Czech Republic

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General Travel Guide: The Fairytale Heart of Bohemia

The Czech Republic is a country that seems taken from the pages of a storybook. Its capital, Prague, is one of the most magical and best preserved cities in Europe, a labyrinth of cobblestone streets, Gothic towers and legendary bridges that transport you to another era. But beyond its dazzling capital lies a land of deep forests, towering castles perched on hills, and cities where time seems to have stood still. Get ready to discover a nation with a complex and fascinating history, a strong and delicious gastronomy, and a beer culture that is, without a doubt, the best in the world. This is a journey to the heart of Bohemia, a place of beauty, history and unforgettable character.

Capital

Prague

Population

10.526.013

Langue

Checo

Sites du patrimoine de l'UNESCO

Indices de voyage

Scores basés sur des données réelles de 0 à 100

Indices de voyage

Tourisme

71/100

Infrastructures et attractions touristiques. Basé sur le nombre d’attractions, la qualité des services et des installations pour les visiteurs.

Sécurité

86/100

Niveau de sécurité pour les touristes. Basé sur les statistiques de la criminalité, la stabilité politique et la sécurité personnelle.

Frais de déplacement

55/100

Indice du coût moyen des déplacements. Basé sur l'hébergement, la nourriture, le transport et les activités. Score inférieur = moins cher.

Transport

79/100

Qualité du système de transport. Basé sur les transports publics, les infrastructures routières et les options de mobilité.

Internet

88/100

Qualité et disponibilité de la connexion Internet. Basé sur la vitesse du haut débit et la couverture WiFi publique.

Gentillesse

71/100

Hospitalité envers les touristes étrangers. Basé sur des enquêtes auprès des voyageurs et des études sur le comportement social.

Environnement

79/100

Qualité environnementale et durabilité. Basé sur la qualité de l’air, la gestion des déchets et les politiques écologiques.

Climat

71/100

Climat agréable pour les touristes. Basé sur les températures, les précipitations et les jours ensoleillés par an.

Beauté Naturelle

77/100

Des paysages naturels attrayants. Basé sur les parcs nationaux, les côtes, les montagnes et la diversité des écosystèmes.

Gastronomie

73/100

Qualité et diversité culinaire. Basé sur des restaurants renommés, des spécialités locales et des expériences gastronomiques.

Vie nocturne

84/100

Options de divertissement en soirée. Basé sur les bars, les clubs, les événements culturels et la sécurité nocturne.

Familier

77/100

Convient aux familles avec enfants. Basé sur les attractions familiales, la sécurité des enfants et les services pour les mineurs.

Le meilleur de Czech Republic

Charles Bridge and Prague Castle.

Prague's Old Town Square and its Astronomical Clock.

The fairytale town of Český Krumlov, a World Heritage Site.

The elegant spa town of Karlovy Vary.

The eerie and fascinating Bone Church (Sedlec Ossuary) in Kutná Hora.

The birthplace of Pilsner beer in Plzeň (Pilsen).

The rocky landscapes of the Bohemian Switzerland National Park.

Gothic castles like Karlštejn.

The rich tradition of puppetry and black theater.

Drink the cheapest and best quality beer in Europe in a traditional 'hospoda'.

Expériences uniques

Crossing Charles Bridge at Dawn

Avoid the crowds and experience the true magic of Prague by walking across the Charles Bridge at sunrise. Watching the first light of day illuminate the baroque statues and silhouette of Prague Castle is an ethereal and unforgettable experience.

Get lost in Prague Castle

More than a castle, it is a citadel that spans centuries of history. Explore the majestic St. Vitus Cathedral, stroll through the charming Alley of Gold, visit the Old Royal Palace and admire the views of the city from its walls. You will need several hours to absorb its greatness.

