What to see in Czech Republic: 7 must-sees
Discover what to see in Czech Republic: 7 must-see destinations, from Prague to Prague Castle. Predominantly UNESCO heritage; each entry includes the best time to visit and the link to its official source.
UNESCO Heritage(7)
Stroll along the banks of the Vltava and cross Charles Bridge early, before the crowds arrive, with the towers of Malá Strana still wrapped in mist. Climb up to the castle that overlooks the city and count the spires that earned it the name City of a Hundred Spires. Its historic center, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992, was for 1,000 years the cultural heart of Central Europe and preserves Gothic palaces, synagogues in the Jewish Quarter, and Bohemian alleys where Kafka roamed at night.
Discover Prague Castle, the largest castle complex in the world, covering 7 hectares atop Hradčany hill in Bohemia. Enter St. Vitus Cathedral, whose construction began in 1344, and go through the Old Royal Palace before strolling through its gardens. The ensemble condenses 1,100 years of Czech history and is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site as an exceptional testament to a cultural tradition. From its walls you'll have direct views over the Vltava River and the rooftops of Malá Strana.
Take in the view from Charles Bridge, built in 1357 and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and walk its 16-meter-wide span, flanked by 30 Baroque statues that watch over the crossing of the Vltava River. The 2 towers at its ends have set the pace of Bohemia for 600 years, while painters and musicians still set up their easels every morning. Cross on foot between the Old Town and the Malá Strana district, touch the plaque of St. John of Nepomuk, and see why this stone crossing remains the heart of Prague.
Visit Český Krumlov in South Bohemia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992. Explore the medieval old town, where the castle rises above a bend in the Vltava River and Renaissance towers loom over the red rooftops. Cross the bridge over the bear moat, climb the castle tower for a view of the whole town, and walk down to the riverbanks where boats pass beneath the stone arches. Every alley preserves Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque façades that show centuries of Czech history untouched.
Take in the Sedlec Ossuary in Kutná Hora, where the remains of some 40,000 people form chandeliers, shields and garlands arranged in the 19th century. The town, in Central Bohemia, also preserves St. Barbara's Cathedral and the Convent of St. Ursula, both testaments to the wealth brought by the medieval silver mines. The entire historic center was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995.
Explore Telč in Moravia and cross its main square, surrounded by half-timbered houses with colorful façades and Renaissance arches. Head to the castle and its gardens, a key part of the ensemble declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992. Among the arcades, towers and ponds that ring the old town, see why this Czech town preserves its historic layout intact and keeps attracting travelers looking for authentic architecture far from the crowded routes.
Admire the colonnades of Karlovy Vary as you drink from one of its 13 thermal springs, the same hot water that turned this West Bohemian town into the most famous spa in Central Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stroll among historicist buildings and spas where thermal life still sets the daily rhythm. Walk the trails of the surrounding landscape, between geological formations, forests and viewpoints over the valley, and take in the area's wildlife and flora before returning to savor an oplatek beside another spring.
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