Central Bohemia. Top 21 best attractions in the heart of the Czech Republic

Central Bohemia, located around the country's capital, Prague, is a beautiful region full of contrasts. It combines a rich history, cultural heritage dating back to the Middle Ages, and extremely picturesque landscapes. You will find charming towns, majestic castles, extensive nature parks and magnificent monuments. I invite you on a journey through the heart of the Czech Republic, where the past meets the present in the most beautiful way. Check out our guide to Central Bohemia, or the top 21 - the best attractions of Central Bohemia!

Accommodation, or where to sleep in Central Bohemia

While exploring the area, we slept in the beautifully located Farm Krkavčí Hora Nižbor. It is a place for horse lovers, but of course not only. Away from civilization, among fields and meadows. There is a stable with horses outside the accommodation. It is a former farmhouse, beautifully revitalized. The guest rooms are located in a new building, the rooms are modestly furnished, but they are very clean, spacious and offer what you need, i.e. a private bathroom and a wide bed. There are also breakfasts and a fully equipped kitchen where you can even cook lunches. The place is worth recommending.

The second night in this region was the Hotel Garni Na Havlíčku. Ideally located opposite the Italian court and very close to the market, it allows you to explore the charms of the city until late hours, because you can walk everywhere in a few minutes. Thanks to this, you can also drink a golden drink in numerous restaurants, which costs only 50 kc, or about PLN 8. The hotel is very quiet, just like the surrounding area, offers small rooms, but equipped with everything you need, a private bathroom with shower, coffee maker and fridge, as well as tasty breakfasts. Hotel U kata, also located close to the most important attractions, also enjoys a good reputation. Beer baths are organized here.

Here you will find a wide selection of accommodations. By booking your stay on Booking.com through our link, you support the development of our blog — and we thank you in advance! It helps us reach many interesting places that we later love to show you and share our experiences and information with you.

1. Kutná Hora

Kutna Hora is a beautiful Silver City with a rich history, wonderful monuments and extremely charming architecture. It is located about 70 km from Prague and impresses with its wonderful pictures and valuable attractions that are worth seeing and visiting. We are enchanted by this city that grew up on silver in the Middle Ages. At the beginning, similar to our Tarnowskie Góry mountains and also inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

2. Church of St. Barbara in Kutná Hora

The unique Gothic church of St. Barbara is a real architectural pearl of the region. On their shoulders, the miners lifted him up by a piece of gold torn from the ground. When silver mining ceased, construction was stopped, which is why the church was completed only in the last century and built for 500 years! The church was dedicated to Saint Barbara, the patroness of miners, who is especially revered in Silesia. He is a legendary figure who was to be beheaded by his father for adopting Christianity. 
Address: Barborská street, with a fee of 180 kc, you can do without a guide

3. The Czech Silver Museum, a former mine in Kutná Hora

The museum is located in a former castle (Hradek Palace). First, the guide tells you about the history of the city. The huge horse-driven steering wheel is the most important exhibit and at the same time an original from the 16th century, but it comes from another mine, although many similar machines worked here centuries ago. However, the heart of the museum is a former medieval silver mine. Everyone gets an apron and a helmet with a helmet as part of the ticket. It is a very pleasant walk deep into the earth, with interesting stories. In places, you have to bend down and even squeeze through a narrow corridor, which is about 40 cm wide and 120 cm high in the narrowest parts.
Address: 28 Barborská Street, only with a guide (you can choose English)

4. Ossuary, i.e. the chapel of skulls and the cathedral in Sedlec, Kutna Hora district

In the Sedlec district, be sure to see the beautiful and poignant Skull Chapel. A rather gruesome, but at the same time fascinating monument. Unfortunately, you can't take pictures inside. Next to it, there is also the Cathedral, available as part of a common ticket with an ossuary.
Address: 279 Zámecká Street, Sedlec, you can do without a guide, 220 kc

5. Królewski zamek Karlštejn

Karlstejn Castle is an extremely majestic castle, which in the fourteenth century was built by the king and later emperor Charles IV as his summer residence and imperial treasury. It is one of the most important and most visited castles in the Czech Republic. The Great Tower is the most impressive here, hiding a dazzling chapel with a treasury. In the past, women could not enter here, and the emperor entered as a deeply religious person, out of respect he entered barefoot.
Address: Karlštejn 172, a ticket to the castle costs about PLN 50 without the Great Tower and about PLN 100 with the Great Tower, a few hundred meters in front of the monument there is a paid car park (50 kc per hour and 200 kc for the whole day). You still have to walk.

