Travel in Czechia: when to go, places and advice

Magical Prague, its hundred spires, its castle and its Charles Bridge spanning the Vltava: Czechia begins with an aesthetic shock and carries on well beyond. Český Krumlov curled in its meander, the Sedlec ossuary, the spa towns of Bohemia, the vineyards of Moravia and a beer culture raised to an art. Compact, safe and affordable, this is Central Europe at its densest and most accessible.

Capital: Prague
Currency: Czech koruna (Kč)
Language: Czech
Direct flight: ≈ 1 hr 45 from Paris
Time difference: None from central Europe

Itineraries

Our trip ideas in Czechia

The itineraries in Czechia are in the works: the day-by-day programme, named hotels, tickets to book flagged in advance. Leave your address to be notified when they come out.

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The right season

When to go in Czechia?

May-June and September show Prague at its best: mildness, long light, open gardens. July-August stay pleasant but busy on Charles Bridge. December has its own charm, Christmas markets and mists on the Vltava. January-February, cold and calm, are the photographers' secret: the city of a hundred spires under snow, with no one around.

January : In-between
February : In-between
March : In-between
April : Pleasant
May : Ideal
June : Ideal
July : Pleasant
August : Pleasant
September : Ideal
October : Pleasant
November : In-between
December : Pleasant

Ideal
Pleasant
In-between
Avoid

Quick guide

Understanding Czechia

Getting around

The rail network and RegioJet or FlixBus buses link the whole country for a few euros. In Prague, tram and metro run on timed tickets; tram 22 is a guided tour in itself.

Money

The Czech koruna (Kč), not the euro. Withdraw at bank ATMs and refuse dynamic conversion. Cards work everywhere; avoid the exchange offices in the tourist areas.

Language

Czech. English is common in Prague and among the young, German helps elsewhere. "Dobrý den" and "děkuji" always please.

Useful apps

IDOS for every train, bus and tram timetable in the country, Liftago or Bolt for honest taxis, and the PID Lítačka app for Prague tickets.

Accommodation

Characterful hotels in Prague's baroque buildings, family pensions in Krumlov and Telč. Prices climb in central Prague; Vinohrady and Žižkov offer the best compromise.

Etiquette

Clink glasses looking each other in the eye ("na zdraví!"), do not mix your beer and give up your seat on the tram. Taking your shoes off is customary in private homes.

The iconic places

Charles Bridge

Prague

600 years, thirty baroque statues and the finest view in Prague. At dawn there are only the gulls and the photographers.

Prague Castle

Prague

The largest medieval fortress in the world, St Vitus cathedral and the Golden Lane. Allow a full half-day.

Český Krumlov

South Bohemia

A complete Renaissance stage set in a meander of the Vltava, dominated by its painted tower. UNESCO-listed, enchanting off season.

Sedlec Ossuary

Kutná Hora

40,000 skeletons arranged into a chandelier, coats of arms and garlands in a Gothic chapel. Strange, unique, unforgettable.

Karlovy Vary

West Bohemia

The great imperial spa town, its colonnades and its hot springs drunk from spouted cups.

Telč

Moravia

The most perfect Renaissance square in the country, lined with pastel gabled façades set on arcades. UNESCO, of course.

Tap a dot, or browse the list below the map.

Charles Bridge : The Gothic icon of Prague
Prague Castle : The largest medieval fortress
Český Krumlov : The Renaissance meander, UNESCO
Sedlec Ossuary : The chapel of 40,000 skeletons
Karlovy Vary : Colonnades and hot springs
Telč : The perfect Renaissance square
Olomouc : Baroque column and pungent cheeses
Brno : The Moravian capital and its cafés
Mikulov : Vineyards and villages of South Moravia