There are trips that begin with a carefully planned itinerary, and then there are trips that begin with a dream. For us, this Czech Republic road trip started with the latter. In June 2025, we had one very specific reason for going to Prague: an Imagine Dragons concert. Once we had decided we were going, however, it seemed almost silly to drive all the way from Bucharest just for a few days in one city. So we turned the concert into the excuse we needed to finally explore more of the Czech Republic.
What followed was a two-week road trip through some of the country’s most beautiful and unexpected places. We wandered through medieval streets in Brno, admired the Gothic architecture of Kutná Hora, spent several days discovering Prague, relaxed in elegant Karlovy Vary, stopped in Pilsen for a taste of its famous beer culture, and eventually found ourselves wandering through the storybook streets of Český Krumlov, Telč and Třebíč.
What I loved most was the contrast. Prague felt grand and energetic, Brno was relaxed and authentic, Karlovy Vary was elegant and almost theatrical, while the smaller towns felt as though we had accidentally stepped into another century.
This is the story of our Czech Republic road trip from Bucharest, including the places we visited, where we stayed, what surprised us and the practical lessons I learned along the way.
In This Guide
Planning your own Czech Republic road trip? Here’s what you’ll find in this guide:
- How We Started Our Czech Republic Road Trip
- Brno: Our First Czech Stop
- Kutná Hora: A Beautiful Detour
- Prague: The Heart of Our Journey
- Karlovy Vary: Czechia’s Elegant Spa Town
- Pilsen: Beer, History and a Relaxed Stop
- Český Krumlov: Our Fairytale Town
- Telč and Třebíč: Smaller Towns, Bigger Memories
- Driving Through the Czech Republic: Practical Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Thoughts
How We Started Our Czech Republic Road Trip
We set off from Bucharest with the same philosophy we’ve followed on many of our longer European road trips: don’t try to cover an enormous distance in one exhausting day if you don’t have to.
Our first stop was Arad, which allowed us to break up the journey before continuing through Hungary and toward the Czech Republic. It might not sound particularly exciting compared with the destinations that followed, but I’ve learned that these strategic overnight stops can make a huge difference to how you feel once you actually reach your destination.
After all, there is a big difference between arriving somewhere after seven or eight hours of driving with enough energy to explore and arriving completely exhausted, knowing you still have to find parking, check in and figure out where you’re going to eat.
The drive through Hungary and onward toward the Czech Republic was generally smooth, with well-maintained highways and plenty of opportunities for fuel and rest stops. For a road trip like this, I would personally avoid planning more than seven or eight hours of driving in a single day whenever possible.
The whole point of traveling by car, at least for me, is having freedom. If the itinerary becomes so packed that every day feels like a race against the clock, some of that freedom disappears.
And eventually, after all those kilometers, we arrived at our first Czech destination.
Brno: Our First Czech Stop
Brno was our first real introduction to the Czech Republic, and it turned out to be one of the pleasant surprises of the trip.
We stayed for two nights, which I found to be a comfortable amount of time for getting to know the city without rushing. Compared with Prague, Brno felt noticeably less touristy and more local, yet it still had everything I was hoping for from a historic European city: beautiful architecture, old streets, lively cafés and plenty of history.
There was something wonderfully relaxed about walking around without constantly being surrounded by tour groups.
Exploring Brno’s Old Town
The Old Town was the natural place to begin. We wandered through the historic streets, stopping whenever something caught our attention rather than following a strict sightseeing schedule.
One of the highlights was St. Peter and Paul Cathedral, which dominates the city skyline and offers beautiful views from its towers. We also visited Špilberk Castle, perched above the city and offering another perspective over Brno.
The Old Town Hall was another interesting stop, particularly for its architecture and history, while Villa Löw-Beer offered a quieter experience away from the busier streets.
What I appreciated most about Brno was that it didn’t feel like a city trying desperately to impress you.
It simply existed, comfortably and confidently.
And perhaps that’s why I enjoyed it so much.
