Captivating  Czech Republic holidays & tours

Prague is the most popular place to visit in the Czech Republic with its attractions topping most tourists’ wish lists and an essential part of our Czech Republic tours. Highlights include Prague Castle, taking a cruise on the Vltava River, the astronomical clock and the Charles Bridge, as well as exploring the different historic quarters of the city. The picturesque city of Český Krumlov, with its medieval quarter and striking castle is becoming more popular, along with Karlštejn Castle not far from Prague. Architecture fans will love Brno for its Bauhaus buildings, while Moravia is known for its wine and you can also visit the hot springs at Karlovy Vary.

Currently, UK citizens don’t need a visa to travel to the Schengen Area, including the Czech Republic, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Requirements can change, though – for the most up-to-date information on visas, please use the quick-check tool on our visa requirements page.

The best time to visit the Czech Republic is during spring and early autumn, from around March to May and September to October when the weather is generally good but the country isn’t too busy. Temperatures don’t normally rise too high during the summer, hovering around 25-26C in August, but most places tend to be more crowded during the peak summer season. It’s also busy in the run-up to Christmas with visitors braving the colder weather to visit the Christmas markets. January and February tend to be much quieter with some places closing at the start of the year, and chilly temperatures across the country so that’s not the best time for Czech Republic holidays.

The official currency is the Czech koruna (or crowns). Coins are available in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50, while bank notes come in denominations of 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000 and 5,000. Although the country borders several others in the Eurozone, Euros are not accepted. Major credit and debit cards are widely accepted and ATMs are easy to find in urban areas.

Yes, family is important in the Czech Republic so you’ll find children are welcome as you travel around the country. There are plenty of chances to get outdoors in the countryside, as well as some fairytale castles to visit, plus plenty of attractions in Prague for all ages.

The Czech Republic has an extensive and reliable public transport network, including a good train network across the country, as well as widespread bus routes to help you get around on Czech Republic holidays. In Prague, there is also the metro, consisting of three lines, along with trams, cable cars and funicular, plus ferries sailing on the Vltava river.

English is commonly spoken and understood at least at a basic level in Prague, although less than half of the city’s population speaks English so you may have more problems outside tourist areas or with older generations. English is more limited across the Czech Republic as a whole, although it’s more likely to be used in the other cities and popular tourist areas, as well as by younger Czechs.

Classic Czech dishes tend to be meat-based, often with root vegetables, dumplings or cheese, perfect for keeping the chill out in midwinter. Svíčková is the country’s most famous dish, traditionally served at weddings, with a creamy sauce made using root vegetables, combined with beef and dumplings, often with whipped cream and cranberries on the side. You’ll also find several soups, including kulajda, made from mushrooms, potatoes and dill, and česnečka, a garlicky soup with potato, egg and sometimes grated cheese. You’ll also encounter steak tartare on many menus during your Czech Republic holidays, as well as roast duck. And while you’ll see trdelnik chimney cakes for sale all over Prague, they’re actually from Hungary or Slovakia, so look out for more authentic kolaches, sweet dough pastries filled with poppy seeds or jam, and buchty, a type of sweet bun also filled with jam or poppy seeds.

The Czech Republic is generally very safe for tourists, with petty theft the biggest risk for most visitors. You should be careful of your belongings in crowded tourist areas, as well as busy transport routes to and from the airport, and popular tourist sites in the city. Passport theft is another danger, including scams where people pose as plainclothes police and ask to see your money and passport. While it is a legal requirement to carry ID, a scan of your passport is usually accepted by genuine officers, and there is no legal requirement to show your money. Otherwise take the usual precautions when taking money out of an ATM, and only exchange it at a bank or official currency exchange. If you’re joining a Czech Republic guided tour, your tour leader can also advise.

Attitudes in the Czech Republic tend to be traditionally conservative, with respect shown to elders and a strong emphasis on family. Making an effort to learn a few basic words of Czech, such as Dobrý den (good day), will be appreciated. While most Czechs aren’t religious, appropriate clothing and behaviour is still expected in churches as well as other historical buildings, while a smarter dress code is usual if you’re planning to visit the theatre, ballet, opera or concerts at the country’s major venues as part of any Czech Republic tours.

The flight time from the UK to Prague is approximately 2 hours, with direct flights from London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow and Edinburgh, among other airports.

Although tipping isn’t mandatory, it’s usual to leave a tip at restaurants of around 5-10% or to round up the total in cafes and bars. Tour guides and drivers will appreciate a small tip (we include recommended amounts for tour managers, drivers and guides in our useful information packs, which you’ll receive after booking). Remember that porterage is included in our Czech Republic escorted tour, so there’s no need to tip for bags.