Czech Republic Holidays

The Czech Republic is one of those destinations that punches way above its weight. Prague is the main event: a city so beautiful it looks like someone designed it specifically for your camera roll, with castles, cobblestones, and some of the cheapest beer in Europe. But it's not the only option. Karlovy Vary, the famous spa town with its hot springs and Belle Epoque architecture, has a completely different, but still brilliant, vibe. Whichever takes your fancy, it's a 2-hour (ish) flight, your money goes brilliantly far, and the food is the kind of hearty, stick-to-your-ribs stuff that makes you want to come back to the kitchen for more like a dickensian urchin.

✨  Highlights of your Holidays to Czech Republic - 2026/2027

• 🏰 Prague Castle - The largest ancient castle complex in the world. Perched above the city with views across the Vltava River, it's been the seat of Czech rulers for over a thousand years. You can easily spend half a day exploring the cathedral, palace, and gardens.

• 🍺 World-Class Beer - The Czech Republic invented Pilsner and drinks more beer per person than any other country on Earth. A half-litre in a local pub costs around 40 to 70 CZK (roughly £1.50 to £2.50). Yes, really.

• 🌉 Charles Bridge - Prague's iconic 14th-century bridge lined with Baroque statues, street artists, and musicians. Go early morning to avoid the crowds and catch the sunrise over the Old Town.

• 🏘️ Cesky Krumlov - A UNESCO-listed town about 3 hours south of Prague that looks like it belongs in a storybook. A massive castle towers over a medieval old town wrapped in a loop of the Vltava River.

📌 Good to Know

• ☀️ Summer (June to August) brings warm days of 20 to 25°C, perfect for exploring on foot. Spring and autumn are milder and less crowded, ideal for city breaks. Winter (December to February) drops to around 0°C but Prague's Christmas markets are some of the best in Europe. A 2-hour flight from the UK & Ireland.

• 💰 The currency is the Czech Koruna (CZK), not the Euro. £1 is roughly 30 CZK. A half-litre of beer in a local pub costs 40 to 70 CZK (£1.50 to £2.50), a restaurant lunch is 125 to 250 CZK (£4 to £8), and even a proper dinner with drinks rarely tops £20 a head. One of the best-value city break destinations in Europe.

• 🗣️ Czech is the official language and it's a tricky one, but English is widely spoken in Prague and tourist areas. Learning "dekuji" (thank you) and "pivo prosim" (beer please) will get you a long way. Locals appreciate the effort.

🏛️ Must do on your holidays to the Czech Republic

• 🏰 Prague Castle Complex - The largest ancient castle complex in the world, with St Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, Golden Lane, and stunning gardens. Allow at least half a day. Entry to the grounds is free; tickets are needed for the interiors.

• 🌉 Charles Bridge at Sunrise - The 14th-century bridge is Prague's most famous landmark. Go at first light to avoid the crowds and catch the mist rising off the Vltava. At any other time of day, expect buskers, artists, and a lot of selfie sticks.

• ⏰ Old Town Square and Astronomical Clock - The medieval clock puts on a show every hour on the hour (it's underwhelming, but you have to see it). The square itself is stunning: Gothic churches, pastel-coloured buildings, and the best people-watching in the city.

• 💀 Sedlec Ossuary (Bone Church) - About an hour from Prague in Kutna Hora, this chapel is decorated entirely with human bones. A chandelier made of every bone in the human body. Creepy, beautiful, and unlike anything else you'll ever see.

• ♨️ Karlovy Vary - A gorgeous spa town in western Bohemia, famous for its hot springs, colonnades, and the international film festival. You can drink water straight from the springs (it tastes medicinal but that's the point) and the town looks like a period drama set.

• 🎭 Prague's Jewish Quarter (Josefov) - The old Jewish ghetto with six surviving synagogues, the medieval Old Jewish Cemetery, and a powerful museum. One of the most historically significant Jewish sites in Europe.

🏨 Hotels for Your Czech Republic Holidays 2026/2027

Our Czech Republic hotels are split between Prague and Karlovy Vary. Prague is the city break pick, Karlovy Vary is the spa town escape. Browse our full range of Czech Republic hotels or head straight to Prague hotels or Karlovy Vary hotels.

💑 Couples

• 🏨 Grand Majestic Plaza Hotel, Prague - A 10-minute stroll from Old Town Square with elegant suites, an on-site restaurant, and a modern cocktail bar. The kind of place that feels properly special without the five-star price tag.

• 🏨 Maximilian Hotel, Prague - Luxury boutique in the Jewish Quarter with a spa, garden, and swanky rooms. Seven minutes from Old Town Square and ten from Charles Bridge. Intimate and beautifully designed.

• 🏨 Boutique Hotel Seven Days, Prague - A romantic pick in Nove Mesto with a sauna, hot tub, and a Czech restaurant with garden views. Complimentary welcome drink and a short walk to Wenceslas Square.

