Below are our suggestions for places to visit on a day trip from Prague. The town of Kutná Hora, the castle of Karlštejn, and the chateau of Konopiště are less than an hour away and traveling there will make for a leisurely day. Visiting Olomouc or Dresden will be more time-consuming but is still possible to do within a day.
1. Kutná Hora and Sedlec Ossuary (UNESCO)
If you can only take one trip out of Prague, the medieval town of Kutná Hora is a good choice. In as little as an hour, you can get out of the city and enjoy the picturesque beauty of this small Czech town with a big past.
Kutná Hora is a beautiful town of great historical significance thanks to the silver that was mined here in the Middle Ages. Silver was discovered here in the 13th century and the royal mint was established a few decades later. The town became famous for producing the Prague Groschen coins, which were also used elsewhere in Europe at the time, and became the second most important town in the Kingdom of Bohemia.
Some of the Kutná Hora’s important sights are the Gothic Cathedral of Saint Barbora, the Wallachian Court (the former royal mint), and the Sedlec Ossuary (a church decorated with human bones).
The historical center of Kutná Hora is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Read about the history of Kutná Hora and its important sights on our Kutná Hora pages.
Travel from Prague to Kutná Hora on Your Own
A direct train from the Prague Main Station to Kutná Hora takes 50 minutes (check train schedules). Our Kutná Hora pages provide detailed information on taking the train and traveling around town.
Book a Guided Tour from Prague to Kutná Hora
Below are some tours you can book from Prague to Kutná Hora. They can last anywhere from 5 to 8 hours. Free cancellation is usually possible until 24 hours before the tour.
2. Karlštejn Castle
The castle is closed on Mondays and during part of the winter.
Located about an hour away from Prague, Karlštejn is one of Czech Republic’s most visited castles. It was founded by Czech king and Holy Roman emperor Charles IV (Karel IV.) in 1348, the same year when the king founded Prague’s New Town and Charles University. The hill-top castle surrounded by forests was built to hold the royal treasures and coronation jewels of the Holy Roman Empire, and served as the king’s beloved retreat. The Czech coronation jewels were also kept there for almost 200 years during and after the Hussite wars in the 15th and 16th centuries.
The Czech coronation jewels are now kept at St. Vitus Cathedral at the Prague Castle and are displayed to the public only on special occasions.
You can read more about Karlštejn Castle and the two routes that can be visited on our Karlštejn Castle page.
Since the castle is located on top of a hill, expect about a 20-minute moderately strenuous climb through the village of Karlštejn. There are horse-drawn carriages that can take visitors up the hill.
Travel from Prague to Karlštejn on Your Own
A direct train from the Prague Main Station to Karlštejn takes about 40 minutes (check train schedules).
Book a Guided Tour from Prague to Karlštejn
Below are some tours you can book from Prague to Karlštejn Castle. Depending on the tour, expect the return trip to take 5 – 8 hours. Free cancellation is usually possible until 24 hours before the tour.
3. Konopiště Chateau
The chateau is closed in December, January, and February.
The beautiful medieval Konopiště Chateau lies 50 km south of Prague. It is connected with the name of Archduke Franz Ferdinand d’Este, successor to the Habsburg throne, who rebuilt the castle to its present Romantic look at the end of the 19th century. Konopiště is known for its large collection of Ferdinand’s hunting trophies and weapons, antique furniture and art objects, and its Rose Garden.
Travel from Prague to Konopiště on Your Own
A bus from the Prague Roztyly bus station or a train from the Main Station will get you to Konopiště in around an hour, with a transfer in the town of Benešov (check bus schedules and train schedules). There are no direct connections from Prague to Konopiště.
Book a Guided Tour from Prague to Benešov
Below are some tours you can book from Prague to Konopiště. Expect to spend about 4 hours away from Prague or twice as long on a combined Konopiště & Karlštejn tour. Free cancellation is usually possible until 24 hours before the tour.
4. Karlovy Vary
Karlovy Vary or Carlsbad is a popular Czech spa resort. It was founded in 1350 by Czech king Charles IV and it is the best-known spa town in Czechia. Its visitors have included kings and presidents, poets and writers, scientists, philosophers, and other famous personalities. Many representatives of the world film industry come to Karlovy Vary as guests of the International Film Festival that’s held there every year in July. Karlovy Vary is also known for its Moser Glass Factory, the fresh spa wafers you can buy on the street, and the curative springs that line the colonnades.
Read more about Karlovy Vary and its attractions on our Karlovy Vary pages.
Travel from Prague to Karlovy Vary on Your Own
A direct bus from the Prague Florenc Station to Karlovy Vary takes around 2 hours (check bus schedules).
Book a Guided Tour from Prague to Karlovy Vary
Below are some tours you can book from Prague to Karlovy Vary. Expect the tour to take 8 – 10 hours. Free cancellation is usually possible until 24 hours before the tour.
5. Tábor
If you’d like to spend a pleasant day in a historic Czech town not far from Prague, Tábor can be a good choice. The small town is not a top tourist destination but it does hold historical significance that is linked to the Hussite wars of the 15th century. It was founded in 1420 by a radical wing of the Hussites, and its residents (called Taborites) lived in equality and under God’s law.
Read more about Tábor on our Tábor pages.
Travel from Prague to Tábor on Your Own
A direct train from the Prague Main Station can get you to Tábor in as little as 1 hour 15 minutes (check train schedules). A direct bus from the Prague Florenc Station takes approximately 1.5 hours (check bus schedules).
6. Olomouc
Olomouc may seem a bit far to visit on a day trip but a train from Prague makes it there in just two hours. The historical center is condensed enough to be covered easily in a few hours.
Olomouc is the fifth largest city in the Czech Republic and its centre is the largest historic preservation zone outside of Prague. The Holy Trinity Column on Upper Square is on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Read more about Olomouc on our Olomouc pages.
Travel from Prague to Olomouc on Your Own
A direct train from the Prague Main Station takes 2 hours on SC PENDOLINO trains, and 2 hours 10 minutes up to 2.5 hours on other trains (check train schedules).
7. Dresden, Germany
Dresden is a frequent day trip destination from Prague, being only two hours away by train or bus. You can certainly spend more than an afternoon, but even a few hours will give you a feel for the city. An especially popular time to visit is before Christmas when the Christmas markets are on. It is also one of the busiest times to be in Dresden.
Travel from Prague to Dresden on Your Own
A direct train from the Prague Main Station takes approximately 2 hours (check train schedules). A direct bus from the Prague Florenc Station or Main Train Station also takes about 2 hours (check bus schedules).
You can book tours and activities in Dresden through our partner below: