Pilsen – Culture, Šumava and Beer Tradition

The Pilsen region combines nature experiences, culture and a strong beer tradition. It extends to Å umava National Park and offers trails through forests and villages as well as excursions for families.

Å umava, Trails and Unusual Landscapes

Šumava National Park extends into the Plzeň region. The Gunther Trail leads through the forests of the Bohemian Forest and through picturesque villages. The Golden Trail leads to Kašperské Hory and Kašperk Castle. There are also dozens of hiking trails, including routes outside Šumava. Cycling tours can combine lookout towers, castles, natural attractions and gastronomic stops. Long-distance trails such as the Vintíř Trail and the historic Golden Trail are complemented by viewpoints, castle ruins and protected natural areas.

Hromnické jezírko is a distinctive landscape destination. The natural monument has an unusual reddish coloration and was formed as a remnant of a slate quarry. This means that the region offers both longer trails and exceptional individual natural sites.

Family Experiences in Srní and Kvilda

At the Návštěvnické centrum Srní, a 300 m-long wooden footbridge leads through the wolf enclosure. It is located 3–4 m above the ground and has observation huts. An approximately 2 km-long educational trail focuses on the predators of Šumava as well as the trees and plants of the region. Visitors with reduced mobility have an assisted access option at the elevated footbridge. There is also a children's playground next to the building.

The Návštěvnické centrum Kvilda offers the 2.6 km-long Jelení stezka circular trail. It leads partly through a deer enclosure and has three observation towers. The trail is marked as suitable for families with small children. This allows nature observation, short circular trails and specific destinations for different age groups to be combined in Šumava.

Culture, History and Regional Identity

The region's cultural offerings include galleries, museums, theaters, music festivals and the folklore of the Chodské area. The Škoda Family Museum focuses on Emil Škoda, his extended family and more than 150 years of Škoda Works history. A functioning electric railway model is also on display. In the Klatovské katakomby, the crypts beneath the Jesuit church, you can see 30 mummified bodies and learn more about the history of the town and the Jesuit order.

The Centrum stavitelského dědictví in Plasy presents the history of building techniques and construction materials in former buildings of a monastery brewery and a farm. The various topics are suitable for a stay in which urban history, technology and regional culture have their own place alongside nature experiences.

Beer Tradition and Spas

Beer trails in the Plzeň region connect 14 renowned breweries and explain centuries-old brewing traditions. Ale has been produced in Chodová Planá since the 12th century. The Modrý Abbé Beer Studio in Klatovy offers dark Granát lager as well as the non-alcoholic, unfiltered Svatý Kryštof. For quieter days, Konstantinovy Lázně offers therapeutic baths and massages; beer baths are available at Purkmistr, Chodovar and Šumava Herbal Spa.

Regional Orientation

A bus or train from Prague to Pilsen takes 50 minutes. If you are looking for accommodation, you can therefore first decide whether culture, beer tradition, family experiences or trails and landscapes should be the focus. For further regional searches, Okres Tachov, Okres Klatovy, Okres Plzeň-Město, Plzeň-Jih, Okres Plzeň-Sever, Okres Rokycany and Okres Domažlice are also part of the regional overview.

More About the Destination

Relevant information for planning your trip:

Pilsen - Czech Republic Network.