Things to Do in České Budějovice: Underrated Gem in Czechia

České Budějovice is often overlooked by travelers visiting the Czech Republic. Most people pass through on their way to Český Krumlov and never give the city much thought. I’ll admit I didn’t have high expectations either when I arrived.

But after spending two days exploring the city, I ended up enjoying it far more than I expected.

České Budějovice has a beautiful historic square, relaxed parks, interesting museums, and some surprisingly good vegan food. It’s also a great base for visiting Hluboká Castle, one of the most beautiful castles in the Czech Republic.

I visited in early March, which isn’t the best time to visit to be honest. Even so, the city won me over with its relaxed atmosphere. I can only imagine how nice it must be here in late spring or summer when everything is green and you can enjoy the water activities and parks.

1. Explore the Main Square and Samson Fountain

The heart of České Budějovice is its large main square, Náměstí Přemysla Otakara II. Surrounded by colorful historic houses with arcades, it’s a super picturesque square.

Even though there is car traffic and parts of the square are used for parking, it still feels very charming. It’s a great place to rest for a bit and take everything in.

In the center of the square you’ll find the Samson Fountain. When I visited, there were lots of pigeons gathering around the fountain, which made the whole scene feel lively and a bit chaotic in a fun way.

From here you also get a great view of the City Hall, the beautiful blue and white building on one side of the square. When I was there at 3 p.m., the bells chimed from the top. I’m not sure if this happens every hour, but it’s worth pausing to see if you can hear them.

From the square you can also already spot the Black Tower, another important landmark in the city and one of the next places you’ll probably want to visit.

2. Climb the Black Tower

Right next to the cathedral and just off the main square stands the Black Tower, one of the most recognizable landmarks in České Budějovice.

The tower dates back to the 16th century and was originally built as a watchtower and bell tower. Today, visitors can climb to the top for panoramic views over the city and the surrounding countryside.

Unfortunately, the tower was closed when I visited in early March because it only opens during the warmer months. If you visit in spring, summer, or early autumn though, it’s definitely worth climbing the stairs for the view.

Even if you can’t go up, the tower is still impressive from the outside and easy to spot from different places around the old town.

3. Step Inside St. Nicholas Cathedral

Right next to the Black Tower you’ll find St. Nicholas Cathedral. Since it’s located right by the main square, it’s very easy to include during a walk through the old town.

When I visited, parts of the cathedral were under reconstruction. Google Maps also said it was closed that day, but I tried the door anyway and it turned out to be open. So if you’re nearby, it’s always worth checking.

Inside, the cathedral is a bit simpler than many other European cathedrals. If you’re expecting something like the massive churches in Prague, you might find it more modest. That said, it’s still beautiful and it’s free to visit, so might as well have a quick peek inside.

The side altar was my favourite part with a beautiful ceiling painting above it. I also liked the mix of historic and modern elements near the main altar.

4. Visit the Museum of South Bohemia

The Museum of South Bohemia was actually my first stop in the city. It’s conveniently located on the way from the bus station to the old town.

The museum costs only about €5 and gives a really good overview of the region, covering everything from nature and archaeology to folklore and local traditions. Most of the information is available in Czech, English, and German.

One section focuses on the natural landscape of South Bohemia, with displays about the region’s wildlife. There are also exhibits about stones from around the world.

I liked the archaeology section, where you can see Bronze Age artifacts such as pottery shards and tools. Above the displays there’s a timeline showing what was happening in other parts of the world during the same period, which makes it easier to put the finds into context.

Another interesting part of the museum focuses on local folklore and traditions. Here you can see traditional clothing from the region and learn about historical customs.
One unusual tradition I learned about involved baking a loaf of bread shaped like a baby when a child was born out of wedlock. If the father accepted the bread, it meant he acknowledged the child as his.

5. Walk Along the Waterfront

Even though I visited in early March when the weather was still a bit chilly, people were already sitting in sun lounges and sipping a coffee and chatting with friends near the river. It was easy to see that this must be one of the liveliest parts of the city in summer.

Along the water there are several spots where you can rent paddle boats or stand-up paddle boards, or do other water activities. There are also a few cafés nearby, or you can always bring your own drinks and snacks for a picnic.

And there are even three small houseboats on the canal, which you can rent, a pretty unique place to stay in the city, although maybe not the most private one as everyone walking past could probably look straight into your living room.

6. Relax in Stromovka Park

If you need a break from sightseeing, Stromovka Park is the perfect place to slow down for a while. What surprised me most is how close it is to the city center. From the old town it only takes about five minutes to walk there.

The park is huge, with lots of trees, wide grassy areas, and benches scattered throughout. In the middle there’s also a large lake, which adds to the relaxed atmosphere.

