České Budějovice, Czech Republic: 28 Best Things to Do and See

In this guide I will share with you České Budějovice, Czech Republic: 28 Best Things to Do and See. I’ve been going to České Budějovice since childhood, and in recent years, it always surprises me how it has become a modern and clean city full of great businesses and cafes. It has a beautifully maintained historic center where you can admire churches, colorful burgher houses, and see many interesting statues scattered throughout the city. České Budějovice is an ideal destination for anyone who loves beer, history, or wants an ideal starting point for trips around South Bohemia.

From České Budějovice, it’s just a short distance to Czech Canada, Český Krumlov, and even Jindřichův Hradec. If you’re planning a summer vacation in South Bohemia, you can easily get to Šumava from here. In our article, you’ll find out what to see and do in České Budějovice, as well as where to go for good food or coffee and where to find accommodation in České Budějovice.

History of České Budějovice

České Budějovice is located at the confluence of the Vltava and Malše rivers and has over 94 thousand inhabitants. Its historic center was declared a municipal heritage reserve in 1980.

The oldest finds from the city’s territory date back to the Early and Middle Stone Age (9000—6000 BC), when the area near the confluence of the Vltava and Malše rivers was densely populated. In the Early Bronze Age (approx. 2000—1500 BC), systematic colonization of South Bohemia began, including the České Budějovice Basin.

The city was founded by King Přemysl Otakar II in 1261 in a strategically advantageous location at the confluence of the Malše and Vltava rivers. The main reason for the city’s founding was to strengthen royal power in South Bohemia, and at the same time limit the influence of the powerful noble family of Vítkovci.

Where to Stay in České Budějovice

From our perspective, we can recommend the excellent apartments Residence Mariánská, which are right in the center and also offer parking. The apartments are suitable for couples and families with children, are equipped with a kitchen and you also have a washing machine available here. Additionally, pets are allowed here, so you can go with your dogs, just like us.

If you prefer hotel-style accommodation with breakfast, we recommend Boutique Hotel U Solné brány.

What to See and Do in České Budějovice: Top Landmarks

Let’s now look at what sights and attractions you shouldn’t miss in České Budějovice.

Přemysl Otakar II Square

Start your tour at Přemysl Otakar II Square, which is one of the largest square-shaped squares in the Czech Republic, with an area of more than one hectare. This square bears the name of the founder of České Budějovice, Czech King Přemysl Otakar II, who founded the city in 1265.

The main attractions of the square lie in its 48 Baroque and Renaissance houses with arcades. These houses belonged to the wealthiest citizens or nobles and stand on original medieval plots, with a Gothic core. Their current appearance dates from the Renaissance or Baroque period.

Přemysl Otakar II Square has served as a landmark since the city’s founding, a place for markets, secular and religious festivities, and executions. The Erratic Stone (Bludný kámen), the only remnant of the original paving, marks the exact location of the execution site and is located a few steps from Samson’s Fountain.

What you might not learn during your walk is the fact that České Budějovice used to have trams in the city center, and today you can only tell by the rounded corners of the square.

Samson’s Fountain

In the middle of Přemysl Otakar II Square in České Budějovice, you will find the impressive Samson’s Fountain. This Baroque masterpiece was built during the city’s reconstruction after the Thirty Years’ War between 1720 and 1727. The fountain’s purpose was to supply water to the city’s side streets.

The fountain is made of a stone basin with a diameter of 17 meters, making it one of the largest in the Czech Republic. In the center of the basin is a prismatic plinth with four gargoyles. On the plinth stand statues of four Atlantes, supporting a huge circular shell. On it is placed a statue of the biblical Samson taming a lion. Samson was known for his immense strength, which he lost due to the betrayal of his girlfriend Delilah.

Black Tower

The Black Tower is one of the most important landmarks in České Budějovice, this city landmark was built between 1550–1577 and symbolized the city’s economic boom. It is 72.25 meters high and served as a bell tower and watchtower.

If you visit the tower, you will see six bells, the largest of which is Bummerin, weighing 3.5 tons. 225 wooden steps lead to the top of the tower, and the view is definitely worth it.

White Tower

Since we’ve talked about the Black Tower, we must also mention the White Tower. You can find the White Tower in the monastery garden on Piarist Square, next to the former convent building. It was built in 1489 and has undergone numerous modifications and reconstructions over time.

Originally, the tower only had a ground floor and a first floor. The ground floor served as a chapel, while the first floor was used as a monastery prison. In later years, the tower was raised by another floor, which offers an unforgettable view of the surrounding city. The White Tower acquired its current appearance in 1772, when it underwent extensive reconstruction.

