BUG - Backpackers Guide to budget travel in Bohemia in the Czech Republic

Ceske Budejovice, also known by its German name - Budweis - is the home of Budvar beer, the original Budweiser. The compact old town is a pleasant spot to visit with buildings dating from the 15th century, however the city's main attraction is the Budvar brewery.

Practical Information

Tourist Information Centre

Nám. Otakara II 26

Tel (038) 635 2589

Coming & Going

Trains run to Ceske Budejovice from both Brno and Prague and arrive at the station on Nádrazní about a ten minute walk from the old town.

Sights

Budvar Brewery

Tours are available of the Budvar brewery although it is a good idea to arrange a tour through the tourist office rather than just turn up at the brewery.

U Trojice, Ceske Budejovice

Bus 2, 4, 8

Tel (038) 770 5340

Admission 100 Kc

Open 10am-10pm

Cerná vez (Black Tower)

This 72 metre high tower provides great views of the old town.

Nám Otakara II, Ceske Budejovice

Admission 10 Kc

Open Apr-Jun Tue-Sun 10am-6pm, Jul-Aug 10am-6pm daily, Sep-Oct Tue-Sun 10am-6pm

Český Krumlov

This beautiful city is the Czech Republic's most popular destination for backpackers after Prague and it is easy to see why. The city is classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage treasure - ranked second only to Venice - and boasts a castle, gorgeous architecture and narrow cobblestone streets.

Practical Information

Tourist Information Centre

Námestí Svornosti 2, Český Krumlov

Tel (380) 710 46 22

Web site www.ckrumlov.cz/infocentrum

Open Jan-Mar 9am-5pm daily; Apr-May 9am-6pm daily; Jun 9am-7pm daily; Jul-Aug 9am-8pm daily; Sep 9am-7pm daily; Oct 9am-6pm daily; Nov-Dec 9am-5pm daily

Coming & Going

The bus is the easiest way to get to Český Krumlov. Buses from Prague to Český Krumlov depart from Roztyly bus station arriving at the bus station on the right bank of the Vltava River near the old town.

Going to Cesky Krumlov by train involves a change of trains in Cesky Budejovice. Trains depart from Hlavní nádrazí in Prague. The train station in Cesky Krumlov is inconveniently location about a 20 minute walk north from the old town.

Accommodation

Hostel 99

Vežní 99, 38101 Český Krumlov

Tel (380) 712812

Hostel Egon

U Svateho Ducha 132, Český Krumlov

Hostel Havana

U Svateho Ducha 135, Český Krumlov

Hostel Luna

Pod Horou 382, Český Krumlov

Hostel Merlin

Kájovská 59, 38101 Český Krumlov

Tel (606) 256 145

Hostel Postel

Rybárská 35, Český Krumlov

Tel (380) 715 631

Hostel Ryba

Rybárská 5, Český Krumlov

Tel (380) 711 801

Hostel Skippy

Plešivecká 123, 38101 Český Krumlov

Tel (380) 728 380

Krumlov House

68 Rooseveltova, Český Krumlov 38101

Tel (380) 711 935

Snail Hostel

Panská 19, Český Krumlov 38101

Tel (380) 711 345

Travellers' Hostel

Soukenická 43, Český Krumlov

Tel (380) 711 345

Sights

Castle Cesky

Krumlov's castle is Bohemia's second largest and one of the biggest in Central Europe comprising more than 40 buildings.

Tel (380) 70 47 21

Admission 150 Kc; tower 30 Kc

Open 9am-6pm daily

Egon Schiele International Cultural Centre

This gallery displays artworks from the Austrian painter, Egon Schiele, who lived in Cesky Krumlov. There are also exhibits of works by other artists.

Siroká 70-72, Cesky Krumlov

Tel (380) 70 40 11

Web site www.schieleartcentrum.org

Admission 180 Kc

Open 10am-6pm daily

Karlovy Vary (Karlsbad/Carlsbad)

This spa town is very popular with European tourists, although not nearly as popular with backpackers. Also known as Karlsbad, this is an upmarket resort town, although there are some budget attractions including hiking in the surrounding hills.

Practical Information

Tourist Information Centre

Vrídelní kolonáda

Tel (017) 322 9312

Coming & Going

The bus is the best transport option for those wishing to visit Karlovy Vary. It is quicker and runs much more frequently than the train.

Frequent buses depart from Prague's Florenc station, taking 2½ hours to complete the journey. There are three trains a day from Hlavní nádrazí in Prague although the trip takes around four hours.

Accommodation

Hostel & Backpacker Titty Twister

Moravská 44, Karlovy Vary

Tel (0353) 239 071

Kutná Hora

Although much of Kutná Hora is a drab industrial town, the historic centre is impressive enough to be granted World Heritage status by UNESCO. Big attractions here include the Cathedral of St Barbara and tours of the silver mines, although the big drawcard for most foreign visitors is the macabre ossuary - made from thousands of human bones.

Practical Information

Tourist Information Centre

Palackého námesti 377, Kutná Hora

Tel (0327) 515 556

Website www.kutnahora.cz

Coming & Going

Kutná Hora is accessible by both bus and train. Buses link the town to Prague's Florenc station while trains depart from Hlavní nádrazí and Masarykovo nádrazí. The main train station is located in Sedlec, far from the centre of town although you can either transfer to a local train to Kutná Hora mesto station or take buses 1 or 4 into the old town.

