Pilsen

Local name: Plzen

“The government that raises the price of beer will fall,” the old Czech saying goes.

Named the EU Cultural Capital for 2015, Pilsen is best known for, what else, Pilsener (or “Pilsner”) beer. Back in the 1200’s, the townspeople were allowed to brew and sell beer right in their homes. (Remember Good King Wenceslas?)

Today, the city’s draw is still its old local taverns. There, you can taste the distinct and flavorful Pilsner Urquell and follow a “beer trail” to find out how traditional secrets were guarded through many generations.

What to Do

Eat. Drink by the pitcher. Try the beer spa of Purkmistr brewery which takes groups up to 16 for a fun experience of massages and sauna. Skeptical whether hops and yeast can actually have a healing or cleansing effect on your skin? There’s only one way to find out. (Beer baths from €27.)

The Hotel Rango, Pilsen Photo: Booking.com

Stay

The Hotel Rango is a lovely three-star family-run property located in the historical center of Pilsen (literally less than a minute from the city’s main square). Its location alone makes it an easy walk home at night…

Doubles from $56 a night

Search all budget hotels available in Pilsen

Getting there

From Prague Airport, 90 km/50 minutes by car. There’s also a direct bus trip from Prague. Check schedules at www.idos.cz. Trains from Prague leave to Pilsen every hour.

More affordable Czech destinations

Pilsen is just one stop on our tour of budget-friendly Czech destinations. These also include:

• Františkovy Lázne (German Name: Franzensbad)
• Ceské Budejovice (German name: Budweis)

Also going to Prague?

Be sure to check out our recommended budget hotels in Prague, and our articles on how to save when visiting the city.

The post A budget guide to Pilsen (Plzen), Czech Republic appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

“Everything in Czech Republic is heavy!” came the curt reply.

And so I gave in, succumbing to giant portions of crispy roast duck with plump Knedliky dumplings. And afterwards, palacinky — sugary, stuffed crepes. There was beer, beer, and more beer. It was all delicious.

When the bill for dinner came round, I nearly fell off my chair: €22 for all that — for all of us? Surely, they had made a mistake!

Czech please! A budget traveler’s dream

But no, this was Western Bohemia, a budget traveler’s dream. After Budweisers at the amber-lit Budweiser city square, we went bar-hopping and food-tripping. We toured small spa towns with their preserved architecture. We swam in thermal pools for a third of the price of what they charged across the border in Germany.

The next day, we booked our luxury apartment an extra night. As a couple with two kids, the €60 price tag was too enticing to go home. It was smack in the historical center, had two bathrooms, two bedrooms, kitchen, and lounge. Even a breakfast buffet was included.

While most visitors head to Prague, budget travelers will also have a blast in these three cities. Here, culture doesn’t just “come alive” — it’s been around for hundreds of years. And so has the delicious, legendary beer.

Our tour of the Czech Republic outside Prague

Here are three destinations beyond Prague in the Czech Republic that should definitely be on every budget traveler’s shortlist:

1. Pilsen

2. Františkovy Lázne

3. Ceské Budejovice

Also going to Prague?

Be sure to check out our recommended budget hotels in Prague, and our articles on how to save when visiting the city.

The post Czech Republic: 3 Great budget destinations beyond Prague appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.