Pelhřimov District

Cultural history between town, castle and craftsmanship

The Pelhřimov District combines impressive cultural history with a hilly landscape. Pelhřimov is particularly varied: its historic town centre preserves Renaissance houses with arcades and sgraffito façades. You will also find Historicist, Art Nouveau, Cubist and Functionalist architecture. Parts of the stone fortification system have been preserved, and the historic centre can be accessed through three town gates. The exhibition in Pelhřimov’s town jail offers a special perspective on the past. It draws on the authenticity of the site and extensive source material. The permanent exhibitions at the castle of the Lords of Říčany include works by Josef and Zdeněk Šejnost. In Žirovnice, meanwhile, a mother-of-pearl button workshop tells the story of the region’s craft tradition: button-making began with a workshop founded in 1863. Žirovnice is therefore also known as the Pearl Town. Žirovnice Castle is also notable for its extensive Gothic wall paintings from the 15th century. Kámen Castle offers a different historical focus; its originally Gothic character documents the 13th century. This makes it possible to combine different forms of architecture, art and regional history during a stay, without reducing the Pelhřimov District to just one individual excursion destination.

Landscape and activities at Křemešník

The Pelhřimov region is characterised by a hilly landscape with small chapels, churches and springs. At 765 metres above sea level, Křemešník is the highest peak in the region. Several types of experience come together here: the Křemešník high-rope centre has almost 30 obstacles, including children’s, junior and high courses. In winter, Křemešník offers a ski slope, while in summer the Pípalka lookout tower provides panoramic views. The mountain’s religious history is also part of its character. The Calvary and the Church of the Holy Trinity form a pilgrimage site that developed around a mineral spring. When choosing your activities, you can therefore distinguish between active, scenic and cultural-historical experiences. The monastery in Želiv is considered a destination in the Pelhřimov region. The Želivka River also rises in the Pelhřimov area.

Regional tradition and culinary experiences

In Želiv, the brewery offers tours that combine an insight into the production process with a beer tasting. The brewery uses traditional brewing methods and offers classic lagers as well as speciality beers. This combination of craftsmanship, sightseeing and tasting adds a culinary aspect to the area’s cultural destinations.

Getting there and choosing your focus

As of 11 August 2026, express bus line 401 connects Prague with Pelhřimov via Loket, Čechtice and Křelovice. Between Prague and Loket, the service uses the D1 motorway. This provides a specific documented reference point for planning your journey to Pelhřimov. When looking for a hotel, you can first determine your preferred focus: Pelhřimov stands for townscape, fortifications and exhibitions; Žirovnice for castle history and the mother-of-pearl and button-making tradition; while Křemešník combines landscape, seasonal activities and pilgrimage history. Želiv adds a monastery and brewery culture to this selection. This creates a clearer basis when choosing between a culture-oriented stay, excursions into the countryside or a combination of history and regional culinary experiences.

