Czechia, More than You Imagine: The Best Day Trips from Prague
Prague is iconic for its Gothic spires, medieval bridges, Art Nouveau facades, and cobble-stone streets. The stunning architecture and design of this city draws visitors from all over the world. But Prague is just one star in the constellation of splendid cities, towns, and villages in the country of Czechia. Just a short drive away, you can find places where history breathes, castles tower over villages, and artisans continue centuries-old crafts. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a nature lover, or a beer connoisseur, the mountains, valleys, and villages of Czechia have something for you.
Here are some of our favorite day trips from Prague!
Top day trips from Prague
Český Krumlov: Renaissance & Baroque Pearl of Southern Bohemia
Winding through the hills and villages of Southern Bohemia, your journey to Český Krumlov puts the region’s medieval heritage and well-preserved Renaissance architecture on display. This exquisitely preserved town, protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, features Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture wrapped around a meandering river bend. Český Krumlov Castle is a multicolored tower hovering over a labyrinth of narrow lanes, quaint squares, and noble townhouses. Keep an eye out for the friendly family of bears living in the moat surrounding the castle, a centuries-old tradition.
Take a look inside the castle by exploring the castle interiors, or, if you visit during the summer, stroll the exquisite gardens and explore the 18th-century Baroque theater, one of the few remaining in Europe. If modern art draws your interest, we recommend a visit to the Egon Schiele Art Centrum. Lunch at a riverside tavern during the warmer months, or cozy up in a Renaissance-themed restaurant in the winter (the village is particularly photogenic in the snow!).
Take a Český Krumlov tour with us, and your private historian guide will invite you to ponder the lasting impact of local characters spanning the centuries, such as Wilhelm von Rosenberg, a diplomat, nobleman and patron of Renaissance artists, and Egon Schiele, an expressionist artist whose provocative work and eccentric behavior scandalized the locals in the 1910s. Their commentary on the Renaissance origins of the city, the influential noble families that resided there, and the stories behind the beautiful buildings will enrich your appreciation and understanding of this picturesque city.
Interested in learning more and exploring the city with an expert guide? Contact us and book your tour today!
Terezín: Memory, Resistance, and the Power of the Human Spirit
Located about an hour’s drive north of Prague, Terezín (in German, Theresienstadt) is a former military fortress town that was transformed by the Nazis into a Jewish ghetto and concentration camp during World War II. Today, it stands as one of the most significant and sobering memorials of the Holocaust in the Czech Republic.
From the Nazi invasion of Bohemia and Moravia on March 15, 1939 to the eventual opening of Terezín as a ghetto and transit camp on November 24, 1941, the systematic oppression and deportation of Jewish people in the region was not random. In 1941, Nazi military leaders proposed the “model ghetto” as a way of deceiving the international community. Terezín was a logical choice for them because of its existing infrastructure and its geographical isolation.
The first transport of Jewish men arrived at the end of 1941. By early 1942, Jewish families and individuals from across the Protectorate, as well as later from Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, and Denmark, were deported there. Some of the camp’s population were in transit to extermination camps like Auschwitz while others remained in the camp as propaganda. In 1944, it was cynically presented to the International Red Cross as a thriving Jewish settlement, complete with staged performances, gardens, and artwork. This does a great injustice to the truth of the families who were torn from their homes and communities and deported to an overcrowded, unhygienic ghetto.
Inside the ghetto, prisoners — many of them doctors, teachers, musicians, and artists — organized secret religious services, health care systems, underground schools, and even staged theatrical and musical performances, all under the constant surveillance of their captors. Cultural expression, paradoxically tolerated for Nazi propaganda purposes, became an act of quiet defiance. Inmates wrote, painted, performed, and even produced clandestine magazines, refusing to let go of their identity and dignity, even as deportations continued to extermination camps. This topic was explored in the 2023 Czech/Italian film, Terezin: Láska za zdi.
In this historic site, you can visit:
- The Small Fortress, once a Gestapo prison.
- The Ghetto Museum, including an exhibition on the thousands paintings by Jewish children, which were hidden for safe-keeping
- Magdeburg Barracks, home to exhibits on Terezín’s artistic life.
- The Jewish cemetery and crematorium, where many of the camp’s victims were laid to rest.
By the end of the day, you will have not only a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of antisemitism and fascism that fueled genocide in the 20th century—but also a renewed appreciation for the strength of the human spirit and the power of artistic expression in the most unimaginable circumstances.
