Plzen
Who doesn’t immediately think of beer when they think of Plzen – but Plzen has so much more to offer than just beer and has proven to be a true holiday tip for us in the Czech Republic.
Plzen is an industrial city that owes its economic importance mainly to two companies. In 1842, the Plzner Urquell brewery delivered the first beer and in 1869 the Škoda factory was founded in the city. Both companies still exist today and have made Plzen the fourth largest city in the Czech Republic.
During the Second World War, the Škoda factory produced military goods. As a result, the city was the target of military air raids several times. In May 1945, American troops under General Patton conquered the city. After the war, Plzen, like all of Czechoslovakia, belonged to the Warsaw Pact.
The historic center of Pilsen is worth seeing. The spacious rectangular market square (Plzeňské náměstí) is one of the largest in Europe and is dominated by the imposing St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral. At 102 meters, the cathedral’s steeple is the tallest in the Czech Republic and offers a breathtaking view over the city. The square is surrounded by beautiful Renaissance and Baroque buildings that reflect the city’s rich history.
Pilsen was the European Capital of Culture in 2015 and offers a wide range of cultural experiences. The West Bohemian Museum and the Brewery Museum are just two of the many museums that shed light on the history and culture of the region. The Techmania Science Center, which offers interactive exhibitions for the whole family, is also well worth a visit.
In addition to its famous beer, Pilsen also offers excellent gastronomy. Visitors can enjoy Czech specialties such as roast pork with dumplings and sauerkraut or sweet kolaches in the city’s traditional restaurants. Many restaurants serve beer straight from the brewery, which rounds off the culinary experience perfectly.
Plzen holidays- Tips from us
-
Beer spa in Plzeň →Visit to the beer SPA in PlzeňA visit to the Beer SPA in Plzeň is a unique experience and where better to experience it than in the Czech beer region. The Purkmistr brewery, which is located just outside the city, not only offers great-tasting beer, but also the opportunity to relax in beer.
-
Traditional Czech food →Traditional Czech food in Plzen
Fancy some traditional Czech food in Plzen? There are several restaurants in the old town area that offer really good food at reasonable prices.
-
Plzen Brewery Museum →Plzen Brewery Museum - on the trail of the history of brewing
The Brewery Museum in Plzen is one of the city's most popular museums. Here, visitors are introduced to the origins of Plzen beer and embark on a journey through hundreds of years of beer.
-
Courtyard by Marriott Pilsen →Courtyard by Marriott Pilsen
Plzen offers its guests a wide range of very different accommodation options. Of course, hotels that are as centrally located as possible, such as the Courtyard by Marriott Pilsen, are particularly popular.
-
Manětín Castle →Manětín Castle - one of the most beautiful Baroque castles in the Pilsen region
Please stay on the red carpet and, above all, don't ask any questions - that will probably stick in my head forever. Our guide said this exactly 100 times during the tour of the beautiful baroque Manětín Castle.
Sightseeing in Plzen
Plzen offers many sights that should not be missed.
-
Adolf Loos →A special apartment tour in Plzen
No, we were not looking for an apartment in Plzen, although we could certainly imagine living there. We were on a very special kind of apartment tour, following in the footsteps of Adolf Loos in Plzen.
-
Great Synagogue in Plzen →The jewel of Plzen: the impressive Great Synagogue
I am standing in front of one of the city's most impressive buildings, the Great Synagogue in Pilsen, and I am looking forward to visiting it. The last time I was in Plzen, it was being restored - now the building is gleaming and looks almost like new.
-
Kladruby Monastery →Kladruby Monastery and Castle - Santini's Monastery Church
A little more than 30 kilometres from Pilsen, in Kladruby in the west of the Czech Republic, lies the beautiful Kladruby Monastery with its associated castle building. I was very impressed by the visit to the monastery church, what a beautiful and above all large building.
Beer in Plzen
Much, but not everything, revolves around beer in Plzen.
-
Traditional Czech food →Traditional Czech food in Plzen
Fancy some traditional Czech food in Plzen? There are several restaurants in the old town area that offer really good food at reasonable prices.
-
Beer in Plzen →Drinking beer in Plzen
If you come to the beer city of Plzen, you want to drink beer. We tried to visit as many different restaurants, pubs and beer bars as possible in our short time in the city and to get to know as many different local beers as possible. Beer in Plzen is not to be missed.
-
Pilsner Urquell Brewery →Pilsner Urquell - Guided tour of the brewery
Plzen and beer!!! The world-famous Pilsner Urquell has been brewed in Plzen since 1842. We went in search of traces on a guided tour of the Pilsner Urquell brewery.
Insider tips in Plzen
Discover the lesser-known places in Plzen.
-
Stroll in Plzen →A stroll in Plzen - small and big discoveries
On our stroll in Plzen we passed many interesting places. Whether it was a building that inspired us or a monument or art in public space - we would like to present some of the places and thus encourage you to take a stroll through the city.
-
Plzen legend →2 things not everyone knows about Plzen
There are always stories about cities that simply have to be told because they are impressive, incredible or just plain exciting. I have heard Plzen legends that simply have to be told.
-
DEPO 2015 →DEPO2015 - Cultural and Creative Centre in Plzen
As part of the Plzen Capital of Culture 2015 project, a meeting place for culture and creativity was created on the site of a tram depot. Events take place here regularly and the site is definitely worth a visit.
Find an accommodation
Plzen offers its guests a wide range of very different accommodation options. Of course, hotels that are as centrally located as possible, such as the Courtyard by Marriott Pilsen, are particularly popular.
Travel information about Plzen
Arrival
By plane
The nearest airport is in Prague, about 90 kilometres from Plzen.
By train
From Germany / Bavaria, Deutsche Bahn and Alex offer a low-priced Bavaria-Bohemia ticket that allows you to travel all the way to Plzen.
Trains leave almost every hour from Prague’s main station to the main station in Plzen. The journey takes about 1.5 hours and costs the equivalent of about €4.
By bus
Buses run regularly from Prague’s Florenc bus station to Plzen. The journey takes about 1h40min.
There are long-distance bus services to Plzen from Munich and Regensburg.
By car
Plzen is accessible via several European roads (E49, E50, E53) and the D5.
On the way in ...
On the road in Pilsen
On foot
In the city center of Pilsen you can actually reach everything on foot.
By bus/tram
If you still prefer to be driven, you can use the PMDP service. All buses, streetcars and trolleybuses within the city of Pilsen are operated by this provider.
Tickets are available from ticket machines at bus stops and sometimes also in the vehicles. Tickets can also be purchased at newsagents and from the bus driver for an additional charge. Tickets must be validated in the vehicle.
By bike
Pilsen has around 24 kilometers of combined footpaths and cycle paths and 25 kilometers of pure cycle paths.
There are several well-signposted cycle routes around Pilsen.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
Parking
In the city centre and the surrounding area, parking is almost exclusively for a fee.
You should really be careful where you park your car. The police like to put parking claws on parking violators.
On the northern edge of the historical centre there is the multi-storey Rychtářk car park (Truhlářská ulice street). You can park your car here around the clock.
In addition, there is a large car park in the street sady Pětatřicátníků, which is open from 7 am – 2 pm.
