Czech Republic Travel Guide

Local time: 09:10
Currency: Czech Koruna (CZK)
Capital: Prague
Calling code: +420
Drive on the: right

Overview

Czechia has Prague's historic centre, more than 2,000 castles and chateaux, spa towns, Renaissance squares and some of the world's best-known beers, all within easy reach by train and bus.

Czechia, in Central Europe, is made of Bohemia in the west and Moravia in the east. Prague is the obvious start: Prague Castle, Charles Bridge and the Astronomical Clock in an old centre on the UNESCO list. Beyond it the country has a long list of UNESCO sites, from Český Krumlov and Kutná Hora to Telč, Olomouc and the spa towns of Karlovy Vary and Mariánské Lázně.

Castles stand on hilltops almost everywhere, the countryside is dotted with picturesque villages, and marked hiking trails cover the whole country, from the Giant Mountains to the sandstone towers of Bohemian Paradise. Czechs invented the modern lager in Plzeň and still drink more beer per head than anyone. The currency is the koruna, not the euro.

Prague: Prague Castle, Charles Bridge and a historic centre on the UNESCO list.
Český Krumlov: A South Bohemian old town under the country's second-largest castle.
Kutná Hora: A silver-mining town with St Barbara's Church and a bone-decorated chapel.
Karlovy Vary: The biggest and most historic spa town.
Olomouc: A university town with the second-largest historic centre after Prague.
Bohemian Paradise: Rock towers and castles north-east of Prague.

Places to visit

City
Town
Park
Historic site
Area

Cities

Prague: The capital, with an extensive historic centre, castle and classical music scene.
Brno: Moravia's largest city, with museums, Villa Tugendhat and a big ossuary.
Český Krumlov: A beautiful South Bohemian old town with a large castle.
Kutná Hora: St Barbara's Church, old silver mines and the Chapel of All Saints.
Olomouc: A riverside university town with a thousand-year history.
Karlovy Vary: The largest spa resort, on the UNESCO list with Mariánské Lázně.
Pilsen: Home of the original Pilsner Urquell.
České Budějovice: A large South Bohemian city known for its Budvar beer.

Beyond the cities

Prague Castle (site): The castle complex above Prague, with St Vitus Cathedral.
Charles Bridge (site): The historic bridge over the Vltava in Prague.
Karlštejn (site): A famous castle, an easy hiking trip from Prague.
Bohemian Paradise (area): Towering rock formations and isolated castles north-east of Prague.
Giant Mountains National Park (park): The highest mountains, on the Polish border, with the main ski resorts.
Litomyšl (town): A small East Bohemian town with a Renaissance square and chateau.
Mariánské Lázně (town): A spa town in West Bohemia.

Regions

Central Bohemia: The region around Prague.
West Bohemia: Pilsen and the spa towns.
North Bohemia
East Bohemia: Includes Litomyšl.
South Bohemia: Český Krumlov and České Budějovice.
Highlands (Czech Republic)
North Moravia and Silesia
South Moravia

Things to do

See

Prague Castle and St Vitus Cathedral Prague: The coronation church of the Bohemian kings, inside the castle.
Castles and chateaux: Karlštejn, Křivoklát, Loket, Konopiště, Hluboká and many more.
UNESCO towns: Telč, Třebíč's Jewish quarter, Litomyšl, Kroměříž and the Lednice-Valtice area.
Macocha caves near Brno: A guided cave tour that ends with a boat ride on an underground river.

Do

Hiking: Marked trails all over the country, shown on the Klub českých turistů maps.
Classical music Prague: The National Theatre, the State Opera and the Estates Theatre.
Spa towns: Karlovy Vary and Mariánské Lázně, with their mineral springs.

Eat

Roast meat with dumplings: Pork, duck or goose with knedlíky and sauerkraut, best with a beer.

Drink

Beer in a hospoda: Draught Pilsner Urquell, Budvar or a small brewery's beer in a traditional pub.

Tours and tickets in Czech Republic PartnerGuided tours, day trips and attraction ticketsSee activities

Itineraries

Prague and Bohemia in 7 days (7 days)

Prague (3 nights): With a day trip to Karlštejn or Kutná Hora.
Český Krumlov (2 nights): By bus, often the best option for small towns.
Karlovy Vary (2 nights): No direct train from Prague: take the bus.

