My fingers were freezing as I passed a hot mug of mead from hand to hand in the darkening Upper Square, watching the steam rise above the roofs of the wooden stalls. Lukáš and I arrived in Olomouc in the middle of Advent and instantly understood why the Lonely Planet guide called this town Europe’s best-kept secret. Among the many things to do in Olomouc, Czech Republic, you get the second-largest heritage reserve right after Prague — but instead of weaving through crowds with umbrellas, you can pause peacefully by baroque fountains and soak up genuine calm.

The student spirit also gives the historic backdrop a very likeable energy. Palacký University is based here, which means one in seven residents is a student. As a result, the centre is packed with great independent cafés and bistros where a specialty coffee and good food won’t cost you a fortune. Simply put, Olomouc is noticeably cheaper and more laid-back than the capital.

Whether you come in winter for the famous markets or in summer for wandering the parks, the local sights will keep you busy for a whole weekend. In this article for 2026 you’ll find all our tips on what to see in Olomouc, where to stay smartly, and where to go for the best vegetarian food in town.

Summary: what to see and not miss in Olomouc

• Holy Trinity Column: A huge UNESCO-listed baroque monument dominating the main square.
• Olomouc Astronomical Clock: A one-of-a-kind piece rebuilt in the style of socialist realism, where workers march instead of saints.
• Baroque fountains: A unique set of historic fountains inspired by classical mythology, scattered across the whole centre.
• St. Wenceslas Cathedral: A majestic cathedral with the second-tallest church tower in the country.
• View from St. Moritz: The best panoramic view of the city from the tower of a Gothic church.
• Svatý Kopeček: A popular pilgrimage site and a great zoo, ideal for a half-day trip.
• Olomouc cheese (tvarůžky): A local cheese specialty you must try, ideally served warm.
• Café scene: Dozens of cosy spots with specialty coffee and student-friendly prices.

When to visit Olomouc: weather by season

Olomouc works all year round, but each season shows the city in a slightly different light. Lukáš and I most recently tried the winter version, and I have to admit the historic lanes under snow have huge charm. The weather in Olomouc, Czech Republic ranges from warm, lively summers to cold, snowy winters, so pack accordingly.

Spring and summer for strolling

From May to September the city is at its liveliest. You can linger on the terraces of the Upper Square or wander through the parks. In spring the magnolias also bloom beautifully in Bezruč Gardens. Summer is also the only season when you can safely climb the viewing tower of St. Moritz Church.

Winter and the Advent markets

The local Christmas markets are among the loveliest in the country. They cluster on the Upper and Lower squares, where you’ll find over a hundred stalls. From my own experience I can recommend the local punch trail and the hot mead they pour into original returnable mugs. Winter here can be bitingly cold, so warm clothing is a must.

How many days to spend

At a brisk pace you can walk the historic core in half a day, roughly three hours. But that would be a shame. Ideally set aside one to two days for Olomouc. On the first day you explore the centre, the cafés and the museums; on the second you can head out to Svatý Kopeček or to nearby Loštice for the local cheese.

Where to stay in Olomouc: best hotels

The advantage of Olomouc is that even premium hotels here often cost a fraction of what you’d pay in Prague. The centre is compact, so wherever you lay your head within the pedestrian zone, you’ll have all the main action within easy reach. You’ll find plenty of Olomouc, Czech Republic hotels to suit every budget.

💡 Tip: If you’re planning a visit during Advent, book your accommodation well in advance. Because of the popular markets, the best places tend to sell out as early as autumn.

Where we stayed: OREA Hotel Arigone

Our choice fell on the OREA Hotel Arigone on Univerzitní Street, just a few minutes’ walk from the Upper Square, and it was a hit. The hotel was created by linking several historic houses, so every room is a little different, and above all they have six private wellness rooms with a hot tub and sauna plus a maisonette with its own terrace above the city’s rooftops.

For us, as parents of a small child, it was a whole different league: your child falls asleep and you have the wellness behind a locked door, with no babysitting and no strangers in the relaxation room. On top of that the hotel has its own parking courtyard (for a fee, book ahead as capacity is limited) and breakfasts where you fill your own croissants with pistachio cream. Children up to 5.99 years old also stay here for free.

👉 Check prices and availability · read our detailed review of the Arigone hotel

Design and boutique hotels

For lovers of beautiful interiors, the obvious choice is Long Story Short. It works as both a premium hostel and a hotel with lovely private rooms and a fantastic courtyard. A great alternative is the cosy Miss Sophie’s Olomouc in a historic building, or the elegant Hotel Theresian, which has a beautiful rooftop wellness area.

Comfortable four-star options

If you’re after reliable standards and generous breakfasts, check out the NH Collection Olomouc Congress. This NH hotel in Olomouc, Czech Republic lies a short walk from the centre and offers modern rooms with a view. Travellers also praise the Clarion Congress Hotel Olomouc near the main train station. And right in the heart of the city you’ll find the very comfortable Hotel Trinity.

Budget stays and guesthouses

For travellers on a tighter budget, Penzion Na Hradě makes sense — it sits in a quiet lane just steps from the Cathedral. International students and backpackers, meanwhile, often choose Poets Corner Hostel, which offers a friendly atmosphere and very affordable bed prices.

Things to do in Olomouc, Czech Republic: 14 tips

The centre may be spread out, but you can comfortably reach the vast majority of the sights on foot. Get ready to look up a lot, whether at the ornate façades or the monumental towers.

1. Holy Trinity Column

When you step onto the Upper Square, this structure immediately grabs your attention. It’s the largest baroque sculpture group in Central Europe, unified into a single monument. It stands an impressive ~32 metres tall, and its construction ran from 1716 to 1754, when Maria Theresa came in person to consecrate it.

Since 2000 the column has been inscribed on the UNESCO list. It is decorated with eighteen statues of saints, twelve light-bearers and six reliefs of apostles. The detailed stonework is truly fascinating, especially when you realise the masters of the time worked only with basic tools.

💡 Tip: A small chapel is hidden inside the base of the column. It’s only open occasionally during the summer season, but if you’re lucky, definitely take a peek inside.

2. Olomouc Astronomical Clock

Right next to the column, on the town hall wall, you’ll find an absolute world curiosity. The original historic clock was badly damaged by a shell in May 1945. The city decided to restore it, but the 1947–1955 rebuild under Karel Svolinský was carried out in the hard-line spirit of socialist realism.

It’s a slightly bizarre sight. Instead of holy apostles, proletarians parade by — a blacksmith, a baker, a chemist and a labourer. On the calendar dial you can even spot key dates of the communist regime. International tourists love this oddity, mainly because, unlike the Prague clock, it’s set conveniently at eye level.

💡 Tip: The carillon plays Haná folk songs only once a day, exactly at noon. Be at the town hall a little early to grab a good spot for this feverish socialist dream.

3. Town Hall Tower

The town hall building on the Upper Square hides more than just the astronomical clock. Its tower rises to 75 metres and offers a superb bird’s-eye view over the entire historic core.

You can only climb up as part of a guided tour. It runs seasonally, and the entrance fee is around €2 (50 CZK). It’s a great chance to see the city from a completely different angle.

💡 Tip: You have to buy tower tickets at the information centre, which is located right in the town hall arcade.

4. The set of baroque fountains

As you stroll through the centre, you’ll come across a unique set of historic fountains with no equal in the country. Most of them draw inspiration from classical mythology. The oldest is Neptune’s Fountain from 1683, but the most artistically demanding is undoubtedly Caesar’s Fountain from 1724–1725.

Legend has it that Julius Caesar himself founded Olomouc. Beneath the hooves of his horse you can spot a statue of a dog, symbolising the city’s loyalty to its ruler. In 2002 the historic collection was joined by the modern Arion Fountain by sculptor Ivan Theimer.

💡 Tip: By the modern Arion Fountain on the Upper Square you’ll find a bronze statue of a turtle. Kids love it and happily clamber over it in summer while parents rest on the edge of the basin.

5. St. Wenceslas Cathedral

Heading from the square towards the ramparts, you’ll come upon the majestic Cathedral. Its southern tower measures exactly 100.65 metres, making it the tallest church tower in Moravia and the second tallest in the whole country. The Gothic architecture looks incredibly monumental both outside and in.

In the past you could climb the stairs all the way up, but note that the tower climb has been permanently closed since 2021. You can, of course, still visit the cathedral interior with no problem, and entry is free.

💡 Tip: Don’t forget to head down the stairs to the underground crypt beneath the presbytery. It’s freely accessible and holds the tombs of Olomouc bishops and archbishops.

6. Mozart’s trail and the Archdiocesan Museum

Right next to the cathedral stands the former chapter deanery, which today houses the excellent Archdiocesan Museum. In 1767 the then only eleven-year-old Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart arrived here. On the way he caught a severe case of smallpox and was taken in by the local dean Podstatský.

Fortunately the young genius recovered here, and in gratitude he composed his Symphony No. 6 in F major, KV 43 within these very walls — a piece still nicknamed the Olomouc Symphony to this day. It’s a powerful human story that gives these cold walls a whole new dimension.

💡 Tip: The Archdiocesan Museum itself deserves your attention even if you’re not exactly an expert in sacred art. The restored spaces and preserved carriages are a feast for the eyes.

7. St. Moritz Church

This mighty Gothic church hides two great treasures. The first is the largest organ in Central Europe, built by master Engler in 1745. Today it has an impressive 95 stops and around 7,800 pipes. If you come in September, you can experience an international organ festival.

The second draw is the climb up the tower, which stands 46 metres tall. Entry costs a token €0.60–0.80 (15–20 CZK) and at the top you’ll find what I think is the very best view over the roofs of Olomouc. It’s open from May to September in fine weather.

💡 Tip: A very narrow double spiral staircase leads to the top. If you suffer from claustrophobia or fear cramped spaces, it’s better to skip this climb.

8. St. Michael’s Church

Winding through the lanes, you’ll come across an early baroque church recognisable by its distinctive three domes. They’re meant to symbolise the Holy Trinity. From the outside it may not look as mighty as the Cathedral, but the interior will take your breath away.

The rich stucco decoration of the interior was created by the Italian master Baltazar Fontana. The space is incredibly bright and airy, which isn’t always the case with baroque buildings.

💡 Tip: You’ll get the nicest photo of St. Michael’s from the narrow Michalská lane that leads to it from the Lower Square. It makes a perfect frame for the baroque façade.

9. Klášterní Hradisko Monastery

A short way from the very centre, heading north, stands the huge complex of a former Premonstratensian monastery. It’s often nicknamed the Moravian Escorial. Today it houses a military hospital — incidentally the oldest in the country.

Because of the hospital operation you’ll mostly only see it from the outside, but it’s still worth the walk. The façade is beautifully restored and shows the enormous power the religious orders once held in the Haná region.

💡 Tip: A pleasant walking route runs around Hradisko along the Morava River. Locals come here to walk their dogs and jog — it’s a great escape from the city bustle.

10. Palacký University and the Archbishop’s Palace

Olomouc was shaped by the church and by learning. The university was founded here back in 1573, making it the second oldest in the Czech lands. Right next to some of its buildings stands the grand Archbishop’s Palace.

This building has witnessed great history. In 1848 the then eighteen-year-old Franz Joseph I ascended the throne here. Among the distinguished guests who spent the night here were Maria Theresa, the composer Beethoven and Pope John Paul II.

💡 Tip: The Archbishop’s Palace offers guided tours of its state rooms. They’re open to the public and you’ll see original historic furniture.

11. Fortress of Knowledge (Pevnost poznání)

If you’re coming with kids, or you’re simply interested in science, head to the Korunní pevnůstka grounds. A historic artillery building houses the interactive Fortress of Knowledge museum, run directly by the university.

You’ll find a great digital planetarium, a giant model of the brain and plenty of hands-on physics experiments. For families with children it’s the perfect rescue when it’s raining outside.

💡 Tip: The exhibition on Olomouc’s history is presented in comic-book form, which even entertains schoolchildren who would normally yawn with boredom in a classic museum.

12. Svatý Kopeček and Olomouc Zoo

About eight kilometres from the centre lies the pilgrimage site of Svatý Kopeček. Its landmark is the beautiful baroque Basilica of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary, which holds the title of basilica minor. In 1995 it was even visited in person by Pope John Paul II. From the centre you can comfortably get here on city bus number 11, straight from the station.

Right next to the basilica sprawls the fantastic Olomouc Zoo, covering 40 hectares. It has huge sea aquariums with sharks, walk-through kangaroo enclosures and lots of greenery. It makes an ideal half-day trip.

💡 Tip: Inside the zoo grounds stands a 32-metre-high viewing tower. You do have to climb 128 steps, but on a clear day you can see all the way to Praděd.

13. Bezruč Gardens and the ramparts

Olomouc was once an impregnable fortress, and remnants of the brick ramparts still line part of the historic core. Directly beneath them stretch the Bezruč Gardens — a long, narrow park that follows the shape of the old fortifications.

In spring locals come here to admire the blooming magnolias. An educational trail also runs through the park, guiding you past the preserved baroque fortlets.

💡 Tip: The best way into the park from the centre is via the inconspicuous steps by the Michalský výpad. It’s a favourite shortcut for local students.

