What awaits travellers in Czechia?
Czechia combines the millions-strong city of Prague with small towns such as Český Krumlov and the Moravian metropolis of Brno, plus spa towns like Karlovy Vary and one of the highest densities of castles in Europe. The roughly 78,866 km² country borders Germany, Poland, Slovakia and Austria and is easy to travel around by train without a rental car. Anyone with a week to spare combines Prague with South Bohemia and Moravia.
Prague is the starting point for almost every trip: the city on the Vltava is one of Europe's best-preserved historic centres and has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1992. From there, train connections reach Český Krumlov in the south and Brno in the east in under three hours.
This page summarises regions, best time to visit, entry requirements, health and getting there, along with the guidance from the FDFA, the Federal Foreign Office and the BMEIA (as of September 2026).
Sources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre · České dráhy (ČD)
What is Czechia like as a travel destination?
Czechia is a landlocked country at the heart of Central Europe with around 10.9 million inhabitants across 78,866 km², shaped by Bohemian spa towns, Moravian winemaking and a dense landscape of castles. Traditionally the country is divided into Bohemia in the west, Moravia in the east and a small Silesian part in the northeast. The short distances make it a country that can be explored in seven to ten days without a car.
Bohemia is the core region around Prague: flat to hilly land with spa towns such as Karlovy Vary and Mariánské Lázně, the sandstone cliffs of Bohemian Switzerland in the north, and the pond landscape around Český Krumlov and Třeboň in the south.
Moravia is warmer and shaped by winemaking, with Brno as the second-largest city, the Moravian Karst with its caves, and the wine region around Mikulov near the Austrian border. In the far northeast lies the Silesian part of the country around Ostrava, industrial in character and less developed for tourism.
Distances are short: from Prague to Brno it's around 3 hours by train, to Český Krumlov around 2 h 30 min. That makes it possible to combine a big city, a spa town and a small town in a single trip without long transfers.
Sources: Wikipedia · VisitCzechia (CzechTourism)
Which regions of Czechia are worth visiting?
Most trips combine Prague with South Bohemia and Moravia: Český Krumlov on the Vltava, the spa town of Karlovy Vary, the silver-mining town of Kutná Hora and the Moravian metropolis of Brno with its UNESCO sites. With more time, add the sandstone cliffs of Bohemian Switzerland in the north, the baroque town of Olomouc, or the Moravian Karst with its caves.
Prague
The capital straddles both banks of the Vltava and has around 1.3 million inhabitants. The historic centre with the Old Town, Josefov, the Lesser Town and Prague Castle has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1992; the castle complex on Hradčany, at nearly 70,000 m², is listed by the Guinness Book of Records as the largest coherent castle complex in the world. Charles Bridge was built from 1357 under Emperor Charles IV, and the astronomical clock on the Old Town Square has shown the time, sun and moon positions since 1410.
Český Krumlov and South Bohemia
The historic centre of Český Krumlov, on a tight bend of the Vltava, has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1992, with a Renaissance castle, a baroque theatre and winding lanes. An intercity train runs directly from Prague to the station, taking around 2 h 30 min. South Bohemia is also known for its pond landscape around Třeboň and for Holašovice, a village also protected by UNESCO for its baroque folk architecture.
Karlovy Vary and West Bohemia
Karlovy Vary (Karlsbad) is the best-known of the Bohemian spa towns, with colonnades over hot mineral springs; since 2021 it has been listed, together with other European spa towns, as one of the "Great Spa Towns of Europe" by UNESCO. Every July it hosts one of Europe's oldest film festivals, founded in 1946. Other spa towns in the region include Mariánské Lázně and Františkovy Lázně.
Kutná Hora
About an hour east of Prague lies Kutná Hora, which grew rich from silver mining in the Middle Ages. The historic old town with St Barbara's Cathedral has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1995; also well known is the Sedlec Ossuary on the edge of town, whose interior is decorated with human bones.
