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There are so many unbelievable day journeys from Prague! I’ve been dwelling in Prague for a number of years now, and have been exploring the Czech Republic in depth — together with many, many day journeys from the town.
So many individuals go to the Czech Republic and don’t go away the Prague metropolis limits — however there are such a lot of lovely locations price visiting.
So what are the perfect locations to go to on a day journey from Prague? My prime advice is at all times the city of Kutná Hora, a reasonably city house to an attention-grabbing church made from human bones, however on this record you could have every little thing from pure wonders to attention-grabbing missed cities!
Keep in thoughts that for an optimum day journey, I like to recommend a journey of two hours every approach or much less. You can go a bit past — wish to Brno, Český Krumlov, or Olomouc — however I additionally suppose you must take into account staying in a single day if it’s an extended journey.
Every journey on this record is both doable by prepare (usually direct prepare), bus, or guided tour.
(Planning a visit to Prague? Be positive to take a look at my favourite uncommon issues to do in Prague, greatest Prague eating places, and what NOT to do in Prague!)
This put up was revealed in March 2024.
Kutná Hora
Kutná Hora is my private decide for the perfect day journey from Prague. I at all times suggest it to Prague guests as a result of it’s a extremely fairly Bohemian city with an enchanting chapel constructed of bones; it’s a brief, 50-minute journey from Prague; tickets are simple to purchase; and excursions are aplenty.
The bone church — its actual title is Sedlec Ossuary — is the primary sight price visiting. It’s creepy and engaging, whereas being an architectural marvel. (Know that pictures is now allowed right here.)
But past the ossuary, the city of Kutná Hora is so underrated! It’s painted in lovely Bohemian pastel colours, with beautiful church buildings, cute eating places, and flowers blooming all over the place. The excellent simple getaway that permits you to see Bohemian life past Prague.
Best issues to do in Kutná Hora: Visit the bone church, after all! But additionally take time to walk across the metropolis middle, and seize a pleasant Czech lunch (I loved the meals and setting at Staročeská restaurace V Ruthardce).
The Cathedral of St. Barbara is a spectacular gothic masterpiece, and don’t miss the Czech Museum of Silver and the Church of St. James. But Kutna Hora is a superb place to get misplaced.
Should you e book a tour or go independently? I feel Kutná Hora is fairly simple to do by yourself through public transit, however when you’d fairly have the benefit of going with a tour information, you are able to do that!
Book a tour to Kutná Hora from Prague: This top-rated Kutná Hora tour from Prague contains round-trip transportation out of your lodge in Prague, a tour of Kutná Hora city, and admission to Sedlec Ossuary.
How to get to Kutná Hora from Prague independently: Head to Prague’s essential prepare station, Hlavní nádraží (the station is abbreviated as Praha hl. n). Use the machines to purchase a ticket to Kutná Hora hl.n. The journey is 50 minutes direct; there are additionally trains which have a switch in Kolín, that are nearer to 90 minutes every approach.
From the station it’s a couple of 15-minute stroll to the bone church, then a further 30-minute stroll (or 15-minute walk-and-bus journey) to the town middle.
If you could have a rental automobile, Kutná Hora is about an hour’s drive from Prague.
Český Krumlov
Český Krumlov is completely spectacular — a beautiful medieval metropolis in South Bohemia that appears plucked straight from a fairy story, cliches be damned. The metropolis is encircled by a river and topped with a fort overlooking the attractive city. Spending time in a small metropolis like this makes a beautiful foil to the massive metropolis of Prague.
Honestly, I urge folks to keep in a single day in Český Krumlov, fairly than do a day journey. Overnighting is so a lot better — the town is so peaceable and wonderful when the day-trippers go away, plus you’ll have extra time to discover, and it’s a fairly far journey every approach.
But I perceive that many vacationers solely have time for a day journey. If that’s all you could have, that’s high-quality. Start your day early, finish it late, and also you’ll have a good time. It’s one of the well-liked day journeys from Prague for a motive.
Best issues to do in Český Krumlov: Head as much as the fort for a postcard-perfect picture of the city (and the sunshine is greatest within the late afternoon). Hire a raft and go paddling alongside the Vltava River. Explore all of the artsy little outlets, and have a meal at a restaurant on the banks of the river. And head to Apoteka, one in every of my favourite bars within the Czech Republic — they’re a cocktail bar with a menu of quirky craft cocktails. Try the popcorn bitter!
