Day Trips from Prague

We’ve compiled the best of the best in Day Trips from Prague - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.

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  • 1. Chrám sv. Barbory

    Getting to this beautiful cathedral is nearly as pleasurable as a visit to the Gothic church itself. It's about a 10-minute walk from the main Palackého náměstí along a road lined with baroque statues, from which you can gaze at the surrounding countryside and watch the massive shape of the cathedral come closer. From afar, the church resembles a grand circus tent more than a religious center. As the jewel in Kutná Hora's crown, it's a high point of Gothic style, although through the centuries there have been alterations and improvements. St. Barbara's was started in the late 1300s; it drew on the talents of the Peter Parler workshop as well as two luminaries of the late 15th century, Matyáš Rejsek and Benedikt Ried. Upon entering, look up. The soaring ceiling is one of the church's most impressive features. It was added in 1558 and replaced and restored in the late 1800s. At the western end of the church, take the stairs up to the elevated section for closer views of the ceiling and the lavish organ, decorated with golden angels and cherubs. There are also some interesting casts of reliefs and other decorative church elements here, including a gargoyle of a cat with a fish in its paws, a sculpture of angels carrying the miners' guild coat of arms, and a small statue of an oddly fed-up-looking Jesus. Head out to the balcony for views over the garden; lean out a little and you can see the town center, including the visibly leaning tower of the Kostel sv. Jakuba (Church of St. James). Once outside, take a stroll through the gardens and courtyard and venture down into the ancient Kaple Božího těla (Corpus Christi Chapel). This free-to-enter, 14th-century cemetery chapel, with its beautiful vaulted ceiling, is used today mainly as an exhibition and concert space. Avoid purchasing the opera glasses on sale at the front desk (50 Kč); the cathedral's elevated sections mean that all but the most short-sighted won't need them to get a good view of the ceiling.

    Barborská, Kutná Hora, Central Bohemia, 284 01, Czech Republic
    327–515–796

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: 160 Kč, combo ticket 300 Kč (incl. Sedlec Ossuary and Church of the Assumption)
  • 2. Hrad Karlštejn

    If it's a picture-book European castle you're after, look no further. Perched atop a wooded hillside, Karlštejn comes complete with battlements, turrets, and towers. Once Charles IV's summer palace, Karlštejn was originally built to hold and guard the crown jewels (which were moved to Prague Castle's Katedrála sv. Víta, or St. Vitus Cathedral, in 1619). There is a fairly strenuous hike up to the castle—lined with souvenir stands and overpriced snack bars—but it's worth the journey. Once you've reached the top, take time to walk the ramparts and drink in the panorama of the village and countryside below. There's a slightly bewildering list of different interior tours, but the pick of the bunch is Tour 2, which includes the castle's greatest treasure, the Chapel of the Holy Cross, which once held the crown jewels. Tours of the chapel are limited (and more expensive than the other tour route), so you must book in advance. On sunny days, there's also an exterior tour, or you can simply take a stroll around the courtyards at no cost. Because of its proximity to Prague, it is the most-visited site outside of the Czech capital, so be prepared for crowds, especially in the high summer months.

    Karlštejn 18, Karlštejn, Central Bohemia, 267 18, Czech Republic
    311–681–617

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Tours from 190 Kč, Closed Mon. Tower closed Oct.--Apr., chapel closed Nov.--Apr.
  • 3. Kostnice Sedlec

    This is the reason many people outside the Czech Republic have heard of, and make the trip to, Kutná Hora. Forget all that beautiful baroque architecture and descend into the darkness with some bones. The skeletal remains of around 40,000 people have been lovingly arranged in the Kaple Všech svatých (All Saints Chapel), more commonly called the Bone Church. Built in the 16th century, this church forced the movement of a nearby graveyard, so monks from the nearby Sedlec Monastery decided to use the displaced cemetery bones to decorate the church with beautiful, weird, and haunting results. Look out for the chandelier, which is made with every bone in the human body, as well as the Schwarzenberg coat of arms, which includes a raven (assembled from various small bones) pecking the eye of a Turkish warrior.