If you take our Terezín tour, our guide, a Jewish Studies scholar and historian, can take you deeper into the stories of individual prisoners, some of whom managed to survive the camp while others sadly perished, but all exercised quiet defiance through cultural expression. Hearing their stories in the site where they take place will further illuminate the horrors of the Holocaust and deepen understanding of the tragic circumstances.
Kutná Hora: Silver, Skulls, and Gothic Churches
Best known for its one-of-a-kind “Bones Church,” Kutná Hora and its neighboring town of Sedlec are destinations not to be missed while visiting the Czech Republic. This medieval Bohemian town – now a UNESCO World Heritage site – was so rich in silver during the 14th century that it fueled the Bohemian Kingdom’s economy and minted the Prague groschen, a currency once used across Central Europe. And just over an hour’s drive east of Prague, Kutna Hora is easily reachable for a day trip.
We recommend starting with the extraordinary Baroque ossuary in Sedlec decorated with the bones of over 60,000 victims of plague and war. Despite being centuries old, the very real human bones covering the sanctuary are still in excellent form. It is speculated that the minerals in the water supply of this region made these bones resistant to decomposition. Photos are not permitted inside the chapel out of respect for the departed souls whose bodies decorate the walls. Pause to consider the macabre beauty and religious symbolism behind this eerie chapel.
The Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady is just next door to the Ossuary. This spacious and sun-filled Cathedral is an unusual blend of Gothic and Baroque architecture. This church was destroyed during the Hussite War in 1421 and then remained in ruins for centuries. In the early 1700s, architect Jan Blažej Santini-Aichel rebuilt it in his signature style. Don’t miss the exhibit of local artists in the unfinished corridors on the upper level of the cathedral.
A short drive into the center of Kutná Hora will bring you to the majestic Saint Barbara’s Cathedral, a Gothic gem built by miners in honor of their patron saint. Inside the cathedral, 15th-century frescoes depict scenes of miners at work extracting, smelting, and transporting silver. These rare frescoes honor the town’s vital role in the silver trade. In Gothic cathedrals it is unusual to see secular labor on display in a sacred space, but it provides us an honest snapshot into Medieval life.
Take a break to enjoy a delicious traditional Czech meal at a traditional local tavern and a short walk through cobbled Renaissance streets.
If you’re curious about how a harsh daily reality and religion intersected during the medieval period, take our Kutná Hora tour. Our expert guide will fill you in on the role the town played in the development of Bohemia’s burgeoning power and influence, and the religious tensions that led to the Hussite wars, all with the energy of an enthusiastic storyteller and friend. Contact us and book your tour today!
Castles & Historical Towns
Karlštejn Castle: Czech Republic’s Holy Roman Emperor
There was a brief time when Prague was the capital of the Holy Roman Empire. One of Bohemia’s own, King Charles IV, became the King of Germany and Bohemia in 1346 and then served as emperor of the Holy Roman Empire from 1355 until his death in 1378. Karlštejn Castle and its estate were founded in 1348 by Charles IV as a royal retreat and a treasury for the crown jewels and relics of his kingdom. Built on a mountain peak above the Berounka River and framed by dense forests, the castle was meant to be inaccessible.
Today, Karlštejn remains one of the Czech Republic’s most beloved castles, and is highly accessible by road and a network of walking paths in the nearby forest, with a train station located just outside of town. The imposing castle is impressive to behold when walking uphill from the town, and the interiors are equally impressive. The exquisite 14th-century wall paintings, including the breathtaking Chapel of the Holy Cross, will stop you in your tracks. Not to mention the expansive gallery of Gothic art by Master Theodoric. You can see replicas of the royal crown jewels, which were previously housed in Karlštejn. However, the real jewels are only put on display for a few days once in 5 years in Prague Castle (the next viewing will be in 2028).
Before you leave, we recommend picking up a small bottle of local mead (medoviny), a traditional fermented honey drink, which has been produced in Central Bohemia since the reign of King Charles IV.
Konopiště Castle: Franz Ferdinand’s Aristocratic Refuge
Situated in the Bohemian countryside, Konopiště Castle stands as a remarkably preserved example of aristocratic life in the late Habsburg Empire. Best known as the final residence of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, the heir presumptive to the Austro-Hungarian throne, the estate offers critical insight into the personal world of a figure whose assassination in Sarajevo in 1914 directly precipitated the First World War.
