Czech Republic Travel Guide

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Top Things to See

Castles
The Czech Republic is home to an array of picture-postcard castles and country houses, including the Disney-esque, 14th-century Karlštejn, imposing Konopiště, opulent Hluboká (www.visithluboka.cz), and spectacular Vranov (www.zamekvranov.cz), perched atop a rock pinnacle.

Český Krumlov
UNESCO World Heritage site Český Krumlov is widely thought to be the Czech Republic's prettiest town. Wander the ramparts of its fairytale castle, stroll along the banks of the infant Vltava River, and lose yourself among its medieval back streets (www.ckrumlov.cz).

Karlovy Vary
Chill out in the attractive spa resort of Karlovy Vary, which offers hot mineral springs, fine baroque and gothic architecture, forest walks and a lively cultural scene. And don't miss the picturesque castle at nearby Loket, perched high above the River Ohre (www.karlovyvary.cz).

Kutná Hora
Explore an ancient silver mine and marvel at the magnificent murals in St Barbara's Cathedral in Kutná Hora, a pretty medieval town and another UNESCO World Heritage site (www.kutnahora.cz).

Macocha
Peer into the dizzying abyss of Macocha, a 140m- (459ft-) deep sinkhole at the heart of the Moravský Kras (Moravian karst) near Brno, a limestone region riddled with caves. Follow up with a cruise along an underground river at the nearby Punkevni Caves (www.cavemk.cz).

Olomouc
Visit the attractive university town of Olomouc, noted for its parks, baroque churches, sculptures and fountains (www.olomouc.eu). The surrounding Hana region is strongly agricultural, with many villages holding attractive harvest festivals in late September.

Pilsner Urquell Brewery
Make a pilgrimage to the birthplace of the world's best beer - the Pilsner Urquell Brewery in Plzeň, in West Bohemia (www.prazdroj.cz). It was here that pilsner lager was invented in 1842. Don't miss a guided tour through the medieval tunnels and beer cellars beneath the old town center (www.plzen-city.cz).

Prague
Soak up the atmosphere in capital city Prague: one of Europe's most beautiful and cultural cities, with a wealth of magnificent gothic, baroque, art nouveau and cubist architecture, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town, and the world's biggest castle (www.pis.cz).

Rožnov pod Radhostěm
Travel back in time at the open-air skansen (folk museum) at Rožnov pod Radhostěm. The open-air museum has three parts - the Little Wooden Town, the Water Mill Valley and the Wallachian Village - with displays of traditional timber architecture and technology (www.roznov.cz).

Sedlec Ossuary
Get the creeps at Sedlec Ossuary, where the centuries-old bones of around 40,000 people have been crafted into a stunning display of garlands, chandeliers, sculptures and coats of arms (www.kostnice.cz).

Telč
Stroll the cobbled streets of Telč, one of the most perfect examples of a Renaissance town in Europe, and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The town was rebuilt after a fire in 1530; medieval arcades with its gabled and pedimented houses surround the picturesque town square (www.telc.eu).

Terezin
Learn about a darker period in Czech history at Terezin, a former Nazi concentration camp north of Prague. The Ghetto Museum, barracks and isolation cells, execution grounds and mass graves bring the horrors of the Holocaust vividly to mind (www.pamatnik-terezin.cz).

Top Things to Do

Conquer Sněžka
Ride a chairlift to the summit of Sněžka (1,602m/5,256ft) - the highest point in the Czech Republic - in the Krkonoše (Giant Mountains) National Park, or pull on your hiking boots and make the three-hour climb on foot (www.pecpodsnezkou.cz).

Cycling
Pedal your way around the South Moravian vineyards on the Moravian Wine Trails (www.vinarske.stezky.cz), stopping off to sample the wines at the historic villages of Mikulov and Valtice.

Enjoy classical music
Take in a classical concert in one of Prague's many atmospheric venues, which include ancient churches, opulent concert halls, historic buildings and outdoor theaters (www.heartofeurope.cz).

Fishing
Cast a line at the fishing lakes of South Bohemia and Lednice-Valtice - contact the Czech Anglers Union (www.rybsvaz.cz) for more information. Species you might catch include carp, tench, perch and pike.

Hiking
Go hiking in the Šumava Forest, the country's largest national park. A region of forest-clad hills along the border with Austria, the park includes scenic lakes, trout streams, areas of virgin forest and important historic monuments (www.npsumava.cz).

Hire a canoe
Hire a canoe and mess about on a river - the upper reaches of the Vltava and its tributaries the Sázava and Berounka provide ideal canoe-touring territory for beginners. Many outfits will rent you canoes and camping gear, including BiSport (www.bisport.cz).

Indulge at a spa
Treat yourself to a spa treatment among the hot springs and mineral baths of West Bohemia's famous spa resorts - opulent Karlovy Vary (www.karlovyvary.cz), which once attracted the crowned heads of Europe, Marianské Lázně and Františkovy Lázně.

Rock climbing
Go rock climbing amid the spectacular scenery of the Adršpach-Teplice Rocks, whose bizarre landscape bristles with sandstone pinnacles, contorted canyons and wildlife-filled forests (www.skalyadrspach.cz).

Skiing
Carve up the slopes at the Czech Republic's good-value ski resorts - try Spindleruv Mlyn for downhill skiing, Zacler for snowboarding (both in Krkonoše), and Zadov (in Šumava) for cross-country.

Take a cruise
Get a different perspective on Prague with a cruise along the Vltava River (www.paroplavba.cz); either head downstream to Prague Zoo, or upstream to the Slapy Dam.