Reasons to visit the Czech Republic while traveling in Europe!

After I booked my flight from Rome to the Czech Republic, I had no idea what to expect.

I was meeting two friends there, one of whom was born and raised in a small town called Čelákovice about 40km from Prague.

We let him plan our whole week.

He did a fantastic job of introducing us to the culture and showing us some amazing places that most tourists probably don’t get to see.

After an unforgettable week driving around the countryside, hiking near the German border, and exploring Prague, I have become fascinated with the Czech Republic and all it has to offer.

So for anyone hunting down new travel destinations in Europe, here are six reasons to visit the Czech Republic.

6 Reasons to Visit the Czech Republic

From exploring Prague to hiking and rock climbing in the wilderness, here are a few reasons to visit this small but spectacular Central European country.

1. Interesting Czech Architecture

Of all Europe’s capital cities, Prague may have some of the most impressive architecture.

The famous Old Town Square reminds me of a gothic Disneyland.

All the magnificent buildings have the captivating fantasy element of a fairy tale land.

The surrounding streets in the Old Town amaze visitors with their pastel colors and intricate decorations.

Even in villages outside the capital, I still found gorgeous castles and churches scattered amongst the adorable little villages.

2. Delicious Czech Food

Food in the Czech Republic tends to fit the category of “comfort food”.

From the sweet doughy cylinders called Trdelníks to the hearty meat goulash and dumplings, to the delicious bread and cheeses, the food here is heavy and heartwarming.

Soft serve ice cream is also very popular.

We also got to try a homemade dessert of sweet dumplings in strawberry sauce.

For healthier food, we hit the supermarkets for super cheap produce.

There are also lots of wonderful fruit trees in the country.

We spent an afternoon eating fresh cherries right off the tree until we were on the verge of exploding.

3. Cheap Local Drinks

Czechs tend to wash down their food with beer since it’s usually cheaper than water.

As someone who really does not like beer, some of the beer in the Czech Republic I actually enjoyed.

We also tried Czech rum, a pear based alcohol served in a shot glass with a piece of pear, and a strong homemade spirit that tasted like cherries.

In addition to alcoholic beverages, some other great Czech drinks include Kofola, a soda similar to Coca Cola but less sugary, and neon pink raspberry soda.

4. The Vast Sense Of History

Located right in the center of Europe, this country has been caught at the crossroads of many historical events.

Monuments and memorials highlighting the effect of both World Wars and the Communist Era on Czechoslovakia and eventually the Czech Republic exist all over the country.

We spent an afternoon in Terezín, seeing the heartbreaking remains of the famous concentration camp that housed many minorities during the Holocaust.

Terezín was also a military fortress hundreds of years ago, and many small villages around the country are thousands of years old.

5. Endless Natural Beauty

After venturing away from the cities and towns, we found so many incredible natural sights just waiting to be explored.

We drove to Panská rock, a volcanic rock formation composed of hexagonal basalt columns which dates back to millions of years ago.

We also hiked through the forest to Pravčická Brána. This is a natural stone archway that sits near some fantastic lookout spots.

One thing that remained consistent throughout our journey was the rich green landscape.

Every challenging hike or random stop on the side of the road allowed us to view the beautiful Czech countryside.

6. Opportunities For Adventure 

With all of the natural beauty in the Czech Republic, the best way to experience the land is through adventure activities.

The countryside is full of mountains, hills, cliffs, rivers, lakes, and wide-open fields. All of these are perfect for biking, running, cliff jumping, boating, swimming, climbing, and hiking.

The summer weather is ideal for frolicking outside. But skiing, snowboarding, and ice-skating are also available in winter.

I tried via-ferrata for the first time in a town called Děčín.

This is a type of rock climbing where you clip your harness onto the secured cables as you climb up cliffs.

It was slightly terrifying but thrilling and actually so much fun.

So those are my top 6 reasons to visit the Czech Republic.

It is an incredible country in Europe, and I’ll forever be grateful to my friend for showing me such a great time there.

Before traveling to the Czech Republic:

• Visit iVisa.com to see if you need a visa!
• Travel insurance is a good thing to have for a trip abroad, especially if you’ll be hiking or rock climbing. You want coverage in case you have an injury or emergency illness! I recommend Squaremouth Insurance because they have affordable plans and a helpful live chat.

To read about more of my travel adventures around central Europe, check out these articles:

10 Incredible Things To Do In Interlaken, Switzerland

Transylvania, Romania: The Ultimate Budget Travel Guide

11 Non-Touristy Things To Do In Rome

6 Things To Do In Berlin, Germany On A Budget

10 Reasons To Visit Porto, Portugal