Ferdinand was a deeply conservative figure with a strong sense of dynastic duty. Yet, he challenged imperial norms by marrying Countess Sophie Chotek — a union considered unacceptable by the Habsburg court because of her lower aristocratic rank. Their private life at Konopiště reflects both the privileges and tensions of their position within the rigid hierarchy of the empire.
Today, the castle’s interiors remain largely intact, showcasing original furnishings and tapestries, and one of the largest collections of hunting trophies in Europe. Also notable is the castle’s significant armory, comprising weapons and armor from a range of historical periods and regions. All reflects Ferdinand’s deep fascination with the traditions of warfare.
By contrast, the gardens around the castle offer a peaceful and manicured aesthetic. The gardens were commissioned to be expanded and refined by the Archduke as a place with unity and form. Ferdinand and his wife Sophie often spent time walking and relaxing in the gardens with their children, a needed haven from the relentless demands of court life.
In such pristine condition, Konopiště Castle stands as a testament to the wealth and grandeur of 19th-century nobility, a world now distant and fading. The lives of its aristocratic inhabitants were gradually displaced by the profound social and political changes that reshaped the 20th century, making the castle’s preservation a glimpse into a vanished era.
Hluboká Castle: The Schwarzenberg Legacy in Stone
Hluboká Castle has seen many forms over the centuries. Originally established in the 13th century as a Gothic fortress, Hluboká Castle underwent multiple reconstructions as it changed hands several times.
Over their long tenure, the Schwarzenbergs carried out two major renovations of Hluboká: first in the early 18th century in the Baroque style, and later in a sweeping transformation between 1840 and 1871 in the Romantic Neo-Gothic style. This later reconstruction, strongly influenced by Prince Jan Adolf II and Princess Eleonora’s travels to England, was modeled on Windsor Castle. Can you see the resemblance?
The white façade, symmetrical towers, and detailed ornamentation are a testament to the Schwarzenbergs’ wealth and their engagement with contemporary trends in historicist architecture. The interior features intricately carved woodwork, stained-glass windows, chandeliers, and an important collection of Flemish tapestries, paintings, and period furnishings.
The extensive gardens surrounding the estate were designed in the English landscape style with wide lawns, decorative flower beds, and panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.
Your full-day excursion to Hluboká Castle should also include a visit to the nearby town of České Budějovice (formerly, Budweis), known as the birthplace of the original Budweiser beer. Take a walk through one of the largest and most picturesque main squares in Central Europe, lined with colorful Baroque and Renaissance buildings and dominated by the impressive Black Tower and Town Hall. If time permits, consider visiting the Budweiser Budvar Brewery where you may learn about the Bohemian women who traditionally prepared beer in this region.
This day trip is ideal for true architecture enthusiasts and best on a warm, sunny day to stroll through the entirety of the large property.
Want to take one of these trips with an expert guide and personal driver? Contact us at Insight Cities. We can set you up with a vehicle to suit your needs and a driver who knows the area well, as well as a guide that can give valuable context into the architects and residents of these remarkable castles. The summer months are our busiest time of year so don’t wait to set up your perfect Prague day trip!
World War II History trips outside Prague
Lidice Memorial Tour: A Journey of Remembrance
In a uniquely horrific tragedy of the second World War, this Czech village was obliterated by Nazi forces on June 10, 1942, as a reprisal for the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich, acting Reich Protector of Bohemia and Moravia. The systematic eradication of Lidice involved the execution of 173 men, the deportation of 203 women to Ravensbrück concentration camp, and the forced separation of 105 children—of whom only 17 survived. The village itself was burned, razed, and removed from maps, an attempt at complete and total erasure.
Visit the Lidice Museum prior to walking the grounds of Lidice’s Memorial and ruins. The Lidice Museum presents archival materials, personal testimonies, and audiovisual documentation that contextualize the massacre within broader Nazi occupation policies and postwar memory culture.
Follow the walking paths through the Lidice Memorial, established to document and interpret this war crime and its aftermath. The grounds include the Rose Garden of Friendship and Peace, planted on the site of the destroyed village as a living memorial and international symbol of solidarity. The Memorial to the Children of Lidice, a major sculptural work by Marie Uchytilová and Jiří Václav Hampl, commemorates the 82 children who were murdered at the Chełmno extermination camp or otherwise perished.
