České Budějovice
České Budějovice (also known as Budweis in German or English) is in South Bohemia, in the Czech Republic. The town has since grown into the metropolitan centre. It is the largest town in South Bohemia region and it has approximately 96,000 inhabitants.
The picturesque village of Holašovice, 16 km west of České Budějovice, has a well-preserved folk Baroque centre and is a UNESCO site.
Understand
This South Bohemian metropolis was founded in 1265 by the Czech King Premysl Otakar II on the confluence of the Vltava and Malse Rivers. The Square of Premysl Otakar II is 133 m by 137 m, and is one of the largest squares in Bohemia. It has arcades and a range of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque burgher's houses. The other important town monuments include the Town Hall, the Samson's fountain and the 72-metre-high Black Tower which provides a beautiful view of the town and surroundings.
The town is an excellent place to visit if you want to escape the large numbers of tourists in Prague or nearby Český Krumlov. Its well-developed transport links make it the perfect base from which to explore the surrounding region. There are many historic towns and villages nearby, numerous hiking trails, and a vast cycle path network. The most famous cycle path is No. 12 which connects České Budějovice and Hluboká nad Vltavou.
- 1 České Budějovice Tourist Information Center (Turistické informační centrum) (at the Square of Přemysl Otakar II, inside the Town hall), ☏ +420 386 801 413. Provides promotion and presentation materials, a map and plan of the town České Budějovice and its environs. Tourist and topographic information, a calendar of cultural and social events. Sale of tourist literature, maps, souvenirs and Cbsystem tickets. It provides guide and accommodation services.
Get in
České Budějovice a nice place to stay: its good connections with the surrounding region make it an excellent place from which to explore South Bohemia. The buses and trains run on time and are cheap and relatively easy to understand. The bus station is on the roof of Mercury Centrum and tickets are bought on the bus. Train tickets can be bought before boarding.
By bus
- 1 Main Bus Station.
Buses leave frequently from "Na Knížecí" and "Roztyly" bus stations in Prague to here. The trip takes approximately 2½-3 hours. There is also the Yellow Bus line offered by Student Agency, which takes 2 hr 20 min for a similar price. The bus junction in České Budějovice is at the "Mercury Centrum", a two-storey shopping mall with the bus station on the roof, just outside the city center. It is 100 m down the street from the train station. For rates and schedules, visit the official transport website IDOS.
Shuttle bus transfer Budweis-shuttle operate comfortable daily bus service between České Budějovice and the following cities: Prague (1½ hr, 1,000 Kč): From Austria: Salzburg (3 hr, 1,100 Kč), Vienna (3 hr, 1,100 Kč), Linz (1½ hr, 450 Kč), Hallstatt (2½ hr, 1100 Kč). From other countries: Munich, Germany (4 hr, 1,600 Kč), and Bratislava, Slovakia.
By train
- 2 České Budějovice Train Station.
From Prague, train is probably better than bus, as it is often more comfortable, cheaper, faster, and goes from centre to centre. Trains connect from Prague to here every hour. The trip from Prague takes 2-2½ hr. Standard fare sold at the ticket office is 222 Kč for single person (133 Kč second person, 111 Kč other), but it is often much cheaper when bought in advance or online.
There are two types of train: rychlík (R) and express (Ex), with the latter being faster and more comfortable (both are the same price). Other useful destinations reachable by direct train are Český Krumlov, Jindřichův Hradec, Tábor, Brno, Třebíč, Plzeň and Linz in Austria (connections to Salzburg, Vienna and other cities in Austria). Timetables and tickets at the Czech Railways website. As of August 2022 the station is under renovation and there are no left luggage facilities.
By car
The road from Prague is not very good, half of it is a new dual carriage highway, but the other half is a heavily congested two-lane road. Avoid travelling on this road on Friday and Sunday evenings. You have to pay for parking in the wider centre of the city, with the amount depending on the part of the city. There are parking machines on the street - you have to enter your license plate number when buying a parking ticket.
By plane
- 3 Airport České Budějovice. There is a small airport to the southwest of the city. However, there are no scheduled flights from this airport.
Get around
On foot
The historical centre of the city is completely walkable, but it is also possible to walk from the more distant parts of the city, even though it is likely to take more time.
By bicycle
The city is bicycle-friendly with many bicycle paths. You can rent the bike at the railway station or some hotel if you want it for a long term, but if you want it just for trips across the city, it is probably better to use bike-sharing app Rekola. The best maps for cycling are OsmAnd or Mapy.cz in outdoor mode.