Other places in the Pelhřimov District

For your further selection of places, here are the direct locations in the destination area: [Dubovice](Dubovice), [Vitice](Vitice), [Horní Cerekev](Horní Cerekev), [Hribeci](Hribeci), [Castrov](Castrov), [Cetoraz](Cetoraz), [Knizata](Knizata), [Kosetice](Kosetice), [Nova Cerekev](Nova Cerekev), [Trsov](Trsov), [Krasonov](Krasonov), [Betlem](Betlem), [Kejzlice](Kejzlice), [Mnich](Mnich), [Pelhrimov](Pelhrimov), [Vlásenice-Drbohlavy](Vlásenice-Drbohlavy), [Cernov](Cernov), [Chystovice](Chystovice), [Kletecna](Kletecna), [Kojcice](Kojcice), [Putimov](Putimov), [Utechovice](Utechovice), [Svépravice](Svépravice), [Velký Rybník](Velký Rybník), [Cervená Recice](Cervená Recice), [Polesi](Polesi), [Popelistna](Popelistna), [Hodejovice](Hodejovice), [Senozaty](Senozaty), [Dobra Voda U Pacova](Dobra Voda U Pacova), [Chyšná](Chyšná), [Želiv](Želiv), [Humpolec](Humpolec), [Černovice](Černovice), [Kaliště U Humpolce](Kaliště U Humpolce), [Křešín](Křešín), [Ondřejov U Pelhřimova](Ondřejov U Pelhřimova), [Dehtáře](Dehtáře), [Žirovnice](Žirovnice), [Božejov](Božejov), [Bohdalín](Bohdalín), [Bořetín](Bořetín), [Mezilesí U Pelhřimova](Mezilesí U Pelhřimova), [Jankov U Pelhřimova](Jankov U Pelhřimova), [Ježov Nad Želivkou](Ježov Nad Želivkou), [Kámen U Pacova](Kámen U Pacova), [Vyklantice](Vyklantice), [Koberovice](Koberovice), [Křeč](Křeč), [Křelovice](Křelovice), [Libkova Voda](Libkova Voda), [Lukavec](Lukavec), [Mladé Bříště](Mladé Bříště), [Obrataň](Obrataň), [Píšť](Píšť), [Samšín](Samšín), [Rynárec](Rynárec), [Leškovice](Leškovice), [Těmice](Těmice), [Velká Chyška](Velká Chyška), [Řečice U Humpolce](Řečice U Humpolce), [Buřenice](Buřenice), [Bácovice](Bácovice), [Pacov](Pacov), [Lidmaň](Lidmaň), [Bořetice](Bořetice), [Vyskytná](Vyskytná), [Bratřice](Bratřice), [Budíkov](Budíkov), [Bystrá](Bystrá), [Čáslavsko](Čáslavsko), [Zachotín](Zachotín), [Čejov](Čejov), [Čelistná](Čelistná), [Čížkov](Čížkov), [Hořice U Humpolce](Hořice U Humpolce), [Důl](Důl), [Eš](Eš), [Počátky](Počátky), [Hojanovice](Hojanovice), [Hojovice](Hojovice), [Horní Rápotice](Horní Rápotice), [Horní Ves](Horní Ves), [Onšov](Onšov), [Olešná U Pelhřimova](Olešná U Pelhřimova), [Jiřice U Humpolce](Jiřice U Humpolce), [Komorovice](Komorovice), [Krasíkovice](Krasíkovice), [Lhota-Vlasenice](Lhota-Vlasenice), [Salačova Lhota](Salačova Lhota), [Martinice U Onšova](Martinice U Onšova), [Mezná U Pelhřimova](Mezná U Pelhřimova), [Mysletín](Mysletín), [Pošná](Pošná), [Nová Buková](Nová Buková), [Pavlov U Rynárce](Pavlov U Rynárce), [Proseč U Humpolce](Proseč U Humpolce), [Proseč Pod Křemešníkem](Proseč Pod Křemešníkem), [Rodinov](Rodinov), [Rovná U Hořepníku](Rovná U Hořepníku), [Sedlice](Sedlice), [Staré Bříště](Staré Bříště), [Stojčín](Stojčín), [Střítež Pod Křemešníkem](Střítež Pod Křemešníkem), [Syrov](Syrov), [Těchobuz](Těchobuz), [Ústrašín](Ústrašín), [Útěchovice Pod Stražištěm](Útěchovice Pod Stražištěm), [Včelnička](Včelnička), [Veselá](Veselá), [Vojslavice](Vojslavice), [Vokov](Vokov), [Vysoká Lhota](Vysoká Lhota), [Vystrkov](Vystrkov), [Zajíčkov](Zajíčkov), [Zhořec](Zhořec), [Zlátenka](Zlátenka), [Žirov](Žirov), [Zmišovice](Zmišovice), [Starý Smrdov](Starý Smrdov), [Sudkuv Dul](Sudkuv Dul), [Kamenice Nad Lipou](Kamenice Nad Lipou), [Dobrá Voda](Dobrá Voda), [Nová Cerekev](Nová Cerekev), [Nový Rychnov](Nový Rychnov), [Kaliště](Kaliště), [Hořepník](Hořepník)

For the overarching travel overview: Jihlava.