The town of Lidice became a symbol of resistance and mourning internationally, prompting hundreds of towns worldwide to rename streets, parks, and schools in its honor. The case of Lidice continues to serve as a focal point in studies of genocide, collective punishment, and the politics of memorialization.
Visiting Lidice is a humbling experience. We encourage visitors to reflect deeply on the global events and the interpersonal conflicts which led to the obliteration of an entire population. What would you have done if you were living in Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia? What could you have done? What can we all do to prevent such tragedies from unfolding in the future?
In your guided historical tour of Lidice, you will experience an in-depth examination of the town’s destruction. Our guide will help enliven the stories of the victims of the massacre, as well as provide insight on the perpetrators and the events that led up to the tragic events, allowing for somber reflection and providing levity when appropriate. Contact us and we can set you up with a guide and driver today.
Hiking trips around Prague
Czechs, Praguers included, love to hike, and the country is covered by a network of marked walking trails connecting various villages to each other and to the capital itself. Lace up your hiking shoes and head out like a Czech to one of these nature escapes just an hour or two from the city.
Quarry Great America: The Czech Republic’s Hidden Canyon
Duration: 4–5 hours (1 hour drive each way + hiking time)
Just a short one-hour drive southwest of Prague exists a site few visitors expect to find in Central Europe: Quarry Great America (Velká Amerika). Often called the “Czech Grand Canyon,” this abandoned limestone quarry holds a pool of turquoise water at the bottom surrounded by dramatic cliff faces. This spot is a favorite for hikers, photographers, and filmmakers alike.
The quarry is about 800 meters long, 200 meters wide, and up to 100 meters deep, with shimmering lakes filling its lowest levels. Although swimming is strictly prohibited for safety reasons, the views from the rim make an incredible sight. Several hiking trails lead around the quarry and connect to nearby smaller quarries like Little America (Malá Amerika) and Little Mexico, with their own hidden tunnels historically used by miners.
Limestone mining in this area began intensively in the early 20th century and continued through the mid-century, supplying high-quality limestone primarily for construction and industrial use, including cement production. The region is part of the Bohemian Karst (Český kras), a protected landscape known for its rich deposits of Devonian limestone, formed more than 350 million years ago.
The quarries were once part of an extensive extraction operation that contributed significantly to the local economy. During World War II, parts of the site were used as a prison labor camp, which is why it is still rumored to be haunted. Don’t be afraid, though: during the day, it’s a peaceful retreat into nature and one of the Czech Republic’s most photogenic locations.
Hiking Heaven in Bohemian Switzerland National Park
Duration: 9–10 hours (2 hours drive each way)
Bohemian Switzerland National Park, situated along the Czech-German border, represents one of Central Europe’s most geologically and culturally distinctive landscapes. Established as a national park in the year 2000, this protected area is part of the larger Elbe Sandstone Mountains and is renowned for its dramatic sandstone formations and ecological diversity. The park’s network of trails allows visitors to weave through ancient pine forests and narrow rock gorges.
Start out strong by visiting the most iconic geological feature of this area, Pravčická brána, the largest natural sandstone arch in Europe. You may recognize the iconic stone formations from The Chronicles of Narnia films, but the arch has been depicted by many artists, writers and filmmakers before. In the 19th century, Adrian Ludwig Richter made several sketches of the Pravčická Gate and the surrounding gorges, popularizing the region for the first time.
The striking rock formations were formed over millions of years through a combination of sedimentary deposition, tectonic uplift, and erosion. Around 90 to 100 million years ago, layers of sand and silt accumulated on the floor of a shallow sea, eventually compacting into sandstone. As the region rose through tectonic forces, the rock fractured, creating weaknesses that wind, rain, and flowing water gradually exploited. Today, the landscape continues to evolve slowly through chemical weathering (namely, a high density of carbon dioxide in the rain).
Choose one of the many trails on the map to lead you to the summit of the sandstone cliffs. This will be a great moment to take photos, especially in the Autumn when the trees burst into the most vibrant oranges, yellows and reds.
Rest with a traditional Czech lunch in one of the timber taverns along your route. You’ll need your energy to explore the depths of the Kamenice River Gorge. After a seemingly endless set of stairs down into the gorge, walk on a narrow path along the river to a wooden boating dock. Here you can get tickets for a ride in one of the flat-bottomed boats. These boats are operated by one person with impeccable balance at the back of the boat pushing it along the river with a long pole plunged under the surface of the water. The result is a smooth and quiet ride, designed not to disturb the nature and wildlife around you.
