Prague is more than a scenic stop—it’s a vibrant, historic city of over 1 million people, known for its thought-provoking architecture, top-tier dining, and rich cultural scene. Safe and welcoming, it’s an easy city to spend days exploring. But don’t stop there—Czechia offers miles of trails, cycling routes, golf courses, national parks, castles, spas, and charming towns. Prague is the perfect gateway to year-round adventure across Czechia.
Indeed, Prague is more than just a stop on a European river tour or a filming location for Spider-Man: Far From Home. Certainly, the city’s architecture is stunning, nuanced, and well-preserved, so you might sometimes feel like you’re in another century. Nevertheless, Prague simultaneously offers all the modern conveniences you could need to make your stay comfortable, including excellent public transport and a plethora of accommodation options.
Throughout your stay, you can indulge in Pilsner-style lagers, dine at Michelin-star restaurants, and soak up the city’s complex musical and theatrical heritage. Or, if you’re craving a stroll on vacation, you’ll be delighted to discover that Prague is one of the greenest cities in the world, with about 56% of the city covered by parks, forests, and other green areas. Indeed, Prague is remarkably safe and hospitable towards travelers, and you could spend weeks here without getting bored.
With its storybook skyline, centuries of history, vibrant culinary scene, and world-class culture, the capital deserves every bit of its reputation. Yet Prague is only the beginning. One of Czechia’s greatest advantages is its size. Within just one or two hours from Prague, travelers can find UNESCO-listed towns, fairytale castles, rolling vineyards, sandstone formations, spa towns, mountain trails, and charming villages where local traditions remain part of everyday life.
Czechia’s reliable, thriving tourism industry means you should have no qualms about venturing beyond the cosmopolitan capital to get a taste of the countryside, too. You’d have to run over 950 marathons to traverse all of Czechia’s walking trails, and with an additional 27,000 miles of cycling routes, over 100 golf courses, and four national parks, this country offers travelers endless adventure.
Well-connected to the rest of the country, Prague serves as an excellent home base for all kinds of travelers. Feel free to experience Czechia your way; if you’re wondering where to start, here’s how we suggest you spend your time in Czechia, depending on your specific interests.
This itinerary was created in partnership with Czech Tourism.
For the traveler who chases flavors, not souvenirs
Prague:
Lucky for you, Prague is home to a few Michelin-starred restaurants, as well as over a dozen other local favorites falling under the Michelin Guide’s Bib Gourmand category. Indeed, there’s no shortage of restaurants that cater to a wide range of budgets, and many of them specialize in Czech cuisine.
To satisfy your sweet tooth, order a plate of Czech fruit dumplings or pick up věneček, a sweet, elegant dessert featuring choux pastry. From the iconic koláče (yeast pastries filled with poppy seeds, fruit, or sweet cheese) to regional specialties like the Moravian frgál (a large rustic pie from Wallachia topped with pear, poppy seed, walnut, or plum), Czech baking reflects the country’s rich regional traditions. For a sweet souvenir, visitors can also bring home delicate Karlovy Vary spa wafers.
Meanwhile, if you’d like to sip on local brews, there are plenty of microbreweries where you can compare the flavors of different Czech lagers. Specific ingredients like soft water and Žatec hops, as well as techniques like double-decoction mashing, make these beers unique from those found anywhere else in the world.
Beyond:
Beyond Prague, every region tells its own culinary story. Sample distinctive Olomouc cheese, enjoy farm-to-table restaurants nestled in historic towns, or explore South Moravia, where sun-drenched vineyards produce some of Central Europe’s most exciting wines. In Valtice—the country’s wine capital—the National Wine Salon offers an introduction to the very best Czech wines.
In addition to several Michelin-recognized restaurants that dot Czechia, there are countless other reasonably priced establishments, each with their own unique personality. Don’t overlook food tours and museums, either. As it turns out, Paris is not the only place you can sample stinky cheeses; for a culinary experience you won’t soon forget, try a bite of Olomouc cheese at the Museum of the Genuine „Olomoucké Tvarůžky“ A. W.
Don’t miss the chance to stop by a winery in South Moravia, either. In Valtice, Czechia’s wine capital, you can sample the best of the best at the Czech National Wine Salon.
Aerial view of Český Krumlov.
For the one who wears hiking boots on the plane…
Prague:
What could be more rewarding than moving your body in the wilderness before tucking into a gourmet meal and sleeping in a cozy bed at night? By taking advantage of the trails in and around Prague, you can do just that. Hiking up Petřín Hill is a must if you’re on the hunt for panoramic views of the capital. Stop at a cafe atop the hill for a leisurely meal before heading back down.
