It is the Czech Republic that you should visit if you want charm, reasonable costs, and a convenient position from which to see the rest of Europe. There are several reasons why this small landlocked country has become a popular destination for those who appreciate older architecture, including the fact that it remained largely unaffected by both world wars and the fact that the area has been owned by many different nations, each with their own architectural influences, over the course of the last millennium.
However, although the majority of visitors arrive in Prague, the nation has much more to offer in the shape of ancient towns and breathtaking natural landscapes. When you combine this with locally brewed beers that are incredibly inexpensive and delectable cuisine, it’s no wonder that so many people come to this lovely nation.
Is Czech Republic safe for tourists?
While vacationing in the Czech Republic, you may be certain that you are in extremely secure hands. According to the Global Peace Index 2019, the Czech Republic is regarded to be one of the safest travel destinations in the world. Once a year, the Institute for Economics and Peace releases The Global Peace Index, which is widely regarded as the world’s most authoritative assessment of national peacefulness, rating 163 nations according to their degrees of peace.
However, opportunistic crimes such as pickpocketing, which may occur in high-risk locations such as tourist destinations or on crowded public transportation, can be a problem in the Czech Republic.
The use of ATMs and money-changing frauds is quite prevalent; always exchange money at a reputed bureau de change (rather than via someone on the street) and do not allow anybody to help you while using an ATM machine.
ATMs located in public places such as hotels, shopping malls, and airports are preferred over those located in remote or inaccessible locations.
What Is Czech Republic Language?
The official language of the Czech Republic is Czech, with many of the country’s older residents also being able to communicate in Russian and German, among other languages. If you are unable to communicate in any of these languages, there is no need to be concerned; in most places, a large number of individuals have a good level of English competence.
The most common foreign language spoken by Czechs is English, with German and Russian being the second and third most “popular” foreign languages, respectively. The languages of French, Italian, and Spanish are not commonly spoken by the inhabitants of the country.
Czech Republic Public Transportation?
The Czech Republic is a very small nation with excellent public transportation. The public transportation system in Prague (streetcars, metro, buses) is very affordable.
If you plan on visiting the whole city, you may want to consider purchasing a day ticket, which will enable you to more easily traverse the city. With the use of apps such as Uber and Liftago, you can quickly and simply book a private vehicle, which is very affordable when compared to other parts of Europe.
You should avoid using taxis whenever possible since they tend to be expensive. If you want to go to other areas of the Czech Republic, you may either hire a vehicle or take a bus to get there. While we strongly advise hiring a vehicle and seeing the countryside if you have the opportunity, the buses in the Czech Republic are very affordable and efficient.
Use our list of the top locations to see in the Czech Republic to help you plan your sightseeing trip.
Prague
In addition to being one of Europe’s most beautiful towns, Prague, which was established in the 9th century, has served as the seat of the Holy Roman Emperors as well as an important economic, cultural, and political hub in Central Europe for hundreds of years.
In terms of architecture, Prague is a wonderland, with Baroque palaces and Gothic cathedrals coexisting peacefully alongside Cubist and Art Nouveau structures all throughout town.
Several of the most beautiful views of Prague can be seen from above: the ancient Charles Bridge Tower and the Old Town Hall Tower, which towers over the main plaza and offers views of red roofs and the major Christmas market in winter, respectively.
Its Old Town is brimming with ancient monuments like as the Astronomical Clock and beautiful buildings such as the Church of Our Lady before Týn, among others. Wenceslas Square and the magnificent Charles Bridge are two must-see attractions outside the historic area.
Kutna Hora
Despite the fact that Kutná Hora, a tiny town in the Czech Republic, is just an hour’s drive from Prague, we cannot stress enough how much more it is than a one-day excursion from the capital city that you can cross off your bucket list.
Approximately 40,000 individuals died during the Black Death and Hussite Wars in the 14th and 15th centuries, and the Sedlec Ossuary, a Baroque chapel adorned with the bones of over 40,000 people, attracts the majority of tourists to Kutna Hora.
It is also worthwhile to pay a visit to St. Barbara’s Church, which is a Gothic masterpiece and UNESCO World Heritage site nearby. You may hire a bike to explore the surrounding area, attend exhibits in museums, or just pursue the spectacular vistas, since the scenery of Kutna Hora is second to none, particularly if you are a keen photographer.
Český Krumlov
Located in the South Bohemia area, Český Krumlov is a tiny town that is overshadowed by a behemoth of a castle that dates back to the 13th century. Besides being an absolutely breathtaking site in and of itself, the castle also has a beautiful 11-hectare park that has been well maintained, an authentic 17th-century baroque theater, and a tall belltower from which you can take in panoramic views of the historic old town.
It is here that you can find the only Baroque theater in the Czech Republic. This historic building, which was constructed in 1682, still has all of its original mechanical stage elements and ornamentation. Tickets, on the other hand, are hard to come by since there are only two public performances each year.
During the summer months, tourists to Český Krumlov come for the water activities, including rafting and tubing down the Vltava River.
Bohemian Switzerland National Park
Located on the Czech side of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, Bohemian Switzerland National Park is a must-see. German territory is bordered on the opposite side by the Saxon Switzerland National Park, which continues the protection zone.
Bohemian Switzerland, with its sandstone mountains, rock labyrinths, deep valleys, and ravines, is one of the most beautiful natural attractions in the country. Pravická brána, the largest sandstone rock arch in Europe at 16 meters tall and almost 27 meters wide, is the park’s most well-known feature.
Karlovy Vary
It has long been thought that the healing waters of this hot spring town can cure everything from bad digestion to brain cancers, and this has been the case for hundreds of years. The waters of the springs were developed into a major spa area, similar to many other hot spring locations.
Karlovy Vary’s colorful neo-Baroque and neo-Renaissance structures give the city a distinct architectural appearance that cannot be found in any other city in the Czech Republic, including Prague. When you add in the magnificent mill colonnade (which contains five of the largest hot springs in the city), Karlovy Vary becomes a photographer’s dream come true.
In addition to attracting Hollywood stars and over 100,000 moviegoers each year, the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival has been held every summer since 1946. Over 200 films from all over the globe will be shown throughout the festival’s five-day run..
Brno
However, if you know where to look, you’ll find plenty of fascinating things to do in the Czech Republic’s second biggest city, which doesn’t receive nearly as much attention.
Brno, a university city with numerous educational establishments, is also an important convention, entertainment, and cultural center, boasting many fine concert venues, sports halls, and racetracks, including the famous Masaryk Circuit. Brno is home to many of the country’s principal government institutions and is also a university city with numerous educational establishments.
Brno is also home to Europe’s second-largest ossuary, which is situated under the Church of St. James, as well as a renowned network of subterranean tunnels and basements known as the “Labyrinth under the Vegetable Market” (literally, “Labyrinth under the Vegetable Market”).
Liberec
It is a location that will feed both the body and the mind. Liberec is located in Northern Bohemia, close to the borders with Poland and Germany.
Known mostly for the 94-meter-tall Jetd Tower, which stands at the summit of its eponymous mountain, this city is the fifth-largest in the nation.
It was initially intended to serve just as a television transmitter, but it has now been converted into a hotel and restaurant complex.
As a premier ski jumping destination in the winter, Liberec attracts visitors from across the world. During the summer, visitors may enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities.