Czech Republic travel guide
The Czech Republic, also known as Czechia, sits in the heart of Central Europe, with Prague's spires and bridges at its centre and a countryside of castles, spa towns, sandstone rocks and Moravian vineyards beyond. It is compact, well connected by train and bus, and famous for its beer. It suits city-breakers, history lovers, walkers and anyone who likes to see a lot without long journeys.
Places worth the trip
Prague
The Old Town Square with its medieval astronomical clock, the statue-lined Charles Bridge across the Vltava, the vast Prague Castle complex and St Vitus Cathedral above the river, and the narrow lanes of the Lesser Town. Early mornings are the best time to see the bridge without crowds.
Český Krumlov
A small town wrapped around a bend of the Vltava in South Bohemia, with a large castle, a rare baroque theatre and a red-roofed historic centre listed by UNESCO. Rafting or canoeing on the river is popular in summer.
Kutná Hora
Once a rich silver-mining town, an easy day trip from Prague. The Gothic Cathedral of St Barbara is spectacular, and the Sedlec Ossuary is decorated with the bones of tens of thousands of people, including a chandelier.
Karlovy Vary and the spa triangle
West Bohemia's spa towns, including Karlovy Vary, Mariánské Lázně and Františkovy Lázně, have colonnades, hot springs and grand nineteenth-century architecture. Visitors sip mineral water from special spouted cups; the towns are listed together as UNESCO heritage.
Bohemian Switzerland National Park
Sandstone gorges, forests and rock formations near the German border. Pravčická brána is the largest natural sandstone arch in Europe, and boat trips glide through the narrow gorges of the Kamenice river.
Brno and South Moravia
The country's second city has a lively student scene, the modernist Villa Tugendhat (a UNESCO site) and good cafés. To the south are wine villages with cellars, the Lednice-Valtice cultural landscape of palaces and parks, and cycling routes through the vineyards.
Olomouc
A university city in Moravia with grand squares, baroque fountains and the Holy Trinity Column, a UNESCO-listed monument, but far fewer visitors than Prague.
Interesting facts about Czech Republic
- The word 'robot' was introduced to the world by the Czech writer Karel Čapek in his 1920 play R.U.R.
- Prague's astronomical clock, first installed in 1410, is one of the oldest astronomical clocks in the world still working.
- Czechs drink more beer per person than people in any other country, and Plzeň gave its name to Pilsner lager.
- Prague Castle is often cited as the largest ancient castle complex in the world.
- Soft contact lenses were invented by the Czech chemist Otto Wichterle.
Best time to visit Czech Republic
Late spring (May to June) and early autumn (September to October) are the most pleasant times, with mild weather and fewer crowds than in summer. July and August are warm and busy in Prague. Winter is cold, often below freezing, but the Christmas markets in Prague and Brno from late November are atmospheric, and the mountains offer skiing. Grape harvest and wine festivals in Moravia take place in September.
Getting around
Prague has an excellent network of metro, trams and buses; buy a ticket before boarding and validate it. Trains and long-distance buses connect the main cities and towns frequently and cheaply, and journeys are short: Prague to Brno takes a few hours. Renting a car is useful for Bohemian Switzerland and small Moravian villages; motorways require an electronic vignette. In Prague, use ride-hailing apps or reputable taxi firms rather than cars waiting at tourist spots.
Practical details
- Capital
- Prague
- Currency
- Czech koruna (CZK)
- Languages
- Czech
- Plug types
- C, E
- Voltage
- 230 V, 50 Hz
- Emergency
- 112 for all emergencies; also 155 ambulance, 158 police, 150 fire
- Driving side
- right
- Tipping
- Rounding up or leaving around a tenth of the bill in restaurants is common. Tell the server the total you want to pay rather than leaving coins on the table.
Staying online in Czech Republic
Mobile coverage is very good in cities, towns and along major roads and railways, with 4G and 5G in Prague and other cities. Signal can be weaker in deep valleys, forests and some mountain areas, such as parts of Bohemian Switzerland and the Krkonoše mountains. Wi-Fi is common in hotels, cafés and many trains. The country is in the EU, so EU roaming rules apply for EU plans; visitors from elsewhere should check roaming charges. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.
Useful apps
- PID Lítačka: Buy and store Prague public transport tickets on your phone.
- Bolt: Ride-hailing in Prague, Brno and other cities.
- Mapy.cz: Czech mapping app with detailed hiking and cycling trails, useful offline in the countryside.
- Google Maps: Public transport routes and walking directions in Prague and other cities.
Czech Republic travel FAQs
No. The currency is the Czech koruna. Some tourist businesses accept euros, often at poor rates, so pay in koruna or by card, which is widely accepted. Avoid street exchange offices with misleading rates.
Three days covers the main sights of the Old Town, the castle and the Lesser Town at a comfortable pace. Add a day or two for trips to Kutná Hora, Karlovy Vary or Český Krumlov.
Yes. Coverage is very good across the country. If your plan doesn't include EU roaming, a travel eSIM gives you local data while your home number stays active for calls and texts.
In Prague and in tourist areas, yes, especially among younger people. In smaller towns English is less common, so a few Czech phrases and a translation app help.