Discover the 30 Best Day Trips From Prague

The town elders say, that in the second century, a Roman fort bearing the name Iuliomontium (Julius Mount) existed, about 250 km east of current day Prague.

A town was built right there and the name got transformed to Olomouc. This historic town, on the banks of the River Morava, was, in fact, the center of the Kingdom of Moravia. This is what makes it the second most significant city for history buffs, after Prague.

The most important feature of the old town is the Astronomical Clock, just like in Prague but less resplendent because the retreating German soldiers destroyed the original and Russia helped build a toned down version of the same.

We spent most of the time exploring the square with its numerous fountains, the Holy Trinity Column and the old buildings in narrow streets. Also, very near to the River Morava, there was an imposing Saint Wenceslas Cathedral, among the many churches and cathedrals.

For those interested in Museums, there are a few important ones, all in in the vicinity. There are also many intricately designed statues of Tortoises near a modern fountain called the Arion fountain, which delighted the children and the adults alike. After all the walking, this provides rest and relief before returning to Prague. 

Find the best Olomouc hotel prices here>>

 UNESCO Site – Telč

by Time Travel Turtle

There was nothing special about the town of Telč until it burnt down in the 16^thcentury. It was then that the young ruler saw an opportunity to rebuild it all. He reconstructed the castle in a grand Renaissance style and gave the houses along the beautifully-colored facades.

You can still see most of this today and the old town of Telč is full of this stunning architectural design – in fact, it’s been protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. It’s all contained in a relatively small area and doesn’t take long to see. But this is part of the charm. You should definitely visit the castle. But, other than that, the best things to do are wander through the streets and sit for a drink or meal in the main square.

Telč can get busy at certain times of the day with tour groups but you’ll find there are times when it gets quiet enough for you to appreciate the beauty and history. If you do want to extend your stay for more than just the day, it is very relaxed in the evening and the colours at sunset are incredible. Day trips from Prague often combine a visit of Třebíč and Telc, two beautiful UNESCO Sites that are well worth a visit.

Best Hotel Prices for Telč>>

Nové Město nad Metují

by Live in 10 Countries

Meaning new town on the Metuji River, Nové Město nad Metují is the prettiest town that many visitors never get a chance to see. It’s full of friendly locals, great food and great spots to take a photo.

It’s the perfect place to dip over the Polish border or see a slice of lovely Czech architecture, a two or three-hour bus or train from Prague. When I visited, I took an incredible balloon ride over the Hradec Kralove region, which set off from the edges of Nove Mesto and the whole area spreads out below you.

Back on the ground, there’s a town square edged with pastel-colored buildings filled – it looks lovely against the snow in the winter or in the summer you can sit in the square and try Czech tea (the best tea ever). Inside the arches that surround it, you’ll find delicious ice cream and puddings to try. It’s a great starting point.

But, the real draw is the castle at the top of town. It has a spired tower that belongs in a children’s book, sweeping gardens and inside there are regular photography exhibitions.

Take a short drive out of town and you’re at the gorgeous Stolowe Mountain National Park – the perfect way to see the natural beauty of this country.

Beer City Pilsen

by Study Hard Travel Smart

Pilsen is a city about 1 ½ hours away from Prague, easily accessible by public transportation.

The town is most well known for its beer, Pilsner Urquell, the first Pilsner-style beer to be created. The Pilsner Urquell brewery is the main feature of the town and is usually the first stop for visiting tourists. They run excellent tours through the brewery facilities, which culminates in a chance to taste unfiltered and unpasteurized beer from the tanks in the cellar! This Private Day trip from Prague to Pilsen includes a Beer Tasting at Pilsner Urquell and a city tour.

Aside from the brewery, there are other great reasons to visit Pilsen. The city has a very interesting history, particularly as it relates to the Second World War. Pilsen was the only city in the Czech Republic to be liberated by the Allies, specifically Patton’s 3^rd Army, and this is celebrated each year in May. If you come to Pilsen around May 8, you’re likely to catch the Liberation Day Festival that features reenactments and other special activities to commemorate this historic event. Any other time of year, you can visit the Patton Memorial Museum, which is a small museum with interesting memorabilia discussing the liberation of the town. Pilsen is also home to the 2^nd largest synagogue in Europe, which is now a museum.

Castle Day Trips from Prague

Hluboka Castle

by World Travel Bug

Hluboka Castle is located in South Bohemia region of Czech Republic, about 11 km from Ceske Budejovice, which in turn is about 2 hours train ride from Prague.

Little did I know, when I was visiting this castle, that in fact, it is one of the most popular castles in the Czech Republic. However, I would say that it is true mainly for locals.

Hluboka was originally a royal castle, but in 1661 it was taken over by the Schwarzenberg family and was reconstructed in the neo-gothic way that stayed until today. The castle has been renovated 3 times since its first reconstruction. The present look is inspired in fact by the Windsor castle.

