Exploring Eastern Europe: Czech Republic
With war raging in Ukraine, holidaymakers are wary of visiting central and eastern Europe. The Czech Republic, however, is perfectly safe to visit at this time. We look at what the country has to offer.
Prague — living past
In the center of the country lies the capital Prague. It is called the "Golden City" because of its more than 500 gilded tower domes. Gothic and Baroque styles dominate the cityscape. Prague has been a political and cultural center in Europe since the Middle Ages, attracting artists, architects and scientists. Today, Prague is one of the ten most visited cities in Europe.
Charles Bridge — bustling with tourists
Every Prague tourist crosses it at least once: The 14th century Charles Bridge. It is a landmark, crossing the Vltava River and connecting the old town with the castle. The pedestrian bridge has a fairground atmosphere during the day, with artists, souvenir dealers and live music. With 30 baroque sculptures adorning the stone bridge, it feels like an open-air gallery.
Bohemian Paradise
Along with Moravia and Silesia, Bohemia is one of the historical regions that make up the Czech Republic today. The Bohemian Paradise in the north of the country is popular with hikers — with sandstone cliffs, wildly romantic castles and palaces. Hruba Skala Castle, for example, is now a hotel built on a plateau. Guests can walk up a rock staircase directly into the mountain world.
The Giant Mountains
In the north is Krkonose or the Giant Mountains, the highest and most visited Czech mountain range. It's been a national park since 1953. Good snow conditions, numerous slopes and moderate prices for ski lifts and accommodation attract winter sports fans from home and abroad. Despite its name, the Giant Mountains cover only 631 square kilometers.
Bohemian Switzerland — climbing sandstone rocks
Known as Saxon Switzerland on the German side, this mountain range continues on the Czech side. Hikers and climbers feel at home in the Bohemian Switzerland National Park. The best known attraction is the Prebischtor, Europe's largest natural sandstone rock bridge. However, daredevils have not been permitted here since 1982. Due to strong erosion the bridge is not accessible.
Bath culture — sipping healing water
There's a long tradition of spas in Bohemia. Karlovy Vary is one of the most famous health resorts in the world. Since the Middle Ages, the mineral springs with a temperature of more than 60 degrees Celsius (140°F) have been used for healing baths and drinking cures. In historical colonnades, such as the Market Colonnade, there are medicinal fountains, from which spa guests scoop water.
Palaces, castles, fortresses
There are countless castles, palaces and fortifications in the Czech Republic, more than 2,000 in fact. Lednice Castle in the southeast is one of the most visited architectural sites in the Czech Republic and, as part of the Lednice-Valtice cultural landscape, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The area was established in the 17th century and is the largest park landscape in the world.
Modern architecture — Villa Tugendhat
World-class modern architecture can be seen in Brno, the second largest city after Prague. German architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe had Villa Tugendhat built there in the late 1920s. It was to become the home of the textile entrepreneurs Fritz and Grete Tugendhat, and is today regarded as a milestone in modern architecture.
Famous brewing art — Czech beer
Whether Budweiser, Staropramen, Gambrinus or Pilsner Urquell — Czech beer is world famous. In Bohemia, hops thrive, and beer has been brewed here for centuries. And it is so good that today it is a Czech national drink. Beer consumption in the Czech Republic is the highest in the world. This excellent beer is certainly another good reason for a trip to the Czech Republic!