12 Easy & Amazing Day Trips From Prague

Planning a trip to Prague and have a few extra days to explore the nearby Prague attractions? There are several day trips from Prague worth the trip. Prague is a great place to base yourself. It’s one of our favorite cities in Europe.

If you only have three days in Prague, you most likely won’t have time, but if you have one week in Prague, make sure to rent a car to explore nearby cities. If you can, we highly suggest spending five nights in Prague so you can take at least one day’s trip outside of Prague.

Prague is awesome, and there are so many things to do in Prague, but you’d be missing out on so much more t the Czech Republic has to offer. If you’re like us, you’ll end up realizing that on the first trip and ultimately end up returning again and again.

So what are the best day trips from Prague? Which Prague day trip you choose will be based on how much time you have and if you’ll be renting a car in Prague and driving yourself or joining a group tour.

*When looking for the best price and biggest selection of hotels in Prague, check prices on Booking.com. We’ve found they are the best option and have a great cancelation policy.

Best overall hotel in Prague – MOODS Charles Bridge Hotel

It’s in a great central location close to Old Town & the Charles bridge, with great views and tons of restaurants & shops at your doorstep.

Things To Do In Prague Video

Best Day Trips From Prague

1. Cesky Krumlov

Recommended by: Bangorni

Found beneath the backdrop of a medieval (13th century) castle and on the banks of the passing Vltava River, the Historic Centre of Český Krumlov is by far my favorite day trip from Prague. At the same time, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the further-flung Prague day trips, found roughly 2 hours out of the city in the South Bohemia region of the Czech Republic.

While I would forever recommend any visit on a day trip, I would also recommend an overnight stay, as Cesky Krumlov really comes to life with grog, liquor, and bohemian feasts, through its many medieval taverns (or I would at least try stretch a visit to the evening hours).

And there is still plenty of sightseeing to do during the daytime, which can be potentially covered in a quick visit, including the State Castle and Chateau, the cobbled streets and squares, and just sucking up the city’s quaint Bohemian charm. This goes more so with Cesky Krumlov in Winter.

Prague to Cesky Krumlov

170 kilometers
2-3 hours by shuttle, car, bus, or train

The easiest way to Cesky Krumlov from Prague is with a private excursion for only $225 USD, which includes private transport for up to 4 people and 6 hours of free time in Cesky Krumlov. Typically they pick you up between 7-11 am, and the total trip is 11 hours with drive time.

Although trains are not so regular, with the last return being in the early afternoon, so coach or road-trip (as we did) would be the better option for a day trip from Prague. I would also recommend a visit to Cesky Krumlov in winter when it’s covered in snow.

Cesky Krumlov Tours from Prague

Click here to check out tours in Cesky Krumlov, from walking tours, Old Town and castle tours, rafting in Cesky Krumlov

2. Pilsen

Recommended by: With Husband in Tow

The main reason to take a day trip to Pilsen (or Plzen) is to visit the world-famous Pilsner Urquell Brewery. The brewery opened in 1842, so there is a lot of history there. The tour includes their beer museum, which explains the manufacturing process and the history of the town, as well as the bottling plant.

The most interesting part of the tour is to explore the underground storage caves, which are ancient. It’s even possible to do a beer tasting directly from the barrel in the beer cave. This alone makes a day trip to Pilsen worthwhile.

There are also a few newer micro-breweries in Pilsen for beer lovers. There’s also a great restaurant for traditional Czech cuisine in the center of Pilsen called Jdelini Listek, a local restaurant named after a famous Czech cartoon. Try the platter of roasted duck, red cabbage, and dumplings, a perfect big lunch to soak up all of the beer. If you don’t have a chance to try roasted duck here, it’s a must-try Prague food.

The city of Pilsen is also pretty down and worth the wander around. Check out Republic Square and St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral. The Pilsner Urquell Brewery tour costs about $9 and should be booked ahead of time on their website. It takes a little more than an hour to drive from Prague to Pilsen, or about 90 minutes on the train

Prague to Pilsen

95 kilometers
75-minute drive
1-2 hours by bus

Pilsen is a quick and easy day trip from Prague with it being just over an hour away. If you don’t feel like driving to Pilsen, take a Pilsen Private Tour from Prague.

Renting a Car in Prague

If you plan on taking a few day trips from Prague, you might want to consider getting a rental car in Prague. This will save you a ton of money, as rental cars in Prague are much cheaper than joining tours. The cheapest rental cars are on Discovercars.com. They compare all companies and have free cancelation.

There are cars available for under $35 a day. Click here to check rates on rental cars in Prague. We personally rented a car in Prague and had no problems. When deciding where to stay in Prague, we made sure to pick a hotel that had parking. This was an additional fee, but was still worth it.