Brno and Moravia
Brno, the country's second-largest city, is today a university and trade fair city with Špilberk Fortress overlooking the old town. The functionalist Villa Tugendhat, designed by architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2001. From Brno it's around 3 hours by train to Prague, and under 2 hours to Vienna.
Bohemian Switzerland and North Bohemia
In the north, on the German border, lies Bohemian Switzerland National Park with sandstone cliffs, gorges and the striking Pravčická brána, the largest natural rock arch in Europe. North Bohemia is also known for glass and crystal production, for example in Nový Bor.
Olomouc and the Moravian Karst
Olomouc in Central Moravia is considered one of the country's most beautiful baroque towns; the Holy Trinity Column on the Upper Square has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2000. North of Brno lies the Moravian Karst, with more than a thousand caves; the Punkva Caves lead to the Macocha Abyss, a 138.5 m deep sinkhole whose explored underground sections reach as deep as 187.5 m.
Sources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre · VisitCzechia (CzechTourism) · VisitCzechia (CzechTourism) · České dráhy (ČD)
When is the best time to visit Czechia?
Czechia has a temperate continental climate with warm summers and cold, often grey winters. May to September work best for city trips and hiking, with June to August the warmest and driest months. December draws visitors with Christmas markets in Prague and Brno, while January and February are cold but quiet and good value.
As a landlocked country with no coastline, the climate swings much more strongly between seasons than in Western Europe: cold, often foggy winters with frost contrast with warm, sometimes humid summers. In the mountain regions along the country's borders, such as the Giant Mountains, it is cooler and snowier than in the lowlands.
Bohemia: Prague and Český Krumlov
| Prag | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 3 | 6 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 21 | 15 | 8 | 5 |
| Low °C | -1 | -0 | 2 | 6 | 10 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 11 | 7 | 3 | 1 |
| Rainfall mm | 42 | 32 | 39 | 36 | 69 | 78 | 79 | 81 | 53 | 46 | 43 | 41 |
| Český Krumlov | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 3 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 19 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 20 | 14 | 8 | 4 |
| Low °C | -3 | -3 | -1 | 3 | 7 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 9 | 5 | 1 | -2 |
| Rainfall mm | 46 | 34 | 46 | 41 | 81 | 94 | 94 | 92 | 61 | 47 | 39 | 39 |
Average daily highs and lows, and monthly rainfall. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station PRAHA-KARLOV / KLEMENTINUM (1 km, 254 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station C. BUDEJOVICE-ROZNOV (19 km, 396 m), auf 492 m umgerechnet. Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020.
Prague is the country's most visited city in summer; May, June and September usually bring mild weather with smaller crowds at the main sights. July brings the international film festival to Karlovy Vary and, with it, full hotels.
Moravia: Brno
| Brünn | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 3 | 5 | 11 | 16 | 20 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 21 | 15 | 8 | 4 |
| Low °C | -3 | -2 | 1 | 5 | 9 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 11 | 6 | 2 | -2 |
| Rainfall mm | 38 | 32 | 36 | 34 | 67 | 69 | 70 | 64 | 61 | 44 | 38 | 38 |
Average daily highs and lows, and monthly rainfall. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station TURANY (8 km, 237 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020.
In Moravia, late summer and early autumn are also harvest time in the wine-growing area around Mikulov, with wine festivals from September to October. Winter is good for city Christmas markets, but less suited to outdoor hiking.
Sources: VisitCzechia (CzechTourism)
What do you need to enter Czechia?
Czechia is an EU and Schengen member; travellers from Switzerland, Germany and Austria need no visa and can enter with a passport or a valid national ID card. What matters is that the document is valid through the end of the stay (as of September 2026). Other nationalities are subject to their own rules; information is available from Czech diplomatic missions abroad.
- Switzerland: a national ID card or passport is sufficient, no visa required for tourist stays within the Schengen framework.
- Germany: a passport, provisional passport, national ID card, provisional ID card or children's passport are accepted; documents must remain valid through the end of the trip at entry.
- Austria: a passport or valid national ID card; the document must be valid for the duration of the trip.
- Other nationalities: separate entry rules apply; information is available from Czech embassies and consulates in the traveller's home country.