Should you e book a tour or go independently? If you’re an skilled traveler, you’ll be comfy getting your self there by public transportation. But when you’d fairly loosen up and have another person deal with all of the logistics, taking the tour is a superb thought, particularly because it’s sooner to drive to Krumlov than take public transportation.
Book a tour to Český Krumlov from Prague: This top-rated Český Krumlov tour from Prague contains round-trip transportation through shuttle, in addition to a tour of Český Krumlov and a while to discover by yourself.
How to get to Český Krumlov from Prague independently: You can both take the prepare or the bus, however I like to recommend the bus as a result of it’s direct and the bus station is far nearer to city. (Just a few trains to Český Krumlov are direct, however most require a change in Ceské Budjevice, and the prepare station is a couple of 20-minute stroll from the town middle.)
Buses to Český Krumlov go away from Na Knížecí, a bus station proper by the Anděl metro cease in Prague. The bus takes slightly below three hours.
If you could have a rental automobile, Český Krumlov is about two hours and quarter-hour from Prague.
Read More: Guide to Český Krumlov, Czech Republic
Bohemian Switzerland
Despite its title, Bohemian Switzerland isn’t Switzerland in any respect — that is the title for a beautiful pure area within the Czech Republic, proper on the German border. (The German aspect is known as Saxon Switzerland.)
If you’re seeking to escape Prague for the day to expertise nature, Bohemian Switzerland National Park is house to essentially the most awe-inspiring mountain views within the Czech Republic. Come right here for dense forests, deep gorges, and recent mountain air.
The Tiské stěny — the Tisna Rocks — is a spectacular space with misty, high-piled rock formations and cliffs, and served as a mystical backdrop in The Chronicles of Narnia motion pictures.
Bohemian Switzerland is a superb spot to go to year-round, and tour operators adapt their journeys to the present climate situations. Make positive you put on good mountain climbing footwear!
Best issues to do in Bohemian Switzerland: Hike three miles to Pravčická Gate, the biggest sandstone arch in Europe (pictured above). Take a ship via the gorges of the Kamenice River. Cross the German border to go to the Bastei Bridge and the spa city of Bad Schandau. And if you wish to be unbiased, there are such a lot of mountain climbing trails! Czechs LOVE to hike.
Should you e book a tour or go independently? I strongly suggest going with a tour, because it’s not simple to do by public transportation.
Book a tour to Bohemian Switzerland from Prague: This top-rated Bohemian Switzerland day journey from Prague contains round-trip transportation from Prague, and your alternative of two choices: you may both do a reasonable hike to Pravčická Gate, or take a ship journey down the gorge. After you’ll have lunch and a go to to the German aspect of the park to go to Bastei Bridge and Tiské stěny, the Tisna Rocks, earlier than heading house.
How to get to Bohemian Switzerland from Prague independently: Driving is your best choice, because it’s a lot sooner and simpler. Bohemian Switzerland National Park is about one hour and 45 minutes from Prague. If not, take a prepare from Prague’s essential prepare station, Praha hl.n., to the city of Děčín, and from there take a bus to the city of Hřensko. Get off at Hřensko–Pravčická brána or Mezní, and from right here you could have a three-mile hike to the gate.
Karlštejn Castle
If you’d wish to see extra of the Czech Republic moreover Prague, however don’t wish to go too far or commit an excessive amount of time, Karlštejn is a superb day journey from Prague. This fort dates again to the 14th century, when King Karel IV dominated Bohemia.
The fort is crammed with artistic endeavors and historical past at present, and the structure is attention-grabbing. Tours of the fort go away repeatedly, and so they at all times have excursions in English.
Should you e book a tour or go independently? Karlštejn Castle is straightforward to get to by public transportation, however excursions usually add on a go to to a different web site, just like the Koneprusy Caves.
Book a tour to Karlstejn Castle from Prague: This group tour to Karlštejn Castle additionally features a go to to the stalagmite- and stalactite-filled Koneprusy Caves, a go to to Big America canyon, and lunch at a standard Czech tavern.
How to get to Karlštejn Castle from Prague independently: From the primary prepare station in Prague, Praha hl.n., take the S7 prepare within the course of Karlštejn. The journey is direct and takes about 41 minutes. This will drop you within the city of Karlštejn; from right here you may stroll as much as the fort.
Plzeň
Are you an enormous fan of Czech beer? You’ll be delighted with Plzeň (Pilsen). This city is house to the Pilsner Urquell brewery, and lots of a Czech and vacationer have made the pilgrimage out to strive the world’s greatest beer at its supply.