14. Advent and Christmas markets

If you arrive in December, the whole city smells of cinnamon and cloves. The Olomouc markets are famous for their wide range of drinks. Local stallholders pride themselves on special punches, often flavoured with fresh fruit or exotic spices.

Most of the action takes place on the Upper and Lower squares. There’s a giant Ferris wheel with a lovely view over the illuminated roofs, and a wooden nativity scene. The atmosphere here tends to be far more intimate and friendly than the crowded Old Town Square in Prague.

💡 Tip: The punch mugs come with a deposit. If you keep yours as a souvenir after drinking, no one will mind — you’ll just lose the €2 (50 CZK) deposit.

What to taste and where to grab a coffee in Olomouc

Say “Olomouc” and most people instantly think of tvarůžky. This one truly original Czech cheese is actually made in nearby Loštice, where it has a tradition stretching back over 400 years. Since 2010 it has even held a protected geographical indication from the European Union, which the region won after a drawn-out dispute with Germany.

The cheese has a strong smell, but it’s very low in fat and diet-friendly. And since it’s cheese, Lukáš and I love it as vegetarians. It’s best served warm — for example fried in breadcrumbs or melted into a hearty garlic soup. Meat-eating travellers often pair it with the local Litovel or Holba beer, or try various tvarůžky sausages.

Thanks to the students, the café scene here is absolutely excellent. A safe bet is Café La Fée with its lovely French mood. Great espresso is served at KAFE JAK LUSK or at the tiny espresso bar Pikola. If you’re after a place with a big courtyard, drop by Long Story Short, and for an intimate atmosphere try Café na cucky or the café V lese.

As vegetarians you certainly won’t go hungry here — there are plenty of meat-free spots. For a quick lunch the obvious choice is the bistro Koza zůstala celá, which cooks purely vegetarian. Also legendary here is GREEN BAR, which works by weight. Great plant-based sandwiches are made by Bistro ROZMARÝNY and Bistro Bistrá kráva. If you fancy Asian food, the Nepalese restaurant Kathmandu makes excellent paneer cheese, and the Vietnamese Koriandr serves great tofu.

Day trips from Olomouc

If you have a car, or you’re not afraid of the local buses, the area around Olomouc offers several great destinations.

Svatý Kopeček and its zoo have already been mentioned — that’s the clear number one choice. If you’ve fallen for the charm of the ripening cheese, drive about thirty kilometres to Loštice. There you’ll find the specialised Olomouc Cheese Museum, where you’ll learn all about how it’s made and, of course, stock up right at the A.W. company shop.

Castle lovers shouldn’t miss Bouzov. This romantic castle with its distinctive turrets is about half an hour’s drive away and looks exactly like the fairy-tale backdrops you picture. Films are often shot here. A short way from it lies the town of Litovel, nicknamed the “Haná Venice” thanks to the branches of the Morava River flowing right through its centre.

Practical info: train from Prague to Olomouc

The fastest and most comfortable way to reach Olomouc is by train. It sits on the main corridor, so direct connections run constantly. The train from Prague to Olomouc, Czech Republic takes roughly 2 hours 15 minutes on the SC Pendolino or express services. Tickets with RegioJet, České dráhy or Leo Express usually cost between €5 and €14 (130–330 CZK). From Brno the train takes about an hour and a half.

If you arrive by car, be ready for the fact that the historic core is a pedestrian zone with restricted access. Parking in zone A just around the centre costs around €4 per hour (100 CZK). It’s much smarter to use the covered parking garages by the station or the park-and-ride lots on the edge of town and take the tram into the centre. Olomouc’s public transport is reliable, and you can easily tap your card to pay for a ticket right on board.

You’ll find more up-to-date information on transport and cultural events on the city’s official tourism website.

Where to next

• Looking for more trip inspiration? Check out our big overview Where to go on holiday in the Czech Republic.
• If you’re into architecture, read our article Things to do in Prague, where you’ll find tips on how to avoid the biggest crowds.
• For great wine and a southern vibe, we recommend heading to South Moravia, specifically to the article on what Mikulov has to offer.
• If you’re planning a winter trip, you’ll definitely be interested in our guide to Christmas markets in the Czech Republic.
• Travelling with kids? We’ve put together 34 tips on where to go in Olomouc with children, from play centres and the zoo to DinoPark in Vyškov.
• Where we stayed and why we recommend it can be found in our OREA Hotel Arigone review, with a hot tub and sauna right in the room.

Frequently asked questions

I was born in Písek, Czech Republic. Then I spent long years in Prague, travelled across a good chunk of Europe, saw plenty of beautiful cities, and in the end my husband and I came back here, to the river Otava. Today we live here with our son Jonášek, and I still insist that Písek is one of the most beautiful towns in South Bohemia. 😊

Písek is the town where I was born and where I now live again with my family. I know every little alley here, I know where to go for the best coffee (and where not to), where in summer you can slip down to the river without a single tourist spotting you, and I also know what really isn’t worth your time (yes, I’ll be honest). It’s the kind of little town that maybe won’t wow you at first glance with monumental architecture like Český Krumlov, but it slowly wins you over – with its atmosphere, the calm by the river, history on every corner, and that special South Bohemian ease that’s hard to describe but easy to feel.

If you’re looking for what to see in Písek and expecting dry lists of monuments, I might surprise you a little. This article is more like a walk through town with a friend who’ll show you places you won’t find in any guidebook. I’ve put together 39 tips for landmarks, interesting spots and cafés, and since I have a two-year-old at home, I’ll also share what to do in Písek and the surrounding area with kids. So let’s get to it.

TL;DR

• Stone Bridge – the oldest stone bridge in the Czech Republic, an iconic landmark, free entry, most beautiful at dawn in the mist.
• Sladovna Písek – an interactive centre for kids (and, honestly, adults too), the ideal tip for Písek with kids when it rains.
• National Stud Farm – a national cultural monument in Tudor style, tours for around €6 (150 CZK), bring cash.
• Spots in Palacký Park – gluten-free Do Nebe and Park Café, both with park views.
• Travel Cafe – in my opinion the best café in town, with a courtyard garden and a sandpit for kids.
• Písek Hills – a forested massif right behind town, great for walks, running and cycling trips.
• Around Písek – Zvíkov, Orlík, Hluboká, Tábor – all within 40 minutes by car.

Read also: 8 trips around South Bohemia

What makes Písek special and why it’s worth a visit

Písek is sometimes nicknamed the Athens of South Bohemia, and even if that sounds a bit grand for a town of thirty thousand, there’s something to it. The tradition of education here goes back centuries, culture is very much alive to this day, and for its size the town has an unusually high number of galleries, theatres and festivals. But above all – Písek has a history that other towns could live off for generations.

Let’s start with the most famous thing. The Stone Bridge over the Otava dates back to the 13th century and is the oldest preserved bridge in the entire Czech Republic. Yes, older than Charles Bridge in Prague, even though Praguers don’t love to hear me say it. 😅 But it’s not just about the bridge. In 1887 Písek became the first town in Bohemia with public electric lighting – Křižík’s municipal power plant lit up the local square before Prague! František Křižík tested his technology right here, in a small South Bohemian town on the gold-bearing Otava.

And that Otava – it’s the river the whole of Písek revolves around. Gold-bearing, beautiful, in summer full of paddlers and swimmers. The poet Fráňa Šrámek, who lived and worked here, wrote about it in a way that makes you want to sit down on the bank straight away and let the wind blow through your hair. By the way, if you’re travelling with kids, don’t miss the Sand Sculptures, a sculpture show right on the bank of the Otava, where every year enormous sand statues take shape that take your breath away. It’s probably the most photogenic thing you’ll see in Písek in spring and summer.

When to go to Písek and how to get there

Písek is beautiful in every season, and I say that with the full authority of someone who has lived through even the gloomy grey Novembers here. But each season has its own thing, and it depends what you’re after.

• Spring (April–May) is probably my favourite time. Palacký Park bursts into bloom, everything along the Otava turns green and the town wakes up after winter – café terraces open, people come outside and there’s that fresh energy in the air. And above all, at the end of May the new giant sand sculptures are unveiled on the embankment – this year for the twentieth time – accompanied by the family festival Pískoviště. Street theatre, concerts, workshops for kids, the whole town comes alive. One of the loveliest weekends of the year.
• Summer (June–August) is for swimming in the Otava, paddling trips, town festivities and long evenings in the riverside gardens. June brings Touch Písek – historical festivities right in the centre, knights, crafts, period markets. August then has the Folklore Festival, which draws ensembles from all over the world. Just bear in mind that in high season there are more tourists in town (though still incomparably fewer than in Krumlov, no doubt about that).
• Autumn (September–October) – golden Písek. Literally. The trees in the parks and along the river turn colour, the morning mists over the Otava look like something out of a film, and the tourists thin out. Ideal for walks and relaxed sightseeing. And in mid-September the music festival Cool v plotě livens up the centre.
• Winter (November–March) – I’ll be honest, Písek in winter is no Christmassy Salzburg. But the Advent markets on the Great Square have their charm too, in recent years we’ve even had an ice ring on the square, Sladovna is warm and full of activities for kids, and when the snow falls and you take a walk across the bridge… it’s simply a fairy tale.

Read also: 20 tips on where to holiday in the Czech Republic

How to get to Písek

By bus from Prague is probably the most convenient option. RegioJet runs from the Na Knížecí stop and the journey takes roughly 70 minutes. A ticket costs about €5–9 (120–220 CZK) depending on how far in advance you book. Buses run fairly often, so you can even do it as a day trip.

By train it’s unfortunately not so great – there’s no direct connection, you have to change (usually in Tábor or Protivín) and the journey with the transfer takes about 2.5 to 3 hours. If you’re not a fan of local lines with connections, go for the bus.

By car from Prague it’s 104 km, roughly an hour along the D4 motorway (which is finally fully finished, thank goodness). Parking in the centre can be a bit of a battle, but you can use the car park by the exhibition grounds. And if you’re driving in from abroad, remember that a motorway vignette (toll sticker) is required in several neighbouring countries such as Austria and Switzerland.

Where to stay in Písek and how much it costs

Písek isn’t Prague, so the accommodation prices won’t give you a heart attack, but you also won’t find twenty five-star hotels here. The choice is smaller but decent – from apartments to hotels with a restaurant.

Hotel Biograf is probably the best-known address in town – 4 stars, modern and renovated, housed in the building of a former cinema (hence the name). On Booking it scores 8.6/10, the rooms are clean and comfortable, breakfast solid. It also has a Finnish sauna and massages.

Hotel U Kapličky is a more classic choice with a pleasant atmosphere and, above all – it has the restaurant Chapelle, one of the better ones in town and “Michelin Selected” (but more on food later).

If you want to save money or you’re travelling in a bigger group, you can find apartments in Písek from around €23 (550 CZK) per night, which is a really decent price. Guesthouses then start at around €48 (1,160 CZK) per night for a double room. Take a look, for example, at Residence U Kamenného mostu, Soho apartment. We prefer to look for accommodation on Booking.com.

I’d recommend booking ahead, especially in summer and during festivals, when places fill up fast.

What to see in Písek, Czech Republic: 39 tips for landmarks and interesting spots

And now for the main thing – why you actually opened this article. 😁 I’ve put together a list of 39 places, landmarks and curiosities in Písek that are worth seeing. Some you’ll know from postcards, others may surprise you. I’ve tried not to think only about the “big” tourist attractions, but to add those unassuming spots that tourists walk past without noticing, yet which have a story.

The town of Písek is surprisingly rich in landmarks and curiosities, and this is my personal guide that I stand behind. So come along, let’s start at the bridge.

1. The Stone Bridge (Deer Bridge) – the oldest stone bridge in the Czech Republic

This is the place most people come to Písek for, and I don’t blame them one bit. The Stone Bridge over the Otava dates back to the 13th century, is almost 110 metres long, has 7 arches and is simply the oldest preserved stone bridge in the entire Czech Republic. Charles Bridge in Prague is younger, and yes, I repeat that at every opportunity because it makes me happy. 😊

The bridge is decorated with copies of Baroque statues of saints (the originals are now safely stored away), which were added later, and the whole view – the stone arches, the Otava beneath them, the town on both banks – is one of the loveliest in South Bohemia. And do you know when it’s most beautiful of all? Early in the morning, when mist rolls over the river. The bridge emerges from the haze like something out of a historical novel, and you stand there completely alone, because at six in the morning there’s simply no one else here. The second-best time is at sunset, when the surface of the Otava turns orange. Bring your camera.

Entry is of course free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It’s a bridge, you just walk across it. Just you, the old stones and the river beneath your feet. Sometimes I think this is where Písek is most itself.

2. The Putim Gate and Fráňa Šrámek Alley

“When I walked through that Putim Gate…” – almost every Czech knows this old folk song. And now I might surprise you: the gate itself hasn’t stood here for a long time. The tower was demolished in 1812 and the rest was gone by 1836. What remains is the spot where the gate once stood, and above all a stretch of medieval town fortifications with a parkan and a semicircular bastion, preserved here to a rather impressive extent.

A short walk from here, on the façade of house no. 154 in Putim Street, you’ll find a relief known as the “two little maidens”, carved figures said to refer to that very famous song. The whole place has a calm, slightly nostalgic atmosphere that makes you slow down, even though I walk through it often.

