Things To Do in České Budějovice, a City in South Bohemia

České Budějovice, a city in the South Bohemia region of the Czech Republic, is a lovely place to visit. There are quite a few things to do while visiting České Budějovice. It is also the home of Budvar, the Czech Budweiser beer; thus, lots of bars and restaurants serve it on draught.

České Budějovice is the largest city in the South Bohemia region and its capital. The city has an interesting history dating back to when King Ottokar II founded it.

Things To Do In České Budějovice

There are many things to do in the city and in the local area. I enjoyed visiting a few tourist attractions and eating a meal out.

Náměstí Přemysla Otakara II: The Main Town Square

The main town square is big and a great place to see the Bohemian architecture or have a beer. Přemysl Otakar II Square is over a hectare in size, thus making it one of the biggest in the country. Baroque and Renaissance buildings and porticoes surround the square, making it very photogenic.

Its centrepiece is the Baroque Samson fountain. The Samson fountain was built in the 18th century, and it is impressive. For a stunning view of the square, climbing the Black Tower offers superb views.

The Black Tower

The Black Tower has an interesting history, bells, and some fantastic views of the city. It’s a bit of a mission to reach the top of the tower; however, it’s worthwhile. There are 225 steps to climb to reach the viewpoint. When you reach the top, you need to pay to enter.

They built the Black Tower between 1550 and 1577, and it is over 72 metres high. Originally, they used the tower as a belfry and watchtower, specifically to protect the city from fire.

Town Hall Building & Tourist Information Office

Impressive architecture surrounds the main town square. One of the standout buildings is the town hall. The town hall is home to the local tourist information centre; thus, you can pop in and find out about what’s on in České Budějovice.

This Baroque building’s grandeur reflects the city’s importance and economic boom at the time. The city has had a town hall since 1387; however, the current Baroque building was constructed between 1727 and 1730. It has remained the same design since then.

The building has a fantastic facade, with the city’s coat of arms prominently positioned under the central window. There are statues near the attic. These depict the bourgeois virtues of justice, courage, wisdom, and caution. There are also copper dragon gargoyles on the building facade.

The building’s appearance makes it a must-see attraction when visiting the city. To be honest, you cannot miss it when walking nearby.

Walk Along The Two Rivers

The two rivers in the city are both ideal for a walk along the banks. You can see the town from a few different angles or enjoy a Budvar at one of the riverside bars. You can also hire a pedalo boat for some fun on the river. The two rivers are the Vltava and the Malše.

Budvar Beer in Its Hometown

Budvar, or Budweiser, comes from the city; thus, it is a must-drink beer when visiting. Many bars and restaurants have it on tap, so it is easy to find. Budvar is a delicious and refreshing tipple and one of my favourite Czech beers.

The Budějovický Budvar brewery was founded in 1895. But the beer brewing tradition in České Budějovice (Budweis) dates back to the 13th century. They really know their beer here, which is reflected in the country’s excellent products.

Visitors can also do a brewery tour if drinking in a pub doesn’t satisfy their curiosity. The Budvar brewery tours include a museum, tasting, and tour. These tours last for an hour and are available in English.

The Colourful Panska Street

Panska Street is a lovely place to have a look around and see all the colourful buildings. It is a good place to take photographs or to have a mooch around some of the independent shops and bars.

The old town area seems to focus on artsy things and unique retail stores, including a gallery at the end of the street. I thought the colourful buildings were well worth seeking out.

Rabenštejn Tower & Art Gallery

The Rabenštejn Tower is a 14th-century four-storey tower that once formed part of the city’s fortifications. It is one of the oldest heritage sites in the city. In addition to its original purpose of defending the city, it was used in the 19th century as a prison. It is now used as an art gallery and an art workshop. Outside the tower are some sculptures.

Church of the Sacrifice of the Virgin Mary

Alongside the river, you can see the beautiful Church of the Sacrifice of the Virgin Mary. The church has a lovely building and a garden near the entrance. The church is part of a Dominican monastery complex with a belfry called the White Tower and some residential buildings.

This monastery used to be part of the city’s medieval fortifications; you can still see part of the city wall. Inside, there are some medieval wall paintings. The monastery was founded towards the end of the 13th century; thus, it is nearly as old as the city.

Despite many fires in the church’s history, it still retains its early Gothic shape. The garden near the church was special, with benches and various statues.

Dom St Nikolaus – The Cathedral of St Nicholas

Another Baroque church building to visit is Dom St Nikolaus. Dom St Nikolaus is the Roman Catholic cathedral of the city.

It’s easy to find, as it’s next to the black tower, and it is free to have a look around or pop in for some reflection time. Inside, the church is pretty, including some religious artwork.

The church has a long history dating back to 1265, when its foundations were laid. Subsequently, they consecrated it in 1297; however, they didn’t complete the main building until the middle of the 14th century.

Statues.

There are many statues throughout the city. One that caught my eye was called ‘Humanoids’; they were built in 2007. This is in the main shopping area on Lannova Street and looks like a group of people heading to the office. Also, if you walk along the riverbank, there are some works of art. There are also benches nearby, so you can sit and admire.

Boat Hire & Rafting

A fun thing to do is to hire a boat on the River Vltava. There are a few places to rent a paddleboat in the city, including Kavarna VLNNA. It’s a unique way to see the city and a great exercise. For the more adventurous, you can organise a white-water or kayaking trip from the city. Companies like this have a variety of boat options for a selection of trips.

Museum of South Bohemia

The Museum of South Bohemia is a fascinating tourist attraction that tells the story of the region and the city. This museum’s exhibits focus on the South Bohemian region, mapping its history, culture, and art. It is also housed in a Neo-Renaissance building constructed between 1899 and 1901. The museum subsequently opened in 1903.

Antique Shops

Another thing to do while exploring the bohemian city is to have a look in the local antique shops. There were a noticeable number of antique shops in the central areas. This includes Starožitnosti Kalina Antiques Shop, which is towards the river. These were fun to visit inside; some beer memorabilia caught my eye in a few of them. It’s a shame I was backpacking; I could have picked up a few marvellous pieces.

Colourful Buildings

The city has some colourful architecture, including on the principal shopping street. I found the city very photogenic throughout.

Restaurants & Bars in České Budějovice

There are many dining options, including several pleasant restaurants serving Bohemian cuisine.

Born In London

The first restaurant we tried was the dog-friendly Born in London. This was near the train station and handy for when we changed trains on the way to Český Krumlov. They served some refreshing beer and a vegetarian burger with avocado and halloumi.

U Žebeerka

On my day trip out, I enjoyed lunch at U Žebeerka. I opted for their daily special, pork with braised potatoes and a yoghurt dip. I washed this down with some Budvar beer. The restaurant was a good place to eat out, and the staff was friendly.

Kavarna VLNNA

A unique place for a beer was Kavarna VLNNA. Kavarna VLNNA is on a boat on the river and has splendid views. During my visit, I sat on the deck outside and enjoyed some beers and the views of the town. The service was friendly, and the beer was good. You can also hire leisure boats from the bar.

Is České Budějovice Worth Visiting?

I enjoyed my visit to České Budějovice and liked the city’s laid-back vibe. There were many things to do to keep me engaged on my day trip, and I could have filled a few days. The colourful architecture and old buildings were a highlight for me. As the home of Budvar beer, the city meant the local bars had some excellent drinks.