What goes up must come down… and vice versa! Your adventure in Bohemia Switzerland will conclude with a trek up back up the gorge; pace yourself!
Viewpoint Máj: The Most Iconic View in the Czech Republic
Duration: 4 hours (1 hour drive each way + time for hiking and exploring)
Situated just an hour south of Prague, Viewpoint Máj commands one of the most iconic vistas in the Czech Republic. This prominent cliff face, located near the village of Teletín, has become famous, frequently appearing in photography, film, and travel literature as a quintessential representation of Czechia’s natural beauty. The sweeping horseshoe bend of the Vltava river, framed by forested cliffs, evokes the aesthetic ideals of 19th-century Romanticism: dramatic, unharnessed, dangerous, and awe-inspiring.
The site is easily accessible from the road by a gentle woodland trail, making it a popular destination for recreational walking. Bring your camera, especially if you choose to visit during sunrise or sunset when the light on the horizon is truly phenomenal.
Unique Cultural Experiences outside of Prague
Nový Bor: Discover Bohemia’s Crystal Valley
Duration: 7–8 hours (1:15 hours drive each way)
Czechia has a long tradition of craftsmanship, especially glass blowing. And there is no better place for glass art than the small, remote town of Nový Bor, surrounded by the Lusatian Mountains.
There are two glassworks studios which we recommend: the Novotný Glass Studio and the workshop of Jiří Pačinek.
At the Novotný Glass Studio, you will first observe up-close the master and apprentice glassblowers pull and twist and bend the glass at a staggering temperature of 1120 ° celsius.
With your newfound appreciation for the craft, you may like to explore the attached museum, which showcases a distinguished collection of contemporary glass art by renowned Czech and international artists. The museum includes a permanent exhibition drawn from Novotný’s private collection, temporary exhibitions, and a specialized glass art library. In 2015, the museum expanded with a new floor and rooftop by architect Leoš Bogar, and opened an exhibit on the International Glass Symposium.
Stay at the glass complex for a sumptuous lunch at their fine dining Restaurace Huť. For a more comfortable meal, visit the nearby Cvikov Brewery, known for its hearty Czech fare and locally brewed beer.
Within a short drive, you will encounter the workshop of Jiří Pačinek, the renowned glass artist, whose fantastical and colorful glass sculptures have gained global acclaim, including a starring role in the 2022 film, Glass Onion. In his Glass Garden, you will see colorful glass sculptures inspired by flora and inside the neighboring church, you can find an exhibit of Pačinek’s finest works.
Plzeň: More than Beer
Discover Plzeň, the birthplace of Pilsner beer and a living archive of Czech cultural and industrial achievement, just under 2 hours west of Prague. The city was founded in 1295 by King Wenceslas II as a royal town and is strategically located at the confluence of four rivers. Plzeň grew into a thriving medieval trade center due to its fertile surroundings and access to plenty of moving water.
Beer has been central to Plzeň’s identity for over 700 years. Prior to the 13th century, brewing was a domestic task performed by women, but then brewing rights were granted to burghers and soon Bohemia developed a distinctive style of hopped beer that improved preservation and thus allowed for wider export. The 1516 Bavarian Reinheitsgebot or “Purity Law” further standardized beer ingredients (water, barley, and hops) laying the groundwork for modern brewing. These developments not only boosted production and consumption across Central Europe.
In 1842, Plzeň played a key role in transforming the global beer landscape forever. That year, Bavarian brewmaster Josef Groll, working with local citizens, introduced a revolutionary brewing method that combined bottom-fermentation techniques with soft Plzeň water, pale malts, and Saaz hops. The result was the world’s first golden lager: Pilsner Urquell. Its clarity, crispness, and balance set a new standard for beer and gave rise to an entire category of lagers. Today, nearly 70% of all beer consumed worldwide is modeled after this original Czech recipe.
The Pilsner Urquell Brewery offers a fascinating glimpse into this legacy, from historical copper kettles to underground cellars where the beer is still fermented in oak barrels. At the adjacent Beer Museum, located in a preserved medieval malt house, visitors can trace centuries of brewing technology and traditions.
Enjoy lunch in a local beer hall or café, such as the Comix Kitchen & Bar, just on the opposite side of the river.
