5 Facts That Will Make You Want to Visit the Czech Republic

The Czechs do not like being called Eastern Europeans. Eager to carve a unique niche for themselves, they insist on being referred to as part of Central Europe.

There’s a reason behind the seemingly haughty pride. Their country is just too fabulous!

From the medieval architecture of the countryside to the wondrous natural landscapes, to culture and cuisine and of course, Prague – there’s a lot to get lost in this country.

With that, we give you 5 facts that will make you want to visit the Czech Republic.

Castles of Castles!

The Czech Republic is home to more than 2,000 castles, castle ruins and keeps – a stunning figure once you consider that it is smaller in size than some states in India. The Czech density for castles is abnormally high, which means you’re more likely to stumble across the tottering ruins of a medieval duchy than a five-storey mall when you visit.

This is a testament to the erstwhile Czechoslovakia’s rich medieval culture. Do make sure you visit Prague Castle, listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest ancient castle in the world. Now, there’s a record for a country to be proud of, isn’t it?

Mountain Mania

Mountain lovers, take note!

No matter which side of the border you end up in the Czech Republic, there will always be a majestic mountain greeting you in all its 2000+ metres of glory. From the Lusatian Mountains on its northernmost tip to the Palava and Sumava ranges on its south-eastern and south-western borders respectively, there’s no dearth of ascents to conquer if you’re up for mountain climbing. Plus, there’s the highest point in the Czech Republic: Snezka (1602 metres). Doesn’t seem much when you have Everest in your backyard, does it?

Epic Country to Visit

The Czech Republic is, on balance, a great country to visit. And it’s not just because of Prague (more on that later), or the cheap travel costs either. There are some great quirks to this country that are often overlooked. For instance, did you know that when it comes to black humour, few civilizations could compete with the Czechs. Their artefacts, slogans and pop culture is literally raining sardonic humour. Add to that the fact that over 90 per cent Czechs have completed at least secondary education – the highest score in EU. Finally, a study by Reporters Without Borders conducted in 2005 found the Czech Republic to be, literally, “One of the most awesome places to visit”. 

A Country of Beer Lovers

The Czechs love their beer. You’d think in a continent that has the Germans and the Belgians, Czech Republic wouldn’t stand a chance of hogging the top spot.

Wrong.

Czechs are the heaviest consumers of beer in the world. And with all that practice, you can be sure that they are pretty good at making it too. After all, the world-renowned Pilsen is a product of the Czech Republic. Plus, beer is cheap here, very cheap. For instance, you could get a Duff’s Beer for less than a euro. No accounting for taste, but there you are.

Prague

For the architecture, for the historical legacy, for the sheer beauty and maybe for the beer – Prague is fast becoming everyone’s go-to spot in Europe. It seems no Eurotrip is complete without at least a day or two spent in this lovely city of cathedrals, castles and art galleries. A bohemian landmark par excellence, Prague is a worthy contender for the world’s best tourism city at present. Also, the beer. We really cannot stress that enough.

With Slovakia and the Czech Republic neighboring each other, it would be a great opportunity to explore the erstwhile Czechoslovakia in all its glory if you ever hit one of them. Make sure you read the reasons why you should visit Slovakia – that country never disappoints!