Things to Do in Czechia

About Czechia

Where fairytale spires rise from medieval streets and spa towns nestle in forested hills, Czechia beckons travelers into the heart of Central Europe with an authenticity that mass tourism hasn't diminished. This compact nation seamlessly weaves together centuries of artistic brilliance, architectural mastery, and cultural richness, all while maintaining a distinctive character that feels refreshingly unhurried in our modern world. Beyond its world-famous capital lies a tapestry of Gothic castles, Baroque villages, and rolling Moravian vineyards that reveal why Czechia has quietly enchanted those who venture here for generations.

Travel Tips

• Currency and Payments: While Czechia is in the EU, it uses the Czech crown (koruna, CZK) not euros, so exchange money at banks or use ATMs rather than tourist exchange offices which often have poor rates, and note that many smaller establishments outside Prague still prefer cash over cards.

• Public Transport Validation: Always validate your public transport ticket in the yellow machines when boarding trams, buses, or metro in Prague and other cities—inspectors frequently check and issue hefty on-the-spot fines (around 1,500 CZK) to those with unvalidated tickets, even if you just purchased them.

• Beer Hall Etiquette: In traditional Czech pubs and beer halls, servers will automatically bring you a new beer when your glass is nearly empty unless you place a coaster on top of your glass, which signals you're done drinking—this system helps maintain the famous Czech beer culture but can surprise unsuspecting tourists with a larger bill.

• Day Trip Timing: If visiting popular destinations like Český Krumlov or Kutná Hora as day trips from Prague, arrive before 10 AM or after 3 PM to avoid the massive tour bus crowds, as these UNESCO sites become extremely congested during midday hours, especially from May to September.

When to Visit

Czechia's prime visiting windows are May-June and September-October, when temperatures hover between 15-23°C, tourist crowds thin from peak summer levels, and you'll avoid both the stifling July-August heat (which can reach 30-35°C with uncomfortable humidity) and the bone-chilling December-February cold (often -5 to 5°C with gray, sunless skies). Spring (April-May) brings unpredictable rain showers but showcases Prague's gardens in bloom and allows you to experience Easter markets without winter's harshness, while September-early October delivers the stunning Czech countryside in autumn colors, perfect weather for hiking Bohemian Switzerland or Moravian wine country, and major festivals like Prague's Dvořák Autumn music festival and the grape harvest celebrations in Moravia. December can be magical for Christmas markets (especially famous ones in Prague, Brno, and Olomouc running late November through early January), but be prepared for crowds, inflated prices, and short daylight hours (sunset around 4 PM), plus frequent freezing fog that can obscure castle views. Budget travelers should target November or late January-March when hotel prices drop 40-50% and attractions are virtually empty, though you'll trade savings for cold, damp weather and some castle closures—while July-August, despite being peak season with highest prices and overwhelming Prague crowds, offers the best weather for outdoor activities, open-air festivals like Colours of Ostrava, and extended castle opening hours throughout the countryside.