Where to Holiday in East Bohemia: 15 Things to See and Do

East Bohemia is a surprising corner of the country where sandstone rock towns, the highest mountain in Czechia and magnificent baroque sculptures all bump into one another. It’s a region most people don’t think of first when planning a holiday — and then they don’t want to leave. You’ll find mysterious valleys full of history alongside modern adrenaline attractions high up in the clouds.

If you’re planning a family holiday or a romantic long weekend, I’d really encourage you not to skip this region. You simply can’t fit everything into a single visit. The scenery flips from sandstone spires to mountain ridges within a few dozen kilometres, and the towns will surprise you with just how much baroque and Art Nouveau they’ve packed in.

When planning your trip, it’s worth knowing that some places require advance online booking, otherwise you won’t get in at all during high season. I’ve gathered the most important up-to-date details for you so you can avoid the disappointment of a closed gate. Set off with a clear head and enjoy a holiday full of stunning views, fragrant gingerbread and pure relaxation.

TL;DR

• The Adršpach Rocks require a booking: You have to buy tickets online for a specific time slot. If they’re sold out online, you can’t buy them on site either.
• Dolní Morava saves you money online: The difference in price for a family buying through the registered e-shop versus on site is huge for the packages — definitely buy in advance.
• The Sněžka cable car takes prams: There’s a special fee for carrying a pram, but bicycles aren’t transported up.
• Grandmother’s Valley is ideal for families: The route from Ratibořice chateau to Viktorka’s Weir is officially barrier-free and great for prams.
• The Pardubice water slides are on a break: The AQUA zone at the Pardubice Aquacentre is closed for renovation from mid-July 2026 — only the pools and summer beach are running.
• The safari park saves your wallet: On weekdays during May, June and September, children under 15 ride the Safaribus completely free.
• The Rozkoš reservoir isn’t for walking: The loop around the water largely follows a road and isn’t walkable — come here for the great swimming instead.

When to Visit East Bohemia

East Bohemia has something to offer all year round, but the main tourist season runs from May to September. The spring months are absolutely ideal for visiting historic towns and chateaux, because nature is just waking up and the monuments start opening their gates at weekends. May and June also offer pleasant temperatures for hiking without having to push through crowds of holiday day-trippers.

During the summer holidays, you have to expect big crowds of tourists at the best-known spots. In Adršpach and on Dolní Morava especially, you simply won’t manage without careful planning and early starts. On the other hand, the summer months are the best choice for swimming in the Rozkoš reservoir or visiting outdoor water parks. It always pays to have a plan B up your sleeve in case of unexpected summer storms.

The autumn months are absolutely ideal for visiting the rock towns and the Krkonoše Mountains, because the trees blaze with colour and temperatures are pleasant for long hikes. Parents with children especially praise September, when the heat has eased but the tourist attractions and castles are still open. Always check the current opening hours on the official websites in advance, though, as many monuments shorten their hours after the holidays.

Winter in East Bohemia mainly attracts lovers of downhill and cross-country skiing in the Orlické Mountains and the Krkonoše. Špindlerův Mlýn or Pec pod Sněžkou turn into bustling winter resorts with perfect facilities for all ages. If you’re heading here for culture in winter, bear in mind that many castles and chateaux in the region close their gates completely for the winter and only come to life again with the arrival of spring.

Where to Stay in East Bohemia

Choosing the right base is key so that you don’t have to spend hours in the car driving between trips. Based on travellers’ reviews, I’ve picked out great places across the whole region that stand out for their approach to guests or a fantastic location. I’ve deliberately included different price categories so you can choose exactly to suit your budget.

For visiting the rock towns, Penzion Čtyřlístek in Teplice nad Metují is very popular. In reviews, guests repeatedly single out the owners, who apparently downright spoil their guests, and the superb breakfasts. An alternative in the same area is Podskalí Adršpach, which families praise for its seasonal outdoor pool and strategic location close to the rocks. If you’re looking for something special, try Apartmány Ve Mlýně, where you’ll pay from around €40 for two people and get to enjoy the charm of a renovated old sawmill.

