Czech Republic in a Nutshell

The Czech Republic, ‘the land of a thousand castles’, lies in the heart of Europe with Prague as its majestic capital. This compact country offers an impressive mix of medieval castles, charming historic towns and vast natural areas. You’ll find more than 2,000 castles and fortresses here, the highest number per square kilometre in the world. About 34 percent of the Czech Republic consists of forests, and it has numerous picturesque rivers such as the Vltava.

Nature lovers will thoroughly enjoy the country’s four national parks with their varied landscapes. The Bohemian Paradise impresses with striking sandstone rock formations and dense coniferous forests full of hiking trails. The Moravia region surprises with rolling vineyards and colourful folklore traditions that are still very much alive. The Šumava National Park is particularly special with its ancient forests and peat bogs along the German border. Wildlife enthusiasts can spot red deer, lynx and even the rare capercaillie during peaceful walks.

In winter, the Czech Republic transforms into a paradise for winter sports enthusiasts and Christmas market lovers. The snowy mountain areas of the Giant Mountains offer excellent slopes for both beginners and advanced skiers. Spa towns such as Karlovy Vary attract visitors looking to relax in healing hot springs after a day in the snow. Enjoy world-famous Czech beers in cosy brewery restaurants or taste local wines in traditional wine cellars.

History of the Czech Republic

The history of the Czech Republic begins with the arrival of Slavic tribes in the 6th century. The Great Moravian Empire flourished in the 9th century and brought Christianity to the region. Charles IV made Prague a cultural centre and founded the first university in 1348. The Hussite Wars brought religious reforms and strengthened Czech identity in the 15th century. After centuries under Habsburg rule, Czechoslovakia emerged as an independent state in 1918. Nazi Germany occupied the country in 1939, followed by communist domination from 1948. The Prague Spring of 1968 ended with Soviet invasion and severe repression. The Velvet Revolution peacefully ended communism in 1989. The Czech Republic and Slovakia amicably separated in 1993 as independent countries.

Click to jump to any topic below:

• Highlights
• Accommodation
• Best travel time
• Eating & drinking
• Electricity
• Getting around
• Healthcare
• Money matters
• Travel advice
• Visa

Accommodation in the Czech Republic

The Czech Republic offers an extensive range of stylish and comfortable places to stay. In historic city centres, you’ll find elegant boutique hotels in beautifully restored medieval buildings. The Czech countryside invites you with characterful guesthouses and cosy holiday cottages among rolling vineyards. Numerous castles and monasteries open their doors as luxurious hotels with a unique historical ambiance. Spa towns such as Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad) attract visitors with their elegant wellness resorts and healing thermal baths.

Nature lovers can choose from comfortable mountain resorts and eco-lodges in national parks such as the Giant Mountains. Culinary travellers appreciate the traditional guesthouses with their own vineyards and excellent restaurants. For culture enthusiasts, former noble residences offer rooms with authentic furnishings and art collections. Throughout the country, friendly host families welcome guests in cosy guesthouses with homemade meals. Most accommodations combine historical charm with modern conveniences such as good WiFi and comfortable beds.

Travel Advice for the Czech Republic

The Czech Republic has a green travel advisory. However, be particularly watchful for pickpockets in Prague. The Czech authorities strictly enforce regulations on alcohol consumption: you may not drive or cycle. Winter sports enthusiasts should be aware of avalanche danger, especially outside marked ski slopes.

Always check the current travel advice before departing for the Czech Republic.

Healthcare

The Czech Republic offers good medical facilities, comparable to Western European standards in major cities. Always take out travel insurance that fully covers hospital admission and possible repatriation. Bring sufficient medication in the original packaging, plus extra for unexpected delays. No special travel vaccinations are required for the Czech Republic if standard immunisations are up to date. In mountain areas, you should be aware of tick bites and tick-borne encephalitis during the hiking season. Drinking water is safe in cities but be more cautious in remote rural areas. Pharmacies can be found everywhere, even in smaller towns, often with English-speaking staff. The European emergency number 112 works throughout the Czech Republic for medical emergencies.

Best Time to Visit the Czech Republic

Spring and autumn offer the best time to visit the Czech Republic. From April to September, you can enjoy pleasant temperatures and beautiful nature. Prague welcomes visitors all year round with relatively dry and warm weather. July and August attract many tourists to popular destinations in the country. Spring shows blooming landscapes, while autumn offers quieter visitor numbers. Winter sports enthusiasts ideally plan their trip in the first months of the year. Avoid the crowds by travelling outside the high season. This especially applies to visiting Prague.

