Czechia: Prague, Český Krumlov and Karlovy Vary — Where to Go and What to Try

Prague: bridges, towers and the Old Town

Prague is a city you'll want to explore on foot. Charles Bridge with its statues, Prague Castle with St Vitus Cathedral, Old Town Square with the Orloj astronomical clock, and the tiled roofs of Malá Strana. In the evening, it's worth climbing Petřín Hill or strolling along the Vltava embankment.

Český Krumlov and the south of Czechia

Český Krumlov is a small town on a bend of the Vltava, with a castle, a tower and medieval lanes, and it is on the World Heritage list. Nearby are České Budějovice, with its spacious square and breweries, and Hluboká Castle, which looks like a fairy-tale palace.

Karlovy Vary and the spas of the west

In the west of the country lie spa towns with mineral springs. In Karlovy Vary people stroll along the colonnades and drink the spring water from special cups, while Mariánské Lázně and Františkovy Lázně are known for their parks and peaceful atmosphere.

Kutná Hora and Moravia

Kutná Hora is a former silver-mining town with the Gothic St Barbara's Cathedral and the unusual ossuary in Sedlec. In the south-east, in Moravia, you'll find wine-growing regions, Lednice Castle with its huge park, and Brno with its cafés and student atmosphere.

What to try

Czech cuisine is hearty and goes perfectly with the local beer.

• Pork knuckle with mustard and horseradish.
• Knedlíky — bread or potato dumplings served with meat and sauces.
• Svíčková — beef in a creamy sauce with cranberries and knedlíky.
• Fried cheese with tartar sauce.
• Trdelník — a sweet pastry sold on the streets.
• Czech beer and Moravian wines.

Good to know before you go

A few simple tips will help you feel at ease in Czechia.

• Change money at banks or trusted exchange offices, and ask about the final amount beforehand.
• A paper ticket for city public transport has to be validated as you board.
• In restaurants people usually tip by rounding up the bill.
• Many castles are closed on Mondays, and outside the season they keep shorter hours.
• In pubs you can take an empty seat at a shared table, as long as you ask first.

Staying connected

In Czechia you need the internet from the very first minutes: to open a map, check tram and train timetables, buy a ticket, or show your hotel booking. You can install your eSIM at home over Wi-Fi, so after landing you won't have to hunt for a SIM card at the airport or stand in queues. When a plan's validity begins is shown on the checkout page before you pay: for some plans it starts at the first connection in the destination country, for others on installation or right after purchase. Your main number stays in your phone, and calls and messages to it keep arriving as usual, under your carrier's terms.