10 Best Day Trips From Ostrava, Czech Republic

Situated on the eastern border of the Czech Republic is the country’s third largest city, Ostrava. Boasting a rich history dating back to the medieval period, the city’s growth was primarily fueled by the coal mining industry.

The city’s industrial past has left a mark on its architecture and cultural heritage particularly the Dolní Vítkovice area, a former ironworks and the coal mine that has been transformed into a unique cultural and educational centre, and home to the Colours of Ostrava festival.

I recently had the pleasure of spending four days in Ostrava and used the city as a ‘jumping off’ point to several villages, towns, cities and tourist attractions in the region.

1. Radegast Brewery

🚗 Distance from Ostrava: 30km

In the Moravian-Silesian Region of the Czech Republic, one beer seems to rule them all, Radegast. Named after the ancient Slavic god of hospitality and fertility, Radegast was founded in 1970, which makes it a relatively young beer by Czech standards.

The establishment of the Radegast brewery was part of a broader government initiative during the communist era to increase beer production in the region. By producing various types of larger following traditional Czech brewing methods the brewery quickly gained fame.

In the small village of Nošovice, roughly 30km from Ostrava visitors can tour the Radegast Nošovice brewery, one of the largest in the Czech Republic and enjoy a beer-tasting experience at the end. Tours cost just €10 per person and last 120 minutes covering;

• Radegast Shrine – Visitor Centre
• Jaromír Franzl brewhouse
• Lager cellars
• Can and bottling plant
• Central warehouse
• Tasting at the Visitor Centre

Sadly, tours are currently only available in the Czech language and take place on a limited number of dates. As such it’s well worth checking the availability calendar and purchasing your tickets in advance.

2. Opava

🚗 Distance from Ostrava: 37km

Opava is a small city located 37km northwest of Ostrava. With a history that dates back to the 12th century, the city of Opava has played a significant role in the Moravian-Silesian Region and the wider Czech Republic.

As a result, the city of Opava boasts a blend of architectural styles, including Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance buildings as well as a selected number of historical and culturally significant landmarks which include;

• Opava Castle
• Hlaska Tower
• Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary

Since Opava and Ostrava are located relatively close together there are a variety of ways you can travel between the two cities. With a journey time of just 38 minutes, the train is the quickest option.

Meanwhile, buses take roughly one hour. Sadly, both buses and trains between the two cities only run every three hours, so you’ll want to plan ahead if you want to travel here.

3. Štramberk

🚗 Distance from Ostrava: 44km

The town of Štramberk is one of my personal favourite day trips from Ostrava and is somewhere that benefits from a wide range of things to see and do.

Located just 44km from the city of Ostrava, nestled in the Beskids mountain range the town is known for its charming medieval architecture, beautiful natural surroundings, and unique cultural traditions. Some of my favourite things to do in Štramberk include;

• Eat Štramberk Ears
• Trúba Castle Tower
• Šipka Cave

The combination of historical charm, cultural traditions, and natural beauty makes Štramberk a popular destination for tourists. As such, there are several accommodation options including guesthouses and modern hotels as well as a number of bakeries and restaurants.

4. Nový Jičín

🚗 Distance from Ostrava: 46km

The small town of Nový Jičín is situated just 46km from Ostrava and makes for the perfect day out. While driving is the easiest way to get between Ostrava and Nový Jičín there are several RegioJet coach services departing Ostrava train station daily travelling to Nový Jičín in roughly one and a half hours.

Nový Jičín is commonly referred to as the “town of hats” and has a history that dates back to the 14th century which you can explore through several attractions including;

• The Hat Museum
• Church of the Holy Trinity
• Masaryk Square

Nový Jičín is also a great place from where you can begin to explore the nearby Beskydy Mountains if you’re looking to extend your trip further.

5. Jeseniky Mountains

🚗 Distance from Ostrava: 73km

The Jeseníky Mountains are a mountain range that forms part of the Eastern Sudetes and are predominantly located in the northern part of the Czech Republic roughly 73km from the city of Ostrava.

Sadly there is no public transport between Ostrava and the Jeseniky Mountains. Instead, the only way you’ll be able to travel between the two locations is by car. Thankfully, hire cars can be booked either online or in person and then collected from the rental office at Ostrava Airport.

The mountains are primarily made of crystalline rocks and feature various landscapes including ridges, valleys, and plateaus. Unsurprisingly this makes the Jeseníky Mountains a very popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts with activities here including;

• Hiking
• Skiing
• Cycling

There are also several spas in the region for those looking to kick back and relax either instead of or after exploring the outdoors.

6. Pustevny

🚗 Distance from Ostrava: 76km

One of my personal favourite day trips from Ostrava, and a day trip I took on my most recent visit to the city is to Pustevny. This mountain saddle is situated in the Moravian-Silesian Beskids range at an elevation of 1,018 meters.

