When you start wondering what to see in Czechia, you often end up not knowing where to go first — where to head for the weekend, where to take the kids, what corners of your own country you still haven’t explored. We know the feeling all too well, and after years of travelling we’ve realised that the trips we enjoy most are right here at home: close by, cheap and with no airport in sight. ☺️
So we’ve pulled together three things that’ll come in handy when you’re planning: our tips from our own trips, so you know what’s genuinely worth your time and what’s just a tourist trap; an overview of when to go where and what to book early (accommodation and tickets disappear fast in season); and a guide by region, so you can build your trip around wherever you happen to be.
This isn’t a catalogue
We’re Lucie and Lukáš — and travel is our life
The two of us put this guide together and keep an eye on it. We only pick trips and tips we’d take ourselves, and we only write about places worth your time.
✍️ We build it by hand — the two of us choose the destinations and tips, and bots help us keep the numbers up to date
🔄 We refresh prices every morning — no week-old trips or flights hanging around here
🧭 We only recommend places we’d go ourselves — and we’ll tell you what to skip too
What to see and do in Czechia
Let’s start with the obvious — Prague. Even if you think you “know” it, it always has more up its sleeve: stroll across Charles Bridge early in the morning, head up to Petřín or get pleasantly lost in Josefov. And when you’ve had your fill of the crowds, take a breather in one of Prague’s cafés.
The country’s second city, Brno, has a completely different vibe — more laid-back and easier on the wallet. From here it’s just a short hop to South Moravia, where we adore Mikulov and its surrounding wine country. Over in West Bohemia, don’t miss the spa towns of Karlovy Vary and Mariánské Lázně.
And then there’s the classic — a day trip to a castle. The best known and most accessible from Prague is Karlštejn, which you can reach by train in under an hour. If you’d rather have water and warmth than walking, we’ve got our favourite thermal spas in Czechia, plus a rundown of the best water parks for families.
Bar = average daily high (°C), number below = precipitation (mm/month). Warmest: Jun, Jul, Aug. Source: Open-Meteo, 2019–2023 normals.
When to go
Spring and autumn are, in our opinion, by far the best times for trips around Czechia — the weather is still (or already) on your side, the cities aren’t packed and accommodation is cheaper than in peak season. May and September are our clear favourites, especially for South Moravia, where the autumn grape harvest is in full swing.
Summer (July–August) is all about nature, water and the kids’ holidays — but be prepared for the most famous spots (Prague, the castles, popular natural swimming lakes) to be busy and pricey. Set off early in the morning, or pick a lesser-known destination instead. Winter, on the other hand, calls for comfort: wellness breaks and thermal spas are at full throttle, and the spa towns are wonderfully peaceful at this time of year.
Avoiding the crowds is simple — travel outside weekends and public holidays. A midweek trip to Karlštejn is a whole different ballgame from a Saturday one. ☺️
Czechia is great for getting around by train — you can reach most cities and plenty of castles and chateaux comfortably and without the stress of parking. It pays off especially on longer routes (Prague–Brno, Prague–Karlovy Vary) and for places where the centre is a pedestrian zone. Keep an eye out for discounted return tickets and family or group deals — once there are two or more of you, the per-person price drops nicely.
A car comes into its own in the countryside and in regions with no public transport — South Moravia, the Šumava mountains, castles off the beaten track. Just bear in mind that parking is expensive in big city centres; we park at P+R car parks on the outskirts and take public transport into the centre. For shorter hops between cities, a long-distance coach is usually the cheapest option — just buy your ticket in advance.
Where to stay in Czechia
We choose where to stay in Czechia based on the kind of trip it is. In cities we go for hotels and guesthouses near the centre, so everything is within walking distance — and sometimes for a little gem like The Julius Prague, which we reviewed honestly. For a spa and relaxation break we head to wellness hotels in Karlovy Vary or pick from our favourite wellness breaks for two.
For trips into nature and with the kids, we go for cabins, cottages and campsites — they work out cheaper, you get more privacy and often your own kitchen too. In South Moravia we love winery guesthouses, where you get breakfast and a tip for which wine cellar to visit. As a rule of thumb: the further from the tourist centre, the better the value for money.
Book your accommodation well in advance. For summer and South Moravia in September, book a good 2–3 months ahead — in season the good guesthouses go first and only the pricey ones are left.
Take advantage of early-bird bookings and non-refundable rates. If your dates are set in stone, the non-refundable price tends to be 10–20% cheaper than the flexible one.
Ask about family and group admission. At castles, chateaux and water parks a family ticket pays off as soon as you’ve got two adults and children.
Travel outside weekends. Accommodation and admission are usually cheaper on weekdays — and there are no queues.
Watch where you overpay: restaurants right on the main square, parking in the centre and souvenirs by the big landmarks — a few streets away it’s a fraction of the price.
If you’re currently trying to work out where to rest your head, take a look at our accommodation tips — we chose them based on value for money, not the prettiest photos.
Frequently asked questions
Where should I go in Czechia for the weekend?
For a long weekend we love South Moravia around Mikulov, the spa town of Karlovy Vary, or the classics — Prague and Karlštejn Castle. If you’re after relaxation, go for a wellness break or the thermal spas. Always check how far it is by train or car, so you don’t spend half your time getting there.
Where to go with kids in Czechia?
Kids love water parks and thermal spas (we’ve got separate rundowns for those), castles and chateaux with live-action programmes, and nature — national parks, lookout towers, nature trails. Ask about family admission; you’ll often save a few hundred crowns.
When is the best time for trips around Czechia?
In our view May, June and September — the weather holds, there are fewer people and accommodation is cheaper than in the peak summer season. Summer is for water and nature, while winter is for wellness and thermal spas.
Is it better to travel around Czechia by train or by car?
For cities and landmarks in town centres, train every time — you save on parking and skip the stress. A car comes into its own in the countryside, in South Moravia, the Šumava mountains and at castles off the beaten track where there’s no public transport.
How far in advance should I book accommodation?
In peak season (summer, South Moravia in autumn, weekends) a good 2–3 months ahead. Off-season and on weekdays a few days will do. Non-refundable rates tend to be 10–20% cheaper.
Where do you overpay the most in Czechia?
At restaurants right on the main squares, on parking in big city centres, and on souvenirs right by the landmarks. Just walk a few streets further and the prices drop.
What is there to see in Prague if I already know it?
Try the spots off the main trail — Vyšehrad, Strahov Monastery with the Loreto, lesser-known gardens and parks, or the modern architecture around the Dancing House. Prague has more layers than it lets on.
Can you travel around Czechia on a budget?
Yes. Travel outside weekends, make use of discounted return tickets and family admission, choose accommodation a little way from the centre and cook at least your breakfasts. A trip at home works out considerably cheaper than a holiday abroad.