Sights

Cathedral of St Barbara

Dating from 1388 when Kutná Hora was a prosperous silver mining town, this cathedral is extremely grand considering the town's size nowadays.

Admission 30 Kc (crypt)

Open Apr 9am-11.30am & 1pm-4pm daily, May-Sep 9am-5.30pm daily, Oct 9am-11.30am & 1pm-4pm daily, Nov-Mar Tue-Sun 9am-11.30pm & 2pm-3.30pm

Czech Silver Museum

This interesting museum has displays on silver mining in the 13th and 14th centuries. A highlight is a visit to the medieval mines which were discovered here in the 1960s.

Barborská 28, 284 01 Kutná Hora

Tel (0327) 512 159

Web site www.cms-kh.cz

Admission 60-130 Kc

Open Apr 9am-5pm daily, May-Jun 9am-6pm daily, Jul-Aug 10am-6pm daily, Sep 9am-6pm daily, Oct 9am-5pm daily

Ossuary

This unique church dates from the 15th century when overcrowding in the local cemetery prompted bones to be relocated to this ossuary where they have been creatively arranged into amazing decorations including a chandelier made from every bone of the human body.

Zamecká, Sedlec

Tel (0327) 561 143

Admission 30 Kc

Open Apr-Sep 8am-6pm daily, Oct 8am-noon & 1pm-5pm daily, Nov-Mar 9am-noon & 1pm-4pm daily

Plzen (Pilsen)

This large industrial city receives few foriegn visitors despite its close proximity to Prague and its position on the main rail line. Although it doesn't have the charm of many other destiantions in the Czech Republic, there are some very good museums although the Pilsner Urquell brewery is the main reason most backpackers visit the city.

Coming & Going

Plzen is well served by both buses and trains and is situated on the main rail line between Prague and destinations in western Europe. The train station is located across the Radbuza River on the eastern edge of the centre while the bus station is around 500 metres west of the city centre.

Local Transport

Plzen's public transport is comprised of buses and trams. Tram 1 and 2 connect the train station and the city centre while tram 2 also runs to the bus station.

Accommodation

Ubytovna a Hostel - TJ Lokomotiva Plzen

Úslavská 75, 326 00 Plzen

Tel (0377) 448 041

Sights

Pilsener Urquell Brewery

This is the home of the original Pilsner beer, known in the Czech Republic as Plzensky Prazdroj. Tours of the brewery are popular and last up to two hours, although you have to pay for your drinks at the end of the tour. It is recommended to phone in advance to book a guided tour.

U Prazdroje, Plzen

Tel (019) 706 2888

Pivovarské muzeum

The brewery museum features exhibits on beer and brewing and is predictably a popular spot for most people who visit Plzen for the brewery.

Veleslavínova, Plzen

Open Jun to mid-Oct 10am-6pm, mid-Oct to May Tue-Sun 9am-5pm

Západoceské muzeum

The West Bohemian Museum is the city's biggest museum and features an impressively ornate interior as well as some interesting exhibits.

Open Tue-Sun 10am-5pm

Tábor

Tábor has a fascinating history. The town was founded in the 15th century by religious exiles from Prague who had strong anti-authoritarian leanings which weren't particularly popular in Prague at the time. There is a great old town and the Hussite Museum in Tábor is a great place to brush up on the town's unique history. The museum also runs tours of the labyrith of underground passages which run under the town's centre.

Practical Information

Tourist Information Centre

Zizkovo námesti 2, Tábor

Tel (0361) 486 230

Coming & Going

Tábor is located two hours from Prague and is accessible by both bus and train. Buses from Prague depart from Florenc station while Tábor is on the main Prague-Vienna train line.

Sights

Hussite Museum

A fascinating museum exploring the town's history and the religious movement which was responsible for the town's founding.

Zizkovo námestí 1, Tábor

Tel (0361) 254 286

Admission 40 Kc

Open Apr-Oct 9.30am-5pm daily, Nov-Mar Mon-Fri 8.30am-5pm

Dekansky kostel

This centrally located church has a tall belltower which offers spectacular views of the old town.

Zizkovo námestí, Tábor

Tel (05) 4323 5030

Open 9.30am-6pm daily

Terezín (Teresienstadt)

This former concentration camp also known by its German name, Theresienstadt, makes a sobering day-trip from Prague. The town's original residents where evicted by the Nazis shortly after the establishment of the concentration camp and very few chose to return after the war. Although depressing, the town gives you a fascinating insight into one of the most horrific periods of the 20th century.

Coming & Going

Frequent buses make the one-hour trip from Florenc station in Prague. Buses arrive and depart from the central square in Terezín.

Sights

Ghetto Museum

This museum has excellent exhibits which put many of Terezín's main sights into perspective. There is a small theatre which screens documentary and propaganda films.

Komenského 411, Terezín

Tel (0416) 782 577

Admission 130 Kc, 150 Kc (combined entry to Ghetto Museum & Small Fortress)

Open May-Sep 9am-5.30pm daily, Oct-Apr 9am-6pm daily

Small Fortress

This fortress is the site of the original concentration camp and now contains a museum.

Malá pevnost, Terezín

Tel (0416) 782 577

Admission 130 Kc, 150 Kc (combined entry to Ghetto Museum & Small Fortress)

Open May-Sep 8am-6pm daily, Oct-Apr 8am-4.30pm daily