Drinking Beer in a Traditional 'Hospoda'

Beer ('pivo') is the national drink and a religion. Enter a 'hospoda' (pub/tavern), often a simple and unpretentious establishment, and order a 'půllitr' (half a liter) of Pilsner Urquell or a local beer. It's the best way to immerse yourself in Czech culture and socialize.

Travel back in time in Český Krumlov

This small, World Heritage-listed town in South Bohemia is a gem. Its old town is surrounded by a bend of the Vltava River and dominated by an impressive castle. Walking through its streets is like entering a medieval movie set.

Visit the Church of Bones in Kutná Hora

The Sedlec Ossuary is a unique and macabre place. This small chapel is decorated with the bones of more than 40,000 people, artistically arranged to form lamps, coats of arms and garlands. It is a somber reflection on life and death that leaves no one indifferent.

Drinking from the Hot Springs in Karlovy Vary

Stroll through the elegant colonnades of this famous spa city and taste the hot springs from its different sources. Each one has a different temperature and mineral content. Buy yourself a traditional porcelain mug ('lázeňský pohárek') to drink while you explore the city.

Strong flavors of Bohemia

Czech cuisine is robust, tasty and designed to accompany its excellent beer. It is a classic Central European cuisine, with a strong influence from its Austrian and German neighbors, where meat, creamy sauces and 'knedlíky' (dumplings) are kings of the table.

The Holy Trinity: Meat, Dumplings and Sauerkraut

The dish 'Vepřo-knedlo-zelo' (roast pork, dumplings and sauerkraut) encapsulates the essence of Czech cuisine. It is a fundamental combination that you will find in almost all traditional menus.

The Culture of the 'Hospoda'

The 'hospoda' or pub is the epicenter of social and gastronomic life. It's the place to eat hearty traditional dishes at reasonable prices, and where the beer is constantly flowing. The food is the perfect accompaniment to the national drink.

Plats Iconiques

Svíčková na smetaně

Considered by many the national dish. It's a marinated and grilled beef tenderloin, served sliced with a delicious creamy root vegetable sauce. It is accompanied by 'knedlíky', a slice of lemon with blueberries and a little cream.

Vepřo-knedlo-zelo

The absolute classic of Czech cuisine. Tender and juicy roast pork, served with 'knedlíky' (bread dumplings) to soak up the sauce and sweet and sour sauerkraut to balance the fat.

Guláš

The Czech version of goulash. Unlike Hungarian, it is a thick and tasty beef stew, with fewer vegetables and served with bread or potato 'knedlíky'. It's not a soup.

Smažený sýr

A very popular guilty pleasure. It is a thick slice of cheese (usually Edam) breaded and fried. Served with fries and tartar sauce. A very common vegetarian option.

Česnecka (Garlic Soup)

A strong, comforting garlic soup, known for its hangover healing properties. It is served hot with fried bread croutons and sometimes with cheese and ham.

Knedlíky (Dumplings)

They are not a dish in themselves, but rather the garnish par excellence. They are slices of a steamed dough, made of bread ('houskové') or potato ('bramborové'). Its main function is to absorb the delicious sauces from stews.

Boissons typiques

Pivo (Beer)

The Czech Republic has the highest per capita beer consumption in the world, and for good reason. It is the birthplace of the Pilsner style (of the city of Plzeň). Drinking a fresh, unpasteurized Pilsner Urquell is an eye-opening experience.

Becherovka

A bittersweet herbal liqueur from Karlovy Vary. It is made with a secret recipe of more than 20 types of herbs and spices. It is drunk cold as a digestive.

Slivovice

A powerful plum brandy, typical of the Moravian region. It is a strong drink that is drunk in one gulp to celebrate or as a home remedy.

Kofola

The Czech answer to Coca-Cola, born in the communist era. It is a soft drink with a unique flavor, a mixture of herbs and licorice that you either love or hate. Very popular with locals.

