Best things to do in the Czech Republic

Prague often captures the attention of tourists, and many never venture beyond the capital. However, those who explore further will find plenty to enjoy. The Czech Republic offers spa towns with beautiful parks, historic breweries in Bohemia, and scenic hills in Moravia.

1. Get lost in Prague’s Old Town

Staré Město, or Old Town, is the historic heart of Prague — and yes, it’s touristy, but totally worth it. The winding lanes and Gothic facades tell centuries of stories. Start in Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí), which was the city’s bustling marketplace for nearly a thousand years.

Look up at the Astronomical Clock on the Old Town Hall tower. Every hour, it springs to life with a medieval show of moving apostles, deathly figures, and a crowing rooster. It’s a bit cheesy — but classic Prague.

Just across the square, Týn Church pierces the skyline with twin Gothic spires. One’s slightly bigger than the other, symbolizing Adam and Eve (no one said medieval architecture didn’t have a sense of humor). In the middle of the square, you’ll find the Jan Hus Monument, honoring the Czech reformer who was burned at the stake in 1415.

It’s no surprise Old Town is one of the best areas to stay in Prague — you’re steps away from the city’s biggest sights, with centuries of history right outside your door.

2. Explore centuries of power at Prague Castle

Prague Castle was once the heart of the Holy Roman Empire and is now home to the Czech president and crown jewels. Here’s what you can do:

• Explore the grounds: Wandering around is free and a fun way to spend your time.
• Visit the buildings: To enter places like St Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, and the Basilica of St George, you need to buy a ticket from the Castle Information Centre, located opposite the cathedral entrance.

A recently added visitor center offers exhibitions and guided tours that bring the site’s history to life. Give yourself time here — it’s not just one castle, but a sprawling complex of buildings, viewpoints, and stories stretching back over a millennium.

3. Discover Prague’s Jewish heritage at the Spanish Synagogue

Exploring Josefov, the city’s historic Jewish quarter, is one of the best things to do in Prague — and the Spanish Synagogue is its architectural gem. Inspired by Moorish design, the interior dazzles with golden motifs, stained glass, and richly patterned walls that feel more Andalusia than Central Europe.

The surrounding streets tell a deeper story. A short walk away, the Old Jewish Cemetery shows just how crowded life — and death — once was inside the ghetto. The Pinkas Synagogue lists the names of 80,000 Holocaust victims, carved into its walls in quiet remembrance.

Nearby, the Old–New Synagogue — Europe’s oldest active synagogue — and the Jewish Town Hall, with its unique Hebrew clock, offer even more layers of history.

Recently restored, the Spanish Synagogue now doubles as a concert venue and museum. It’s a powerful stop that blends beauty with memory — and a must for anyone digging into Prague’s complex past.

4. Raise a glass to beer history in Plzeň

Plzeň (Pilsen) isn’t just another industrial city — it’s the birthplace of Pilsner, the golden lager that changed beer forever. If you're into Czech beer, this is one of the best things to do in the Czech Republic. 

Start at the legendary Plzeňský Prazdroj Brewery — better known as Pilsner Urquell — where the world’s first pale lager was brewed in 1842. Today, the brewery runs interactive tours with behind-the-scenes access, cool cellars, and fresh unfiltered beer straight from the barrel.

Just a short walk away, the Pivovarské Museum at Veleslavínova 6 dives deeper into the city’s beer-making past, with historic brewing tools and an old-school malt house tucked into its medieval cellars.

Founded in 1292, Plzeň boomed during the Industrial Revolution, later becoming a Communist-era hub for trams, cars, and tanks. But for most visitors, the real draw is cold, crisp, and best enjoyed in a local beer hall.

5. Enter the bone chapel of Sedlec Ossuary

Kutná Hora, just an hour from Prague, is best known for the haunting Sedlec Ossuary — a small chapel decorated with the bones of more than 40,000 people. Skulls and femurs form chandeliers, coats of arms, and altar pieces in a space that’s as macabre as it is fascinating.

The bone arrangements were the work of František Rint, a 19th-century woodcarver tasked with organizing centuries of human remains dug up from the local cemetery. Instead of burying them again, he turned them into art — and created one of Europe’s most unusual religious sites.

To reach the ossuary, take a local bus or train to Sedlec, just a short hop from Kutná Hora’s main town. Updated visitor guidelines help protect the fragile displays, so expect some restrictions — but the experience is well worth it.

Dark, surreal, and unforgettable, this is one of the best things to do in Czech Republic for anyone drawn to the stranger corners of Czech history.

6. Soak up old-world spa culture in Karlovy Vary

Tucked into the forested hills of western Bohemia, Karlovy Vary has been a spa destination for centuries — drawing everyone from Beethoven to Peter the Great. Today, it still serves up a classic slice of European spa life, just with fewer powdered wigs.

The town is famous for its steaming hot springs, which bubble up into ornate colonnades where locals and visitors sip the mineral-rich water (don’t worry — they sell oplatky, crisp nut wafers, to chase the taste). If soaking’s more your style, book into one of the many spa hotels for a full-on wellness fix.

Beyond the baths, forest trails wind into the hills above town, offering easy hikes and postcard views. Whether you’re here to detox or just wander the colonnades with a cup in hand, Karlovy Vary delivers spa-town charm with a distinctly Czech twist.

7. Sip burčák at a Moravian wine festival

Burčák is the star of autumn in Moravia. This cloudy, sweet, partially fermented wine tastes like peachy grape juice — until the alcohol hits. It's only available from late August to early November, and when it shows up, it signals the start of vinobraní, the harvest festivals that take over towns across South Moravia.

Expect folk music, traditional dancing, roasted meats, and barrels of young wine. The festivals have medieval roots but still pack in crowds — both locals and visitors — looking to toast the season with a plastic cup of burčák in hand.

Whether you're in Mikulov, Znojmo, or the vineyards near Brno, sampling burčák at a festival is one of the most fun and flavorful things to do in the Czech Republic.

8. Experience arts and culture at Olomouc festivals

Once the capital of the Great Moravian Empire, Olomouc is still a cultural powerhouse, with baroque architecture, cobbled streets, and one of the Czech Republic’s most vibrant arts scenes.

Spring is festival season here. In April, the city hosts the Academia Film Olomouc, an international festival dedicated to science documentaries, alongside the Religious Music Festival and Flora Olomouc, a long-running celebration of flowers and garden design. In May, the spotlight shifts to classical music with the Dvořák Festival, which honors not just Dvořák but a full lineup of Czech composers.

With grand churches as concert venues and a university town vibe, Olomouc blends history with fresh creative energy — making its festivals some of the most rewarding cultural experiences in the Czech Republic.

9. Step back in time in Český Krumlov’s Renaissance streets

Český Krumlov looks like a fairy tale, with red-roofed houses tucked into a bend of the Vltava River and a castle towering over it all. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992, it’s wildly popular — so if you want to enjoy it without the crowds, stay overnight and explore early or late in the day.

The star of the show is Krumlov Chateau, perched above the Latrán quarter. You can wander its courtyards and grounds for free, even after dark. For more, take a guided tour inside, climb the tower for sweeping views, or visit the Chateau Gardens, which house two unusual theatres: a perfectly preserved Rococo playhouse and the quirky Revolving Theatre, built during the Communist era.

It’s one of the Czech Republic’s most visited spots — and still one of the most magical, if you time it right.

10. Get into the wild in Šumava National Park

Tucked along the Czech Republic’s southwest border, Šumava National Park is one of the country’s largest protected areas — and a haven for outdoor lovers looking to escape the cities.

With its mix of deep forests, peat bogs, glacial lakes, and mountain meadows, the park is ideal for hiking, cycling, and horseback riding. Trails range from short forest loops to long-distance routes like the Šumava Arterial Trail, which winds through some of the region’s most untouched landscapes. You’ll also find quiet spots for fishing, wildlife watching, and the occasional lakeside picnic.

Recently, the park has introduced guided tours focused on local biodiversity and conservation, giving visitors a chance to learn more about its fragile ecosystems — from lynx and owls to rare plants found only in this corner of Europe.

11. Hike among castles and cliffs in Bohemian Paradise

Bohemian Paradise (Český ráj) in northern Czech Republic is a dreamscape of sandstone towers, deep forests, and medieval castles. It’s the country’s oldest nature reserve and has been recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark since 2005, thanks to its unique rock formations and geological significance.

Hiking trails lead through narrow gorges, pine woods, and up to epic views. Along the way, you’ll pass castles built into cliffs — like Trosky Castle, with its twin towers rising from ancient volcanic plugs, one of the most iconic sights in the region.

With its mix of raw nature and historic landmarks, Bohemian Paradise offers one of the Czech Republic’s most scenic and rewarding outdoor escapes. Lace up your boots and start exploring.

12. Wander through Pruhonice Park and Castle near Prague

Just a short trip from Prague, Pruhonice Park and Castle offers a peaceful escape into landscaped gardens, wooded trails, and aristocratic charm. Recognized as one of the best-preserved landscape parks in Central Europe, it’s a great spot for a day trip from Prague — especially in spring.

The park is best known for its rhododendron and azalea collections, which burst into color between April and June. But beyond the blooms, there are lakes, meadows, and over 25km of walking paths winding through this UNESCO-listed natural masterpiece.

The neo-Renaissance Pruhonice Castle, rebuilt in the 19th century, sits elegantly at the edge of the park. While it’s often used for weddings and cultural events, you can still explore the grounds and imagine the lives of the nobility who once called it home.

Recent renovations have improved visitor facilities and introduced new guided tours, shedding light on the site’s botanical heritage and landscape design.

13. Go underground in the caves of the Moravian Karst

Just north of Brno, the Moravian Karst is one of the Czech Republic’s most dramatic natural areas — home to limestone cliffs, deep gorges, and more than a thousand caves carved out over millions of years.

The star attraction is the Punkva Caves, where you can walk through cathedral-like chambers and take a boat ride along an underground river. Nearby, the Macocha Abyss — a 138-meter-deep sinkhole — is a highlight above ground, with viewing platforms and trails. It’s also a bucket-list dive site for experienced spelunkers and cave divers.

In recent years, the area has added a modern visitor center with interactive exhibits on local geology and conservation efforts, making it easier to understand how this unique landscape formed — and how it’s being preserved.

14. Slow down and explore medieval Kutná Hora

Just an hour from Prague, Kutná Hora offers a quiet counterpoint to the capital’s buzz — narrow streets, Gothic spires, and a deep history rooted in silver. In the 14th century, it was one of Bohemia’s richest towns, thanks to the silver mines beneath its surface. The royal mint here produced coins used across Central Europe, until the mines dried up and the town slipped into a slower pace of life.

Today, Kutná Hora is a peaceful place to wander, with most sights clustered between Palackého náměstí and the dramatic Cathedral of St Barbara. The Old Town is compact and easy to explore in a few hours.

The town’s most famous site is the eerie Sedlec Ossuary, a chapel decorated with the bones of over 40,000 people. But beyond the bone art, Kutná Hora is packed with medieval architecture, quiet cafés, and a timeless charm that’s easy to fall into.