Prague

One of Europe’s best-preserved cities, Prague has a romantic riverside location enhanced by graceful bridges and a magnificent skyline punctuated

Stare Mesto (Old Town)

Old Town is usually the first stop for any visitor. Old Town Square, its gorgeous houses, and the astronomical clock are blockbuster attractions

Nove Mesto (New Town) and Vyšehrad

To this day, Charles IV's building projects are tightly woven into the daily lives of Prague citizens. His most extensive scheme, Nové Město

Nove Mesto (New Town)

Though Nové Město translates as "New Town," its origins go all the way back to the 14th century and Emperor Charles IV. As Prague outgrew its

Mala Strana (Lesser Quarter)

Established in 1257, this is Prague's most perfectly formed—yet totally asymmetrical—neighborhood. Also known as "Little Town," it was home

Vinohrady and Žižkov

Personalitywise, Vinohrady and Žižkov are a bit of an odd couple, as signified by their representative beverages: Vinohrady was once the wine

Brno

Nicknamed the "Manchester of Moravia," Brno (pronounced " burr -no") has a different feel from other Czech or Moravian cities. Beginning with

Karlovy Vary

Karlovy Vary—often known outside the Czech Republic by its German name, Karlsbad—is the most famous of the Bohemian spas. It's named for the

Vinohrady

From Riegrovy Park the eclectic apartment buildings and villas of the elegant residential neighborhood called Vinohrady extend eastward and

Plzeň

Plzeň—or Pilsen in German, as it's better known abroad—is the industrial heart of Western Bohemia and the region's biggest city. To most visitors

Josefov (Jewish Quarter)

For centuries Prague had an active, vital Jewish community that was an exuberant part of the city’s culture. Much of that activity was concentrated

Letna, Holešovice, and Troja

All three of these neighborhoods are up and coming, with new cultural and dining attractions popping up weekly. Come here to get away from the

Marianske Lazne

Once Bohemia's star spa town, Mariánské Lázně now plays second fiddle to Karlovy Vary. Whereas the latter, with its glitzy international film

Kutna Hora

Kutná Hora is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the town proudly boasts of its "ten centuries of architecture" that run the gamut from Gothic

Ceský Krumlov

It’s rare that a place not only lives up to its hype but exceeds it. Český Krumlov, the official residence of the Rožmberk family for some 300

Žižkov

For Prague residents, Žižkov is synonymous with pubs. There are more places to knock back a Pilsner Urquell or a shot of Fernet Stock per square

Olomouc

Olomouc (pronounced "oh-loh-moats") is a handsome district capital, with some beautifully restored baroque houses along its broad central squares

Smichov

Once a rough-and-tumble industrial district, Smíchov now hums with shops, restaurants, and nightlife options; a great neighborhood if you're

Pražský Hrad (Prague Castle)

Despite its monolithic presence, Prague Castle is not a single structure but a collection of structures dating from the 10th to the 20th centuries

Cheb

Known for centuries by its German name of Eger, the old town of Cheb tickles the German border in the far west of the Czech Republic. The town

Tabor

Looking at Tábor now, it's hard to believe that this was once a counterculture utopia and fortress. Lucky for visitors a few centuries later

Terezin

Just the word Terezín (Theresienstadt in German) immediately recalls the horrors of the Jewish Holocaust for Czechs. Originally built as a military

Holešovice

The rapidly gentrifying neighborhood of Holešovice features many urban riches of its own, including perhaps the city’s most underrated museum

Ceske Budejovice

České Budějovice is the largest city in Southern Bohemia, but it’s more of a transportation hub and not nearly as charming as the neighboring

Jindřichův Hradec

The ancient town of Jindřichův Hradec, which dates to the end of the 12th century, is mirrored in the reflective waters of the Vajgar Pond right

Telc

Don't be fooled by the dusty approach to the little town of Telč or the unpromising, unkempt countryside surrounding the place. Telč is a knockout

Pisek

Písek is a bit of a surprise. It used to be that people came for one thing: Písek's 700-year-old Gothic bridge peopled with baroque statues

Trebon

Třeboň, like Tábor, is off the international tourist trail, but it's a favorite with cyclists. And the town offers an appealing mix of adorable

Mikulov

In many ways Mikulov is the quintessential Moravian town, with pastel pink-and-yellow buildings and green rolling hills. For centuries it was

Letna

From above the Vltava's left bank, the large, grassy plateau called Letná gives you one of the classic views of the Old Town and the many bridges

Melnik

This pretty town is the closest place to Prague to go for homegrown Czech wine. It's home to rolling countryside, the ubiquitous castle, and

Karlštejn

If you've only a few hours to spend outside of Prague, going to Karlštejn is an easy and delightful day trip. The town itself seems to exist

Hluboka nad Vltavou

Yes, Hluboká has a massive fairy-tale castle that can be seen for miles around. But active outdoorsy types should come here for the excellent

Trebic

UNESCO declared the looping streets of the Jewish Quarter and an ornate basilica in Třebíč both World Heritage Sites in 2003. The town is first

Vyšehrad

The high-top Vyšehrad Citadel once rivaled Prague Castle in size and importance, but much of the historic architecture was leveled in the Hussite

