Best places to visit in Czechia in 2026

Czechia at a glance

1. Prague — three nights, and book the castle circuit you actually want

Prague Castle is the largest castle complex in the world and it sells several different tickets — Circuit B (450 CZK) is the one that covers St Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, St George’s Basilica and Golden Lane, and it is the one most visitors want. Buying the wrong circuit and finding the cathedral is not included is the classic Prague mistake.

Elsewhere: the Jewish Town ticket (600 CZK) covers the synagogues and the old cemetery and is the most affecting few hours in the city; the Old Town Hall Tower is 350 CZK for the view over the square; Strahov Library is 220 CZK for one of Europe’s great baroque rooms; Petřín Tower is 150 CZK. Charles Bridge and the astronomical clock show cost nothing — go before nine, when the bridge is empty.

• Best for: architecture from Gothic to functionalist, beer, museums, walkability.
• Less ideal if: you dislike crowds — the old town core is among the busiest in Europe.

• Prague — things to do and 2026 prices

2. Český Krumlov — the day trip worth staying overnight for

A UNESCO-listed medieval town wrapped in a loop of the Vltava, under a castle with a rare baroque theatre still in working order. It is three hours south of Prague and most people come for six hours on a coach, which is exactly why staying the night is worth it — the town empties in the evening and becomes what people came to see.

• Český Krumlov

3. Karlovy Vary — colonnades, hot springs and a film festival

A 19th-century spa town in a wooded valley, built around hot mineral springs you drink rather than bathe in. Walking the colonnades and tasting the springs is free; you buy a porcelain sipping cup and work your way along. It hosts one of Europe’s major film festivals each summer, which is the one week it is genuinely busy.

• Karlovy Vary

4–5. Brno and Ostrava

Brno is the second city and feels like it belongs to its students rather than to tourists: Villa Tugendhat is a landmark of modernist architecture, the Špilberk fortress sits over the centre, and the bar scene is better value than Prague’s. Ostrava is the industrial east — the Lower Vítkovice ironworks have been turned into one of the more remarkable heritage sites in central Europe, and Colours of Ostrava is the country’s biggest festival.

• Brno
• Ostrava

FAQ

How many days do you need in Prague?

Three nights covers the castle, the old town, the Jewish Quarter and Vyšehrad without rushing. A fourth buys you a day trip — Český Krumlov, Kutná Hora or Karlovy Vary are all doable, though Krumlov is better as an overnight.

Which Prague Castle ticket should I buy?

Circuit B, 450 CZK for an adult in 2026. It includes St Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, St George’s Basilica and Golden Lane. The cheaper circuits leave out the cathedral, which is the thing most visitors specifically came for.

Does Czechia use the euro?

No — the currency is the Czech koruna (CZK). Some tourist-facing businesses in central Prague accept euro at a poor rate. Pay in koruna by card where you can, and always decline the card terminal’s offer to charge you in your home currency.

Is Czechia expensive?

Central Prague is priced like Western Europe; the rest of the country is markedly cheaper. Attraction tickets are good value everywhere — the most expensive single thing on our Prague list is the 600 CZK Jewish Town ticket, and several of the best sights cost nothing.