Best Day Trips From Prague
While Prague is a beautiful masterpiece and one can enjoy themselves the first time or the 10th time they visit the city, the Czech Republic offers many other wonderful day trips from Prague that are a great addition to any visit to the magically charming country. These day trips from Prague allow visitors to see a different side of the country; outside of the political and economical capital there is more life, history and culture awaiting you. Don’t hesitate and visit with us:
1. Kutná Hora
Kutná Hora, a beautiful historical city was once the silver mining capital of Europe and produced 80% of the world’s silver in the 14th century. It is from these times that the term ‘dollar’ derived. It now hosts a beautiful cathedral which took 500 to build, a famous bridge, lover’s lane, chocolate factory and some of the best Czech food you’re going to find. And just outside this sleepy town is Sedlec Ossuary, better known as the Bone Church, where bones become beautiful artwork which adorn the inside of a Jesuit church, granting peace rather than dread to all who visit it. This rare display of remains makes it a truly one-of-a-kind site in the world as well as making it one of the most visited attractions in the Czech Republic.
Our tour includes: transportation, a professional guide, entrance to the Bone Chapel, entrance to St. Barbara Cathedral, a delicious traditional lunch, captivating moments, a small authentic souvenir, local taxes. Be captivated by the charm of Kutná Hora.
2. Karlštejn Castle
Take a day trip out to Karlstejn Castle, one of the most famous and most visited castles in Czech Republic (after the Prague Castle) and where the Holy Roman Emperor once entrusted his crown royal jewels and relics to this castle for safe keeping. Karlštejn Castle is located about 30 km (19 miles) south of Prague, into lovely countryside, spotted with traditional houses and farmers’ fields which go from green to yellow to white depending on the time of year.
Learn about the construction by Charles IV; the precious and priceless occupants which were once closely guarded in the castle; as well as some scary (and true) stories about some of the inhabitants which once resided there, and whose misfortunes and misdeeds have led to the now popular ghost stories that have spread in regards to who is still living there.
Our small group tours include private transfers to and from Karlštejn Castle, entrances, an English speaking guide, lunch, a snack break and a stop at a glass factory on the way back to Prague. Or if you’re traveling with kids, then choose this family friendly day trip to Karlštejn with a horse-drawn carriage ride and a wax museum.
3. Český Krumlov
Cesky Krumlov is the most popular day trip from Prague and when you go you’ll know why. It’s as if you have stepped into the pages of a fairy tale and at any moment you could come upon a poor maiden, ready to be saved by a noble prince who will whisk her away to the castle on the cliff, overlooking the red-roof lined town. The Vltava River (the same which eventually flows north to Prague), flows through the city at a melodic pace and over several small weirs and has carved the town into a peculiar shape which almost resembles a puzzle piece.
Enjoy a private transfer from Prague to Český Krumlov where your guide will meet you and show you around the castle and the town, delighting you with rich history about this small city with a large past. You’ll also be able to climb to the high tower to see an incredible view of the city if you dare and lunch is included as well plus a small gift of a traditional Czech product as a memory of your trip.
4. Karlovy Vary
The picturesque city of Karlovy Vary is a complete and utter delight in every way possible. The most famous spa town in Czech Republic, named for the famous King Charles (Karel) IV, is about 130 kilometers (80 miles) west of Prague. The city sits at the meeting of two rivers and some of the buildings rise up directly on the banks of the rivers. The brightly painted facades of the grandiose buildings change from one to the next, with a background of green from the surrounding hills which ascend behind the city on all sides.
The town is most notable for the hundreds of hot springs that occur naturally in the area and which are said to have curative properties. It is also where you will find the production of Becherovka (a Czech spirit), local glass and Karlovarske oplatky-thin wafer cookies.
In the summer, the city hosts the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival which brings in super stars from around the globe. The city swells with visitors and famous actors and directors and party into the night.
See the place Charles IV insisted on making his summer retreat. Our tour includes private transfers to and from your hotel to Karlovy Vary where you’ll experience a superbly crafted tour to awe at the architecture and be amazed by the hand blown glass. Also enjoy a tour of the spirits distillery where you’ll get a chance to taste some of the medicinal liquor. All entrances and lunch are included.
5. Pilsen (Plzeň)
If this name sounds familiar it’s because the number one exported Czech beer is Pilsner Urquell which comes from Pilsen, the 4th largest city in the country, only 90 kilometers (55 miles) from Prague. The city created the first pale lager, thus having the honor of naming it after its birthplace. The city has long had a culture surrounded by beer as Charles IV granted the rights to brew beer there in 1375, making it one of the first outside of Prague to receive this right.
The city is now very popular for students due to the large number of universities and during the semesters, the beer taps in the local bars never stop pouring the crisp golden beer that is produced nearby. The Pilsner Urquell brewery offers tours and the Beer Museum not far from there does an excellent job of walking visitors through the history and process of beer making.