By bus
There is an extensive network of public buses and trolleybuses that run quite frequently during the day. The ticket costs 16 Kč and is valid for one hour; there are ticket machines on the stops. Ticket inspectors are common, so it is better to have a valid a ticket. You have to validate your ticket in the bus. For timetable, you can use IDOS, if you want to find a route on the map, use OsmAnd or Mapy.cz.
By taxi
The world-wide app Taxify is working in České Budějovice. The biggest legacy taxi company is Taxi Budějovice, 0042014014.
By car
Common traffic jams and difficult parking zones make getting around by car a poor means of transport across the city.
See
- 1 Přemysl Otakar II Square (Naměstí Přemysla Otakara II). The immense square in the middle of the town. Historical landmarks here include St. Nicholas Cathedral, the Black Tower, Samson's Fountain and the distinct yellow-colored Vcela Palace.
In the middle of the square there is one of the symbol of the town, the Baroque Samson’s Fountain. It was created in the years 1721-1726 by Zachariáš Horn and the statues were created by Josef Dietrich. On the top is a statue of the biblical hero Samson.
The Erratic Boulder is not far from the Samson’s fountain, marked with a cross. It used by to have an execution scaffold, and legend says that anybody who crosses the Erratic Boulder after 22:00 will not find his way home and will wander the city until the morning.
- 2 The Town Hall. The building with three towers was built in the Renaissance style in 1555. Today it is an elegant Baroque building from 1727-1730 built by A.E. Martinelli. It is decorated by Dietrich’s statues allegories of Justice, Courage, Wisdom and Caution and symbols of the Town and Bohemia.
- 3 St. Nicholas Cathedral. Built as a gothic building in the 13th century. However, it burned down in the 17th century and today’s appearance is Baroque. There are three statues at the frontage: St. Wenceslas, St. Nicholas and St. Auratian. The interior of the church is very simple. The most important part is the main altar from the 18th century.
- 4 the Black Tower (Next to the cathedral), ☏ +420 386 352 508. 1 April–31 October. The main dominant of České Budějovice, a 72-m-high renaissance tower that was completed in 1577 and there are six bells in the tower, the largest of which is called Bumerin.
- 5 The Remains of the fortification (on the embankment of the Malše river). The Iron Maiden and Rabenštejnská Tower, parts of the old fortifications and the last remaining part of the fortifications of the middle-age Budějovice. The Iron Maiden dating back to the 14th century. It is named after the instrument of torture, which was located inside.
Do
- 1 Pivovar Budějovický Budvar (brewery Budvar), Karolíny Světlé 512, ☏ +420 387 705 347, exkurse@budvar.cz. 09:00-17:00 (reservations required). Karoliny Světlé 4. Take a tour of the town's largest brewery and home of "Budweiser" brand beer sold in most of Europe. Make sure to call several days in advance to schedule a tour, or if that's not possible, tours for visitors without reservations take place each day at 14:00. Visitors aged 18 or over are also able to visit the beer-tasting cellar. This is not the same as the "Budweiser" beer sold in the United States and Canada; due to trademark disputes over the name with US-based Anheuser-Busch, this is sold in the Americas under the "Budvar" or "Czechvar" name. Adults 180 Kč, students and children 90 Kč.
- 2 Museum of the Horse-drawn Railway, Mánesova 10 (outside the historical centre, to the south of it in the Mánesova street), ☏ +420 386 354 820, muzeumcb@muzeumcb.cz. May to September, Tu-Su. The museum is in the horse railway station. It is the first railway station in continental Europe. 30 Kč.
- 3 The South Bohemian Museum, Dukelská 242, ☏ +420 391 001 531. Tu-Su 9:00-17:30. It has a rich collection relating to the history and nature of South Bohemia. Natural history collections of primeval South Bohemia, history of the Middle Ages, and arts of the 17th and 18th century. Adults 90 Kč, family 200 Kč.
- 4 Alš South-Bohemian Gallery, Zámek 142, ☏ +420 387 967 041, office@ajg.cz. Mar-Oct: 09:00-18:00; Nov-Feb: 09:00-16:00. It belongs to the five largest institutions of its kind in the Czech Republic. A permanent exhibition South Bohemian Gothic paintings on wood and sculpture 13–16th century. Flemish and Dutch paintings of the 17th century. Part of the exhibits are housed in Wortner House in České Budějovice.
- 5 Zoo Ohrada (Zoo Hluboká), Ohrada 417, ☏ +420 724 846 142. It is located near Hluboká nad Vltavou and České Budějovice, which is the capital of the region, lies 8 km away. The zoo can be reached very easily by train, bus or car and it is open daily all year. Adults 150 Kč.
- 6 DiscGolf at Stromovka Park, Na Zlaté stoce 692/1, ☏ +420 606 924 282. Like golf (with 18 holes), but you play with a frisbee.
