Ostrava

Dating back to the 13th-century, Ostrava is the Czech Republic’s third largest city and should be at the top of the list for culture vultures and foodies alike who want to look beyond Prague on their Czech adventure. From castles to cafes, there’s more to Ostrava than you might think. Take a stroll by the River Ostravice, and you’ll find Silesian Ostrava Castle, originally built in 1280 and restored several times since. If you’re looking for a more modern take on the city, head to Stodolni Street to sample Ostrava’s flourishing coffee culture. Many of the bars and cafes here have a relaxed and inviting atmosphere, offering top-notch brews by day and a livelier scene by night.

Top three things to do in Ostrava

1. New City Hall Viewing Tower

If you’re after great views, then this is the place. The terrace of the New City Hall Tower takes you over 70-meters high, where you’ll be treated to a panorama of the whole of Ostrava, the Zywiec and Moravian-Silesian Beskydy Mountains – you might even make out the mountains in Slovakia on a clear day.

2. Dolní Vítkovice

The industrial heritage of the city is celebrated here with a mining site-turned-education centre. Production of iron and coal finished in the early 1990s, but the science and technology museum keeps the city’s past alive with hands-on exhibits for all ages. The Bolt Tower Cafe sits on top of the former blast furnace of the site, serving up coffee with an original, if industrial, view.

3. Beskydy Mountains

If you’ve made it as far east as Ostrava then the hop, skip and jump to the Beskydy Mountains is a must for outdoor enthusiasts. This mountain range begins in the southeast of the country and sprawls out into neighbouring Slovakia, Poland and Ukraine. The highest peak, Lysá hora, is within the Czech Republic’s borders and is packed with hiking trails, alpine meadows and forests to explore in the summer, plus snowy slopes in the winter for skiers.