České Budějovice - buses, buses, attractions

Czech Budějovice - basic information

This is one of the largest urban centers in southern Bohemia. České Budějovice is the capital of the country (equivalent to our province) of South Bohemia, being - as befits a capital city! - an important administrative, educational, industrial and cultural center. The city's population is about 95,000, making České Budějovice the seventh most populous city in our southern neighbors.

The city was founded in the second half of the 13th century and became known for brewing as early as the Middle Ages. It is brewing, and in particular the Budweiser Budvar brand, that is today the international calling card of České Budějovice and its export commodity. As you can easily see, the brewery's name draws from the German language. This is no coincidence, as the city was for decades an enclave of German-speaking people, and Czechs only began to form a majority here in the late 19th century. The German minority was displaced after World War II, but its proximity to the German and Austrian borders makes South Bohemia a veritable cultural mix. The city's driving force for centuries was the salt route running between Prague and Linz, which allowed České Budějovice to grow and cement its importance on the map of central Europe.

What to visit in České Budějovice?

The list of top tourist attractions opens with the local market square, one of the largest on the Old Continent. Around it are gathered elegant, multicolored bourgeois houses with arcades. Of particular note is the local Town Hall. The Samson fountain struts in the middle of the square, and nearby is the Black Tower (a nice vantage point overlooking the city), which is visible at a glance. Other attractions in this town include St. Nicholas Cathedral, the Church of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary at the Dominican Monastery with its distinctive monastery bell tower, the Salt House and the Budvar Museum. The latter is a must-see on the list of gold liquor fans. During a guided tour, we can not only taste the local specialty, but also see the brewing process up close and learn the secrets of the local brewers. You can also catch an atmospheric beer tasting at the city's most famous beer hall - Masné stalls. The boulevards of the Vltava River look pretty in any season. On the west bank of the river there is a robust park where, if the weather is good, you can take a break from the metropolitan hustle and bustle.

Czech Budějovice is also a good starting point for exploring this part of the Republic. Of particular interest to tourists are the town of Třeboň, the beautiful castle in the small village of Hluboká, the underground of the Renaissance town of Slavonice, and Český Krumlov with its castle and cruises on the Vltava River. For the adventurous, there's a walk among the trees in Lipno on the Vltava River and the majestic Kleť lookout point in the form of the oldest lookout tower in the Czech Republic.

Visitors to southern Bohemian Budějovice must definitely try the sauerkraut pancakes, which are best enjoyed, of course, with a pint of the local Budvar.

The best way to enjoy them is with a pint of the local Budvar.