Since joining the EU in 2004, Czechia has been an EU member, and since 21 December 2007 it has belonged to the Schengen area with no controls at land borders, and since the flight schedule change on 30 March 2008, no controls at airports either. Even so, everyone must carry a valid identity document.
When checking into hotels or hostels, a valid photo ID must be shown for all guests, according to the Federal Foreign Office. Anyone staying longer than 30 days must register with the police, according to the FDFA, which hotels usually handle automatically.
The current information from the FDFA, the Federal Foreign Office and the BMEIA at the time of travel is authoritative.
Sources: Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, Switzerland · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria · Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung (bpb)
What vaccinations and health precautions do you need for Czechia?
No vaccination is required for entry. healthytravel.ch recommends the standard vaccinations plus hepatitis A for all travellers, and TBE (tick-borne encephalitis) additionally for stays in forests and rural areas. Czechia is among the areas of Central and Eastern Europe with elevated TBE risk.
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is transmitted through tick bites and occurs mainly between spring and autumn, according to the Federal Foreign Office. The CDC explicitly recommends the TBE vaccine for travellers with extensive outdoor activities in endemic areas. After hikes or walks in the woods, check your body for ticks and remove them promptly.
Hepatitis A occurs in Czechia; healthytravel.ch recommends the vaccine for all travellers. Lyme disease, another tick-borne illness, is also widespread.
Medical care is comparable to German standards, according to the Federal Foreign Office; the European Health Insurance Card applies for EU citizens. The CDC also advises caution around contaminated water (leptospirosis) and contact with wild rodents (hantavirus).
Sources: healthytravel.ch, Swiss Expert Committee for Travel Medicine · Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) · Federal Foreign Office, Germany
How safe is Czechia for travellers?
Czechia is considered fundamentally safe by the FDFA, the Federal Foreign Office and the BMEIA, and the safety standard is comparable to Austria. The main risks are petty crime such as pickpocketing and car break-ins in tourist centres, above all in Prague.
Pickpocketing and vehicle break-ins occur mainly in Prague and holiday areas, according to the Federal Foreign Office; caution is advised when taking taxis at tourist hotspots. The FDFA additionally warns of drugs slipped into food, drinks or cigarettes, and advises keeping documents in the hotel safe and carrying only a copy.
Natural hazards are regionally limited: avalanches threaten mountain regions in winter, occasional forest and brush fires occur in summer, and localised flooding after heavy rain can occur in spring and summer.
On the roads, there is an absolute ban on alcohol while driving (0.0 per mille), a year-round requirement to drive with lights on, and a requirement for winter tyres between 1 November and 31 March. An electronic vignette is mandatory for motorways.
Sources: Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria · Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, Switzerland
How do you get to Czechia and travel around the country?
International flights land mainly at Prague Václav Havel Airport (PRG), which, according to the airport operator, connects to around 165 destinations in 63 countries. Within the country, train travel is the best way to get around: Prague–Brno takes around 3 hours, Prague–Český Krumlov around 2 h 30 min on a daily intercity train.
| Route | Mode of transport | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Prague – Český Krumlov | Intercity train (České dráhy) | around 2 h 30 min |
| Prague – Brno | Train | around 2 h 40 min to 3 h |
| Prague – Karlovy Vary | Train | around 3 h |
| Prague – Kutná Hora | Train | around 1 h |
| Prague – Olomouc | Train | around 2 h 15 min |
| Brno – Vienna | Train | under 2 h |
Frankfurt is the most-flown route from Prague, with around 47 weekly flights, and is an example of the dense connections to European hubs; from there and from other hubs such as Amsterdam, Paris, Istanbul or Doha, numerous connections are available. Nonstop long-haul routes include Seoul (Asiana Airlines, around 12 h flight time), Abu Dhabi (Etihad Airways) and, seasonally, Toronto (Air Canada) and New York (Delta Air Lines).
