Plzen is fourth-largest city in the Czech Republic and an important cultural, industrial, and historical center. The city is as not popular as most famous Czech cities such as Prague, Karlovy Vary and Ceske Budejovice but has a charming historic center, where you’ll find St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral with the tallest church tower in the Czech Republic, and the Great Synagogue, the third-largest in the world. The city is also home to several interesting museums and zoological garden. Plzen is well-connected by railway with many interesting small towns in region, so you can plan day trips from Pilzen by train. Unfortunately, accomodation prices in Plzen are relatively expensive.
Main railway station in Plzen (Plzen hlavni in nadrazi) is located in the city center. The station have been recently renovated and is considered one of the most beautiful stations in the Czech Republic.
Day trips from Plzen by train – direction Ceske Budejovice
Stary Plzenec (optional) – A small town located 4 km from the administrative borders of Plzeň. On top of Radyně Hill, the well-preserved ruins of Radyně Castle can be visited from April to October. On the opposite side of town, on Hůrka Hill, stands the Romanesque Rotunda of Saints Peter and Paul, part of an early medieval fortified settlement. On select days, a narrow-gauge railway operates in the town.
Blovice (optional) – Highly praised for the Neo-Gothic Hradiště Chateau in the southeastern part of the town, which houses the regional museum of southern Plzeň (Muzeum jižního Plzeňska).
Horažďovice – A typical, charming Czech town situated on the Otava River. Its main landmark is the castle, now home to the Municipal Museum. Permanent exhibitions cover regional history and minerals. The most interesting room is the Great Hall decorated with frescoes. Travelers should change trains at Horažďovice předměstí station to reach the nearby Horažďovice station, closer to the town’s historic sites.
Rábí – Located 9 km west of Horažďovice, the village is home to the largest preserved castle ruins in the Czech Republic. Accessible by bus.
Strakonice (optional) – a railway junction. The only notable monument is the renovated castle about 1 km from the train station. The complex is shared among three owners: the Church of St. Procopius belongs to the Roman Catholic Church, some parts to the town, and most of it to the South Bohemian Region. The museum “Muzea středního Pootaví Strakonice” is housed in the palace. The Rumpal tower serves as a viewing point. Most of the historic town center was demolished in the 1970s.
České Budějovice – The capital of the South Bohemian Region and an excellent destination for a day trip. The historic town center, with one of the largest main squares in the Czech Republic, is located near the beautifully restored historic train station. The city features interesting religious and secular landmarks and is home to the South Bohemian Museum, housed in a grand Neo-Renaissance building from 1899–1901.
Direction Domažlice
Domažlice – A picturesque town near the Czech-German border. The historic center features a beautiful market square lined with colorful Renaissance arcaded houses. Of note is the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, whose tower leans about 60 cm from vertical. During tourist season, the tower is open to visitors. The Chodsko Region Museum is located in the local castle.
Direction Plasy
Plasy – Known for its Cistercian monastery founded in 1144 by Duke Vladislaus II of the Přemyslid dynasty, later King of Bohemia. Some parts of the monastery have been restored, while others are still in poor condition. Its exterior may not appear inviting. Worth visiting is the Center for Architectural Heritage (Centrum stavitelského dědictví), a branch of the National Technical Museum in Prague, located in the renovated building of the former brewery.
You can take a bus to Kralovice, a small town located several kilometers east of Plasy. Amidst the fields rises the beautiful Baroque pilgrimage complex of Mariánská Týnice, which houses a museum and gallery dedicated to the northern part of the Plzeň region (Muzeum a galerie severního Plzeňska), featuring exhibitions on regional history, culture, and art.
Direction Železná Ruda
The Plzeň – Železná Ruda railway line offers beautiful views, especially on the section between Klatovy and Železná Ruda. During the tourist season, additional express trains run, popular among visitors from Prague who come to hike in the Šumava mountains.
Přeštice (optional) – The town’s most valuable monument is the majestic Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, visible from a distance. Built between 1750 and 1775, it was designed by the famous architect Kilian Ignaz Dientzenhofer. Right next to the church is the House of Regional History (Dům historie Přešticka), which features permanent exhibitions on the town and regional history.
Červené Poříčí (optional) – About 1.5 km from the railway stop stands a Renaissance-style chateau inspired by Saxon architecture. It is partially renovated and open to the public, though ticket prices are relatively high.
Švihov (optional) – A popular destination for tourists visiting the famous water castle built in the late 15th century. The castle is very well preserved and has been used as a filming location for many movies. In the summer season, Švihov also hosts interesting cultural events.
Klatovy – A charming town, although the train station is located about 2 km from the center, making sightseeing less convenient. The town’s most famous landmark is the catacombs beneath the Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary and St. Ignatius. Overlooking the town is the Black Tower, 81.6 meters tall, offering a panoramic view of Klatovy and the Šumava mountains. A large part of the old city walls has also been preserved.
Železná Ruda – A popular holiday resort and ski center. The area offers numerous hiking trails and natural attractions. Railway enthusiasts should visit the Železná Ruda – Bayerisch Eisenstein station, which straddles the Czech-German border. On the German side, there is a small railway museum.
Related articles:
Train travel in the Czech Republic – a comprehensive guide
Scenic railways in the Czech Republic
Narrow-gauge railways in the Czech Republic