    Zámecká, Sedlec, Central Bohemia, 284 03, Czech Republic
    326–551–049

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: 160 Kč (incl. Church of the Assumption); 300 Kč (also incl. St. Barbara\'s Cathedral), Closed Mon. Nov.–Jan.
  • 4. Křivoklát

    A man dressed as a monk asleep in the corner; children practicing archery; traditional craftsmen offering their wares—close your eyes in Křivoklát's strangely atmospheric courtyard and you can easily imagine the scene with hunters clattering back atop their horses. Because the castle is a little farther from Prague, it's much less crowded and more authentic, so you can let your imagination run wild as you wander the walls and gaze out on the surrounding forest and the Berounka river winding lazily by below. The evocative name helps as well, even if it's a little hard to pronounce (it means "twisted branches" in Czech). There also aren't many signs, which helps with the feeling that you are having an adventure. You'll meet a lot of locals, rather than tourists, enjoying the castle, mainly because it's a national favorite thanks to its many romantic references in Czech literature. The river area is also popular with hikers and cyclists. Křivoklát began life as a humble hunting lodge back in the 12th century. Greater things were to come, thanks to King Wenceslas I, who commissioned the first castle here. Future inhabitants expanded and beautified the place, including Charles IV and his son, Wenceslas IV. A number of fires significantly damaged the buildings, and toward the end of the 16th century it lost its importance and fell into disrepair. Following the Thirty Years' War, the Schwarzenbergs took over and revived it. It's been in state hands since 1929. Today, Křivoklát offers some of the more interesting castle tours around. There are five to choose from, with Tour 3 ("The Grand Tour"; 390 Kč in English) the most comprehensive. Over the course of 1 hour and 40 minutes, visitors will see the Great Hall, one of the largest Gothic halls in Central Europe (second only to the one at Prague Castle), the beautiful chapel, the castle library, a prison complete with torture instruments, and lots of hunting trophies. Tours of the castle are offered regularly in Czech and less regularly in English (check the website for times), but you can always join a Czech tour and purchase a pamphlet with information in English. Even without a tour, the castle is well worth a visit. You can walk along the castle ramparts, climb the tower (for great views of the surrounding countryside), or simply sit and nurse a beer in the beautiful courtyard. There's also a lovely 2-km (1-mile) woodland walk from the castle to a viewpoint above the river; follow the path marked with yellow paint, which starts across the road from the castle entrance.

    Křivoklát 47, Krivoklát, Central Bohemia, 270 23, Czech Republic
    313–558–440

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Tours from 240 Kč, Closed Mon. Closed weekdays Nov.–Mar. (except festivals; check website for details)
  • 5. Mělnické podzemí

    Under the historic center of Mělník lies a secret: a network of underground passages leading to a medieval well. Half-hour guided tours from the Tourist Information Center take you down into the tunnels, which were dug out of the sandstone rock in the 13th and 14th centuries and used as storage rooms, wine cellars, and shelters during times of war. After a short walk, you'll come to the beautiful and unique medieval well. At 184 feet deep and 15 feet wide, it's the largest well in the Czech Republic—yet from above ground in the main square, you wouldn't even know it exists.

    Legionářů 51, Melník, Central Bohemia, 276 01, Czech Republic
    602–679–552

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: 60 Kč
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  • 6. Národní hřebčín Kladruby nad Labem

    Located 15 miles northeast of Kutná Hora, this national stud farm was established in the 16th century to breed and train ceremonial horses for the Habsburg court. In 2019, it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site—the first stud farm anywhere to be listed—in recognition of its vital role in protecting and promoting the rare but ancient Kladruber breed. Covering 1,310 hectares (3,240 acres) of flat, sandy land and fenced pastures near the Elbe, the site includes fields and forests along with its horse breeding and training grounds. Visitors can take a guided tour of the stables, home to a mix of gray and black horses—in the past, the former were used for royal ceremonies and the latter for high-ranking clergy—as well as explore the coach room, the château, the forester’s lodge, and the observation tower.