Why Brno Deserves a Place on Your Itinerary
If you’re planning a Czech Republic road trip, I would definitely consider adding Brno rather than spending your entire trip around Prague.
It doesn’t have Prague’s monumental scale, but that’s precisely the appeal. You can experience the history and architecture at a slower pace, find quieter corners and get a slightly different perspective on Czech city life.
For us, it was a very good beginning.
Kutná Hora: A Beautiful Detour on the Way to Prague
On our way from Brno to Prague, we decided to make a stop in Kutná Hora.
We didn’t have an entire day to dedicate to the town, but even with limited time, I’m glad we included it.
The main reason for our visit was St. Barbara’s Cathedral, an extraordinary Gothic masterpiece that immediately makes the detour worthwhile.
The cathedral is enormous, intricate and completely different from the architecture we had seen in Brno. Even though our visit was relatively short, it gave us another glimpse into the country’s medieval history before continuing toward Prague.
This was also a good reminder of why I enjoy road trips so much. When you’re traveling by car, you can look at the map and think, “Why not stop here?”
Sometimes a two-hour detour becomes one of the memories you remember most.
Prague: The Heart of Our Czech Republic Road Trip
We spent five nights in the city, partly because of the concert that had inspired the entire journey in the first place, but also because Prague deserved the extra time.
We stayed at Le Palais Art Hotel Prague, an elegant historic hotel in a quieter area. The city center was around a 20-minute walk away, or we could easily take tram line 11 when we didn’t feel like walking.
What Prague Felt Like in June
Prague in June is beautiful, but it is also crowded. Very crowded.
There were times when the number of people around the major landmarks made it difficult to fully appreciate the atmosphere, particularly around Charles Bridge and Old Town Square. Still, even with the crowds, Prague has a kind of visual magic that is difficult to resist.
Everywhere you turn there seems to be another beautiful façade, another church tower or another street that makes you want to stop and take a photograph.
And rather than trying to see everything in one day, we preferred to divide our sightseeing across several days.
Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral
Prague Castle was one of the obvious highlights.
The complex is enormous and has played an important role in the history of the city and the country. Within it, St. Vitus Cathedral was particularly impressive, with its Gothic architecture and enormous stained-glass windows.
This is one of those places where I recommend slowing down rather than simply following the crowds from one room to another.
Charles Bridge
Of course, there was Charles Bridge.
It’s probably impossible to visit Prague for the first time and not walk across it.
The bridge is beautiful, but it is also one of the busiest places in the city. Artists, musicians, vendors and thousands of tourists create an almost constant flow of people.
If you’re hoping for a peaceful experience, early morning is probably your best option.
We didn’t always manage that, but I still loved walking across the bridge and looking toward the Vltava River.
Old Town Square and the Astronomical Clock
Old Town Square is another place where Prague’s architecture seems almost excessive in the best possible way.
The Astronomical Clock is the obvious centerpiece, although the surrounding buildings are arguably just as impressive.
It is also one of the places where we felt the summer crowds most intensely, so patience definitely helps.
Prague’s Jewish Quarter and Vrtba Garden
We also explored the Jewish Quarter, an area with a complex and deeply important history, as well as Vrtba Garden, a much quieter Baroque garden that provided a welcome break from the busier parts of the city.
I particularly enjoyed having places like this in the itinerary because Prague can become overwhelming when you spend too long surrounded by crowds.
Sometimes you need a quiet garden just to reset.
The Moment That Started It All: Imagine Dragons
And then came the reason we had planned the entire journey in the first place.
The Imagine Dragons concert was the emotional highlight of our Prague stay.
Thousands of people gathered together, and the atmosphere throughout the evening was incredible. There was something surreal about standing in a foreign city, surrounded by people from all over the world, watching a concert we had originally used as an excuse to plan the trip.
In the end, the concert was only one evening.
But it gave us the opportunity to discover an entire country.
Karlovy Vary: Czechia’s Elegant Spa Town
After Prague, we continued to Karlovy Vary, one of the Czech Republic’s most famous spa towns.
