Family Vacations to Czech Republic

Czech Republic – Family Vacation Guide

The Czech Republic does family vacations all year round. Visit in spring for historic cities and dramatic national parks. Winter’s good for uncrowded, inexpensive and snow-sure ski resorts or cute Christmas Markets and quaint traditions. Choose summer to bike in Moravia, have a Bohemian spa break or adventure around the Krknoše Mountains. And Prague’s perfect any time – even just for a weekend.

Why Go

The Czech Republic has four national parks including Krkonoše one of the country’s top winter sports areas.

There are 12 Czech UNESCO World Heritage sites including the entire historic center of Prague.

Weather’s warm and sunny in spring and summer with temperatures between 66 and 77˚ F from May to September.

The medieval heart of Prague is one of the prettiest square’s in Europe and famous for traditional Christmas markets.

A compact country to explore easily with kids.

One of the better value countries, where restaurants and accommodations are relatively cheap compared to many other European destinations.

Prague

Prague’s an enchanting fairy tale of a city at heart. The Baroque left bank, with its towering castle, cobbled streets and graceful, red-roofed buildings, regularly city-doubles for “18^th century Paris” in movie-land. And, Staroměstské náměstí (Old Town Square), hasn’t really changed since the middle ages: it’s still under the watchful gaze of Our Lady Before Týn and time’s kept by a medieval astronomical clock where Death commands the twelve apostles to dance every hour, on the hour. This is a city for wandering, exploring slowly, eating, drinking, crossing bridges, climbing hills and discovering. Too humid and crowded in summer, it’s wonderful in autumn and magically pretty in winter.

Visit in late spring for warm, sunny weather and fewer crowds. The old town’s enchantingly haunting around Halloween and Christmas in Prague is crisp, snowy, traditional and fun for kids.
Don’t miss: the Old Town Square, church of Our Lady Before Týn, Charles Bridge, the Old Jewish Cemetery, Prague Castle, Mucha Museum, the Apple Museum, Petřín park and Prague City Museum.
The astounding Sedlec Ossuary is just over an hour east of Prague and World Heritage Český Krumlov is a two hour drive south – both best in spring or autumn.

Brno

Brno’s the city in the southeast often forgotten in the rush to (undeniably) grander Prague. But, for a relaxed vacation with older kids and teens, the ancient capital of Moravia’s lively, interesting and considerably less expensive than its more famous northern counterpart.

A lot goes on underground in Brno: the Capuchin Crypt, Cabbage Market Labyrinth and the Mintmaster’s Cellar are the tours to take.
Don’t miss: the Moravian Museum, incredibly creepy Špilberk Castle, the charming historic quarter and ancient market square, the Old Town Hall, House of the Lords of Lipá, Brno City Zoo and the Technical Museum.
Visit in winter for Christmas markets in the Old Town or in spring for walking and biking in scenic Moravian wine country.

Český Krumlov

World Heritage Český Krumlov’s one of the loveliest towns in Europe. It’s a little like Prague, but without any trace of development after the early 19^th century, and designed on a much smaller scale. It’s another big box to tick on a Czech Republic tour so expect it to be packed with tourists in summer. Visit in December, avoid the crowds and see the town wreathed in snow instead.

Less than 40 minutes drive from Lipno, the Czech Republic’s top family ski resort.
Don’t miss: Náměstí Svornosti on the Old Town square, Český Krumlov State Castle and the Marionette Museum.

Lipno Nad Vitavou

The country’s top family ski-resort, Lipno is a good choice for a ski vacation for beginners or with young kids: inexpensive, good ski schools and the majority of slopes are beginner and intermediate.

Purpose built modern resort with good value three and four-star hotels and apartments close to lifts.
Altitude of almost 3,000 ft, seven lifts and 64% beginner slopes, 34% intermediate.
Easy 40 minute drive from Český Krumlov and two hours, 30 minutes from Prague.

Educational Value for Kids

Don’t dismiss the Old Jewish Cemetery in Prague as too gloomy for kids. It’s fascinating and the museum tells the rich and moving story of the city’s Jewish community from the Golem of Prague to the present day.

Visit the Lennon Wall in Prague. Originally painted just after the death of John Lennon in 1979, it was a symbol of freedom of expression for young Czech’s during the communist era.

Ossuary, catacombs, cemeteries and venerated relics are part and parcel of the Czech Republic’s long and complex religious history. Astound morbid teenagers with a visit to Sedlec. The skeletal chandelier alone is spectacular.

Biking routes in Moravia, the Elbe Valley, Wallachia and from Prague as far as Vienna, are adventurous alternatives to Czech cities in sunny summer months.

Getting Around

Public transportation in major cities and most larger towns is excellent and inexpensive. The national rail network covers the entire country but always check journey times – they can sometimes be twice as long as the same distance by car. If you’re travelling outside cities, good roads and charming towns and villages all over the country make driving around with kids easy and enjoyable.

Family Vacations to Czech Republic

Czech Republic – Family Vacation Guide

Explore The Czech Republic

Kids Will Love These Places in Prague

Discover History and Culture with Kids in Prague

Where to Ski in the Czech Republic

Why Go