3. Brno

Recommended by: Parenthood and Passports

The beautiful town of Brno is not only an easy day trip from Prague it is also a budget-friendly one. Located in the southeastern portion of the Czech Republic known as Moravia, Brno is the second-largest city in the country. Although often overshadowed by the popular tourist city of Prague, Brno is worth visiting. It is much less crowded and full of fascinating things to do.

Spend a couple of hours roaming through the cobblestone streets of Old Town and exploring the stunning cathedrals, the most notable of which is the Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul. For a small charge, you can climb the spiraling towers and tour the crypt inside the church.

If you find catacombs and ossuaries more captivating the creepy, then a brief tour of the Capuchin Crypt is a must. Although certainly a bit morbid, the crypt contains dozens of well-preserved mummies that are essentially on display for visitors.

To help shake the eeriness of walking among the dead, head to one of the most lively areas in Brno. Each day local farmers set up and sell their produce at the vegetable market in the heart of town. The atmosphere is cheerful and festive. It is a great place to simply take in the true feel of the city.

Perhaps what caps off this day trip from Prague is the beautiful scenery you will take in along the drive or train ride. The region known as Moravia is one of the most scenic in the Czech Republic. With rolling hills of vibrant green and yellow fields, you’ll want to spend some time just outside Brno, taking in the beautiful countryside, as well.

Prague to Brno

205 kilometers
2 hours by car
2.5-3 hours by bus/train

Tours in Brno

4. Bohemian Switzerland

Recommended by: Travel Geekery

Contrary to its name, Bohemian Switzerland is located in the North of the Czech Republic. The National Park got its name thanks to two Swiss painters who traveled in the area in the 18th century.

The no. 1 landmark to be admired in the National Park is the Pravčická Gate (Pravčická brána), Europe’s largest natural stone arch. You may remember it from the Chronicles of Narnia, where it appeared in one of the main scenes.

But there are so many other beautiful things to see if you like nature. You can hike along the creek of the river gorge Kamenice, even hop on a little boat and see it up close. You can enjoy breathtaking sunset views from Mary’s Rock. You can climb atop a former bandit’s castle.

Overall, though, it’s about hiking in the Bohemian Switzerland National Park. The unique karst formations lining the hike trails will have you turn your head around in awe.

Prague to Bohemian Switzerland

127 kilometers
90-minute drive

To get there, you can take a train from Prague to Děčín. It takes 1.5 hours and the trains run frequently. From Děčín take a bus to Hřensko, which is an ideal starting point for hikes in Bohemian Switzerland. Alternatively, rent a car or use a tour company.

Bohemian Switzerland Tours From Prague

5. Liberec

Recommended by: My Wanderlust

Liberec might not be the most popular day trip destination from Prague, but it is a perfect place to visit for a few hours. The city is located only one hour away by bus from the Czech capital, with the frequent bus connection between these two.

While Liberec is mostly known for surrounding mountains and winter sports activities, the city itself is well worth your time too. When wandering around the center, you might feel like you are in a smaller version of Vienna – that’s because the town hall was designed by the famous Viennese architect Franz Neumann.

Be sure to visit it inside, too as the interior is stunning and even played in numerous movies in the past. The area behind the town hall, along Masarykova street, is known for its beautiful villas from the beginning of the 20th century. It’s such a pleasant place to wander around!

Don’t miss the funky bus stop, created by the famous Czech artists David Cerny whose works you’ve seen in Prague for sure! If you would like to escape to nature, you can easily do it in Liberec! Just take the cable car up to Jested mountain and go for a hike or just admire the stunning landscape of the north Czech Republic.

While Liberec is not the most obvious destination in the Czech Republic, the city is full of attractions and will easily keep you occupied for a day.

Prague to Liberec

115 kilometers
1-1.5 hours by car or bus

Related Article: Hidden Gems in Prague Worth Visiting

6. Marianske Lazne

Recommended by: Christine Abroad

Marianske Lazne is one of the famous spa towns of Czechia, but it’s lesser-known compared to Karlovy Vary. However, in recent years, Marianske Lazne has seen great renovation and uplift in quality and spa facilities.

It’s now closer to what it once was before communism, and it’s regarded as the second largest spa town in the Czech Republic. Most of the buildings are from the golden era in the 19th century. This is when King Edward VII of the United Kingdom came here.

Today, you can visit the king’s old spa room and see what it was back then. And, of course, enjoy various spa facilities and mineral springs that will help your ache and health problems. The most famous place for treatment is the five-star resort Nove Lazne.

