9 Day Trips From Prague
December 27, 2021
Czech Republic
By guy yefet
The best day trips from Prague. What awaits you outside of Prague? A picturesque spa town, an ancient and intriguing city, a lucrative shopping destination.
The Czech Republic is a country full of water, rivers, lakes, and rains, and the summer season in Prague allows you to enjoy its surroundings by public transport, bicycle, or pair of legs. The area around Prague is full of nature or city excursion sites that include accommodation options at a discounted or field pension.
Those who have already come as far as Prague and are looking to get out of the city for half a day at reasonable prices, here are some of the interesting alternatives for escaping the urban routine, seasoning the trip with a little nature, and enjoying a piece of European history.
The first lady of the Czech Republic is the resort and spa town of Karlovy Vary.
Originally built on hot springs, the town served as a sought-after destination for wealthy Europeans in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Today, it still has particularly magnificent holiday palaces, which add to its dignified character and is considered a leading destination in the field of medical tourism, with 12 different hot springs.
Beyond that, the town is considered a charming picturesque destination, fun to spend half a day in. In the winter months, the weather is cold and snowy, so if you are planning to arrive as part of a day trip outside of Prague, it is important to take this into account.
Main attractions: Baroque-style Maria Magdalena Church, the town's main boulevard, packed with colorful little shops and the traditional waffle stands of Karlovy Vary (delicious and sweet) and the observation tower (Diana Lookout Tower), which can be reached by a small cable car (funicular)
How to get there: Karlovy Vary is about 140 kilometers from Prague. It can be reached relatively easily by direct train from Florenc station in central Prague and you can buy a round-trip ticket for the same day in advance.
If you prefer not to arrive independently, you can join a Karlovy Vary Full-Day Tour launching from Prague.
Worth knowing: Most spas are open to hotel guests only. However, there are some public spas and baths that are open to the general public. If you want to combine a complementary treatment or a dip in the pools, you should try The Castle Spa, which is considered a treatment complex, and hot pools are highly recommended.
Český Krumlov, the second-largest city in the Czech Republic, is considered a secret and surprising gem and a leading destination for trips outside of Prague.
It is a beautiful and ancient city, nestled on the banks of the Holatba River, which encompasses almost the entire.
Cesky Krumlov was founded in the 13th century and began its journey from a small castle that gradually developed into a unique town, which miraculously preserved the medieval atmosphere.
From a stroll through its ancient center, you will be impressed by the impressive architecture that remains and the pleasant atmosphere that prevails in the town.
The old pedestrian zone does not allow vehicles to enter, but only pedestrians and the small streets are crowded with cafes, restaurants, and shops, alongside museums and art galleries.
Main attractions: Český Krumlov Castle - one of the oldest castles in Europe, combining several building styles from different centuries. Egon Sheila Museum and the Puppet Museum - two fascinating museums, one dedicated to the fascinating work of the local Impressionist artist - Egon Sheila, and the other - dedicated to the history and art of making puppets (puppets on wires). The building of the Jewish community of Cesky Krumlov - an exciting historical relic of the small community that has become almost extinct, with a fascinating permanent display that must be seen.
How to get there: Cesky Krumlov is about 170 kilometers south of Prague. It can be reached by private car or by train or bus from Florenc station, the journey takes about two and a half hours.
If you prefer not to arrive independently, you can join a Český Krumlov Full-Day Trip from Prague.
Worth knowing: Every year during the summer months, the town hosts a prestigious jazz festival. During the year every Saturday various cultural events are held here and also the traditional Christmas market of the winter months is considered particularly worthwhile.
Although the town of Terezin is only an hour's drive from Prague, visiting it is not a given.
Terezin has a deep connection to Jewish history - during World War II, the Theresienstadt ghetto operated here, where more than 100,000 Jews, citizens of European countries, were imprisoned.
The area is divided into two main parts: the small fortress and the town.