3. The castle, town fortifications and Prácheň Museum

Písek Castle is one of those things locals shrug off with “yeah, the castle”, while tourists stand there with their mouths open. It’s Early Gothic, built by Přemysl Otakar II, and it stands on a promontory above the Otava in such a way that from some angles it looks as if it grew straight out of the rock. Today it houses the Prácheň Museum, which – now hold on – won a special award in the prestigious European Museum of the Year competition. From Písek! Sometimes I wonder whether people even noticed.

The exhibitions are surprisingly varied. From archaeology through medieval art to ethnography. Personally I always enjoy the Gothic lapidarium, but if you’re travelling with kids they’ll appreciate the interactive parts more. And the castle space itself is an experience – stone halls, vaulted ceilings, passages within the fortifications.

Practical info: Opening hours March–September 9:00–18:00, October–December 9:00–17:00. Admission adults €2.50 (60 CZK), children €1.20 (30 CZK), family ticket €6 (150 CZK). For that money it’s one of the best value-for-experience deals in town.

4. Křižík’s Municipal Power Plant

Here I’ll disappoint you: the power plant is currently closed and a new exhibition is being prepared. So if you had it planned as a main highlight, you’ll have to wait. But I have to mention it, because its story is absolutely key to understanding why Písek is such an exceptional town.

In 1887 – a year before the Žižkov power plant in Prague – Písek switched on the first permanent public electric lighting in Bohemia. František Křižík, the Czech Edison, chose this small South Bohemian town for his pioneering experiment. Imagine the era: people on the square who had known nothing but candles and gas lamps all their lives, and suddenly electric light came on. Písek was ahead of Prague. That’s a fact I never get tired of.

Good news to finish on: in spring 2026 the renovated Francis turbines returned to the power plant, and since May the site is generating electricity again. The new exhibition is still awaiting its opening – check the town’s website for the latest information.

5. The National Stud Farm

If there’s one place in Písek I’d send absolutely every visitor to, it’s the stud farm. Not just for the horses (though they’re gorgeous), but for the grounds themselves. A building in Tudor style – yes, in Písek, in South Bohemia – that looks as if you’d been transported to the English countryside. It’s a national cultural monument and one of the most beautiful stud farms in all of Europe.

And now a little treat for history lovers: a stallion named Ardo, who lived here, is said by tradition to have served as the model for the statue of St Wenceslas on Wenceslas Square in Prague. So every time you walk past that statue, know that the horse is actually a Písek local. 😄

Tours last 1 to 1.5 hours, a guide takes you around the stables, the riding hall and the historic spaces. Admission €6 (150 CZK) adults, €4 (100 CZK) children. And now an important warning that’ll save you trouble at the ticket desk: they accept CASH ONLY! No cards, no phone. Bring your coins.

6. Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary

The tower of this church is a landmark you can spot from almost anywhere in Písek – the tower is over 70 metres tall and the viewing gallery sits at 42 metres; if you’re not afraid, you can climb the 210 steps to the top. The view over the town and surroundings is worth being out of breath for, I guarantee it. But the most interesting thing about this church is the clock on the tower. Look at it carefully – something won’t add up.

Have you spotted it? The small hand shows the minutes and the big one shows the hours. Exactly the opposite of what you’re used to. Nobody knows exactly why – there are several theories – but the result is that almost every tourist stares at the clock in confusion while the locals quietly chuckle. Generations of locals have been amused by it. And another little fun fact? If you look at the clock from the right angle, you can make out an owl.

Important: You can only go up the tower with a prior reservation, so plan ahead. You’ll get the information at the town’s info centre.

7. The Great Square and Aleš Square with Stumbling Stones

Písek’s two main squares are connected and form a kind of heart of the town: the Great Square is the grand one, with the town hall and a fountain, while Aleš Square is quieter, with the library and trees. Strolling through them is pleasant at any time, but I want to point out one thing you could easily miss if you don’t know about it.

On the pavements in the centre of Písek you’ll find Stumbling Stones, the so-called Stolpersteine. They are small brass plaques set into the paving, each bearing the name, date of birth and fate of a person who lived at that spot and became a victim of the Holocaust. You’ll find them on Heyduk Street, Žižka Avenue and the Great Square.

Every time I walk past them, I stop for a moment. They make you realise that these aren’t just names from a textbook. They were neighbours, shopkeepers, people who walked the same streets as we do today. It’s a quiet, dignified reminder, and I think no one who visits Písek should overlook it.

8. The Marian plague column on Aleš Square

On Aleš Square stands a Baroque plague column from 1713–1714, erected by the town in thanks for the plague being averted. At the top is the Virgin Mary, and below her 10 saints: patrons against the plague, protectors of the town. It was created by the sculptor Christian Widemann, and the whole composition is surprisingly dynamic and detailed for how small the square actually is.

If you like Baroque, this is one of the nicer plague columns in South Bohemia. And even if Baroque isn’t quite your thing, at least stop by – the contrast of the old statuary with the little cafés around it has its own charm.

9. The barracks

The former Žižka Barracks on Žižka Avenue are heritage-protected and gradually being transformed. I won’t lie to you – it’s not a place you’d go to on purpose for two hours, but if you walk down Žižka Avenue, notice those massive buildings and imagine how many soldiers passed through here over the centuries. Písek always had a strong military tradition, and these barracks are its tangible reminder.

10. The town hall

The Baroque town hall on the Great Square was built between 1740 and 1767, and its towers with onion domes are among the most photogenic silhouettes in town. The viewing point in the tower is occasionally opened to the public, offering a lovely view of the square, the town’s rooftops and, on a clear day, even the Šumava hills in the distance.

The town hall itself is still functional and houses the municipal offices, so you can’t just wander inside, but the exterior is gorgeous. That warm yellow shade of the façade, the Baroque gables, the tower clock… Whenever I cross the square, I automatically glance up at it.

11. Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Another church founded in Písek by Přemysl Otakar II in the 13th century – this king clearly had a building fever here. The church fascinates me for two reasons. First, it has beautiful Renaissance sgraffito on the façade, unusually rich and elaborate for a South Bohemian church. Second, and this is something history lovers with an interest in sacred architecture will appreciate – it has a reversed orientation, with the altar facing west. It grew out of a Dominican monastery church and got its present form during a 17th-century rebuild, which reliably confuses fans of sacred architecture.

From the outside it looks a bit unassuming, so a lot of people walk past it. Don’t make the same mistake.

12. The Meat Shops (Masné krámy)

The Meat Shops have operated in Písek since the Middle Ages. It’s a covered alley along the southern front of the Great Square, with small shops on both sides (today there are more than 20), selling everything from ceramics through jewellery to local food.

To small children the alley may feel a bit dark and mysterious, but that’s exactly its charm. This narrow alley has an atmosphere that shopping centres around the world try to fake, and here is the original, with medieval roots. On top of that, it’s a great shortcut from the square to Ningr Street.

13. The town library and Upekla café

The Empire-style building on Aleš Square that houses the town library is an architectural gem in its own right. It used to be the J. A. Comenius school. During the renovation, conservators even discovered and saved valuable 19th-century paintings. Today it’s an architecturally successful, bright and modern public space with a relaxing community garden.

But above all, on the ground floor of the library there’s the Upekla café, with homemade pastries, cakes and tarts (they also have gluten-free desserts) and a terrace by the fountain. Upekla also has a courtyard with a sandpit and a fairly large space where kids can let off steam while you finish your coffee. That combination – a café in the historic library building on the square – is simply lovely. The ideal spot for a break between sightseeing.

14. The police station building (former library)

The buildings in the historic core of Písek live their own lives and change their purpose, and this huge house at 85 Aleš Square is a shining example. In the past you’d have come here for silence and to borrow books, because for decades it housed the popular municipal (formerly district) library. After the library moved into the new and more modern premises of the renovated J. A. Comenius school, the building didn’t stay empty. It’s currently being gradually adapted into the new headquarters and modern station of the Písek municipal police.

15. Statue of St Florian

On Havlíček Square, which all the locals simply call “na Floriáně”, stands a statue of St Florian, the patron of firefighters. The little square is smaller, quieter and a bit off to the side. Plus you’ll find some great vintage shops here.

16. Palacký Park

Palacký Park was created on the site of the former moat, and today it’s one of the most pleasant places in all of Písek. Shady trees, tidy paths, benches with a view, and above all – it’s home to two fantastic cafés.

Do Nebe is exactly as lovely as its name (“To Heaven”) suggests, even though over time the café turned into a steakhouse. It’s still completely gluten-free, though, which every coeliac will appreciate. Stylish interior, excellent coffee, and in summer a garden under the trees. And just a little further on is Park Café, which is a touch more modern and has great waffles. And then there’s the renowned U Reinerů restaurant from 1844. To be really honest, its heyday is probably behind it, but drop in at least for a draught Pilsner (I’d skip the food) and a proper dose of history.

Palacký Park is also a place where concerts and cultural events are held in summer, where people run, walk their dogs and where Písek simply comes alive. If you have just half an hour to spare, take a walk through here. It is worth it.

17. Schrenk’s Pavilion

A romantic-looking classicist gazebo set right in Palacký Park, dating from 1841. It’s named after the district governor of the time. Interestingly, although it looks stately, theatre and music programmes used to be held in it.

18. Neptune’s Fountain

The statue of Neptune comes from a Baroque fountain of 1771, which originally stood on the Great Square. The fountain was removed at the start of the 20th century, and after years Neptune finally got a new spot here in Palacký Park. Neptune poses among the trees with his trident, and sometimes I wonder whether he likes it better here than on the busy square. Probably yes – it’s peaceful in the park and the water in the fountain hums pleasantly.

19. Monuments to Adolf Heyduk and František Palacký

In Palacký Park you’ll find monuments to two significant figures, and I want to pause mainly at the first. Adolf Heyduk was a poet who lived in Písek for over 60 years, married here (his wife was a daughter of the Reiner family – yes, the ones from the U Reinerů restaurant) and wrote a large part of his work here. He was a quiet patriot who loved Písek and South Bohemia and wove it all into his poetry.

The monument to František Palacký, the father of the nation and a historian, then reminds us that Písek too had its role in the Czech national revival. Both monuments sit in the park’s beautiful setting, an ideal stop on your walk.

20. Adolf Heyduk’s House

And straight from the monument to the house. On Tyrš Street stands the villa where Adolf Heyduk lived, and it’s another architectural gem. It was designed by the architect Jan Koula in 1900 in the style of Czech Neo-Renaissance, and what’s unique about it: it has a largely preserved original interior. That’s a rarity in the Czech Republic – most similar houses have gone through so many rebuilds that nothing of the original survives.

From the outside, the sgraffito, the decorated gables and the overall feeling that the house was built by someone who cared about every detail all catch the eye. If you’re interested in the architecture of the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, this is a must-see stop. Just note that the memorial is closed for renovation throughout 2026, so save the interior tour for next season.

21. Kronberger’s Gazebo

This is a hidden gem that a lot of people don’t even know about. A small Empire-style structure from 1840, set right into the parkan wall. It was built by the chaplain Kronberger, who probably just wanted a nice place to read and reflect – and who could blame him. Today it houses the philatelists’ club, which is a bit poetic in itself. A tiny gazebo full of tiny stamps.

22. Hotel Otava

A Neo-Renaissance gem with Art Nouveau elements from the end of the 19th century, built by the pharmacist Dvořáček. But watch out – take a good look at those façades! The paintings were done by Josef Bosáček based on designs by Mikoláš Aleš during the hotel’s construction. Aleš’s trace is everywhere in Písek, but here it’s especially visible. The hotel has been through various ups and downs, but the façade still puts on a real show.

And now the news that makes it worth stepping inside too. After renovation, Café Otava (Komenského 56/1) opened on the ground floor, a restaurant with a café and wine bar in First Republic style, which suits the historic building best of all. They’re open daily, on weekdays from 7:30 for breakfast, the lunch menu runs from 11 to 15:00, and in the evening the place turns into a wine bar with its own wine shop.

Vegetarians won’t go hungry here: the menu often has, say, mushroom risotto with parmesan or fried cauliflower for around €8 (199 CZK), a salad with grilled goat cheese for around €10 (239 CZK), and a pumpkin soup for around €2.50 (59 CZK), plus homemade desserts from their own pastry chef. 💡 Tip: Sit by the window, then step outside and look up at the Aleš paintings once more – with a coffee in hand it’s a different experience.

23. The synagogue

On Soukenická Street stands a synagogue from 1871. It has a sad story. Services here ended in 1938, during the occupation the synagogue was closed, and after the war it served for many years only as a warehouse. Today it’s a quiet, somewhat overlooked place that nonetheless carries important history. If you pass by, stop for at least a moment.

24. The polyclinic building

A Neo-Renaissance palace on Aleš Square that looks as if it should host balls and formal receptions. And what’s in it? A polyclinic. 😅 It used to be the U Černého orla inn, so the building has had an interesting journey – from dancing through beer to the dentist. The irony of fate, but at least you can admire the beauty while you wait for a blood test.

25. The House of the Cannonballs and burgher houses

You’ll recognise this house easily. It has cannonballs embedded in the façade. It’s not decoration but an authentic reminder of wartime. The Renaissance sgraffito on the façade is gorgeous, and as a bonus – the poet Fráňa Šrámek lived here.