Within cities, transport is by metro, tram and bus; in Prague a 90-minute ticket on the PID transport network costs 46 CZK in the Lítačka app or 50 CZK as a paper ticket, a day ticket 140 or 150 CZK (as of 2026). A single ticket is valid for metro, tram, bus, night lines and the Vltava ferries alike.
Travellers with a rental car need an electronic vignette for motorways and expressways, purchasable online or at petrol stations. For journeys between Prague, Brno and Kutná Hora, the train is usually the simpler choice because of limited parking in the old towns.
Sources: Václav Havel Airport Prague (prg.aero) · FlightConnections · České dráhy (ČD) · Prague Public Transit Company (DPP)
What money do you need in Czechia and how do you pay?
The national currency is the Czech koruna (Kč, CZK); despite being an EU member, Czechia has not set a date for adopting the euro. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, and the best way to get cash is directly from an ATM; exchange offices in central Prague sometimes charge heavily hidden fees, according to VisitCzechia.
Coins in circulation are 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 korunas, and banknotes of 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000 and 5,000 korunas. Official exchange offices may not charge fees and must use the same rate for every transaction, according to VisitCzechia; banks, by contrast, charge around a 2% fee, sometimes with a minimum amount.
Both VisitCzechia and the Federal Foreign Office explicitly advise against exchanging money on the street, even when the rate offered looks tempting. Card payment with Visa, Mastercard or Apple/Google Pay is possible almost everywhere in cities, even for small amounts.
A lunch menu costs around 120 CZK, a dinner for one around 500 CZK, and a 0.5-litre beer around 20 CZK, according to VisitCzechia. Tipping is not mandatory: 10% is customary in restaurants, while in pubs and cafés people usually round up to the next amount; since card terminals rarely have a tipping function, it's worth carrying some cash.
Sources: VisitCzechia (CzechTourism)
Where is the best place to stay in Czechia?
In Prague, most travellers stay in the Old Town, the Lesser Town, or the somewhat cheaper district of Vinohrady, all within short reach of the main sights. In Český Krumlov, a night directly in the old town is worthwhile to experience the lanes without day-trippers; in Karlovy Vary, the classic spa hotels line the colonnades.
According to VisitCzechia, accommodation prices range from around 400 CZK in a hostel, through 2,500 to 4,500 CZK in a standard hotel, up to around 7,000 CZK in upscale properties; in Prague, prices are noticeably higher during peak season and during major events such as the Karlovy Vary Film Festival.
In Brno, most hotels are located around the main train station or the historic centre below Špilberk Fortress. In smaller towns like Olomouc or Mikulov, guesthouses and small family-run hotels are common, often cheaper than in Prague.
Sources: VisitCzechia (CzechTourism)
What do you eat in Czechia?
Czech cuisine is hearty and dumpling-heavy: svíčková na smetaně, a beef roast in cream sauce with bread dumplings, is considered the national dish, alongside goulash, roast pork with sauerkraut, and sweet dumplings with plums or plum jam. Beer is the national drink, with the world's highest per-capita consumption according to brewery statistics.
Knedlíky, steamed dumplings made from wheat or potato dough, accompany practically every main course; they are cut into slices and served with sauces. In traditional pubs (hospody), people eat svíčková, goulash or roast duck, paired with freshly poured beer from well-known brands such as Pilsner Urquell or Budweiser Budvar.
At markets and street festivals, trdelník is common, a ring of dough baked over an open flame and dusted with sugar and cinnamon, often filled with ice cream. In Moravia, wine from the region around Mikulov and hearty soups such as kulajda also shape the cuisine.
Tap water is considered safe to drink throughout Czechia; in restaurants, bottled water is usually what's ordered, as free tap water is uncommon but usually available on request.
What culture and festivals shape Czechia?
Czechia is shaped by Bohemian and Moravian history, from the Reformation era around Jan Hus to the First Republic after 1918. Prague is also known for classical music, with concerts in churches and halls almost every evening; in December, the country's old towns turn into Christmas markets with mulled wine and crafts.
The annual Prague Spring music festival in May and June is one of Europe's best-known classical music festivals. In summer, folklore festivals in Moravia, for example around the grape harvest and thanksgiving, also draw many visitors.
