Written by local experts Adriana & Matěj
Adriana and Matěj Halouskovi are travel bloggers behind the successful blog Czech the World.
Matěj was born in Prague and has lived here his entire life and Adriana moved here more than 10 years ago.
We have traveled to more than 60 countries, but if we could tell you what place we know the most, it is our city.
Planning a culture-packed trip? We have prepared this guide that walks you through all 17 Czech UNESCO sites, from Prague’s spires to hop fields in Žatec.
For each place you’ll get a short overview, insider tips, typical ticket prices and opening hours, plus what’s free to see. Use it to build a smart, time-efficient Czechia itinerary.
Czech UNESCO Sites Map:
1) Historic Centre of Prague (Praha)
Prague’s medieval heart stretches across the Vltava from the Castle ridge to the cobbles of Old Town, stitched together by Charles Bridge. You get layer upon layer of styles: Romanesque rotundas tucked behind Gothic towers, Baroque churches blossoming beside Art Nouveau façades, and a skyline pricked by spires and domes. It’s compact enough to walk yet big enough to reward wandering.
Start at Prague Castle for the downhill glide: St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace and Golden Lane, then the picture-book descent into Lesser Town. Cross Charles Bridge when buskers tune up and statues silhouette against the river; finish in Old Town Square with the Apostles spinning on the Astronomical Clock.
Insider tip: Validate tram tickets before boarding; inspectors are active. For a calm Charles bridge walk, go just after sunrise.
Entrance & hours: The city is free to explore 24/7. For interiors at Prague Castle, the Main Circuit adult ticket is 450 CZK (~€18); Castle grounds 6:00–22:00; interiors usually 9:00–17:00 (seasonal).
Read our article: 117 Best Things to Do in Prague: Ultimate Guide (from Locals)
2) Historic Centre of Český Krumlov (Český Krumlov)
Wrapped by a tight S-bend of the Vltava, Krumlov is a Renaissance town that stayed delightfully small. Narrow lanes loop past pastel houses, artisan shops and riverside terraces where rafts slip by. Above it all rises the vast state castle with courtyards, gardens and the unique Baroque theatre.
Climbing the castle tower gives the classic shot: terracotta roofs, the river’s glittering ribbon and forested hills beyond. Wander between the Latrán quarter, the main square and the castle gardens, pausing for a riverside beer as evening colours turn the town cinematic.
Insider tip: Visit the Cloak Bridge (Plášťový most) late afternoon when day-trippers leave.
Entrance & hours: Old town is free. State Castle & Chateau—Tour II adult 260 CZK (~€10); seasonal hours (typically Apr–Oct daily except Mon; reduced in winter).
3) Historic Centre of Telč (Telč)
Telč is a postcard you can walk through: a long, gently sloping square edged by arcades and houses painted in sherbet shades, each fronted with sgraffito or ornate gables. Behind the façades lie vaulted passages, cosy cafés and views that open to mirror-still fishponds.
The Renaissance chateau completes the set, its interiors rich with frescoes and carved ceilings. Step back outside to see how the town’s water system and ponds once doubled as a defensive moat—beauty with brains, typical of South Moravia’s market towns.
Insider tip: Grab a coffee under the arcades and photograph reflections in Štěpnický fishpond.
Entrance & hours: Square is free. Telč Chateau guided tour adult from 260 CZK (~€10); seasonal hours, most days Apr–Oct; winter weekends limited.
4) Pilgrimage Church of St John of Nepomuk at Zelená Hora (Žďár nad Sázavou)
Santini’s church is where Baroque emotion meets Gothic geometry: chapels, windows and stairways echo the saint’s five stars in a hypnotic five-point plan. From afar it appears simple; up close the angles, curves and symbols reveal a master architect playing with light and meaning.
A short climb brings you onto the hilltop, ringed by a cemetery and arcades. Step inside to see how daylight traces lines across plaster and stone, then walk the perimeter path for shifting perspectives on the star-shaped complex.
Insider tip: Walk the short forest path around the hill for quiet angles of the five-pointed layout.
Entrance & hours: Church hill is open; interior visits are paid/seasonal via the local operator (check on the spot or the official site before you go).
5) Kutná Hora: St Barbara’s & Sedlec
Born of silver, Kutná Hora once rivalled Prague in wealth and swagger. The town’s pride is St Barbara’s Church, a soaring late Gothic hall with fan vaulting and miners’ motifs nodding to the source of its riches. In Sedlec, the Cathedral of Our Lady reflects Baroque reconstruction over medieval bones.
Between the two, stroll the Jesuit College promenade lined with statues, vineyards and views across tiled roofs. The alleyways hide wine bars and courtyards—linger and the day-trippers melt away, leaving a whisper of the Middle Ages.
Insider tip: Stroll the Jesuit College promenade at sunset—great views over the vineyards to St Barbara’s.
Entrance & hours: Historic streets free. Key interiors are ticketed with seasonal hours; expect ~160–220 CZK per church; check locally/official pages.