In the Krkonoše, you’ll enjoy a wonderful rest at HOTEL PECR WELL in Pec pod Sněžkou. Travellers rave about the huge outdoor hot tub on the terrace, which offers unbeatable mountain views and is included in the room price. If you’re heading to Špindlerův Mlýn, parents are hugely fond of Amenity Hotel & Resort Špindlerův Mlýn, because it sits a short walk from the busy centre and has its own mini zoo with goats and deer. On Dolní Morava, Hotel Jiřinka is popular, with lovely apartments — just watch out for its restaurant, which often faces criticism in reviews over the quality of the food.

In Pardubice you can rely on the modern Hotel Euro, where a double room comes to around €120 a night and guests really praise the great mattresses and the location near the centre. In Hradec Králové, right below the White Tower, you’ll find the charming Hotel Vacek “pod Věží”, a smaller hotel with soul and excellent breakfasts. In Grandmother’s Valley, a huge hit is Penzion Na Statku – Babiččino údolí – Ratibořice, where an apartment for two costs around €80 a night in high season and comes with an indoor pool. For an unusual experience near the Safari Park, choose the glamping site Yurt In The Wood, where a night in a magical forest yurt starts at around €185.

Where to Holiday in East Bohemia: 15 Most Beautiful Places

Let’s take a look at specific tips on what to visit in this varied region. You’ll find everything from majestic mountains to rock labyrinths and romantic chateaux, so you can put together your dream itinerary very easily. I’ve prepared a list of the biggest draws for you, complete with practical details.

1. Adršpach-Teplice Rocks

This rock town is one of the most famous and most beautiful in the country, but its popularity comes at a price. The sightseeing loop is about 3.5 kilometres long, takes you roughly two and a half hours, and you should prepare to tackle around two thousand steps. You can only push a pram along the opening kilometre to the Small Waterfall — beyond that the steep steps really make it impossible, so small children have to go in a carrier.

The most important rule for a visit is clear: you must have your tickets bought online for a specific time slot. In the main summer season, an adult ticket costs €8 online and €10 on site, while family admission comes to €22 online and €29 at the ticket office. If the online capacity for a given day sells out, you simply won’t be able to buy tickets on the spot, so as a family you’d make the trip completely for nothing.

The walk itself among the giant sandstone towers is an incredible experience. The best-known formations include the Lovers, the Mayor and the Mayoress, and the iconic Sugar Loaf. In the very heart of the rocks there’s also a gorgeous little lake where you can take a boat ride and listen to the witty commentary of the local ferrymen.

💡 Tip: A romantic boat ride across the lake costs €4 for an adult and €2 for children, but you can only pay in cash. You buy the boat tickets right by the water in the rocks and the rides only run in the summer season.

2. Sněžka and the Krkonoše

A trip up the country’s highest mountain is an absolute classic that everyone should experience. If you don’t feel up to the demanding climb on foot, you can take the comfortable gondola cable car from Pec pod Sněžkou. In high season a return ticket costs €31 for an adult and €15 for children aged 5 to nearly 12, while the youngest children under five ride completely free.

Families with small children will be glad that the cable car officially carries prams too, for a flat fee of €6. Bicycles, unfortunately, won’t be taken up. The ride itself takes about a quarter of an hour, and you don’t get out of the cabin at the Růžová hora midway station — the staff only carry out random ticket checks there and you continue on.

From the summit of Sněžka you’ll get a breathtaking view over both Bohemia and neighbouring Poland. At the very top you can see the chapel of St Lawrence, the modern Polish hut, or the popular Czech Post Office building, from where you can send a postcard with a special stamp. Just don’t forget to pack warm clothing, because the weather here changes incredibly fast.

💡 Tip: The cable car operator strongly advises going in July and August either first thing in the morning before ten, or after three in the afternoon. Around midday, genuinely extreme queues form here and the wait stretches to hours.

3. Špindlerův Mlýn

This famous mountain resort doesn’t only come alive in winter — it offers gorgeous scenery in the summer months too. Travellers here are especially fond of easy-going walks through the Bílé Labe (White Elbe) valley, which even less fit hikers can manage. Depending on the variant you choose, the route is 11 to 12 kilometres long and largely follows a perfect paved asphalt surface.

