Czech Republic Travel Guide
Everything you need to know before you go — from Prague's medieval bridges to the castle towns of Bohemia.
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Overview
The Czech Republic occupies the historical lands of Bohemia, Moravia, and Czech Silesia in the heart of Central Europe — landlocked, compact, and extraordinarily dense in historical and architectural heritage for a country of its size. It became an independent state in 1993 following the peaceful dissolution of Czechoslovakia and has since developed into one of Central Europe's most visited destinations. Prague is the reason most people come and the reason most people wish they had planned longer. The historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most architecturally coherent city centres in Europe. Unlike many comparable cities, Prague's centre was not significantly damaged in the Second World War, which means the buildings you walk between are genuinely medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque rather than postwar reconstructions. The country outside Prague divides into Bohemia to the west and Moravia to the east. Bohemia contains the spa triangle of Karlovy Vary, Mariánské Lázně, and Františkovy Lázně — 19th-century resort towns that retained their Belle Époque infrastructure — and the castle towns of the south, of which Český Krumlov is the most spectacular. Moravia is wine country, producing Welschriesling and local Palava grape varieties almost entirely unknown outside Central Europe. The best time to visit Prague is April through June and September through October. December brings one of Europe's best Christmas markets to the Old Town Square. Avoid July and August if possible — Prague's historic centre is at its most crowded and accommodation prices peak.
Top Attractions
Prague Old Town Square & Astronomical Clock
The Old Town Square is the historical heart of Prague and one of Europe's finest medieval public spaces. The Astronomical Clock (Orloj), installed in 1410, performs an animated procession of the twelve apostles on the hour between 9am and 11pm — a piece of medieval mechanical engineering that has been running, with repairs, for over 600 years. The square and clock are best experienced at opening time before the day's tour groups assemble.
Charles Bridge
Begun in 1357 under Charles IV, Charles Bridge is one of the finest medieval bridges in Europe and the defining image of Prague. Its 30 Baroque statues of saints were added between 1683 and 1714. At dawn, before the crowds arrive, with the castle lit above and the river fog below, it is among the most atmospheric places in European travel.
St Vitus Cathedral
The dominant structure of Prague Castle and the most important Gothic building in Central Europe, begun in 1344 under Charles IV and completed in 1929 — a construction period of 585 years. The interior contains the tombs of Bohemian kings and stained glass windows of exceptional quality including a 1931 window by Art Nouveau master Alfons Mucha.
Josefov — Prague's Jewish Quarter
The former Jewish ghetto retaining six historic synagogues and the Old Jewish Cemetery — in use from the 15th to 18th centuries, with an estimated 100,000 burials layered up to 12 deep. The Pinkas Synagogue, whose walls are inscribed with the names of 77,297 Bohemian and Moravian Jewish victims of the Holocaust, is among the most powerful Holocaust memorials in existence.
Malá Strana (Lesser Town)
The left-bank neighbourhood between Charles Bridge and Prague Castle, developed under Habsburg patronage in the 17th and 18th centuries. Its garden palaces — the Wallenstein Garden, the Vrtba Garden, the Ledebour Garden — are among the finest Baroque garden compositions in Central Europe and are often empty even when the bridge and old town are crowded.
Český Krumlov Castle
The second largest castle complex in the Czech Republic, built on a promontory above a loop of the Vltava River. The castle's Baroque theatre, preserved with its original painted scenery, counterweights, and stage machinery from the 17th century, is one of only three such theatres surviving in Europe in original condition.