Besides spa treatments, you can also enjoy golf courses, and extravagant dinners or simply stroll around the old colonnade and admire the fantastic architecture from the 19th century.

Prague to Marianske Lazne

175 kilometers
2 hours by car

Czech Spas of Karlovy Vary and Marianske Lazne from Prague

Marianske Lazne is just a 2 hours drive from the capital (177 km), and you can easily go here on a day trip. Just take the highway D5/E50 and follow the signs for Marianske Lazne. You can also get here from Prague via train or bus.

7. Tabor

Recommended By Adventures With Luda

Only a 2-hour bus or train ride away from the capital, Tabor is an easy day trip from Prague. It was a much-needed break from the crowded and busy capital (we went in the middle of summer!), and it became my favorite city on this trip.

With a population of less than 35,000, Tabor is compact and easy to see during the day. I recommend starting in the town square (Zizka Square) and working your way outwards.

If you’re into culture, Tabor has a fantastic —and niche— collection of museums. The Museum of Chocolate and Marzipan is one of my favorites: you can see the entire collection in an hour and try the aforementioned desserts in their cafe.

Afterward, make your way to the Hussite Museum, which goes over the history of Tabor’s earliest “residents.” Finally, if you’re traveling with kids (or creative adults!), there’s a Lego Museum a few streets away.

Speaking of streets: Don’t miss the chance to get lost in Tabor’s cobblestone streets and narrow alleys – who knows what kind of delicious restaurant or boutique you might find!

In the afternoon, grab lunch at restaurant Pintovka, a local favorite, before walking through Park Pod Kotnovem and making your way up to Hrad Kotnov castle. Here you’ll find a small museum and a tower where you can walk up to get a lovely panoramic view of the city. Don’t forget to take a photo – it’s the perfect souvenir from your trip to Tabor!

Prague to Tabor

90 kilometers
1 hour by car
1-2 hours by bus or train

8. Ceske Budejovice

Recommended by We Did It Our Way

A quick two-hour train ride away from Prague, you’ll find the quiet but adorable town of Ceske Budejovice. It’s not on many people’s bucket lists, which is perfect if you want to avoid the big crowds.

Being a small city home to less than 100,000 people, walking around is the perfect way to see it all. Spend the morning strolling around the City Square in the Old Town. It’s one of the most picturesque we’ve seen. The colored buildings and stunning architectural creatures come to life in the morning light. The whole city does.

To start your morning off on the right foot, head over to Fer Cafe, an establishment that prides itself on its “green” practices and offerings. Next, make your way to the Black Tower for a birds-eye view of the square and the nearby river. Make sure that it is open first, as from mid-fall until the spring, it is closed, much to our chagrin.

Then, continue exploring the old town, with the Iron Maiden tower (no relation to the band), the Piarist Square, and the beautiful baroque terraced houses that line the streets. After that, head for lunch in one of the many restaurants around. We recommend Cafe Datel, with its amazing coffee, cool atmosphere, and tasty meals.

Now refueled, it’s time to head to the Budweiser brewery and learn about the original Bud beer (not the American one). Your guide will take you around the facility, where you’ll watch the beer being made from start to finish. The end of the tour will bring with it what you were waiting for this whole time, a fresh, non-filtered beer! It’s an original brew, not sold or available anywhere else.

Finally, head back to the parks that line the Vltava river, the perfect place to end the day. Our highlight was watching local kids practice their backflips and then catching one of the craziest sunsets we’ve ever seen!

Prague to Ceske Budejovice

150 kilometers
1-hour 45-minute drive by car
2-3 hours by bus or train

9. Telč

Recommended By: The Nomadic Vegan

Telč is a small town with a large main square, and the brightly colored burgher houses on the town square are the main attraction. It is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful squares in all of Europe, and this is why Telč has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The residents all tried to outdo each other by building houses with high-gabled roofs and intricate decorations to show off their wealth and social status. The result is that each house is more beautiful than the next.

It’s a bit misleading to call the main square a square because its shape is much more of an elongated rectangle. It’s essentially a very wide street that runs through the center of town and is full of cafés, restaurants, and fountains. This is definitely the hub of all activity in Telč.

The rest of the town’s streets are much smaller and can be explored on foot very quickly. Telč was built as a moated fortress, so it is surrounded by water on three sides. When venturing away from the main square, you will quickly run into one of the elongated ponds that surround the old town. These provide a lovely backdrop for a peaceful stroll, and you can even rent a boat to paddle around on the water.

Prague to Telč

150 kilometers
1 hr 45 minutes by car

Telč sits right on the border between Bohemia and Moravia. It’s about 150 kilometers southeast of Prague and about 100 kilometers west of Brno. By car, the trip takes roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes. This is the best option for a day trip, as there is no direct bus or train route, so public transport takes considerably longer.

