Best weekend trips outside of Prague

Without a doubt, Prague is the Czech Republic’s top destination for visitors, with its historic sites, world-renowned theatres, diverse cafe culture, and state-of-the-art public transportation system. When choosing Prague for your Study Abroad destination, you probably considered its convenient location and planned out lots of trips to other European capitals. But don’t forget that there are many other cities and towns in the Czech Republic that are perfect for an affordable and unforgettable weekend trip from Prague. Exploring new places and learning about the history of different cultures is one of the many benefits of spending a semester abroad during your higher education program. It doesn’t matter whether you’re studying IT Management or getting a Master of Laws, you will enjoy visiting these places with your friends or on your own. 

Make the most of what the Czech Republic has to offer during your semester at UNYP! 

Brno

The café and bar scene of Brno has flourished within the past few years, yet the prices are still lower compared to Prague. The city has a great variety of good quality hostels, like Mitte, (located inside the Soviet nuclear bunker), and Hostel Eleven. But Brno is not just a party town – we also suggest booking tickets to visit the UNESCO-listed Tugendhat Villa,  built in 1930 and designed by the famous architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Check out their calendar for available events, art and design exhibitions, live concerts and movie screenings. You might also like to visit Brno City Museum located in the historical Špilberk Castle (founded in the 13th century) and the Technical Museum, situated nearby the old nuclear bunker and famous for its extensive collection of historic vehicles.  

Kutná Hora

Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, which you can reach in just an hour on the train. When booking your ticket, make sure to get one to Kutná Hora město, the central Kutná Hora train station (Kutná Hora hl.n.) is located about 4km from the city center, so if you don’t feel like walking, it’s best to transfer to a local train and get to your destination in 6 minutes. Historically, Kutná Hora was a prosperous town with one of Europe’s biggest silver mines. Most famous for Sedlec Ossuary, the Bone Church, Kutná Hora is also home to the St. Barbara’s Cathedral, and the Italian Court (Vlassky dvur), the former palace of Bohemian King Vaclav IV. Sedlec Ossuary (a small Roman Catholic chapel located beneath the Cemetery Church of All Saints) is an astonishing example of macabre art, an interior decorated with the skeletons of thousands of people who died in the mid-14th-century bubonic plague pandemic, and during the Hussite Wars in the early 15th century. In 1870, the House of Schwarzenberg hired the woodcarver František Rint to organize the human bones interred at the Sedlec Ossuary. His elaborate creation became a monument to the medieval deceased. 

Ostrava 

You’ve probably noticed the Colors of Ostrava and Beats for Love posters all over Prague. These massive music festivals are held in July and attract thousands of people every year. Both festivals are held at the national public heritage site Dolní Vítkovice, which is worth a visit on its own. Once one of the largest ironworks facilities in the Czech Republic, Dolní Vítkovice was transformed into an iconic complex with great museums and art installations and can be reached by direct train from Prague in three hours. It is best to visit Ostrava for several days so that you have time to explore it all.