One-Day Private Trips from Prague
The Czech Republic has many beautiful places to visit outside Prague. The best way to see them is by taking a one-day trip from the city. We will leave in the morning with a private car and driver. We’ll visit the chosen place and return in the evening.
The best trips are visits to Český Krumlov and Karlovy Vary towns, both UNESCO sites.
We can also go to Dresden, a German city known for its Christmas Markets and historic Old Town.
Český Krumlov
The town of Český Krumlov is an amazing small, historic pearl located in the south of the Czech Republic. This enchanting place will steal your heart with its unique fairytale atmosphere. While visiting Český Krumlov Castle, or walking through the picturesque narrow city streets surrounded by charming Renaissance houses, you will feel as though transferred into a movie set.
With its five courtyards, Český Krumlov Castle is the second largest castle in the Czech Republic, after Prague Castle. In the past, it was the seat of high nobility and so-called viceroy. Here you can visit charming historic rooms, bedrooms, ballrooms and dining rooms. If you‘re looking for something special, there is a unique opportunity to visit the best preserved baroque theatre in Europe, featuring historic props, machinery, stage, and orchestra pit. This castle is also known for its defense moat in which live bears are kept.
Distance from Prague: 180 km.
Driving time about 2 to 2.5 hours.
Karlovy Vary
The charming and majestic town of Karlovy Vary, situated in the western part of the Czech Republic, is the most famous Czech spa city, known especially for its unique healing multiple thermal springs located throughout the city center, and the Moser glass factory. In the past, this UNESCO site was a leading European spa town, a social center visited by members of royal and aristocratic families, famous artists and politicians. Here you will find unique architecture, including structures built to cover the thermal springs and protect its visitors during times of bad weather conditions. The city also has a long tradition of being a center of the Summer Film Festival and is the location where movies such as Casino Royale and Last Holiday were filmed.
Moser Glass factory is famous for its lead-free, handcrafted luxury crystal. The company was founded in 1857 when Ludwig Moser, a talented engraver and businessman, opened an engraving workshop and store in Karlovy Vary. While visiting the factory, you will experience the true atmosphere of this craft, such as the smell of burnt wooden molds, as you soak up more than 160 years of history.
Distance from Prague: 140 km.
Driving time about 2 hours.
Dresden
Located on the River Elbe, this charming town is famous as the cultural and historic center and the capital of the Free State of Saxony (Eastern Germany). You can enjoy the unique atmosphere of the Old Town, filled with impressive buildings such as the Royal Palace, the Baroque Zwinger Palace, and the Church of Our Lady. The many art galleries, residing in majestic former palace buildings spread throughout the city center and around the river, give the town its artistic air. The Green Vault, located in the Royal Palace is breathtaking and is the world‘s largest treasure chamber.
Dresden is also famous for its Advent Christmas Markets. Stroll through the town and sample mulled wine, tasty sausages, and many other local specialties while enjoying the festive vibes of the upcoming Christmas. There are several markets, including the largest in the Main Square, or an extremely cute historic market, located in the courtyard of the Royal Palace.
Distance from Prague: 150 km.
Driving time about 2 hours.
Half-Day Private Trips from Prague
If you want a shorter trip outside Prague, there are great places nearby to visit. The most popular are Karlštejn Castle and Konopiště Castle.
Karlštejn Castle
Majestic Karlštejn Castle, founded in 1348 by Charles IV, King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor, is located about 30 km southwest of Prague. The castle served as his private residence and as a sanctuary for royal treasures, especially Charles IV‘s collection of holy relics and the Imperial Crown Jewels.
Situated on a hilltop, this charming Castle is well-known for its impressive Mediaeval look, along with special features such as the unique 78m-deep castle well and its unique water wheel. You can visit historic rooms or take an exclusive tour of the Chapel of the Holy Cross. This extraordinary space, constructed for the safekeeping of the Coronation Jewels, is home to 129 paintings created by Master Theodoric and is the largest set of its kind in the world.
Distance from Prague: 30 km.
Driving time approximately 1 hour.
This tour is more physically demanding due to the castle’s location on the top of a hill. For this reason it‘s recommended to drive up the hill or take a horse-wagon from the parking area situated below.
Konopiště Castle
Konopiště is a charming country-located château, situated about 50 km southeast of Prague. It has become famous as the last residence of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, whose assassination in Sarajevo triggered World War I.
This romantic château, with its luxuriously furnished interior modified for the aristocracy, offers several tour routes, including visits to private rooms, the armory, and the trophy corridor, serving as testimony to Franz Ferdinand‘s passion for hunting.
Konopiště Chateau is situated near a large lake, surrounded by charming parkland in which you can see peacocks and pheasants. A speciality of this chateau is its defence moat where live bears are kept. This château was the set for some scenes in the movie The Illusionist.
Distance from Prague: 50 km.
Driving time about 1 hour.
Several Days Private Trips in the Czech Republic
The Czech Republic has many amazing places to explore outside Prague, including 12 UNESCO sites. We can plan private trips that visit these places over several days.