Czech republic, also known by its shorter name – Czechia is a country located in Central Europe. Neighboring with Poland, Austria, Slovakia, and Germany. Making it a perfect destination for European travelers and for people who are cross-railing. The whole country has evolved to be a popular tourist destination. Czechia has many beautiful castles, gardens, and bridges, and hence why it is attracting many movie productions and as a wedding destination. The Czech republic is definitely worth visiting beyond the famous Prague. Therefore, if you do have more time, hire a car or book a bus or train ticket to visit some of the beautiful places scattered around the Czech Republic. From famous South Moravian Tuscany, Moravian vineyards, and national parks to UNESCO heritage castles and sites. Visit other large cities in the Czech republic, such as Brno or Ostrava, or simply explore nature and history. Below are the top 15 places you should pin down on your map for your next Czechia visit.

Cesky Krumlov is a popular picturesque city in the south of Bohemia. The stunning 13th-century castle that is under Unesco is located above the Vltava river, giving spectacular views for visitors. The city itself is small and easily walkable. However, consider staying overnight and exploring the surrounding nature on a bike or hiking as well.

The Karlstejn castle is a large Gothic castle founded in 1348 by Charles IV, the king of Bohemia. The castle is located outside of Prague and it served as a place for the safekeeping of the Imperial Regalia and Bohemian/Czech crown jewels and other royal treasures.

You may have heard about this city for its annual Film Festival that is held in this city. Karlovy Vary or so-called Carlsbad is a spa town in the west of Bohemia region. It has numerous hot thermal springs and making it a popular resort for locals as well as tourists. Apart from hot springs, it is home to several colonnades with columned walkways. Make sure to visit Karlovy Vary also during Film Festival in summertime, where many international and national stars have present as well, showcasing independent and large-scale movies.

Another overlooked town in the Czech republic is Trebic. Located in the Moravian part of the Vysocina region, about 65km from Brno. It is the third most important town in Moravia, and one of three Unesco sites in Vysocina. The little cute town on the Jihlava river is famous for its number of Unesco World Heritage sites, such as the Jewish Quarter and St. Procopius Basilica.

Another small town located in the southern Czech republic is known for its Italian Renaissance architecture including the chateau formerly a Gothic castle with carved wood ceilings. You should also not miss the pretty picturesque and well-conserved Renaissance and Baroque colorful houses with high gables and arcades on the main town square, which is part of the Unesco World Heritage Site since 1992.

Lednice is a small village in South Moravia, and it is known for the beautiful Lednice castle which is also listed under Unesco. The castle has the largest park in the country and it covers about 200 km2. Since Lednice/Eisgrub first passed into the hands of the House of Liechtenstein in the mid-13th century, its fortunes had been tied inseparably to those of that noble family. The palace of Lednice began its life as a Renaissance villa; in the 17th century, it became a summer residence of the ruling Princes of Liechtenstein.

Mikulov is located in the south of Moravia in the Breclav district, not too far from Lednice. It is another beautiful town located on a hill of Palava mountains and surrounded by vineyards. The highlight of the city is Mikulov castle, dominating the landscape of the town. The region is famous for wine-making and attracting wine-tourism here. You may also get on the 65km long Mikulov Wine Trail that starts here in the town. Most popular here are white wine varieties and they occupy about 80% of the region’s vineyards. The most common varieties are Welschriesling (Ryzlink vlašský) and Grüner Veltliner (Veltlínské zelené).

Palava mountains is a beautiful vineyard landscape that Mikulov city is located in for example. Pálava is in the warmest and driest region of the Czech Republic, where winemakers have apparently thrived since the 2nd century AD. There are many hiking or cycling routes you can go through the vineyard landscape. Exploring the place where they make wine, romantic ruins of castles, and little villages where you can get some wine tasting.

Hloboka nad Vltavou castle is a historic château situated in Hluboká nad Vltavou town and is one of the most beautiful castles of the Czech republic, definitely one of the romantic monuments. It was built in the second half of the 13th century, the fairytale looking white Neo-Gothic style castle was once the castle of Czech king Premysl Otaka II.

The Moravian Karst and cave is a karst landscape located not far from the north of Brno, near the town of Blansko. It is a protected nature reserve, it encompasses a number of notable geological features, including roughly 1100 caverns and gorges and covers an area of roughly 92 km². One of the main attractions in this single geological feature is Macocha Abyss, a gorge 138m deep formed when the ceiling of a cave chamber collapsed. Macocha Abyss is also the place where the Punkva River begins to run underground through the Punkva cave system, and two small pools of water are visible at the surface.

Marianske Lazne is another spa town in the Karlovy Vary region. The town is surrounded by green mountains, parks, and charming pavilions. Like Karlovy Vary, Marianske Lazne is endowed with many mineral spring waters attracting both locals and tourists. It is a place to heal, relax and discover the beautiful architecture of the city.

The Šumava National Park, or Bohemian Forest National Park, is a national park in the South Bohemian regions of the Czech Republic along the border with Germany and Austria. They protect a little-inhabited area of the mountain range of the same name, the Šumava or Bohemian Forest. A great place for some nature, hiking, adventure, or skiing in winter times.

Bohemian Switzerland, also known as Czech Switzerland, is a picturesque region in the north-western Czech Republic. It lies on the Czech side of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains north of Děčín on both sides of the Elbe River. It extends eastward into the Lusatian Mountains and westward into the Ore Mountains.

Olomouc is another city in the east of Moravia, known for its beautiful baroque fountains, 18th-century Holy Trinity column and an astronomical clock in the Town Hall. The city’s main square is surrounded by beautiful churches and houses. Don’t forget to try the cheese, Olomoucký sýr or tvarůžky, reputedly the smelliest in the Czech Republic.

15. Kromeriz

Kromeriz is a town in Zlin region in Moravia. The main landmark of the worn is Baroque Archbishop’s palace, where some scenes from Amadeus and Immortal Beloved were filmed. Another city under Unesco World Heritage city is worth exploring with its beautiful castle, flower gardens, and churches.