6. Kokorinsko Landscape Park

Do you like rock cities? Do you dream of an Indiana Jones adventure? Pack your backpack and head to the Kokorinsko Landscape Park. This rock city will surely fulfill these desires! It lies about 40 km north of Prague and 80 km from the border with Poland. It delights with powerful sandstone rocks, creating an amazing rock labyrinth that few people in Poland have heard of!

7. Devil's Heads (Čertovy hlavy) and other stone sculptures

Devil's Heads is a hit of our trip to Central Bohemia. It's absolutely unique and completely secluded. We made a picturesque 9km loop here on foot, but if you're reluctant to walk, you can cut it in half and see what's most beautiful. Or you can only approach the Devil Heads themselves. It is just 0.5 km along the blue trail from the parking lot in Żelizy.

Where did these sculptures come from? At first, there were sandstones, wonderful outcasts in yellow, which in the mid-nineteenth century were carved by the cook of the nearby castle in Libechov, Václav Levý. Something amazing. It's like Mount Rushmore in a thumbnail. The approach to the rocks is easy, and then literally a moment, 2 quite difficult moments (I do not recommend with children) and we jumped on their bald spot! Further along the route, there were other carved rock groups and the Klacelka cave, unfortunately available for a fee at selected times. I liked the rock reliefs called Harfenice the most.

8. Lids (Lid) and rock gorge

The lids are a symbol of the Kokorinsko Landscape Park. Admittedly, I thought there were a little more lids and they were easier to see. They get a little lost in the forest, but it's a real sensation! They were created as a result of weathering and look like giant mushrooms. They are 12 meters high. Why are the lids, or specific hats, larger than the poles on which they lie? Because they contain a lot of iron and thus resisted the weathering processes. Unfortunately, there will definitely come a time when the lid will fall off. Still hungry for impressions, we made a loop about 5 km long, meeting other interesting rock formations of the city and returning through a dark and quite narrow rock gorge, with a wet bottom. As it was sunset time, the place was mysterious and even a little scary. In places, trees paved the path, and puddles and mud made us have to exercise. It was an interesting adventure. There is a forest car park on site.

9. Kokorin Castle (Kokořín Castle) - a romantic cursed castle

Kokorin Castle is a beautifully located stronghold. It delights with its interesting silhouette and astonishes with its rich history. It stood in the Middle Ages, and destroyed during the Hussite wars, it waited a long time for better times. This is where the gloomy story begins, because after the destruction during the Thirty Years' War, it was entered by the Austrian emperor, Ferdinand, on the list of "cursed castles". He forbade to rebuild it in this way, because it had such strategic positions that it could pose a threat to the ruler. At that time, the abandoned ruins of the castle became a refuge for robbers who for years plagued the area with plundering expeditions. Today, it is available to everyone, as long as you buy a ticket. There is a paid car park downstairs, you have to walk about 400 m.
Address: Kokořín

10. Svatý Jan pod Skalou - the most beautiful view in Central Bohemia

The rock wall of St. John's is a fascinating place where we discovered the most beautiful view in Central Bohemia. The last to illusion, reminiscent of our Jurassic ones, towers over the former abbey in the town of St. John under the Rock. When you stand in the parking lot, it seems to you that the rock is impregnable, or at least not for you. Nothing could be more wrong, she immediately reminded me of Sokolica in the Będkowska Valley. Here, too, along the path behind the rock, you will reach the very top, under the cross, quite quickly and efficiently. It took us 20 minutes and we stood on the roof of the area, with a beautiful view around, at an altitude of just over 300 m above sea level.

