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Destinations > Czech Republic > Plzen

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.

Pilsen Urlaub

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

  • drink pink! Sourbeer - Sonne im Glas Festival Pilsen
    “Sun in a glass” festival in Plzeň

    Once a year, always in September, the “Sun in a Glass” festival takes place at the Purkmistr Brewery. For beer lovers, this is the place and the time not to be missed!

    “Sun in a glass” festival   →
  • Visit to the beer SPA in Plzeň

    A 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.

    Beer spa in Plzeň   →
  • Traditional Czech food in Plzeň
    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.

    Traditional Czech food   →
  • 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.

    Plzen Brewery Museum   →
  • Plzen
    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.

    Courtyard by Marriott Pilsen   →
  • All post about Plzen

Sightseeing in Plzen

Plzen offers many sights that should not be missed.

  • Wohnzimmer der Familie Vogl
    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.

    Adolf Loos   →
  • Große Synagoge Pilsen
    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.

    Great Synagogue in Plzen   →
  • Kloster Kladruby
    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.

    Kladruby Monastery   →
  • view

Beer in Plzen

Much, but not everything, revolves around beer in Plzen.

  • Traditional Czech food in Plzeň
    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.

    Traditional Czech food   →
  • Zlatka Krava
    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.

    Beer in Plzen   →
  • Besucherzentrum Pilsner Urquell
    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.

    Pilsner Urquell Brewery   →
  • view all posts

Insider tips in Plzen

Discover the lesser-known places in Plzen.

  • Spaziergang in Pilsen
    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.

    Stroll in Plzen   →
  • Engelskopf
    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.

    Plzen legend   →
  • DEPO2015 Hof mit Turm
    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.

    DEPO 2015   →
  • view all posts

Find an accommodation

Plzen
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.

Courtyard by Marriott Pilsen   →

Travel information about Plzen

Getting There

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 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

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.

All our experiences in Plzen

drink pink! Sourbeer - Sonne im Glas Festival Pilsen

“Sun in a glass” festival in Plzeň

Once a year, always in September, the “Sun in a Glass” festival takes place at the Purkmistr Brewery. For beer lovers, this is the place and the time not to be missed!

Continue Reading about “Sun in a glass” festival in Plzeň

Visit to the beer SPA in Plzeň

A 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.

Continue Reading about Visit to the beer SPA in Plzeň

Traditional Czech food in Plzeň

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.

Continue Reading about Traditional Czech food in Plzen

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.

Continue Reading about Plzen Brewery Museum – on the trail of the history of brewing

Plzen

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.

Continue Reading about Courtyard by Marriott Pilsen

Schloss Manětín

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.

Continue Reading about Manětín Castle – one of the most beautiful Baroque castles in the Pilsen region

Rabštejn nad Střelou

Rabštejn nad Střelou – a visit to the smallest town in Central Europe

We arrive by car in Rabštejn nad Střelou and have already driven past again. The small town claims to be the smallest town in Central Europe… it almost seems like it’s true.

Continue Reading about Rabštejn nad Střelou – a visit to the smallest town in Central Europe

Braukessel in der Brauerei Plasy

Plasy Brewery – Beer from the Pilsen region

A microbrewery reopened in 2015 is located on the grounds of the monastery in Plasy. The Plasy brewery continues the brewing tradition of the monastery on site. I felt very comfortable there, and not just from a culinary point of view.

Continue Reading about Plasy Brewery – Beer from the Pilsen region

Brauerei Raven in Pisen

Raven Brewery – the somewhat different beer from Pilsen

Everyone knows the beers that come from the Pilsner Urquell brewery and many visitors to Pilsen come to the city for this very reason. But there are other beers from Pilsen that should not go unnoticed. The Raven brewery produces flavourful APA, IPA and lager beers, but no pilsner!

Continue Reading about Raven Brewery – the somewhat different beer from Pilsen

Mariánská Týnice

Mariánská Týnice impressive architecture

Imagine a place that has been around for centuries and has a mixture of two totally different architectural styles. This is Mariánská Týnice in the Czech Republic!