But Písek is generally full of beautiful burgher houses worth your attention. The House U Slona, U Beránka, Drlíčov, Chelčického 4, U Matky Boží – each has its own story, its own decoration, its own character. My advice is simply to lift your eyes from the pavement and look up. Písek rewards those who watch closely.

26. The New Bridge

A bridge built during the Second World War, which might sound uninteresting, but it’s actually an architectural monument. Clean, functional design, an elegant arch across the Otava. It stands a little in the shadow of its more famous stone neighbour, but I’m mentioning it all the same.

27. The Sokol Hall

On Tyrš Street, since 1895, stands the Sokol Hall with rich stucco decoration. It was a centre of patriotism and association life: here people exercised, sang, debated and built national identity. Sokol exercise sessions are still held here to this day.

28. The old post office

Gregor Street, house number 125. The old post office remembers the era of stagecoaches. Imagine horse-drawn carts arriving here with letters, parcels and occasionally travellers dusty from the road. In a time when “email” meant a pigeon brought your message faster than usual.

29. Raab’s Villa

And now something that never stops fascinating me. Raab’s Villa is the first independent building the architect Dušan Jurkovič designed. The year was 1901. It was built by the industrialist Adolf Raab and it’s a gorgeous blend of Slovak and Swiss folk architecture. Wooden elements, romantic details, everything perfectly thought out.

You’ll find it at the junction of Tábor and Sedláček streets. It’s incredible that this gem stands right here in Písek. Jurkovič went on to build all over the Czech Republic and Slovakia, but he started here with us. As a local, I can’t help but be proud of that. ☺️

30. Monument to the fallen at Melegnano and Solferino

A sculpture of a lion standing on an unfurled banner, a symbol of peace after battle. The monument commemorates the soldiers of the 11th Písek Regiment who fell in the battles of Melegnano and Solferino in Italy in 1859. A long way from home, a long way from the Otava. A quiet, dignified monument at which it’s worth pausing for a moment.

31. The Marian Chapel

A small Baroque monument on the edge of the centre. No grand cathedral, more of a calm point on the town map. Exactly the kind of place you walk past twenty times before you notice it for the first time, and then you wonder how you could have overlooked it.

32. Church of the Holy Trinity

A Late Gothic church from 1576 with an adjacent old cemetery. And here’s the main thing – it has absolutely amazing acoustics. That’s why today it serves as a concert hall, and listening to live music here is an experience you won’t forget. Gothic vaults, old gravestones outside the windows, and a sound that wraps around you from all sides. If there’s a concert on, go. Without a second thought.

33. Church of St Wenceslas

The oldest sacred site in Písek, documented as early as around 1200, the present Gothic-Renaissance building is from the 16th century and stands in the Wenceslas suburb. Here you’ll find probably the oldest fresco depiction of the burning of Master Jan Hus in Europe. In Písek! Just bear in mind that you can usually only get inside during Mass.

This deserves far more attention than it gets. If you’re interested in history, you’re standing before something truly exceptional here.

34. The hillfort

Remains of an ancient settlement from a time when the town of Písek didn’t yet exist. People lived here long before anyone laid the first stone of the Stone Bridge. It’s food for thought – you’re standing on a site where people settled maybe thousands of years ago because it felt good to be here. And it still does.

35. The Path of Sorrowful Stones

About 1.5 km from the U Vodáka game park you’ll find a path that might surprise you. 14 stone blocks line the trail, and each of them symbolises one modern struggle – depression, loneliness, burnout, the loss of a loved one, addiction…

It’s not a depressing walk, even though it might sound that way. It’s more about naming the things we don’t normally talk about. And the path ends with hope – a viewpoint from which you can see far. As a metaphor it works beautifully. As a walk it works too.

36. Villa Marta and the Dagmar Šimková footbridge

A story that could fill an entire film. Dagmar Šimková was a political prisoner arrested by the secret police (StB) right in the beautiful Villa Marta here in Písek. She spent years in communist prisons and wrote a book about it, We Were There Too – if you don’t know it, read it.

In 2018 an elegant footbridge over the Otava was opened in her honour – 140 metres long, designed by the architect Josef Pleskot, who is, incidentally, a native of Písek. The footbridge is gorgeous, airy, modern, and yet it carries a heavy and important story. One of the loveliest spots in town for a walk with a pram or a run.

37. Fráňa Šrámek Theatre

Who’d have thought a former military shooting range would one day become a theatre? It opened in 1940, and straight away with The Bartered Bride — Smetana would probably have been pleased. It only received the name of Fráňa Šrámek in 1991.

Inside you’ll find a beautiful historic stage curtain and seating by the sculptor Libor Hurda. The theatre has a soul and an atmosphere that bigger venues sometimes lack. The programme is worth following – performances are held regularly and to a high standard.

38. The deanery

Address Bakaláře 43/6, right by the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. A Late Baroque building with classicist elements, whose history reaches back to the 14th century. And the most interesting thing – it’s literally fused with the fortification wall, and a Gothic bastion is part of it. So when you step inside, you actually step into the fortifications. Building archaeology in the flesh.

39. The parkans by the Putim Gate

The space between the fortification walls, which was renovated and turned into a lovely resting zone. Views onto the old bastions, benches, calm. The ideal place when you need to disappear from the bustle of the centre for a while but don’t want to go far.

What to do in Písek with kids: tips for families in town and around

Písek is a town where you won’t get bored with kids. And I say that as the mum of two-year-old Jonášek, with whom I spend most of my days here. Whether the kids are bouncing on the giant exhibits at Sladovna, feeding the fallow deer in the enclosure, or playing on the playgrounds in the park. Here are my tips for where to head with the family right in town, plus a few trips into the surroundings we have just around the corner.

Read also: Písek with kids: 40 tips from a local mum on play centres, playgrounds and trips, where you’ll find a complete family guide including all the play centres, playgrounds and price lists.

Sladovna Písek: a giant gallery through play

This is simply number one. Four floors full of interactive exhibitions where kids (and, let’s be honest, parents too) play, explore, build and discover. For the little ones aged 0 to 6 there’s Pilařiště, a safe space full of stimuli. Older kids get swallowed up by Mraveniště and the changing themed exhibitions.

Open Tuesday to Sunday 9–17, in summer daily including Monday until 18:00. Admission €6 (150 CZK) per person, Pilařiště €5 (120 CZK), a family ticket 2+2 costs around €21 (500 CZK) and kids under 3 are free. And an important piece of advice – book online, especially on weekends and during holidays, because it gets full.

Sand sculptures on the embankment (former Cipískoviště)

Giant sand sculptures right by the Stone Bridge, on the Otava embankment. A new theme every year, a new wow. The event used to be called Cipískoviště, but today it’s officially named Sand Sculptures in Písek and in spring it’s accompanied by the family festival Pískoviště. It runs from spring to summer and it’s free – you just come and gaze. The kids are absolutely stunned.

Travel Cafe: a café with a sandpit

This is our family regular and, in my opinion, the best café in Písek. You’ll find Travel Cafe on Komenského Street below the grammar school, two minutes from the Great Square. Breakfast and brunch in the morning, a bistro with specialty coffee during the day, a glass of wine in the evening, and above all a courtyard garden with a sandpit and a playhouse, thanks to which you really can finish your coffee in peace. We almost always sit outside here and we all eat well: they have perfect breakfasts and light lunches, and our little one has pancakes. In summer they even put on children’s shows.

💡 Tip: There’s also a kids’ corner at SOHO Cafe on the Great Square, Sova na Větvi by the Stone Bridge and Upekla in the library (sandpit in the courtyard).

Play centres in Písek: Myška herna and co.

When the weather doesn’t cooperate, the play centres save us. The biggest indoor playground in town is Myška herna (V Portyči 450): climbing frames, slides, a trampoline, foam building blocks and a café for parents. The equipment is already pretty dated, but it’s still the biggest play centre in Písek, so we keep going. An all-day ticket for a child aged 1 to 10 costs around €5 (129 CZK), an hour €3.50 (84 CZK), adults €2 (50 CZK), and it’s closed on Fridays. Toddlers aged one to three will appreciate Thursday’s Montessori workshops Fazole (around €8 / 200 CZK, max. 6 children), while schoolchildren will enjoy the LezeTop climbing centre with a children’s wall or the Laser Arena in the Luna shopping centre.

A complete overview of the play centres with opening hours and prices can be found in the article Písek with kids, plus a continuously updated list of play centres, cafés with kids’ corners and playgrounds at pisek.info/deti/hernicky.

The U Vodáka game enclosure

A forest enclosure where you watch mouflons and fallow deer from a viewing platform and along the fence. The animals are used to people, so you’ll almost always see them, and the fallow deer especially like to be admired. The walk is easy, even small legs can manage it, and the forest around is beautiful in every season.

Živec cabin and the 3D maze

In the Písek Hills you’ll find the Živec cabin with a forest playground and, above all, a net maze up in the treetops. Kids climb, crawl through and hang in the air, and they’re absolutely thrilled. For parents: down below there’s a refreshment spot and benches. So all’s well. 😁

The town island

An island in the middle of the Otava – it sounds like a fairy tale and it kind of looks like one too. A children’s playground, minigolf, a boat rental and a restaurant with a river view. In summer the ideal place for a whole afternoon. The kids play, you sit with a beer or a lemonade and watch the water. What more could you want.

Hernajs

Hernajs is on Jungmann Street, in the same building as the café Až na půdu. They share an entrance, but the play centre isn’t part of the café — it’s a separate business on the upper floor, and you can only take your coffee up to the kids with you. It’s small and there’s no room for running around, so it mainly suits toddlers up to about two years. They announce their workshops and sensory activities on their Instagram, but the programme changes constantly and often isn’t running.

Mini Academy

A children’s centre offering sensory play, English for the little ones, exercise with toddlers and even a mini disco. The programmes change, so it’s worth following their pages. For parents with small children it’s a lifesaver, and you’ll meet other families from Písek here too.

Traffic playground by St Wenceslas

By the lido you’ll find a renovated traffic playground with traffic lights, a roundabout and everything little drivers need. Kids learn the rules of the road here while having fun. And because there’s also YEZ Café with a sandpit for the youngest, you can eat in peace in the meantime and the younger siblings are entertained too. Practical, fun, functional.

Naše zvířátka Putim: a free mini zoo

This is my favourite tip for the smallest kids. In Putim, ten minutes by car from Písek, there’s the family mini zoo Naše zvířátka, where you’ll meet kangaroos, meerkats, goats, birds of prey and a talking raven, plus there’s a retro playground with swings and a sandpit. And now the best part: entry is free, you only pay a voluntary contribution into the box (they suggest around €2–4 / 50–100 CZK), and they’re open daily from 9 to 19.

💡 Tip: Combine it with a walk through Putim, the village made famous by the Good Soldier Švejk. And if your kids dream of horses, just outside Písek in Smrkovice there’s Stáj Merlin, where you can arrange a pony ride or a walk with a llama or alpaca. Just call ahead – everything here runs by appointment and prices are on request.

The lido by St Wenceslas: swimming with a view of the Otava

When it’s hot, Písek families head for the lido by St Wenceslas, which has been running here for over 75 years. It’s a real classic on the riverbank: a children’s pool with a slide, a paddling pool and, for those who want it, a swim straight in the Otava. Adults pay around €3.70 (90 CZK) per day, children under 140 cm around €2.50 (60 CZK) and a family ticket comes to around €9 (225 CZK), which I think is more than fair. In the complex you can also rent a boat for around €4 (100 CZK) per hour, and there’s refreshment right by the water.

On the water down the Otava: paddling for families too

The Otava around Písek is a calm, slow river, ideal for a first go at paddling with kids. Rental companies deliver boats to Písek for free, a family canoe for two adults and two kids costs around €31 (750 CZK) per day, a big raft for six people about €64 (1,550 CZK), and the price includes vests, barrels and paddles. You don’t have to plan a whole-day expedition straight away – the rentals also offer short afternoon trips of an hour and a half to three hours, and they’ll advise the right stretch based on the current water level.

Zeměráj near Kovářov: a day in the early Middle Ages

Set aside a whole day for this trip. The Zeměráj experience park near Kovářov (about 35 minutes by car towards Milevsko) is a living open-air museum of an early medieval village where kids get their hands on everything: they grind grain, try period crafts, and there’s a kilometre-long barefoot trail, a water playground, a maze and more than a hundred games and puzzles scattered around the grounds.

Admission is around €8 (190 CZK) for adults and €7 (170 CZK) for children from 2 years, smaller kids free and parking free too. It’s open from May to the end of September, during the holidays daily from 9:30 to 18:30, outside the holidays mainly on weekends. 💡 Tip: Pack a towel to rinse off your feet after the barefoot trail – you’ll want it.

The Elinka train over the Rainbow bridge

This one is a favourite for little and big train fans alike. On summer Saturdays the historic electric railcar Elinka from 1903 – the oldest of its kind in the Czech Republic – sets off on the line from Tábor to Bechyně, along with the splendid locomotive Bobinka. The line, by the way, is historic: it was the first electrified railway in the country, and along the way the train even crosses the famous Bechyně Rainbow bridge.

From Písek it’s most convenient to drive to Bechyně (half an hour by car) and board the return services at around 11:25 and 15:25. A ticket costs around €8 (200 CZK) for adults and €4 (100 CZK) for children aged 6 to 15. Check the current dates and times with Czech Railways before you go, as they can vary a little each year.