11. Kačina Castle

Have you ever had a romantic picnic in the palace park? We didn't before, which is why we will remember this picnic in Kacina Castle for a long time. In fact, it is a palace, but extremely impressive, from the 19th century. It measures 230 meters from end to end! It was created for the significant Chotek family. We could feel like them for a moment. The interiors are open to the public, and there is also a beautiful cafe in the palace. A free exhibition in atmospheric interiors awaits in the unfinished chapel.
Address: Svatý Mikuláš 51, Kutná Hora

12. Kolin - Jerusalem on the Elbe

Kolin is a beautiful medieval city, with the sad story of a 12-year-old boy in the background. In translation, Janek Zima was so unfortunate for hunting birds sitting on a tree next to the Gothic temple of St. Bartholomew that the tree caught fire, and from it the fire consumed the church and the whole city. The boy was punished with severe lashes, but survived. On the other hand, his family turned their backs on him, he was refused a job and lived out his days as a beggar. The church was rebuilt, and next to it there is also a chapel of skulls.  

And why Jerusalem on the Elbe? There was a huge ghetto here, and to this day a former Jewish school and a valuable synagogue have been preserved, made available for a fee. Photos cannot be taken in the ossuary and synagogue, but we have been given permission, so we will be happy to show them to you. A little further is the Jewish cemetery, the key to it awaits in IT. And you can also take a walk on the Elbe.

13. Bohemian Karst Landscape Park

The Bohemian Karst is one of the most fascinating places in Central Europe. It lies 30 km south of Prague. It is a land full of geological wonders that delights both nature lovers and adventurers. It began in the warm sea 400 million years ago. The Czech Karst turned out to be very close to my heart, after all, it's almost like our Jura!

14. Czech Grand Canyon with the America Quarry

Did you know that the Czechs have their Grand Canyon? It is located in the Bohemian Karst Park, just 4 km from Karlstejn Castle. It enchants "world" quarries: Small and Great America, Mexico or Canada! The most impressive is the one called Great America. It offers a teaching path. It was nice to walk here, with unearthly views, like birds over rocks!

15. Konepruskie Caves (Koněprusy Caves)

Inside the picturesque hill with the graceful name Golden Horse, there are exceptionally beautiful Konepruskie Caves, available for guided tours for a fee. This is the largest known underground system in the Czech Republic, make no mistake, it is about the historical land of the Czech Republic, not the entire Czech Republic. A section 620 meters long has been made available for visiting. It is enough to enjoy the natural decoration in the form of calcite infiltrates. The most valuable and oldest of them are the so-called Koněprusy Roses. The caves were discovered by employees of a nearby quarry in 1950. In the Middle Ages, a secret mint operated here, in which silver Hussite pennies with the image of a Czech lion were counterfeited. A sensational discovery here were human bones belonging to the species Homo sapiens, from about 13,000 years ago. The bones belonged to an approximately 46-year-old woman, buried in one of the cave chimneys. She is the oldest known European woman!
Address: Koněprusy-Beroun 1, guided tour only

16. Golden Horse Quarry Hill

At the entrance to the cave, the path leads to the top of the Golden Horse hill, with a height of 475.3 m above sea level. There is a beautiful view of all four sides of the world, and a few hundred meters further by the wooden barriers you can take a look at the spectacularly presented quarry. A didactic path leads here. About 400 meters from the entrance to the cave there is a free car park and a small museum about the region and the underground.

17. City of Beroun

Verona, because it is the Latin equivalent of the Czech city of Beroun, is an interesting resort in the heart of the Czech Karst. The city is famous for its ceramics and bears. Pottery fairs are held twice a year on the main market square. Throughout the year, it invites a nicely arranged ceramics museum. In the park, however, with a bit of luck, you will see two brown brothers in the bear shop.