At the top of the tower, you will find a finial (also called a knob), which is a copper gilded sphere or ellipsoid. This finial served to store records and data about the object’s founding, construction, or repairs.

Rabenštejnská – Cultural Center and Design Shop

While walking through the city, be sure to visit Rabenštejnská Tower, where you will find a design shop and a small gallery. Rabenštejnská Tower is one of the few preserved defensive towers from the 14th century. Today, various workshops are held here (there is a printing press and a kiln for ceramics and porcelain).

Church of our Lady of the Rosary

In Budějovice, you will find several churches, one of them is the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, which was founded in 1898 and is part of the Congregation of the Brothers of the Most Holy Sacrament, one of the few purely Czech male congregations.

The church is remarkable for its unusual artistic style, being an example of Beuron art in Bohemia, which was created by the brothers living in the monastery.

Church of the Holy Family

You can find the Church of the Holy Family in the complex of the former monastery of the Sisters of Mercy of St. Charles Borromeo. This single-nave church was designed by Gislene Béthun and is decorated with floral and geometric motifs. The main entrance to the church is from Charles IV Street.

In the 1970s, the Church was confiscated by the communist regime and converted into a state archive warehouse. After reconstruction in 2013, the church was returned to the church, specifically to the Deanery of St. Nicholas.

Cathedral of St. Nicholas

The history of the Cathedral of St. Nicholas dates back to the 13th century, when this church originated as a parish church for the royal city of České Budějovice. Over the years, the cathedral was rebuilt several times, first in the Late Gothic style (1518–1535), later in the Baroque style after a major fire in 1641.

Italian builders J. Cipriani and F. Canevalle were commissioned for the Baroque reconstruction, which was completed in 1649. Between 1686–1688, another reconstruction took place, this time of the church’s facade to its current form, under the direction of the Italian builder G. A. de Maggi.

The interior of the cathedral is adorned with rich stucco decoration by T. Zeisl and the main altar from 1791 by Z. Hueber, dominated by the painting of St. Nicholas by D. Bachmann.

Water Tower

The history of the Water Tower dates back to the Middle Ages, when the city was supplied with water from the wells of burgher houses and from adjacent rivers. In the 18th century, it was decided to build a fountain in the square and a tower waterworks to supply it. .

The original Baroque tower was completed in 1724 and drew water from the Vltava River. In 1882, it was rebuilt in Neo-Gothic style and its height was increased to 44 meters.

Otakarka (Otakar’s Bastion)

Otakarka, also known as Otakar’s Bastion, is a Gothic semi-cylindrical defensive bastion, part of the city’s fortifications, and is located in the Bishop’s Garden. The structure was founded in the 13th century and rebuilt at the turn of 15. the 16th century.

The bastion was created during the construction of the oldest main city wall, which reached a height of up to 7 meters and a base width of up to 1.6 meters.

City Fortifications

The city fortifications of České Budějovice date back to the 13th century. The first phase of the Gothic fortifications was completed around 1300, when the main wall with bastions and gates was built. In the 14th century, a lower zwinger wall was added, and huge defensive towers were built primarily in the 15th century.

The city was protected by natural barriers, such as the confluence of the Vltava and Malše rivers or the Mill Race. Thanks to these natural barriers, the city was protected especially from the western and southwestern sides.

The city walls were opened by three main gates – Prague, Svinenská, and Rožnovská. These gates provided important access to the city and were continuously reinforced during various phases of fortification. In the Renaissance phase (16th century), for example, they were equipped with barbicans to increase defensive capability.

• The Prague Gate, which closed the city from the north, was built at the confluence of the Vltava and Malše rivers, over which a drawbridge spanned. The first written mention of this gate dates back to 1335.
• The Svinenská Gate provided connection towards Trhové Sviny and Vienna. It was built at the western mouth of today’s Charles IV Street over the Mill Race and had a drawbridge.
• The Rožnovská Gate connected the city with Rožnov, Český Krumlov, and Linz. It was located at the southern mouth of today’s Dr. Stejskal Street on the embankment of the Malše River. The riverbed was partially spanned by a drawbridge and partially by the stable Golden Bridge.

South Bohemian Museum in České Budějovice

If it rains during your visit to České Budějovice, you can visit the South Bohemian Museum, which was founded back in 1877, the first collections were made accessible to the public in the House of the Three Crowns near the town hall, with the collections originating from donations by local citizens and compatriots from abroad.

The monumental building constructed between 1899 and 1901 was opened to the public only in 1903. Today, the museum is one of the main regional museums focused on natural and social sciences.

Horse-Drawn Railway Museum

This museum is located in Guardhouse No. 1 on Mánesova Street, where you will find an exhibition focused on guardhouses and railway guards who served on the horse-drawn railway between České Budějovice and Linz.

