Czech Republic Travel Tips and Insider Guides
Click a city or region to browse our insider travel tips and guides about Czech Republic.Our Insider's Articles about Czech Republic
The Black Madonna has been a figure of mystery for centuries. Some say she’s simply a statue of the Virgin Mary carved... [Read the full story]
For over forty years, Czechoslovakia was all but inaccessible for westerners. As Soviet influence enveloped neighboring countries,... [Read the full story]
Prague is quite a city—ancient and spire-filled, cobblestones and beer gardens, bridges and marionette theatres. But probably... [Read the full story]
Try these suggestions for an authentic Czech experience without the throngs of crowds spilling into Prague’s streets and attractions. The... [Read the full story]
The Czech Lands have been at the crossroads of Europe for thousands of years. It is a small country endowed with abundant natural... [Read the full story]
About Czech Republic
A visit to the Czech Republic includes medieval castles, picturesque villages, museums that display the heights of the Bohemian region, and lush forests, but what really sets the country apart from its neighbors is its beer. Entire towns have develop around the success of their breweries, with brewing histories beginning in the 1300s and even earlier.
Then of course, there’s Prague, a city that seamlessly combines a hulking castle, an animated 15th century clock, and the Lobowitz Palace with a cutting-edge music, art, and nightlife scene.
Here are some select tips to help guide you on your trip to the Czech Republic. The Czech Republic is landlocked and borders Germany, Austria, Slovania, and Poland. The best way to get around is by train or bus, both of which run regularly and are reliable. Renting a car is another good option, especially if you want to get to remote locales, but make sure to brush up on the country’s traffic laws; most importantly, there’s a zero tolerance law in regard to drinking and driving, and drivers must purchase a toll sticker in advance to drive on expressways.
If you enjoy touring castle-studded country side and afterwards relaxing with a pint, definitely check out Cesky raj (Czech Paradise), where the beauty of restored and abandoned castles is only rivaled by natural rock formations. The Czech Republic’s most notable brewery towns include Plzen, Ceske Budejovice, Chodova Plana, and Prague (there’s good beer on tap everywhere).
Towns known for their architecture include Cesky Krumlov, Brno, Karlovy Vary, and Kutna Hora; this last city is home to a creepy bone cathedral, located in the gothic Church of All Saints. If Prague’s booming tourism industry has you overwhelmed, check out the less touristy city of Olomouc or the pristine village of Telc.
As of May 2011, U.S. travelers do not require a visa for stays of 90 days or less. The Czech Republic is part of the European Union, but the Czech Crown is the official currency, not the euro. The official language is Czech, and English is widely spoken within the tourism establishment and larger cities.
