Ceske Budejovice Travel Guide
Introduction
Most people associate Ceske Budejovice with Budweiser – the Czech version, that is. While its brewery is a great attraction, there’s more to this city than that.
Ceske Budejovice has interesting museums, churches, and a charming UNESCO-recognized village a short distance away.
Linger here for a while – you’ll be glad you did.
Come check out our Ceske Budejovice travel guide as we cover the best things to do in Ceske Budejovice, Czechia.
Top Attractions
Ceske Budejovice has plenty of amazing attractions within its limits. However, when it comes to the best attraction in the immediate area, you’ll want to travel out to Holasovice. This village, which charms almost all who visit it, had the UN recognize it as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998.
This small community attracts visitors because of its distinctive South Bohemian and Rural Baroque architecture. After the Second World War ended, residents abandoned this village for larger centres. Because of their choice, this place’s unique housing style remained frozen in time.
However, a pandemic nearly wiped out this community, which dates back nearly 750 years. Between 1520 and 1525, the bubonic plague killed all but two residents. Shortly after, though, the place got repopulated and became a thriving farm community. Sitting only 16 kilometres outside Ceske Budejovice, it makes for an easy day trip.
Back in town, the Jihoceske Muzeum is one of this city’s standout cultural sights. The building housing the museum is an attraction in itself, as it’s a dazzling example of Neo-Renaissance architecture. Inside, you find a variety of interesting exhibits.
These include displays that feature folk furniture, horse-drawn carriages, and the history of the Hussites. The latter gallery chronicles the story of a Czech Christian sect that broke from the Catholic church before Protestantism.
While this museum is an interesting place to explore, come prepared. Museum staff have not translated all captions into English. For the Czech-only ones, bring Google Translate or a local guide. Bring enough cash to cover the admission fee, which is 70 Czech Koruna, or 3 USD per person.
Are you a church buff? If you are, don’t miss a visit to the Dominican Monastery while in Ceske Budejovice. Its constructors laid the cornerstone in 1265, which makes it one of the oldest structures in the city.
Originally a Gothic structure, church officials rebuilt in the neo-Gothic style after fires in the 18th century. Its role as a religious centre paused after the Second World War. In 1949, the Communist regime of that time turned it into a school.
From 1990 onward, Czech authorities restored its role to that of a church. As you walk through this structure, enjoy its 600-year-old frescoes, its large Baroque organ, and its gardens.
The Cathedral of St Nicholas is another religious sight you should see during your visit to Ceske Budejovice. This Roman Catholic landmark rose shortly after the founding of this city in the 13th century. However, much of the current structure dates from the 16th century, as a fire ravaged it then.
It is a wonderful place to take in a Sunday service, as this building enjoys wonderful acoustics. If you do, blend in with the locals – dress conservatively and keep your camera in your pocket.
Other Attractions
In the minds of some, it’s not cultural in the slightest. However, there’s no question that the Budweiser Budvar Brewery is the biggest attraction in Ceske Budejovice.
Now, you may be doing a double-take – how is a Budweiser brewery in Europe noteworthy? Well, it’s not the Budweiser you’re thinking about. The American mega-brand (which some say got their name from the Czech beer) starting brewing after the Czech Budweiser.
For over a century, both companies have fought court battles over copyright infringement. To this day, American Budweiser is sold in Europe as Bud – they don’t have the rights to use “Budweiser”. Tours are available of the Budweiser brewery, which shows off the creation and bottling process. Naturally, a tasting session follows.
If you’re travelling with kids in tow (or you just love animals), pay a visit to the Ohrada Zoo. This facility features animals native to the Czech Republic, as well as other species from across Eurasia. Of all the species here, the Czechoslovakian wolfdog stands out.
This human-created species got its start at this zoo back in 1955. Back then, zoologists mated a wolf with a German Shepherd. Their intent was to create an attack dog suitable for military special ops. Today, they are kept as pets, but they have a reputation of being challenging to train.
If you want a view of Ceske Budejovice from above, head up the Black Tower. Once a part of the Church Of Saint Nicholas, it now stands independent of that structure. For 40 Czech Koruna, you can climb to the top and grab shots from the best vantage point in town.
Lastly, enjoy a coffee/meal in Namesti Premysla Otakara II, the biggest square in Ceske Budejovice. From outdoor patios, you can watch locals go about their day – don’t miss it.