    Kladruby nad Labem 1, Kutná Hora, Central Bohemia, 533 14, Czech Republic
    601–191–580

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Tours from 180 Kč, Closed Mon. and Oct.–Mar.
  • 7. Památník Lidice

    There is an eerie silence at Lidice. The lovely green rolling hills, small pond, babbling brook, and groves of trees are typical of the Czech countryside, but somehow the events that happened here remain in the air. It's incredibly moving to walk around the empty area, constantly reminding yourself that this was a thriving village before the Nazis effectively erased it from the map. You'll first enter the colonnade that houses a small museum. Inside you're introduced, through a series of films and photographs, to the original inhabitants of the city. German documentation from the time describes the horror of the mass murder in a disturbingly straightforward fashion. From here, the grounds of the memorial are free to wander, or you can secure an English-speaking guide to escort you around the entire area for 500 Kč (book in advance through the website). The most visited and evocative sight in Lidice is the Monument to Child Victims of War. This life-size sculpture of the 82 children gassed by the Nazis is haunting in its detail, particularly the delicate facial expressions. Sculptor Marie Uchytilová dedicated two decades of her life to the project. On the opposite side of the path is a stark cross, which marks the place where the men were executed. Walk to the end of the field to see the former location of the town's cemetery, or head back toward the entrance to a vast rose garden; the west portion of the garden is planted with light-colored roses to honor the children. The museum entrance fee also includes access to Lidická galerie, home to a permanent exhibition of contemporary art donated by artists from around the world, and Rodinný dům č. 116, an example of the typical 1950s houses that make up the new, thriving village of Lidice. Both are around a 10-minute walk west of the rose garden.

    Tokajická 152, Lidice, Central Bohemia, 273 54, Czech Republic
    312–253–088

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: 150 Kč, guided tour (in English) 500 Kč
  • 8. Památník Terezín – Malá pevnost

    The most powerful aspect of Terezín is that you don't need much imagination to visualize how it looked under Nazi rule. When it was a Jewish ghetto, more than 59,000 people were crammed into this camp. Terezín was actually an exception among the many Nazi concentration camps in Central Europe. The Germans, for a time, used it as a model city in order to deflect international criticism of Nazi policy toward the Jews. In the early years of the war—until as late as 1944—detainees had a semblance of a normal life, with limited self-rule, schools, a theater, and even a library. (Pictures drawn by the children at Terezín are on display in Prague's Jewish Museum.) As the Nazi war effort soured, the conditions for the people in Terezín worsened. Transports to Auschwitz and other death camps were increased to several times a week, and eventually 87,000 Jews were murdered in this way. Another 35,000 died from starvation or disease. The enormity of Terezín's role in history is most starkly illustrated at this former military fortress. From 1940 to 1945, it functioned as a jail, mainly for political prisoners and others resisting the German occupation, holding them in abject conditions. Around 30,000 prisoners came through here during the war. A tour through the fortress is chilling; you'll first visit the administrative area, where new prisoners were brought, and then glimpse their cells, crudely furnished with stone floors and long wooden beds. Not much has been done to spruce up the place for visitors, leaving the original atmosphere intact. As a military prison, 150 people could be held in the cells; under the Nazis, it was typical to have 1,500 prisoners held in the same space. There was no gas chamber here, but the appalling hygienic conditions led to many deaths, and about 300 prisoners were executed. Many of the juxtapositions are deeply cruel, such as the swimming pools for guards and their families, which prisoners would pass on their way to their execution. Those who did not die in detention were shipped off to other concentration camps. Above the entrance to the main courtyard stands the horribly false motto "Arbeit macht Frei" (Work Brings Freedom). At the far end of the fortress, opposite the main entrance, is the special wing built by the Nazis when space became tight. These windowless cells display a brutal captivity.

