8 Most Beautiful Towns In Czech Republic To Visit In 2024

The Czech Republic has much more to offer than its capital, Prague. There is much to see, including spa towns, beer spas, splendid castles, royal buildings, and stunning nature. I lived in the Czech Republic for almost 2 years. I spent my first year in Prague and my second year in Carlsbad. So, I traveled extensively through the country and visited all the most beautiful places.

From my experience, I’ve created this list of the most beautiful towns, which I highly recommend you visit (even as a day trip from Prague).

Let’s explore more of the Czech Republic together!

List Of The Most Beautiful Towns In Czech Republic & Map

Here is a quick list of the best towns in the Czech Republic I recommend visiting, including a map. They’ll show you the Czech history and culture in the best possible way:

1. Český Krumlov
2. Kutná Hora
3. Karlštejn
4. Uherské Hradište
5. Hradec Králove
6. Loket
7. Karlovy Vary
8. Mariánske Lázne

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1. Český Krumlov

Český Krumlov is a small town hosting one of Central Europe’s biggest castles. The town is often rated as one of the most beautiful in the country.

It’s located in the southern part of the Czech Republic, close to Austria.

Český Krumlov will show you Czech traditions and an authentic atmosphere in many ways.

Visit the Chateau of Český Krumlov, the Church of St. Vitus, and the bear pit. After, sink into its famous beer spa and have some unique relaxation. Later, hop on the traditional Czech wooden raft for stunning sightseeing on the River Vltava.

One more thing you can do is visit the Old Well Whiskey Distillery, Svachovka. You’ll experience how the Czech prepare local whiskey and taste some samples.

The cellars are connected to the 18th-century old well, which provides natural moisture and unique conditions for the whiskey.

🚇 HOW TO GET THERE: By Regiojet bus from Prague or by car
🏠 WHERE TO STAY: Pension Adalbert
😍 BEST ACTIVITY: Wooden Raft River Cruise

👉 PRO TIP: While driving to Český Krumlov, I also highly recommend visiting Hluboka Castle on the way. It’s just 33 km (20 miles) away from the town and is one of the most impressive chateaux in the country.

2. Kutná Hora

Welcome to the central part of the Czech Republic, full of mysteries. Kutná Hora, with its nearby Sedlec Ossuary, must be on your list of places to visit.

Kutná Hora, founded in the 12th century, became famous thanks to the development of silver mines in the area. But, first, you must see the impressive St. Barbara’s Church, a Gothic style from 1388.

What draws even more attention is the Ossuary of Sedlec, just around the corner. The Czech Republic has many mystical stories, scary castles, and mysterious places. Sedlec is one of them with its Ossuary. It’s a Roman Catholic Chapel containing between 40000 and 70000 skeletons.

You’ll learn a lot about the history and visit one of the most unique churches in the world.

🚇 HOW TO GET THERE: By car from Prague
🏠 WHERE TO STAY: Palace Kutna Hora
😍 BEST ACTIVITY: Guided Tour To Kutna Hora & Sedlec Ossuary

👉 READ ALSO: Best Of Prague Itinerary: 3 Days In Prague & Tips

3. Karlštejn

Karlstejn is the perfect place to visit as a day trip from Prague, as it’s only a 45-minute drive. And the main reason to come is to explore its majestic castle.

Karlštejn Castle counts as the most (if not the most) beautiful castle in the country. It was founded in 1348 by the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles IV, and was his primary residence apart from Prague Castle. Here in Karlštejn, he kept all the holy relics, royal treasures, and the Imperial Crown Jewels.

Charles IV built many impressive constructions, including the Charles Bridge in Prague, St. Wenceslas Cathedral, and Prague Castle. Thanks to him, Bohemia and the Holy Roman Empire flourished.

After the castle visit, have a traditional Czech lunch in a typical restaurant in the town.

