10 Things You Have To Do In Olomouc

Prague and Kraków should be on every Central European tour. But don’t forget the eastern Czech city of Olomouc, a hybrid of the two, handily located midway on the main railway route between them. Long overshadowed by the more famous pair, the former Moravian capital oozes history. And few other provincial cities boast so many elegant spaces, complemented by an array of graceful fountains.

Olomouc isn’t just a city of museums: there are plenty of lively bars, restaurants and entertainment venues. And when it comes to eating and drinking, you can while away the hours in a classic Central European café or choose from a wide range of pubs and restaurants. Here is a selection of 10 of the most important city activities.

Discover the beating heart of the city

Prague’s Old Town Square is the most famous public space in the Czech Republic, but Olomouc has an impressive square too, with a grand town hall (Radnice) in the centre. And, as in Prague, a series of colourful town houses of varying shapes and sizes line the expansive cobbled space of Upper Square (Horní náměstí). Also on the square is the Moravské Divadlo (Moravian Theatre), which has links with composer Gustav Mahler. Nearby, the vast exuberant 18th-century Plague Column nearby, rather resembles a huge lump of molten chocolate! The largest in the Czech Republic, the structure is big enough even for a tiny chapel.

Horní náměstí, Olomouc, Czech Republic

Town hall clock in Olomouc | © Modris Putns / WikiCommons

Spot the fountains

Olomouc is deservedly famous for its fountains, most spectacularly the six Baroque cascades, named mostly after mythological figures and adorning the squares and spaces across the Old Town. The latest was added in 2002, on Horní námestí, in the form of the Arion Fountain (Ariónova kašna), and joins the Hercules and Caesar Fountains. On nearby Lower Square (Dolní náměstí) you’ll find the Neptune and Jupiter Fountains. Spotting the other water features and guessing where they will pop up is also a fun activity for kids.

Discover churches with surprises

Some of the churches in Olomouc have some secrets. Plain on the outside, apart from the trio of cupolas, St Michael’s (sv. Michala) has a surprise for the visitor. Inside, the cavernous nave fizzes with details: angels abound, and look out for the silver relief of sheep on the gilded pulpit. Externally, the squat Church of St Maurice (sv. Mořice) appears plain, like a brooding fortress, but the interior, like that of St Michael, is a different matter. The soaring candy-stripe pillars soar heavenward and brighten the medieval interior.

Admire Art Nouveau elegance

Villa

Amidst the ancient buildings of the Old Town, the rambling Art Nouveau Vila Primavesi, close to St Michael’s Church, provides some architectural contrast. Constructed in the early 20th century, the villa was designed for the wealthy Primavesi family. It was partly designed by notable Viennese architect Josef Hoffman, and famous artist Gustav Klimt was also involved in the decoration. Today, only part of the original interiors survives, but the villa retains an artistic focus, staging exhibitions of photography and modern art.

Univerzitní 7, Olomouc, Czech Republic

Olomouc Cathedral | © Olomouc Tourism

Explore an ancient cathedral

Cathedral, Church

Tucked away in a quiet spot at the eastern end of the Old Town, Olomouc Cathedral (katedrála sv. Václava) is a relatively modest structure compared to Prague’s St Vitus Cathedral. The Gothic nave pillars date back to the 13th century, although much of the structure dates from the 19th century, when restoration work was carried out. The central spire, standing 101 metres high, is one of the tallest church towers in the Czech Republic and the tallest in Moravia. Inside, the wall paintings, among other things, catch the eye.

Václavské náměstí, Olomouc, Czech Republic

Enjoy art with a view

Hosting both a permanent and a series of temporary exhibitions, the city’s Art Gallery (Muzeum úmění) is home to a collection of Czech painting and sculpture. Admire the local art, then from the attic floor, ascend the spiral staircase leading to a viewing platform. From there, you can enjoy excellent panoramas of the city rooftops and the countryside of Moravia beyond. Look out for the gleaming white two-towered basilica at Svatý Kopeček (often referred to as “Holy Hill”), on a hillock five kilometres northeast of the city.

Svatý Kopeček, nám. Sadové 1, 779 00 Olomouc, Czech Republic

Chapel of St John Sarkander| © Olomouc Tourism

Discover a tale of torture and martyrdom

The picturesque streets of Olomouc belie a more violent history related to the location of the Chapel of St John Sarkander (kaple sv. Jana Sarkandra). A relatively recent structure, built between 1908 and 1912, the church looks much more ancient, not least because of the chunky Neo-Baroque dome. The building stands on the spot where, in 1620, Polish Catholic priest Jan Sarkander suffered an agonising and slow death during the Bohemian Revolt. Protestants accused him of being a traitor, and tortured and burnt him to death on a rack for refusing to divulge confessions. The chapel contains the rack and Sarkander’s gravestone.

Mahlerova 6, Olomouc, Czech Republic

Olomouc Cheese | © Eating Prague Tours

Be daring and try the local delicacy

Parma has ham, Burgundy has champagne… and Olomouc has Olomoucké tvarůžky, the local cheese. This strong-smelling dairy product comes in small disc shapes, sometimes with holes. Yellow, opaque and made from skimmed cow’s milk, you’ll either love it or loathe it. The cheese divides families and prompts many a quick exit from the dinner table when it makes an appearance! By now, you’re probably curious about it so why not give it a try? If the taste leaves you feeling underwhelmed and perhaps perplexed, console yourself with the fact that tvarůžky is very low in fat!

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.