Desserts traditionnels

Trdelník

Although it is sold as a traditional sweet, it is more of a modern tourist attraction. It is a sweet dough rolled into a cylinder, roasted and covered with sugar and nuts. It is often filled with ice cream or chocolate.

Ovocné knedlíky (Fruit Dumplings)

A dish that can be both dessert and main course. They are large dumplings filled with seasonal fruit (strawberries, apricots, plums), boiled and served with melted butter, sugar and sometimes 'tvaroh' cheese or poppy seeds.

Medovnik

A delicious honey cake with multiple layers. It consists of thin sheets of honey sponge cake interspersed with a sweet cream and covered with ground walnuts. It is very popular in cafes.

Jablečný závin (Apple Strudel)

With a clear Austrian influence, apple strudel is a much-loved dessert. A thin rolled dough filled with apples, raisins, cinnamon and walnuts, served hot and sprinkled with icing sugar.

Que voir par thème

The Czech Republic is much more than Prague. Its Bohemian and Moravian regions offer an incredible diversity of landscapes, historic cities and traditions.

Prague: The Golden City

Explore the capital in depth. In addition to the Castle and Charles Bridge, get lost in the Malá Strana district, discover the history of the Jewish quarter, admire the Art Nouveau architecture of the Municipal House and feel the history of the 20th century on Wenceslas Square.

Bohemian Castles Route

Follow a trail of fortresses and palaces. The Gothic Karlštejn Castle was built to house the crown jewels. The neo-Gothic palace of Hluboká looks like something out of a Disney story. And Konopiště Castle was the residence of Franz Ferdinand of Austria.

UNESCO Cities

Beyond Prague and Český Krumlov, discover other gems. Telč boasts one of the most beautiful Renaissance squares in Europe. Kutná Hora was the silver city that competed with Prague. And the Moravian city of Olomouc is a charming, less touristy alternative to Prague.

Western Bohemian Spa Triangle

Immerse yourself in the elegance of the golden age of spas. Karlovy Vary is the largest and most famous, but Mariánské Lázně and Františkovy Lázně complete this triangle of health and opulent architecture, surrounded by lush forests.

The Beer Route

For beer lovers, this is a must-visit pilgrimage. Visit the Pilsner Urquell brewery in Plzeň (Pilsen) to taste the unfiltered beer straight from the barrel. In České Budějovice (Budweis), you can visit the factory of the original Budweiser Budvar.

Surprising Nature and Landscapes

Discover the natural side of the country. The Bohemian Switzerland National Park, on the border with Germany, offers spectacular sandstone formations, such as the Pravčice Arch. The Moravian Karst region features an impressive cave system and the Macocha Abyss.

Conseils de voyage

Currency

The Czech Republic belongs to the EU but does not use the Euro. The official currency is the Czech Crown (CZK). It is advisable to avoid exchange offices in very touristy areas (airport, Old Town Square) and look for 'Kantor' with a 0% commission and clear exchange rates. Payment by card is very widespread.

Public Transport in Prague

Prague's transportation system (metro, tram and bus) is excellent, efficient and runs 24 hours a day. Tickets are purchased by time (30 min, 90 min, etc.) and must be validated at the machines upon entry. The 24 or 72 hour passes are very convenient.

Language

The official language is Czech. In Prague and other tourist areas, many people, especially young people, speak English. Outside of these cores, it can be more difficult. Learning some basic words like 'Dobrý den' (Hello/Good morning) and 'Děkuji' (Thank you) will be greatly appreciated.

Tips

In restaurants, it is customary to tip around 10% if you are satisfied with the service. Money is not left on the table; When paying, tell the waiter the total amount you want to pay (including tip) or ask him or her to round up the bill.

This guide is just the starting point for exploring the fascinating Czech Republic. Its true charm is revealed when you look beyond Prague and discover the treasures of Bohemia and Moravia. We encourage you to explore its castles, try its beers and enjoy the hospitality of its people. Šťastnou cestu! (Have a good trip!)

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