Moravia in 5 days (5 days)

Brno (2 nights): Museums, Villa Tugendhat and the Macocha caves.
Olomouc (2 nights): The historic centre.
Kutná Hora (1 night): On the way back to Prague.

Climate and best time to visit

Prague
	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Max °C	3	4	9	15	20	23	25	25	20	14	7	3
Min °C	-2	-2	2	5	10	13	15	14	11	6	2	-1
Rain mm	20	19	26	24	53	57	64	60	35	24	28	25

Prague has warm summers and cold winters: highs average about 25 °C in July and August and 3 °C in January, with frequent frost. Summer is the wettest season, with about 55 to 65 mm of rain a month from May to August, and winter is fairly dry.

May to September is the best time for cities, hiking and swimming. Heavy rain in spring and summer can cause floods, and rare tornadoes have hit South Moravia. Before Christmas, live carp are sold from tanks in the streets.

Holidays and events

1 January 2026 · New Year's Day
3 April 2026 · Good Friday
6 April 2026 · Easter Monday
1 May 2026 · Labour Day
8 May 2026 · Liberation Day
5 July 2026 · Saints Cyril and Methodius Day
6 July 2026 · Jan Hus Day
28 September 2026 · St. Wenceslas Day
28 October 2026 · Independent Czechoslovak State Day
17 November 2026 · Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day
24 December 2026 · Christmas Eve
25 December 2026 · Christmas Day
26 December 2026 · St. Stephen's Day

Getting around

Main airports	PRG
International driving permit	Recommended

Buses from FlixBus, RegioJet, Leo Express and Student Agency are cheap and often slightly faster than trains; they are the best way to places without a direct train, such as Karlovy Vary. Trains reach almost everywhere; on the main corridors they are modern, elsewhere slow. In cities, validate your ticket before travelling or face a 1,000 koruna fine. Trams have priority, even on zebra crossings, and jaywalking is fined. Use reputable taxi companies or apps, not street taxis.

Driving: an electronic vignette is needed on motorways. There is zero tolerance for alcohol. Headlights must be on at all times, winter tyres are compulsory from 1 November to 31 March, and you need a first-aid kit, warning triangle and reflective vests. A UK photocard licence is valid; Canada says you must carry an International Driving Permit.

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Where to stay

Visitors must register their address with the foreign police within 3 days of arrival; hotels and other commercial accommodation do it for you. In private accommodation, check that your host does, or go yourself: the fine can reach 3,000 koruna.

Eat and drink

Dishes to try

Pork, duck or goose with knedlíky: Roast meat with dumplings and sauerkraut, the classic with beer.
Česnečka: A strong garlic soup.
Kulajda: A thick soup with forest mushrooms and milk.
Bramboračka: Potato soup, often with mushrooms.
Chlebíček: A small open sandwich with all kinds of toppings.

Drinks

Beer: Pilsner Urquell, Budvar, Staropramen, Kozel, Bernard and many small breweries; best on tap.

Tipping	Round up in local places; about 10% in tourist restaurants, given to the waiter before you leave.

Avoid the tourist traps in the main sights: look for places full of Czechs. Many restaurants offer a cheap "denní menu" (daily lunch menu) until about 13:00 to 14:00, usually written in Czech only. In a pub, sit down and wait for the waiter rather than ordering at the bar.

Entry requirements and visas

Passport validity	Issued less than 10 years before you arrive, and valid at least 3 months after you leave the Schengen area

Passport	Entry	Max stay	Notes
EU / EEA	Freedom of movement		EU free movement rules apply.
United Kingdom	Visa free	90 days	90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen area.
Canada	Visa free	90 days	90 days in any 180-day period for tourism.

Other nationalities: check the official source below.

EES (Entry/Exit System): fingerprints and photo at the border, free

Official entry requirements

Czechia is in the Schengen area. UK and Canadian visitors can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa, counting days in other Schengen countries, and non-EU visitors register in the EU Entry/Exit System. You may be asked for a return ticket and proof of funds.

You must register your address with the foreign police within 3 days (hotels do it), or risk a fine of up to 3,000 koruna. Carry your passport at all times. Meat and milk products cannot be brought into the EU. Check the official link before you book.