🚇 HOW TO GET THERE: By car from Prague
🏠 WHERE TO STAY: Hotel Karlstejn & Spa
😍 BEST ACTIVITY: Guided Tour To Karlstejn

4. Uherské Hradište

Uherské Hradište is one of the royal towns in the Czech Republic. It was founded back in the 12th century by King Ottokar II. Interestingly, most of its historical buildings have been constructed on wooden piles, like in Venice, Italy.

The area was inhabited in the 9th century when Slavs came here, attracted by its climate conditions. They later created the Great Moravian Empire.

Later, it hosted the two brothers from Lake Ohrid in North Macedonia, Cyril and Method. They came to teach Christianity to the Slavs, and this was the main area for their teaching.

Explore its historical center with impressive buildings and churches, the Chapel of St. Elisabeth, the Great Moravian Acropolis, and a Jewish Synagogue.

Morava region is also famous thanks to its locals’ preparation of fruit liquors from plumbs, apples, or apricots. It’s legal to drive here with a small percentage of alcohol in your body since so many people drink here.

🚇 HOW TO GET THERE: By car from Prague or by bus/train (several changes)
🏠 WHERE TO STAY: Hotel Mariansky Dvur

5. Hradec Králove

I love Hradec Králove. There is something special about this town. When I was deciding on my University program, one of them was here in Hradec Králove. Then, I went for my tourism studies in Salzburg, Austria. Still, Hradec Králove has captured my heart.

It’s one of the oldest cities in the country. The city is located in the center of the country. It’s also a university town full of students, adding a more vibrant atmosphere.

Its name translates to the ‘Queen’s Castle.’ Many monarchs, including the John of Luxembourg, made this town their residence. Explore its castle, Cathedral of the Holy Ghost, and sandstone White Tower.

Check out its cute little cafes on its main square, have a good lunch in a local restaurant, and walk around.

After your visit, you can drive further north to the Czech mountains, Krkonoše, for some beautiful hikes. 

🚇 HOW TO GET THERE: By car from Prague or bus/train (at least 1 change)
🏠 WHERE TO STAY: Hotel U Kralovny Elisky

6. Loket

Loket is one of the hidden gems of the Czech Republic, which many people don’t know about. It’s situated in the western part of the Czech Republic, close to the border with Germany. The River Ohře, with a castle on the top of the hill, makes you feel like you’re in a Czech fairy tale.

Loket is a Czech word for ‘elbow.’ The name has been adopted because the shape of the River Ohře encircling the town resembles an elbow.

This town played a crucial role in the history of the country. It used to be the gateway to the Kingdom of Bohemia, the Czech Republic. Moreover, it’s also known for its porcelain factory.

It’s a relatively small town, so 2 hours are enough for a visit. You can visit it with Karlovy Vary, who is also included in our list.

Don’t forget to try some Czech delicacies such as Goulash soup, Svíčková Na Smetaně, dumplings, or Vepřo Knedlo Zelo.

🚇 HOW TO GET THERE: By car from Prague/Karlovy Vary
🏠 WHERE TO STAY: Pension & Restaurant Atmosphera

Spa Towns In Czech Republic

Lastly, I’ve got two of the most beautiful spa towns in the country for you. They’re located in the western part of the Czech Republic, close to Germany. See what you can do in each and enjoy their amazing thermal spa and hotels.

7. Karlovy Vary

Karlovy vary (Carlsbad) is one of the most beautiful spa towns in the Czech Republic. It’s well-known for its colonnades and healing springs. You can walk through the town with a ceramic pot while tasting different kinds of springs. Altogether, there are 12 of them.

I suggest seeing the following colonnades with their healing hot springs:

🔆 Park Colonnade
🔆 Mill Colonnade
🔆 Market Colonnade
🔆 Castle Colonnade
🔆 Hot Spring Colonnade

After, drive to the Diana Tower for the best views of the town and the entire area. You can also explore new butterfly species in the butterfly museum.

Once you’re back in the town, try local spa waffles, which you can buy at any corner.

If you’re visiting in July, you’ll be amazed by its International Film Festival, which is held annually. I got to see Johnny Depp last time, which was pretty cool.