What to do in Písek when it rains

A rainy day in Písek is no reason to pack your bags. In fact, and I say this honestly, some of the best experiences here are precisely the indoor ones. Here’s a list of places to take cover without feeling you’re just killing time.

• Sladovna – the obvious choice number one. Four floors of fun for the whole family, you can easily spend a whole morning or afternoon here.
• Prácheň Museum – a Gothic castle, collections from prehistory to the present. In the rain the atmosphere has even more punch.
• Křižík’s power plant – note, it’s currently closed for renovation. But keep an eye on when it opens, because it’ll be worth it.
• Cafés – the café scene in Písek is surprisingly rich. Choose Balzám café for a quiet sit-down, Sova na Větvi for excellent coffee, Až na půdu for breakfast and a seat in the courtyard, Frame for modern design and a cup of coffee or matcha, Travel Cafe (our favourite, with a garden and sandpit) when you want to travel at least in your thoughts and have a good brunch with it. In a category of their own are the play centres, mainly Myška herna.
• Restaurants – a rainy day is a great excuse for a proper lunch. More in the food section below.
• Kino Portyč – don’t expect a modern multiplex with a big selection of snacks, but you can catch a new film at a very reasonable price.
• Museum of Milevsko Masks – half an hour by car and you’re in the museum of the oldest carnival procession in the Czech Republic. Kids can try on replica masks, play with tablets and colour their own mask in the workshop. Admission around €2.50/1.20 (60/30 CZK), family around €5.70 (140 CZK).
• Horažďovice aquapark – forty minutes by car, but with a water slide, a wild river, a wave pool and a children’s pool with a pirate ship. A family ticket for two hours comes to around €20 (490 CZK). There’s also an indoor pool with an 86-metre slide closer by, in Strakonice.
• Swimming stadium + steam room – the indoor pool and steam room are open, only the outdoor complex is closed for now (the town is building a brand-new pool). Since there’s water outside anyway, at least be in the warm kind.
• Harmony – yoga, pilates, gym, sauna, massages. A rainy day can be turned into a wellness day, can’t it?
• Puppy yoga at Mini Academy – yoga with puppies. Yes, you read that right. Yoga. With. Puppies. Do I need to say more? 😅

Where to park in Písek

Parking in Písek can occasionally be a puzzle, and there are a few things worth knowing in advance so you don’t circle the centre needlessly. The town has three price zones and the system is straightforward.

Zone I (centre):

• 1st hour: around €0.80 (20 CZK)
• 2nd hour: around €1.20 (30 CZK)
• Each additional hour: around €2.50 (60 CZK)

Zone II (wider centre):

• 1st–2nd hour: around €0.40 (10 CZK)
• Each additional hour: around €1.20 (30 CZK)

Zone III (edge):

• around €0.40 (10 CZK)/hour

On public holidays parking is free everywhere, and on Sundays almost everywhere, the exception being the Great Square, where you pay every day.

You can pay through the MPLA app, which is probably the most convenient option. No hunting for coins, no running to the machine.

My tip: If you’re staying for a longer time, park at the exhibition grounds or by the cultural centre – it’s a short walk from the centre, the zone is cheaper and there’s usually a spot. A few minutes’ walk won’t hurt you and your wallet will thank you. If you park by the Elim sports hall, it’ll be completely free.

Where to eat and drink well in Písek

Písek is a town where you eat and drink surprisingly well. No gastronomic desert, as one might expect from a town this size. Here are the places we like to go to in Písek, and since my husband and I are both vegetarians, I’m mainly writing about what we order.

Our four regulars for food:

• Tandoor (Heydukova 172/10) – an Indian restaurant tucked away in a passage from Heyduk Street to Palacký Park, entrance up the stairs. Nepalese chefs, a real tandoor oven and a great vegetarian selection: palak paneer, daal makhani or channa masala for around €7 (175 CZK), plus fresh naan for around €2.30 (55 CZK). Closed on Sundays.
• Do Nebe (Palackého sady 68/9) – a gluten-free restaurant that today styles itself as a steakhouse, but most of the menu is naturally gluten-free and for coeliacs it’s the number-one address in Písek. The menu keeps changing there, though, so I never know in advance whether we’ll find something as vegetarians — occasionally they have a meat-free dish and then we love coming here. The daily menu costs around €2.20–10 (54–249 CZK). A garden in the park, a small playground nearby, closed on Sundays.
• Pizzeria San Marco (Velké náměstí 118/11) – an Italian restaurant right on the square, with an Italian owner, a wood-fired oven and homemade pasta. Margherita, quattro formaggi, lasagne and tiramisu, reckon on around €8–12 (200–300 CZK) per person.
• Pomodoro Ristorante Italiano (Bakaláře 147/3) – a second Italian, this time right by the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. Homemade pasta, gnocchi, pesto and ice cream, with a terrace and gelateria in summer. When San Marco is full, it’s usually quieter here.

Other places worth a mention:

• Kozlovna u Plechandy (Svatotrojická 164/5) – Czech classics with a terrace overlooking the Stone Bridge, a few vegetarian dishes on the menu and high chairs available. The local specialities are svíčková and pork knuckle, and in season you’ll struggle to get in without a reservation.
• Chapelle at Hotel U Kapličky – modern cuisine recognised in the Michelin Guide 2026, a more elegant setting, ideal for a romantic dinner or a celebration.
• U Reinerů (Palackého sady 98) – a restaurant from 1844 with a garden in the park. Its heyday is probably behind it, but it’s worth a stop for a draught Pilsner and a proper dose of history.
• Aura (Velké náměstí 104) – Asian cuisine for those who want something different.
• Restaurant Ostrov on the town island – a semi-shaded garden with a fenced children’s playground, minigolf and boats. Fried cheese for around €8.60 (209 CZK), ideal with kids.

Cafés (because coffee deserves its own category):

• Travel Cafe (Komenského 87/16) – my favourite café in Písek. Specialty coffee, breakfast and brunch, wine in the evening, and above all a courtyard garden with a sandpit. Two minutes from the square.
• Coffee Dealer (Drlíčov 145/17) – an espresso and brew bar for those who take coffee seriously, especially filter. Mon–Sat 9–17, Sun 10:30–17.
• Kaférna (Heydukova) – and here I have to be honest. The coffee there is good, no doubt about it, but for reasons unknown the staff are capable of shouting at you across the whole street. This coffee bar is known among locals for its unpleasant service, and it’s a shame to spoil your visit to Písek with it. Better head to Coffee Dealer by the church.
• Sova na Větvi – its own roastery and a kids’ corner, a short walk from the bridge
• Balzám Café – a music café in Sladovna, with Wednesday concerts in summer
• Frame Kafé – modern, design-led, brunch by the Stone Bridge
• Až na půdu – breakfast and a seat in the courtyard; the same building also has the Hernajs play centre (a separate business)
• Upekla – homemade pastries, cakes and tarts in the library, sandpit in the courtyard
• SOHO Cafe – a fenced kids’ corner and pancakes on the Great Square
• Park Café 67 – the best waffles in the whole town

Wine and drinks:

• Degustárna (Bakaláře 44/4) – for wine lovers
• Víno Hruška – another wine tip
• Kavárnička Hella – coffee and cocktails and a pleasant evening atmosphere
• Revolution bar – drinks, music, a bit more energy, great bartenders

Day trips around Písek: 13 places to head for on a day out

Písek is a great base for trips around South Bohemia. By car, by bus, by bike – from here you can get anywhere. And that “anywhere” includes castles, dams, crocodiles and the Šumava mountains. Here are thirteen places worth heading to.

Read also: Where to holiday in South Bohemia: 15 most beautiful places (with kids too)

Zvíkov Castle and Orlík Chateau

Zvíkov stands at the confluence of the Otava and Vltava and is probably the most beautiful castle in the area. Admission is around €7.40 (180 CZK), and when you get hungry the Pivovarský dvůr Zvíkov will save you. A little further on is Orlík Chateau above the reservoir, and during the holidays a sightseeing boat runs between Zvíkov and Orlík – the cruise takes about 50 minutes and costs around €12 (300 CZK). A fairy-tale trip.

Crocodile Zoo Protivín

Fifteen minutes by car from Písek and you’re among the crocodiles. Every species you can imagine, and even white crocodiles. The kids are thrilled, the adults too, and every time I’m there I’m amazed that this crocodile farm is so close by.

Memorial of the Battle of Sudoměř

Jan Žižka fought one of the first battles here with his Hussites in 1420. There’s a 16-metre statue and, around it, the Markovec and Škaredý ponds. If you enjoy Czech history, this place has a strong atmosphere. And the surrounding landscape is gorgeous, a peaceful South Bohemian picture.

The Fairy-tale Forge in Selibov

Devils, water sprites, fairies and a creative workshop to go with it. The ideal trip with smaller kids who still believe in fairy tales (and with bigger ones who pretend they don’t but enjoy it all the same).

Farmapark Maletice

A petting zoo plus amusement park on the road to Protivín, about 12 minutes from Písek. Goats, alpacas, ponies, rabbits, plus giant air trampolines, a hay-bale maze, zip lines and a covered sandpit with a slide. Open daily 10–18, admission around €10 (250 CZK) per child, €8.60 (210 CZK) per adult, family around €36 (879 CZK) (cheaper online), kids under 2 free, parking free. Farmapark opened in summer 2025 and is currently probably the most popular family trip from Písek.

Fiziland and the Kingdom of Time in Protivín

Protivín, 15 minutes from Písek, has two family destinations under one roof. Fiziland (Zelenohorská 986) is an amusement park by the YouTuber Fizi: a giant slide, trampolines, a foam pit, a bouncy castle and a quiet zone for the youngest, plus an outdoor playground. Open daily 10–18, a child pays around €16 (389 CZK) and an accompanying adult around €6.50 (159 CZK) (a family package for two adults and two kids comes to around €36 / 889 CZK), kids under 3 free. Tickets must be bought online in advance, on-site sales aren’t guaranteed. I’ve covered the park in detail in the article about Fiziland.

A completely different league is the Kingdom of Time (Purkyňova 255): a renovated Art Nouveau villa with a clock museum, where a 19th-century tower mechanism chimes every full hour, and on the ground floor a play centre, a creative workshop and a fenced garden with a slide and zip line. Open daily 9–17, the museum costs around €3.70/2.50 (90/60 CZK), but the play area and garden are free if you buy a coffee. Ideal for toddlers.

Bagrárium in Strakonice

A 2026 novelty and the first of its kind in the Czech Republic: Bagrárium (Povážská 358, Strakonice, 30 minutes by car) is an indoor play centre where kids control realistic models of excavators, loaders and dumper trucks over a big sandpit and dig for treasure in it. You book online for half-hour slots between 10 and 18, around €11 (279 CZK) for 30 minutes on one machine. Note, the recommended age is from 6 years (the controls need coordination of both hands), so it’s more of a tip for older siblings.

Tábor

A Hussite town, 45 minutes’ drive away. Medieval underground tunnels (a bit claustrophobic, but worth it), a Chocolate Museum (kids + chocolate = a win), a zoo and the Jordán reservoir for swimming in summer. Tábor is a town with character and an atmosphere that differs from Písek and is definitely worth a visit.

České Budějovice

České Budějovice is about forty minutes by car from Písek. The huge Přemysl Otakar II Square, the climb up the Black Tower (225 steps, but that view!) and, of course, the Budvar brewery with a tour. The South Bohemian metropolis, where you can spend a whole day and still not see everything.

Hluboká nad Vltavou

Our most famous fairy-tale chateau is less than 40 minutes from Písek. Over the summer they put on tours with the duchess for kids aged 5 to 10 – the costumed Duchess Eleonora gives tours daily at 12:15, 13:30 and 14:45, but the group is limited to twenty people, so book online in advance. And right below the chateau by the Munice pond is Hluboká Zoo (around €7.40 / 180 CZK adults, €5.70 / 140 CZK children, tots under 90 cm free), just the right size for small legs to manage.

Český Krumlov

An hour’s drive and you’re in a UNESCO town that looks like it’s straight out of a medieval film. A chateau with bears in the moat (really, live bears), a centre full of alleys and the Egon Schiele gallery for art lovers. Expect crowds of tourists, but even so it is worth it. Best outside the high season.

Šumava

An hour is all you need and you’re in the Šumava National Park. The Boubín virgin forest, the wild Vydra river, Modrava for lovers of adventure stories (or at least that feeling), cycle trails for a whole day. Šumava is a different world – slower, greener, quieter. The perfect reset from everything.

Prague

Prague is about an hour by car from Písek along the D4, or 70 minutes by RegioJet bus. Comfortable, no stress about parking, for around €5–9 (120–220 CZK). Prague is Prague, but it’s nice to know it’s actually just a short hop from Písek. For a trip, a concert, a museum, and back home to the Otava in the evening.

What to see in Písek: conclusion

So there you have it – Písek as I know and love it. A town that doesn’t wait for hordes of tourists but quietly lives its own beautiful life by the river. With the oldest bridge, with a gallery where kids play, with cafés that won’t burn your coffee, and with stories that have been written here for centuries.

I was born here, I came back here and I’m grateful for it. But Písek isn’t jealous – it loves to share. So come, take a walk across the bridge, have a coffee on the square, drop into Sladovna, look at the Otava from the Dagmar Šimková footbridge and let yourself be surprised by how much beauty fits into one South Bohemian town.

