Today I want to bring you my guide to things to do in Olomouc, Czech Republic. This under-the-radar city in Central Europe is a great place to discover. As beautiful as Prague but without the tourist crowds, it offers visitors everything from stunning squares to beautiful architecture and charming streets. I’m here in Moravia on a hosted trip with the Czech Tourism Authority, and I’m excited to share my discoveries with you.
Things to Do in Olomouc
I’ve been wanting to visit Olomouc for years. I studied abroad in Prague, and everyone told me to visit this city. I never made it, and I’ve always regretted it.
But now I’m back in the Czech Republic to speak at a travel blogging conference in Brno. There’s a post-conference trip to Olomouc sponsored by the tourism board, and I’ve signed up to go. I can’t wait to discover what the city has to offer.
1. Stay at a Stylish Hotel
After taking a bus from Brno to Olomouc, my group checks into our rooms at the HERBARIUM boutique hotel. It’s located on a quiet side street just outside the old town. The lobby is lush with greenery, and the rooms sport botanical names.
I head up to mine and discover an elegant space with pretty floral carpet and everything I need to have a comfortable stay in the city.
2. Take a Walking Tour of Olomouc
From the hotel my group heads into the city. Our tour guide takes us around the old town, starting with the campus of Palacky University, which was established in 1573.
Olomouc has been referred to as the “Czech Oxford” because of its beautiful collegiate buildings and large student population. We explore some of the buildings, ducking into pretty courtyards as we go.
From the university we walk down main streets like Denisova and get lost in historic side streets (which ends up being one of my favorite things to do in Olomouc).
3. See the Upper Square and Lower Square
Eventually we find ourselves in the Upper Square and Lower Square (Horni and Dolni). The former is one of the most beautiful city squares I’ve ever seen.
It has everything from a historic town hall with a clock tower, to palaces and fountains galore (there are 6 famous Baroque fountains in Olomouc). Like Prague, there’s even an astronomical clock.
More magnificent is the 18th-century Holy Trinity Column. This important plague memorial was consecrated in a ceremony attended by Empress Maria Theresa.
It features the largest group of Baroque statues in a single sculptural monument in Central Europe, and it’s on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The Lower Square has two Baroque fountains (the Neptune and Jupiter fountains), an 18th-century Marian plague column, and colorful historic palaces all around. Mozart even stayed in one of the houses here when he visited Olomouc.
4. Eat at the Best Restaurants in Olomouc
In the evening, we head off to dinner to experience another of my favorite things to do in Olomouc: eat. We’re dining at Entree Restaurant, one of the top-rated restaurants in the city.
We enjoy a tasting menu consisting of everything from trout ceviche to Thai gazpacho and calamari with ras el hanout spices. The open kitchen and chic dining room make for great ambiance as we dine.
Elsewhere in the city, we enjoy dinner at the trendy Eatery & Bakery in the Long Story Short hostel. It’s a buzzing space with multiple airy dining rooms. We tuck into contemporary cuisine made with local Moravian produce for dinner.
We also enjoy a lunch at Bistro Paulus, a 21st-century canteen created by Michelin-starred chef Roman Paulus. While here, we’re lucky enough to be served by the man himself.
As we take our trays down the line, we order everything from gnocchi to burgers and salads. The desserts are almost too pretty to eat, but we relish every bite.
We have lunch at Bistro Helen one day, too. It’s a stylish contemporary cafe in a shopping mall in Olomouc, and it serves a range of rotating international dishes.
The colorful cakes in the display case look so temping we can’t help ordering a selection of them after finishing our main courses.
As if the restaurants aren’t enough, we head to a cooking demonstration to see how traditional Czech foods are prepared. Everything from ovocne knedliky (fruit dumplings) to soup made with local tvaruzky cheese comes to the table for us to try.
5. See the Famous Churches in Olomouc
Another of the best things to do in Olomouc is see the city’s many churches. The old town is bursting with Baroque and Gothic numbers, and we enjoy popping over to see their stunning facades and explore a few interiors.
