8 Days in the Czech Republic Itinerary

Are you planning to visit the Czech Republic soon? Then you have come to the right place. I just returned from an incredible Press trip to this stunning country and created this 8 day Czech Republic itinerary that takes you not only to the most iconic places but also shows you some off-the-beaten-path places that let your experience the “true” Czech Republic. You’ll also be seeing 6 UNESCO Heritage sites along the way and countless other gems.

Need help planning your trip?
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The best way to visit the Czech Republic is by renting a car and doing a road trip around the country, especially if you travel to the more rural areas like the Vysočina region in the South of the Czech Republic.

However, I highly recommend using public transportation in Prague and exploring as much as possible by foot. By walking around, you get a much better feel for the places you are visiting (and you might feel a little less guilty for indulging in the Czech delicacies along the way!)

Day 1-3 Czech Republic Itinerary: Prague

Day 1: Arrival in Prague, Czech Republic

Public transportation is the best way to get around Prague, so I recommend taking over your rental car on the morning of day 3 when you are heading out of the city.

When you arrive at Vaclav Havel Airport in Prague, you have several options to get to the city. The airport is only about 17 km (~10 miles) from the city, so a taxi, Uber, or LiftaGo (the local version of Uber) are quite affordable. You can also take various busses: The 100 bus takes you to the Yellow Subway line and the 119 bus to the Green Subway line. Get yourself a 24-hour Subway card for 110 CZK (~ $5), and you are good to go on buses, trams, subway and even boats. You can also take the Express Bus that will take you to the main railway station in the center of Prague and then just walk or take the subway/streetcar to your hotel.

Head to your hotel, drop your bags and freshen up a bit. But don’t linger too long or you might risk succumbing to jetlag. The best way to adjust to the time difference is to stay active and occupy yourself for the rest of the day and then go to bed at 10-11 PM.

To make the most of your time, I suggest joining a free tour (tips only) around the Old City (UNESCO Heritage Site) and Jewish Quarter of Prague that starts at 3:30 PM each day. If you can still keep your eyes open, or if you arrive later in the day, you can join the Charles Bridge and Castle tour at 5:30 PM as well.

Day 2: Museum of Communism & Prague Food Tour

In the morning, head to the Museum of Communism. You’ll learn about the oppression during this dark time as well as about how the Velvet Revolution brought the system to collapse in November of 1989.

Don’t go to lunch just yet, because this afternoon you’ll be going on an incredible food tour around Prague and taste some mouthwatering Czech food. Make your way to Starbucks at Křižíkova station on Prague’s metro line B, the yellow subway line. Your guide will be holding a sign for Urban Adventures, and you will be taken on a whirlwind tour of the best restaurants in Prague –  the Prague Food by Foot tour.

What sets this tour apart from most food tours is that you get full portions. The places we went to were quite varied from traditional Czech to Bib Gourmand restaurants. As you eat your way across the city, you’ll learn about Czech food, obviously, but also hear interesting stories and facts about Prague and the Czech Republic.

After the Food Tour, make your way to the Castle and watch the sunset over the city.

Where to stay in Prague:

If you want to spoil yourself, I can highly recommend the Buddha Hotel. It is located within 5 minutes walk from the Powder Tower, the Astronomical Clock, Náměstí Republiky, and Church of Our Lady before Tyn (the famous gothic church with double steeples that make the skyline of Prague instantly recognizable). Staying in a central location lets you make the most of your time in Prague and staying here is a great way to start your visit to the Czech Republic. You can read my full review of the Buddha Bar Hotel Prague here.

If you are looking for fun and unique places to stay in the Czech Republic, check out Amazing Places, where you can find special and unusual accommodations, from castles to cozy cottages and rustic farmhouses.

Where to Eat in Prague:

Day 3-4 Czech Republic Itinerary: Pilsen

Day 3: Arrive in Pilsen, Pilsen City Tour, Beer Spa

In the morning of day 3, pick up your rental car and head to Pilsen (95 km/60 miles) and check into your hotel. I stayed at the Courtyard Mariott which is strategically located within walking distance to the city and the Pilsner Urquell Brewery. Park your car, drop your bags and head across the street for lunch at the Parkan Brewery Taproom (use Google Translate to translate website).

