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Czech Republic

Fodor's Prague
Written by locals, Fodor's travel guides have been offering expert advice for all tastes...

Planted firmly in the heart of Central Europe, the Czech Republic is culturally and historically more closely linked to Western, particularly Germanic, culture than any of its former Eastern-bloc brethren. The most popular tourist destination in the region, Prague was discovered shortly after the fall of the Iron Curtain. But the stunning medieval towns in southern Bohemia and the famous spa resorts of the west are just as approachable. Travelers looking to get off the beaten path may wish to head for Moravia, the lesser-visited region in the eastern Czech Republic.

Fodor's Prague
Written by locals, Fodor's travel guides have been offering expert advice for all tastes...

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Prague

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

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...

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...

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...

Olomouc

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

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Prague

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

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...

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...

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...

Olomouc

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

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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Fodor's Prague
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