    Principova alej 304, Terezín, Ústecký, 411 55, Czech Republic
    416–782–225

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: 210 Kč (incl. Magdeburg Barracks); 260 Kč (also incl. Ghetto Museum), Crematorium closed Sat.
  • 9. Pravčická Brána

    The largest natural rock bridge in Europe, Pravčická Archway is the symbol of the gorgeous national park that is Czech Switzerland, which sits on the border with Germany. To reach the archway, you can either start walking from Hřensko (follow the red hiking route) or take a local bus to a stop called Tři Prameny. From here, it's a lovely and atmospheric walk up through the forest to reach the rock formation, which comes complete with a museum and restaurant called Falcon's Nest—supplies are brought in via pulley. This being the Czech Republic, there's also a pub where you can order fine beer in the shadow of the bridge itself. For an entrance fee of 95 Kč, you can scramble around nearby rock formations, which have a similarly alien appeal, for a better vantage point. A series of gentle, well-marked hikes on pretty forest trails and mossy gorges will take you on a circular route back, ending up in Hřensko. The highlight of these trails is being punted along the river—when the paths run out—in a precarious boat with a ferryman who tells you (in German and Czech and hand gestures) how the rocks over your head look like different animals and monsters. Each boat trip costs around 50 Kč.

    Hrensko, Ústecký, 407 17, Czech Republic

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Closed weekdays Nov.--Mar., 95 Kč
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  • 10. Státní zámek Litomyšl

    Built in 1568, this towering Renaissance château is a rare example of the "arcade" castle style in northern Europe. As you approach, the white-walled exterior appears to be made from thousands of bricks, but on closer inspection, it becomes clear the pattern has been achieved through intricate sgraffito. Each "brick" is etched into the plaster and has its own design, often incorporating imagery from the Old Testament or from classical mythology. Head into the courtyard to find even grander and more elaborate wall frescoes. While the exterior has remained largely unchanged for the last 450 years, the interior has a number of high baroque architectural additions. To see them, two guided tours are available: the first takes in a set of 12 castle rooms plus the perfectly preserved 18th-century baroque theater, complete with original stage machinery and decorations; the second takes in another set of 12 rooms as well as the elegant, vaulted castle chapel. Each tour lasts just 50 minutes, but if you have time for only one, choose the first. Tours are in Czech, but an English transcript is provided. It's also possible to visit the castle cellars—home to a permanent exhibition of contemporary sculptures by Olbram Zoubek—for a wine tasting and to stroll around the pretty castle gardens.

    Jiráskova 93, Pardubický, 570 01, Czech Republic
    461–615–067

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Tours 190 Kč each, Closed Mon. and Nov.–Mar.
  • 11. České Muzeum Stříbra

    A silver mine is a little more romantic than a run-of-the-mill coal mine, and this silver museum combines all manner of period mining and minting equipment with the chance to tour an actual medieval silver mine. With the first tunnels dug in the 1300s, by the 1500s Kutná Hora had some of the deepest mines in the world. The trek nowadays—through low, narrow, and claustrophobic tunnels—will probably make you glad you weren't a miner. The 90-minute guided tours (with around 30 minutes spent underground) start roughly every half hour during the summer months, with English-language tours once or twice a day; check the website for timings. In late spring and early autumn, English-language tours are only on request. Taller people may struggle with some of the lower sections of the mines, while wider people will find some tighter sections a challenge. For those who are both, this is probably an experience to skip.

    Barborská 28, Kutná Hora, Central Bohemia, 284 01, Czech Republic
    327–512–159

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: From 70 Kč, foreign-language explanation 20 Kč, Closed Dec.–Mar. and in particularly bad weather
  • 12. Český Šternberk

