartment in the city center averaging 15,000–20,000 CZK per month. Learning basic Czech phrases helps with bureaucracy, as many government offices do not speak English. Popular expat neighborhoods include Prague’s Vinohrady and Letná, known for their cafés and parks.
A Noble Night Out: Medieval Glamping In Malešov, Czech Republic
Medieval glamping in Malešov, a village 60 kilometers east of Prague, combines a stay in a 13th-century castle grounds with luxury tents equipped with real beds, electricity, and private bathrooms. The experience includes a medieval feast with roasted meats, mead, and live jousting demonstrations. Rates start at around 3,500 CZK per person per night, including dinner and breakfast. The site also offers archery, blacksmithing workshops, and a torch-lit walk through the castle ruins. For more offbeat stays, browse our hidden gems in Czech Republic list.