Money and payments

Currency	Czech Koruna (CZK)
Cards	Common

The currency is the Czech koruna (CZK, Kč). Some big stores take euros, often at a poor rate. Never change money on the street: you may be given worthless foreign notes. Tourist exchange offices in Prague also give bad rates; banks or ATMs are better, and some banks' ATMs charge no fee. Decline conversion into your home currency. Major stores and better restaurants take cards, but carry some cash.

Costs and budget

According to Eurostat, in 2024 the general price level in Czech Republic was about 81% of the EU average, food in shops about 89% and restaurants and hotels about 74%.

Health

Recommended vaccines	Routine vaccines, including measles (MMR), Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Tick-borne encephalitis, if you will spend a lot of time outdoors
Malaria	None
Tap water	Safe

Tap water is safe. Ticks in grass and woods can carry encephalitis and Lyme disease: stay on trails, check your skin, and ask a travel health professional about the vaccine if you hike a lot. Medicines such as aspirin are sold only in pharmacies (lékárna). With a European (EHIC) or UK (GHIC) health card you get medically necessary state healthcare. Dial 112 or 155 for an ambulance.

This is general information, not medical advice: check with a travel health professional before you go.

Safety

United States: Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions (2026-10-20)
Canada: Take normal security precautions (2026-10-20)
United Kingdom: No advice against travel (2026-10-20)

Violent crime is rare, but pickpocketing is common in Prague: on the airport buses and metro, on tram 22 to the castle, at Můstek, Muzeum and Staroměstská stations and at the main railway station. Beware of fake plain-clothes police who ask to see your money: offer to go to a police station instead. Some bars and clubs overcharge, so check prices and bills. Drink spiking happens.

Stag groups are banned from some bars, and drunken behaviour can mean a fine or a paid night in a sobering-up cell. Drug laws are strict. Every lamppost in Prague has a six-digit number you can give the police to say where you are.

Customs and etiquette

Czechs see their country as Central, not Eastern, Europe, and dislike being told it was part of the Soviet Union. Say "Dobrý den" when entering a small shop and "Na shledanou" when leaving. Take off your shoes in a Czech home. Use Czech place names rather than old German ones.

Many older people speak Russian, but start in Czech or English. Denying the Holocaust or communist-era crimes is a criminal offence, and a Nazi salute can lead to arrest. You must carry ID.

Language

Official languages	Czech
English	Common

Hello	Dobrý den DOH-bree dehn
Please	Prosím PROH-seem
Thank you	Děkuji DYEH-koo-yih
Excuse me	Promiňte PROH-mih-nyteh
Goodbye	Na shledanou NAHSH-leh-dah-noh
Do you speak English?	Mluvíte anglicky? MLOO-vee-teh AHN-glits-kee

What to pack

Passport: You must carry it; the police can fine you without it.
Some koruna in cash: Not everywhere takes cards, and euros get a poor rate.
Tick repellent and long trousers: Ticks are common in grass and woods.
EHIC or GHIC and travel insurance: The card covers medically necessary state care only.

Quick reference

Country facts

Capital	Prague
Population	10,886,878 (2025)
Area	77,156 km²
Time zone	Europe/Prague (UTC+1)
Calling code	+420
Driving side	right

Staying connected

SIM and eSIM	T-Mobile, Vodafone and O2 cover almost the whole country with 4G, and 5G in cities. Prepaid SIMs are sold by all three.
Roaming	With an EU SIM card you roam at home prices; other visitors should check their provider's rates.
Wi-Fi	Common in cafés and restaurants in the cities; ask for the password.

Staying connected in Czech Republic PartnerMobile data on your phone, without a local SIM cardGet an eSIM

Emergency numbers

Emergency	112

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa for Czechia?

Not for short stays with a UK or Canadian passport: up to 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen area. Check the official EU link before you book.

Does Czechia use the euro?

No, the currency is the Czech koruna. Some shops take euros at a poor rate.

Do I have to validate public transport tickets?

Yes, unless bought on board from a terminal. Inspectors fine passengers 1,000 koruna on the spot.

Is the tap water safe?

Yes, and especially good in Prague.

Do I tip in Czech restaurants?

Round up in local places; about 10% is usual in tourist restaurants.

Do I have to register with the police?

Yes, within 3 days of arrival. Hotels do it for you.

Suggest an update

Travel rules, prices and timetables change. If something in this guide is out of date, tell us: we check every suggestion against an official source before changing the page.

Czech Republic