The Karlovy Vary Film Festival in July is the country's most important film festival and one of the oldest in Europe, founded in 1946. Fixed opening hours generally apply at archaeological and historic sites such as castles and monasteries, and photography is banned at military installations.
What experiences are worth it in Czechia?
Highlights include Prague Castle and Charles Bridge, the UNESCO town of Český Krumlov, the spa promenades of Karlovy Vary, the Sedlec Ossuary near Kutná Hora, and the caves of the Moravian Karst with the 138.5 m deep Macocha Abyss. Those wanting to be active can hike in Bohemian Switzerland or cycle through the South Bohemian pond landscape.
Prague: castle, old town and the Vltava
A walk through Prague Castle, St Vitus Cathedral and across Charles Bridge combines well with a boat trip on the Vltava. In the evening, Prague is known for classical concerts in churches and palaces.
Bohemian Switzerland
The national park in the north offers hiking trails through sandstone gorges to Pravčická brána, the largest natural rock arch in Europe; day trips from Prague are possible by train and bus.
Moravian Karst and caves
The Punkva Caves near Brno combine an underground boat trip with a view down into the Macocha Abyss from above; a cable car leads to the viewpoint above the sinkhole.
- Spa towns in the west: thermal springs and spa promenades in Karlovy Vary, Mariánské Lázně and Františkovy Lázně.
- Sedlec Ossuary: a chapel near Kutná Hora whose interior is decorated with human bones.
- Mikulov wine region: wine tastings and cycling tours through the hills of South Moravia near the Austrian border.
- Villa Tugendhat in Brno: an icon of modern architecture, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2001, visits only by advance booking.
- Christmas markets: in December on the main squares of Prague, Brno and Olomouc.
Sources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre · VisitCzechia (CzechTourism)
How do you travel responsibly in Czechia?
The train network covers almost all of the country's major destinations and, in most cases, replaces the need for a rental car; that reduces both costs and traffic in the historic old towns. In heavily visited places like Český Krumlov or on Charles Bridge, visiting outside midday hours helps avoid crowds.
- Use the train instead of a rental car for routes between Prague, Brno, Karlovy Vary and Kutná Hora.
- Visit Český Krumlov and Prague Castle early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid day-trippers.
- Stay on marked trails in Bohemian Switzerland and the Moravian Karst to protect the sandstone and karst formations.
- Buy regional products such as Moravian wine or spa-town wafers directly on site instead of imported souvenirs.
Sources: České dráhy (ČD) · UNESCO World Heritage Centre
Which countries can Czechia be combined with?
Czechia borders Germany, Poland, Slovakia and Austria; all four belong to the Schengen area, so border crossings are possible without passport checks. The most obvious short extensions are to Vienna from Brno (under 2 hours) or to Bratislava, which shares a common history with Slovakia up to 1993.
From Brno, Vienna is reachable in under two hours and Bratislava in around two hours by train, making a combination with Austria or Slovakia a classic three-country route. To Kraków in Poland it's around 7 to 8 hours by train from Prague, usually with a change.
Direct train connections run from Prague to Dresden and Berlin in Germany; the journey to Dresden takes around 2 hours. Since all neighbouring countries belong to the Schengen area, travellers from Switzerland, Germany and Austria face no additional border formalities.
Sources: Wikipedia
Who is Czechia suited for, and who less so?
Czechia suits travellers who want to experience city culture, architecture and beer culture without covering great distances, and works well for first visits to Central Europe or short train-based trips. It is less suited to beach or seaside holidays, since the country has no coastline, and to anyone wanting to avoid tourist crowds in Prague's old town.
Czechia suits city travellers, those interested in architecture and history, and families who appreciate short train journeys and manageable distances. Wine and beer lovers will also find plenty of substance in Moravia and the Bohemian breweries.
Czechia is less ideal for anyone counting on quiet at well-known sights: Prague's old town and Český Krumlov are heavily visited in peak season. Anyone looking for a beach or sea will also find no suitable destinations in a landlocked country like Czechia.