Beyond Prague, the Czech Republic packs an extraordinary variety into a small space — a modernist second city, a belle-epoque spa resort and a fairy-tale river town, each an easy hop from the capital. Here's how the headline destinations compare and what each is best for.
The Best Places to Visit in the Czech Republic
The golden capital: a thousand-year skyline of spires and domes, the world's largest castle complex, Charles Bridge and the astronomical clock. Worth two to three days and the start of nearly every trip.
A tiny UNESCO-listed medieval town folded into an S-bend of the Vltava beneath a vast Renaissance castle. A magical day trip from Prague, or a peaceful overnight once the crowds leave. One to two days.
The grande dame of Bohemia's spa towns — Carlsbad — with pastel colonnades, hot mineral springs you sip from porcelain cups, and the Becherovka liqueur. A relaxing one to two days.
- 4Brno
The confident capital of Moravia: a young university city with a modernist masterpiece in Villa Tugendhat, atmospheric underground crypts, a dragon legend and the wine villages of the south at its back. Two to three days.
FAQ
- Which Czech city should I visit first?
- Prague, for almost everyone — it has the richest concentration of sights, the best transport links and the most flights, and it pairs naturally with a day trip or overnight to Cesky Krumlov, Karlovy Vary or Kutna Hora.
- Is Cesky Krumlov worth visiting?
- Yes — its castle-and-river setting is one of the most beautiful in Europe. Because it's tiny and very popular, go early or stay overnight to enjoy the old town once the day-trip coaches have left.
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