    Dramatic Český Šternberk looms over the Sázava River and surrounding countryside and looks positively forbidding at night. Perched on an outcropping of rock, this 13th-century castle is not only striking from the exterior; it has the period interiors to match. Founded in 1241 by Zdeslav of Divišov, it was originally built as a fortress. Amazingly, descendants of Zdeslav have remained in the castle, making it their residence through the centuries and up to the present day. Šternberk is the Czech spelling of the German composite word Sternberg (it was customary to use German names at the time), which roughly translates to "star on the hill." Look out for the eight-pointed gold star on the family coat of arms, which can be found throughout the property. The exterior of the castle retains a late Gothic look, while the interiors were mainly redone in a baroque style. The latest major work was done in 1911, when electricity and water were added. Guided tours lasting around 45 minutes are required to see the interior, but the rooms are gorgeous and the guides are excellent. There are regular English-language tours in summer, but out of peak season it's best to call or email in advance to book your place. Furnishings date back to the Renaissance and are either original from the castle or brought from other Šternberk properties around Europe. Beautiful frescoed walls and stucco ceilings can be found throughout, including the Knight's Hall lined with paintings. You'll see items in the rococo and Czech baroque style, Louis XVI furnishings, and an amazing collection of copper engravings dating back to the 17th century. Look out for a (literal) family tree, with portraits of generations of the Šternberk family. Its members included scientists, bishops, officers, and government employees, all of whom left their mark on aspects of the country's history. One even helped found the Národní muzeum (National Museum) in Prague. During the nationalization period under communism, the castle was seized and became government property; however Jiří Šternberk agreed to stay on as caretaker and guide, thus keeping the family's connection to the castle. The Šternberks received the property back in 1992. There are some lovely walks in the woodlands around the castle. One route leads to Hladomorna, a stand-alone fortress tower you can climb during the summer for a fine view of the castle, river, and surrounding forest.

    Český Šternberk 1, Ceský Šternberk, Central Bohemia, 257 27, Czech Republic
    317–855–101

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Guided tour in English 260 Kč, night tour 350 Kč, Closed Mon. Closed weekdays in Apr. and Oct. Open Nov.–Mar. by appointment only
  • 13. Chrám sv. Petra a Pavla

    With origins dating back around 1,000 years, this is one of the oldest churches in Bohemia, with a dramatic Gothic interior. But it's what lies beneath, and what rises above, that's really of interest. Below the church is a crypt with an ossuary, containing the skeletal remains of 10,000 to 15,000 people. Like a smaller-scale version of Kostnice Sedlec in Kutná Hora (but without the tourist hordes), bones and skulls are arranged into various sculptures, including an anchor, a cross, and a heart to symbolize hope, faith, and love. The remains date from between the 13th and 18th centuries, and have been used by academics to learn about diseases in medieval Europe. Above the church soars the 127-foot tower. Climb to the top, through rooms of exposed stone walls and wooden beams, past the three 15th-century bells and the intricate clock mechanism, and you'll emerge onto an open-air platform. From here, you can enjoy the best panorama in Mělník, with views of the town in one direction and vistas of the rivers, vineyards, and rolling hills in the other. If you are visiting outside of summer, email to arrange access to the crypt and tower.

    Na Vyhlídce, Melník, Central Bohemia, 276 01, Czech Republic
    731–518–750

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Church free, ossuary 40 Kč, tower 50 Kč, Closed Mon. Closed Nov.–Mar. except by appointment
  • 14. Church of All Saints (Kostel Všech Svatých)

    Though this church, on the southeast corner of Peace Square (Mirove Namesti) opposite the Old Town Hall/Regional Museum, dates from the mid 12th century, it's undergone several architectural changes. The church was originally Romanesque, then in the late 15th century became Gothic style, and then in the early 18th century turned Baroque at the hands of architect Giulio Broggio and later his son Octavio. The 54-meter (177-foot) tower and belfry were constructed throughout the 16th century. The outside of the church is not as ornate as its interior, which has a gilded alter, grand stone carvings, and very dark wooden benches that contrast sharply with the creamy walls and vaulted ceiling.

