EN
Czechia
What to see, when to go and how to enjoy the trip – a practical guide from places we’ve explored ourselves.
In a small space, Czechia packs in remarkable variety – historic towns, castles and châteaux, rock towns, southern vineyards and mountains in the north and east. You don’t need to go far: plenty of experiences are a weekend or long-weekend trip away. In this guide you’ll find where to go, when to travel and how to enjoy the trip without unnecessary spending.
Czechia is our home country and we travel here for most of the year. We spend most of our time in Prague, but we love heading further afield – to Český Krumlov, Kutná Hora, Poděbrady, České Budějovice or Moravia. What we love most about Czechia is its variety: just a short hop from the capital you’ll find towns with a completely different atmosphere.
When to visit Czechia
Travel is most pleasant from May to September – warm weather, long days, and open sights and cable cars. Spring and early autumn offer beautiful scenery without the biggest crowds. Winter has its charm too: Christmas markets and snow-covered mountains.
What to see in Czechia
Prague: Complete Guide to the Historic Center
It was 11:58 on Old Town Square, wedged between guides' umbrellas and a family arguing over the view of the Astronomical Clock. This guide came out of that – everything we checked ourselves.
Read
Český Krumlov: A Complete Guide to the Fairytale Town 2026
We've been visiting Český Krumlov regularly for many years. In this article, you'll find everything you need for planning: where to stay, what to see, how much money to take, how to park, and why we think you should visit for at least one night, not just a quick stop.
Read
Story of Prague Museum: Review and 15% discount
When you hear the word history museum, we usually expect display cases and long texts. We…
ReadBest regions & cities
Where to spend your time, depending on what you are after.
Prague & around
Historic centre, castles and trips to the Bohemian Paradise or Karlštejn.
GuideA long weekend in Czechia
Our favourite long weekend leads to Český Krumlov – a historic gem in southern Bohemia. Here’s how we spend it.
Český Krumlov
For a long weekend in Czechia, we love returning to Český Krumlov. It’s only a couple of hours by car from Prague and the historic centre is genuinely breathtaking. It’s lovely to get lost in the lanes, and you’ll find good restaurants, a moldavite museum and quality hotels. Parking is split into several zones, most within easy reach of the centre. We like coming here just to stroll, have a good lunch and soak up the calm atmosphere. Where to park and where to stay is covered in our Český Krumlov by car guide. On day one, settle into your accommodation, park up, and spend the late afternoon walking through the centre.
The castle & bear moat
On the way to Český Krumlov State Castle, stop by the bear moat – the bears in the castle moat are free to view and open to everyone. We definitely recommend touring the whole castle; it’s a truly beautiful place where you’ll easily spend 1-2 hours. Afterwards, wander along Latrán street with its charming houses and lanes – just don’t eat here. Restaurants right on the route tend to be quite overpriced. Simply step into one of the side streets: the atmosphere is similar and you’ll save money.
Graphite mine on the way home
Before heading home, you can stop at the Český Krumlov graphite mine. You’ll ride a little mine train straight underground for an unusual but genuinely enjoyable experience. The tour takes roughly 1.5-2 hours.
Before you go
Getting around
By car, train or bus. For motorways you need an electronic vignette.
- Trains and buses: RegioJet, ČD, FlixBus
- Motorway vignette: online or app
- In cities use public transport and parking zones
Accommodation
Book ahead, especially over holidays – prices and occupancy rise fastest then.
- Guesthouses and apartments outside the centre are usually cheaper
- Check ratings and reviews
Money-saving tips
- Travel outside holidays and peak dates
- Family and group tickets are worth it
- The lunch menu is cheaper than dinner
How much a trip to Czechia costs
Rough prices per person per day (2026). The reality depends on region and season – treat the numbers below as a guide.
Articles about Czechia
Best Day Trips from Prague: Karlštejn and Kutná Hora
In our Complete Prague Guide we promised a separate article about trips outside the city centre – here…
Read
Prague with Kids: 16 Interactive Museums
Prague hides one feature few people expect: it may be the best-equipped European city for interactive museums for children. Not the classic "look but don't touch" kind, but places where touching the exhibits is directly part of the experience. And Daniel and I love that!
ReadPrague: Complete Guide to the Historic Center
It was 11:58 on Old Town Square, wedged between guides' umbrellas and a family arguing over the view of the Astronomical Clock. This guide came out of that – everything we checked ourselves.
ReadČeský Krumlov: A Complete Guide to the Fairytale Town 2026
We've been visiting Český Krumlov regularly for many years. In this article, you'll find everything you need for planning: where to stay, what to see, how much money to take, how to park, and why we think you should visit for at least one night, not just a quick stop.
Read
Back in Time Museum Prague: Review, prices and our experience
If you are looking for something in Prague that will take your breath away and where you won't just be bored looking at dusty display cases, Back in Time is exactly the place you must experience. I won't lie to you – I was expecting a modern exhibition, but I got an immersive ride.
Read
Karlovy Vary accommodation: Where to stay + best locations and hotels
Karlovy Vary is not just about colonnades and wafers. For us, it's a city we return to at least twice a year. Find out more about accommodation here.
ReadQuestions about travelling in Czechia
When is the best time to visit Czechia?
May to September has the most pleasant weather and everything open. Spring and early autumn are beautiful and quieter.
Do I need a motorway vignette?
Yes, an electronic vignette applies on most motorways – buy it online at edalnice.gov.cz.
Is it better to travel by train or car?
By car you have freedom for trips into nature; by train and bus you can travel cheaply and comfortably between larger cities. We tend to prefer the car wherever possible, for the extra flexibility – just watch out for paid parking zones.
How long should I plan for?
A long weekend (2-3 days) is enough for one city or area. A longer loop works best over 4-6 days.
Plan your trip to Czechia
Browse our guides and tips – so you know exactly where to go and what not to miss.