Towns and Villages

Quite easily one of the prettiest preserved towns in all of Europe, Cesky Krumlov is a famous UNESCO protected town (since 1992) south of Prague. The atmosphere is unbeatable as the center of the town has remained untouched since the 16th century - the only exception being for careful architectural renovations. The massive Cesky Krumlov Castle complex overlooking the winding Vltava River and the labyrinth of cobblestone streets and red tile rooftops dominates this small and charming town; the castle complex is the second largest complex in the Czech Republic after Prague Castle. Cesky Krumlov ...

Luhačovice Spa or Luhačovice Lázně is located in pretty southern Moravia, situated closer to Vienna, making it the perfect getaway from the bustling cities of the Czech Republic or Austria. The largest spa town in Moravia, it is simply lovely and boasts many gorgeous period buildings including many artistic gems built in the early 1900s by architect Dušan Jurkovič, impressive villas and alpine houses from the 19th and early 20th century, Art Nouveau and Art Deco buildings, as well as Functionalist buildings. In fact the whole town resembles something of a dreamy fairy tale set amongst dense ...

Quite easily one of the prettiest preserved towns in all of Europe, Cesky Krumlov is a famous UNESCO protected town (since 1992) south of Prague. The atmosphere is unbeatable as the center of the town has remained untouched since the 16th century - the only exception being for careful architectural renovations. The massive Cesky Krumlov Castle complex overlooking the winding Vltava River and the labyrinth of cobblestone streets and red tile rooftops dominates this small and charming town; the castle complex is the second largest complex in the Czech Republic after Prague Castle. Cesky Krumlov ...

Luhačovice Spa or Luhačovice Lázně is located in pretty southern Moravia, situated closer to Vienna, making it the perfect getaway from the bustling cities of the Czech Republic or Austria. The largest spa town in Moravia, it is simply lovely and boasts many gorgeous period buildings including many artistic gems built in the early 1900s by architect Dušan Jurkovič, impressive villas and alpine houses from the 19th and early 20th century, Art Nouveau and Art Deco buildings, as well as Functionalist buildings. In fact the whole town resembles something of a dreamy fairy tale set amongst dense ...

If you are planning on a trip outside of Prague, do not miss the quaint, charming town of Telč in Moravia. Telč, which dates back to 1099, is famous for its main square and chateau as they are superb examples of Czech / Italian Renaissance architecture. The UNESCO protected town (since 1992) is surrounded by a system of lakes and ponds making it even more picturesque. Directly outside of town you can find a forest with marked trails and whimsical lakes including the Lake of Snakes and the Lake of Love. The main square, chateau and the surrounding areas have kept their Renaissance appearance ...

If you wish to explore the Czech Republic outside of the capital city of Prague, do not miss Kutná Hora, located in the central Bohemian Region. Kutná Hora dates back to 1142 when a Cistercian Monastery was established. By 1260 the area was being mined for silver, although the earliest traces of silver go back to the 10th century. Silver dinars have been found in Malín, a district of Kutná Hora. Kutná Hora’s city center has been UNESCO protected since 1995 and it is interesting to note that the city once competed with Prague culturally, politically and economically because of the wealth ...

Karlovy Vary, also known to foreigners as Carlsbad is the largest and the most famous spa town in the Czech Republic. This gem of a town is definitely worth a stop if you are traveling around the Czech Republic. Karlovy Vary is in West Bohemia near the Teplá River and the Ohře River and is about 120 km from Prague. The city dates back to the 14th century when Charles IV requested a spa town be built after an accidental discovery of thermal springs occurred during a royal hunting tour. The spa city enjoyed many aristocratic houses from the 16th century on. Due to natural disasters not many ...

Lednice and Valtice are two towns in the South Moravian Region that make up the Lednice-Valtice Cultural Landscape, a UNESCO protected natural area of 283,09 km2 that is know for its supreme beauty and is the most popular attraction in South Moravia. The area is known for its hospitable people with colorful folk traditions and customs and Moravian wine. The landscaped area dates back to the end of the 18th century when the House of Liechtenstein started to create the unique paradise of sorts. In the 19th century the family continued to transform the large green space, which has the nickname ...

Brno, the Czech Republic’s second largest city is located in the heart of Moravia. It’s strategic location makes it a must see as it is situated close to Prague, Vienna and Bratislava and it is an important tourist gateway to the beautiful landscapes of the South-Moravian region. Furthermore the city is surrounded by lush forests, which are perfect for cycling and hiking. The city itself offers many tourism options including intriguing buildings, museums, many shopping establishments, theaters, nightlife, clubs and more. The city also features the Brno Exhibition Center, which has ...

If you are searching for an interesting city to visit outside of Prague, have a look at Olomouc, a city in Moravia with a true university feel. With over 25,000 students, Olomouc is proud to have the highest density of students in Central Europe. Located in the east of the Czech Republic and situated on the Morava River, Olomouc features a number of interesting buildings and churches, large squares, Baroque fountains and more. The largest square in Olomouc showcases a massive Baroque column, the Holy Trinity Column, which is the largest Baroque sculptural group in the Czech Republic and is pro ...

