Alternative Travel Index Rank: #13
The Czech Republic also ranks 5th in the Top 10 Cultural Destinations
Excels in health & hygiene, transports, and World Heritage cultural sites
Population and tourists density at peak season: 143 (medium)
The Czech Republic (also known as Czechia) is a small landlocked country in Central Europe with a rich and eventful history. It is graced with hundreds of ancient castles, monasteries and stately mansions, and even entire towns that give the impression of being comprehensive artifacts. Czechia contains many architectural treasures and has beautiful forests and mountains to match.
Travel Costs
The Czech Republic ranks #87/141 for price competitiveness in Justraveling’s Alternative Travel Index. Average travel costs per day: $47 (backpacker) – $120 (mid-range). Cheapest Czech cities: Ostrava, Olomouc, Plzen. Most expensive Czech cities: Prague, Usti nad Labem, Brno.
Best Time to Go
Apr-Oct is the best time to go to the Czech Republic. The warmest month is July, followed by August and June, but the summer is also marked by rain and storms.
Places to Visit
Prague is one of the largest cities of Central Europe and has served as the capital of Bohemia for centuries. The city is famous for its unique medieval architecture, and its historic centre is inscribed in the World Heritage List.
The Karlštejn Region is marked by the contrast of karst and river landscapes and offers rare botanical gems, a magical atmosphere, and canyon-like terrains that discourage motored traffic to the delight of hikers and nature lovers.
Telč is the best preserved of all the Bohemian and Moravian Renaissance towns. The surrounding fish-ponds have prevented the town’s growth, thus preserving the perfect central square, built during the 16th century.
The Mutěnice Wine Region is composed of four villages, and is renowned for its wine production. The surrounding area is dotted with small settlements, that the locals use as a weekend getaway to relax and work in their vineyards.
Travel Ideas and Things to Do
The Bohemian Paradise Gold Trail is a 98 km route that connects the most important spots of this protected landscape area located in North Bohemia. The region provides numerous options for hiking and biking, as well as excursions for travelers who wish to enjoy the pleasures of ecotourism. More info here.
Located in the Giant Mountains, the Polish–Czech Friendship Trail runs on both sides of the Czech–Polish border along the main ridge and traverses all its summits. It’s a moderate trek of nearly 30 km with varied weather conditions.
Looking for a real cultural immersion in the Czech Republic? The country’s intangible cultural heritage is extremely rich, being made of ancient traditions, cultural events, plus a taste of the exquisite local gastronomy. More info here.
The Friends of Czech Heritage deals with relevant restoration projects all over the country and organizes working holidays with a high cultural content.
More active travel ideas for your next trip can be found in the Hiking Series. Check out these five routes to enjoy an awesome day hike in the Czech Republic.
This Travel Guide is a work in progress. Improve it with a Czech touch!
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Sources: some text excerpts from Wikitravel & Wikipedia; travel cost data from Numbeo.