Backpacking Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is one of those countries that Benoit and I have only scratched the surface of, but to which we know we'll be back one day (probably with the van). We've been there on several occasions, whether it's on trips to the capital, Prague, or down south to Cesky Krumlov. We also crossed the country by bus on our return from the Baltic States in the middle of winter... Not necessarily the best time for hiking, but we now have plenty of ideas for our next trips ;)

When to visit Czechia

The season... let's start there, because the Czech Republic is a country we've only discovered "at the wrong time of year" so far. Now, I'm deliberately using big quotation marks here, but for us, who are particularly fond of hiking and national parks, the middle of winter is not what you'd call the "optimal" season. On the other hand, we really enjoyed visiting Prague in winter. There's a gentle feeling of being away from the crowds, with few or no people at the main tourist attractions.

After all, if you're coming in winter, you need to be prepared! The Czech Republic has what's known as a continental climate, which means that summers are hot but winters are very cold. Rainfall is relatively constant throughout the year, although in winter it's likely to turn to snow ;)

 

From a tourist point of view, the peak period is between May and October. During these months, expect a lot of people (especially in Prague). Personally, we'd probably aim for April-May-June or September-October. These periods allow us to combine relatively mild temperatures with opportunities to explore mountainous regions and national parks without breaking a sweat and avoiding the bulk of the crowds.

Czech Republic travel budget

As is often the case, your budget will depend enormously on your travel style and your desires in terms of hotel comfort, paid activities, mode of travel and meals. But overall, the Czech Republic remains a country where the cost of living is relatively low.

To give you a ballpark figure, I'd say that for a backpacker trip it's reasonable to budget €30-40 per day per person (nights in hostels, simple local meals , local transport and few paying activities (a few museums here and there, but no big excursions or expensive activities). And then, of course, it all depends on where you're going in the country. If you're only planning to visit Prague, that might be a bit tight (the city is clearly the most expensive), but if you're doing a mix of cities and more rural areas, you should be able to get by comfortably in those numbers on average.

For a slightly more comfortable budget, we advise you to allow €60 per day per person. With this budget, it's easy to find comfortable double rooms, eat local specialities in small restaurants and indulge in a few fun paid activities.

Of course, for more luxurious stays, sky is the limit ;) If you want to stay in 4*+ hotels, eat in great gourmet restaurants and do a multitude of paid activities, you can easily count on 150€-200€ a day.

Currency: Although part of the European Union, the Czech Republic has kept its own currency, the Czech crown. Exchange rate (2024): 1€ = 24.5 CZK

In Prague, many stores and restaurants accept euros, but be aware that the exchange rate may not be in your favor. We therefore advise you to bring Czech crowns or pay by card (cards are accepted almost everywhere!).

To find accommodation, as always, we recommend you take a look at Booking or compare prices on the map below (by filling in the date and accommodation type filters).

Things to do in the Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is a popular destination, but let's be honest, it's Prague that gets most of the attention... And yet! the country has much more to offer, and if you're planning to spend several weeks there, you certainly won't have time to get bored. Here's a quick rundown of things to see and do in the Czech Republic:

Czech cities

Prague: the country's capital and famous for its many monuments, bridges and castles. If you'd like to find out more about the city (and get some ideas for urban strolls), check out our article.

Brno: 2nd largest city in the country and capital of South Moravia. Much smaller than Prague (380,000 inhabitants vs. 1.3 million in Prague), it is a beautiful city with a rich historical past. Brno is also known for its architecture, with landmarks such as St. Peter and Paul's Cathedral, Špilberk Castle and Liberty Square. The city also boasts a special charm with its cobbled streets, lively squares and lush green parks. Near Brno, you can also visit the famous Punkva caves.

Cesky Krumlov: Halfway between city and village, this small medieval town is truly charming! Very touristy indeed, but the charm is undeniable. I was there in the middle of winter, but no doubt it's even better in spring or summer (especially to admire the huge garden surrounding the castle). To find out more, read our article on Cesky Krumlov and Lipno.

Mariánské Lázně: A spa town in the very west of the country, just 29km from the German border. The town has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its various spas. This is a relatively "new" town. Indeed, until 2 centuries ago, there was nothing here but forest and wide-open spaces. But the discovery of hot springs and their apparent benefits changed all that. Famous people like Chopin, Strauss, Goethe, Kafka, Freud, Kipling, Edison and Twain are said to have come here to heal their ailments ;)

Castles in Czechia

A change of topic: after the cities, one of the Czech Republic's other massive attractions is its many castles. Of course, some are located in or near major cities, but others are much more isolated!

It's hard to find an official number, but the Czech Republic has over 2,000 castles! That's a far cry from the 45,000 castles in France, but some are truly remarkable and well worth a visit!

The most visited castles in the country:

• Prague Castle
• Cesky Krumlov Castle
• Hluboka (Nové Město nad Metují)
• Rabi
• Karlstejn
• Bousov
• Lednice
• Hradec nad Moravicí
• Hrubá Skála

Nature in the Czech Republic

The part of the country we know least about (hello winter travel), but also the one that motivates us most to return and explore the Czech Republic! As avid hikers and climbers, we know we'll find everything we're looking for in terms of scenery. :)

National parks and climbing spots

If you're a bit of a climber, we don't need to introduce you to Adam Ondra, one of the best climbers of all time and a Czech citizen. It's funny, because it was while watching some of his videos that we discovered just how well suited the country is to climbing (even if it's not the easiest terrain) and, above all, we discovered some absolutely incredible landscapes that made us want to come and hike in the area.

The regions that most appeal to us at the moment would be Bohemian Switzerland, Bohemian Paradise, Krkonose National Park, Podyji National Park and the Jizera Mountains. But it's hard to tell you more, as we haven't been there yet. But these are the ones we have in our sights for our next road trip to this area with our Dahu van ;)

 

 

Moravia: a wine paradise

It's all very nice to talk about hiking and climbing, but if we're honest, when we travel we also like to stop off in the wine regions to sample some of the local produce. Czech wine isn't as well known as Rioja or Bordeaux, but I've heard there are quite a few gems hidden around the country. There are 2-3 small wine-growing regions around Prague (in Bohemia), but the vast majority of Czech wine is produced in South Moravia, the region above Austria and Slovakia. Having lived in Vienna, it's funny to note that the most widespread grape varieties are similar to those of Austria: Grüner Vertlinger, Riesling, Gewurtztraminer for the whites and Blaufränkisch and Zweigelt for the reds ;)

We'd love to visit the wine area in a country that's normally known for its beer.

To help you prepare for your trip, here are a few useful resources:

• Czech Republic Tourist Board website
• 12 days road trip by Sanne (inbetweentravels)