6) Lednice–Valtice Cultural Landscape
This aristocratic playground stretches for kilometres: English-style parks, shining ponds, long avenues and whimsical follies threaded between two stately homes. Lednice offers ornate interiors and a palm-filled greenhouse; Valtice supplies Habsburg pomp and serious wine credentials.
Cycling is the best way to join the dots. Plot a loop that hits the Moorish-style Minaret for a lookout, Janův hrad (John’s Castle) for romance-by-design, and quiet forest lanes where deer sometimes appear. Picnics taste better in this landscape—pack one.
Insider tip: Rent bikes and include the romantic Minaret and Jan’s Castle in a loop; go on weekdays to have the alleys to yourself.
Entrance & hours: Parkland is free year-round. Palace interiors are ticketed; hours vary by season (spring–autumn daily except Mon; limited winter).
7) Gardens and Castle at Kroměříž (Kroměříž)
Kroměříž pairs an elegant Archbishop’s Chateau with two grand gardens: the formal Flower Garden (Květná zahrada) and the landscape-style Podzámecká. Expect symmetry, pavilions and long axes of clipped hedges—Baroque theatre in living green.
Inside, the chateau’s picture gallery holds Italian and Central European gems. Outside, the Flower Garden’s colonnade and aviary are irresistible to photographers. The contrast between strict geometry and softer parkland makes a single visit feel like two different worlds.
Insider tip: Book the tower for wide shots of the geometric parterres; combine with local wine bars in the evening.
Entrance & hours: Grounds partly free; interiors and gardens ticketed with seasonal hours (usually Tue–Sun in season).
8) Holašovice Historic Village (Holašovice)
Holašovice is rural Baroque in real life: stuccoed farmhouses curve around a grassy common with a pond and chapel, the setting barely changed in centuries. It’s a working village, not a museum, which is precisely the charm—you’re stepping into living heritage.
Walk the green, admire gate scrolls and gables, and peek into small craft exhibitions when open. The surrounding lanes make for easy country strolls; in summer, hay bales dot the fields and swallows skim the ponds at dusk.
Insider tip: Come early; be respectful—these are real homes. The summer village festival is the liveliest time.
Entrance & hours: Free to wander; open at all hours as a public village; small local museums are seasonal/low-cost.
9) Litomyšl Castle (Litomyšl)
An Italianate Renaissance chateau transplanted to East Bohemia, Litomyšl dazzles with endless sgraffito—thousands of patterns scratched into lime render. Arcaded galleries ring an elegant courtyard, and the terraced gardens tumble gently to town.
The interiors mix period rooms with exhibitions; music lovers will appreciate the Smetana links and summer festival atmosphere. Outside the gates, cafés and bakeries cluster around the mellow main street—perfect for a slow cultural day.
Insider tip: Aim for an evening performance in the courtyard if your dates line up.
Entrance & hours: Grounds partly free; castle tours ticketed with seasonal hours (spring–autumn core season).
10) Holy Trinity Column in Olomouc (Olomouc)
Olomouc’s Upper Square is anchored by a Baroque colossus: the Holy Trinity Column, lavishly carved with saints, reliefs and a tiny chapel. It celebrates faith, craft and the town’s resilience, and it’s ringed by fountains—including one with a cheeky Caesar.
Take time to orbit the column, then duck into the Town Hall arcade and climb the tower for a broad view of spires and red roofs. Stay for lunch—Olomouc’s student energy keeps prices friendly and menus inventive.
Insider tip: Climb the nearby Town Hall tower for a top-down view of the column and astronomical clock.
Entrance & hours: Column area is public and free 24/7; interior chapel opens only on select occasions.
11) Tugendhat Villa, Brno (Brno)
Mies van der Rohe’s Villa Tugendhat is modernism distilled: an open-plan living space flowing onto a lawn above Brno, with a honey-coloured onyx wall that glows at sunset. Innovative technology hides in plain sight—steel frames, retractable glass and fine materials creating weightless elegance.
Tours trace the Tugendhat family story, the wartime years and meticulous restoration. Capacity is tiny, demand is huge; treat it like theatre tickets and book as early as you can. Even the garden-only option delivers the essence of the design.
Insider tip: If tours are sold out, consider the garden-only ticket for the perspective over Brno.
Entrance & hours: Guided tours only; closed most Mondays; prices and tours vary (book early via the official site). The villa typically opens Tue–Sun daytime.
12) Jewish Quarter & Basilica of St Procopius, Třebíč (Třebíč)
Few places show parallel histories as clearly as Třebíč. On one bank sits a compact Jewish Quarter with lanes, synagogues and modest houses; on the other rises the Romanesque-Gothic basilica, rebuilt yet retaining its medieval spirit. Together they tell a nuanced story of faiths meeting across a river.
Wander the signed route through the quarter, then cross the footbridge to the basilica’s cool stone interior. The Jewish cemetery, set on a slope above town, is one of the most atmospheric in the country.
Insider tip: Take the signed walking route through the quarter, then cross the bridge for basilica views at golden hour.
Entrance & hours: Outdoor areas free; synagogue/basilica interiors are ticketed with seasonal hours (typically Tue–Sun).