Events
- Múzy na vodě, traditional festival which can be seen at the confluence of the Vltava and Malše Rivers, every year at the beginning July.
- Bread Basket, international agricultural fair. One of the most popular agricultural fairs in Czechia. The Bread Basket offers: renewal and rural development technology, plant and animal production, agricultural technology, food production, forestry and water system, gardening and breeding, services for agriculture, other.
- Ema Destinnová - musical festival is a series of concerts of classical music taking place during August and September. The festival is organised in the centre of town and in churches, theatres.
- Traditional Christmas Markets take over the main square from the beginning of period Advent. There are free concerts and performances, warming foods and traditional crafts ranging from blacksmith-work to the finest beeswax and honey products and a lot more.
Buy
- 1 Naměstí Přemysla Otakara II. Wander around the large old town square and surrounding streets to find many specialized stores (i.e. butcher, produce, tea & spices, fabric and so on).
- 2 Lannova Tr. A pedestrianised street leading from the train station to the old town. Has various shops along its length including a Billa supermarket and department store.
- 3 Mercury Centrum (Dvořákova and Žižkova tř.). A two-storey shopping mall that shares space with the town's main bus terminal.
- 4 IGY Centrum, Pražská tř. 1247/24, ☏ +420 389 015 015. 09:00-21:00. A shopping mall which also contains a pool and fitness centre (includes gym, squash, solarium, sauna, etc.) that is about 20 min by foot from the train station and is next to the Hotel Clarion Congress České Budějovice.
Eat
Cafés
- 1 Vypečený okno, Hroznová 10, ☏ +420 777 734 317. M-F 07:00-18:00. Meaning "a little bakery in a window", you can buy various baked goods here. Be sure to try the Zelňák (cabbage pita).
- 2 Praži Café, Na Mlýnské stoce 282/11, ☏ +420 607 078 485. M-Sa 07:00-22:00, Su 08:00-20:00. Espresso bar with interior and patio.
- 3 Plachý Café, Plachého 59/4. M-F 08:00-17:00. A coffee shop with an interesting name. It means "shy coffee" in Czech.
- 4 Kavarna VLNNA, Sokolský ostrov 1, ☏ +420 608 001 181. A cafe right by the river. You can rent a paddleboat at the cafe to paddle in the two rivers in České Budějovice.
Restaurants
- 5 Masné krámy (Butcher’s Market), Krajinská 13, ☏ +420 387 201 301. Famous local restaurant, formerly a butcher’s market. It was founded in 1364. It is your best chance to try the traditional food of region.
- 6 Budvarka, Karla IV. 3. a really nice little beer hall just off the main town square. It is owned by Budvar and has four of their beers on draft. The food includes lots of traditional Czech dishes and is cheap and very nice.
- Vendetta – An excellent value bar/restaurant on the main square and very nice freshly made pizzas.
- Restaurace Karla IV. (Karla IV. 4) – A stylish Czech restaurant with large choice and the interior is decorated with Middle Ages legends.
- Green House (Biskupská 3) – Healthy bio cuisine including vegetarian dishes, vegetable salads and soups.
- Bar Lanovka (Lannova třída 2) – There is a climbing wall and popular healthy restaurant.
- 7 Soupculture, Karla IV. 92, ☏ +420 725 745 714. A soup restaurant where you can eat the edible soup container afterwards.
Desserts
- 8 ZMRZ.LI, Hradební 14, ☏ +420 734 839 477. 11:00-18:00 seasonally. Meaning "they froze", this ice cream shop has many flavours of scoop ice cream.
Drink
Knock back a pitcher of Budweiser beer, as this is after all, its hometown (see also Pivovar Budějovický Budvar, above). The best option to experience this is to visit one of the pubs operated by the brewery itself as there you can find the widest selection of beers including any specials. Masné krámy and Malý Pivovar are located in the old city centre near the main square. Pick one of these without doubt, the other choice: Budvarka pub is in the brewery complex, further from the city centre to the north.
Pubs
- Singer (Česká 55) – Irish-style pub in the old town. The name is derived from old school Singer sewing machines on the tables inside.
- Potrefená husa (Česká 66) – A branch of another Czech brewery Staropramen franchise pubs. Select the place on the roof top terrace during the hot summer days to sip the beer or cocktail while look over the river Malse to Stromovka recreational park.
- 1 HochŠpalíček, Vltavské nábř. 688/3, ☏ +420 602 753 333. 08:00-22:00. Bar with a terrace that overlooks the bridge and the Vltava river.
- 2 Solnice, Piaristické nám. 3, ☏ +420 777 357 120. A restaurant with its own brewery.