In the afternoon, I recommend a guided city tour. Pilsen as a fascinating history and I think a guided tour would be the best way to experience the city. Depending on your interest, I would also recommend visiting either the Puppet Museum or joining a walking tour of the historic underground of Pilsen.

After exploring the city, you deserve a little treat, don’t you think? Book a Beer Spa appointment in the Czech beer capital. Soak in a barrel tub full of hop, malt, and yeast infused water.

For dinner, I recommend U Mansfelda. The food is traditional Czech, and the atmosphere is friendly and cozy. After dinner, take a stroll along the park that follows the old city wall along the Southern and Western edge and then back through the center of town and see the main square and fountains at night.

Day 4: Beer museum & Pilsner Urquell

Day 4 is a day of Beer. Head back across the street, just past where you had lunch yesterday at the Parkan Brewery Taproom and go to the Beer Museum. You can download an app and listen to the story of Beer in Pilsen. If you didn’t have time for the Underground tour yesterday, you may be able to squeeze it in this morning, as it is literally in the same place as the beer museum.

For the afternoon, book your tickets in advance for a brewery tour of Pilsner Urquell. Depending on your timing, you can have lunch at the brewery either before or after your 3-hour tour. Don’t worry; it’s fascinating to learn about the brewing process, look at the equipment and of course, try their unfiltered beer.

If you are in the mood for a little bit of nature, take the bus (#20) or drive to Velký Bolevecký Rybnik, a beautiful lake on the outskirts of Pilsen. You can do some paddle boarding, swimming, sailing or just walk around the lake and enjoy the views. When I was there in October, the leaves were turning, and it was stunning, don’t you think?

Day 5 Czech Republic Itinerary: Český Krumlov

Day 5: Drive to Český Krumlov, City and Castle Tour

The drive to Český Krumlov will take you about 2.5 hours (153 km/95 miles). I didn’t get to go to this beautiful town on my Czech Republic road trip, but I went there this summer and loved it. It is quite touristy nowadays, but that just supports my case to visit the Czech Republic in the off and shoulder season. The city has a very different feel, if you explore before 10 AM and after 6 PM. In any case, make your hotel reservations ahead of time!

After checking into your hotel, head over to Pizzeria Nonna Gina if you are in need of something other than Gulash and Dumplings. It is also right across the street from the Tourism Office, so in case you want to book a tour last minute, you can do that here.  Explore the picturesque old town (UNESCO Heritage Site) and the castle overlooking the river and city.

Where to stay in Český Krumlov

Hotel Ruze is a stunning 5-star hotel that makes you feel like you are staying in a castle, but of course, with all the luxuries and amenities you could ever wish for.

Hotel Bellevue has a luxurious country house feel to it that is cozy and welcoming. The only downside is that you might have to extend your 8 day trip to the Czech Republic, as you most likely don’t want to leave this place once you check it!

Where to eat in Český Krumlov

Pizzeria Nonna Gina: Great pizza, pasta, and more authentic Italian fare that make you question which country you are in right now.

Jakub Restaurant: The excellent reviews speak for themselves. This restaurant comes highly recommended and is an excellent and convenient choice.

Depo Krumlov: Modern and industrial interior for some traditional Czech and South Bohemian Pub grub and beer.

Day 6 and 7 Czech Republic Itinerary: Vysočina Region & 3 UNESCO Heritage Sites

Day 6: Drive to Telč, city tour & castle

Today, you are heading to Telč, the first stop in the picturesque Vysočina region and visit it’s famed Renaissance houses. From Český Krumlov, it should take you about 2 hours (114 km/70 miles) to get there and leaves you with plenty of time to explore the city for the rest of the day.

Stroll around the castle gardens, enjoy some ice cream at one of the many cafes on the charming main square and take in the Easter-egg colored facades around you. Maybe find some little trinkets and handmade gifts to bring home with you to remember this trip.