18. Nižbor

Nižbor is a small, quiet city, hidden in the shadow of Prague. With a castle older than Karlstejn itself. This medieval castle was often visited by King Charles IV. Today, everyone can visit it after buying a ticket. It hides interesting exhibitions about Celts and ancient times, and also offers a cafe. Oppidum Stradonice, a Celtic defensive settlement, rises above the city. It was built here in 120 BC. Unfortunately, it lasted only 100 years, because the Germans attacked it and destroyed it. Today, there is almost no trace of it, but in 1877 a treasure was found here, consisting of 200 gold coins. You can climb this hill for nice views of the city and the famous Rückl Glassworks. Here we learned the secrets of making magnificent crystal ornaments. A Czech lion is produced here, i.e. the Czech Oscar, which is awarded to the stars of Czech cinema. The Berounka River winds in a ribbon between the castle and the steelworks. She invites you to relax over it, it is she who binds the Czech Karst, meandering around this land.

19. Tetin

Tetin is a tiny town where you will find a museum with an interesting history known from Czech textbooks. It was here that Princess Ludmila, the grandmother of St. Wenceslas, took refuge at the end of her life. As a Christian, she got into a dispute with her daughter-in-law Drahomira. She left Prague and retreated into the shadows in Tetina. Despite this, in 921 she was killed by Drahomira's teammates at the aunt's castle. Today, Saint Ludmila is the patron saint of the Czech lands (Bohemia) and the Czech Republic. She is considered a carer for widows and father-in-law issues. We visited this place for beautiful views, but we got caught here by a storm.

20. Mělník

Mielnik is a city very charmingly located at the confluence of the Elbe and Vltava rivers, where an artificial canal was also excavated. This gives a spectacular view from the promenade, which runs along the Renaissance castle and the Gothic church with the skull chapel. The city is famous for its viticulture and the nearby Rip hill, which is legendary for Czechs, because it is here, according to folklore, that the Czech Republic founded this beautiful country. We also visited the underground with the widest well in the Czech Republic.
The church with an ossuary and the castle are available for a fee. Only for cash, just like the famous Ludmila wine here.

21. Karlštejn Nativity Scene Museum

On the way to the castle, it is worth visiting the Bethlehem Museum, where you will see a beautiful, moving nativity scene. In the middle of summer, you will feel the atmosphere of Christmas here. It reminded me of our year-round nativity scene from Olsztyn in the Jura.
Address: Karlštejn 11, paid sightseeing

Other tourist attractions in the region worth visiting:

• Křivoklátsko - a protected nature reserve where you can admire wildlife, scenic landscapes and visit the Křivoklát Castle, one of the oldest castles in the Czech Republic
• Sázava - a river flowing through the region, offers excellent conditions for canoeing and rafting. The surrounding forests and hills are perfect for hiking and climbing
• Konopiště Castle - a beautiful castle with an impressive collection of weapons and hunting trophies, surrounded by a picturesque park
• Český Šternberk Castle - a charming castle on the Sázava River, with a rich history dating back to the 13th century
• Museum of Wax Figures Karlstejn - located near the gate to the castle
• Cinibulkova Path (Cinibulkova Trail) - a yellow-marked route in the Kokorinsko Landscape Park, you will find, among others, the Maze rock labyrinth with Tutankhamun

Map of region attractions

Below on the map, we have marked the attractions we have visited so that you can easily reach them and plan your trip to Central Bohemia.

What and where to eat in Central Bohemia?

I will admit right away that we were not very lucky with Czech food. Somehow we missed it, and when we got hungry to the coveted Czech inn, it turned out that it was closed on Mondays. Needless to say, it was a terrible Monday. It was the Pub at Grobián, in the village of Kokořínský Důl. Maybe you will have better luck, because apparently the food here is delicious and local, and inexpensive. You'll eat cheaper than in Poland. 