In western Bohemia is the city of Plzeň, the fourth most populous city in the Czech Republic. The city, which dates back as a town to 1295 is known worldwide for its Pilsner beer and was chosen alongside Mons in Belgium as one of the European capitals of culture in 2015. It’s convenient location as it is only 90 km from the capital city of Prague make it a good destination, especially if you are a fan of beer. If you decide to visit the city of Plzeň you can see the Gothic St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral, which dates back to the late 13th century and features the highest tower in the ...

Znojmo is a charming city in the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic, near the border of Austria on a steep bank of the Dyje River. The city dates back to before 1226 and was established by King Ottokar I. The pretty city is a great stopover if you are touring the vineyards of Moravia and features many interesting architectural wonders including churches, monasteries, noble residences and defensive structures and an abundance of natural beauty in its surrounding environs complete with cycling and hiking trails. Historically the city is best known for the armistice after the Battle of ...

Mariánské Lázně, also known as Marienbad is a spa town in the area of Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic. The charming town is a tranquil retreat if you are searching for a smaller spa town not as touristy as Karlovy Vary. The city boasts an abundance of greenery and numerous noble houses that are architecturally interesting. The surrounding green mountains only make the spa town more enchanting and you will surely fall under the magic spell of Marian’s Spa! The majority of the buildings are from the town’s golden era, when in the 19th century together with Karlovy Vary, the region ...

Jindřichův Hradec is a city in the Czech Republic in the South Bohemian Region. The first mention of the city in recorded books dates back to 1220 but beforehand the area was more than likely a Slavic settlement. The 13th century saw the building of a grand Gothic castle to a city that was quickly growing and was the second largest city in the Bohemian kingdom according to the census after the Thirty Years’ War. Jindřichův Hradec features many beautiful sights including the Gothic castle, which was rebuilt in the 16th century into a Renaissance chateau. The Jindřichův Hradec Chateau is ...

Třeboň, a historical town in the Czech Republic is situated in the South Bohemian Region. Třeboň dates back to the middle of the 12th century and rose to fame in the second half of the 15th century for its surrounding countryside and complex system of fishing ponds, thanks to the meticulous up keeping by its groundskeeper Petr IV of Rožmberk (1462 - 1523). The Habsburg and Schwarzenberg families owned the town, the castle and surrounding countryside from 1611. The town today owes its success to tourism, agriculture and the spa industry. The charming town features lovely old fortifications and ...

Ostrava, the third largest city in the Czech Republic is situated close to the Polish border and is known around the country as one of the industrial capitals as there is an abundance of high quality black coal deposits. The “steel heart of the Republic”, a nickname bestowed upon the city during the Communist era is the administrative center of Moravian-Silesian Region and has also been selected as a candidate for the 2015 European Capital of Culture. Ostrava is a breath of fresh air for those interested in Modern and Industrial architecture or those who are simply overwhelmed with ...

Písek, a town situated in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic is known around the country for the Písek Stone Bridge, the Czech Republic’s oldest bridge and Europe’s second oldest. Písek is also known for the concentration of higher education institutes located there, specifically the Film School in Písek. Písek, home of many famous people including Přemysl Otakar II, Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor and Mikoláš Aleš to name a few, is a prime tourist destination as it has kept its unique atmosphere complete with a preserved medieval center and attractive 19th century ...

Pardubice, situated 65 miles from Prague is the capital of the Pardubice Region and a lovely place for a day trip outside of Prague. The city features a large and atmospheric central square that is complete with many lovely facades and an impressive, intricately decorated town hall, a Gothic tower, a beautiful Art Nouveau theater and more. Close to the main square sits an old and impressive chateau complex that features a small park with sleek peacocks and shady trees. The Pardubice Chateau, which was recently renovated, is open to the public. The city is also known for holding the Czech Open ...

Mladá Boleslav is a city in central Bohemia on the bank of the Jizera River. Being only 50 km from Prague, Mladá Boleslav is a good choice for a day trip from the capital. The city dates back to the 10th century under the rule of Boleslav II. With over 1,000 years of history the town has a rich history and many interesting sights. It is interesting to note that from the 15th century to the 17th century Mladá Boleslav was the center of the Union of Bohemian Brethren, a union that inspired and influenced the quality of life, education and architecture. In the 19th century the city became home to ...

Located 6 km from Prague is Pruhonice, a lovely small community featuring a gorgeous park complete with a chateau. The Pruhonice Park showcases 250 hectares of landscaped greenery that will surely make you feel that you have entered a fairy tale. The garden has a system of ponds, rolling meadows, blooming flowers, a Romanesque Church that dates back to 1187, a pretty neo Renaissance chateau and more, making it a perfect place for a family picnic. The community of Pruhonice has 2,120 inhabitants and is made up of three villages that were once separate, Pruhonice, Hole and Rozkos. The area fea ...

A small city about 60km south-east of Prague, Příbram is well-known for its history of silver and iron mining, and later its uranium mining sites formerly used for penal labor camps for political prisoners during Communism, but Příbram is finding itself anew in more modern times. In 1496, Příbram was declared a town by King Ladislaus II, and in 1579 Rudolf II named it a Royal Mining City, which further enhanced its reputation. At the end of the 19th century, Příbram was nicknamed “Brdy's Athens”, a reference to its relatively high level of education and rich cultural life at ...