• ♨️ Dvorak Spa & Wellness, Karlovy Vary - A proper spa hotel in Karlovy Vary with an indoor pool, full-service spa, and a gorgeous art nouveau dining room serving Bohemian cuisine. Right by the hot springs and colonnades. The ultimate couples' pamper trip.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families

• 🏨 Grandior Hotel Prague - Within walking distance of all the major sights, with its own bar and bistro. Spacious rooms and a brilliant breakfast spread including omelettes made to order. Central and convenient.

• 🏨 Comfort Hotel Prague City East - A fun pick for families with a game room (foosball, table tennis), bright and quirky rooms, and a rooftop terrace with summer barbecues. A bit further out but well connected by metro.

• 🏨 Hotel Duo, Prague - A big hotel with over 600 rooms, a gym, casino, restaurant with buffet and a la carte options, and gluten-free and veggie menus. Cots available and five disability-friendly rooms. Good value for larger families.

• 🏡 Hotel Petr, Karlovy Vary - A friendly hotel right in Karlovy Vary city centre with a restaurant, buffet breakfast, and an easy walk to the colonnades and hot springs. Extra beds available and a relaxed pace that suits families who want something different from a city break.

✨ Luxury

• 🏨 Grand Hotel International, Prague - Private gardens, a rooftop bar with panoramic views, and swanky rooms. The kind of hotel where you feel fancy just walking through the lobby.

• 🏨 Alchymist Grand Hotel and Spa, Prague - Historic luxury in the heart of Mala Strana, a short walk from Prague Castle and Charles Bridge. Indoor pool, full-service spa, and round-the-clock room service. Properly opulent.

• 🏨 Grand Hotel Towers Prague - Five-star high-rise perched on one of Prague's seven hills with panoramic city views, an indoor pool at dizzying heights, and a five-minute walk to the Old Town. Views from the top are something else.

🎉 Groups

• 🏨 Hotel Elite Prague - Central location close to all the main sights, comfortable rooms, and a lobby bar that's a good meeting point. Well positioned for groups who want to split up during the day and regroup in the evening.

• 🏨 987 Design Prague Hotel - Stylish design hotel with an indoor pool, a restaurant and bar, and a central location. The modern vibe and communal spaces work well for groups who like things a bit more polished.

• 🏨 Olympik Tristar, Prague - A decent size hotel in a residential area with a casino, game room, bike hire, and a restaurant with buffet and a la carte. Four metro stops from the historic centre. Great value for bigger groups.

💰 Value

• 🏨 Ibis Praha Wenceslas Square - Right near Wenceslas Square with modern rooms and a solid daily breakfast. No frills but clean, comfortable, and in one of the best locations in Prague for the price.

• 🏨 Salvator Boutique Hotel, Prague - An 8-minute walk from Wenceslas Square with a bar, restaurant, game room, garden, and bike hire. Boutique feel at a budget-friendly price.

• 🏨 Hotel Windsor Spa, Karlovy Vary - A cosy spa hotel in Karlovy Vary with a cafe, bar, restaurant, and a 7-minute walk to the town centre and colonnades. A completely different Czech Republic experience at a great price.

👉 See all Czech Republic hotels | Prague hotels | Karlovy Vary hotels

📍 Where to Stay on Your Czech Republic Holidays

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families

Prague City Centre is the most convenient family base. You're walking distance to Prague Castle, the Astronomical Clock, and Charles Bridge, with restaurants and shops everywhere. The tram and metro network makes getting around easy.

💑 Couples

Old Town and the area around Prague 2 (Vinohrady) are brilliant for couples. Old Town has the romance and the landmarks, while Vinohrady has the trendiest wine bars, restaurants, and a more local feel. Both are well connected.

🎉 Groups

Prague City Centre puts you right in the middle of the action: bars, clubs, restaurants, and sightseeing all on foot. The area around Wenceslas Square is the nightlife hub and where most group trips gravitate.

🗣️ Local Lingo for Your Czech Republic Holidays

Czech is a Slavic language and it's famously tricky for English speakers, but a few phrases will go down well with locals. English is widely spoken in Prague, especially among younger people and in tourist areas.

• 👋 Dobry den (DOB-ree den) - Good day. The standard polite greeting.

• 🙏 Dekuji (DYEH-koo-yee) - Thank you. You'll use this one constantly.

• ☝️ Prosim (PRO-seem) - Please / You're welcome. Covers both, which is handy.

• 🍺 Pivo prosim (PI-vo PRO-seem) - Beer please. Arguably the most important phrase in the Czech Republic.

• 🍻 Na zdravi! (naz-DRAH-vee) - Cheers! Essential for toasting with Czech beer (which you'll be doing a lot of).

• 💰 Kolik to stoji? (KO-lik to STO-yee) - How much does it cost? Useful at markets and shops.