Then get to know the lesser-known architectural gems of the city by exploring the preserved interiors designed by modernist pioneer Adolf Loos. His work for Jewish clients in the 1930s are marked by clean lines, functional elegance, and sophisticated use of space. Today, these hidden apartments offer rare insight into the lifestyles and aspirations of Plzeň’s urban elite on the eve of war.
The city played a crucial role during World War II, serving as an industrial hub occupied by Nazi forces and later heavily bombed. In May 1945, it became the only major Czech city to be liberated by the U.S. Army under General George S. Patton—a moment that is still commemorated each year with the vibrant Liberation Festival, a celebration of freedom and gratitude.
If time permits, gain some appreciation for Plzeň’s Jewish history sites, such as the Great Synagogue – one of the largest in the world – and a striking Moorish-Romanesque structure that survived the war, unlike much of the city’s once-flourishing Jewish community.
Karlovy Vary: Spa Town & Old World Glamour
Karlovy Vary (also known by its German name, Carlsbad) is a UNESCO World Heritage site nestled in the wooded hills of western Bohemia. Today, the city is most widely known for its international film festival, one of the best in the world. Karlovy Vary has been a renowned center of spa culture, artistic innovation, and European aristocratic leisure since the 14th century. According to the legend, Emperor Charles IV discovered the thermal springs while hunting in 1370, after which the town rapidly developed into a sought-after destination for therapeutic treatment. The hot springs have historically attracted visitors seeking relief from various ailments, especially digestive and metabolic disorders.
Start your day in Karlovy Vary with a walk through the Mill Colonnade, an iconic Neo-Renaissance structure completed in 1881 by the architect Josef Zítek, who also designed Prague’s National Theatre. Bring your camera: this beautiful structure is a perfect place for photos. The colonnade shelters five of the city’s thirteen principal mineral springs. Nearby, the Vřídlo geyser — the hottest and most powerful spring — reaches temperatures of 73°C.
From there, you can walk along the river Teplá to the Karlovy Vary Museum to learn about the history of the town’s evolution and contextualize its significance over the centuries. Its exhibitions highlight the intersection of medicine, architecture, and aristocratic society and provide details about its most famous visitors, such as Goethe, Beethoven, and Tsar Peter the Great.
Bohemian glassmaking is another facet of Karlovy Vary’s cultural heritage. The Moser Glassworks factory was established in 1857 and is now open for visitors to tour and learn about the complexity and skill behind the glassblowing process, which continues to shape the cultural economy of the region. Moser’s clientele included the Austro-Hungarian court and the Persian shah, illustrating how Karlovy Vary exported not only spa treatments but also luxury across Europe.
Another option to fill your time in Karlovy Vary is The Jan Becher Museum, an exhibit housed in the original distillery of Becherovka liqueur. The herbal beverage was developed in 1807 by Josef Becher and initially marketed as a stomach remedy. If you’re up for it, stay for a tasting session or relax in the bar for a cocktail to gain appreciation for the regional craftsmanship.
Spend the sunset hour at the Diana Observation Tower. This tower can be reached by funicular or walking trails. From the vistas, you can observe Karlovy Vary’s architectural blend of Art Nouveau, Historicist, and Modernist influences. The grand hotels in the city’s Westend quarter are decorated with opulence inside and out.
The town is small and able to be seen within one day but with so much beauty all around, you won’t want to leave. Karlovy Vary is a favorite of travelers from all over the world, due to its elegant grandeur surrounded by peaceful mountains. There is a strong history of European cultural exchange and Czech traditions.
Want to explore any of these destinations with a local guide? We at Insight Cities can help! Our extensive network of knowledgeable guides provide not only local expertise but also personable commentary on the stories that have made each of these cities what they are today. Contact us to arrange your day trip to Karlovy Vary, Plzeň, or Nový Bor today!
Family-Friendly Adventures outside of Prague
Zoo Dvůr Králové: A Safari Adventure in the Heart of Bohemia
Duration: 7–8 hours (2 hours drive each way)
Yes, you read that right: you can go on a safari in the Czech Republic! Located just a couple of hours from Prague, Zoo Dvůr Králové is one of Europe’s most extraordinary zoos and conservation nonprofits; a must-see for animal lovers!
