Official Name

České Budějovice, from now written as 'Ceske Budejovice' (because some computers may not display the diacritical signs correctly). The German name of the town is more famous - (Böhmisch) Budweis (Bohemian Budweis), also used as the name for the beer. Further to the east there is another, much smaller town called Moravské Budějovice (Moravian-Budweis) - not to be confused with Bohemian Budweis.

Location

	České Budějovice

Budejovice is around 125 km south of →Prague and 75 km north of Linz (Austria), conveniently located at the confluence of Malše and Vltava river. The town is the regional centre of Southern Bohemia.

Population

Ceske Budejovice has almost exactly 100,000 inhabitants.

Orientation

The town has a clearly defined old city centre. The České Budějovice nádraží (main train station) is only 500 m east of the centre. The centre itself is egg-shaped, some 400 m wide and 500 m long. It is almost completely surrounded by large sady (parks) and ditches. The Vltava (Moldau) river flows west of the centre northwards with the smaller Malše river joining the Vltava south-west of the old city. Right in the middle of town, the huge nám. Přemysla Otakara II (Premysl II. square) marks the historic centre. Many churches and old buildings line up around the square.

	The magnificient market square in the historic centre

History

Ceske Budejovice was founded by the Bohemian king Přemysla Otakar II. in the year 1265 (see also →History of the Czech republic) as a royal city. At that time, the Bohemian king wanted to strengthen his position against the House of Vítkovec. Ceske Budejovice developed quickly and became an important trading place. Especially silver-mining, breweries and salt trade made the town wealthy.

However, Ceske Budejovice suffered a lot during the 30 years' war. In 1641, the town was burnt to the ground. According to historical records, some 200 houses burnt down within one day. Later, the town was rebuilt, predominantly in baroque style. Thanks to the industrial revolution in the 19th century, Budejovice prospered again and was connected to Linz (present-day Austria) via the first commercial European railway line. It must be said that the railway was driven by horsepower only and was only used for transporting goods, mostly salt.

Today the city is worldwide famous for its beer - the Budějovický Budvar (Budweiser Budvar), which is imported to America, Japan and many other countries. The American Budweiser has only one thing in common: the name. The taste is completely different, and so it's hard to have an American Budweiser again after tasting the original.

Getting there / transportation

Ceske Budejovice is en route from →Prague to Linz. It takes around 2½ hrs by train (100 Kč) to the capital. Halfway the beautiful small city →Tábor (1 hour, less then 50 Kč) is definitely worth a visit as well. To Linz in Austria it takes around 3 hours. Additionally, there are direct trains to Plzeň (Pilsen). Some local trains head for →Český Krumlov. Ceske Krumlov is not very far, but the train needs almost one hour (25 Kč). Buses are much faster! There are other long- and short-distance buses to various destinations in the Czech republic and even to Vienna.

The historic centre is not very big and easily covered on foot. However you walk - you will inevitably end up on central náměstí Přemysla Otakara II. This square is almost quadratic and more then 100 m long. The buildings facing the square are surprisingly homogeneous. Almost all of them feature arcades from the 18th century, and so it's possible to walk around the square during torrential rain without getting wet. Many shops and cafés make the square an attractive shopping place. The middle of the square is adorned by the Samsonova kašna (Samson fountain). On the south-west corner, the baroque Radnice (city hall) built in the year 1731 is easy to find.

Only a few meters north of the central square, behind the Mikláš-Cathedral, the so-called Černá věž (black tower) can be seen. The tower was built in the 16th century and is 72 m high. It's possible to climb the tower and enjoy the nice vista of the central square and the surroundings. Unfortunately, the tower is closed during the winter months. There are some large bells inside the tower, the heaviest of them weighing almost 3½ tons.

	The blue city hall is an eyecatcher

There is plenty more to see. As there are the former Dominican monastery at the western edge of the old centre, the big South Bohemian Museum in the south-east, many beautiful burgher houses and a handful of churches (Ceske Budejovice was a catholic stronghold) just to name but a few. Last but not least the rather modern Budweiser Brewery located some kilometers away from the centre in an industrial area in the north. It's possible to join a tour through the brewery, which is only possible in groups.

	Gomel Hotel
	Rating: 4 Price: from US$51 Price: from US$5 Room amenities: air conditioning, daily newspaper, desk, hair dryer, in room safe, television, bathtub, shower, separate shower and tub, mini bar, satellite/cable TV, non smoking rooms >>Check availability

>>Description

The Gomel Hotel is located in Ceske Budejovice making it one of the best hotels to stay at while in town. The hotel features a wide range of modern facilities and services in its 188 well-appointed guestrooms and throughout the premises. In-room facilities include non smoking rooms, air conditioning, daily newspaper, desk, hair dryer, in room safe, television. This Ceske Budejovice accommodation features on-site facilities such as room service 24hr, shops, casino, elevator, bar/pub, laundry service/dry cleaning, meeting facilities , restaurant. This hotel is characterized by a combination of modern comfort and traditional element of Ceske Budejovice, making it a distinct accommodation. For your reservation at the Gomel Hotel Ceske Budejovice, please enter your preferred visit dates and follow our secure online booking form.

