Who’s ready for fun in the sun during the summer? With travel restrictions lifted and the summer months spent outdoors enjoying the warm weather, the Czech Republic is ready to welcome back the energy and curiosity that travelers bring to these Central European streets.
Record views
- Do you feel brave enough to cross the longest suspension bridge in the world? Heavenly Bridge 721‘s name touts its length in meters, which translates to just under half a mile long and over 300 feet above the ground in the Moravian mountains.
- How about a visit to the oldest Czech brewery (hint: it’s not Pilsner OR Budweiser!)
- Fun fact: the Czech Republic tallest church spire actually lies beyond the “City of a Hundred Spires” – one of many nicknames for Prague.
- Take a walk through the Guinness World Records’ the largest castle park of the Prague Castle complex, including summer access to palace gardens.
Quiz: Which summer festival-goer are you?
…shorts, flip-flops and all sorts of musical varieties?
Try the annual Ostrava colors festival: to see modern rock and pop stars as well as emerging artists in an innovative setting industrial setting.
… sunglasses, volume and dancing all day and all night?
The beat for love electronic music festival, also in Ostravais made for the hardcore DJ crowd.
…a well-worn concert t-shirt and an appreciation for a killer guitar solo?
Add heavy metal Brutal aggression festival in East Bohemia on your calendar in August.
…a quiet appreciation of classical music?
you will love Litomysl from Smetana: honoring the cradle of Czech national music in the composer’s hometown, about two hours east of Prague in the Pardubice region.
…prefer to skip the music and sip wine?
Head straight to the Czech wine region (aka South Moravia) for celebrate the underrated – and delicious – side of local drinks in this beer-loving country.
…more in politics and diplomacy?
The Czech Republic takes the presidency of the Council of the European Union from this summer.
Expect a lively atmosphere, nationwide events and exhibitions, and a riverside concert for Europe in September.
Add art to your itinerary
The beauty of the pastel buildings that line the streets and the rolling hills seen from the window of a cross-country ski train are instagram favourites. The Czech Republic is also a cultural asset when it comes to fine arts. Some ideas for seeing traditional and contemporary Czech art up close:
1 Get to know a local art nouveau master, Alfons Mucha: Visit the Mucha Museum and stop at the artist’s grave at Vysehrad before leaving for Moravsky Krumlov in South Moravia, where you can admire the artist’s most famous work, the Slavic epicin all its glory.
2 Enter the contemporary art scene: Visit the Banksy’s world exhibition, stop at Prague’s modern art centers at MeetFactory or DOX. Fancy a day trip to the arts? Board a short train to Kutná Hora to visit the GAS Museum of Modern Art. You can easily spend hours browsing 20th and 21st century takes by contemporary Czech artists on themes such as freedom and friendship.
3 Discover the artistic side of Český Krumlov: As the bus tour crowds disembark and head straight for the castle, spend some time strolling through the Egon Schiele Gallery or head to the Photostudio Seidel for photographic inspiration. Stick around during golden hour, or better yet, spend the night on the town to enjoy the quieter (and less crowded) evening hours of the city.
4 Admire the delicacy of Czech glass art: age-old techniques and modern innovations have been the manufacture of fine jewelry, decorative pieces, and carefully wrapped souvenirs since before the founding of Czechoslovakia. Pieces of art adorn the Portheimka Museum and Decorative Arts Museum in Prague, while the Jablonec Glass Museum provides a great excuse to jump to Northern Bohemia. Get in on the glass blowing action yourself at Karlovy Vary Moser glassware glassware museum and experience.
Hotel News
Prague’s Senovážné Square, close to the main train station and the historic city center, is enriched with two new accommodation options. A palette of autumnal colors inspired by Alphons Mucha (whose museum of the same name is just steps away) decorates 168 rooms and suites inside the new seven-story Residence Julius.
Across the street, the art deco influences of the contemporary band intertwine Andaz Prague by the Hyatt’s 176 rooms and suites, while the ZEM Restaurant incorporates an eclectic mix of Czech and Japanese menu influences and classic Prague café vibes.
Your Around Town e-Ticket
Some advantages of Prague Visitor Pass:
- Understand free entry and discounts to tons of sights and experiences.
- Serves as an all-inclusive, unlimited public transport ticket on the metro, trams and buses for 48, 72 or 120 hours.
- Downloadable from the App Store and Google Play Store, or in good old analog form at any time location included.
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