Unlike traditional zoos, this remarkable destination specializes in African wildlife and conservation. It’s home to one of the most extensive collections of African animals in Europe, including giraffes, rhinos, lions, zebras, antelopes, and more. But what truly sets it apart is the Safari Park, where you can drive or ride through vast open enclosures and see herds of animals roaming freely. The zoo also features themed pavilions like the African Savannah, Rainforest House, and Bird World.
Since the late 1970s, Dvůr Králové Zoo has been a global leader in breeding African ungulates, notably becoming the only zoo where the northern white rhino has successfully bred in captivity (four calves). Beyond breeding, the zoo actively supports conservation and reintroduction projects in Africa. To date, it has returned four black rhinos and 31 antelopes to their native habitats, and has sent 81 African buffaloes to private conservation farms. In 2009, the zoo helped relocate four northern white rhinos to Africa in an effort to save one of the world’s most endangered mammals.
Can’t see it all in one day? Consider staying overnight inside the zoo itself with their accommodations, including a lodge or glamping tent. Just the right amount of adventurous for families or romantic getaways.
Craft Center at Botanicus Center: No Idle Hands Here
Distance: ~1 hour from Prague | Duration: Half-day or Full-day Adventure
Test your Medieval trades skills at The Craft Center at the Botanicus Center in Ostrá. This is more than a museum: you make the artifacts yourself! In the countryside just an hour east of the capital, this unique open-air complex blends medieval fun, natural beauty, and artisan craftsmanship in a way that’s simultaneously entertaining and educational.
Bring your children (or rather, bring your parents) to wander the cobbled streets lined with timber-frame shops, watch real blacksmiths at work, or join in archery contests or medieval games. A small amphitheater hosts live performances. Knights and other costumed characters interact with you and explain their important roles in medieval society.
Did you know that basket-weaving is one of the oldest crafts in the world? Did you know that to produce 1 liter of rose essential oil, you need to distill 3 tons of roses? Did you know that the recipe for soap is more or less the same now as it was in the 16th century?
These and more are some of the things you will learn by visiting each of the craft stalls. Kids (and grown-ups) can even try their hand at traditional crafts like candle dipping, rope making, soap crafting, and paper pressing. By applying centuries-old techniques, you will gain an appreciation for the lifestyle which kept communities alive for centuries.
At Botanicus, your Czech Korunas aren’t valid. You’ll need to exchange them for a special currency called “Grosch,” which are manufactured by hand on site. One grosch is equal to 20 CZK.
Botanicus Center is also home to Botanicus Herb Gardens, a labyrinth of themed botanical spaces, open to visitors. Here you may learn about the aromatic plants, pollinator gardens, and ecological farming that makes this sustainable community so exceptional in Czechia. From these plants, the center’s artisans produce eco-friendly souvenirs and herbal skincare products.
Your day won’t be complete until you’ve visited the cozy tavern on site with fresh-baked bread, mead, and old-style snacks. On a summer day, make it a picnic!
Cathedrals and Spiritual Places
Svatá Hora (Holy Mountain): The Czech Republic’s Most Sacred Hill
Duration: 5–6 hours (1 hour each way from Prague)
Just an hour’s drive southwest of Prague is Svatá Hora (Holy Mountain) in Příbram, the most important Marian pilgrimage site in the Czech Republic. Situated on a hilltop, the sanctuary dates to the 17th century and was built to honor a statue of the Virgin Mary believed to offer healing and protection. The statue is housed in the Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, at the center of a Baroque complex designed to reflect religious symbolism and hierarchical order.
The layout of Svatá Hora is carefully structured around a series of courtyards, chapels, and cloistered walkways. The main courtyard provides access to four corner chapels, each dedicated to different saints or aspects of Marian devotion. These chapels are decorated with religious iconography intended to support prayer, meditation, and the theological themes of pilgrimage. The surrounding cloisters were designed not only for practical movement but also to guide pilgrims through a spiritual progression, reflecting Baroque principles of sacred space and order.
The sanctuary’s design follows a symbolic path of ascent, culminating in the basilica at the center. The original covered stairway from the town of Příbram to the complex offers pilgrims a physical and spiritual route upward, reinforcing the idea of transformation through devotion.
Visitors can deepen their experience by attending one of the Marian processions or spending time in the individual chapels, each ripe with symbolism. The chapels are an integral part of the sanctuary’s Baroque design, each dedicated to a specific event in the life of the Virgin Mary or to saints associated with Marian devotion.