	Maly Pivovar Hotel
	Rating: 4 Price: from US$79 Price: from US$7 Room amenities: internet access, mini bar, satellite/cable TV >>Check availability

>>Description

The Maly Pivovar Hotel is located in Ceske Budejovice making it one of the best hotels to stay at while in town. The Maly Pivovar Hotel boasts a convenient location with modern amenities in every guestroom and superb service. Each guestroom has internet access, mini bar, satellite/cable TV. Services and amenities available for guests at this Ceske Budejovice accommodation consist of laundry service/dry cleaning, restaurant, room service, tours, car park. To unwind, guests can enjoy the leisure facilities provided on the hotel's property, including water sports (non-motorized). The hotel creates a balance of rich culture and modern convinience to ensure you a memorable stay. To make a reservation at the Maly Pivovar Hotel Ceske Budejovice with our secure online booking form, please choose your preffered period of stay.

	Grand Zvon Hotel
	Rating: 4 Price: from US$80 Price: from US$8 Room amenities: air conditioning, bathrobes, daily newspaper, inhouse movies, desk, hair dryer, in room safe, television, bathtub, shower, separate shower and tub, mini bar, balcony/terrace, satellite/cable TV, coffee/tea maker, non smoking rooms >>Check availability

>>Description

The Grand Zvon Hotel is perfectly located for both business and leisure guests to Ceske Budejovice. Each of the 70 well-furnished guestrooms at the hotel ensures a comfortable stay with industry-standard room amenities. In-room facilities include non smoking rooms, air conditioning, bathrobes, daily newspaper, inhouse movies. The basic amenities provided at this Ceske Budejovice accommodation comprise room service 24hr, shops, elevator, bar/pub, laundry service/dry cleaning. These top-class facilities are complemented to excellent services to meet the needs of visitors to Ceske Budejovice. Please complete our secure online booking form by entering your period of stay.

	Hotel Garni P.V.T.
	Rating: 3 Room amenities: non smoking rooms, daily newspaper, television, shower >>Check availability

>>Description

Discover all that Ceske Budejovice has to offer with Hotel Garni P.V.T. as a base. The Hotel Garni P.V.T. boasts a convenient location with modern amenities in every guestroom and superb service. Each guestroom is fully equipped with non smoking rooms, daily newspaper, television, shower. Guests can experience the high standards of comfort while staying at this luxury Ceske Budejovice hotel with everything they need right on the site such as room service 24hr, elevator, laundry service/dry cleaning, business center, pets allowed. This hotel is characterized by a combination of modern comfort and traditional element of Ceske Budejovice, making it a distinct accommodation. For your reservation at the Hotel Garni P.V.T., simply submit your dates and complete our secure online booking form.

	Hotel Klika
	Rating: 3 Price: from US$70 Price: from US$7 Room amenities: non smoking rooms, television, bathtub, shower, separate shower and tub, mini bar, satellite/cable TV >>Check availability

>>Description

With its central location, Hotel Klika is within easy reach of most tourist attractions and business addresses in Ceske Budejovice. All hotel's guestrooms have all the conveniences expected in a hotel in its class to suit guests' utmost comforts. Each guestroom is fully equipped with non smoking rooms, television, bathtub, shower, separate shower and tub, mini bar. This beautiful Ceske Budejovice accommodation provides room service 24hr, elevator, bar/pub, laundry service/dry cleaning, restaurant, room service, safety deposit boxes, disabled facilities to suit all guests' utmost convenience. For guests to unwind, the hotel offers a variety of facilities and services including massage, sauna, tennis courts, spa. Along with its convenient location in Ceske Budejovice, the hotel also offers a wide range of services and facilities to the guests. With elegant facilities and hospitality, guests at this hotel will surely have an impressive stay. To proceed with this reservation at the Hotel Klika, please enter your visit dates and follow our secure online booking form.

	Hotel U Tri Lvu
	Rating: 3 Price: from US$60 Price: from US$6 Room amenities: daily newspaper, desk, television, bathtub, shower, mini bar, satellite/cable TV, non smoking rooms >>Check availability

>>Description

With its central location, Hotel U Tri Lvu is within easy reach of most tourist attractions and business addresses in Ceske Budejovice. All hotel's guestrooms have all the conveniences expected in a hotel in its class to suit guests' utmost comforts. Each guestroom is fully equipped with non smoking rooms, daily newspaper, desk, television, bathtub, shower, mini bar, satellite/cable TV. Hotel facilities offered at this Ceske Budejovice accommodation include room service 24hr, bar/pub, laundry service/dry cleaning, meeting facilities , restaurant. Hotel's guests can experience on-site latest leisure and sports facilities such as massage. Being one of the good quality hotels in Ceske Budejovice, guests staying at this hotel will find its convenient location and tranquil atmosphere pleasurable. For your reservation at the Hotel U Tri Lvu Ceske Budejovice, please select your dates of stay and fill in our secure online booking form.