Not a beer drinker? You can nonetheless have enjoyable in Plzeň if you wish to, however you may need extra enjoyable in one of many aforementioned cities on this record. Even so, you may absorb the perfect views of Plzeň from the Cathedral of St. Bartholomew — or head underground to discover the tunnels which were beneath the town for hundreds of years!
Should you e book a tour or go independently? If you’re simply visiting the brewery, simply e book your self a prepare ticket — however if you wish to add on glassblowing, I like to recommend reserving a tour.
Book a tour to Plzeň from Prague: This group tour from Prague to Plzen contains transportation from Prague, admission to the Pilsner Urquell Brewery, lunch in a Czech pub, and a go to to the Bohemia glassworks in Nizbor, which is a pleasant cultural option to complement your day journey from Prague!
How to get to Plzeň from Prague independently: From the primary prepare station in Prague, Praha hl.n., e book one of many many trains to Plzeň, and that journey takes about 90 minutes. Alternatively, you may e book a Flixbus departing from the primary bus station in Florenc, and that journey takes about 50 minutes.
Karlovy Vary
Karlovy Vary is among the most elegant cities within the Czech Republic, made well-known as a result of wealthy geothermal waters surrounding the town. Today Karlovy Vary is a UNESCO World Heritage Site — one of many Great Spa Towns of Europe — and there are many spas you may go to (my favourite is Hotel Thermal, with a heat out of doors pool you may take pleasure in year-round).
In addition to the thermal springs, Karlovy Vary has good mountain climbing trails surrounding the city, the Moser glass works, good eating places and procuring, lovely arcades the place you may pattern all of the spa waters along with your signature cup, and so they even placed on a world-renowned movie pageant in the summertime!
My husband and I went to Karlovy Vary for a mini-moon proper after we did our authorized wedding ceremony in Prague. It couldn’t have been a more sensible choice — although we had the advantage of having fun with a relaxed three-day go to fairly than a fast day journey from Prague! I’d suggest staying in a single day when you can, however a day journey remains to be price it, too.
Should you e book a tour or go independently? It’s simple sufficient to get to Karlovy Vary by public transit; when you’re doing it by yourself, I like to recommend going early and coming again late, as there’s a lot to do.
Book a tour to Karlovy Vary from Prague: This Karlovy Vary day journey from Prague contains transportation from Prague, a metropolis tour, and 4 hours to discover by yourself.
How to get to Karlovy Vary independently: There are each trains and buses working from Prague to Karlovy Vary — however there are a LOT extra buses than trains. Both buses and trains take about two hours every approach.
Tábor
If you’re on the lookout for a pleasant little city that’s extra well-liked with Czechs than worldwide guests, I’m an enormous fan of Tábor. This fairly little city in South Bohemia is house to about 34,000 inhabitants — simply large enough for locating a bunch of issues to do.
In Tábor, you may wander the colourful streets of the city middle; climb the tower of Kotnov Castle, with the perfect view of city; and for a scrumptious and weird meal within the Czech Republic, the restaurant Rafariz dishes up luxurious Uyghur-style noodle dishes.
Another nice possibility is to hike alongside the Lužnice River. There’s a simple path alongside the river’s edge, and I actually loved this! Once you get to the city of Malšice, merely hop on the prepare again to Tábor.
Should you e book a tour or go independently? Independently, because it’s simple on public transportation and this isn’t a preferred tour vacation spot.
How to get to Tábor independently: There are loads of trains from Prague to Tábor. From Prague’s essential prepare station, you may count on a journey of an hour and quarter-hour on the native prepare, making it a simple day journey.
Posázavská Stezka
Czechs LOVE getting out of the town on the weekends to hit the mountain climbing trails. And whereas there are such a lot of mountain climbing day journeys from Prague you are able to do by prepare, one I like to suggest is the Posásavska Stezka, situated south of the town.
This is a very nice hike alongside the river, with some reasonable up-and-down segments. Altogether you must count on 2.5-3 hours of mountain climbing — and find time for a beer on the pub exterior Petrov u Prahi station! Czechs just about hike to the pub; it’s what they do!
If you do that hike on the sooner aspect, you’ll have loads of time within the afternoon to spend in Prague. It’s extra of a half day journey than a full day journey from Prague.
Should you e book a tour or go independently? Go independently. I don’t know of any excursions doing this route.