Visa for the Czech Republic

Because the Czech Republic is a member of the European Union, as EU citizen you can enter the country with just your ID card or passport. Your travel document must be valid during your stay. Validity of at least one month after departure from the Czech Republic is recommended for any emergencies.

UK residents can enter without a visa for stays up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Your passport must be valid for your entire stay, issued within the last 10 years, and valid for at least 3 months after your planned departure date. From mid-2025, UK travelers will need to obtain ETIAS authorization before visiting. Be aware that previous visits to other Schengen countries count toward your 90-day limit.

Food and Drink

Czech cuisine offers a hearty mix of traditional dishes with influences from surrounding countries. Pork dominates the menu and forms the basis of the national dish ‘vepřo-knedlo-zelo’. Dumplings accompany almost every meal as a characteristic side dish made from bread or potato dough. A typical Czech meal begins with a nutritious soup such as česnečka, a garlic soup garnished with a raw egg.

For those with a sweet tooth, the Czech Republic offers delicious pastries such as trdelník and koláče filled with jam or curd. The Czechs often fill these cylindrical treats with Nutella or ice cream as a sweet temptation. Bramboráky, crispy potato pancakes, serve as both a side dish and main meal with sour cream.

In tourist areas, international dishes increasingly appear alongside traditional meals on menus. Local liqueurs and brandy made from plums and cherries form popular digestifs after a hearty meal.

The Czech Republic is known worldwide for its excellent beers, especially the original Pilsner Urquell and Budweiser Budvar B:Original. Restaurants usually serve beer in half-litres at prices lower than in the Netherlands. Becherovka, a herbal bitter with 38% alcohol, is considered the national aperitif with a unique taste. But be aware: there is zero tolerance for alcohol in traffic!

Transport in the Czech Republic

Public transport in the Czech Republic offers travellers an excellent network of trains, buses, trams and metros. Cesky Drahy, the Czech railways, connects all major cities with reliable intercity and high-speed trains. From Prague, you can easily reach other Czech cities or neighbouring countries such as Austria and Slovakia. Small villages and remote destinations can be reached by local buses or stopping trains.

In Prague, you navigate most quickly with the well-developed metro and extensive tram network. Tourists benefit from advantageous 24-hour, 36-hour or 72-hour tickets for unlimited transport in the capital. Don’t forget to validate your ticket when boarding in the yellow stamping machines. For longer distances, RegioJet offers comfortable yellow buses at very affordable prices.

A rental car gives you the freedom to explore the beautiful Czech countryside at your own pace. The roads are generally well maintained and petrol prices are lower than in the UK. Note the zero tolerance for alcohol behind the wheel in the Czech Republic. Taxis are affordable, but it’s better to call in advance than to hail one on the street.

For travel planning, the website idos.cz is indispensable with current information about all transport options throughout the country. Public transport in the Czech Republic remains considerably cheaper than in the UK or other Western European countries.

Electricity

The mains voltage in France is 230 volts/50 Hz. You need a power plug adapter when living in the UK or Ireland.​

Power supply is very reliable in the Czech Republic with minimal power outages, even in rural areas. During snowfall, mountainous regions may occasionally experience short power outages. For sensitive electronics, we recommend bringing a surge protector as a precaution.

Money Matters

In the Czech Republic, you pay with the Czech crown (CZK). Electronic payments with bank card or credit card are now possible in many places in the Czech Republic. In supermarkets, restaurants and at attractions, you can usually pay by card or contactless without any problems.

ATMs can be found everywhere in Czech cities and most tourist areas. Watch out for unfavourable exchange rates at hotels and exchange offices in tourist areas. Tips are not mandatory but appreciated, usually around 5 to 10 percent. In restaurants, it is not customary to leave the tip on the table.

The general price level is lower than in the UK, especially for food, drink and public transport.

Highlights

The Czech Republic offers an impressive combination of historical and natural highlights. Prague forms the radiant heart of the country with its architectural wealth and unique atmosphere. The Charles Bridge with thirty baroque statues connects the old town with the majestic Prague Castle. Lovers of medieval towns also visit Český Krumlov, a beautiful town on the banks of the Vltava.

Nature lovers enjoy the Giant Mountains and the unspoiled landscape of Bohemian Switzerland with impressive rocks. The historic town of Kutná Hora attracts visitors with its famous bone chapel, decorated with human skeletons.

Lake Lipno offers cooling in summer with numerous water sports and recreational opportunities for families. Beer fans taste craft brews in the country where Pilsner and Budweiser originally come from. Castles such as Hluboká tell stories about the rich noble history of the country through the centuries.

In Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad), visitors relax at mineral-rich thermal springs that have been known for centuries. Among wellness lovers, Mariánské Lázně (Marienbad) is also very popular.