The atmosphere here was completely different from Prague.
Elegant colonnades, colorful historic buildings and the river running through the town created a setting that felt almost theatrical. Karlovy Vary has been associated with spa culture for centuries, and you can feel that history as you walk through the center.
We parked uphill and took the funicular to Diana Tower, which gave us a beautiful view over the surrounding landscape.
The weather was extremely hot when we visited, which wasn’t ideal for wandering around a spa town, but even the heat couldn’t take away from the charm of the place.
Karlovy Vary is the kind of destination where the architecture is almost as important as the attractions themselves. I enjoyed simply walking along the streets, looking at the buildings and taking in the atmosphere.
Pilsen: Beer, History and a Relaxed Stop
Next came Pilsen, a destination we mostly associated with one thing before visiting: beer.
And, unsurprisingly, beer is a pretty important part of the city’s identity.
We stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott, right near the Old Town. We hadn’t actually booked it in advance and managed to find a same-day deal, which felt like a small road-trip victory.
The location was perfect for exploring the city on foot.
Pilsner Urquell Brewery
The main attraction for us was the Pilsner Urquell Brewery.
The guided tour offered a fascinating look into the history and production of the beer, and of course the experience ended with a beer tasting.
Even if you’re not particularly interested in beer, I think the brewery is worth considering because it provides context for something that is so closely connected to Pilsen’s identity.
For us, Pilsen was also simply a pleasant place to slow down between the larger destinations.
Český Krumlov: Our Fairytale Town
If I had to choose one destination from our Czech Republic road trip that felt the most like stepping into a storybook, it would probably be Český Krumlov.
The historic center is incredibly picturesque, with winding cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, the Vltava River and the enormous castle overlooking the town.
We visited Český Krumlov Castle and its Italian-style gardens, but honestly, some of my favorite moments were simply walking around.
The town is small enough that you don’t need an elaborate sightseeing plan. You can wander, cross little bridges, stop for something to eat and follow whichever street looks interesting.
That sense of discovery is exactly what I love about smaller European towns.
There is no pressure to constantly “do” something.
You can simply be there.
And while Český Krumlov can get busy with tourists, I still think it deserves its reputation. It was one of the places on our journey where I found myself taking far too many photographs because every corner seemed to look like a postcard.
Telč and Třebíč: Smaller Towns, Bigger Memories
After Český Krumlov, our route took us to Telč and Třebíč, two smaller destinations that gave us a completely different experience.
This was also where our lack of advance planning finally caught up with us.
Because these are smaller towns, several hotel receptions had already closed by the time we arrived. Eventually, we managed to find a room at a sports hotel in Třebíč, but it was a good lesson: small-town accommodation doesn’t always work like accommodation in a major city.
If you’re planning a similar road trip, especially if you’re arriving late, I would definitely book ahead and check reception hours.
Telč
Telč was absolutely charming. The historic square is lined with colorful Renaissance and Baroque houses, creating one of those scenes that almost doesn’t look real.
But my favorite memory from Telč was something completely unexpected. I ended up playing the piano inside a local institution near the tourist information center. It wasn’t part of our itinerary. It wasn’t something I had planned or expected to do. And yet, one year later, that’s one of the little moments I still remember.
That’s exactly why I love road trips. The itinerary tells you where you’re going. It doesn’t tell you what will happen there.
Třebíč
Třebíč was smaller and quieter, and we found that a day was enough to get a good feel for it. After the larger cities and more famous destinations we’d visited, it was nice to experience somewhere that felt less tourist-oriented.
It wasn’t necessarily the most spectacular stop of the journey, but it helped give the trip a sense of variety.
The Journey Home: Through Hungary to Romania
From Třebíč, our Czech adventure slowly came to an end.
We headed back toward Hungary and spent one final night in Kecskemét before continuing toward Romania.
By that point, we were tired.
