9 Czechia

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Currency Is Czech Koruna, Not Euro

Czechia uses the Czech Koruna (CZK/Kc), not the Euro, despite being in the EU. Withdraw CZK from ATMs upon arrival for the best rates. Avoid airport exchange counters and tourist-zone exchange offices which charge high commissions and offer poor rates. When an ATM asks if you want to be charged in your home currency, always choose 'No' and pay in CZK to avoid unfavorable dynamic currency conversion.

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Beware of Taxi Scams

Traditional taxis in Prague are notorious for overcharging tourists. Many drivers do not use meters and charge excessive prices. Use ride-hailing apps like Bolt or Uber instead, which show the fare upfront. Prague's public transport (metro, trams, buses) is excellent, affordable, and the safest way to get around the city.

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Tipping Culture

Tipping in Czechia is appreciated but not mandatory. In restaurants, 10% for good service is standard. The common method is to tell the server the total you want to pay when settling the bill, similar to Germany. In casual pubs or taxis, simply round up to the nearest 10 or 20 CZK. Always tip in cash even if paying the bill by card.

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Beer Culture

Czechia has the highest beer consumption per capita in the world. Czech beer (pivo) is exceptional and incredibly affordable, often cheaper than bottled water in restaurants. A half-liter of quality Czech pilsner costs around CZK 50-70 (EUR 2-3) in a pub. Try the original Pilsner Urquell, Budvar, or Kozel. Prague has many excellent craft beer bars as well.

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Public Transport in Prague

Prague's integrated public transport system (metro, trams, buses) runs on a timed ticket system. Buy tickets at yellow machines in metro stations, via the PID Litacka app, or at newsagents. Validate your ticket upon entry. A 30-minute ticket costs CZK 30 and a 90-minute ticket costs CZK 40. Inspectors in plain clothes regularly check tickets, and fines for fare-dodging are CZK 1,500.

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Best Time to Visit

May to June and September to October offer the best weather with fewer crowds and pleasant temperatures (15-25 degrees C). Prague's Christmas markets (late November to early January) are magical. July and August are peak tourist season with heavy crowds at major sites. Winters are cold (often below 0 degrees C) but atmospheric.

1

Prague - Castle and Old Town

📍 Prague

Start at Prague Castle (Prazsky hrad), the largest ancient castle complex in the world. Explore St. Vitus Cathedral with its stunning stained glass by Alfons Mucha, the Old Royal Palace, and the charming Golden Lane with its tiny colorful houses. Walk down through the Mala Strana (Lesser Town) gardens and cross the Charles Bridge, lined with 30 baroque statues, for the best views at sunrise or early morning. Explore the Old Town Square to see the Astronomical Clock perform its hourly show. Walk through the Jewish Quarter (Josefov) to visit the Old Jewish Cemetery where 12,000 tombstones are layered over 12 layers of graves. Evening dinner in a traditional Czech beer hall with svickova (marinated beef) and excellent Czech pilsner.

2

Český Krumlov - Fairy-tale Town

📍 Český Krumlov

Take a 3-hour bus from Prague to Cesky Krumlov, a UNESCO-listed town wrapped in a horseshoe bend of the Vltava River. Visit the castle, the second-largest in Czechia after Prague Castle, with its unique painted tower and baroque theatre (one of the best preserved in the world). Cross the Cloak Bridge for views over the red rooftops. Walk through the narrow medieval streets to the main square, Namesti Svornosti. In summer, rent a canoe or raft and float down the Vltava through the town for a unique perspective. Try a trdlenik (chimney cake) hot off the grill from one of the street vendors. Evening ghost tour through the castle grounds.

3

Kutná Hora - Silver and Bones

📍 Kutná Hora

Return toward Prague and stop at Kutna Hora (1 hour from Prague by train). Visit the Sedlec Ossuary (Bone Church), a small chapel decorated with the bones of approximately 40,000 people, including a chandelier containing every bone in the human body. Walk to the Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady, a UNESCO site with a stunning baroque-Gothic interior. Continue to the medieval town center and visit St. Barbara's Church, a masterpiece of late Gothic architecture rivaling Prague's St. Vitus, with frescoes depicting the life of medieval miners. Explore the Czech Silver Museum and the medieval silver mine, descending 250 meters in mining gear. Try a lunch of vepro knedlo zelo (roast pork, dumplings, and sauerkraut) before returning to Prague.