It’s one of the best options for families, because the route is officially approved as a pram-friendly trail. Along the way you’ll pass several beautiful smaller waterfalls, and beyond the Balvanový Waterfall children will love a great rest spot with a playground. You can happily end the trip at one of the local mountain huts that are open year-round, where you can warm up.

Besides the Bílé Labe valley, at Špindlerův Mlýn you can also head to the source of the Elbe or on ridge hikes to Luční bouda. The town itself offers plenty to do, from a bobsleigh track and a rope park to a modern water park, so you won’t be bored even if you’re caught out by the typical rainy Krkonoše weather.

💡 Tip: Head to Špindlerův Mlýn even in light drizzle, because the asphalt path through the valley doesn’t turn muddy and the trees give you partial shelter from the rain. It’s a great option for days when it’s too wet to go high onto the ridges.

4. Broumovsko and the Broumov Walls

If the crowds of tourists in Adršpach put you off, head out to discover the wild beauty of the Broumov Walls. This long ridge hides stunning rock viewpoints and romantic gorges, where you’ll meet only a fraction of the visitors. There’s no admission fee anywhere in the nature reserve and you can wander completely freely along the marked hiking trails.

The area’s biggest draw is the baroque Hvězda (Star) chapel and the picturesque adjacent Alpine-style wooden cottage. From here open up beautiful views over the whole Broumov basin, which many visitors say are literally breathtaking. The surrounding forests are also full of blueberries and unusual mushroom-shaped sandstone formations, the so-called Stone Mushrooms.

The whole area is threaded with a network of narrow paths that lead you through mysterious gorges, such as the popular Kovářova rokle (Blacksmith’s Gorge). These trails require sturdy footwear and sometimes a bit of clambering over rocks, so don’t head here with a pram. For active hikers, though, it’s an absolute paradise full of silence and peace.

💡 Tip: While wandering Broumovsko, definitely stop at the majestic monastery in Broumov. Its historic library and beautiful baroque interiors are worth a visit, and the guided tours also take you through the amazing monastery cellars.

5. Grandmother’s Valley and Ratibořice

A visit to the places connected with the famous work of writer Božena Němcová is like a journey back in time. Admission to Ratibořice chateau itself costs €8 for an adult, but children aged 6 to 17 pay a friendly €2.50. The route from the chateau towards Viktorka’s Weir is about two kilometres long, and the whole recommended family loop measures a pleasant five kilometres.

This central part of the valley is officially barrier-free and perfectly passable with a pram, and all the historic buildings along the way allow easy access. Just be very careful not to confuse this easy loop with the Grandmother’s Valley nature trail. That one is a full eight kilometres long, moderately demanding and absolutely unsuitable for prams.

During the walk you’ll see all the famous places from the book, including Rudr’s Mill, the Old Bleachery and the famous sculpture group of the Grandmother with her grandchildren. The surroundings of the Úpa river are beautifully kept and offer plenty of benches for a rest. The chateau park in Ratibořice is freely accessible and full of tall old trees.

💡 Tip: If you want to see the historic water mangle at the Old Bleachery in operation, plan your trip strictly for the summer holidays. This unique building is only open from the beginning of July to the end of August.

6. Kuks

The baroque Kuks Hospital is a monumental building that rises proudly above the valley of the Elbe river. It was founded by Count Špork, and today it draws visitors with its superbly preserved historic pharmacy and amazing frescoes. Admission prices are in the usual range for monuments in the country, but always check them on the official website before you set off.

In front of the hospital you’ll be captivated by a wide terrace lined with fascinating statues of the Virtues and Vices by the famous sculptor Matthias Bernard Braun. A stroll through the adjacent sprawling herb garden is balm for the soul, and in the summer months it smells incredibly intense. The beds are meticulously maintained and you’ll find medicinal plants that were already grown in Kuks at the height of its glory.

Nearby in the forest you’ll also find the so-called Braun’s Bethlehem, huge sculptures carved directly into the natural sandstone rock. A pleasant hiking trail leads to this unique forest sculpture park, and discovering the centuries-old, moss-covered statues has an almost magical atmosphere.

💡 Tip: Head to Kuks in autumn during the traditional grape harvest festival. The local little vineyard produces excellent grapes, and the atmosphere of the historic festivities in the courtyard, with a tasting of young wine, is absolutely one of a kind.