The horse-drawn line was built between 1825 and 1832 and later extended to Gmunden. It is the oldest railway on the European mainland, which was of great importance for the development of transport. Primitive wooden rails were previously used, for example, in mines in Germany and England.

The České Budějovice – Linz horse-drawn railway had a significant impact on transport infrastructure during its operation and is still considered the first international railway in the world. Of the 53 original guardhouses, only 22 objects have been preserved to this day, some of which are now just ruins.

The last horse-drawn train departed on December 15, 1872, thus ending the era of what was then the largest railway project.

Stromovka Park

Not only Prague has Stromovka! Stromovka is also in České Budějovice, locally also called Dlouhá louka (Long Meadow). Just like in Prague, in České Budějovice it is an ideal place for relaxation; people come here by bike, with strollers, and on inline skates. For children, there is a modern playground with climbing frames, a slide, and swings.

The park also features Bagr Pond with an island, where various smaller events are held throughout the year. You can play disc golf on an 18-hole course or try out the pétanque court and table tennis.

Sculpture of Flying Swans

In České Budějovice, you will likely be struck by the large number of statues. We will introduce some of them. The Sculpture of Flying Swans is located in a small pool in front of an apartment building at the intersection of Mánesova and Lidická streets in České Budějovice. This artwork, depicting swans, is made of laminate and attached with an iron plate to a concrete plinth with a kidney-shaped pool.

The swans are the work of České Budějovice sculptor František Mrázek, who created them in 1963. Concurrently with this sculpture, a housing estate was built on Lidická třída, dating from the turn of the 1950s and 1960s.

Lamezan Villa

Lamezan Villa was built in 1900 for Count and co-owner of the Koh-i-noor Hardtmuth pencil factory, Olivier Lamezan-Salins, and his wife Mathilde von Hardtmuth.

The villa was designed by local builder Josef Hauptvogel and its architecture refers to 19th-century English country estates and the Arts and Crafts movement.

The villa became the last residence of Count Olivier Lamezan-Salins before his suicide in February 1919. Mathilde von Hardtmuth then lived here as a widow until 1945, when the villa was nationalized by the Beneš Decrees.

Afterward, it briefly served as the residence of Edvard Beneš, a banking institution, and since 2015, as the headquarters of KOH-I-NOOR holding a.s.

Calvary and the Holy Trinity Column

Calvary and the Holy Trinity Column are part of the Dominican monastery with the Church of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary and are the work of the prominent sculptor Josef Dietrich. An old entrance gate with a painting depicting the founding of the monastery stood at this site before 1809.

Lubas House

Lubas House will certainly catch your eye when walking through the historic center, even if you don’t know about it. It is a beautiful Late Gothic cultural monument from the early 16th century, one of the main architectural features of Lubas House is the Late Gothic profile of the entrance decorated with a stonemason’s mark.

Kende Villa

Kende Villa is located on Otakarova Street and dates back to 1920. This villa belonged to the Jewish Kende family. The interior of the house is very well preserved, with its original staircase, wooden paneling, and stucco decoration.

During World War II, Kende Villa was used by the Nazis. First, the Reich Security Main Office was located here, and later the German criminal police. Prison cells were built in the house, which have been preserved to this day.

After the war, the villa was bought and inhabited by the family of Dr. Vašátek. The city of České Budějovice then purchased the villa this year for 20 million Czech crowns from a private owner. In the future, an exhibition referring to the original Jewish owners could be created here.

Currently, Kende Villa is not accessible to the public. However, you can visit it on special occasions, such as European Heritage Days.

České Budějovice Observatory and Planetarium

If you’re wondering what to do in České Budějovice with kids, we recommend visiting the Observatory and Planetarium. It’s one of the oldest facilities of its kind in Bohemia, it was opened in 1937.

One of the main attractions is the digital planetarium. In the hall with an 8.5-meter diameter and 48 seats, you can enjoy a full-dome projection in 4K resolution. During the projection, you will observe the day and night sky and enjoy footage from space, images of constellations and other animations.

Don’t forget to visit the observatory dome as well, where you can observe the Sun and other solar system bodies and deep-space objects. The dome has a 5-meter diameter and features a Cassegrain-type reflecting telescope and two Merz Muenchen refracting telescopes.

The observatory is open Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM.

Ema Destinnová Memorial

A place dedicated to the remarkable Czech opera singer, Ema Destinnová, who died in České Budějovice in 1930. The memorial is located on the Malše embankment next to the South Bohemian Theatre.

The Ema Destinnová monument was unveiled in 1990 and designed by sculptor Marta Jirásková. Music was Ema Destinnová’s passion, and therefore, in her honor, the Ema Destinnová Music Festival has been held annually since 1990.