• 👋 Ahoj (AH-hoy) - Hi / Bye. Casual and friendly, used with people you know or in informal settings.

• 😊 Ano / Ne (AH-no / NEH) - Yes / No. Simple but essential.

🗺️ Czech Republic Travel Guide 2026/2027

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families

• 🏰 Prague Castle and St Vitus Cathedral - The castle grounds are free to enter and kids love the scale of the place. The Changing of the Guard happens at noon and is worth timing your visit around. The views from the ramparts back across the city are brilliant.

• 🐻 Prague Zoo - Consistently rated one of the best zoos in Europe, with over 5,000 animals. Set in a valley with walking trails, a chairlift, and a play area. A full day out.

• ⏰ Old Town Square and the Astronomical Clock - The medieval clock puts on its mechanical show every hour, and the square itself is surrounded by colourful buildings, street performers, and food stalls. Ice cream and trdelnik (chimney cake) keep kids happy.

• 🚋 Diana Lookout Tower and Funicular, Karlovy Vary - Take the funicular railway up through the forest to the Diana Observation Tower for panoramic views over Karlovy Vary. There's a mini zoo and a butterfly house at the top, plus a cafe for hot chocolate and pancakes. Kids love the ride up.

• 🏰 Cesky Krumlov Day Trip - A 3-hour train ride from Prague to a UNESCO-listed medieval town with a massive castle, a river perfect for tubing in summer, and winding streets that feel like stepping into a storybook. One of the most beautiful small towns in Europe.

💑 Couples

• 🌉 Sunrise Walk Across Charles Bridge - Get there before 7am and you'll have the bridge almost to yourselves. The mist on the Vltava, the Baroque statues, and the castle in the background. Peak romance.

• 🍷 Wine Bar Crawl in Vinohrady - Prague's trendiest neighbourhood for food and drink. Independent wine bars, cocktail spots, and restaurants that are popular with locals rather than tourists. A more intimate evening than the Old Town tourist trail.

• ♨️ Spa Day in Karlovy Vary - Karlovy Vary is one of Europe's most famous spa towns. Book a couples' thermal bath or massage, stroll the ornate colonnades, sip mineral water from the hot springs, and finish with a long lunch in an art nouveau restaurant. Properly romantic.

• 🍽️ Fine Dining at Czech Prices - Prague has Michelin-level restaurants at a fraction of London prices. A tasting menu at a top restaurant costs around £50 to £70 per person. La Degustation and Field are both exceptional.

• 🍇 South Moravia Wine Country - The Czech Republic makes brilliant wine and most people have no idea. The rolling hills of South Moravia (about 2 hours from Prague) are covered in vineyards, with wine cellars you can visit and cycling trails between villages. A completely different side of the country.

🎉 Groups

• 🍺 Prague Pub Crawl - The city is famous for its nightlife and beer is genuinely cheaper than water in many pubs. Start at a traditional hospoda (pub), work through the craft beer bars in Zizkov, and finish at Cross Club, which looks like a set from a sci-fi film.

• 🏎️ Go-Karting or Escape Rooms - Prague has loads of group activity options. Indoor go-karting, escape rooms, and even beer spas (yes, you sit in a tub of beer). Great for stag and hen dos.

• 🍺 Karel IV Brewery Tour, Karlovy Vary - A brewery tour and tasting session in Karlovy Vary. Nothing bonds a group like fresh Czech beer, and the brewery is right in the spa town so you can combine it with a wander around the colonnades.

• 💀 Bone Church Day Trip - The Sedlec Ossuary in Kutna Hora is about an hour from Prague by train. A church decorated with the bones of 40,000 people. Weird, fascinating, and a brilliantly unusual group outing.

• 🏔️ Bohemian Switzerland National Park - About 2 hours north of Prague, this national park has the Pravcicka Gate (the largest natural sandstone arch in Europe) and dramatic gorges you can boat through. A proper adventure day out that gets you into the Czech countryside.

🌍 More Destinations for 2026/2027

Czech Republic

• 🏙️ Prague - The capital and the main event. Castles, beer, Christmas markets, and some of the most beautiful architecture in Europe.

• ♨️ Karlovy Vary - A stunning spa town in western Bohemia with hot springs, grand colonnades, and the famous international film festival. A completely different pace to Prague and brilliant for couples or anyone who fancies a proper pamper. All of our Czech Republic hotels are here.

Nearby Countries

• 🇦🇹 Austria - Vienna is a short train ride from Prague. Another stunning European capital with classical music, coffee house culture, and palatial architecture.

• 🇩🇪 Germany - Berlin and Munich are both easily reachable from Prague. Different vibes but equally brilliant city break destinations.

• 🇵🇱 Poland - Krakow is growing fast as a city break destination. Medieval old town, incredible food, and prices that are even cheaper than Prague.