Traveling through Bohemia comes with more than a few wow moments.
Think colorful squares, old castles, and quiet corners you'll want to linger in. Here's what to put on your list.
Where is Bohemia?
Bohemia is one of the three historical regions of Czechia (Czech Republic) a country in central Europe.
It's the largest region located in the western part of the country. The other two regions are Moravia and Silesia.
The Bohemian land is bordering Austria, Germany, and Poland, and the capital of the Czech Republic is located in the Bohemia region.
1. Prague
Prague, as the capital, will probably be your first stop in Bohemia, as it's the biggest city and one of the prime must-see places on everyone's Euro bucket list trip.
Mud-red rooftops, colorful houses, and old-world charm streets come together with a unique gothic vibe, which you won't find anywhere else in Europe.
Explore the castle hill with the famed Golden Lane, where Kafka once lived, wander across the Charles Bridge, and see the Astronomical Clock in action.
Prague is still a budget-friendly city and a lively place to be, no matter if you are young or in your pension years.
2. Český Krumlov
Český Krumlov lies in the southern parts of Bohemia, just a stone's throw away from Austria. It's a UNESCO World Heritage protected site since 1992.
We fell in love with this town immediately! The place just caught us off guard as we arrived without expectation on a foggy October day.
Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles are visible all over as you walk across the paved roads, and the most amazing sight is the impressive castle complex, which feels like a Lord of the Rings throwback.
Your imagination will be guaranteed fueled, especially if you visit on a cold, fall day. It's the perfect setting for a short Halloween vacation break.
3. Hluboká Castle
The Hluboká Castle, set near the city of Budweis, sits on a hill in a quiet little countryside town known as Hluboká nad Vltavou.
This particular royal building was originally completed in the 13th century as a Gothic castle but was remodeled later on into a Baroque palace.
Its current appearance was inspired by England's Windsor Castle, as it was redesigned in the 19th century into the then popular Romantic Neo-Gothic style.
A whopping 140 rooms, lavishly decorated, 11 towers, and an extensive English-style park make this castle one of the most beautiful and most visited in Bohemia.
4. Pilsen
Pilsen is a city that you can visit as part of a day trip from Prague. It's just an hour away, and I highly recommend planning a visit if you would like to explore Bohemia further.
You might have come across the word “Pilsen” before, and that's because the city of Pilsen is the birthplace of the so-called Pilsen beer.
The Pilsner Urquell has been brewed here since 1842, and it's the original model for all Lager beers across the world. You can take part in a guided tour to immerse yourself in the world-renowned Czech beer culture.
We loved strolling around the city. The large town square with the Bartholomew's Cathedral and the typical Czech pastel multicolored facades is a must-visit when in Pilsen.
5. České Budějovice
The city of Budweis, which is short for České Budějovice, has been on our bucket list since forever.
Budweis was originally founded as a royal city in the 13th century, but it mostly gained importance later on thanks to the original Budweiser beer (Budjovick Budvar) which has been brewed here since 1895.
So, you really can't escape the beer culture in Budweis (not that we tried!).
Therefore, we stopped at a traditional Czech restaurant known as the Masné krámy where we ate some of the best authentic Czech food with a fresh glass of Budweiser beer.
I can only recommend a trip to Budweis if you are looking to immerse yourself in the local Czech culture. You'll get a real, unadulterated slice of that there.
6. Kutna Hora Ossuary
Sedlec, in Kutna Hora is an inconspicuous town at first sight, located a day trip away from Prague. Yet, this particular historic place holds one of the most fascinating ossuaries in Europe.
The Roman Catholic ossuary is actually a chapel underneath a church, and it has been an important pilgrimage site throughout the past 700 years in central Europe.
Over the ages, it is believed that more than 40.000 to 70.000 individuals decided to surrender their skeletal remains to the ossuary.
The result is a stunning, curated, dark piece of art. A half-blind monk is reputed to have arranged bones into pyramids, and later on, a woodcarver, František Rint, was commissioned to further arrange the bones into chandeliers.
It's truly a mesmerizing place to visit if you don't shy away from death.
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