The 5 greatest day journeys from Prague

Czechia’s capital metropolis is a unbelievable sprawl of Gothic, Renaissance and baroque buildings that line each banks of the Vltava River. Thousands and thousands come right here yearly to soak within the environment and architectural splendor, however with so many individuals milling the streets, the flavour of the nation itself can get misplaced.

The encompassing countryside holds a few of Czechia’s most necessary sights, from a church product of human bones to the fort that after enshrined the Bohemian crown jewels. Extra importantly, leaving Prague’s often-heaving streets – even for a day – permits you to study extra about Czechs, their tradition and historical past. These are the highest 5 excursions from Prague inside a 90-minute radius of the town limits.

1. Go to certainly one of Czechia’s favourite castles at Karlštejn

Journey time: 45 minutes

It’d come as a shock, however many Czechs regard Karlštejn Castle, a gleaming Disneyesque pile that rises dramatically beside the Berounka River, as their favourite – beating out even Prague’s personal sprawling fort complicated.

This large walled construction traces its roots again to 1348 and the reign of Prague’s Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV. The constructing was initially conceived as a hiding place for the Bohemian crown jewels. Entry is by guided tour, so seek the advice of the fort website upfront to test availability and e book tickets.  

After you’ve toured the fort, meander via fairly Karlštejn village, full of pubs, or take a 15km hike via the woods to Beroun earlier than catching a prepare again to Prague. Restaurace Pod Dračí Skálou gives respectable Czech meals and Pilsner Urquell beer on faucet. 

How you can get to Karlštejn: The 30km drive from Prague to Karlštejn takes 40 minutes alongside the D5 motorway (comply with indicators to Plzeň). Common trains depart from Prague’s primary station within the route of Beroun; the journey takes 45 minutes.

2. Spook your self at creepy Kutná Hora

Journey time: 1 hour

Central Europe’s spookiest attraction lies an hour east of Prague on the Sedlec Ossuary – aka “Bone Church” – within the historic mining city of Kutná Hora. This macabre chapel was created by native woodcarver František Rint within the 1870s, utilizing bones from tens of 1000’s of human skeletons within the city crypt to vogue chapels, crosses, chalices and monstrances.

Nonetheless, there’s extra than simply outdated bones in Kutná Hora. Town grew rich within the 14th and fifteenth centuries as the middle of silver mining for the dominion of Bohemia. You’ll be able to don a miner’s helmet and tour the outdated silver mines, then pay your respects on the gloriously Gothic Cathedral of St Barbara, the patron church of miners.

When you’ve had your fill of bones and medieval finery, moist your whistle at Pivnice Dačický, with its broad collection of native beers.

How you can get to Kutná Hora: Kutná Hora is 65km east of Prague, and the drive takes about an hour. Buses depart all through the day from Prague’s Háje station on metro line C (pink), whereas direct trains depart from Prague’s primary station.

3. Study the harrowing WWII historical past of Terezín 

Journey time: 1 hour

The previous navy fortress at Terezín, or Theresienstadt Focus Camp, was house to essentially the most infamous German-run focus camp on Czech soil. It wasn’t a mass extermination camp, like Auschwitz-Birkenau in Poland, however a holding middle for Jews and different Holocaust victims earlier than they might be despatched onward to their deaths. Situations have been atrocious, and 1000’s perished from starvation and illness.

The primary Ghetto Museum is unfold out over a number of buildings, and the everlasting exhibitions discover each the every day lives of the prisoners and the way in which the Nazis used Terezín as a showcase camp to deceive the Worldwide Crimson Cross.

Convey alongside a packed lunch, as Terezín is brief on eating places. Radniční sklípek in close by Litoměřice gives the very best meals within the space however would require a automobile or bus to succeed in.

How you can get to Terezín: Terezín is 60km north of Prague, and the drive takes lower than an hour. Buses from Prague take about an hour and depart from above the Praha-Holešovice metro station on line C (pink).

4. See the house of Franz Ferdinand at Konopiště Chateau

Journey time: half-hour

Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand was one of many twentieth century’s most fateful figures. His assassination in Sarajevo in 1914 triggered the massacre of WWI. What’s not extensively identified, although, is that he lived not removed from Prague at stately Konopiště Chateau.

A guided tour across the staterooms gives fascinating perception into how the rich lived within the early years of the twentieth century and the archduke’s many eccentricities, which included looking and the cult of St George. The chateau gardens make for a restful respite.

For a meal, head to Stará Myslivna for old style Czech cooking with – true to the archduke’s ardour – a lot of recreation on the menu. 

How you can get to Konopiště: Drivers comply with the D1 motorway south from Prague to Benešov u Prahy, the closest city to Konopiště. Native buses run from right here to the fort. Buses to Benešov journey all through the day from Prague’s Roztyly station on metro line C (pink). Alternatively, come by prepare from Prague’s primary station. The journey takes about 30 minutes.

5. Head to Plzeň – a haven for lovers of pilsner

Journey time: 1 hour and 20 minutes

Fashionable lager – pilsner – was invented right here in 1842, and city brewers have zealously preserved their beer’s storied heritage ever since. For followers of the amber liquid, a guided tour of the Pilsner Urquell Brewery, is a pilgrimage. The excursions are in style, so it’s greatest to purchase tickets in advance. The Brewery Museum can be value a glance in.

In step with the beer theme, pattern some wonderful pub grub. The pub Na Spilce is located on the brewery grounds, and excursions finish at its door. Na Parkánu is one other in style pub-restaurant, located subsequent to the Brewery Museum. 

Plzeň has different points of interest too. Town’s intensive underground tunnels, used for each beer manufacturing and protection, are fascinating. Youngsters will love the Techmania Science Center. It’s a large interactive science lab, with an infrared digicam, magnets, a planetarium and different wonders.

How you can get to Plzeň: Town is well reached by automobile, bus or prepare; the drive from Prague takes about 1hr 20 minutes. Buses run each half-hour from Prague’s Zličín metro station on line B (yellow), whereas trains depart from Prague’s primary station.