Czech Republic

Overview

The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is known as the heart of Europe due to its geographical position.

The country recorded a population of 10.69 million and covers an area of 78,866 km2.

Its capital and largest city is Prague.

Other major cities in the country are Brno, Ostrava, Olomouc and Pilsen.

Prague city has colourful buildings, the primitive astronomical clock and Gothic churches.

Brno city is the second-largest city and it has modern buildings such as restored Villa Tugendhat.

Prague Castle

History

Czech and Slovacks joined together in 1918 to form the independent republic of Czechoslovakia.

It was formally under the Soviets before they withdrew from the country in 1991.

It joined NATO in 1999 and 2004.

Food & culture

The country’s culture is distinct because of the influences of the neighbouring counties.

The major crops grown in the country are barley, sugar beets, maize, hops, rapeseed, fruit and potatoes.

People there are known for eating mushrooms.

Wildlife

The most common wildlife animals here include bears, wolves, lynx, wildcats, martens, martens and minks.

Festivals & events

The major festivals in the country are Ostrava, rock festival, summer Shakespeare, Karlovy Vary international festival and harvest festival.

Things to see

There is the Prague historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Also, there is the Prague Castle, built during the 9th century and is the official seat of the country’s president. It was the former seat of kings of Bohemia, Holy Roman emperors and Czechoslovakia presidents

Other major tourist attraction sites are Charles Bridge, Prague’s Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square and Cesky Krumlov Castle.

Interesting facts

The republic consumes the most beer per capita in the world.

The official language is Czech.

Majority of the population are Christians.

City guides

• PragueCapital city
• BrnoMoravia's laid-back student capital
• Český KrumlovFairytale castle town on the Vltava

Cities & towns I’ve visited

• Brno
• Kutná Hora
• Liberec
• Prague
• Světlá nad Sázavou
• Vltava
• České Budějovice
• Český Krumlov

Run a marathon in Czech Republic

Prague Marathon

Prague · usually May

Crosses the Charles Bridge and loops through the Old Town on a fast, flat course.

Dates move from year to year, so check the race website before you book.

Races I've run in Czech Republic

• Aug 2025 Spartan Ultra · Liberec, Czechia 4:29:00

All my races

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Czech Republic

3 of 17 visited. See every site I've been to.

• Historic Centre of Prague 1992
• Historic Centre of Český Krumlov 1992
• Kutná Hora: Historical Town Centre with the Church of St Barbara and the Cathedral of Our Lady at Sedlec 1995
• Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe 2007
• Gardens and Castle at Kroměříž 1998
• Historic Centre of Telč 1992
• Holašovice 1998
• Holy Trinity Column in Olomouc 2000
• Jewish Quarter and St Procopius' Basilica in Třebíč 2003
• Landscape for Breeding and Training of Ceremonial Carriage Horses at Kladruby nad Labem 2019
• Lednice-Valtice Cultural Landscape 1996
• Litomyšl Chateau 1999
• Ore Mountain Mining Region 2019
• Pilgrimage Church of Saint John of Nepomuk 1994
• The Great Spa Towns of Europe 2021
• Villa Tugendhat 2001
• Žatec and the Landscape of Saaz Hops 2023

My photos from Czech Republic

From 5 trips, newest first, so you can see which places each set of photos came from.

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Plan your trip to Czech Republic

• HotelsBooking.com
• Tours and ticketsGetYourGuide
• FlightsKiwi.com
• Attraction ticketsTiqets
• Airport parking, lounges and transfersHoliday Extras
• Car hireAuto Europe
• Mobile data (eSIM)AiraloCode DAN9406 for money off
• GuidebooksAmazon

Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. More about this.

Neighbours

• Austria
• Germany
• Poland
• Slovakia