Where to next

Current events, festivals and an overview of places in Písek can be found at pisek.info (sections Events and Places). Travelling with kids? Then read my separate guide Písek with kids: 40 tips from a local mum, where you’ll find all the play centres, playgrounds and family trips with prices. If you’re planning to spend several days in South Bohemia, take a look at the big overview Where to holiday in South Bohemia: 15 most beautiful places (with kids too), where Písek is joined by fourteen other beautiful corners of the region. A short hop from Písek lies the Hussite town of Tábor, which we have a detailed guide to, and in forty minutes you’re in České Budějovice. And if the whole of the Czech Republic tempts you, browse 20 tips on where to holiday in the Czech Republic.

Want to venture out around Písek? I’ve written a separate guide Trips around Písek: 30 tips from a local — Zvíkov and Orlík castles, a reservoir cruise, Blatná and Hluboká, all with exact distances and driving times from Písek.

Frequently asked questions

Planning a trip to Písek, Czech Republic with kids? This one is close to my heart, because I was born in this beautiful South Bohemian town and spent my childhood here. Although I later lived in Prague for many years, Lukáš and I recently decided to move back down south, so we now live here with our two-year-old son Jonášek. As a local mum, I can tell you with a clear conscience that Písek is an absolutely ideal destination for families with kids, where everything is conveniently close at hand.

Since I move around town every day with a pram and an energetic toddler, I know all too well how hard it can sometimes be to come up with a plan that keeps the whole family happy. That’s why I decided to put together this comprehensive guide, where you’ll find the best playrooms, outdoor playgrounds and day-trip ideas, so your family holiday goes as smoothly as possible. Písek is about far more than just the oldest stone bridge in the country — it offers amazing facilities for kids of all ages.

I’ve prepared 44 tips that we local mums are constantly sharing in various groups and forwarding to friends who are just arriving. I’ve added practical info on prices and opening hours for 2026. Whether you’re coming for a long weekend or the whole summer holidays, I’m sure you’ll easily piece together an itinerary you’ll remember for a long time.

TL;DR

• Biggest indoor playroom: Myška herna in Portyč has fairly dated equipment, but it’s still the largest playroom in Písek, so we keep going there.
• Culture for kids: Sladovna with its Pilařiště and Mraveniště exhibitions is an absolute must — just don’t forget to buy tickets online in advance.
• Favourite playground: The new playground with a giant wooden deer at Na Trubách and the marble runs on Jiráskovo Embankment will keep kids busy for a whole afternoon.
• Café with a play corner: Our favourite, Travel Cafe, has a courtyard garden with a great sandpit and playhouse.
• Top 3 day trips: Farmapark Maletice, Kingdom of Time in Protivín and the Fairytale Forge in Selibov are safe bets.
• What to do when it rains: Sladovna, Myška herna, the swimming stadium pool, the small Hernajs playroom or Portyč cinema will save the day.

When to visit Písek with kids

Písek is beautiful all year round, but if you want to enjoy the town to the full with outdoor activities too, the ideal time to visit is from late May to September. From late May, giant sand sculptures start rising on the riverbank by the Stone Bridge — a big draw — and the summer months practically call for a visit to the lovely river lido at St Wenceslas.

If you’re coming in winter or autumn, you definitely won’t be bored, because the town has great indoor facilities led by Sladovna and several playrooms, so you’ll be sorted even if it’s pouring down. For a visit with kids I’d recommend setting aside at least a long weekend, but if you want to fit in day trips to the surrounding area too, you could easily spend a whole week here full of experiences.

Where to stay in Písek with kids

Choosing the right accommodation is key for families with kids, and in Písek you’ll find several great options right in the centre. Hotel Biograf is a lovely four-star hotel a short walk from the centre, with an excellent 8.6 rating on Booking, and parents will surely appreciate the chance to unwind in the sauna in the evening.

The historic Hotel Otava, with Aleš murals on its façade, has a newly refurbished ground-floor Café Otava (breakfast from 7:30, lunch menu, homemade desserts) — a great spot for breakfast with kids. You won’t find rooms on Booking at the moment though, so for accommodation go for Biograf or U Kapličky instead. If you’re after a more modern gastronomic experience combined with a stay, take a look at Hotel U Kapličky, whose Chapelle restaurant even made it into the Michelin Guide.

For families coming mainly in summer for swimming and sport, Penzion Sport is absolutely ideal, sitting right by the river within the town lido complex. The advantage is that the restaurant with a terrace is right inside the lido, so the pools and paddling pool are just a few steps away. You can easily book all of these via Booking, where you’ll sometimes find interesting deals too.

Playrooms and indoor fun in Písek

When the weather doesn’t cooperate, or you simply need to hide from the summer sun for a few hours, Písek offers plenty of indoor options. A regularly updated overview of playrooms, cafés with play corners and playgrounds with verified opening hours can be found at pisek.info/deti/hernicky. Every Písek mum has these places saved on her phone.

1. Myška herna

This is by far the largest indoor playground in Písek, which you’ll find on V Portyči street (no. 450), and we local families head here really often, especially when it’s chucking it down outside. Inside there are huge climbing frames, slides, a big trampoline and lots of foam building blocks that kids use to build dens.

The playroom is primarily aimed at kids up to age 10, but thanks to special play features even the smallest toddlers can enjoy themselves in a safe environment. Meanwhile parents can sit in the café area, have a coffee and keep an eye on the kids the whole time.

Admission depends on how long you spend in the playroom — an hour for a child costs around €3.50 (84 CZK), but for about €5 (129 CZK) you can stay all day. Babies under one pay just €2 (49 CZK) and accompanying adults a symbolic €2 (50 CZK), which makes Myška very affordable fun.

Let’s be honest: the equipment is pretty dated and nothing here smells of newness. But it’s still the biggest playroom in Písek by far, which is exactly why we keep coming back. Nowhere else in town gives kids so much room to run around.

2. Sladovna – the Pilařiště exhibition

Sladovna, which works as a huge hands-on gallery, is an absolute one-of-a-kind and the pride of Písek that you can’t miss. Its section called Pilařiště is designed especially for the youngest kids, from newborns to six-year-olds, who can safely explore the world through colours, sounds and tactile experiences.

The space is inspired by the work of illustrator Radek Pilař, and kids can crawl, climb into soft hideaways and play with interactive elements. Given Sladovna’s huge popularity with visitors from out of town, I recommend checking available slots and buying tickets online in advance.

Entry to Pilařiště runs in dedicated 90-minute time slots to avoid overcrowding, and basic admission for 2026 is around €5 (120 CZK) per person. Kids under one get in free, and you can park prams without any trouble in the large cloakroom on the ground floor.

3. Sladovna – the Mraveniště exhibition

While Pilařiště is for the little ones, older kids from age three will be absolutely enchanted by the giant Mraveniště (Anthill), located on an upper floor of Sladovna. It’s a huge wooden labyrinth full of tunnels, bridges and climbing frames, where kids briefly become little ants and explore a complex system of passageways.

Visitors enter the Anthill at half-hourly intervals to avoid jams in the narrow tunnels, and entry is included in the ticket to the main exhibitions (around €6 / 150 CZK, kids under 3 free). These change regularly, so even if you come to Písek several times, you’ll always find something new here.

If you’d like to take a break during your visit, there’s a coffee machine in the foyer, or you can pop straight into the adjacent Balzám Café. A family ticket to the main exhibitions comes to roughly €20 to €25 (500–600 CZK), which is definitely worth it for those hours of quality entertainment.

4. Fazole – Montessori workshops

For parents of toddlers aged one to three, Písek has the lovely Fazole Montessori workshops, run by facilitators focused on a respectful approach. In a specially adapted environment, kids can try working with Montessori materials, practise fine motor skills and learn independence.

Workshops for the public usually run on Thursday mornings, but since capacity is limited to a maximum of six children, you always need to book your spot in advance. Admission costs around €8 (200 CZK) per morning, and a healthy children’s snack is included in the price.

Just be careful about the right address, because some older websites list Sedláčkova street, but the workshops for the public should currently be held on Karlova street. So it’s best to check on their website before you go.

5. Hernajs

You’ll find Hernajs on Jungmannova street, in the same building as the Až na půdu café. The playroom isn’t part of the café, though — it’s a separate business, they just share an entrance, and you can bring coffee from the café upstairs to the kids.

It’s a small upstairs playroom with wooden toys — a play kitchen, a doll’s house, musical instruments for the little ones. Jonášek and I mostly came here between his first and second birthday. Once he got more active we’ve come less often, because there’s simply no room for running around here.

On Instagram @her.najs you’ll find info about clubs, craft sessions and sensory play too. The programme changes a lot and often isn’t running, though, so it’s best to always check the date in advance. They don’t have a public price list.

6. Mini Academy Písek

Another interesting place for families is Mini Academy on Pražská street, which focuses mainly on children’s clubs and organised activities. It offers a huge range (a complete overview of Písek clubs by age is on pisek.info), from popular baby sessions for kids under two, through sensory play, to modern clubs like hobby horsing or gymnastics.

It’s primarily about regular clubs rather than free play, so check specific dates and prices directly with them by phone or online — and by the way, you can also hire the space for a birthday party.

💡 Tip: Holiday day camps are run by Laser Arena (see the next tip); for Mini Academy, ask about their current offer.

7. Laser Arena Písek & Game Café Bar

If you have older kids or teenagers in the family, definitely take them to the Luna department store on the Great Square, where the third floor hides a brilliant Laser Arena. For younger kids from around age six, the rule is that anyone who can carry the glowing game vest can play.

While the older kids run around the darkened arena, you can sit down in the adjoining Game Café Bar, which even caters to babies with a children’s corner and a changing table. Besides laser game, you’ll also find pool, table football, a racing simulator and virtual reality goggles here.

Basic admission for one laser game round is around €4.50 (110 CZK), but it can get very busy at weekends and during holidays, so I recommend booking in advance. They’re usually open Friday to Sunday; on weekdays it’s by arrangement.

8. LezeTop – Písek Climbing Centre

For all the little monkeys who climb the furniture at home, a visit to the LezeTop climbing centre on U Vodárny street is absolutely ideal. They have a huge area of over 1,500 square metres and more than 150 climbing routes of varying difficulty.

Don’t worry about coming with complete beginners, because they have a special kids’ wall and boulder where even the smallest can safely try climbing without any complicated ropes. All the gear, including tiny climbing shoes, can be borrowed right at reception.

The whole space is fully wheelchair accessible, so you can get in with a pram too, and once you’re worn out from climbing, you can settle in at their bar, which also has a small children’s corner. They’re open every day from ten in the morning until evening.

9. Swimming stadium

When it’s chilly outside, Písek’s swimming stadium on Ostrovní street will reliably save the day — this is where local families come for weekend swimming. There’s a children’s pool measuring nine by six metres with a maximum depth of ninety centimetres, so kids can easily touch the bottom.

While the kids splash around in the warm water, adults can take turns in the steam rooms, which are available right by the pool. In summer you can also step out onto the outdoor terrace and catch some sun on the loungers.

Admission prices change often and the website lists an older price list from 2022, according to which adults pay around €4 (100 CZK) and kids up to 140 cm around €2.50 (60 CZK) for two hours, so expect the amounts at the till to be a bit higher. It’s open every day, but at weekends only from the afternoon.

10. Mother and Child Care Centre

If you have a really small baby and want to enjoy the water in a more intimate setting, check out what the Mother and Child Care Centre on Erbenova street offers. They have a special heated children’s pool for swimming courses for infants and toddlers up to six years old.

Besides the pool, the centre has a pleasant children’s corner, where kids can play after swimming and acclimatise before heading out. The centre focuses primarily on regular courses and physiotherapy, so one-off entries always need to be arranged by phone.

Opening hours are Monday to Friday (Mon–Thu 8am–6pm, Fri 8am–4pm), but for exact info on availability and current prices I recommend calling, as this information is unfortunately missing from the website.

11. Town library and Upekla café

The town library on Aleš Square isn’t just a boring book-lending spot — Písek’s children’s department is a real feast for the eyes. The space is beautifully painted in an underwater style, two large live aquariums with fish are built into the walls, and there’s even a proper children’s slide.

In the same building there’s the Upekla patisserie and café, which also has a courtyard in the inner block. And that’s exactly where you’ll find a sandpit and a fairly large space where kids can happily let off steam while you finish your coffee. From the children’s department it’s just across the yard, so reading and playing can be combined into one morning.

💡 Tip: Upekla also caters for a gluten-free diet, so a child with coeliac disease can have a cake here too.

Playgrounds, parks and the river: Písek with kids outdoors

As soon as the sun comes out, Písek comes alive and all the families head to the river and the parks. Here’s an overview of places where kids are guaranteed to have fun in the fresh air.

12. Sand sculptures on the riverbank

This is the absolute symbol of summer in Písek, drawing visitors from all over the country. Every year from late May, huge sand sculptures start rising on the riverbank by the Stone Bridge, created by experienced sculptors, and every year they have a completely different theme.

This event used to be called Cipískoviště; today you’ll find it as Sand Sculptures in Písek, and the whole display is completely free to visit all summer long, until the autumn rains destroy the sculptures. There’s always an accompanying festival with a programme for families too.