For a more adventurous excursion, visit Divoká Šárka. Only half an hour away from the city center by tram or car, it’s a haven for cyclists, runners, and hikers. Don’t forget to look up from the trails every once in a while; this valley is framed by stunning cliffs.
Cliffs in Bohemian Paradise with castle in background (Photo credit: Václav Bacovský)
Beyond:
Slightly further afield from Prague is Bohemian Paradise, a UNESCO World Heritage site brimming with wildlife, gorges, meadows, castles, and monogenetic volcanoes. Or, if you’d like to combine your outdoor excursion with a memorable culinary experience, check out the Krkonoše Beer Trail. This 35-kilometer (22-mile) trail showcases four microbreweries in the Krkonoše Mountains.
On the other hand, if you’re seeking a test of endurance, check out the Prague-Vienna Greenways, which combines 250 miles (just over 400 kilometers) of cycling and walking trails with countless opportunities for cultural immersion. The Elbe Cycle Route is likewise a popular long-distance journey for those comfortable in the saddle.
Hike along a stream in Modrava.
For the traveler whose jaw drops during operas and plays…
Prague:
Does your heart flutter with excitement every time you step inside a theater or opera house? Do you sit on the edge of your seat as you listen to performers belt out high notes, or crane your neck to admire stage design? If so, then a seat at one of Prague’s celebrated performance halls has your name on it. There’s a performance every night in Prague, no matter your budget. Springtime brings both the Prague Spring Festival for those who know their majors from their flats, as well as the Prague Fringe Festival for performing arts fans in general.
Czech Philharmonic performance in Prague (Photo credit: ©Czech Philharmonic – Jakub Hrůša)
Beyond:
Charming music festivals await you in cities, towns, and small villages across Czechia. For a wide-ranging curation of classical music, head to the Smetana Litomyšl Festival, held every summer in the UNESCO-listed Renaissance Litomyšl Castle. Or, immerse yourself in Czech music at the Janáček Brno festival, held every autumn. If you want to sing along to your favorite international performers, consider the Colours of Ostrava festival, and if you can’t help but sway your hips to the sound of a saxophone, check out the Bohemia Jazz Fest.
Meanwhile, you can find amateur theatre across the country. In fact, this means of preserving heritage and encouraging citizens to think more about current events is so intertwined with Czech culture that it’s been recognized by UNESCO. Don’t let an inability to understand the Czech language hold you back from attending a show; nonverbal performances and even a few shows in English can be found.
Beyond Prague, cultural experiences continue in historic towns like Brno, Olomouc, Litomyšl, and Ostrava, each with its own festivals, theaters, and artistic traditions.
Brno (Photo credit: Jan Malý)
For the one who has prepared for the trip with history books…
Prague:
Do you lose track of time (and perhaps even your skyrocketing step count) while listening to tour guides tell tales of exhilarating conquests and serendipitous romances? Prague boasts over 1,000 years of history, and everything from its multifaceted culture to its stunning architecture has been influenced by international trade, settlement, and war. Watch your history books come to life by taking a guided tour on foot or by bus.
Lovers of literature might be familiar with bestselling author Dan Brown. If that’s you, check out the City of Secrets tour, which introduces you to attractions like the Jewish Quarter and the Klementinum Library via the enigmatic perspectives of his famous characters. Similarly, the works and life of Franz Kafka can be appreciated at the Franz Kafka Museum and a few art installations around the city by the famous artist David Cerny.
Admire Prague’s architecture on an intimate boat tour.
Beyond:
Who said history had to be boring? Treat yourself to a spa day (or weekend) in the West Bohemia Spa Triangle, where you’ll be walking in the footsteps of philosophers, composers, writers, and royalty who have likewise found refuge in the mineral-rich waters.
Of course, it goes without saying that you should wander the halls of Czechia’s many castles. Český Krumlov, for instance, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the second largest castle complex in Czechia. The castle was built in the 13th century, and several architectural styles are evident in its composition. Beautiful and eerie in their own way, the cellars and passageways underneath the streets of Pilsen and Brno are worth touring as well. Brno even offers the opportunity to tour a World War II-era air raid shelter that later became a nuclear fallout shelter.
History meets luxury and architecture in the Roman baths in the Nové Lázně hotel.
Whatever inspires your journey, feel free to wander, savor, and relax in Czechia!