7. Hradec Králové

This city at the confluence of the Elbe and the Orlice boasts superb architecture and the title of “Salon of the Republic”. From the historic centre with its dominant White Tower, it’s just a short walk to the lovely Hradec city forests, which are literally a paradise for active recreation. You’ll find a ten-kilometre loop on perfect asphalt that’s absolutely ideal for families with prams or fans of inline skating.

If bad weather catches you out, the Hradec Králové Municipal Baths will save the day. Adults pay from €5.50 an hour here, and children from one year old up to 120 centimetres tall cost just €2.30. Inside you can let loose in a spacious pool with an artificial wave machine or on a great 82-metre water slide with light effects. There’s of course also a children’s pool and a whirlpool.

You’ll best enjoy the city centre on a walk along the embankment, which is adorned with beautiful Art Nouveau and Functionalist buildings. If you like history, definitely climb the aforementioned White Tower, from where there’s a fantastic view over the whole city — in good weather you can see all the way to the peaks of the Krkonoše and the Orlické Mountains.

💡 Tip: While walking through the city forests, don’t miss the Knights’ Fort (Rytířské hradiště). It’s a huge wooden children’s playground hidden right among the trees that kids absolutely adore and can spend hours in.

8. Pardubice and Kunětická hora

The city of gingerbread and horse racing will charm you with its Renaissance square and beautiful chateau with peacocks wandering freely. Just outside the city, Kunětická hora with its beautifully restored castle rises majestically from the flat landscape. Admission to the castle palace comes to €7.50, but a huge advantage is that children aged 6 to 17 have a reduced ticket of just €2 and the youngest go free.

Below the castle is the famous Gingerbread Cottage, but be very careful about visiting it. This attraction has no fixed opening hours and only opens on pre-announced dates for booked groups. If you head there blind without a reservation, you’ll almost certainly find locked doors and have to hastily come up with an alternative plan.

Pardubice itself is ideal for relaxed strolls, because the historic centre is beautifully restored and full of pleasant cafés. Pardubice Chateau offers not only guided tours but also extensive ramparts that serve as a peaceful park right in the heart of the city. It’s a great place to rest after a full day of sightseeing.

💡 Tip: The AQUA zone with water slides at the Pardubice Aquacentre is closed for renovation from mid-July 2026. The classic swimming pools and the outdoor summer beach, however, are running normally.

9. Dolní Morava and the Sky Walk

This mountain resort has transformed in recent years into a huge hub of modern attractions. Always remember that you have to buy tickets online with registration here, because on-site prices are significantly higher. For example, a complete family Sky Package (cable car, bridge and walk) comes to €106 online, whereas at the ticket office you’d pay a whopping €179 for it.

The biggest hit is the Sky Bridge 721 suspension bridge. A ticket costs from €16 online and €25 on site, but beware — the bridge route is one-way and prams are strictly forbidden. If you have small children in a pram, head instead to the neighbouring Sky Walk, which is completely barrier-free and admission starts from €14 online.

Beneath both of these airy attractions stretch the amazing Mammoth adventure parks full of water and climbing frames. Admission costs from €13, but children under 90 centimetres tall get in completely free. It’s a place where families can happily keep busy for a whole long day.

💡 Tip: For the Sky Bridge trip you don’t need extreme fitness, but you can’t suffer from vertigo. The walkway sways gently at 95 metres above the valley, and the transparent floor heightens the sense of height.

10. The Orlické Mountains and Neratov

The Orlické Mountains offer incredible peace and deep forests full of old pre-war military bunkers. The biggest magnet of the whole area is undoubtedly the reborn village of Neratov with its unique pilgrimage church. This church has an amazing glass roof dating from 2007, so during services you can watch the clouds drifting by — and the stars at night — right from the pews.

A huge advantage is that the church itself is open non-stop, day and night, so you can enjoy its magical atmosphere even at midnight, with no crowds at all. The viewing towers are then open to visitors daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. There’s no admission fee, but you can drop a contribution into the collection box for the further restoration of this beautiful place.

The village also has a sheltered workshop and an excellent local brewery run by the Neratov association. The whole project helps people with disabilities integrate into normal life and gives this remote mountain village an incredibly strong human story that will grab you by the heart.

