Are you writing off the Czech Republic as just another typical cobblestone street and Gothic cathedral-filled corner of Europe? Well, you would be sorely mistaken and in need of a reframe!
This gem of central Europe has a wild side that gets little attention—a side that will make you feel like you are part of some espionage group with top-tier weapons training or maybe an adventurer going beyond great architecture! When tourists are swarming over Charles Bridge or taking pictures at Prague Castle, there is an entire world of adrenaline, culture, and real experiences waiting around the next corner.
Let’s take a look at what the insiders know—and most guidebooks ignore.
Firearms, Focus, and Adrenaline
Sure, you could go with the hordes and go for yet another walking tour with a guide, but why do that when you can unlock your inner Rambo or Bond by swapping your map for a trigger?
At the shooting range in Prague, you can fire legendary guns such as the AK-47 or Glock 17. It’s legal and safe, and no experience is required.
The adrenaline rush begins when you gear up. The instructor nods. You pull the trigger. Boom.
It’s not noise and recoil alone. It’s the silence between shots, the concentration to hit your mark, and the thrill of every bullseye. Solo or with a group, a shooting range Prague experience is unforgettable and anything but routine.
Underground Cafés and Secret Pubs
Skip tourist menus in Old Town. Head below street level.
The Czech Republic is home to subterranean cafés and hidden pubs with stone walls, candles, and local charm. They pour craft beer, robust espresso, and folk tunes you won’t hear on Spotify.
In Brno or Olomouc, explore alleyways and you’ll probably discover places behind antique doors that offer warm food and wiser conversation.
Soak in Beer or Wine
Yes, beer spas and wine spas are real here.
At Karlovy Vary and Pilsen, spas provide tubs of warm beer or wine blends. The yeast and minerals are beneficial to the skin, but the majority go for the experience—and the pint you enjoy while soaking.
It’s quirky, cozy, and very Czech.
Hike Through Rock Cities and Ghostly Forests
Trade manicured parks for raw nature.
In Bohemian Switzerland or Adršpach-Teplice Rocks, you’ll hike narrow trails between giant sandstone formations. Some paths include ladders bolted into stone walls and stunning views stretching into Poland.
Head to the Ore Mountains to trek through ghost forests—silently spooky, eerily peaceful, and somehow reassuring.
Ride Old Trains to Forgotten Towns
Want to feel like you’ve traveled back in time?
Ride a vintage steam train. Puffing along rolling fields, the old locomotives come to rest in villages that seem untouched by the modern world.
At the stations, perhaps you’ll find mulled wine, folk singing, or a plate of warm pastries handed to you by someone’s grandmother.
Learn to Make Something by Hand
In Nový Bor or Jablonec nad Nisou, learn glass blowing and blow molten glass with your breath.
Or carve your marionette in Prague, learn the craft that’s been passed down for generations, and experience the joy of making something yourself.
Camp by Rivers or Sleep in a Treehouse
Rent a kayak and float down the Vltava River, camping at peaceful riverside spots along the way. You’ll pass vineyards, castles, and sleepy villages where time slows down.
In the Krkonoše or Šumava parks, stay in a treehouse cabin. Rise to birdsong and brew coffee on a fire with no one else around.
Explore Local Legends and Unconventional Festivals
Each Czech town’s got a story—some spooky, some bizarre.
In Český Krumlov, a live bear inhabits the castle moat. In Kutná Hora, there’s a whole chapel covered in bones.
Time your visit with a village festival and stumble into goat parades, stilt walkers, or accordion-led dance-offs. Locals bring homemade schnapps, and strangers become friends by nightfall.
Embrace the Unexpected
The Czech Republic is full of surprises.
One day, you’re soaking in a beer spa. Next, you’re locked in focus at a shooting range in Prague that keeps just off the main tourist trail.
Avoid the crowds. Look for something different. Discover your kind of adventure—unconventional, indigenous, and full of personality.