13) Erzgebirge/Krušnohoří Mining Region (NW Bohemia)
This transboundary inscription spans mines, shafts, water systems and workers’ towns that fed Europe’s appetite for ore. On the Czech side, the Jáchymov area links silver booms to early coinage and later chapters of mining history.
Expect forested ridges, open spoil heaps turned scenic, and small museums explaining technology from medieval times onwards. Trails stitch sites together; with a car you can hop between viewpoints, galleries and interpretation centres on both sides of the border.
Insider tip: Base yourself in Jáchymov for mining trails and small museums; bring layers—weather shifts fast in the mountains.
Entrance & hours: Landscapes are free year-round; mine museums/trails are ticketed with seasonal hours.
14) Kladruby nad Labem – Ceremonial Carriage Horse Landscape (Kladruby)
Here, the landscape itself was shaped for horses: long drives, paddocks, avenues and stable complexes designed for breeding and training the Kladruber, the striking grey ceremonial horse of imperial courts. It’s heritage you can still smell—leather, hay and fresh earth.
Tours of the National Stud show historic stables, carriages and the breeding programme. Between visits, walk or cycle the sandy tracks to watch herds grazing beneath old oaks, with larks singing overhead.
Insider tip: Time your visit for a training session—watching the greys work in harness is a treat.
Entrance & hours: Open landscape free; stud farm tours ticketed, usually Tue–Sun in season.
15) Ancient & Primeval Beech Forests – Jizerské hory
Part of a vast European serial site, the Jizera Mountains’ beech reserves protect steep-sided valleys and slopes where old trees host fungi, insects and birds that need undisturbed habitat. It’s wild in feeling, despite being close to Liberec.
Waymarked trails carry you through rustling canopies and over mossy stones; in spring, fresh greens glow, while autumn sets the forest ablaze with copper and gold. Bring sturdy shoes—roots and wet rock can be slick after rain.
Insider tip: Marked trails from Lužické or Smědava give quiet loops; start early in summer to beat heat and storms.
Entrance & hours: Forest access is free year-round; daylight hiking advised.
16) The Great Spa Towns of Europe (Karlovy Vary, Mariánské Lázně, Františkovy Lázně)
Three West Bohemian spa towns form Czechia’s share of this serial inscription. Karlovy Vary is grand and glamorous, Mariánské Lázně lyrical with musical fountains and parks, and Františkovy Lázně intimate with Neoclassical order and yellow colonnades.
Each town revolves around mineral springs, promenades and villas where 19th-century society once strolled. Today you can do the same—sip warm waters from a little porcelain cup, catch a concert, and wander leafy paths linking pavilions and viewpoints.
Insider tip: Bring a little spa cup (lázeňský pohárek) and taste springs along the colonnades; try it warm!
Entrance & hours: Colonnades and spring taps are free/24-7; paid spa procedures and museums run daily schedules, often Tue–Sun.
17) Žatec and the Landscape of Saaz Hops (Žatec)
Žatec is where the world’s most famous aroma hop earned its reputation. Historic kilns and warehouses ring the old town, while fields outside glow with tall hop bines in summer. Museums explain cultivation, drying and the global journey from cone to pint.
Stroll the centre to spot hop-themed details, then head out to the agricultural edge for a sense of scale. If you come during harvest (late Aug–Sep), expect festivals, fresh beer specials and a sweet, green smell in the air.
Insider tip: Visit in late August–September to catch hop harvest vibes; pubs pour fresh-season specials.
Entrance & hours: Town and hop landscape are free; Hop Museum is ticketed with seasonal hours. (Žatec is the newest Czech entry, inscribed 2023.)
Practical Tips for Prague from Locals
Maps we have created for you:
We’ve created detailed maps featuring the best sights, hidden gems, recommended places to stay, itineraries, and more — all based on our own local experience. We hope they’ll help you plan an unforgettable trip to our beautiful hometown. Check our maps on this page.
How to save money on currency exchange:
We highly recommend getting a Revolut card — it’s one of the best travel debit cards out there. We’ve been using it for over 10 years and it has already saved us thousands of euros.
Where to stay in Prague (Our Picks):
| Option 1 | Option 2 | Option 3 | |
| City Center | Metropolitan | River View | Dancing House |
| Budget | Pension Akát | Czech Inn | AirBnb |
| Rooftop | Wenceslas Square | Metropolitan | Dancing House |
| Parks & Cafés | Hotel Orion | Anna Hotel | Libero Residence |
| Luxury | Grand Hotel Bohemia | Alchymist | KINGS COURT |
Best Guided Tours in Prague (Our Picks):
- Essential for first-timers: Top Sights & Historic Center Introduction Tour
- Jewish Quarter: Jewish Quarter Walking Tour
- Hidden Gems: Hidden Gems Walking Tour with Local Guide
- Bike Tour: Complete City Bike Tour
- Food Tour: Guided Street-Food Stalls Walk (with tastings)
- Beer Tour: Prague Microbrewery Tour
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