💡 Tip: Admission prices to the monuments in the area are in the usual range. Definitely buy some craft products from the locals, though, or have a beer in the local pub — you’ll be supporting a great social project.

11. Litomyšl

This picturesque town with an enormous cultural reach is on the UNESCO list and locals absolutely swear by it. Its heart is a gorgeous Renaissance chateau covered in thousands of sgraffiti, and next to it, in the chateau brewery, the famous composer Bedřich Smetana was born. Check the prices for guided tours in advance on the website, as they often change with the season.

Visitors also greatly praise walks through the sprawling Monastery Gardens, which are freely accessible and offer a fantastic view over the whole historic town. The gardens are full of modern sculptures, babbling fountains and perfectly trimmed lawns, where you can just sit down with a coffee and soak up the peaceful atmosphere.

Besides the chateau and gardens, Litomyšl also offers a beautiful old square with arcades, lined with picturesque townhouses. Also worth a visit is the unique House of the Knights (U Rytířů), which has a beautifully decorated stone façade and ranks among the loveliest Renaissance buildings in the country.

💡 Tip: The architecture in Litomyšl isn’t only historic but also very modern. The town is famous for the sensitive way it inserts modern buildings into its old fabric, which even leading architects from across the country admire.

12. Nové Město nad Metují and Opočno

Nové Město nad Metují will win you over with its beautiful square and chateau with original terraced gardens. The hidden ace of the whole area, though, is the romantic Peklo (Hell) valley along the Metuje river. This route to the tourist chalet is about five kilometres long and absolutely ideal for an easy walk with a pram or small children on a balance bike.

At the end of the valley, your reward is the Bartoň Refuge, designed by the famous architect Dušan Jurkovič. This log cabin is full of carved wooden devils, and outside you’ll find a sandpit, swings and a slide for the little ones. Nearby also lies the beautiful Renaissance Opočno chateau with rich collections of historical weapons.

The chateau in Nové Město nad Metují is worth a visit thanks also to the unique wooden bridge in the chateau gardens, again designed by Dušan Jurkovič. The town has an incredibly photogenic centre encircled by the river, so it’s worth spending a whole afternoon wandering the quiet lanes.

💡 Tip: You can drive to the hamlet of Peklo even with the smallest children along the narrow asphalt lane, so you can save yourselves the long walk there and back and get straight to relaxing by the refuge.

13. Toulovcovy maštale and Polička

The Toulovcovy maštale nature reserve is a maze of narrow sandstone gorges and passages that, according to legend, served as a hideout for a robber knight. It’s a great place for adventurous clambering with children, and there’s no admission fee to the rocks themselves anywhere. Be careful when planning your viewpoints, though, as the popular Borůvka lookout tower remains closed long-term due to necessary repairs.

Just a short walk from the rocks is the Pasíčka Rescue Station and Eco-centre, where they care for permanently disabled animals from local nature that can no longer return to the wild. It’s a lovely experience, especially for families who want to support a good cause. The nearby historic town of Polička is also worth a visit.

Polička boasts some of the best-preserved town walls in Central Europe, which you can walk with a guide. Another huge draw is the native room of the composer Bohuslav Martinů, located high up in the tower of the local church and offering a great view over the town.

💡 Tip: Toulovcovy maštale are more suitable for older, nimbler children — with a pram you unfortunately won’t get into the narrow sandstone crevices and onto the rocky forest trails at all.

14. Králický Sněžník and Králíky

The landscape around Králický Sněžník is rougher and more deserted than the famous Krkonoše, which will be appreciated most by lovers of silence and untouched nature. The scenery here offers deep forests and mountain meadows with beautiful views down into the valleys. The climb to the very summit, to the iconic little elephant statue, is fairly demanding, but your reward is the feeling of having conquered the roof of this remote region.

The town of Králíky and its wider surroundings are literally laced with a network of pre-war military fortresses. Many of these concrete bunkers are superbly restored today and serve as fantastic museums of the country’s military history. Admission prices vary depending on the specific fort and the difficulty of the tour, so I recommend studying the websites of the individual associations.

Among the best-known military monuments in the area are the Bouda artillery fort and the U Cihelny bunker. Tours of the underground passages are a fascinating experience, but don’t forget to bring sturdy footwear and a warm jacket, because the underground temperature stays just above freezing all year round.

