The exam period is coming to an end, so it is the right time to relax, travel and explore. The Czech Republic offers a countess number of not only historical but also of natural sites. This article provides you with some tips on where to travel and what to see during this year’s summer holidays. Just don’t forget that Czechia has so many places worth visiting, so it is impossible to recommend all of them.
Czech summers tend to be hot and sunny which makes one want to lie on a beach, swim and have a cold drink. Even though Czechia is an inland country, therefore not having access to the sea, there are a lot of places worth spending a sunny day at.
The first place not far away from Prague is a former sand quarry in Mlékojedy which nowadays functions as an outdoor swimming pool. You just need to hop on a train and in 45 minutes you can be enjoying a drink on a beach. In addition, some concerts and other cultural events take place in the Beachbar Mlékojedy right by the quarry. However, if you’re not a music fan but rather a sports fan you can enjoy playing beach volleyball, visit a skatepark or exercise in the local outdoor gym. There is also a possibility to stay overnight – you can either book a small cabin or sleep in your own tent by the water.
If you are willing to travel just a little further there is a popular quarry in Hříměždice. This former granite quarry has become well known among young people for the cliff-diving competition called Highjump. Hříměždice offers a lot of spots which you can safely jump from into the water. The maximum height of the jumping-off place rises up to 10 meters. Moreover, this quarry used to function as a training centre for divers from the Czechoslovak army and also as a filming location thanks to its magnificent scenery.
However, if you don’t want to swim in the water but you would rather observe the beauty of the lakes somewhere in the woods, you should definitely visit the Šumava mountains. You can find the largest and deepest natural lake in the Czech Republic called Černé jezero and another astonishing lake just a few meters away called Čertovo jezero. Both of these lakes have a glacial origin and are considered to be the most beautiful lakes in the Czech Republic.
Chateaus are magnificent buildings that make you feel like a princess or a prince. Not only because of this feeling are chateaus very popular destinations to travel to.
One of the most popular chateau complexes in the Czech Republic is the Lednice-Valtice Area in the Břeclav district. What makes this complex so admirable is the diversity that can be observed there. The area offers not only some architectonic masterpieces such as The Temple of Apollo, The Belveder Pleasure-House or The Valtice castle but also some beautiful natural sceneries. In addition, you don’t only have to walk through this landscape complex, but you can also go on a bike thanks to the cycling roads throughout the complex. On top of that, The Lednice-Valtice Area is part of the UNESCO World Heritage List due to its architectonical diversity and history.
Another very popular castle definitely worth visiting is the baroque-style castle Loučeň located in central Bohemia. This castle surrounded by an English park is well known for its mazes and labyrinths. Loučeň castle even invented a new word for its labyrinth area – labyrintharium. The need to create a new word only proves how unique this place is, not only in Czechia but even in Europe. Even though labyrintharium is very popular among children many adults enjoy wandering around and looking for the right direction as well – maybe even more than the children.
As a student at Charles University, you must have heard about Charles IV. – the founder of the University, one of the most important rulers in the history of the Czech kingdom and on top of that one of the most influential people in the European history. Karlštejn used to be his summer residence and according to some legends, there was a no-women rule in the castle. This rule is depicted in the play and the movie of the same name Noc na Karlštejně accompanied by music composed by Karel Svoboda. However, it is not only a former summer residence and a film location but also a charming holiday destination. You can visit the castle, go for a biking trip along the Berounka river or head out on a hike in beautiful nature surrounding the castle.
Vítkův hrádek might look like a regular ruin of a castle but in fact, it is more than that. This castle is the highest located castle in the Czech Republic with a perfect view of Lipno, Šumava, Novohradské mountains and if you’re lucky enough to have good weather conditions you can see the Alps. Vítkův hrádek is, thanks to its location, a very romantic and picturesque building and an artistic inspiration of many artists such as the painter Adalbert Stifter or the poet Adolf Hejduk.
Have you ever wondered what is it like to see the world from a bird perspective? Well, you can book a flight in an aeroplane but a cheaper and sometimes an even more effective way is to climb a hill or reach the top of a lookout tower. The most popular lookout tower that everybody must have heard about is the Petřín Lookout Tower. But did you know that there used to be about 400 lookout towers in the Czech Republic? Unfortunately, almost half of them were destroyed and nowadays there are only about 200 of them across the country.
Doubravka is, thanks to the architectural construction, one of the most rewarded lookout towers in Prague. It is a 23,5 meters high, wooden lookout tower with 98 steps and a view of Prague. Even though the construction was damaged by the fire in the year 2019, it is fully repaired now, and the entry is free.
Děčínský Sněžník is considered to be one of the oldest and most beautiful lookout towers in the Czech Republic. It was built by František Antonín Thun in 1864 and it is made out of sandstone. To get the view of Českosaské Švýcarsko you need to get on the top of the highest table mountain in Czechia and overcome 153 steps.
Explore!
Summer in Czechia is full of opportunities, travel destinations and experiences. You can hop on a train or drive your car, book a hotel or sleep under the stars… It is up to you how you enjoy the beauty of this country.
For more tips and trips, you can download the app Úžasná místa which always tells you what amazing places are near to you.
