Pilsen is a city in the western Czech Republic. It’s known for the Pilsner Urquell Brewery, specializing in bottom-fermented beer since 1842, with brewing cellars and a bottling plant. Ringed by parks, the old center has the 19th-century Great Synagogue, which also hosts concerts. The Cathedral of St. Bartholomew, completed in the 16th century, has Renaissance paintings and a tall spire with a viewing gallery.
May to September – Great for beer gardens, festivals, and sunny brewery tours ☀️🍻
October – Home of the Pilsner Fest (beer celebration at the brewery!)
December – Small but charming Christmas market on the main square 🎄
Year-round – Perfect for beer lovers and weekend getaways!
From Prague:
~1.5 hours by train or RegioJet/FlixBus
From Karlovy Vary: ~1.5 hours
From Munich: ~3 hours by train or car
Closest airport:
Prague Airport (PRG) – ~1.5 hrs away
Pilsner Urquell Brewery (Plzeňský Prazdroj) – THE birthplace of Pilsner beer, with awesome tours, beer tasting & tunnels 🍻
Republic Square (Náměstí Republiky) – One of CZ’s largest squares with colorful buildings and vibrant life
St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral – Climb the 102m tower for city views
Great Synagogue – 3rd largest in the world – stunning Moorish-Romanesque mix 🕍
Plzeň Historical Underground – 13th-century tunnels beneath the city 🕳️
Techmania Science Center & 3D Planetarium – Super fun & interactive
West Bohemian Museum – Regional history, art, and archaeology
Patton Memorial Museum – US army’s liberation of Plzeň in WWII 🇺🇸
DEPO2015 – Hip creative zone with exhibitions, street food, and festivals
Lochotín Park & Zoo – Peaceful strolls + family fun 🐾
Take a brewery tour – Watch beer brewed the original way (and taste unfiltered lager from oak barrels!) 🍺
Explore underground tunnels & learn about medieval life
Enjoy open-air concerts or markets at Republic Square
Attend a beer or music festival – Pilsner Fest (Oct), Liberation Festival (May), and more
Visit the Synagogue & Jewish Quarter
Chill at a beer spa – yes, soak in hops & malt!
Sample street food at DEPO2015 – great for craft beer, art, and live shows
Take a walking tour to uncover Plzeň’s brewing, WWII, and Gothic history
Luxury:
Hotel Central – Right on Republic Square with wellness
Vienna House Easy by Wyndham – Stylish, next to the brewery
Mid-range:
Hotel U Zvonu – Cozy and central
Hotel Trend – Quiet, family-run, rooftop views
Budget:
Rango Hotel/Hostel – Cute, modern, great value
Hotel Slovan – Budget-friendly with old-school charm
Must-try local dishes:
Pilsner goulash – Made with local beer 🍺
Roast pork with dumplings and sauerkraut
Fried cheese (smažený sýr) – Czech comfort food
Tatarák – Raw beef with toast and garlic
Palačinky – Czech pancakes
Best spots to eat:
Na Spilce – Largest pub in Czechia, inside the brewery 🍽️
U Salzmannů – Traditional Czech, one of Plzeň’s oldest restaurants
Švejk Restaurant U Pětatřicátníků – Fun, old-timey Czech food spot
Comix Kitchen & Bar – Modern bistro with local flavor
Pappa Coffee – Best coffee & breakfast/brunch ☕
DEPO Street Food Market – Craft beer, gourmet burgers, and indie vibes
Plzeň is laid-back but lively, with a deep love for beer and local pride
Strong WWII history, especially around the American liberation in 1945
University town = young, creative, and full of indie cafés & culture
A top city for beer pilgrims, but with enough museums, events, and architecture to wow anyone
Locals are proud of their West Bohemian roots, friendly, and love to toast with a “Na zdraví!” 🍻