Local Culture & Cuisine
Czech culture is characterised by a dry, self-deprecating humour, a deep scepticism toward authority hardened by decades of communist rule, and an intense civic pride in the country's intellectual and artistic heritage — Kafka, Dvořák, Mucha, Havel, and Kundera are all claimed with quiet satisfaction. The pub (hospoda or pivnice) is the central institution of Czech social life. It is democratic — all classes, all ages, all political opinions share tables — and the beer is the reason. Czech lager — particularly the unpasteurised tank beer (tankové pivo) available in traditional establishments — is the finest expression of the lager style produced anywhere. Pilsner Urquell (from Plzeň) and Budvar (from České Budějovice — the original Budweiser, predating the American brand by centuries) are the benchmarks. Czech cuisine is hearty and meat-centred. Svíčková — beef sirloin slow-braised in root vegetables and cream sauce, served with bread dumplings and cranberry — is the national dish. Guláš (goulash) is ubiquitous. Vepřo-knedlo-zelo — roast pork with bread dumplings and sauerkraut — is the definitive Sunday lunch. The Czech Republic is one of the most secular countries in Europe. Social attitudes are liberal. Tipping is modest — rounding up to the nearest convenient amount is standard practice.
Practical Information
- Visa
- The Czech Republic is a member of the Schengen Area. Citizens of the EU and many other nationalities enter visa-free. ARTA confirms current requirements per passport at time of booking.
- Currency
- Czech Koruna (CZK). The Czech Republic has not adopted the Euro and has no current plans to do so — the Czech government has permanently suspended its annual euro readiness reports. Exchange rates vary — use ATMs rather than airport exchange booths. Credit cards widely accepted in Prague; cash more commonly expected outside the capital and in traditional establishments.
- Language
- Czech. English widely spoken in Prague's tourist areas. Outside Prague, German is often more useful as a second language.
- Getting Around
- Prague's public transport — metro (three lines), tram, and bus — is excellent and inexpensive. Day trips to Kutná Hora are best done by train from Praha hlavní nádraží. Český Krumlov is served by direct buses from Prague's Na Knížecí bus station. ARTA arranges all transfers and day trip logistics.
- Best Time to Visit
- April–June and September–October. December for Christmas markets. Avoid July–August if possible.
- Safety
- The Czech Republic is one of the safest countries in Central Europe. Prague's tourist areas have a known pickpocketing issue in crowded spaces — Charles Bridge, the Old Town Square, and the metro. Standard precautions apply.
Suggested Itineraries
3-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Old Town — Old Town Square, Astronomical Clock, Josefov Jewish Quarter. Day 2: Prague Castle — St Vitus Cathedral, Golden Lane, Malá Strana afternoon, Charles Bridge at dusk. Day 3: Vinohrady neighbourhood, Vyšehrad fortress and cemetery, departure.
7-Day Itinerary
Day 1–2: Old Town and Josefov — Old Town Square, Charles Bridge at dawn, Jewish Quarter. Day 3: Prague Castle and Malá Strana — St Vitus, Golden Lane, Baroque gardens. Day 4: Day trip to Kutná Hora — Cathedral of St Barbara, Sedlec Ossuary. Day 5: Day trip to Karlovy Vary — spa colonnades, thermal springs, Moser crystal factory. Day 6: Overnight to Český Krumlov — castle, Baroque theatre, riverside town. Day 7: Return to Prague. Departure from Václav Havel Airport.
Travel Tips
- Charles Bridge and the Old Town Square are best before 8am — set an early alarm and you will have them almost to yourself.
- Buy a Prague public transport pass for your stay — dramatically cheaper than individual tickets.
- Avoid currency exchange booths at the airport and on Wenceslas Square — use ATMs instead.
- Tank beer (tankové pivo) is unpasteurised and served only in establishments with a direct tank connection — look for "tankové pivo" signs.
- Český Krumlov is best as an overnight stay rather than a day trip — the town empties of day visitors by early evening and becomes completely different.
- The Sedlec Ossuary in Kutná Hora requires a ticket — buy online in advance to avoid queues.
- Tipping: round up to the nearest convenient amount and tell the server when paying. Leaving cash on the table is not standard Czech practice.
- Václav Havel Airport is Prague's main international airport — confirm terminal before departure as it has two terminals.
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