🚇 HOW TO GET THERE: By Regiojet bus from Prague
🏠 WHERE TO STAY: Grand Hotel Pupp or Spa Hotel Imperial
😍 BEST ACTIVITY: Guided Tour To Karlovy Vary

👉 READ ALSO: How Many Days In Prague Is Enough? Revealed!

8. Marianské Lázne

Another Czech spa town I highly recommend visiting is Marianske Lazne. It’s a little oasis surrounded by spectacular Czech forests in the western part of the country.

The town offers more than 40 mineral springs to its visitors. They have mainly therapeutic properties and heal digestive and rheumatic problems. It’s been a well-known spa town for centuries and even welcomed famous personalities such as Johan Wolfgang von Goethe, Franz Kafka, and Frederic Chopin.

Take some time off, relax in its beautiful and healing spa resort, enjoy the fresh air from nearby forests, and walk around. This is a perfect spot to fuel more energy for your next European trip.

🚇 HOW TO GET THERE: By car from Prague/Karlovy Vary or local bus
🏠 WHERE TO STAY: Gourmet Hotel Villa Patriot

How To Get Around Czech Republic & Visit The Towns

You can visit these Czech towns by car, train, or bus.

You can get to some of these places by bus or train. But it takes a lot of time, so I recommend renting a car in Prague and driving there.

If you don’t want to rent a car, the bus and train companies that take you to these towns are Czech Railways or Regiojet.

Regiojet is a Czech transportation company; their buses and trains are super comfortable and will get you almost everywhere.

The best way to reach all the towns is by car. So I recommend renting a car in Prague and driving. You’ll have a lot of flexibility and can visit places where a bus or a train won’t take you (e.g. Hluboka Castle).

10-Day Czech Republic Itinerary

If you want to see more of the Czech Republic, get my 10-day itinerary. I’ve designed it as a road trip so you can see the highlights and most beautiful places in the Czech Republic.

It also includes some of the towns from this article and further tips for visiting the country.

Get my free Czech Republic itinerary by clicking on the image below:

FAQs

I’ve also answered some frequently asked questions about the Czech Republic. Check my answers below:

Where Is The Best Place To Live In The Czech Republic?

Prague is the best place to live in the Czech Republic. It offers many job opportunities, beautiful flats or houses, and many things to do. There is great nightlife; you can meet new people and enjoy a social life, but also stay in a quiet area if you prefer.

Is Czech A Beautiful Country?

Yes, the Czech Republic is a beautiful country. It offers a variety of things, from stunning castles to interesting legends, beautiful nature, unique hiking trails, and picturesque towns and cities. There is so much to explore, and it’s also relatively cheap compared to other European countries.

What Is The Natural Beauty Of The Czech Republic?

Nature parks and beautiful forests are the beauty of the Czech Republic. You can visit its national parks and go hiking. The most beautiful parks are Krkonose, Prachove Skaly, and the Bohemian-Swiss National Park.

Why Is Czech So Famous?

The Czech Republic is famous for having the cheapest beer in the world. Czech people are also the nation that drinks the most beer in the world. Besides, the capital city, Prague, is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, with a very special atmosphere.

What Is The Nature Of Czech People?

Czech people are quite extroverted and like to drink a lot of beer. The old generation loves meeting in a traditional restaurant in the evening, watching hockey or football, and drinking beer. From my experience, I have to say that the Czech people are welcoming and also very judgmental towards other nations.

Is Prague The Prettiest City In Europe?

Yes, it is. After visiting over 40 countries and seeing hundreds of cities, Prague is still the most beautiful city on my travel bucket list. It has a charm and beautiful historical buildings you must see once in a lifetime.

WRAP-UP: Visiting Czech Towns

These are the most beautiful Czech towns. I highly recommend you visit. They’ll give you a perfect understanding of the Czech history and culture. The Czech Republic is a unique nation and deserves more visitors. So stay longer and visit more than just Prague.

If you have any questions or need help planning your itinerary, contact me at info(at)voicesoftravel.com. I’ll gladly help you.

Happy Travels!