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π¨πΏThings to Do in Czech Republic
From Prague Castle to the fairytale town of Cesky Krumlov - the essential sights, and how to keep your own record of them.
Travel guide - last updated September 2026
Prague alone justifies a trip - one of the few major European capitals to survive the 20th century's wars structurally intact, with a skyline of spires and bridges that reads like a period film set. Most visitors add at least one smaller town, and Cesky Krumlov in the south is the clear favorite. Here are 8 places worth building a trip around.
Top attractions
The sights most first-time visitors build an itinerary around.
Prague Castle
The largest ancient castle complex in the world by area, including St. Vitus Cathedral. Arrive at opening or late afternoon - the courtyards get intensely crowded with tour groups by mid-morning.
π Prague
π Nearest stop: Prazsky hrad or Pohorelec on tram 22, which climbs the hill and saves the walk; Malostranska on metro line A is the approach from below, up the Old Castle Steps.
Charles Bridge
A 14th-century stone bridge lined with baroque statues, connecting Prague's Old Town and Lesser Town. Cross at sunrise for photos without the crowds that fill it for the rest of the day.
π Prague
π Nearest station: Staromestska on metro line A, two minutes from the Old Town bridge tower; Malostranska serves the far bank.
Astronomical Clock, Prague
A medieval clock on Old Town Hall that still performs an hourly mechanical show, with astronomical figures and a procession of the apostles.
π Prague
π Nearest station: Staromestska on metro line A, or Mustek on lines A and B - both are a few minutes from the Old Town Square where the clock strikes on the hour.
Cesky Krumlov
A small town built around a curve of the Vltava River, dominated by its own castle, and largely preserved in its medieval layout - a common day trip or overnight from Prague.
π ΔeskΓ½ Krumlov
π Nearest station: Cesky Krumlov, on a slow branch line about 2km uphill from the centre; most visitors take the direct Student Agency or Flixbus coach from Prague instead, three hours to the edge of the old town.
Czech Beer Culture
The Czech Republic has the highest beer consumption per capita in the world, and Pilsner-style lager originated in the city of PlzeΕ, where the original Pilsner Urquell brewery still offers tours.
π PlzeΕ
π Nearest station: Plzen hlavni nadrazi, an hour from Prague, with the Pilsner Urquell brewery gate a 10-minute walk away across the river.
Jewish Quarter, Prague
Josefov holds one of Europe's most complete surviving Jewish quarters, including the Old Jewish Cemetery and several historic synagogues, though the district's history is often somber rather than picturesque.
π Prague
π Nearest station: Staromestska on metro line A - Josefov begins immediately north of the exit, and the six sites of the Jewish Museum are all within a few blocks.
Karlovy Vary
A spa town near the German border, famous for its hot mineral springs and colonnades, and for the international film festival it hosts each July.
π Karlovy Vary
π Trains from Prague are slow and indirect; the Flixbus and Student Agency coaches take about two hours to Karlovy Vary's Trznice stop, in the middle of the spa colonnades.
KutnΓ‘ Hora
A former silver-mining town an hour from Prague, home to the Sedlec Ossuary - a small chapel decorated with the bones of an estimated 40,000-70,000 people.
π KutnΓ‘ Hora
π Nearest station: Kutna Hora hlavni nadrazi, an hour from Prague, then the local shuttle train to Kutna Hora mesto - the Sedlec Ossuary is a 10-minute walk from the main station.
Mark Czech Republic, get the stamp
In MyPassportStory, every country you mark - visited, lived in, or still on the list - becomes a stamp like these in your own travel passport. Add the cities you stopped in, draw the route between them, and turn the whole trip into a shareable passport-style image.
Open MyPassportStoryPlanning questions
How many days do you need in the Czech Republic?
4-5 days covers Prague thoroughly with a day trip to Cesky Krumlov or KutnΓ‘ Hora. A week lets you slow the pace or add Karlovy Vary.
What's the best time to visit the Czech Republic?
April-May and September-October have mild weather and thinner crowds than midsummer. Prague's Christmas markets run late November through December; winters are cold but atmospheric.
Is the Czech Republic good for a first-time visit?
Yes - Prague is compact and walkable, with English widely understood in tourist areas, and it's one of the more affordable major cities in Western/Central Europe to visit.
Do I need a visa to visit the Czech Republic?
The Czech Republic is part of the Schengen Area, so citizens of the US, UK, Canada, Australia and many other countries can visit visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period; other nationalities need a Schengen visa arranged in advance. Check the official visa information for your nationality: mzv.cz.
What are some things to do in the Czech Republic on a tight budget?
Walking Prague's Old Town, Charles Bridge and castle grounds (the outer courtyards) costs nothing, Czech beer is famously inexpensive relative to Western Europe, and traditional Czech pubs serve large, cheap meals compared to tourist-area restaurants.
Can I rent a car in the Czech Republic, and what licence do I need?
Yes, though Prague is easier without one and the intercity coaches are excellent. EU and EEA licences are valid as issued; visitors from elsewhere need an International Driving Permit alongside the home licence, and Czech law is explicit about it. Minimum age is usually 21 with a young-driver surcharge under 25 and a credit card for the deposit. Motorways require a digital vignette, which the rental company normally includes - confirm it, because enforcement is by camera. There is also a zero-tolerance drink-driving limit. The transport ministry publishes the rules at mdcr.cz; cars come from Sixt, Europcar and Hertz.