For toddlers it’s fascinating to watch those enormous sandcastles, and you can also stroll along the river and grab some ice cream at Pomodoro by the church, or at one of the cafés near the bridge.

13. The Stone Bridge and riverbank

While you’re at the sculptures, don’t miss a walk across the Stone Bridge itself, which is the oldest preserved bridge in the Czech Republic, dating back to the 13th century. For kids the bridge is interesting for its niches and statues, among which they can run about, since cars aren’t allowed.

Beneath the bridge runs a beautifully landscaped riverbank, where local families regularly come to feed the ducks and swans. Just please remember that bread is bad for the birds, so bring them a little corn, peas or special waterfowl pellets instead.

From the riverbank there’s also a lovely view of Písek castle, and you can photograph the whole scene for your family album. The walk along the water is completely step-free too, so prams and kids’ balance bikes will get through without the slightest problem.

14. Town Island

The Town Island, surrounded by the Otava river, is a quiet green oasis right in the town centre, reached via a footbridge. You’ll find a large park here with beautiful mature trees that provide much-needed shade in the summer heat.

For kids there’s a large fenced playground with modern play features, where you needn’t worry about your toddler running off somewhere. Right next to the playground, older kids and adults can also play mini golf on the well-kept local course.

When the kids get hungry, the island has the traditional Restaurace Ostrov, which has its own smaller playground by the summer garden, so you can finish your lunch in peace while the kids play nearby.

15. Traffic playground at St Wenceslas

The traffic playground on Zátavské Embankment recently underwent a major renovation and has been reopened in full glory since May 2025. It’s an absolute paradise for all the little fans of cars, balance bikes and scooters, who can practise riding by the rules here.

The playground has real working traffic lights, a roundabout, pedestrian crossings and various road signs. If you don’t have your own vehicle with you, you can hire brilliant pedal go-karts here for around €2 (50 CZK) per half hour, which are especially fun for preschoolers and younger schoolchildren.

During the summer holidays they’re open every day, morning and afternoon; in spring and autumn they mostly operate in the afternoons and at weekends. Entry with your own bike or balance bike is completely free.

Right by the playground there’s also YEZ Café, so you have somewhere to sit down for a coffee and a bite to eat. And since there’s also a sandpit for the little ones, siblings who aren’t yet big enough for the pedal karts will be entertained too.

16. Jiráskovo Embankment and marble playground

Jiráskovo Embankment is another beautifully landscaped riverside space, home to a unique marble playground covering 186 square metres. There are nine different runs here and even a special marble slide, which can keep kids busy for an unbelievably long time.

If you don’t have your own marbles, don’t despair — you can buy marbles for around €1 (20 CZK) at the nearby info centre or straight from a machine by the run. The whole space is wonderfully interactive and playful, though the popular pump track was unfortunately removed here in May 2026.

Besides marbles, you’ll also find a playground made of living willow, a barefoot walking trail where kids can try different surfaces, and the Flux parkour playground for older athletes, so activities for all age groups blend together here.

17. The deer playground at Na Trubách

This is a brand-new hit of 2026 that all the Písek kids are absolutely thrilled about. The dominant feature of the new forest playground at Na Trubách is a huge, eight-metre-tall wooden deer, which serves both as a lookout and, above all, as an intricate climbing frame with a slide.

Around the deer stretches a lovely space with swings, wooden logs for balancing and a large sandpit for toddlers. The playground is designed in a natural style to fit into the surroundings, and the plan is to gradually add sculptures of an ant, an owl and a squirrel too.

Since the playground is brand new, expect it to be packed at weekends, so with smaller kids I’d recommend heading over on a weekday morning instead.

18. Palacký Gardens

Palacký Gardens are the largest park in the centre of Písek, created on the site of former moat trenches. It’s an ideal spot for a peaceful pram walk under the crowns of old trees, and in summer various promenade concerts are often held here.

On the western edge of the park there’s a smaller children’s playground with a pebble surface, dominated by a beautiful wooden climbing frame shaped like a fish. You’ll also find spring rockers for toddlers and one popular hanging swing.

The only downside of this playground is that there are no benches right by the play equipment for parents, so you usually have to stand nearby or sit on the edge of the wooden kerbs. Even so, it’s a great stop while wandering around town.

19. The lido at St Wenceslas

When the summer heat hits, the whole town moves to the lido at St Wenceslas on Zátavské Embankment. This complex combines classic swimming in the Otava river with modern pools, so there really is something for everyone.

For families with kids there’s a shallow children’s pool with a slide and a separate paddling pool for the very smallest toddlers. Around the pools are grassy areas for blankets, and there are also mature trees you can shelter under with a pram in the shade.

The lido is open from May to September, every day until half past seven in the evening; adults pay around €3.50 (90 CZK) and kids up to 140 cm around €2.50 (60 CZK). The advantage is that the restaurant of the adjacent Penzion Sport operates right within the complex, so lunch is sorted.

20. Boats and paddling on the Otava

The Otava river doesn’t just flow through Písek — it practically invites all sorts of water fun that you can manage even with smaller kids. There’s a rental right by the Town Island, where in season you can hire classic rowing boats or pedalos.

Kids love being able to see the town from a completely different perspective from the boat and watch the ducks gliding across the water up close. At the lido at St Wenceslas you can also hire a boat for around €4 (100 CZK) per hour and paddle a little way along the Otava.

If you like longer trips, the Otava is a renowned canoeing river, so you can plan a family descent of one of its calmer stretches — there are several boat and raft rentals around Písek.

21. The U Vodáka deer enclosure

For families who love animals and nature, a lovely walking destination is the U Vodáka forest enclosure, located on the edge of the Písek Hills. It’s just a short distance from town, yet you’ll find yourself in the complete peace of the forest.

From the viewing platform and along the fence you can watch fallow deer and mouflon, which are used to people — that reliably keeps kids busy for a long time. An easy forest path leads to the enclosure, manageable even for little legs; with a pram, expect some rough terrain.

The best thing about this trip is that it’s accessible year-round and completely free, so local families happily head here even in winter with a flask of tea, when snow has fallen and the animals stand out beautifully in the snowy forest.

22. Živec 3D maze

In the forests above Písek, right next to the well-known Živec cottage, a unique 3D maze suspended among the trees has appeared. It’s a system of hanging walkways and little houses, completely secured with protective nets, so you don’t need any climbing harnesses or helmets.

The attraction sits at a height of three and a half to six metres above the ground, which guarantees a proper dose of adrenaline. Kids aged three to seven can only go up accompanied by an adult; for the very smallest, there’s a smaller forest rope playground with a crystal house down on the ground.

The maze is part of the educational Gemstone Trail and is freely accessible, so there’s no admission fee. You can leave your car at the U Tří rybníků or U Honzíčka car park and reach it by a pleasant forest walk.

23. Jarník lookout tower

While you’re at the Živec cottage, definitely take the roughly 700-metre walk along the blue trail marker to the iron Jarník lookout tower, which rises to 606 metres above sea level. More active preschoolers can manage the climb too — just note that 182 fairly see-through steps lead to the top.

From the viewing platform you’ll get a wonderful view over the whole Písek region and the Šumava mountains, which is definitely worth the effort. Entry to the tower is free, but in winter and off-season it’s usually locked and you have to borrow the keys at the Živec cottage.

💡 Tip: If you plan to combine the trip with lunch, check the opening hours of the restaurant at the Živec cottage in advance, as in winter mode they’re usually open only Friday to Sunday.

24. Hradiště marble run

In the suburban forests at Hradiště, where a prehistoric hillfort once stood, a fantastic forty-metre forest marble run was created in August 2025. It’s wonderfully set into the natural terrain, weaving around tree stumps and bumps, and kids can run up and down beside it for hours.

Unlike the marble playground on the embankment, here there’s no machine, so you have to bring your own marbles from home — ideally the bigger wooden or glass ones. The run is part of wider sports trails in the forest, so you’ll come across various exercise elements too.

The forest walk at Hradiště is very calming and manageable even with an off-road pram; just expect a slight incline, as the run is built on a slope to give the marbles just the right speed.

25. Giant sandpit at the Exhibition Grounds

If you have a determined sandcastle builder at home, take them to the Písek Exhibition Grounds, where you’ll find an absolutely huge public sandpit. It’s such a large area of sand that dozens of kids play here at once without getting in each other’s way.

The advantage of this spot is the huge and very cheap car park right next door, so you don’t have to carry toys, sand moulds and balance bikes far. The sandpit is also partly shaded by trees, so you can bear it here even in the summer heat.

What’s more, it’s just a few minutes’ walk from the river and the centre, so you can easily combine it with other activities in Písek.

Day trips with kids around Písek

All of these places are at most a 45-minute drive away, so they can be managed as day trips.

26. Farmapark Maletice

This brand-new farm park only opened in summer 2025 and is enjoying its second season this year, sitting just twelve minutes’ drive towards Protivín. Kids can see goats, sheep, alpacas, adorable piglets and parrots up close, and for an extra fee even try grooming and pony rides.

But the biggest hit is the giant air trampolines, which the owners claim are the largest in the country, where kids can bounce until they drop. Besides that you’ll find a hay-bale maze, water pillows on a sandy beach, ziplines and a covered sandpit, so there’s at least half a day’s worth of activities here.

Admission on the spot costs around €10 for kids (250 CZK) and €8.50 for adults (210 CZK), but if you buy tickets online in advance you can save around €4 (100 CZK) on a family ticket. Kids under two get in free, and there’s a bistro inside where payment is cashless only.

27. Naše zvířátka Putim

Nearby Putim, made famous by the Good Soldier Švejk, is just six kilometres from Písek. Here you’ll find the beautiful, lovingly built Naše zvířátka animal corner, cared for by Mrs Kozáková, where you’ll see Bennett’s wallabies, meerkats, birds of prey and even a talking raven.

The whole place is very family-oriented, and besides the animals, kids will find a pleasant retro playground with features for ages two to twelve. Toddlers will surely appreciate most the enclosures with goats, sheep and rabbits, which they can watch from up close.

The best thing about this place is that entry is completely free or by voluntary donation into the box, and it’s open every day from nine in the morning until seven in the evening. You can park for free about half a kilometre from the site, and you can buy small refreshments inside.

28. Kozel’s farm in Předotice

Předotice is just under 13 kilometres and twelve minutes’ drive from Písek, making it one of the very closest farm parks we have. The animals here are used to kids, they can be stroked and fed, and the whole place feels more like a family farm than a paid attraction.

Besides the animals, kids can enjoy a merry-go-round, toys and discovery games around the grounds, so even those who’ve quickly had enough of stroking goats will be entertained. There’s a refreshment kiosk at the entrance where you can sit down in peace.

💡 Tip: They’re closed on Wednesdays, otherwise open from ten to six. Current admission prices are on kozluvstatek.cz or ask on the phone at 775 172 474.

29. Starý Bor farm near Sedlice

Starý Bor farm lies near Sedlice, 16 kilometres and a quarter of an hour’s drive from Písek, and it’s one of those places that wins over parents too. Most of the animals came here from owners who couldn’t or didn’t want to care for them, so it’s half farm, half sanctuary.

You’ll see ostriches, emus, llamas, goats, sheep and exotic parrots and peacocks, the animals can be fed, and puzzles are dotted around the grounds for kids to solve as they walk. There’s a playground and a refreshment stall too, where among other things they sell ice cream, including gluten-free.

The farm operates seasonally, roughly from May to September, daily from eleven to six. According to visitors, admission is usually voluntary, but it’s best to check in advance at farmastarybor.cz or on the phone at 606 560 993. An off-road pram will manage the grounds, and you can extend your visit with a walk around the pond.

30. Štětice stables

Štětice near Ražice is just under 12 kilometres from Písek, so a quarter of an hour by car, and these are the best-rated stables around here. They run rides in the surrounding area and take complete beginners, so you can come even with a child who has never sat on a horse.

During the holidays, Písek families come here for rides regularly, and reviews repeatedly praise the attitude of the people who care for the horses. Arrange dates and conditions for kids in advance at stajestetice.cz or on the phone at 724 759 880.

31. Ranch Calamity Jane in Probulov

The ranch near Probulov is a bit further, 32 kilometres and half an hour’s drive, but it’s close to the Orlík reservoir, so it can be combined with a trip to the water. The grounds are really spacious: horses, farm animals, pastures and a western atmosphere.

Besides horse riding, there’s also a campsite with teepees where you can spend the night, which older kids especially appreciate. They’re usually open daily from ten to six; check the programme and prices at calamity.cz or on the phone at 775 646 461.

32. Fiziland Protivín

If you have schoolchildren at home or follow kids’ YouTubers, you’re sure to know the name Fizi, who opened his own huge amusement park Fiziland in Protivín (about 15 minutes from Písek). In the enormous hall everyone has to move around in socks only, and long trousers and sleeves are recommended for safety on the attractions.

Kids will find giant slides, racing tracks, foam pits and lots of huge trampolines here, plus an outdoor playground and plenty of arcade machines. For the smallest toddlers there’s a designated quiet zone so the older kids don’t knock them over during their wild games.

