Plzeň Travel Guide — Best Time, Things to Do & Where to Stay

Why Plzeň

Plzeň is the fourth most populous city in the Czech Republic and serves as the primary commercial hub and capital of the Plzeň Region. Located approximately 78 kilometers west of Prague, the municipality is situated mostly within the Plasy Uplands, while smaller sections extend into the Švihov Highlands. The terrain spans from 293 meters along the Berounka riverbed to 416 meters above sea level at the summit of Chlum hill. Four distinct rivers—the Mže, Úhlava, Úslava, and Radbuza—meet within the city, with the confluence of the Mže and Radbuza giving rise to the Berounka.

Founded in 1295 by King Wenceslaus II, the city grew into a major trading point along routes linking Bohemia to Bavarian centers such as Nuremberg and Regensburg. It played a significant role as a Catholic stronghold during the 15th-century Hussite Wars and introduced the first printing press to Bohemia during the 1470s. Plzeň served briefly as the seat of Emperor Rudolf II between 1599 and 1600, and later experienced a period of fortification during the Thirty Years' War. From the late 17th century onward, Baroque style heavily shaped the city's central district, which is today designated as a protected urban monument reservation.

In 1842, Bavarian brewer Josef Groll developed the world's first modern Pilsner beer at the local Citizens' Brewery, utilizing Plzeň's soft water, specialized malts, and Saaz hops. Today, the Pilsner Urquell Brewery operates as the largest in the country, and the city remains globally recognized for this brewing tradition. Plzeň also evolved into a major engineering center following the 1869 founding of the Škoda Works, which expanded rapidly alongside a major national railway workshop established in the late 19th century.

Local sights include the České údolí Reservoir on the Radbuza River, as well as a network of northern fishponds. Beyond its historic centre, which helped earn the city a designation as a European Capital of Culture in 2015, visitors find modern commercial facilities such as the Plzeň Plaza shopping complex. The city also hosts the country's premier spirits producer, located in the Božkov district.

Plzeň features a cool oceanic climate with an average annual temperature of 8.4 °C and yearly precipitation averaging 525 millimeters. The city is accessible via the D5 highway connecting Prague and Nuremberg, as well as through Plzeň hlavní nádraží, a major rail junction. Air access is provided by Plzeň Líně Airport nearby and Václav Havel Airport Prague, situated 89 kilometers away. Local transit relies on a public network of trams, trolleybuses, and buses.