Of course, we tasted fried cheese, without it, a trip to the Czech Republic does not count. We ate it in the restaurant "U Adamama", by the road to Karlstejn Castle. On this promenade, we also discovered another Czech delicacy, namely trdelnik. It is a cookie with a hole, in the shape of a wide tube, with sugar and cinnamon. It cost 60 kc, slightly more expensive you can also buy a version filled with ice cream, cream or nutella. This is a culinary discovery of this expedition, because I really liked trdelnik. But we also got to know another regional inspiration for dessert. Ikérová or konňaková špička has been loved in the Czech Republic since the 1950s. So after dumplings, be sure to try the liqueur spike as well. The chocolate creature is usually filled with egg liqueur.

What else have we learned from Czech specialties? Well, of course, beers, it's really cheap here, in restaurants and pubs you can buy poured beer for 50 Czech crowns, or even cheaper. That's about PLN 8. Many places in Central Bohemia are also famous for their vineyards. You can buy local wines in Kutná Hora at the church of St. Barbara or at the castle in Mielnik, the famous local Ludmila (you have to have cash). If you travel by car, we recommend a Czech kofola. It is also a mandatory program item in the Czech Republic.

We tasted American food in a very good style. We can recommend the Black Dog pub in Beroun, which serves delicious burgers, BBQ ribs and other American specialties. We also ate delicious burgers with Czech accents in the restaurant Němý Medvěd Beer & burger bar at the market square in Mielnik. But beware, the waiting time is long here, so plan a longer rest.

Interestingly, annual fairs and festivals are organized in this region, such as medieval festivals in Kutná Hora or harvest festivals in various villages that celebrate local traditions and products.

How to get there, parking lots and practical information?

Access to Central Bohemia is very easy thanks to the developed communication network. Prague, being the main transport hub, offers numerous rail and bus connections with the rest of the region. You can also drive here without any problems, the roads are not crowded, because tourism is still not very popular in the region, tourists occupy nearby Prague and this area is not trampled, and even secluded. From Poland, from Upper Silesia we drove by car for 5 hours, from Lower Silesia you can get there much faster. We rode road No. 1 up to Olomouc, and then road No. 35 near Pardubice to Kutna Hora.

Just keep in mind that car parks in the city center are usually paid for outside of the weekend. Local parking lots at attractions were also sometimes paid for. They are usually not more expensive than 100 kc. We met the most expensive car park in Karlstejn, 50 kc per hour or 200 kc for the whole day. We bought the whole day because we were quite long, but when we returned in the evening only for a moment, they did not recognize us with a full-day ticket and we had to pay 50 kc per hour again. 

In many places it was not possible to pay by card. Some parking meters required cash, tickets in churches or museums also sometimes had to be paid in cash, e.g. in Mielnik. So it's worth taking cash with you.

Heritage, nature and activity - why go to Central Bohemia

To sum up, Central Bohemia is a region that combines all the best in the Czech Republic, rich history, valuable cultural heritage and beautiful nature. The old towns often delight with monuments, and the gems scattered here and there in the form of castles transport to distant times and show known or lesser-known pages of history. It is also a paradise for nature lovers and active leisure enthusiasts. The region offers numerous landscape parks and hiking trails that encourage hiking, cycling or kayaking. Everyone who visits this place will find something for themselves, whether they are a fan of history, nature or simply want to feel the unique Czech atmosphere. It is the heart of the Czech Republic that beats in the rhythm of the past and the present, offering an unforgettable experience to every traveler.
We visited the region with Czech Tourism.

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What's worth seeing in the area?

If you are looking for more ideas for interesting places to visit, we have it for you some options in the area. There are several attractions within a radius of 100 kilometers, that are worth adding to your travel plan.

• Kutna Hora, distance: 0  km
• Kolin, distance: 10.3  km
• Pardubice, distance: 38.3  km
• Prague, distance: 62.3  km
• Hradčany in Prague, distance: 63.8  km
• Litomyśl, distance: 75.5  km
• Karlstejn Castle, distance: 77  km
• Rock city in the Czech Republic. Kokorinsko, distance: 77.7  km
• Czech Karst, distance: 85.6  km
• Szczeliniec Wielki, distance: 97.3  km