Examples include the Chapel of the Annunciation, emphasizing Mary’s acceptance of divine will, and the Chapel of the Visitation, reflecting themes of service and spiritual solidarity. Other chapels, such as those devoted to the Virgin of Sorrows and St. Anne, address suffering, compassion, and Marian lineage. Decorated with frescoes, sculptures, and inscriptions, the chapels functioned as spaces for prayer and theological reflection, supporting the Counter-Reformation aim of using visual and spatial storytelling to deepen religious experience.
The site continues to be an active place of worship and cultural heritage, drawing both Catholic pilgrims and scholars alike.
Day Trip to Dresden: Baroque Beauty Across the Border
Duration: 10–11 hours (2.5 hours drive each way)
Cross the border into Germany for a day of art, architecture, and resilience in Dresden, the capital of Saxony. Once celebrated as the “Florence on the Elbe” for its extraordinary cultural and artistic heritage, Dresden was a leading center of art, music, and Enlightenment thought in Europe. Though much of the city was destroyed in WWII, its painstaking reconstruction has restored its cultural vibrancy. Today, Dresden shines with revived Baroque splendor, world-class museums, and a thriving arts scene.
A must-see is the Zwinger Palace, a masterpiece of late Baroque architecture and home to the Old Masters Picture Gallery. Inside, you’ll encounter one of Europe’s most prestigious art collections, featuring works from the 15th to 18th centuries. Highlights include Raphael’s Sistine Madonna, Vermeer’s Girl Reading a Letter at an Open Window, Rembrandt’s portraits, and many other masterpieces. The gallery not only showcases the evolving ideals of European art across centuries.
Stroll along Brühl’s Terrace, often called the “Balcony of Europe.” Perched high above the Elbe River, this elegant promenade was once part of the city’s old fortifications. In the 18th century, it was transformed into a public walkway by Count Heinrich von Brühl and soon became a favorite meeting place for intellectuals, artists, and aristocrats. Today, it offers sweeping views of the river, the historic skyline, and architectural gems like the Academy of Fine Arts and the Albertinum museum.
An alternative itinerary could take you to the Green Vault Treasury. Housed within the Residenzschloss (Royal Palace), the Green Vault is one of Europe’s oldest and most lavish treasure chambers. Founded by Augustus the Strong in the 18th century, it showcases an elaborate collection of jeweled objects. Highlights include the breathtaking Dresden Green Diamond, one of the largest natural green diamonds in the world, and the intricate Moor with Emerald Cluster, a dazzling tableau of precious stones and masterful goldsmithing. The vault’s gilded rooms themselves are works of art, making the experience as much about atmosphere as it is about the treasures.
Wrap up your visit in the lively Neustadt district, where you can enjoy a meal at a stylish café amid vibrant street art and independent boutiques. Perhaps even stay for the evening and experience the classical music, opera, or ballet of the Semperoper Opera House. Tickets for the ballet are as low as 27 euros – a steal for one of Europe’s premier ballet companies.
This is a journey ideal for travelers who love art history with a side of elegance. To make the most of your trip, book a guided tour and transfer with us. Your driver will pick you up from your hotel or flat, and you’ll meet your guide in Dresden, certified experts in art and history, with personable presentation styles that keep travelers of all ages engaged. Contact us to book your private Dresden tour today, before all our best guides are booked!
Suggested Itinerary Combinations for Trips outside of Prague
- Castle Lovers: Karlštejn + Konopiště (2-in-1 medieval day)
- Nature & Reflection: Lidice + Viewpoint Máj
- Glass & Mountains: Nový Bor + Bohemian Switzerland
- Romance Day: Český Krumlov + Hluboká Castle (overnight optional)
- City Escape: Karlštejn + Velká Amerika
Final Thoughts
Ready to go beyond Prague?
Czechia might not be the first destination that comes to mind for travelers, but learning about its compelling history of resistance and resilience will be a truly rewarding experience you won’t forget.
Each of these day trips offers a unique glimpse into Czechia’s rich heritage, diverse landscapes, and creative soul. Whether you’re traveling solo, with family, or as a couple, venturing outside the touristic center of Prague, will deepen your appreciation for the Czech Republic and its people.
Want to know more about guided tours and/or transportation in Czechia? Contact us at info@insightcities.com – we’ll be happy to answer your questions and arrange tours in and outside of Prague.