10. Svachovka in Mirkovice

Recommended by: Travlinmad

Just 2 hours south of Prague is the rural retreat of Svachovka in Mirkovice, a country setting in South Bohemia sandwiched between castles and beer: the fairytale town of Cesky Krumlov and Ceske Budejevice, home of the original Budweiser beer.

Surrounded by farmland, the retreat is comprised of a modern hotel built within a 100-year-old farmhouse property, the 18-hole Svachovka Lhotka Golf Course, a brewery, distillery, a chocolate factory, a wedding venue, and a restaurant. If you’re looking to play golf in the Czech Republic, Svachovka is considered one of the best courses in the country.

But it’s the local food, Czech beer, and crazy good spirits that are being cooked up, brewed, and distilled here that are the real highlights, especially for foodies. The brewery makes its own award-winning Glokner beers — light and dark — and visitors can tour the brewery.

Right next door is the Svach Distillery, where all sorts of infusions and distillations are made. A tasting is a must, followed by a tour and tasting of their Duotino Chocolates, the sweetest way to end a brewery and distillery tour.

Plan to stay for lunch or dinner, or spend the night in one of their luxury suites, where you can even arrange to indulge in a beer spa — soaking in a gorgeous wooden tub filled with Glokner beer and fragrant aromatics while sipping on your own. Svachovka is peaceful and idyllic, a unique rural destination that’s full of fun things to do on a day trip from Prague.

Prague to Mirkovice

170 kilometers
2 hours by car

11. Lednice-Valtice

Recommended by: Tereza from Czick on the Road

Just 2.5 hours drive south of Prague lies a completely different world from the one in the Czech capital. It’s a world full of rich culture, good food, excellent wines, and amazing nature you can see kilometers away – because it is completely flat. This world is called Lednice-Valtice cultural Landscape, and it lies in the very south of the South Moravia region.

Lednice-Valtice Cultural Landscape is with several hundred years old castles a UNESCO world heritage. The most famous castle you should visit is the one in Lednice with a vast garden where you can take a boat trip to the Minaret tower or to Janohrad castle ruins, the second one is Valtice castle with hundreds of years old wine cellars, and the third one is the castle built on a rock in Mikulov, a city with the most picturesque city center and beautiful wine festival in the autumn.

All three castles could be visited in one day if you have a car, as they are only about 10 km away from each other. Start your day in Mikulov, and walk through the marvelous city center up to the castle, which offers great views around.

Then take route 40 to Valtice castle, where you can take a short walk in the garden, tour inside of the castle, or take a wine tasting tour in the hundred year’s old wine cellars. Take route 422 to Lednice – on the way. You can stop for lunch or just a quick photo in the small Hlohovec castle.

In Lednice castle, you can easily spend the whole afternoon or a whole day as a matter of fact. There is an aquarium, tropical greenhouse, three castle circuits you can choose from, and a grant garden with Minaret tower you can walk to or visit it by boat in the summer months.

Prague to Lednice-Valtice

260 kilometers
2.5 hours by car
3-6 hours by bus or train

12. Nachod

Recommended by: Live in 10 Countries

Nachod is around 3 hours from Prague, with easy and direct bus service or train connections with just one change. It’s a taste of a more authentic and local Czech Republic, without too many tourists and with all the hallmarks of real, local culture.

Plus, it’s right by the border if you fancy hopping over to Poland. In fact, you can walk from Nachod over to Kudowa Zdroj in Poland.

What you want from a traditional Czech town is an ethereal castle steeped in history and great local food. Nachod has all of that, with an ancient castle set in pretty grounds and a selection of tasty restaurants. Be sure to order smažený sýr, which means ‘fried cheese’ and is a popular vegetarian option. In the town square are Cukrarne, an adorable tea room with a peachy decor and freshly baked biscuits, cakes, and dainty morsels. Sit down over a cup of delicious tea or coffee and feel at peace with the world.

A short way outside of town is the Dobrosov fortress, an interesting museum that will tell you everything you need to know about the country’s army and historical conflicts.
On either side are the beautiful mountains of Krkonoše and Orlické hory, which are great for walks and outdoorsy adventures.

Prague to Nachod

150 kilometers
1.5 hours by car
2.5 hours by bus

Now that we’ve shown you all the great day trips from Prague we hope you added a few nights to your Prague itinerary. We’re sure you’ll fall in love with Prague like we did and visit again. Leave a comment below with what you think are the best places in the Czech Republic. We are always looking for new places to visit.