Be aware that a visit to Fiziland isn’t exactly cheap — a child’s ticket costs around €16 (389 CZK), an accompanying adult around €6.50 (159 CZK), and the best-value family package for two adults and two kids comes to around €36 (889 CZK). But interest is so huge that on-the-spot ticket sales aren’t guaranteed at all, so you have to book in the e-shop at least a day or two in advance. I’ve written up all the attractions, prices and tips on where to stay near the park in a separate article about Fiziland in Protivín.

33. Kingdom of Time in Protivín

While you’re in Protivín, definitely don’t skip the Kingdom of Time, which is a wonderfully restored Art Nouveau villa that works as a clock museum, but above all as an absolute paradise for families with kids. The exhibition of historic clocks and a tower clock mechanism is on the upper floor, but the main draw for kids happens on the ground floor and in the garden.

You’ll find a lovely creative workshop where kids make alarm clocks or puppets, and a wonderful playroom with a play kitchen and balance bikes. Even better is the fenced garden with a chute, a zipline and lots of climbing frames, where kids can let off steam while you sit with a coffee.

Best of all — the playroom and garden are completely free for café visitors; you only pay admission to the clock museum itself (adults around €3.50 / 90 CZK, kids around €2.50 / 60 CZK). For families with two-year-old toddlers it’s an ideal place that will safely save the day if it rains.

34. Crocodile Zoo Protivín

Protivín for the third time, this time for reptile lovers, because right on the square you’ll find the Crocodile Zoo, home to over a hundred of these prehistoric animals. The whole exhibition is also completely wheelchair accessible, so you can get in easily with a pram too.

The crocodiles can be seen in huge terrariums, and a family ticket for two adults and two kids comes to around €41 (1,000 CZK), while kids under two traditionally get in free. They’re usually open from September to June until four in the afternoon, and an hour longer in summer.

Just be aware that the popular commented crocodile feeding is currently only part of a paid exclusive tour, so if you want to see the animals in action, you’ll have to pay extra for the experience. You can easily park for free in the surrounding streets or by the nearby Norma supermarket.

35. Fairytale Forge in Selibov

On the way to Protivín, be sure to stop in the small village of Selibov, home to the magical Fairytale Forge, which delights preschoolers most of all. Right at the entrance you’re welcomed by the live donkeys Aladin and Jasmínka, and inside kids can dress up as all sorts of fairytale characters.

The whole visit takes about two hours, during which you’ll walk through a fairytale stable, try a creative workshop and get lost in a maze full of characters. Around the forge there’s also the Ferdinand the Stork trail with twelve fun stations.

Admission this year is a flat rate for everyone at around €4 (95 CZK), and little ones under two pay nothing. During the summer holidays they’re open every day; off-season they mostly operate at weekends and hold lovely events during Advent too, when the U Červené karkulky refreshment stand fills the air with tempting smells.

36. Zeměráj Kovářov

About 35 minutes’ drive from Písek lies Zeměráj, a huge outdoor park focused on Czech history and traditions. For the little ones there’s a beautiful children’s village called Hrejkov, where they can try old crafts and play in stylish wooden houses.

Every child who loves being active in nature will get their fill here — there’s a kilometre-long barefoot walking trail, water play and an archaeological site, and you can even bake flatbreads from dough together. Given the natural terrain, definitely leave the white trainers at home and bring sturdy shoes.

Admission to Zeměráj costs around €8 for adults (190 CZK) and €7 for kids from age two (170 CZK), and parking at the site is free. They’re open from May to the end of September, and in summer they operate every day from half past nine in the morning until evening.

37. Bagrárium Strakonice

Strakonice is about half an hour from Písek, and since February 2026 it’s home to the first indoor digger park in the country, a real one-of-a-kind. It’s a huge covered play hall with a sandpit, where kids operate realistic, large RC models of diggers, loaders and dumper trucks.

With this tip I have to strongly point out that the attraction is suitable for kids from age six, because operating the machines requires good fine motor skills and coordination of both hands, so it’s completely unsuitable for toddlers. But if you have an older sibling who loves construction, it’ll be the experience of the year for them.

Rides run in half-hour slots, and for one machine for thirty minutes you’ll pay around €11 (279 CZK), with a drink included in the price. Due to high demand, you need to book online at least a day in advance; they’re open from ten to six in the evening.

38. Zvíkov and a boat trip to Orlík

Combining a castle with a boat trip sounds like the perfect summer outing, and that’s exactly what Zvíkov Castle offers, located about 25 minutes from Písek. This majestic castle at the confluence of the Vltava and Otava has a beautiful exterior, and the tour of the royal palace is self-guided, so you can walk it at your own pace, which you’ll really appreciate with restless kids.

Right below the castle there’s a jetty, from which boats set off towards Orlík Chateau in the summer season. The cruise itself takes just under an hour, which is just right to keep kids entertained without getting bored, and an adult ticket is around €12 (300 CZK), while kids under three sail for free.

If you decide to visit Orlík Chateau itself, bear in mind that the chateau tour lasts almost an hour, which may already be too long for a two-year-old, so with smaller kids I’d recommend sticking to just the cruise and a picnic below the castle.

39. Blatná Chateau and fallow deer

The water chateau of Blatná is about half an hour’s drive away and is one of the most popular places for local families, thanks to its wonderful chateau park. A herd of fallow deer roams freely here, used to visitors and happy to be watched from just a few metres away.

Entry to the park costs only around €2 (50 CZK) and kids under six get in completely free; it’s open every day from early morning until evening. Just be very careful during the autumn rut, when there’s a strict ban on feeding or approaching the animals.

In summer the chateau also holds special children’s tours for kids from age three, lasting about 40 minutes and needing to be booked in advance. After your walk, be sure to pop into the chateau café Oh My Deer, where you’ll occasionally spot cute alpacas in the enclosure too.

40. Hluboká Zoo

The South Bohemian Zoo at Hluboká is beautiful, compact and lies about 40 minutes from Písek, making it an ideal destination for a half-day trip. They mainly keep animals from the temperate zones of Europe and Asia, and thanks to the flat terrain the whole zoo is great to walk around with a pram.

Basic adult admission is around €7.50 (180 CZK) and kids under 90 cm tall get in completely free. The zoo is open year-round, in summer from half past eight in the morning until seven in the evening, and parking at the entrance costs around €3 (80 CZK) per day.

Right next to the zoo there’s the popular Park Hluboká, where older kids from age six can try the adrenaline rope course, or the whole family can play mini golf and bounce on bungee trampolines.

41. Tábor and its museums

The historic town of Tábor, just under an hour’s drive away, is a great rescue when it rains on holiday, because it has two amazing museums. The first is the renowned Museum of Chocolate and Marzipan, where you’ll see incredible sculptures made of these sweet materials (admission around €12 / 290 CZK, kids €8 / 200 CZK, under 100 cm free, family €34 / 830 CZK).

Right nearby is the Lego Museum, which offers a huge brick play area where kids can build for hours on end, and toddlers under three get in free. The exhibition is full of giant models and interactive buttons.

If, on the other hand, the sun is shining, you can head to the local Tábor Zoo in Větrovy, which is smaller but very pleasant. Adult admission is just around €4.50 (110 CZK) and kids under three again pay nothing.

42. Museum of Milevsko Masks

The town of Milevsko is known for having the oldest carnival procession in the country, which is why the unique Museum of Milevsko Masks was created here, about 25 minutes from Písek. It’s a smaller but very visual museum full of giant colourful masks that are sure to captivate kids.

The tour doesn’t drag on, so even impatient toddlers can easily manage it, and a family ticket comes to just around €6 (140 CZK). In summer they’re open Monday to Saturday, and on Sunday only in the afternoon.

After visiting the museum, you can stroll around the beautiful grounds of the nearby Milevsko monastery, surrounded by nature, where kids can run freely on the grassy areas far from the road.

43. Horažďovice Aquapark

When you want a proper swim and the Písek pool isn’t enough, head to the aquapark in Horažďovice, about 45 minutes away. Compared to classic swimming stadiums, the water here is heated to a lovely 28.4 °C, which you’ll appreciate especially with small children who feel the cold.

For families there’s a perfectly equipped children’s pool with two slides and a water mushroom. Admission is very friendly — an adult pays around €6.50 (160 CZK) for two hours and a family ticket comes to a lovely €20 (490 CZK).

The only thing to watch out for is the regular autumn technical shutdown, which in 2026 falls between 31 August and 13 September, so definitely don’t come during that time and choose a different plan instead.

44. Vodňany and the fishing museum

Just over twenty kilometres from Písek lies the fishpond town of Vodňany, which offers a very pleasant and peaceful alternative to busier tourist destinations. Kids will surely love the local Zátiší forest park, through which runs the fun Vodňan the Stork trail, which is also freely accessible and completely free.

After a walk in nature, you can move on to the Fishing Museum, where you can see large aquariums with live freshwater fish, always a big thrill for toddlers. If you have energy left, head just outside town to the freely accessible Haniperk lookout tower, which offers a lovely view over the countryside.

Where to eat in Písek with kids

When it comes to food and coffee, I swear by Travel Cafe on Komenského street, where Jonášek, Lukáš and I go most often, almost always sitting outside. They have a wonderful courtyard garden with a great sandpit and a little playhouse, so I can enjoy my speciality coffee in peace while the little one plays with the sand moulds.

It’s not just about the coffee: they do perfect breakfasts and light lunches, so we all eat here, including the little one, who has pancakes. For us it’s clearly our favourite spot in town.

If you’re looking for more child-friendly cafés, definitely try SOHO Cafe with a fenced play corner and excellent crêpes, or the Sova na Větvi café, which has its own roastery and a play corner. YEZ Café right by the traffic playground is also a great choice, with a sandpit for the little ones, as is the Upekla patisserie (they also have gluten-free desserts), which hides another sandpit in its courtyard.

If you want to combine lunch with time outdoors, Restaurace Ostrov sits right in the park by the river, and next to its summer garden you’ll find a fenced children’s playground. Parents can enjoy their meal in the partial shade while older kids play nearby or practise on the local mini golf.

For a hearty lunch or dinner, I warmly recommend the Indian restaurant Tandoor, where great Nepalese chefs cook, and they make the best vegetarian Palak Paneer, which my husband and I always look forward to. Alternatively, head to the Do Nebe restaurant in Palacký Gardens. It’s primarily a steakhouse and the menu keeps changing, so I never know in advance whether we’ll find something for us as vegetarians. But they sometimes have something meat-free, so we keep going.

When you fancy classic Italian food, Pizzeria San Marco on the Great Square serves great wood-fired pizza and excellent homemade pasta. Equally great is the Italian restaurant Pomodoro right next to the church, where in summer you can also have their outstanding homemade ice cream on the terrace.

As for more speciality coffee, head to Coffee Dealer on Drlíčova street, where they make excellent filter. The often-recommended Kaférna has good coffee, but the staff are capable of shouting at you across the street for no apparent reason. This coffee bar is known among locals for its unpleasant service, and it’s a shame to spoil your visit with that, so spend your money a few steps further at Coffee Dealer instead.

What to do in Písek with kids when it rains

Even if bad weather catches you out on holiday, it doesn’t matter at all in Písek. Here’s a quick overview of the best options for taking cover with the kids:

• Sladovna Písek: Duck into Pilařiště or Mraveniště for a few hours, but buy tickets online.
• Myška herna: The giant climbing frames and trampolines in Portyč reliably tire out kids up to age ten.
• Swimming stadium: The warm water in the children’s pool will warm you up and shorten a rainy afternoon.
• Hernajs: A small upstairs playroom with wooden toys, ideal for toddlers up to about two.
• Portyč cinema: A modern digital cinema on Čechova street that schedules afternoon kids’ screenings.
• Laser Arena Písek: A great action-packed option for older kids and schoolchildren, right on the square.
• LezeTop: An indoor climbing wall with a safe kids’ boulder and a pleasant bar.

Practical tips for families: parking, prams, nappy changing

Getting around Písek is fairly easy, but for parking in the centre definitely download the MPLA app, which lets you pay for parking without hunting for coins. If you want to park completely free, leave the car by the Elim sports hall, or park very cheaply in the large car park by the Exhibition Grounds.

You can get almost everywhere with a pram, but remember that the historic centre has cobbles and paving, so larger air-filled wheels will come in handy. Along the river and in the parks, on the other hand, the paths are beautifully smooth and paved.

When visiting the renowned Sladovna, you needn’t worry about complicated logistics, because you can conveniently park prams in the spacious ground-floor cloakroom, where there’s a dedicated spot for them. Likewise, most cafés and restaurants on my list have highchairs and facilities for comfortable nappy changing.

Where to go next

To see what’s happening in Písek right now, check pisek.info/akce; an overview of places and sights is at pisek.info/mista, and parents will appreciate the whole Kids section with nurseries, playgroups and clubs.

If Písek has caught your eye and you want to explore it even more, read our article What to see in Písek: 39 tips from a local, full of historical highlights. For planning a longer holiday, the guide Where to go on holiday in South Bohemia will come in handy, or get inspired by 8 trips around South Bohemia.

If you like discovering more beautiful towns, take a look at our article What to see in Tábor, and don’t forget about České Budějovice either. Nature lovers will definitely appreciate tips for Šumava with a pram, and for a broader picture, check out Where to go on holiday in Czechia.

And if you’re planning trips beyond family destinations too, take a look at Day trips around Písek: 30 tips from a local, where you’ll find castles, chateaux, lookout towers and water sorted by distance from Písek.

Frequently asked questions