How to get to the Posásavska Stezka independently: Take the prepare from Prague’s essential prepare station to Kamenny Přivoz station and take it again to Prague from Petrov u Prahi. Each approach it’s slightly below 90 minutes.
Terezín
Not all day journeys from Prague are about enjoyable and video games — and when you’re seeking to perceive one of many darkest chapters in Czech historical past, I like to recommend a go to to Terezín, a former focus camp. Terezín (Theresienstadt Ghetto) is a camp the place Jews from throughout Europe have been despatched between 1941 and 1945.
Terezín wasn’t explicitly an extermination camp — however it was designed to be a holding place earlier than sending prisoners on to Auschwitz or Treblinka to be killed. Many died from sickness, hunger, and poor dwelling situations. Around 150,000 Jews handed via right here altogether; solely 17,000 have been saved after liberation.
Creepily, this camp additionally served as a propaganda piece and was crammed with flowers and fairly buildings, serving as a backdrop about what a pleasant place it will be for Jews to go.
Should you e book a tour or go independently? I strongly suggest reserving a tour to Terezín from Prague. The websites are unfold out all around the city, and it’s a a lot better expertise if in case you have an area information.
Book a tour to Terezín from Prague: This top-rated Terezín tour contains transportation from Prague (together with optionally available lodge pickup) and a guided three-hour historic tour of Terezín. It’s a half-day tour, so that you’ll have most of your afternoon again in Prague.
How to get to Terezín independently: To get to Terezín, head to Letňany station in Prague (not the primary bus station) and get on Bus 413. Tell the motive force you’re going to Terezín, pay on your ticket, and get off on the cease Terezín U Památniku, and the small fortress is a brief stroll from the bus cease. From there the opposite websites on the town are as much as a 15-minute stroll away.
Liberec
One uncommon day journey from Prague is the city of Liberec (LEE-ber-ets), a metropolis near the German and Polish borders. In Liberec you’ll discover a nice small metropolis with a beautiful assortment of structure, together with an uncommon Neo-Renaissance city corridor!
The greatest a part of visiting Liberec is solely exploring the streets. While it isn’t a tourism powerhouse like Český Krumlov and even Brno, I discover wandering round to be a worthwhile exercise right here. Don’t miss the villas behind the city corridor, and there are some good cafes tucked into the colourful streets of the previous city.
You might merely go to Liberec city — however for a deal with, take into account visiting Ještěd Tower, an uncommon lodge and restaurant in an area ship-like form, with home windows overlooking the pure fantastic thing about the encircling panorama. I cherished visiting this place; the pumpkin soup was GREAT and it was a enjoyable little tour!
Should you e book a tour or go independently? Definitely go independently; I don’t suppose any excursions from Prague exist.
How to get to Liberec independently: To get to Liberec from Prague, head to Černý Most Station (the tip of the B line) and take a bus to Liberec, which takes a bit over an hour. If you wish to get to Ještěd Tower, public transportation doesn’t go there — you’ll both have to drive from Prague or take a taxi from Liberec (a couple of 20-minute drive).
Mariánské Lázně
If you want the concept of Karlovy Vary, however wish to go to a spa city that’s a bit extra quiet, Mariánské Lázně makes a good selection for a (barely far) day journey from Prague. Another of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Spa Town of Europe, Mariánské Lázně is a quiet, bucolic getaway the place pure scorching springs abound.
If you’re spending a day right here, you must make a reservation on the spa on the Hotel Nové Lazné, which has a beautiful, elegant, Roman-style bathing space with a number of swimming pools, together with saunas, steam rooms, and chilly plunges. You can e book spa remedies, too.
That stated, 2.5 hours every approach is a bit lengthy for a day journey, and also you would possibly get extra out of your time when you in a single day right here (or go to Karlovy Vary, which is a bit nearer).
Should you e book a tour or go independently? Go independently. I don’t know of any excursions that exist.
How to get to Mariánské Lázně from Prague independently: Take the prepare from Prague’s essential prepare station to Mariánské Lázně. Trains run hourly, however each different hour it’s an oblique prepare that requires altering in Plzen. The journey is about 2.5 hours. From the station I recommend hopping on the bus to the town middle, because it’s a 30-minute uphill stroll in any other case.
Dresden, Germany
Are you visiting Prague for Christmas market season? I completely suggest taking a day journey to Dresden, Germany! (Just guarantee that the markets are literally on — Christmas market season in Germany is shorter than Prague’s, normally working from December 1-23.)