You can reach Hluboka castle in many ways, but my favorite is taking a river cruise on the Vltava river. The landscape along the way is gorgeous and at the end of the cruise you get treated with gorgeous views of the castle.

Also, if you make your way there I would recommend you stay for one night. You can book a nice 2 day Trip to Hluboka Castle from Prague here. The sunset and the blue hour at the castle are the best! And there is accommodation inside the castle park if you want to feel somehow royal for one night ;-)

Find the best hotel prices for Hluboka here>>

Karlstejn Castle

by Travel Geekery

Karlstejn Castle is located only 40 kilometers away from Prague and is one of the most popular places to go out of Prague for locals and tourists alike. You can book a day tour to Karlstejn Castle here.

The castle was built in 1348 during the reign of King Charles the IV, King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor, as his residence. He’d also had the royal treasures stored safely at the castle. It was only Charles the IV and subsequently his son Wenceslas IV who lived in the castle.

Originally built as purely Gothic, the castle was later reconstructed several times, adding Renaissance features. The rooms the kings lived in are well preserved and well worth seeing. The main magnet, though, is the gold-plated Chapel of the Holy Cross. If you want to see it, you need to get the “Exclusive” guided tour, rather than just the basic one.

Karlstejn is easily accessible from Prague. You can take a train to a village named Karlstejn and then just take a paved path uphill to reach the castle. The walk takes only about 20 minutes.

Loket Castle

by Frequent Traveller

Looking up from the River Ohre, Loket Castle stands towering above you. Sitting on the steep granite outcrop this 12th-century Romanesque-Gothic style fortress is framed by the brightly colored buildings and onion-shaped spires of the pretty medieval town of Loket.

Today leisure boats drift quietly along the scenic waters at the foot of the castle, adding to the fairy-tale charm of this romantic setting.

At first glance, there is little to suggest Locket Castles chequered past, it’s not until you enter the castle that you discover that was used to imprison the 3-year-old future King Charles the IV, it endured countless conflicts and was used for torture.

In fact, you can visit the torture chambers and see a range of bloodthirsty tortures on display. While visiting the castle, discover the mysteries behind Loket Meteorite which has been a curiosity since it first fell to Earth in the 14^th Century.

After a visit to the castle, admire the picturesque town square of Loket, with its delightful colored buildings and Holy Trinity Column it’s no wonder this town has been used in so many movies.

If you are thirsty head to the Hotel Cisar Ferdinand, relax in the pretty courtyard and try a freshly brewed beer from the adjoining Florian Brewery.

If you are visiting the Czech Republic Loket Castle shouldn’t be missed, there are a range of day tours from Prague to Loket Castle and the nearby spa town of Karlovy Vary.

Bouzov Castle

by Travel Gal Nicole

Bouzov Castle is a medieval 14th-century fortress located three hours east of Prague and makes the perfect day trip from Prague.  This castle is one of the most fairytale-like castles and has been in several Czech films.

You can tour the inside of the castle which is fully furnished with paintings, art, and custom made furniture. There is also a functional drawbridge, which visitors can see in operation at the start and end of the season. The stately interiors of the castle are furnished with antique furniture and old relics. The largest room is the Gothic Knight Hall which is impressive.  There is also a 61-meter tall watch tower which you can climb for fantastic views.

This is a beautiful place to look out at the Moravian Hills and take in the views.  This is one place you shouldn’t miss. Book your trip to Bouzov Castle and Javoricko Caves here. 

Adventure Day Trips from Prague

Hiking in Bohemian Switzerland

One amazing day trip from Prague is the gorgeous Bohemian Switzerland National Park filled to the brim with gorgeous lush green forest and unique rock formations. There is something for everyone to do here from short scenic walks to an even more scenic boat ride, sunset spots with sweeping views, a walk to Europe’s largest sandstone arch at Pravcicka Gate, or step through scenes from the Chronicles of Narnia that were filmed here.

Even as you drive through the small villages on your way to Bohemian Switzerland you’ll notice the unique rustic cabins and homes that are unlike the architecture anywhere else in the Czech Republic. You can even easily visit the gorgeous and scenic Bastei Bridge on the German Saxon Switzerland side easily from here. The entire area is absolutely gorgeous and worth a visit from Prague.

More than just Skiing in Liberec

by My Wanderlust

Only an hour away from Prague you will find Liberec – a totally underrated city surrounded by beautiful mountains. While most of the people visit Liberec to go skiing, especially cross-country, the place has so much more to offer!

It’s one of those charming Central-European cities, you just need to dig a bit deeper to find the beauty. The town hall is stunning from the outside, similar to the one in Vienna, but you should definitely go inside too as the interior is just amazing – recently it was seen in the National Geography series “Genius” about Albert Einstein.