	Hotel Zatkuv dum
	Rating: 3 Price: from US$76 Price: from US$7 Room amenities: non smoking rooms, television, shower, mini bar >>Check availability

>>Description

Discover all that Ceske Budejovice has to offer with Hotel Zatkuv dum as a base. All hotel's guestrooms have all the conveniences expected in a hotel in its class to suit guests' utmost comforts. In-room facilities include non smoking rooms, television, shower, mini bar. This Ceske Budejovice accommodation features on-site facilities such as room service 24hr, bar/pub, restaurant, safety deposit boxes, disabled facilities, business center, pets allowed. Modern comfort and convenience are seamlessly combined to ensure the guests' satisfaction. To proceed with your booking at the Hotel Zatkuv dum, simply choose your travel dates and fill in our secure online booking form.

	Hotel Dvorak
	Rating: 4 Price: from US$56 Price: from US$5 Room amenities: desk, hair dryer, ironing board, in room safe, television, bathtub, shower, separate shower and tub, mini bar, balcony/terrace, satellite/cable TV, DVD/CD player, coffee/tea maker, non smoking rooms >>Check availability

>>Description

The Hotel Dvorak is located in Ceske Budejovice making it one of the best hotels to stay at while in town. The Hotel Dvorak boasts a convenient location with modern amenities in every guestroom and superb service. Each guestroom is fully equipped with non smoking rooms, desk, hair dryer, ironing board, in room safe, television. This Ceske Budejovice accommodation features on-site facilities such as room service 24hr, casino, executive floor, elevator, bar/pub, laundry service/dry cleaning, meeting facilities , restaurant. To unwind, guests can enjoy the leisure facilities provided on the hotel's property, including indoor pool , golf course (on site), gym, sauna, squash courts, outdoor pool . Being one of the good quality hotels in Ceske Budejovice, guests staying at this hotel will find its convenient location and tranquil atmosphere pleasurable. To make your reservation at the Hotel Dvorak via our secure online booking form, please submit your visit dates.

	Pension Miltom
	Rating: 3 Price: from US$50 Price: from US$5 Room amenities: inhouse movies, television, shower, satellite/cable TV, non smoking rooms >>Check availability

>>Description

Discover all that Ceske Budejovice has to offer with Pension Miltom as a base. The Pension Miltom boasts a convenient location with modern amenities in every guestroom and superb service. Each guestroom is tastefully appointed with non smoking rooms, inhouse movies, television, shower, satellite/cable TV. Services and amenities available for guests at this Ceske Budejovice accommodation consist of casino, hotel/airport transfer, tours, business center, bicycle rental. In addition, the hotel's guests can enjoy the leisure and sports facilities provided on the premises: massage, gym, sauna, tennis courts, spa, squash courts, water sports (non-motorized), garden. This hotel is characterized by a combination of modern comfort and traditional element of Ceske Budejovice, making it a distinct accommodation. To book a room easily at the Pension Miltom, please submit your travel dates and proceed with our secure online booking form.

	Penzion Restaurant Centrum
	Rating: 3 Price: from US$46 Price: from US$4 Room amenities: non smoking rooms, television, shower, satellite/cable TV >>Check availability

>>Description

The Penzion Restaurant Centrum is located in Ceske Budejovice making it one of the best hotels to stay at while in town. All hotel's guestrooms have all the conveniences expected in a hotel in its class to suit guests' utmost comforts. Each guestroom has non smoking rooms, television, shower, satellite/cable TV. The amenities and services offered at this Ceske Budejovice accommodation include elevator, restaurant, safety deposit boxes, disabled facilities, business center, pets allowed. This hotel is characterized by a combination of modern comfort and traditional element of Ceske Budejovice, making it a distinct accommodation. For your reservation at the Penzion Restaurant Centrum Ceske Budejovice, please enter your preferred visit dates and follow our secure online booking form.



There are many hotels and pensions in the city centre. As in other Czech towns, pensions are the best option. Just ask at the tourist information - there are two of them in the centre. One is next to the city hall, the other one south of central Premysl square.

• www.c-budejovice.cz Official website of České Budějovice. Useful to read before visiting. Comes in English, Czech and German.

Do you have or do you know a good website about České Budějovice? Don't hesitate, let me know! After checking it, I would love to add it to the link list. You can submit a link by using the →contact form. Note that commercial websites will be treated differently.