Bohemia
Bohemia suits travelers who want medieval towns, castles and spa history in one region of the Czech Republic.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Bohemia is the larger of the two historical lands that make up the Czech Republic, in the west of the country. Prague, the capital, sits in central Bohemia on the Vltava River. Visitors come for Gothic churches, Baroque palaces, castles above river valleys, and old towns with medieval street plans. Plzeň, in western Bohemia, is where pilsner was first brewed, in 1842.
A common plan pairs Prague with two or three smaller towns. Český Krumlov is a UNESCO-listed old town whose castle curves around a bend in the Vltava. Kutná Hora is known for its Gothic cathedral and the Sedlec Ossuary, and Karlovy Vary for its hot springs and spa colonnades. Plzeň and Kutná Hora are both reachable by train from Prague, and Karlovy Vary takes two to three hours. Late spring through early autumn suits walking and river trips best. Four to five days covers Prague and two or three towns at an unhurried pace.
Bohemia in five
- Get an eSIM before you travel between townsSet up a data eSIM and save offline maps before you head into the countryside.Phones and eSIM
- Book trains with Czech Railways or RegioJetTrains between the towns are run by České dráhy (Czech Railways) and the private RegioJet, which also runs coaches. Buy tickets on their websites or apps and keep your booking code to show the conductor.Getting around
- Carry koruna for small pubs and village shopsSome small pubs and village shops take only cash. Withdraw koruna in a town before you head into the countryside.Money and costs
- Buy the e-vignette before you drive on motorwaysCars need a valid electronic vignette to use Czech motorways. Buy it before you join the first motorway.
- Check the insurance for missed connectionsDay trips here often rely on a single train or coach, so one missed connection can upset the plan. Confirm your policy covers missed connections before you travel.Travel insurance
Neighborhoods
Where to stay in Bohemia, the full guide
Český Krumlov
- Best for: Couples, river views
- Price band: $$
- Castle and river bend within walking distance
- Day visitors crowd the old town in summer
- Quieter streets after the day visitors leave
Skip if you want big-city nightlife or a cheap base.
Kutná Hora
- Best for: Day trips, history
- Price band: $
- Sedlec Ossuary and St Barbara's Church
- Compact old town, easy on foot
- About 1 hour by train from Prague
Skip if you need a long list of bars and restaurants.
Plzeň
- Best for: Beer lovers, city stays
- Price band: $-$$
- Pilsner Urquell brewery tours
- Old town square and St Bartholomew's Cathedral
- Trains to Prague take about 1 to 1.5 hours
Skip if you want a small medieval village.
Karlovy Vary
- Best for: Spa stays, slow trips
- Price band: $$$
- Hot springs and colonnades in the valley
- Spa hotels with set treatment times
- Higher prices than the other three towns
Skip if you want a lively old town with much to do at night.
Things to do in Bohemia
See all attractions in Bohemia
Need to know
- Currency
- Czech koruna (CZK)
- Entry
- EU, EEA and Swiss citizens need a valid ID; others should check Schengen visa rules Read more
- Emergency
- 112 for all emergencies; 158 police, 150 fire, 155 ambulance
- Tipping
- Round up or leave about 10% in restaurants
- Time
- UTC+1 (CET), UTC+2 in summer; daylight saving applies
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryCold, quiet
- FebruaryCold, snow
- MarchEarly spring
- AprilMild, spring
- MayGardens bloom
- JuneLong days
- JulySummer, busy
- AugustHot, busy
- SeptemberWarm, quieter
- OctoberAutumn color
- NovemberCool, grey
- DecemberAdvent markets
Right now in Bohemia
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
6
- Feels like
- 5°
- Humidity
- 60%
- Wind
- 9 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 8%
Prague
09:37 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today9°5°8%Monday: Rain. High 9°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Tue8°3°3%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Wed9°1°0%Wednesday: Fog. High 9°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu8°2°0%Thursday: Partly cloudy. High 8°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri8°1°0%Friday: Clear. High 8°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat7°1°0%Saturday: Partly cloudy. High 7°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun3°0°7%Sunday: Fog. High 3°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 7%.
Updated 09:16 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 21.82 CZK
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Every year
- May–JunPrague Spring International Music FestivalPrague, a day trip
- MayCzech Beer FestivalPrague, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Český Krumlovabout 3 hours by bus from PragueCastle, river bend and a small old town, best with an overnight stay.Read the guide
- Kutná Horaabout 1 hour by train from PragueThe Sedlec ossuary and the churches of the old silver town.Read the guide
- Plzeňabout 1 to 1.5 hours by train from PragueBrewery tours and the old town square, a full day with time for lunch.Read the guide
- Karlovy Varyabout 2 to 3 hours by train or bus from PragueSpa colonnades and hot-spring walks in the valley.Read the guide
Before you go to Bohemia
Rules for Bohemia, checked
- Non-EU travelers may be fingerprinted and photographed at the border under the EU Entry/Exit System. Check the European Commission's EES page for current rules.
- Check entry requirements on the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs site (mzv.gov.cz) before you fly.Source
- Czechia is in the Schengen Area, so short stays count toward the 90-day limit within any 180-day period.
- Cars need a valid electronic vignette to drive on Czech motorways; buy it before you join the first one.
All Bohemia guides
Head to headKutná Hora or Pilsen: which day trip from Prague fits you?How toKutná Hora day trip from Prague: trains, route and timing
Where to stayWhere to stay in Karlovy Vary: four bases, from spa center to slopesItineraryKarlovy Vary in 2 days: colonnades, funicular and a rain planWhen to goBest time to visit Karlovy Vary: spa season, festival and ChristmasHow toSedlec ossuary tickets: how to book and what else to buyPlan around Bohemia
The castle, the river bend and the old town
Read the guideKutná Hora travel guideSedlec ossuary, St Barbara's Church and the old silver town
Read the guidePlzeň travel guideBrewery tours, the old town and the first Pilsner
Read the guideKarlovy Vary travel guideSpa colonnades, hot springs and the spa quarter
Read the guideGetting around BohemiaTrains, coaches and driving between the four towns
Read the guidePlan a Bohemia tripVisas, money, phones and the planning guides
Read the guideBohemia FAQ
Is Bohemia worth visiting?
Yes, for old towns, castles and a slow small-town pace. It is a weak choice for a beach vacation or for big-city nightlife. Three to five days around the towns in this guide is a good fit.
When is the best time to visit Bohemia?
May, June and September suit walking and open sites. July and August are hot and busy. Advent markets run in December, and January to March is the coldest and quietest period.
Can you visit Bohemia without a car?
Yes. Trains and buses link Plzeň, Kutná Hora and Karlovy Vary with Prague, and coaches serve Český Krumlov. A car helps for the Šumava hills and villages, but parking in the old towns is limited.
How many days do you need in Bohemia?
Two or three days for one town, and four or five days for a loop of two towns. Do not try to cover all four towns in a long weekend.
Is Plzeň worth a day trip from Prague?
Yes if you like beer, since the brewery tour is the main draw. The old town takes a few hours. The train from Prague takes about 1 to 1.5 hours.
Is Český Krumlov worth a day trip from Prague?
Yes for the castle and the river views, but a day trip leaves little time after the castle. Stay a night to see the river at dawn and dusk.