This summer, the Czech Republic is adding the Lipno Forest Kingdom to a wide range of activities designed for families to enjoy together: from the Prague Children’s Museum to a suspension bridge over 700 metres long, not to mention a journey through underground rivers, a via ferrata in total darkness and a mysterious medieval hotel.
In a fast-paced world like ours, it is more important than ever to make the most of the holidays to spend time with our loved ones – children, parents or friends. It is an opportunity both to rekindle social relationships and to strengthen family bonds that can sometimes be lost in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. In destinations such as the Czech Republic, you can not only find natural settings that are perfect for unwinding, but also facilities and activities that turn every experience with the children into an adventure.
Things to do in Prague with the family
Spending the first or last few days of a break in the Czech Republic in Prague – whether you know the city or not – means you can leave the car behind and enjoy leisurely walks and fun activities. In the Czech capital, the variety of things to do means there’s something to suit both culture-loving families and those who prefer a more active break.
To get around the city, children will love the historic No. 42 tram, which, as well as its retro charm, offers the chance to hop on and off as often as you like along its sightseeing route. You can use the journey to visit must-see attractions such as Prague Castle, where the cathedral, the palaces and the Golden Lane, with its tiny colourful houses, will delight the little ones.
The Astronomical Clock, in Old Town Square, will spark their curiosity with a set of dials that invites them to guess what each one represents. Although the procession of the apostles begins on the hour, the real spectacle is in the tower itself, which offers spectacular panoramic views. There’s no need to worry about the climb, as you can take the lift. Nor is this the only tower the younger ones will enjoy, as it’s also possible to climb the Powder Tower, the Charles Bridge Tower, the Malá Strana Tower (at the other end of the bridge), the Klementinum Tower and the Petřín Tower.
On Petřín Hill, as well as reaching the top of its tower – inspired by the Eiffel Tower – you’ll also have a great time in the surrounding parks and at the Hall of Mirrors. By the end of September, it’s expected that you’ll be able to take the new funicular down into the city.
In summer, a boat trip along the Vltava or on the small boats that cruise the canals of Kampa Island – known as the ‘Prague Venice’ – is an unmissable experience. As being close to the water is particularly enjoyable at this time of year, we recommend hiring a pedal boat shaped like a swan or a vintage car – laughter is guaranteed. If they’re a bit older, they might prefer to paddle in their own kayak. And for a dip, Praguers are particularly fond of the Žluté lázně area, a recreational and leisure complex on the banks of the Vltava with an urban beach.
As Prague is a city of culture, it’s worth including at least one museum in your family plans. One of the most highly recommended is the Children’s Museum, located in the new building of the National Museum in Prague, as it features an interactive exhibition and activities that make exploring nature and the human body a fun experience (suitable for ages 4 and over; tickets are sold in 90-minute slots).
The little ones are sure not to say no to a visit to the zoo, one of the oldest and most highly regarded in the world. It is home to over 670 species, many of them endangered, such as the Chinese giant salamanders.
Those travelling with teenagers will no doubt already have two more places on their list, both of which have gone viral on social media: the Výtopna Railway Restaurant, where food is served on little trains, and the ice cream cones with eyes sold at U svatého Matouše, on Vyšehrad Hill, near the basilica.
Planes para escapadas a pocas horas de Praga
A boat trip along an underground river in South Moravia
If you choose South Moravia as a destination to combine with Prague, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to fun activities. One of the experiences that most amazes children is a visit to the Punkva Caves, right in the heart of the Moravian Karst, where a walking tour through the caves – past lakes, stalactites and stalagmites – is combined with a boat trip along an underground river. The Macocha Abyss, which can be seen from inside the cave, can also be viewed from the viewpoint situated just above it, from where the depth seems even more dizzying.
For the more adventurous, a new caving via ferrata has recently been opened in this same area, in Ostrov u Macochy, featuring suspended walkways, lifts and zip lines in total darkness.
A giant slide and a fun park in South Bohemia
New this year in the Šumava Park area is the Lipno Forest Kingdom (Království lesa Lipno), which joins the outdoor attractions offered by Lipno’s famous “Treetop Walkway”. Although it has been open for over a decade, it remains one of the most popular and enjoyable activities. Its elevated route allows visitors to walk amongst the treetops of a lush forest and take in spectacular views of Lake Lipno and the Šumava landscape. The route, which is accessible to families with children and pushchairs, culminates in a viewing tower with a slide, making the visit an experience for all ages.