Niche Chapel of St. John of Nepomuk

You can find the Niche Chapel of St. John of Nepomuk by the wall of house no. 157 on Zátkovo Embankment by the blind arm of the Malše River. This religious building houses a Baroque statue of St. John of Nepomuk from 1708, depicting the saint in traditional canonical attire.

The statue of John of Nepomuk is complemented by his typical attributes – a halo with five stars, a cross with Christ, and a palm branch. The presence of the statue in the Neoclassical chapel testifies to the popularity of this saint in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Sculptural Group of Vltava and Malše

Few people, while strolling along the Vltava River near the Long Bridge, fail to notice the statues of two charming naked women. This is a sculptural group known as The Rivers, symbolizing the Vltava and Malše rivers. This work was created by the renowned sculptor František Mrázek.

The bronze statue is 204 centimeters tall. Its location is symbolic, as the confluence of the Vltava and Malše rivers is located near the center of České Budějovice.

Statue of Jan Valerián Jirsík

The statue of Jan Valerián Jirsík stands near the Black Tower and St. Nicholas Cathedral and was created by the famous Czech sculptor Josef Václav Myslbek. Jirsík was a České Budějovice bishop, a significant patriot, and a national revivalist.

Myslbek’s last statue was planned shortly after Jirsík’s death in 1883. The preparation process took 43 years, and thus the monument was finally unveiled in 1926. However, in 1939, during World War II, this original statue secretly disappeared. It was replaced by a plaster model, which was cast in bronze in 1993.

Today, visitors to the city can admire the bronze cast of the statue of Jan Valerián Jirsík in the same place as the original statue. It is a significant monument that commemorates the patriotic bishop and symbolizes the rich history of České Budějovice. You can find more information about this story here.

Statue of Přemysl Otakar II

In 2015, the to commemorate the 750th anniversary of the city’s founding, the statue of King Přemysl Otakar II, the city’s founder, was unveiled in the Na Sadech city park.

Interestingly, a suitable stone for the statue was sought for seven months. The statue was eventually made from Mrákotín granite and, including the pedestal, is 4.6 meters tall and weighs over 16 tons.

Equestrian Statue of Jan Žižka of Trocnov

The bronze equestrian statue of Jan Žižka of Trocnov is one of the significant monuments in České Budějovice. The author of the statue is Karel Dvořák and it was completed in 1951. The statue was originally placed in front of the town hall and later moved to its current location.

Statue of our Lady of České Budějovice

The statue of Our Lady of České Budějovice is a Baroque work that you can find on the west bank of the Malše River, near the courthouse building. This artwork dates back to 1715 and its author is the prominent South Bohemian sculptor Josef Dietrich.

T.G. Masaryk Memorial Plaque

You can find the T.G. Masaryk memorial plaque on the town hall in the square. As you might have guessed, it is dedicated to the life and legacy of the first Czechoslovak president, Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk.

Various events commemorating the Day of the Establishment of the Independent Czechoslovak State are held in front of the memorial plaque. Representatives of the city, region, army, legionnaires, Sokols, and other organizations gather here to commemorate the significant statesman and his contribution to the Czech nation.

A portrait of Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk is carved on the memorial plaque, along with his name and birth and death years.

Brewing – where to Go for a Beer in České Budějovice

The history of brewing in České Budějovice is linked to the city’s founding in the 13th century. Among the most significant breweries are Budějovický Budvar and the Samson municipal brewery, but if you’re wondering where to go for a beer in České Budějovice, here are a few tips:

For lovers of traditional brewing, probably the best choice is Minipivovar Beeranek , connected with a restaurant and the Singer pub hostel.

Another great option is Minipivovar a restaurace Krajinská 27, where the tradition of “brewing rights” continues.

We probably like the Solnice brewery and restaurant the most, where there’s not only excellent beer but also great food. You can also try Samson Brewery, which offers eight types of beer, including lagers and fruit beers.

For a classic Czech pub atmosphere, you can visit Restaurant U Tří sedláků.

Best Cafes in České Budějovice

There’s no shortage of good cafes in České Budějovice; probably the most sought-after is Cafe Datel, but it’s also very often crowded, and you might not get a seat. That’s why we much more often went to Praží Cafe, where they not only have excellent coffee but also great desserts and good food.

Also worth mentioning is Fér Cafe, where they also have good desserts, or the riverside cafe Lanna Café.

Where to Eat in České Budějovice

Our favorite establishment in České Budějovice is Paluba, where they not only cook well, but everything is also beautifully served, and vegetarians can find something to eat there too. Bistro Magdaléna is also very popular, but they don’t usually have anything for vegetarians. Other renowned establishments include Brio or Solnice.

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