    Mirove Namesti, Litomerice, Ústecký, 412 01, Czech Republic
    No phone

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Daily 8–5
  • 15. House of the Black Eagle (Hotel Salva Guarda)

    Now a hotel and restaurant called Salva Guarda, the site of this building was, in the early 15th century, a grand family home. In 1560, however, it was reconstructed in Renaissance style by Italian architect Ambrogio Balli. The building's black facade was decorated with white biblical motifs, like very early upscale graffiti. Emperor Ferdinand III stayed here in the mid-17th century and bestowed upon the building a protective mark called Salva Guarda, thus protecting it from looters and the military; look for this on a small stone plaque on the front of the building.

    Mirove Namesti 12, Litomerice, Ústecký, 41201, Czech Republic
    416-732–506-Hotel phone
  • 16. Hrad Orlík

    The word orlík means "young eagle," and the castle Hrad Orlík, dating back to the 13th century, was always thought to be reminiscent of a young eagle in a nest far up on a rocky ledge. Though the builders of the original structure are not known, the current castle was built in the early Gothic style by King Wenceslas II. The castle housed important figures in Czech history such as Jan Hus, after whom the Hussites are named, and Jan Žižka, the Hussite military leader after whom Prague's Žižkov district is named. It became the property of the Schwarzenberg family in 1719. Communism nationalized the castle after World War II; then, after the Velvet Revolution, it was returned to the Schwarzenbergs in the early 1990s. The rather dramatic appearance today is mostly due to renovations in the mid-1800s in the neo-Gothic style. Castle tours, like those of Český Šternberk, help you appreciate the history of the castle and what you're looking at. Hour-long tours show you the portraits in the Small Empire Hall, the Napoleanic-era furnishings of the Great Empire Hall, and the incredible wooden sculpture by Jan Teska in the Teska Court.

    Czech Republic
    382–275–101

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: 150 Kč, Apr. and Oct., Tues.–Sun. 9–3; May and Sept., Tues.–Sun. 9–4; June–Aug., Tues.–Sun. 9–5
  • 17. Katedrála Nanebevzetí Panny Marie

    The Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady and Saint John the Baptist, to give it its full name, sits across the street from the ossuary at the former Sedlec Monastery. It exemplifies the work of one-of-a-kind architect Giovanni Santini (1667–1723), a master of expressive line and delicate proportion who fathered a bravura hybrid of Gothic and baroque. Tickets must be purchased from the nearby ticket office at Zámecká 279.

    U Zastávky 280, Sedlec, Central Bohemia, 284 03, Czech Republic
    326–551–049

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: 160 Kč (incl. Sedlec Ossuary); 300 Kč (also incl. St. Barbara\'s Cathedral)
  • 18. Kostel sv. Jakuba

    If you've already been to St. Barbara's, you'll have seen the tilting tower of this church next to the old mint. It doesn't keep normal operating hours, but go ahead and try the door anyway. It was originally built in the Gothic style, but a massive baroque transformation occurred in the 17th and 18th centuries; the onion dome was added in 1737. The baroque paintings on the wall are Czech masterpieces.

    Jakubská, Kutná Hora, Central Bohemia, 284 01, Czech Republic
    327–515–796

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Free
  • 19. Museum of the Terezín Ghetto

    Museum/Gallery

    Told in words and pictures, the town's horrific story is depicted at the Museum of the Terezín Ghetto, just off the central park in town. A short documentary is also shown in many languages. Tell the staff that you speak English; they'll let you roam the building and flag you down when the next English-language video is being shown.

    Komenského ul., Terezín, Ústecký, 411 55, Czech Republic
    -416–782–225

    Sight Details

    1 unit 175 Kč; all units 215 Kč
  • 20. Památník Terezín – Magdeburská kasárna

    Under the Nazis, this unassuming building was primarily used for administration offices, but today it is a fascinating and important education facility. There's an excellent re-creation of how a former dormitory would have looked, plus exhibits detailing the arts in Terezín. Inspiring displays show how people in the ghetto continued to hold literary, musical, theatrical, and artistic happenings.

    Tyršova 204, Terezín, Ústecký, 411 55, Czech Republic
    416–782–225

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: 210 Kč (incl. one of Small Fortress or Ghetto Museum), 260 Kč (incl. both)

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