And at the foot of this attraction lies the Forest Kingdom, a new park featuring dozens of nature-inspired attractions, including a maze amongst the trees, a giant interactive anthill, balance courses and large trampolines that invite you to bounce amongst the treetops. Each attraction has been designed to encourage movement, curiosity and imagination. The experience is rounded off with a mini farm and a varied culinary offering at the Šumavanka restaurant, which serves local specialities, as well as vegetarian and gluten-free options.
Water activities on Lake Lipno in summer are always an added bonus to any plans organised in the area.
Between witches and nature, ideal for families looking for something different
In northern and north-eastern Bohemia, you can also enjoy thrilling experiences. In fact, there is another treetop walk identical to the one at Lipno in Janské Lázně, offering views of the legendary Krkonoše Mountains (or Giant Mountains), and featuring a slide over 80 metres long that takes you all the way down to the ground.
The most unique part of this family getaway isn’t just the walkway itself, but a visit to the Prachov Rocks, right in the heart of the Czech Paradise National Park, where nature sparks the imagination of young and old alike. With a stunning landscape of sandstone spires reaching heights of up to 40 metres, it invites you to explore a labyrinth of gorges, passageways and viewing points that look as though they’ve been plucked from a fairy tale.
Families with young children can opt for the Malý okruh (Small Circuit), less than two kilometres long, an accessible route that winds through narrow corridors between the rocks and leads to several viewing points with panoramic views. Those seeking a more comprehensive experience can choose the Velký okruh (Grand Circuit), where the adventure continues beyond the footpaths, as the ruins of two medieval castles are preserved in the surrounding area.
To round off the experience, it’s well worth staying at least one night at the Medieval Hotel in Dětenice, which is fully themed and where you can immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the era, but with a touch of mystery. Witches, skulls, bats… they may surprise you at every turn (and at any time of day or night). This experience, which teenagers are sure to enjoy, is rounded off with medieval tournaments for all ages, a visit to a beautiful Baroque palace and a candlelit medieval dinner, complete with a theatrical performance and accompanied by folk music.
Karlovy Vary with children: from spas to castles
The Karlovy Vary region is one of the most popular day-trip destinations from Prague amongst adults, but beyond its famous thermal springs, it also offers natural beauty, heritage and outdoor experiences. A family trip can begin in Karlovy Vary, strolling beneath its elegant colonnades whilst discovering the mineral water springs, sampling traditional wafers and taking a historic funicular up to the Diana viewpoint, where you can enjoy beautiful views of the town.
Just a few kilometres away, the small medieval village of Loket, almost entirely encircled by a bend in the River Ohře, looks like something straight out of a fairy tale. Its imposing castle, which houses the Museum of Torture, the cobbled streets and the views over the valley make a visit here a real adventure for everyone.
Another unmissable stop is Mariánské Lázně, where the Singing Fountain offers a spectacle of water and music that amazes everyone alike. Nearby is Boheminium, the largest miniature park in the Czech Republic, featuring scale models of some of the country’s most iconic monuments – a fun way to discover castles, palaces and churches without ever leaving the same site.
For nature lovers, the SOOS Nature Reserve offers a walk along wooden footbridges amongst mineral springs, natural fumaroles and a landscape reminiscent of the surface of the moon. Meanwhile, Bečov nad Teplou invites you to discover one of the country’s greatest historical treasures: the Reliquary of Saint Mauro, considered one of the most valuable medieval treasures in Europe.
A walk in the sky in the Pardubice region
The phrase ‘walking in the sky’ may sound pretentious, but in the Pardubice region it falls short, as the Dolní Morava complex offers an adventure park with 80 obstacles several metres above the ground, a free-fall climbing wall and a giant tandem swing.
It also tests your personal limits with the challenge of crossing the Skybridge 721, one of the world’s longest suspension footbridges at 721 metres in length and a height of 95 metres above the ground. The walk continues with a visit to the Sky Walk, a spiral-shaped viewing platform offering breathtaking views and a trail featuring augmented reality stations. And, for speed lovers, why not take a ride on the Mammoth Alpine Coaster, the country’s longest rail-based toboggan run, where speeds reach 50 km/h? Once you’ve tried it, you’ll want to go again.
Further information is available at: https://www.visitczechia.com/es-es/