When I visited in early March the park wasn’t at its best yet. The trees were still bare and everything looked a bit bleak. Even so, it was still a pleasant place to walk around, and I could easily imagine how nice it must be in late spring or summer.

7. Get a Drink at OKis Café

If you’re walking around the canal area, make sure to stop by OKis Café. It’s a small takeaway café hidden inside a monastery garden, which gives it a really peaceful atmosphere.

You order at a small booth and then take your drink to one of the benches or tables in the garden. With the church buildings around you, it’s a really nice spot to sit for a few minutes.

When I visited, I tried their hot blackthorn lemonade, which was a seasonal winter drink. It was surprisingly good, with fresh blackthorn in it and a nice balance of sweet and sour flavors.

If you do come here, I’d recommend enjoying your drink in the garden rather than taking it to go, since the setting is part of what makes this place special and my cup was super cute.

8. Eat Soup in an Edible Bowl at Soup Culture

If you’re looking for something a bit different to eat, Soup Culture is one of the most unique food spots in České Budějovice.

The restaurant focuses entirely on soup, but the fun part is how it’s served. Instead of a normal bowl, your soup comes in a cup made of bread that you can actually eat. These are shaped like real cups, which makes the whole experience feel a bit unusual.

When I visited there were only three soups available, two vegetarian and one vegan. I tried the vegan lentil soup, which was really good. The turmeric flavored bread cup was also surprisingly tasty, which I honestly didn’t expect.

9. Browse the Gallery & Shop Rabenštejnská 2020

If you enjoy discovering unusual shops, Rabenštejnská 2020 is definitely worth a quick visit. It’s a mix of a gallery and a small design shop, selling all sorts of unique items created by local artists.

Inside you’ll find things like ceramic cups, T-shirts, sculptures, prints, and paintings. It’s the kind of place where you can easily spend a few minutes browsing because many of the items are quite unusual and creative.

The entrance alone is worth seeing. When you walk in, it feels a bit like you’re stepping into the mouth of a giant straw figure, which makes the shop stand out even before you enter.

The streets around the gallery are also interesting to explore, with several small independent shops and creative spaces nearby. If you like finding places that feel a bit different from the usual tourist shops, just keep your eyes open.

10. Grab a Matcha at Peak of Matcha & Coffee

If you like matcha, another great stop in České Budějovice is Peak of Matcha & Coffee. It’s a tiny takeaway spot that’s a bit tricky to find because it doesn’t appear on Google Maps, but you can find it here.

You order at a small window and then take your drink to go. One of the most unusual things about this place is how the drinks are served. The matcha comes in a sealed can-style container.

After receiving it, you open it just like a normal drink can. The downside is the amount of plastic waste it produces as there’s no option to have the matcha there.

There are many different matcha flavor combinations, often mixed with fruity or other sweet flavors. I tried the matcha and ube combination. It was nice, but I didn’t notice the ube flavor.

I’d recommend choosing the small size, as the large one felt a bit too milky by the time I finished it.

They also clearly list allergens on the menu. Dairy is marked as allergen number 7, so if you’re looking for a vegan option just make sure that number isn’t listed, or ask the staff. When I visited, the woman working there was very friendly and spoke English.

11. Take a Day Trip to Hluboká Castle

If you have a little extra time in České Budějovice, you should take a day trip to Hluboká Castle. Located only about 30 minutes from the city, it’s considered one of the most beautiful castles in the Czech Republic.

The white façade, towers, and decorative details make it look almost like something out of a fairy tale. You can walk around the castle gardens and courtyard for free, the inside of the former hunting castle can only be visited as part of a guided tour.

The easiest way to get there from České Budějovice is by bus, which takes about 30 minutes and costs only a few Czech crowns.

If you want to know exactly how to get there and what to see, I’ll cover everything in detail in my dedicated guide to visiting Hluboká Castle.

Map of the Best Things to Do in České Budějovice

To make planning your visit easier, I’ve marked all the places mentioned in this guide on the map below. All main attractions (besides the castle) are located within walking distance in or near the old town, so it’s very easy to explore the city on foot.

How Long to Stay in České Budějovice

While many travelers only pass through České Budějovice on their way to Český Krumlov, I’d definitely recommend spending at least one night here.

Staying overnight gives you enough time to explore the historic center, relax in the parks, and visit some of the more hidden spots around the city. It also makes it much easier to take a trip to Hluboká Castle without feeling rushed.

I stayed in a beautiful and very affordable apartment in the city center, just a few minutes’ walk from the Black Tower. The location was perfect because everything in the old town was within walking distance.

If you’re planning a trip to České Budějovice and are looking for a good place to stay, you can check out my full review of the apartment here, where I share more details about the location, price, and why I’d recommend it.

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