Compare Czech Republic holidays

With stunning medieval cities, a fascinating, complex history and a beer-drinking culture that’s closer to a national sport than a pastime, the Czech Republic is one of those countries that leaves you thinking “why haven’t I visited sooner?”

Most holidays to the Czech Republic start with Prague. It’s a city that easily rivals Paris and Rome for looks, with deals available at a fraction of the cost.

Featuring astounding architectural examples such as the Charles Bridge and the Prague Astronomical Clock, the Czech capital’s remarkable beauty is usually the first thing to captivate new visitors – but there’s substance in abundance behind the stylish facade.

A cosmopolitan vibe can be felt throughout the city, from within its many beer houses and bars which are as much a part of tradition as the mighty castle that stands over Prague, to the pristine Old Town Square, where many of the city’s finest buildings are found.

Conceptual street art pokes fun at the establishment, centuries of history and tradition rubs shoulders with trendy new bars and restaurants, and a walk through cobbled streets can conjure up images of Kafka or communism, depending on your route.

Prague’s many complexities make it a city of mass appeal, drawing in everyone from love-struck couples to stags and hens in search of late nights and laughs.

While Prague is undoubtedly the Czech Republic’s premier holiday destination, those who venture beyond the capital will find an intriguing country, rich in culture and remarkable scenery.

Immediately surrounding Prague, a land of enchanting chateaux, magnificent castles and sweeping valleys awaits in Central Bohemia. Powerful emperors and royal dynasties once called Bohemia home, and now you can walk in their footsteps.

More of an outdoor adventurer than a city slicker? No problem. To the east, the Czech Republic’s wilder side boasts the bizarre beauty of the Adršpach-Teplice Rocks and the grassy alpine meadows of the Krkonoše National Park.

West Bohemia, meanwhile, is more of a place to relax than ramble. Switch the hiking boots for a bath robe and check out how the Czechs do luxury at spa town Karlovy Vary, the most visited place in the country after Prague.

Head down to Moravia and Silesia in the country’s south east and you’ll discover the country’s wine area, Pálava; museums and other cultural highlights in the Czech Republic’s lively second city, Brno; or the caves of The Moravian Karst.

Holidays here don’t have to cost the earth, either. The Czech Republic is not in the Eurozone, so the pound goes further and it’s possible to find a great deal.

The Czech Republic’s weather is similar to most of continental Europe, in that the summers are usually hot and the winters cold.

When you go can depend on where you visit in the country. Prague is a year-round city break destination, as is the spa triangle of West Bohemia, while you may want to stick to the warmer months of summer if you plan on exploring the countryside of East Bohemia or Moravia.

In autumn, the dense forests of Bohemia switch from deep green to fiery red and gold, while the weather mostly stays fine well into October. Late spring is another good time to visit the country as the weather is generally pleasant and mostly predictable.

• Currency: Czech koruna (CZK)
  
  
• Capital city: Prague
  
  
• Language: Czech
  
  
• Key phrases to learn: Mluvíte anglicky? (Do you speak English?)
  
  
• Time difference: The Czech Republic is 1 hour ahead of the UK.
  
  
• Average flight time: 2 hours
  
  
• International phone code: +420
  
  
• Emergency services number: 112
  
  
• Public holidays: New Year’s Day and Restoration of the Czech Independence Day (January 1), Good Friday (Friday before Easter Sunday), Easter Monday (March 28), Labour Day (May 1), Victory in Europe Day (May 8), Saints Cyril and Methodius (July 5), Jan Hus Day (July 8), St. Wenceslas Day (September 28), Independent Czechoslovak State Day (October 28), Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day (November 17), Christmas Eve (December 24), Christmas Day (December 25), St. Stephen’s Day (December 26).
  
  
• Link to FCO travel advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/czech-republic