💡 Tip: Above the town of Králíky rises the Hill of the Mother of God with a beautiful monastery, reached by an old Way of the Cross lined with tall trees. It’s an incredibly peaceful pilgrimage site with an amazing genius loci.

15. The Rozkoš Reservoir and Swimming

The Rozkoš reservoir near Česká Skalice is often, rather grandly, called the East Bohemian sea. Right off the bat, though, it must be said that this really isn’t a route suitable for prams or for peaceful walks. The whole loop is an incredible 23 kilometres long, largely follows a busy road for motor vehicles, and the main dam itself isn’t walkable at all.

So come to Rozkoš primarily for the great summer swimming. According to measurements by the public health authorities, the water at Velká Jesenice was in perfect condition throughout the 2026 season and rated grade one for swimming. You’ll find a very gentle concrete entry into the water, stalls with draught beer and refreshments, and a comfortable, spacious car park right by the beach.

Besides the beach at Velká Jesenice, another popular spot is the northern side of the reservoir, which offers slightly quieter nooks for anglers and water sports lovers. The reservoir is ideal for paddleboarding or windsurfing, because a pleasant wind very often blows across the vast expanse of water.

💡 Tip: If you’re looking for all-round fun for the kids, head to the nearby Autocamping Rozkoš. They have a great outdoor swimming pool with a water slide, a summer cinema and a very popular minigolf course.

East Bohemia with Kids: the Best Family Tips

Travelling with children calls for a slightly different approach and a more careful choice of activities, so they don’t get bored and can handle it physically. I’ve picked out four specific areas and tips that, based on parents’ experience, work absolutely reliably. I’ve found the exact prices and current opening hours for you so you can plan everything without stress from unexpected surprises on site.

Safari in Dvůr Králové

A visit to this amazing park is one of the highlights of any family holiday, because here you’ll feel like you’re in real Africa. An adult pays €13 for a ticket and a child aged three to fifteen €11, the youngest get in completely free and there’s no parking fee either. A ride on the special open Safaribus costs €3 per passenger, but note that in May, June and September children under 15 ride completely free on weekdays. Safaribus tickets can’t be bought online in advance — you get them right at the boarding point inside the zoo grounds. If you leave your pram at home, the local rental in the zoo will happily lend you one for the whole day for €2 and a refundable deposit of around €40.

The Sky Walk and Sky Bridge

As I mentioned with Dolní Morava, this mountain resort is a huge draw for families with children, but you have to plan and buy strictly online. While prams aren’t allowed on the Sky Bridge 721 suspension bridge and the route is one-way, the neighbouring wooden Sky Walk is wide, gentle and completely barrier-free for everyone. Beneath both of these structures also stretch the amazing Mammoth adventure parks full of water, mazes and giant climbing frames. Admission costs from €13 for adults and older children, but tots under 90 centimetres tall get in completely free. Definitely don’t forget spare clothes at home, because in the water park the kids are guaranteed not to stay dry.

When It Rains: Museums, an Aquarium and Water Parks

Rain doesn’t have to ruin your holiday at all — you just need a good plan B up your sleeve. A great choice is the Merkur Construction Set Museum in Police nad Metují, which lies just twenty minutes’ drive from Adršpach and will save your rainy day. Adult admission costs €6, reduced €3.70 and family admission comes to €12, and they’re open every day. If you’d rather warm up in the water, the Municipal Baths in Hradec Králové offer a great 82-metre water slide and children’s pools, where children from one year old pay a friendly €2.30. In Pardubice, on the other hand, be very careful: the AQUA water-slide zone there is closed long-term for extensive repairs from mid-July 2026.

With a Pram Around East Bohemia

Finding a genuinely flat, comfortable path free of roots can sometimes be a tough nut in nature. Besides the aforementioned Grandmother’s Valley and the five-kilometre route to Viktorka’s Weir, parents highly recommend the Peklo valley near Nové Město nad Metují. The route to the Bartoň Refuge is five kilometres long and runs entirely along a pleasant flat path beside the river. In the Krkonoše, you can safely set off through the Bílé Labe valley from Špindlerův Mlýn, which is roughly a twelve-kilometre paved loop lined with waterfalls and playgrounds. For absolute certainty of flatness, choose the loops in the Hradec city forests, which are perfectly asphalted right for inline skates and prams. Conversely, steer well clear of the loop around Rozkoš or the deeper gorges in Adršpach, where you’ll only get a pram along the opening kilometre to the Small Waterfall.