Two weeks of driving, sightseeing, changing hotels and constantly taking in new places had definitely taken its toll. But it was the satisfying kind of tired—the feeling that comes after a trip where you know you’ve experienced a lot.
Looking back at the route, I’m glad we didn’t simply drive to Prague, attend the concert and drive home.
The concert may have been the reason we went.
The road trip became the real adventure.
Driving Through the Czech Republic: Practical Tips
If you’re planning a Czech Republic road trip by car, here are the lessons I took away from our experience.
If you’re driving on Czech motorways, check the official eDalnice website for current electronic vignette requirements and prices.
Book Small-Town Accommodation in Advance
This became particularly important in Telč and Třebíč.
Unlike large hotels in cities such as Prague, smaller properties may have limited reception hours. Arriving late without a reservation can therefore be much more complicated than expected.
Don’t Overload Your Driving Days
The Czech Republic is compact enough to make a road trip very manageable, but remember that you’re there to experience the country, not simply collect destinations.
We found that breaking up the long journey from Romania made the entire trip much more enjoyable.
If you’re also planning a longer European road trip, you might find my guide on how to plan your first European road trip useful.
Plan Parking Before You Arrive
Having a car is incredibly convenient, but parking in historic city centers isn’t always straightforward.
We generally preferred private or designated parking areas and then explored the historic centers on foot.
This worked particularly well because many of the towns we visited are much more enjoyable without a car anyway.
Expect Crowds in Prague
If you’re visiting Prague during the summer, particularly June through August, prepare for crowds.
The most famous attractions can become extremely busy during the middle of the day. If you want a quieter experience, start your sightseeing early and use the busiest hours to explore less touristy neighborhoods, cafés or gardens.
Leave Room for Detours
This might be my most important tip.
Don’t plan every hour.
Some of our best memories came from unexpected stops, smaller towns and spontaneous moments that weren’t originally part of the plan.
A road trip should have some empty space in it.
For current travel information, destinations and practical advice, you can also check the official VisitCzechia website.
Frequently Asked Questions About a Czech Republic Road Trip
Is the Czech Republic good for a road trip?
Absolutely. The country is relatively compact, which makes it easy to combine major cities with smaller historic towns without spending entire days behind the wheel. For us, traveling by car also made it much easier to include places such as Český Krumlov, Telč and Třebíč in the same journey.
How many days do you need for a Czech Republic road trip?
I would recommend at least 10–14 days if you want to experience several different destinations without constantly rushing. A shorter trip can work well for Prague and one or two nearby destinations, but two weeks gave us enough flexibility to explore both major cities and smaller towns.
Is it worth visiting places other than Prague?
Definitely. Prague is spectacular, but one of my biggest takeaways from this trip was how much the Czech Republic has to offer beyond its capital. Brno, Karlovy Vary, Pilsen, Český Krumlov and Telč all gave us completely different experiences, and some of them ended up being among my favorite parts of the journey.
Final Thoughts
Our Czech Republic road trip began with a concert ticket and ended up becoming one of our most memorable European adventures.
Prague was undoubtedly the star attraction, with its Gothic architecture, historic streets and incredible atmosphere. But looking back, I don’t think Prague was necessarily the part of the journey I loved most.
Brno surprised me with its relaxed character. Kutná Hora gave us a glimpse into the country’s medieval heritage. Karlovy Vary felt elegant and timeless, while Pilsen introduced us to a completely different side of Czech culture. Český Krumlov looked like something from a fairytale, and Telč gave me one of those completely unexpected personal memories that no itinerary could ever have predicted.
That’s what I love about traveling by car.
You start with a route.
You end up with a story.
And if you’re considering exploring the Czech Republic by car, my biggest piece of advice is to leave some room for the unexpected. Don’t just connect Prague to your next destination as quickly as possible. Stop in the smaller towns. Take the detour. Stay an extra night when somewhere feels special.
Because sometimes the places you didn’t originally plan to visit become the ones you remember long after you’ve returned home.
Two weeks, thousands of kilometers, one concert—and a Czech Republic we discovered far beyond Prague.