The Top 10 Things To Do And See In Pilsen
Pilsen is Czech Republic’s fourth largest city, most renowned for its Pilsner Urquell Brewery and for being the birthplace of the Škoda automobile company. There are plenty of things to do and see in Pilsen as its status as 2015 European Capital of Culture justly acknowledges. Here is a list of the ten best places to visit during your trip to Pilsen.
1. Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Botanical Garden, Park, Zoo
Zoo and Botanical Gardens
The botanical garden merges with the zoo in Pilsen, where the conditions of different bio-geographic regions of the world are simulated to ensure that the animals are living as closely as possible to their original habitat. So you can be sure as you walk around the park that the animals living together would have lived side by side in the wild and that they are surrounded by the plants to which they are naturally adapted. This is the second oldest zoo and one of the largest in the Czech Republic, and you can see such exotic animals as Palaearctic Berber lion, bobcats, Alaskan sheep and hippos. Kids will also love the Dino Park next door.
2. Saint Bartholomew Cathedral
Saint Bartholomew Cathedral
The Gothic Saint Bartholomew Cathedral with its distinctive steep spire was built sometime in the late 13th century. It became a cathedral in 1993 with the Pilsner diocese and its own bishop. It is situated in the center of the main square and for a small fee you can climb up the narrow steps to the top of the tower and admire the incredible bird’s eye view over the city. Don’t forget to walk around the square below, where you’ll find some ancient buildings and the intricately painted town hall dating back to the renaissance.
3. Techmania Science Center
Techmania Science Center
The Techmania Science Center provides a fun experience for the whole family. It features several interactive exhibitions explaining science in a simple, easy-to-remember way with hands-on experiments. If you are particularly interested in Space then come and watch the stars in the 3D Planetarium. There are also the ‘Science On a Sphere’ shows, which are spectacular projections on a two-meter tall globe showing the Earth’s transformations through time. Ever wanted to find out what happens to something you dropped in the ocean? Many mysteries will be revealed in the science center.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8.30 am-5 pm, Sat 10 am-7 pm, Sun 10 am-6 pm
Address and telephone number: U Planetária 2969/1, Pilsen, Czech Republic, +420 737 247 581
5. Pilsner Urquell Brewery
Brewery, Museum
6. Patton Memorial Museum
Memorial, Museum
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 9 am-1 pm, 2 pm-5 pm
7. The Great Synagogue
Concert Hall, Synagogue
8. Puppet Museum
Building, Cathedral, Museum
Puppet Museum
The Puppet Museum, or Muzeum Loutek in Czech, is situated on the central square opposite the Saint Bartholomew Cathedral. The building is listed and dates back to the Middle Ages. The exhibition traces the history of puppetry in Pilsen and the vicinity from the end of the 19th century onward. It is well-presented and organised with fun videos, and each floor is dedicated to a different time period. You can even try handling the puppets yourself, and kids will love making up their own little shows.
nám. Republiky 137/23, Pilsen 3, Czech Republic, +420 378 370 801
9. Pilsen Historical Underground
Pilsen Historical Underground
This tour takes you through Pilsen’s secret underground labyrinth of passageways, cellars and wells. It stretches out for over nine kilometers under the oldest parts of the city. With the tour you can learn more about Pilsen’s underground and overground history since the early Middle Ages, as well as learning about the city’s history of beer brewing. This is a great activity if you wish to listen to fascinating local anecdotes or if you love exploring dark, secretive places. You are given a coupon for a free beer at the end of your tour. Don’t forget to take a jumper because the temperatures are low below ground.
Veleslavínova 58/6, Pilsen, Czech Republic, +420 378 035 332
10. Logic games
Logic games
All the gamers out there will be pleased to know that there are brilliant logic games in Pilsen. If you only speak English your best bet is the ‘Unlock the door’ escape game which can be played in either Czech or English. The point of the game is to escape from a locked room under an hour by solving and deciphering puzzles and riddles. This is a fun place to go with a group of friends and you won’t fall into a bottomless pit if you don’t finish under an hour, so don’t worry. The owners are friendly and might even give you some tips.
Zahradní 173/2, Východní Předměstí, Pilsen, Czech Republic, +420 601 553 620
By Peggy Lee
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.