Where to Eat in East Bohemia

This region offers plenty of interesting traditional flavours and local ingredients that you absolutely must taste during your holiday. An absolute classic is honest Krkonoše “kyselo”, a thick soup made from bread sourdough with potatoes, egg and mushrooms, which will definitely put you back on your feet after a long hike. Its sourness works beautifully with the softness of the egg, and it’s an absolutely ideal meat-free lunch option. If you’re after something really filling, try the golden-fried potato pancakes with a good dose of garlic and marjoram, which you’ll come across in almost every mountain pub.

In the mountains you of course can’t skip the fluffy blueberry dumplings drizzled with melted butter, a typical sweet symbol of the whole Krkonoše and the Orlické Mountains. Specific addresses? In the Peklo valley near Nové Město nad Metují stands the Bartoň Refuge, a log-cabin pub rebuilt in 1912 by Dušan Jurkovič, and it’s the loveliest destination for a walk in the area. In Neratov in the Orlické Mountains, the Neratov Brewery makes its own beer and employs people with disabilities, so the beer and lemonade come with a good story too. And in Špindlerův Mlýn, a classic is the year-round U Bílého Labe hut just beyond the waterfalls. Local cheeses from small mountain farms are a chapter in themselves, especially if you come across fresh goat’s cheese or honest curd, which make a great quick snack for a trip. In restaurants you’ll often find local beer specials from small breweries in the Orlické foothills, such as the one in Neratov, which perfectly complement any meal.

The sweet finishing touch has to be, of course, traditional Pardubice gingerbread. Its recipe, full of fragrant spices and honey, is carefully passed down through generations, and it tastes a little different in every small bakery. As for local meat specialities, the menus of traditional restaurants very often feature roast duck with cabbage or hearty game goulashes, which guests praise highly in reviews. If you head to Litomyšl, definitely also make for the town’s modern cafés, which rival the best spots in big cities and offer excellent speciality coffee.

Practical Tips: Bookings, Transport and Crowds

• Online purchases are an absolute must: Setting off to Adršpach without an online ticket in summer isn’t worth the risk, and if you go to Dolní Morava, buying on site will needlessly cost you hundreds of euros extra on a family package.
• Get up very early: Head to Sněžka or the popular rock towns so you’re ideally on site by around eight in the morning. That way you’ll avoid the endless queues for the cable car and the overcrowded car parks.
• Watch for closures and repairs on the websites: Attractions like the Borůvka lookout tower in the Maštale or the Pardubice water slides are closed long-term — always check the current status on the official pages before your trip.
• Pay in cash: In the mountains and at smaller local attractions, such as the romantic boats in Adršpach, they often don’t take cards at all, so always keep enough cash on you.
• Watch the opening hours: Some tourist magnets, like the famous Gingerbread Cottage near Pardubice, only work by prior reservation and have no fixed opening hours.
• The train works better than you’d expect: Pardubice is reachable by direct express train in under an hour from major hubs, and Hradec Králové in about an hour and a half. Even Adršpach is reachable by train, albeit with a few changes and roughly three hours, but the stop is right at the entrance to the rocks, so you don’t have to worry about a full car park.
• Don’t overestimate pram routes: Always check that a path really is suitable for a pram. For example, the Grandmother’s Valley nature trail is long and demanding, whereas the neighbouring route to Viktorka’s Weir is a lovely flat path.

Where to Next

If you enjoy travelling around the country, definitely take a look at 20 tips on where to holiday in Czechia, where you’ll find plenty more inspiration. From East Bohemia, you might then be interested in more detailed guides, such as the article What to See in Hradec Králové: 15 tips or the guide What to See in Litomyšl: 8 tips.

Frequently Asked Questions

Before travelling to this region, parents and tourists ask a lot of very similar practical questions. I’ve summarised the most common queries for you so you have all the important information nicely together and nothing catches you out.