How to Choose the Best Day Trips from Prague
Choose a tour based on your tastes:
Rich History:
Kutná Hora, Karlštejn Castle and Terezín
Captivating Culture:
Český Krumlov and Pilsen (Plzeň)
Beautiful Outdoors:
Český ráj and Kokořín Castle (Hrad Kokořín)
Inspiring Architecture:
České Budějovice, Písek, and Karlovy Vary
Beer and Food:
Pilsen (Plzeň) and Beer Tour
Even More of the Best
Day Trips from Prague
6. České Budějovice and Písek
While everyone knows about Charles Bridge, many tourists don’t know that the oldest stone bridge in the Czech Republic and the second oldest in Europe is located just 100 kilometers (60 miles) south of Prague in the small medieval city of Písek. Kamenný Most (bridge), an excellent example of an early Gothic bridge was built in the 13th century. This beautiful city was once part of the Golden Trail which was important for the transportation of salt during medieval trading times.
České Budějovice is another important Czech city which is worth the visit not only because of the world wide famous beer Budvar which is brewed here but also because České Budějovice has a stunning city square confirmed as one of the largest squares in Czech Republic, surrounded on all sides by Baroque and Renaissance styled buildings. Climb the Black Tower and then enter the Dominican Monastery to see the secret courtyards and gardens inside. There are also narrow, winding cobblestone streets and colorful facades.
7. Český ráj
Known as the Bohemian Paradise, Český ráj is found about 90 kilometers (55 miles) north from Prague and was the first protected nature reserve in Czech Republic. The stunningly gorgeous landscape earns the name “Paradise” because of sandstone rocks which jut out of the earth into the sky in rounded columns, one after another for as far as the eye can see.
Among and around the formations is an abundance of green-leafed trees which turn brilliant shades of yellow, orange and red in the autumn; lakes and ponds with offer picture-perfect reflections; caves (including the largest underground lake in the Czech Republic); stone arches and castles that sit atop them all.
8. Terezín and Litoměřice
Litoměřice and Terezín are two very important and interesting places which can be visited in a one hour drive from Prague. Terezín is known from a historical point of view as an important memorial connected to the Second World War. Terezín was a military fortress built in the 1780’s under the Habsburg Emperor Joseph II and was used as such for a century. Later it became a prison, holding Franz Ferdinand’s assassin Gavrilo Princip, and during the rise of the German invasion of Europe, it was annexed and made a part of Germany. During WWII, the fortress was used as a concentration camp for 32,000 Jewish prisoners. It is most famous for the sign which was painted over the entrance to the gate, “Work makes one free”
Litoměřice and its surrounding areas are considered the “Garden of Bohemia” due to the mild weather conditions allowing for the abundant growth of many fruits and grapes. It was one of the earliest settled cities in the 10th century and even has a history dating to the Paleolithic age and the Celtic tribes. It even appeared on Ptolemy’s world map from the 2nd Century.
Experience the metamorphoses of Terezín from fortress to concentration camp in one of our small group day tours from Prague. It includes transportation to and from the site, plus lunch, all of the entrances and an English speaking guide. Don’t miss out on seeing an incredibly important part of Czech and WWII history.
9. Kokořín Castle (Hrad Kokořín)
Get out of Prague for a day and see a 14th century abandoned castle with a magnificent tower fit for a princess. The castle is nestled high up on a hill and stands out for miles in all directions. It was destroyed nearly a century later and wasn’t rebuilt until the early 20th century, bringing it back to its original grandeur and leaving it one of the most beautiful Bohemian castles.
The area around it is full of walking paths through the rich forest and the perfect place to bring the family and kids for a day trip out of Prague.
10. Beer tours from Prague
Czech and beer are nearly synonymous and that’s because Czech beer is some of the best in the world. All of the locals agree as they continue to maintain the honor of most beer drunk per capita (more than 140L/person/year) for over 20 consecutive years. So they really know what they’re doing. You might even consider them experts.
Choose one of these hand-crafted and adaptable beer tours from Prague for a day of beautiful countryside, quaint villages, historical pivovars (breweries) and delicious local brews. Our tours include transportation, an English speaking and beer loving guide, as well as several tastings and lunch included.
Many of these day trips can be combined with other day trips in and around Prague and the Czech Republic. We would be more than happy to customize your preferred trips into one easy to manage travel package, so that you get to see the highlights of this spectacular country.
Important Information: Prague is located in the Schengen Zone, which is a free-travel zone within the European Union. It includes 26 countries in total. Depending on where you are coming from, you might need to secure a visa for the Schengen Zone before visiting the Czech Republic. Please be sure to consider this fact before making plans to visit Prague so that you do not experience any problems upon arrival. Also be be aware that the Czech Republic uses the Czech Korona (czk) rather than the euro since we are not in the eurozone. We look forward to your visit!