The fortress, built in the 19th century by Emperor Franz Joseph, housed political prisoners during World War II, while the entire town became a concentration camp and a closed military area.
Originally, Terezin was supposed to accommodate a population of about 7,000 people but in practice during the peak days of the war, about 58,000 prisoners were concentrated in terrible density, mostly Jews, who were eventually sent to extermination camps in Poland.
Towards the end of the war, only about 19,000 people survived in the ghetto.
The Terezin ghetto was used for the Germans as a "showcase ghetto", ostensibly for Jews with rights from Germany and Austria, but in practice there were very harsh conditions of famine, overcrowding and disease.
Despite all this, the Jewish spirit managed to preserve in the ghetto as "normal" a character as possible of daily life.
In Terezin, schools were established, cultural evenings were held, an amateur theater was established and various sports activities took place.
All in a desperate attempt to preserve the human spirit.
After the war, the Czech residents who were expelled from there in 1941 returned to it and today there is a Terezin Museum, a memorial and memorial site for the murdered and an impressive archive, containing literary and musical works created in those dark days.
Main attractions: The prison fortress, where the political prisoners were imprisoned and where you can also feel for only a second, what it is like to be imprisoned in a small detention cell. The ghetto museum, which includes an impressive reconstruction of life during the dark period of World War II and the memorial site with a huge Star of David visible in the distance.
How to get there: To Terezin come on a trip outside of Prague, by bus, or a guided tour. The bus leaves every two hours, from Nadrazi Holesovice station, platform number 7. You can reach the station by the red metro line C.
If you prefer not to arrive independently, you can join a Terezín Monument Half-Day Tour from Prague.
The geographical proximity of Prague to the eastern border of Germany has made Dresden, the old German city, a popular destination for excursions outside Prague.
It is amazing to discover how the old city, which was almost completely destroyed by Allied bombing at the end of World War II, has been remarkably restored and has become one of the most prosperous cities in Germany.
The old baroque buildings of the city and the beautiful squares were completely renovated and the restoration work was done with great vigor and restored the beautiful medieval city to its glory.
As you stroll through the beautiful streets of Dresden, laden with church spiers, you will soon notice differences between the former communist parts, characterized by gray and slightly monotonous construction and the ancient center, with its many spectacular ornaments and impressive buildings around it.
Main attractions: the new Neumarkt indoor market, the Frauenkirche, the Schloss Schloss and the Zwinger Palace - two impressive palaces and the surrounding gardens and a spectacular view of the city from the Bruehl's Terrace also known as the "Terrace of Europe"
How to get there: Dresden is about 145 kilometers from Prague. You can get there by direct bus departing from Florenc station to Dresden Hbf station.
Worth knowing: In all the shops in Dresden you can pay in euros or by credit card, so it is advisable to prepare the appropriate currency in advance and not build on payment in dollars or spend time on exchanging money.
A small jump of a few hours outside Prague straight to the Middle Ages, to the town of Kutná Hora.
Taking an hour's train from the main train station, well worth a look at the historic station above.
Those arriving should get off at the central station of Kutna Hora (Hl.n) where there is a tourist spot and you can take a map of the city in English.
From there first of all walk to "Sadlec" which was originally a separate village but today is part of the city. T
here are two churches in Sedlec, both beautiful but most tourists come to the city for the "Church of Our Lady of Sedlec" a structure around which so many victims were buried in the Hussite War that they had to have their bones removed to make room.
In the 18th century the church was rebuilt with its interior filled and adorned with disinfected bones.
Yes, it's so grotesque, but special and interesting for those who do not suffer from nightmares at night.
The old town has a slightly longer way, you can take a local bus, taxi or even walk if you have forty minutes available.
If it's already medieval then do not miss a meal at Dzhitsky, a local tavern and excellent brewery.
The place is recommended and simulates a tavern where time has frozen for several centuries, the design and even the costumes of the employees, and do not be surprised with the service will be more smiling, you are not in Prague!
There are some nice points to walk around in the old city, try not to get lost.
A point not to be missed is the Gothic St. Barbara Church that sits on the cliff and the “balcony” that leads to it that looks like you are in a movie set. T
he church by the way, was designed by the same architect of the church in the Prague Palace.
If you prefer you can join an organized day trip departing from Prague to Kutná Hora
The largest brewery in Prague!
The place has a large visitor center and you can go on a tour around the factory and even taste beer in the cellars where it is prepared.
The Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour takes an hour and a half in which you pass through the various parts of the brewery: the packaging plant, the fermentation tanks, in a system of ancient underground caves that were used to store the beer and finally in a souvenir shop.
The tour is in groups with a guide and takes place daily in Czech, Russian, Italian, French or English.
Konopiste Castle is a beautiful and picturesque castle built in the 13th century.
The castle has been home to some of the most important Czech leaders over the years, now known as the Czech Castle where you will find the widest range of items from which you can be impressed: furniture, weapons, stuffed animals, jewelry and more.
This fact explains why tours inside the castle, lasting in three routes each lasting about 45 minutes, are always in demand.
You will not be able to reach the castle by direct bus from Prague, while you will have to change lines in Benesov.
Another option is to take a train to the station in Benesov and walk from there on foot to the castle.
Hrad Karlstejn Castle is located 30 km southwest of Prague.
The castle, named after the pastoral village in which it is located, is considered the most important of the Czech castles and is considered by many to be the most beautiful.
This Gothic castle was built in 1348, in an area designed to "hide" it as much as possible, and over the years some of the kingdom's most important and precious treasures have been preserved in it.
It is considered a clear symbol of the kingdom in the Czech Republic and includes three levels in each of which there is much to see.
The adventurous and sporty among you will be able to take a bike trip that departs from Prague and reaches as far as the castle, an experience that many define as a one-off.
It is recommended to reach the castle by train departing from Prague, when the journey takes about 40 minutes.
If this is not your first time in Prague, and you have already been all over the Czech Republic, you can go on a trip outside of Prague and visit Vienna, Austria or hop on a little to Berlin, the German capital.
The advantage is that you can visit another destination and another country and enrich your trip with additional experiences.
The disadvantage is mainly the long travel time (about four and a half hours in each direction) and the relatively short stay at the additional destination. B
ut, if you are adventurous and interested in visiting another city that you may have always dreamed of getting to and enjoying a short taste, then this is just for you! Extend the trip to two days, find a hotel for the night and you will not spend a whole day on round trip.
Main attractions: Vienna and Berlin are packed with different and interesting attractions, even those who travel in these cities for several days and even a week! So it is advisable to choose only one or two attractions and just walk around and enjoy the atmosphere and the bustling streets in the cities.
In Vienna for example, you can visit the impressive Belvedere Palace Museum, stroll the Steppenplatz promenade and sip a delicious meal at the Nashmarket food market or one of the city's famous schnitzel restaurants.
In Berlin, visit the Brandenburg Gate and the Holocaust Memorial and from there continue to the area of the Hackers Market Yards. On a day with beautiful weather, you will also have time to visit the East Side Gallery, the extra long and colorful relic left by the Berlin Wall.
How to get there: Excellent bus service connects Vienna and Berlin with Prague, relatively quickly and at favorable prices and conditions. At the same time, you can also take a train, which will be a little faster, but also more expensive. Vienna - Get on a bus in Prague at Florenc station. Driving distance of about four and a half hours. For more details: www.czech-transport.com
Berlin - about three and a half hours drive from Prague. A bus from Florenc station or train will take you to the Hauptbahnhof train station in Berlin, from where you can reach the Reichstag, the Brandenburg Gate and the Holocaust Memorial on foot.
For more details: www.czech-transport.com
Worth knowing: Did you shop in Vienna or Berlin? The tax refund must be submitted at Prague Airport. Make sure that the store you purchased will sign the required forms. At Prague Airport you can file everything and get a tax refund as is customary in Germany or Austria.
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