Dresden’s Striezelmarkt is among the greatest in Germany, with a number of markets stretching throughout completely different neighborhoods. Come right here for gluhwein, lebkuchen, and every kind of tasty goodies (and you’ll want to learn my information to planning a German Christmas Market journey!).
Is Dresden price it if it’s not Christmas market season? Honestly, except you could have one thing particular you’ve wished to go to in Dresden, I might select elsewhere on this record. (I did actually take pleasure in visiting the VW Golf manufacturing facility, watching all of the vehicles being manufactured!)
Finally, when you’re intent on visiting Germany on a day journey from Prague, Dresden is your greatest guess — it’s shut by with tons of transportation choices. Nuremberg and Berlin are too far.
Should you e book a tour or go independently? Definitely go independently. Transportation couldn’t be simpler.
How to get to Dresden independently: You can both go by prepare or bus, and each methods take about two hours and quarter-hour, although buses are cheaper. You can take a prepare direct from Prague’s essential prepare station or a bus from Prague’s essential bus station in Florenc.
Brno
The second-largest metropolis within the Czech Republic is commonly missed by vacationers — however Brno (BUR-no) has a lot to supply. The largest metropolis within the Moravia area of the japanese Czech Republic, Brno seems like a small, barely shabbier model of Prague — however cheaper and loads of enjoyable, too!
My absolute favourite factor to do in Brno is go to Villa Tugendaht, a REALLY cool fashionable residence. If you’re fascinated with design or structure within the least, you’ll find it irresistible! You ought to e book tickets forward.
Other than that, you’ll want to take a look at the Brno Ossuary (bone church!), see the “Brno Dragon” within the city corridor (it’s a crocodile!), and hit up the cool eating places and bars in Brno (together with my favourite, “The Bar that Doesn’t Exist,” an internationally lauded cocktail bar).
Honestly, I feel that Brno is healthier as an in a single day vacation spot. And when you’re touring from Prague to Vienna or vice versa, it’s a pleasant place to cease in between.
Should you e book a tour or go independently? Go independently. Transportation could be very simple.
How to get to Brno independently: From Prague’s essential prepare station, there are fixed trains to Brno. Trains take about 2.5 hours. You may discover many buses alongside this route that take about the identical period of time.
Olomouc
Olomouc (o-lo-MOATS) is one in every of my favourite locations within the Czech Republic, and also you by no means see it talked about on “best of” lists! Honestly, there aren’t a ton of issues to do, however I feel the town has a extremely nice vibe and a few good eating places and cafes.
The metropolis’s essential sq. is house to a Holy Trinity Column that itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Additionally, there are many fountains, an astronomical clock much like Prague’s, a lot of church buildings and parks, and some museums.
Olomouc additionally makes their very own signature cheese. Full disclosure — I really like cheese, however this cheese shouldn’t be my favourite, so I like to recommend attempting a small plate, not ordering it on your essential meal!
Olomouc isn’t the form of metropolis you go to with a guidelines — it’s extra of a spot to take in the vibe. And contemplating that it takes 2-2.5 hours to get right here, that is additionally a spot that you simply would possibly choose staying in a single day.
Should you e book a tour or go independently? Go independently. Transportation is straightforward and this isn’t a preferred tour vacation spot.
How to get to Olomouc independently: From Prague’s essential prepare station, there are fixed trains to Olomouc. If you need a deal with, the Leo Express trains run this route and have a NICE enterprise class. You can e book these at leoexpress.com. Trains take 2-2.5 hours every approach. There are additionally loads of buses alongside this route.
Too Far for a Day Trip from Prague
I do know that it’s so tempting to slot in as many day journeys as potential — however I encourage you to not day journey to the next locations inside Central Europe. I’d suggest spending two nights in them, minimal, or maybe a single evening when you don’t thoughts the lengthy journey.
Bratislava, Slovakia — 4:15 by prepare.
Berlin, Germany — 4:30 by prepare.
Vienna, Austria — 4:30 by prepare.
Nuremberg, Germany — 4:45 by bus.
Munich, Germany — 4:45 by bus.
Wroclaw, Poland — 4:45 by bus.
Salzburg, Austria — 5:30 by bus.
Budapest, Hungary — 6:45 by prepare.
More on the Czech Republic:
Have you been to Prague? What’s your favourite day journey? Share away!