In the main square Přemysla Otakara II. There are a lot of pubs and visitors from which can choose, e.g., B26, and Fantom.
Cafés
You can get free Wi-Fi internet connection in almost all places listed below as one of the local ISPs provides the internet connection almost everywhere.
- Kotva (Lidická 2110) – Café sharing the building with a small cinema.
- Cafe au chat noir (Náměstí Přemysla Otakara II. 21) – Small cafe right on the main square near with awesome views on what's happening on the square as it is on the first floor (don't give up and walk through the stores on the ground floor to the stairs if you want to enter).
- Cafe Placidus (Na Mlýnské stoce 11) – Modern café with Davidoff coffee and wide selection of cakes and other desserts.
- Manon (Náměstí Přemysla Otakara II. 11) – Café on the west side of the main square with highly decorated interior purely in black & white tones. Good coffee, views of the square, but a bit lack of atmosphere.
- Café Plaza (Náměstí Přemysla Otakara II. 7) – "New kid on the block" right next to the city hall. One of the pluses here are particularly quite late opening hours every day.
- Café la Storia (Panská 26) – Café in one of the oldest buildings in the city near city walls. In the hot summer day don't sit outside, but try to find your chair inside in small yard between the buildings where you can avoid the sun and where the temperature stays always comfortable. Take one of the Lavazza coffee magazines to learn something new.
- Café Ionia (Plachého 16) – Small place with a bar, two tables outside during the summer and less frequent coffee brand which also gives a name to this place.
- Rolo and Café – If you want cake then head here! There is one opposite the train station, another on the main square and another just off the main square on the way to Tesco.
Clubs
- Modrý dveře (Biskupská 1) – Trendy styled pub/restaurant with occasional live jazz music.
- Velbloud (U Tří lvů 4) – Small alternative music club near city centre. The program contains mainly rock, punk & alternative, but it is regularly mixed with other modern styles.
- Horká vana (Česká 7) – Café and club in modern space and it organizes regular performances every month.
- SUD (Hroznová 8) – Small theatre which is very popular among university students.
Sleep
Budget
- 1 Hotel U Nádraží, Dvořákova 161/14 (Near main bus station), ☏ +420 734 200 826, recepce@hotelcb.cz. Check-out: 10:00. Hostel. Single room at 750 Kč, double room at 1,150 Kč.
Mid-range and splurge
- 2 Hotel U Solné Brány, Radniční 11, ☏ +420386354121, hotel@hotelusolnebrany.cz. 1,000–2,290 Kč.
- 3 Hotel Budweis, Mlýnská 6, ☏ +420 389 822 111, info@hotelbudweis.cz. This hotel has 60 rooms (including one suite), very near the Vltava River. 2,100–3,900 Kč.
- 4 Grand Hotel Zvon, Nám. Přemysla Otakara II. 90/28, ☏ +420 381 601 601, ghz@hotel-zvon.cz. Offers a range of rooms, including family rooms and triple rooms. Rooms from around 1,100 Kč.
Go next
- Český Krumlov – A UNESCO World Heritage landmark and an extremely popular tourist destination. Buses to Český Krumlov leave every half hour or so from the main bus station at Mercury Centrum and takes about 45 minutes (32 Kč). Train is usually slower (55 minutes) and more expensive (49 Kč, although you get discount from the second passenger).
- Hluboka nad Vltavou – A nearby village with large 'Windsor-style' castle up on the hill and an old church. Follow the cycle path 12 along the Vltava River north of the city (about 10 km) and it will bring you right into Hluboka.
- Holašovice – A small rural village which is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List for being the best preserved traditional Central European village. Its square is lined with unique houses decorated in the 'Folk Baroque' style. There is also a small pond and chapel. Two of the buildings house pubs and there is also a Tourist information office.
- Kleť – This is the highest point in the nearby region and offers relaxed forest walking, cycling and 360° panoramic view of South Bohemia from the top. It also has an observatory on top. To get there take the train from main station to Holubov village, from where you will see the mountain. The train goes from the main station and you need to be in the end carriage to be able to get off at Holubov. On the way back visiting the ruins of gothic Divci Kamen castle is a few kilometers short trip in the area below the mountain (see Get Out section of Český Krumlov).
- Telč – A UNESCO World Heritage small but extremely charming city. Around 2 hours and 105 Kč by local bus.
- Trebon – A picturesque town with a castle, the Regent brewery, fish lakes and a lovely town square. There are also various walking and cycling paths. It takes about 45 minutes on the bus from Mercury Centrum through some lovely scenery.
- Zlata Koruna – This beautifully-restored monastery is set in a stand of ancient oaks. The bus to Cesky Krumlov stops here.