Czech Republic (CZ)
Czech Republic is a landlocked Central European parliamentary republic of 14 regions, home to the fairy-tale spires of Prague — one of Europe's best-preserved medieval capitals — as well as world-famous Bohemian crystal and glasswork, the birthplace of Pilsner lager, a thriving startup and tech scene anchored in Prague and Brno, and one of the lowest unemployment rates and most stable economies in the EU.
Country Profile
Everything you need to know before you arrive.
Czech Republic is a landlocked Central European parliamentary republic of 14 regions, home to the fairy-tale spires of Prague — one of Europe's best-preserved medieval capitals — as well as world-famous Bohemian crystal and glasswork, the birthplace of Pilsner lager, a thriving startup and tech scene anchored in Prague and Brno, and one of the lowest unemployment rates and most stable economies in the EU.
Climate
March–May: 5–18°C. Unpredictable early on, with frost possible in March. April is rainy but pleasant. May is beautiful — Prague gardens and countryside come alive. Good time to visit before summer crowds.
June–August: 20–30°C. Warm and sunny with occasional thunderstorms. Prague can feel crowded with tourists in July–August. Temperatures rarely exceed 35°C but heat waves do occur. Bohemian forests and Šumava national park are excellent escapes.
September–November: 5–15°C. Colourful and pleasant in September. October becomes grey and damp. Fog (mlha) is characteristic of Czech autumn. Wine harvest season in Moravia. Days shorten noticeably by November.
December–February: -5 to 3°C. Cold with variable snowfall — more reliable in the Krkonoše mountains and Šumava than in Prague. Prague Christmas markets are famous. January is the coldest month. Dress in warm layers; ice on pavements is common.
Demographics
Religion
Social Culture & Etiquette
Dobrý den (Good day) is the standard greeting — use it when entering any shop, office, or meeting. Ahoj (Hi) is for friends. A handshake is standard on first meeting in professional settings. Close friends may hug or kiss once on the cheek. Czechs use formal address (pan/paní — Mr/Mrs) with strangers and in professional settings until invited to use first names.
Czechs value punctuality in professional settings — arrive on time or a few minutes early. For social invitations, arriving 5–10 minutes late is acceptable. Arriving too early can be awkward. Reliability is highly valued; cancelling last-minute is considered rude.
Smart casual in offices. Czechs dress practically and without fuss in everyday life. Evenings out and cultural events warrant smarter dress. Prague restaurants vary widely — fine dining requires smart attire; casual restaurants are relaxed. Religious sites require modest dress.
- ✕ Do not call Czech Republic "Czechoslovakia" — it split in 1993 and Czechs are proud of the distinction.
- ✕ Avoid political discussions on first meeting — Czech politics can be divisive and complex.
- ✕ Do not refuse offered hospitality repeatedly — it can be considered impolite. Accept at least the first gesture.
- ✕ Avoid being overly enthusiastic or using excessive compliments — Czechs are known for dry humour and scepticism of over-exuberance.
- ✕ Do not discuss money or salaries openly — it is considered private.
- ✕ Tipping: not tipping at all in a restaurant is considered rude; tipping generously is appreciated but not expected.
- ✓ Remove shoes when entering a Czech home — wait to see if the host indicates otherwise.
- ✓ Bring a small gift (wine, flowers, chocolates) when invited to a Czech home. Odd numbers of flowers for the living; even numbers for funerals.
- ✓ Czechs have a strong hospoda (pub) culture — the local pub is a social institution. Beer is drunk in halves (0.5L) and toasting (Na zdraví!) is important.
- ✓ Queue etiquette is observed. Jumping queues is considered extremely rude.
- ✓ Czechs are direct and not prone to excessive small talk. Silence is not uncomfortable.
- ✓ Cottage (chata) culture is central to Czech life — many families have a country cottage and spend weekends there in summer.
🍽️ Traditional Food & Drink
Slow-braised beef sirloin in a creamy root-vegetable sauce, served with bread dumplings (knedlíky), cranberry sauce, and a dollop of whipped cream. The quintessential Czech Sunday lunch dish.
The holy trinity of Czech cuisine: slow-roasted pork, bread or potato dumplings, and braised sauerkraut. A hearty and deeply satisfying classic, found on every traditional restaurant menu.
Deep-fried breaded cheese (usually Eidam), served with tartare sauce and chips. Beloved as street food and in pubs. A uniquely Czech contribution to fried food culture.
Czech-style beef or pork goulash: rich, paprika-spiced stew served with bread dumplings and often a slice of raw onion. Less spicy than Hungarian guláš but deeply flavourful.
Crispy potato pancakes seasoned with garlic, marjoram, and caraway — a popular street food at markets and Christmas markets. Sometimes filled with smoked meat.