The most important church in Olomouc is Saint Wenceslas Cathedral. I visit one day during my free time, and I discover a stunning Gothic church with the highest spire in Moravia. Built in the 13th and 14th centuries, it’s an inspiring sight to behold.
Another great one is St Michael’s Church, which has a stunning Baroque interior. Our tour guide takes us here, and I love looking up at the ceiling and all its decorative domes.
Other highlights include the Chapel of St John Sarkander and the Church of the Virgin Mary of the Snow. The former is a Baroque number with rich sculptural decoration and the latter is a university church built by Jesuits in the early 18th century.
6. Ride a Beer Bike
Another fun thing to do in Olomouc is ride a beer bike through the city. My group boards one run by Oloslap in Lower Square and peddles off to explore the old town.
Unfortunately there’s no beer (apparently due to a mix-up), but we still enjoy seeing the cathedral, soaking up the greenery in Bezrucovy Sady Park, and taking in the Archbishop’s Palace, one of the most important buildings in Olomouc.
We even cycle through Upper Square and get a photo of the beer bike in front of the astronomical clock.
7. Check Out the Bars in Olomouc
Speaking of beer, another of the best things to do in Olomouc is check out the bars.
Our beer bike guide shows us a secret bar in Lower Square called Olodvorek. Tucked away in a historic courtyard, this outdoor space has quirky decor and a venue for entertainment.
Another night my group heads off to do a wine and chocolate tasting at U Zlateho Beranka. Moravia is famous for its wine, and this bar does a special pairing of 8 wines with Czech-made chocolates. It’s a unique way to experience local food and drink.
On the more traditional end of the spectrum, we visit a classic Czech pub one afternoon. Svatovaclavsky Pivovar greets us with checkered tablecloths and a rustic atmosphere.
It’s a microbrewery, and we tuck into special pineapple beers. They’re a fun twist on the classic Czech beer experience.
Even more fun is the downstairs area, where there’s an actual beer spa where visitors can bathe in beer. For real.
8. Go to the Cafes in Olomouc
If beer isn’t your cup of tea, one of the best things to do in Olomouc is go to the cafes. This being a student city, there are plenty of good ones dotted throughout the center.
We go to one called Coffee Library at the university. It has a fun atmosphere and a young crowd.
We also sip teas and coffees at Konvikt Bistro & Bar, a contemporary cafe in the old town. It has an impressive artistic ceiling and cool old-meets-new decor.
Elsewhere, we pop into Sophie’s Cafe to see the cozy space and be tempted by the baked goods. We also check out the cafe at the Long Story Short hostel, which is set in a stunning historic building.
9. Go on a Carriage Ride
Just outside the city center, another fun thing to do in Olomouc is go on a carriage ride.
The Litovelske Pomoravi protected landscape area is in the floodplain of the Morava River just north of the city. There the Lovecka Chata guesthouse and farm offers visitors rides in their horse-drawn wagons.
We arrive at the farm and are greeted with slivovice and local bread and cheese. From there we board a covered wagon for a ride through the area.
The horses pull us into a big meadow full of purple crocuses, and through woodland areas packed with deciduous trees. It’s a great escape from the city.
10. Tour the TVARG Brewery
Back to beer, another thing to do in Olomouc is tour the TVARG brewery. Located just outside the city in the town of Velka Bystrice, this pint-size spot welcomes my group with beer and local food, including tvaruzky cheese.
We watch a video about the brewery, then go on a tour of the facility. We’re able to sample beer straight from the source, including a unique pumpkin spice ale. It’s a fun experience.
After the tour we get hands-on and learn how to pour Czech beer from a tap. Our instructor makes sure we put a proper head on it in the local fashion.
At the end we get to sample a pairing of stout with Jameson whiskey. It’s a great way to top off the evening.
11. Get Lost in the Old Town
As I mentioned before, my favorite thing to do in Olomouc is get lost in the old town. We have some free time on our trip, and I spend as much of it as I can wandering through the cobbled streets and soaking up the pastel facades and Baroque beauty.
Best Things to Do in Olomouc
I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide to the best things to do in Olomouc. This under-the-radar city in the Czech Republic is worth a special trip, and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it as much as I did if you go. Happy travels!
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