This makes Pustevny incredibly popular for winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding, as well as summer activities such as hiking and mountain biking. However, for those looking for a slightly slower pace, there’s still plenty to do in Pustevny including;

• The statue of Radegast on Radhošť Mountain
• Stezka Valaška
• Wood Trail
• Cottage Libusin

It’s roughly 76km between Ostrava and Pustevny and sadly there is no public transport. Instead, I suggest driving roughly an hour to the parking lot at the Pustevny chairlift station close to the Hotel Ráztoka in Trojanovice.

From here you can take one of the single-cable chairlifts up 400m to the upper chairlift station which stands at an elevation of 1,018 meters. The chairlift journey takes roughly 10 minutes with tickets currently costing 220CZK one-way or 270CZK return.

7. Katowice

🚗 Distance from Ostrava: 96km

The city of Katowice is actually across the border from the Czech Republic in Poland. However, given Ostrava’s close proximity to the Polish border, the journey is just 96km and takes roughly an hour.

Coaches are the most popular form of transport for tourists looking to travel from Ostrava to Katowice and thanks to the soft border within Europe you won’t have to waste time passing through any immigration counters etc. With an early morning start you’ll have roughly 8 to 12 hours to explore the city of Katowice and in that time I recommend checking out;

• Silesian Museum
• Nikiszowiec
• Silesian Park
• Cathedral of Christ the King
• Mariacka Street
• Guido Mine

In fact, there’s more than enough to do in Katowice that you could easily spend a couple of days or even a long weekend here.

8. Brno

🚗 Distance from Ostrava: 168km

Brno is the second largest city in the Czech Republic and is situated 168km southwest of Ostrava. With a history that dates back over a thousand years, Brno has long been an important centre of trade, culture, and politics in the Czech Republic, and its historical heritage is well-preserved in its architecture and museums.

Given the size and popularity of both Brno and Ostrava travelling between the two cities can be done either by car or on public transport. FlixBus coaches travel at least 10 times a day and RegioJet trains travel upwards of 30 between Ostrava and Brno with a journey time of roughly 2.5 hours and a one-way ticket price of around €15.

One in Brno you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to things to do. However, some of my favourite attractions include;

• Špilberk Castle
• Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul
• Villa Tugendhat
• Old Town
• Moravian Karst

In fact with so many fantastic things to see and do, I highly recommend allocating between 8 to 12 hours in the city. However, even then you’re likely only going to scratch the surface so if you can extend to an overnight stay or even a long weekend then I’d highly encourage you to do so.

9. Kraków

🚗 Distance from Ostrava: 172km

Much like Katowice, the city of Kraków is also located across the border in Poland. This city is roughly 172km from Ostrava and subsequently takes between 2 to 3 hours either by car, coach or train.

Coaches are the most popular way of travelling for tourists looking to go from Ostrava to Kraków and thanks to the soft border within Europe you won’t have to waste time passing through any immigration counters etc. With an early morning start you’ll have roughly 8 to 12 hours to explore the city of Kraków. During that time I recommend checking out;

• Auschwitz-Birkenau
• Schindler’s Factory Museum
• Wawel Castle
• Rynek Główny (Main Market Square)
• St. Mary’s Basilica
• Kazimierz (The Jewish Quarter)

In fact, there’s more than enough to do in Kraków that you could easily spend a couple of days or even a long weekend here. Meanwhile, when it comes to the prices Kraków is very similar to Ostrava and therefore you won’t find yourself over budget when it comes to tourist attractions, food and drink.

10. Prague

🚗 Distance from Ostrava: 340km

The Czech Republic’s capital city of Prague is located roughly 340km west of Ostrava, which makes it a stretch, but not impossible to travel to on a day trip from the city. Trains and coaches are the most popular way of travelling between Ostrava and Prague, with an average travel time of between 3 and 4 hours one-way.

With coaches running through the night, you can set off at 4am and be in the capital in time for breakfast, giving you a full 8 – 12 hours to explore before returning back to Ostrava. However, being the country’s capital, Prague has a lot for you to see and do and certainly warrants a multi-day visit where possible.

During our tour around Europe in 2018 my wife Helen and I fell in love with Prague so much that we spent an entire month living and working in the city – and even that wasn’t enough time to see and do everything here. Some of our favourite spots in Prague include;

• Prague Castle
• Charles Bridge
• Astronomical Clock & The Old Town
• Wenceslas Square
• The Apple Museum
• Petrin Hill and Observation Tower
• Prague Zoo

Being the capital city, it’s not surprising that Prague is the most popular city with tourists and subsequently the cost of visiting this area is higher when compared to Ostrava and other villages, towns and cities in the Czech Republic.