Part of the city is full of old villas and each of them is prettier than another. You might know quirky sculpture by David Cerny that can be found all over Prague – one of his works is in Liberec too, the bus stop just behind the town hall.

Make sure to take the cable car to Jested mountain to see the futuristic hotel and amazing views of the area. You can easily spend few days in Liberec but even in one day you can cover a lot and have a great day away from Prague!

Find the best hotel prices for Liberec here>>

Historic Day Trips From Prague

UNESCO Site Holasovice

by Green Global Travel 

Located about two hours south of Prague, just 16 kilometers west of České Budějovice, Holasovice is a quaint little village that makes for a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Along with Horní Chrášťany, Malé Chrášťany, and Plástovice, Holasovice is one of several villages in the Czech Republic’s charming South Bohemia region that are known as exceptional examples of traditional rural baroque architecture. But it’s the only one that is currently protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with outstanding 18th- and 19th-century buildings and a ground plan that dates from the Middle Ages.

There are just 23 farmyards here, with the community laid out in a U-shape facing the village green. Each house has distinctive designs that make it unique, often including the initials of the builder and icons depicting wheat, spirals, or the eye of God. In the center of the village, there’s a small chapel, numerous carved wooden statues, and a pond containing some massive koi.

The traditional folk art of Holasovice is a beautiful representation of rural village life in the Czech Republic’s South Bohemia region. Their folk art festival is a huge annual event, drawing around 15,000 people to the UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll find some fine examples, as well as souvenirs available for purchase, at the village’s Visitor Center.

Terezín

by Safari Nomad

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Terezín or Theresienstadt, a town in then German-occupied Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic), was a Jewish ghetto and concentration camp used by the Nazis during the World War II.

Terezín monument, one of the most visited memorial sites in Central Europe, is dedicated to the thousands of victims of the Holocaust. It includes a complex of military buildings, spreading over 20 kilometers, with two main areas: the Large Fortress and the Small Fortress.

The Large Fortress is the town itself, where the majority of ghetto residents lived. You can walk around the streets and visit the Ghetto Museum. Through exhibitions, a cinema an a study room you will find out how was the daily life in the camp.

Another historic site is just over the Ohre River, the Small Fortress, the area that Nazis used as a prison. You will enter the main gate and see the prison barracks, isolation cells and execution grounds.

Other sites you can visit are also: the National Cemetery, the Columbarium (the ashes of the victims stored), the Jewish prayer room, the park of Terezín Children, Railway siding, The former Magdeburg Barracks (the seat of the Jewish self-government) and Memorial on the bank of the Ohře River. You can book a small group/private tour to Terezin here.

Tábor

by Everybody Hates A Tourist

Tábor, Czech Republic is located just over an hour away from Prague, making it a perfect destination for a day trip. You can book a private transfer for up to 7 people here. Tábor holds an important place in Czech history. It was founded in 1420 by Radical Hussites known as Taborites. They were separatists from the medieval Catholic Church. As such, they needed to build a town that could be easily defended. Thus, Tábor was built on a hilltop overlooking the South Bohemian countryside.

In order to store goods & protect the local citizens, the town leaders built a system of underground tunnels beneath the town. Parts of these tunnels are now open for public tours. A visit is a highlight to any day trip to Tábor.

Additionally, Tábor has a rich cultural scene for a town of its size. There is a beer museum & a chocolate museum. The town is also home to Restaurant Goldie, which has been named not only one of the best restaurants in the area, but in the entire Czech Republic.

Visit Tábor for even just a day, and you will be tempted to stay longer. It’s a relaxing break filled with plenty of historic & cultural activities to keep you satisfied.

Historic Town Mikulov

by Eager Journeys

Because Mikulov is only a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Prague, it can easily be visited as a day trip or as a stop along a road trip to Vienna, Austria.

The 12th-century town, in the southern Czech Republic, is perched on the edge of the Mikulov highlands and is surrounded by vineyards. Mikulov’s most famous attraction, the Mikulov Chateau, will welcome you from the horizon even before you arrive. When you explore its exhibits, library, art collection and giant wooden wine barrel, know that Napoleon Bonaparte once walked these halls.

Wander around the historic city center, starting at the fountain (with its statue of Pomona) in the town square, followed by the 16^th century U Rytiru House with its renaissance graffiti and the Romanesque church of Saint Vaclac, with its four-story renaissance tower.

Eat lunch at one of the many restaurants that radiate from the town square. While Pilsner beer is renowned across the Czech Republic, try a glass of local wine (if you’re not driving), as Mikulov is found in the center of Czech’s wine region. Better yet do a wine tasting at one of the many family-owned wine cellars or visit in autumn during the annual wine harvest festival.