I explored the castle gardens on a chilly and foggy October morning. The fall foliage with the fog gave this place a mysterious and magical atmosphere. So stunning!

Where to eat in Telč

Na Zabinci: A quick 10-minute walk from the main square, but worth it to get some cheap, traditional Czech food that also the locals enjoy.

Amigo: From Burgers to Mexican and even Italian food, this modern bistro has something for everyone.

Svejk: Traditional Czech Pub with great food and beers.

Where to Stay in Telč

Hotel U Hrabenky is a beautiful country inn, located right behind the castle. I had a great stay there, and the location was very convenient to explore the little town.

Day 7: Třebíč and Žďár nad Sázavou

First stop of the day is Třebíč, yet another UNESCO World Heritage site and only a quick 40-minute drive (35 km/21 miles) from Telč. This UNESCO site is two: it includes the historic Jewish Quarter and the St Procopius Basilica.

I recommend heading to the Jewish Quarter first, where you can tour the old Synagogue and visit a traditional Jewish house as it would have been common between World War I and World War II. Třebíč was the religious and cultural center of the Jewish population in Moravia before World War II. It is heartbreaking to learn that of the 300 Jews that lived in Třebíč in the 1930s less than 20 survived.

The Jewish Cemetary in Třebíč is the best preserved in the Czech Republic. The oldest of the over 3000 gravestones dates back to 1625. Most of the inscriptions are either in Hebrew or German, which shows you how interwoven Czech and German cultures were at the time. A somber experience, but I highly recommend it.

The second location of the UNESCO Heritage site in Třebíč is the Romanesque-Gothic St. Procopius Basilica. It was built in the 13th century as an add-on to the preexisting Benedictine Monastery that was built in the 11th century.

Restaurant Lihovar: This restaurant is located just behind the Basilica, and I highly recommend it. The food was excellent and they have a nice selection of Craft Beer.

The second stop of the day is Žďár nad Sázavou, which is about 40 minutes (35 km/22 miles) from Třebíč. The highlight of this town is the Pilgrimage church of St John of Nepomuk on Zelená Hora. It is the final work of Jan Santini and is famous for its unique shape and combination of Baroque and Gothic design elements.

I have to admit that visiting churches is usually not what I look forward to the most during my trips, but this church was a highlight of my trip. I asked my guide to take me there again in the evening so that I could take some photos at night and it was even more stunning than during the day. For dinner, I suggest Na louce, just outside of  Žďár nad Sázavou. They are famous for their wild game dishes.

Since your time on this 8 day Czech Republic Itinerary is limited, I suggest you make your way to Kutna Hora after dinner so that you can explore the last of the UNESCO Heritage sites on this trip. The drive is less than 1.5 hours (80km/50 miles).

Day 8 Czech Republic Itinerary: Kutna Hora and Prague for departure

Kutna Hora is a popular day trip for tourists from Prague, so by spending the night there, you already won the first battle in beating the crowds. I recommend staying at the Chateau Trebesice, just outside of Kutna Hora. You’ll be sleeping in a real castle, including a waterfilled castle moat, vaulted ceilings, and romantic rose gardens.

While all of Kutna Hora is very picturesque and a lovely place to visit, the most popular tourist attraction in Kutna Hora is the Sedlec Ossuary, also known as the Bone Chapel, also one of Santini’s creations (albeit he wasn’t involved in the bone decoration). This morbid, yet fascinating chapel uses human bones of more than 40000 skeletons as building materials and decoration.

After this eerie experience, it is time to head back to Prague to catch your flight. I hope this 8 day Czech Republic Itinerary is helpful for planning your next trip to the Czech Republic. Of course, all of the mentioned activities, hotels, and restaurants are only ideas. Feel free to adapt this Czech Republic itinerary to fit your needs and interests, add a few days, if you want to explore some places a little bit more and use this guide as a base to plan the perfect trip for you.

I also want to give a big THANK YOU to Czech Tourism, Amazing Places, Buddha Bar Hotel Prague, Visit Pilsen, Region Vysocina for making this trip possible and inviting me to explore your beautiful country. I had a wonderful time and can’t wait to return to the Czech Republic soon!

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