Czech Republic

If you like romantic cities, beautiful nature, locally brewed beer and wine, then Czech Republic should be your next travel destination! In this post you will be able to find all the information you need so you’re all set for your trip.

Czech Republic is famous for its romantic capital city, Prague, its rich history and beautiful architecture which attracts millions of visitors each year. But did you know that the country is also famous for its 2000+ castles which makes Czech Republic one of the countries with the highest density of castles in the world?

What we find to be the most fascinating thing about the Czech Republic is the fact that the country has only existed as we know it today since 1993! Prior to that it was known as Czechoslovakia, and before that it was a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Talk about being rich in history!

Czech Republic is the perfect travel destination for slow travelers that are just waiting to explore the many hidden gems and the rich history of this country. Explore the capital as well as the castles and the beautiful countryside with a pint of local beer or a glass of Moravian wine! No matter where you go, you can’t go wrong with a visit to Czech Republic.

The three historical regions

Historically, the Czech Republic has since 1918 been made up of three regions called the Czech Lands.

The administrative regions of Czech Republic

Czech Republic is divided into 14 administrative centres that each have something unique to offer.

Outdoor adventures

It’s easy to find outdoor adventures in the Czech Republic. In the summer you can hike Sněžka, the tallest mountain of Czech Republic which borders Poland at the top! Go skiing in the same area in winter and soak in one of the many spas after. In the summer you can also go mountain biking, canoeing down the famous Vltava river that runs through the country, or wander around the Czech countryside and explore the many national parks the country has to offer.

Cultural catch-up

No slow travel trip is complete without learning the culture. From beautiful viewpoints and unique landscapes to national and cultural museums on Czech’s communism and war history - you could spend months getting familiar with the culture here.

Another thing that stands out is Czech’s rich history in alcohol; beer brewing, winemaking, and homemade slivovice (a plum spirit) as well as their love for sports (and the combination of the two). If you want to act like a true local you better crack open a beer and go support the local football team!

When to go

Czech Republic can be visited any time of the year. But there’s a few things to keep in mind when planning your slow travel trip. Below you can learn when to avoid the tourist peak and specific dates that you might like to know about.

Weather

Czech Republic has mild weather and the climate is moderately continental. Bring a warm jacket for the winter and get those cute summer dresses ready for the summer. In the summer, you’re looking at a mild average of 24 c (about 75 f). Rainy and cloudy days are common throughout the year however, with an average of 90 days of rain a year. As for snow in winter, it’s not guaranteed in Prague although snowfall is likely to occur from December to February/March. It is very common in the countryside though and the mountains get lots of snow almost every year.

Languages 101

There is only one main language in the Czech Republic which is Czech. Over 95% of the country speaks Czech. English is spoken too, especially with the younger generation since most students now learn English in school from a young age.

In Prague, you'll find that both the younger generation and the older generation speak English quite well. Unfortunately, that can't be said for the rest of Czech Republic. Especially in some of the more rural areas English is still not that common but it's definitely growing!

So knowing a few basic words and phrases in Czech will definitely help you out when you’re exploring all the other regions of the Czech Republic.

Essential Czech phrases

Czech is said to be one of the hardest languages to learn. Not only do they have a ton of different accents over their letters, they also have different endings to words depending on which setting the specific sentence structure is used in. The grammar is also very different from the English grammar as Czech is a Slavic language which makes it challenging for people coming from Germanic-speaking countries.

However, for people from Slovakia, Russia, Croatia, and other Slavic-speaking countries, Czech shouldn’t be too difficult to learn as they have a lot of overlapping and similar words.

Getting There

Getting Around

Transport Tips

• If you plan to spend some time in Prague it’s worth buying the public transport pass. It will be cheaper and more convenient than buying daily tickets.
• Be prepared to have train and bus delays outside of Prague. Inside the city public transport is usually on time but the same can’t be said while travelling around the countryside.
• If it snows, public transport usually grinds to a halt outside of the cities. However, we still very much recommend going to Czech Republic for a ski trip!
• Cars are NOT recommended in Prague and other bigger cities as there is a lot of traffic, one way roads, many trams, and expensive parking charges.
• If you’re looking to rent a car you have to be at least 21 years old. If you’re 25 or older, a car rental will cost you 100€ minimum for a week. Plus some extra insurance, etc. If you’re 25 or under you will have to pay an extra underage charge. Always check the coverage before renting both through the car rental company as well as your travel insurance if applicable.