The top places to visit in the Czech Republic are Prague, Prague Castle, Český Krumlov, Kutná Hora, and Karlovy Vary. Prague drew about 8.1 million tourists in 2024, a 9% rise from 2023 and a return to pre-pandemic levels, according to Prague city data. These five span the capital, the world’s largest ancient castle complex, and two UNESCO-listed historic towns.
- Prague — The Czech capital; its Historic Centre was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992.
- Prague Castle — Founded around the 9th century, it holds the Guinness World Record for largest ancient castle, covering about 7 hectares.
- Český Krumlov — A South Bohemian medieval town on a bend of the Vltava River, UNESCO-listed the same day as Prague in 1992.
- Kutná Hora — A former silver-mining town whose Church of St Barbara, begun in 1388, anchors a historic centre inscribed by UNESCO in 1995.
- Karlovy Vary — The country’s best-known spa town, built around natural hot springs in the Ore Mountains near the German border.
Planning note: Prague and Karlovy Vary each work as standalone 2-3 day stops; Český Krumlov and Kutná Hora are both easy day trips or overnights from Prague, so five days covers the full route without switching bases more than once.
Sources
- Prague Daily News — Prague remains the Czech Republic’s top visitor magnet, 8.1 million tourists in 2024
- Guinness World Records — Largest ancient castle
- Expats.cz — Czech cities celebrate 30 years of UNESCO status
- Wikipedia — St. Barbara’s Church, Kutná Hora
See the Top 10 Countries to Visit in 2026 roundup for how the Czech Republic compares globally.