With historic castles, breathtaking architecture, beautiful forests, and flavorful food complemented with a light Czech lager, I simply cannot wait until the day we get the chance to discover the Czech Republic for ourselves! Everyone I know that’s gone there has fallen in love with the place and recommend visiting as soon as possible.
While it won’t be ASAP for our travels to the Czech Republic, I’ve been busy compiling a list of things to do when we finally make it – so here’s our bucket list of activities in the Czech Republic!
Czech Republic bucket list
Explore Prague
Prague is a city that’s been on my bucket list for a long time now and next time I’m in charge of where we go in Europe Prague is definitely going to be on the list of destinations we visit. When it comes to things to do in Prague, there’s no shortage of activities waiting or iconic places to tour, including:
- Prague Castle, the 9th-century castle complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, once home to the kings of Bohemia and Emperors of the Holy Roman Empire
- St. Vitus Cathedral
- Old Town Square with the 15th-century Astronomical Clock
- Wenceslas Square
- Charles Bridge, complete with 16 arches, this bridge began construction in 1357 and connects Old Town to the castle complex
- Jewish Quarter
- Prague Jewish Museum
- Mala Strana district
- The National Gallery
- The National Museum
- Dancing House
- Vltava River cruise
I can’t wait to discover the City of One Hundred Spires and explore the city in all its beauty with amazing architecture and experience the great culture and food. There’s plenty of things to do in Prague to keep us busy for days, but there are still many things left to discover in the Czech Republic outside of Prague.
Terezin Concentration Camp
Here, we can pay respects to the many that lost their lives at the Terezin Concentration Camp, active from 1941 – 1945. Tour the complex and see the barracks, dormitories, crematorium, and museum. At the museum, we can learn about the life and suffering of the Jewish prisoners with the artifacts on display and the documentaries.
Czech brewery tour
Whether in Prague or in another great medieval city, I’d love to take a brewery tour and drink some delightful Czech lagers, or sample some from their beer-brewing neighbors of Austria or Germany. There are also a variety of beer gardens in the cities to hang out with some locals and savor every delicious drop.
Hluboka Castle
One of the most popular castles in the Czech Republic for its beauty, the current Neo-Gothic castle is from the 1600s though many other castles have been on the same spot since the 13th century. We can tour the castle and see the private apartments, the stunning works of art within, the representation room, or even book a castle tour complete with a tower climb. We’ll even take some time to explore the gardens with its giant hedge maze.
Konopiste Castle
About 50 km from Prague, we can find this famous chateau that was the final home of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria. We can tour the castle and visit the museum to see important artifacts from history (like the bullet that killed the archduke) as well as the Ferdinand’s rooms, weapons, and hunting trophies.
Karlstejn Castle
I’ll want to book a guided tour of this 14th-century Gothic castle that’s not too far from Prague! Here, we can view the Chapel of the Holy Cross and the collection of holy relics and royal treasures, like the crown jewels.
Cesky Krumlov Castle
This 1240, UNESCO protected castle is the site of one of the best preserved Baroque theaters, and houses the Rosenberg Ballroom, the Renaissance Hall, the Chapel of St. George, and the Royal Apartments. Between the major points of interest, we can also view the great collections of tapestries, paintings, and artwork. Another thing to look forward to is touring the castle grounds.
Lednice-Valtice Cultural Landscape
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a great spot for exploration with the Neo-Gothic Chateau Lednice and its village, the Chateau Valtice, and the village of Hlohovec. The Lednice chateau has extensive gardens and lakes and makes for a great day trip while exploring the area.
Kutna Hora
Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, this area is well-known for its former silver mines, the Czech Museum of Silver, the 1338 Baroque St. Barbara’s Cathedral, and the Stone House. It’s a popular town for tourists wanting to see more of the country outside of Prague.
Karlovy Vary
We can take the chance to relax and rejuvenate at the Hot Spring Colonnade or sample the water.
Get in touch with nature
Adrspach-Teplice Rocks
I’d like to take the opportunity to explore the natural side of the country and visit this nature reserve between the towns of Adrspach and Teplice nad Metuji. This spot is also popular with birders as it’s a breeding site for peregrine falcons.
Bohemian Paradise
As the first nature preserve in the country, this area is home to a great plethora of walking trails, natural bridges, and stunning and massive rock formations. We’ll have to stop in Turnov to get a map and some more information on things to do in the area. Nearby, we can explore the Kost and Trosky castles.
Ceske svycarsko National Park (The National Park Bohemian Switzerland)
Up in the northwest, on the Czech side of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains lies the youngest national park in the Czech Republic. The park was only established in 2000 and houses gorgeous rock formations, native plants, and acts as a sanctuary for wildlife.
Visit the curious crypts
I’ve enjoyed visiting the catacombs in Paris and so naturally I’m intrigued in visiting Sedlec to visit the Gothic All Saints Chapel, the “bone church.” This crypt is home to tens of thousands of remains that are displayed in interesting ways, like as chandeliers, garlands, arches, and as decorate elements on columns.
What’d I miss from our bucket list of activities for the Czech Republic? Share your thoughts in the comments below or join the conversation on our Facebook Page!