Next, explore the history and heritage of the Old Jewish Quarter along a 1km tourist route with 14 stops along the way.

Find the best hotel prices for Mikulov here>>

Historic Spa Town Marianske Lazne

by Swedish Nomad

Marianske Lazne is also known as Marienbad. It’s a historical spa town about 2 hours away from Prague. It’s the second largest spa town in Czechia after Karlovy Vary, which is just a short drive from Marianske Lazne. You can book a day tour to Marianske Lazne and Karlovy Vary from Prague here.  It’s a very quiet and relaxing place, especially during the summer months. You can come here and enjoy spa treatments, eat delicious food or just go for a walk by the beautiful colonnades.

There are several hotels who offer spa treatments at reasonable prices. Perhaps the most famous one is Nove Lazne, which used to be a Spa facility where the English King Edward VII came to get well. The Spa Town of Marianske Lazne has been visited by many famous and royal people throughout the years. More recently it has opened up and been renovated into a more public place where “regular” people can also enjoy the wellbeing of spa treatments and healing therapies.

In the area you can also find different springs with mineral water, which is said to be very healthy. The curative effects of the springs were first investigated by monks in the 1500’s. So, don’t be surprised when people walk around with spa mugs and drink water directly from the tap or springs.

You can get here easily by driving from Prague, but you can also come here by bus and if you can, spend a few days to take advantage of the spa treatments.

Find the best prices for Spa Hotels here>>

International Weekend or Day Trips from Prague

Salzburg, Austria

by A World To Travel

Warsaw, Poland

by Travel Photo Discovery

Leipzig, Germany

by Travellers Archive

Krakow, Poland

by Barbaralicious

Krakow is more or less five hours by bus from Prague. But it’s absolutely worth the trip. It is a city of legends and a tour will let you travel through time. Learn about the Trumpeter of St Mary’s and why the melody played every hour apparently stops in the middle. Find out what the knife means that is hanging in the market hall. And don’t forget to meet the fire-breathing dragon Krakow!

Wander the cobbled streets – narrow and wide – or visit the medieval churches. All this in the eye of a thousand years of history. No wonder that this has been one of the very first urban UNESCO World Heritage Sites ever.

The main square Rynek Glowny is not only the biggest medieval squares in Europe, but it’s also the cultural center of Krakow. This is the starting point for many tours as well as for locals to come together to have a beer.

Find the best Krakow Hotels here>>

Dresden, Germany

by Rambling Feet

If a city could ever be described as a phoenix rising from the ashes, Dresden would be it. During the Second World War, Allied bombers destroyed more than 90% of the city. While the restoration continues to this day, thankfully for us, many of the beautiful 18th-Century buildings have been rebuilt to their original designs. Trains and buses whisk you there from Prague in just over two hours or you can book an organized Day Tour to Dresden.

Dresden was an important stop on the Grand Tour of Europe that noblemen used to take. Artists, composers, and writers such as E.T.A. Hoffmann, Richard Wagner, and Sergei Rachmaninoff once lived here too. When you remember this artistic heritage as you stand on the riverbank and admire the skyline, it is easy to understand how it earned the nickname ‘Florence on the Elbe’.

Maybe it’s my imagination but you can feel the history in the air as you walk through the streets. The Frauenkirche is completely worth joining the crowds to see the beautifully-restored altar, galleries, and paintings. It’s hard to believe it was only completed in 2005. Besides this church, one won’t regret visiting any of the other historic buildings, though my favorites are the Hofkirche, the Semperoper, and the Zwinger.

Check for best Hotel prices in Dresden here>>

Read our full guide to Dresden Christmas Markets here>>

Bratislava, Slovakia

by World Travel Adventurers

Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, is a charming little city that makes a great day trip from Prague. Bratislava is the only national capital that borders two countries- Austria and Hungary. It overlooks the Danube and the River Morava, making it very scenic.

We loved how Bratislava has such a laid-back vibe. It is a very romantic place to visit with its maze of cobblestone streets, outdoor cafes and pubs, and picturesque squares with colorful buildings and fountains. There are statues throughout the city that make for fun photo opportunities. Don’t miss Cumil “The Watcher”, which is Bratislava’s most photographed statue.

Bratislava Castle has been the dominant feature of the city for centuries and cannot be missed. It is perched on a hill above the Danube with its impressive Sigismund Gate dating back to the 15th century. Most of the castle burned down in 1811 and was rebuilt in the 1960’s. The castle houses the Slovak National Museum and offers a stunning panoramic view of the city.

Don’t miss Hviezdoslavovo Square, the Historic Opera House, St. Martin’s Cathedral, Michael’s Gate, Main Square, and Old Town Hall. Bratislava is small enough that you can see it in a day, especially if you book a guided tour to show you the most important sights as well as some of the hidden gems.

Best hotels to stay in Bratislava>>