Cylindrical pastry rolled around a spit, grilled over charcoal, and rolled in sugar and cinnamon. Originally from Slovakia/Moravia, now ubiquitous at Czech Christmas and Easter markets (though considered touristy in Prague).
Traditional layered honey cake with thin caramel-honey layers, cream filling, and a rich flavour. A Czech favourite for celebrations and afternoon coffee.
Traditional sweet pastry rounds filled with poppy seed (mák), cottage cheese (tvaroh), plum jam (povidla), or apple — a staple of Czech bakeries and family celebrations.
Open-faced sandwiches on white bread slices, topped with various combinations: potato salad, ham, egg, smoked salmon, or cheese with vegetables. Essential at Czech parties, receptions, and celebrations.
The world's original Pilsner lager, brewed in Plzeň (Pilsen) since 1842. Light, golden, with a pronounced hop bitterness. A source of national pride — Czech beer culture is UNESCO-listed as intangible cultural heritage.
The Czech Budvar (Budějovický Budvar) from České Budějovice — a rich, full-bodied lager that has been in a decades-long trademark dispute with US Budweiser. The Czech original is significantly more flavourful.
Czech herbal liqueur produced in Karlovy Vary since 1807, made from a secret recipe of 32 herbs and spices. Drunk neat as a digestif or mixed with tonic water (Beton — Becherovka + tonic). A true Czech institution.
Traditional Moravian plum brandy — clear, potent (45–55% ABV), and deeply fragrant. Produced in home distilleries across Moravia. The best slivovice comes from Wallachia (Valašsko) and Slovácko regions.
Moravia produces the vast majority of Czech wine — whites are particularly excellent (Welschriesling, Müller-Thurgau, Riesling). The Znojmo, Mikulov, Slovácká, and Velkopavlovická wine sub-regions are well regarded. Wine tourism in Moravia is flourishing.
Czech herbal cola created in the 1960s as a communist-era Coca-Cola alternative. Less sweet than Western cola, with a distinctive herbal flavour from chicory and other herbs. Still hugely popular, especially on tap at pubs.
Fresh pressed apple or pear juice from autumn harvest — lightly fermented or unfermented. Sold at farmers markets and roadside stalls in autumn. A beloved Czech seasonal tradition.
📍 Tourist Highlights
The largest ancient castle complex in the world by area, dominating the Prague skyline. Home to St Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, Golden Lane, and stunning views over the city. The seat of Czech presidents.
Iconic 14th-century Gothic stone bridge across the Vltava river, lined with 30 Baroque statues of saints. At dawn it is magical — fewer tourists and beautiful light. Connects the Old Town to Malá Strana.
The historic heart of Prague, with the famous Astronomical Clock (Orloj), Gothic Týn Church, and Baroque St Nicholas Church. Bustling year-round; Christmas market here is among the best in Europe.
A perfectly preserved medieval town on a dramatic bend of the Vltava river, dominated by its spectacular castle complex. UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of the most photogenic towns in Central Europe.
Famous spa town in West Bohemia, with elegant colonnaded promenades over hot mineral springs. Setting for the annual International Film Festival. Known for the wafer biscuit (oplatky) and the spa culture immortalised by Goethe, Beethoven, and Schiller.
Medieval silver mining city that once rivalled Prague in wealth. UNESCO World Heritage Site. Home to the extraordinary Sedlec Ossuary (Kostnice) — a chapel decorated with human bones — and the magnificent Gothic St Barbara's Cathedral.
Perfectly preserved Renaissance town with a UNESCO-listed main square lined with colourful arcaded burgher houses reflecting in a millpond. Considered one of the most beautiful squares in Europe.
Czech Republic's second city and the capital of Moravia. Vibrant university city with excellent nightlife, a thriving tech and startup scene, the Functionalist Villa Tugendhat (UNESCO), the Špilberk fortress, and proximity to Moravian wine country.
📖 Brief History
The Czech lands have a history stretching back over a millennium. The Kingdom of Bohemia rose to prominence in the 13th–14th centuries under Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor, who founded Charles University in Prague in 1348 — the oldest university in Central Europe. The Czech Reformation began with Jan Hus in the early 15th century, leading to the Hussite Wars. Habsburg rule from 1526 brought the region into the Austrian Empire, then the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Czechoslovakia was founded in 1918 by Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk after World War I, uniting Czechs and Slovaks. Nazi occupation from 1939–1945 brought mass atrocities. After WWII, a communist coup in 1948 led to 41 years of communist rule. The Prague Spring of 1968 — a period of liberalisation under Alexander Dubček — was crushed by Warsaw Pact invasion. The Velvet Revolution of November 1989, led by Václav Havel and Civic Forum, peacefully ended communist rule. Czechoslovakia peacefully split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia on 1 January 1993 (the Velvet Divorce). The Czech Republic joined NATO in 1999 and the EU in 2004. It remains outside the Eurozone, using the Czech koruna.