Continue Reading about Mariánská Týnice impressive architecture

Kloster Plasy

Plasy Monastery – Visit to the Cistercian Monastery

Around Pilsen there are numerous former monasteries, which today invite you to visit them. Each monastery has something special and many facilities are architecturally unique. Plasy Monastery is one of the largest monasteries in the region.

Continue Reading about Plasy Monastery – Visit to the Cistercian Monastery

Kloster Kladruby

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.

Continue Reading about Kladruby Monastery and Castle – Santini’s Monastery Church

Große Synagoge Pilsen

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.

Continue Reading about The jewel of Plzen: the impressive Great Synagogue

Wohnzimmer der Familie Vogl

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.

Continue Reading about A special apartment tour in Plzen

Spaziergang in Pilsen

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.

Continue Reading about A stroll in Plzen – small and big discoveries

Susanne beim Marionettenspiel

Back to childhood – visit to the Puppet Museum

Do you remember Spejbl and Hurvínek? The two marionettes, along with many other characters, were a part of my childhood. A visit to the Puppet Museum in Plzen brought back many memories.

Continue Reading about Back to childhood – visit to the Puppet Museum

Wärmebild von Patrick

Techmania Science Center – Science made easy for everyone

There are places where you just become a kid again! The Techmania Science Center in Plzen is just such a place and you can marvel and have fun here for many hours.

Continue Reading about Techmania Science Center – Science made easy for everyone

Engelskopf

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.

Continue Reading about 2 things not everyone knows about Plzen

Platz der Republik in Pilsen

In the middle of Plzen – the republic square

Náměstí Republiky (Republic Square) is located in the historical centre of Plzen. Many streets lead from the edge of the centre to the square and it is impossible to miss it, if only because of the St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral standing there.

Continue Reading about In the middle of Plzen – the republic square

Zlatka Krava

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.

Continue Reading about Drinking beer in Plzen

Ethnographische Museum Pilsen

Ethnographic Museum of the Plzen Region

The Plzen Ethnographic Museum is located in the Republic Square of the city. Here, in the heart of the city, an interesting exhibition has been placed in two historically connected houses.

Continue Reading about Ethnographic Museum of the Plzen Region

Besucherzentrum Pilsner Urquell

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.

Continue Reading about Pilsner Urquell – Guided tour of the brewery

DEPO2015 Hof mit Turm

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.

Continue Reading about DEPO2015 – Cultural and Creative Centre in Plzen

Kellergänge unter Pilsen

Plzen Historical Underground

Beer is omnipresent in Plzen. A place to perfectly immerse yourself in the brewing activity of the city is the historical underground of Plzen. Guided tours start regularly in the building of the Brewery Museum and take you into the cellar corridors of the city.

Continue Reading about Plzen Historical Underground

Nougatklösse

Cheap food in Plzen

Plzen offers its visitors a wide range of restaurants in all price ranges. Cheap food in Plzen is possible not only outside the historic city center, even there you can find restaurants frequented by Czechs, where the price level is not exaggerated.

Continue Reading about Cheap food in Plzen

Westböhmisches Museum in Pilsen - Zeughaus

Museum of West Bohemia in Plzen

On the park ring in Plzen you pass a fountain, which stands directly in front of an impressive neo-Renaissance building. This building is the main building of the West Bohemian Museum in Plzen.

Continue Reading about Museum of West Bohemia in Plzen

Wandmalereien in einer Kapelle

Museum of Religious Art of the Plzen Diocese

I follow a sign on the street and reach an inconspicuous door via a courtyard entrance. Behind it is the Museum of Religious Art of the Plzen Diocese.

Continue Reading about Museum of Religious Art of the Plzen Diocese

Alte Synagoge Pilsen

Old synagogue hidden in a Plzen backyard

The Old Synagogue in Plzen is not easy to find. We had not read up on it in advance, so we must have walked past the entrance twice. A large green dot on the road indicates the sight, but if you are on the “wrong” side of the road, you will not see it.

Continue Reading about Old synagogue hidden in a Plzen backyard

General Patton

Patton Memorial Plzen

The Patton Memorial Plzen is a unique museum that cannot be found anywhere else in the Czech Republic. It is dedicated to the American Army and was opened in 2005 on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Plzen and South Bohemia.

Continue Reading about Patton Memorial Plzen

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