Františkovy Lazne

Františkovy Lázně, or Franzensbad, is the smallest of the three main Bohemian spas. It isn't really in the same league as Karlovy Vary. The

Ceský Šternberk

A real-deal Czech castle, complete with descendants of its 13th-century founders still living inside. Český Šternberk may not be the easiest

Konopište Castle

Bears, hunting trophies, and history are found at the country residence of the doomed Archduke Franz Ferdinand, whose 1914 assassination ignited

Krivoklat

One of the most evocative castles in the country, Křivoklát is the real deal. A brisk walk up the hill to the top feels like a trip back in

Troja

Troja is a remote, green district situated north of Holešovice on the bank of the Vltava. There are several attractions in this part of town

Orlik

Lidice

No more than a speck on the map to the northwest of Prague, this tiny village became a part of the tragic history of World War II. Adolf Hitler

Hradčany (Castle Area)

Prague

One of Europe’s best-preserved cities, Prague has a romantic riverside location enhanced by graceful bridges and a magnificent skyline punctuated

Brno

Nicknamed the "Manchester of Moravia," Brno (pronounced " burr -no") has a different feel from other Czech or Moravian cities. Beginning with

Karlovy Vary

Karlovy Vary—often known outside the Czech Republic by its German name, Karlsbad—is the most famous of the Bohemian spas. It's named for the

Plzeň

Plzeň—or Pilsen in German, as it's better known abroad—is the industrial heart of Western Bohemia and the region's biggest city. To most visitors

Ceský Krumlov

It’s rare that a place not only lives up to its hype but exceeds it. Český Krumlov, the official residence of the Rožmberk family for some 300

Kutna Hora

Kutná Hora is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the town proudly boasts of its "ten centuries of architecture" that run the gamut from Gothic

Marianske Lazne

Once Bohemia's star spa town, Mariánské Lázně now plays second fiddle to Karlovy Vary. Whereas the latter, with its glitzy international film

Olomouc

Olomouc (pronounced "oh-loh-moats") is a handsome district capital, with some beautifully restored baroque houses along its broad central squares

Tabor

Looking at Tábor now, it's hard to believe that this was once a counterculture utopia and fortress. Lucky for visitors a few centuries later

Terezin

Just the word Terezín (Theresienstadt in German) immediately recalls the horrors of the Jewish Holocaust for Czechs. Originally built as a military

Cheb

Known for centuries by its German name of Eger, the old town of Cheb tickles the German border in the far west of the Czech Republic. The town

Ceske Budejovice

České Budějovice is the largest city in Southern Bohemia, but it’s more of a transportation hub and not nearly as charming as the neighboring

Jindřichův Hradec

The ancient town of Jindřichův Hradec, which dates to the end of the 12th century, is mirrored in the reflective waters of the Vajgar Pond right

Telc

Don't be fooled by the dusty approach to the little town of Telč or the unpromising, unkempt countryside surrounding the place. Telč is a knockout

Pisek

Písek is a bit of a surprise. It used to be that people came for one thing: Písek's 700-year-old Gothic bridge peopled with baroque statues

Mikulov

In many ways Mikulov is the quintessential Moravian town, with pastel pink-and-yellow buildings and green rolling hills. For centuries it was

Trebon

Třeboň, like Tábor, is off the international tourist trail, but it's a favorite with cyclists. And the town offers an appealing mix of adorable

Melnik

This pretty town is the closest place to Prague to go for homegrown Czech wine. It's home to rolling countryside, the ubiquitous castle, and

Hluboka nad Vltavou

Yes, Hluboká has a massive fairy-tale castle that can be seen for miles around. But active outdoorsy types should come here for the excellent

Karlštejn

If you've only a few hours to spend outside of Prague, going to Karlštejn is an easy and delightful day trip. The town itself seems to exist

Trebic

UNESCO declared the looping streets of the Jewish Quarter and an ornate basilica in Třebíč both World Heritage Sites in 2003. The town is first

Františkovy Lazne

Františkovy Lázně, or Franzensbad, is the smallest of the three main Bohemian spas. It isn't really in the same league as Karlovy Vary. The

Ceský Šternberk

A real-deal Czech castle, complete with descendants of its 13th-century founders still living inside. Český Šternberk may not be the easiest

Konopište Castle

Bears, hunting trophies, and history are found at the country residence of the doomed Archduke Franz Ferdinand, whose 1914 assassination ignited

Krivoklat

One of the most evocative castles in the country, Křivoklát is the real deal. A brisk walk up the hill to the top feels like a trip back in

Orlik

Lidice

No more than a speck on the map to the northwest of Prague, this tiny village became a part of the tragic history of World War II. Adolf Hitler

Western Bohemia

Once upon a time, Western Bohemia was known as the playground of Central Europe's rich and famous. Its three well-known spas, Karlovy Vary,

Moravia

The Czech Republic's other half, Moravia, is frequently overlooked by visitors. No cities here can compare with the noble beauty of Prague,

Southern Bohemia

Southern Bohemia calls itself the "pearl of the Czech Republic," and it’s not just a clever nickname. The richness and beauty of this corner

Day Trips from Prague

As the saying goes, the world is a book, and those who don't travel read only one page. The same applies to visitors who come to the Czech Republic