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Olomouc is a city in the Czech Republic with about 102,000 inhabitants and a rich historical and cultural heritage. It is the sixth largest city in the country and the ecclesiastical metropolis of Moravia, with the Holy Trinity Column as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Olomouc is the second most important monument zone in the Czech Republic after Prague, with the UNESCO-listed Holy Trinity Column and the Baroque Town Hall Tower. It is also the centre of Moravia, with a rich history, a famous cheese, and nearby attractions such as the Jeseníky Mountains and Kroměříž.
- Olomouc at A Glance
- Before We Begin
- 28 Things to Do in Olomouc, Czech Republic
- Eating and Drinking in Olomouc
- Best Time to Visit Olomouc
- Where to Stay in Olomouc
- Getting to Olomouc
- Things to Do in Olomouc | Final Thoughts
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The former capital of Moravia (before passing the title onto Brno), Olomouc is a historical city that goes all the way back to Roman times, when it was founded by Julius Caesar. Home to an abundance of Baroque and Renaissance architecture, magnificent churches, and its own UNESCO World Heritage site, not to mention great cafes, a lively bar scene a...
Most articles about the best things to do in Olomouc have included every single church, statue and government building in minute detail. I have not done that here. As much as I love architecture, I am not going to put you through a list of 500 churches and explain the significance of every single one of them. I wanted this Olomouc guide to offer so...
Admire the Town Hall
Olomouc Town Hall, or Olomoucká radnice, is located in the main market square, which is called Upper Square or Horní náměstí. It is a magnificent building and has served as a city hall for over 600 years, showing just how economically and politically important Olomouc has been throughout the years. To this day, Olomouc Town Hall is still a functioning government building so you can’t go inside all of the rooms, but what you can do is climb the 144 steps to the 75-metre tower for panoramic vie...
A Communist Astronomical Clock
You might be familiar with Prague’s astronomical clock, but did you know that there is also one in Olomouc? The Olomoucký orloj is even more interesting than Prague’s due to how unusual it is. You see, although it was first made in the 1400’s, it was badly damaged during the Second World War, and redesigned in the 1950’s, during the Soviet era. As a result, the clock has a socialist realism design, which in means that the religious figures were done away with and replaced with more ‘communist...
Eat stinky cheese
Affectionately known as ‘stinky cheese,’ Tvarůžky is native to the Czech Republic, specifically Olomouc! Since 2010 it has been registered as a Protected Geographical Indication by the European Union, and you will find countless dishes featuring this cheese in the bars and restaurants of Olomouc. Made from a fat-free, sour curd, this cheese is also known as a ‘diet cheese,’ and it is extremely high in protein. Tvarůžky is most commonly eaten with bread and beer (or Slivovice), but you can als...
Drink in Masné krámy
Once a meat market, Masné krámy is now a narrow passage full of student pubs and it’s a great place to go for food and beer, especially on a weekend night. Do bear in mind that most (if not all) of these bars are cash only, so go prepared!
Entree Restaurant
One of the best restaurants in the Czech Republic and certainly the best restaurant in Olomouc is Entrée. Owned by Premek Forejt, Czech celebrity chef and judge on the Czech MasterChef, Entrée produces ultra high end gastronomy, exquisitely presented and inspired by nature. To get the most out of your experience, I recommend the daily tasting menu with wine pairing. It’s expensive, but worth it. Find out more on their website.
Long Story Short Eatery & Bakery
On the site of an old military bakery, and bakery boarding school, Long Story Short Eatery & Bakery is a delightful restaurant offering a creative twist on many classic dishes, with locally-sourced products and a menu that changes every 1-2 weeks. I ordered the beef tartare followed by chicken supreme with polenta and it was gorgeous. Reservations here are essential. You can reserve a place on their website.
Usually I’d say that the best time to visit somewhere with a climate like Olomouc (wet) would be in the summertime, but due to Olomouc’s huge student population, I advise visiting during the school year. This is because, when the students aren’t around, many of the bars won’t remain open and the city will lose its heartbeat. I visited in mid-Septem...
There are plenty of lovely hotels in Olomouc, and even a couple of hostels! We stayed at the 4-star HERBARIUM Boutique Hotel, about a 10 minute walk from Upper Square, and I can’t fault it. With flowers and fauna everywhere you look and every room taking on the theme of a particular plant (I got fern!), this hotel is super photogenic and super comf...
The Czech Republic is a small country with a great public transport system, so getting to Olomouc is easy. You can take the bus or the train (I took the bus from nearby Brno), or alternatively you can hire a car and drive. Here’s how you get to Olomouc from all the major nearby cities.
For the 4 days that I was in Olomouc, I couldn’t stop thinking about what a great city break this charming city makes. With tonnes of things to do and see, a thriving gastronomical scene and buzzing nightlife, you really can’t go wrong with Olomouc, especially as it’s so budget-friendly! If you want to discover a true European hidden gem and explor...
Olomouc is a historical and charming city with Baroque and Renaissance architecture, a UNESCO site, and a communist astronomical clock. Discover the best attractions, foods, and activities in this travel guide to Olomouc, Czech Republic's best-kept secret.
- Holy Trinity Column. Central Europe has many plague columns that were built to commemorate outbreaks and credit God for stopping them, but the Holy trinity Column is surely the most splendid you can find.
- St. Wenceslas’ Cathedral. To give you an idea of scale, this gigantic cathedral, at more than 100-metres in height, is the fourth-tallest building in the Czech Republic.
- Hradisko Monastery. It is advisable to book a tour to see the interior of this grand building, but many will be happy just to get a picture of its spires, towers and ornate gateways from the outside.
- Olomouc Town Hall. With its white stucco facade and towering black spires, this is gothic structure is easily the most cherished secular building in the city.
Olomouc is the sixth-largest city in the Czech Republic and the seat of the oldest university and the Moravian archbishopric. It has a rich history, a beautiful historic centre, and a vibrant student life.
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Discover Olomouc, a historic city in the Czech Republic with UNESCO World Heritage sites, columns, fountains, churches and palaces. Find out about tours, events, transport, food and accommodation options on the official tourist portal.
Discover Olomouc, a majestic city with historic buildings, churches and a Unesco-protected trinity column. Learn about its history, culture, cheese and attractions from Lonely Planet's articles and tips.
