12 Best Things To Do in Olomouc: A One-Day Itinerary

Though it is certainly not the first stop many put on their Czech Republic itineraries, there are plenty of things to do in Olomouc that make it a great place to visit if you’re after a charming old town with few crowds.

Located in the Moravia region in the east of the country, Olomouc isn’t necessarily on the radar of many visitors to the Czech Republic, with many sticking solely to Prague and other Bohemian towns like Cesky Krumlov.

However, if you’re looking to get a little bit off the beaten path in the Czechia and want to visit one of the country’s most beautiful cities, then make sure to plan to spend a day or two exploring Olomouc. This beautiful city is worth the trip.

How Many Days in Olomouc?

If you’re wondering how many days to spend in Olomouc, you’re not alone. Though it is certainly increasing in popularity amongst international visitors, it doesn’t get nearly the same amount of attention that other cities and towns get and, therefore, it can be tough to know how long to spend here in order to do it justice.

Fortunately, you don’t need a lot of time in order to get a good feel for the city and you can check off most of the best things to do within the confines of one day in Olomouc.

The city is very compact with the majority of the top sites and attractions not more than a fifteen to twenty-minute walk away from each other.

Getting To & Around Olomouc

Olomouc is located a 2.5-hour train ride east of Prague. You can reach Olomouc by bus, as well, however, it is a longer journey and the price difference in negligible. It is also well-connected to other cities in the Czech Republic such as Brno, which is only 1-1.5 hours away by bus and train. 

Olomouc can also be a logical stop from other nearby countries such as Poland, Bratislava or Vienna. Keep in mind that you may have to switch trains or buses in Brno rather than there being a direct route to the city. You can check schedules here.

Olomouc train station is located about a 25-minute walk away from the city centre. If you don’t feel like walking then you can take a tram to the centre.

Tram tickets can be purchased from the machines at the station and then need to be validated on the tram. You can also purchase tickets from newsstands and tobacco shops.

Once in the centre, Olomouc is a very walkable city and there isn’t a great need to use public transport.

12 Best Things To Do in Olomouc

Breakfast at Cafe la Fee

A Parisian-style cafe in the heart of Olomouc, Cafe La Fee is perfect for your morning coffee accompanied by a light crepe, a delicious cake or a filling bagel. They also have an extensive lunch menu and are also a popular spot for an evening cocktail.

This is an excellent stop to fuel up for a packed day of sightseeing!

Upper Square (Horní Náměstí)

Now that you’ve had a great breakfast, it’s time to begin your tour of Olomouc. And there is no better place to do that than in Horni Namesti – Olomouc’s main square.

The most striking feature of Horni Namesti is arguably the 35-metre-tall Holy Trinity Column. Originally built in the early 18th century as a plague monument, the Baroque-style column is a popular meeting spot and hanging out location for locals. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Right next to the column, is the Olomouc Town Hall with its very own Astronomical Clock. The clock is not as big or impressive as its counterpart in the Prague Old Town, however, it gathers far fewer crowds. You can see it go off every day at noon.

Aside from the historical monuments that can be found in the squares, you can also find a number of cultural and modern events throughout the year. Whether it’s farmers’ markets, Christmas stalls or a beach volleyball tournament (as was happening on a visit in June 2018!), there is always something going on in Horni Namesti!

Church of St Maurice

Like most Central European cities, after taking in the main square, it’s time to visit a historic and impressive church. And the first you’ll visit today is the lovely Church of St Maurice.

Also referred to as the St Moritz Church, it was consecrated at the end of the 14th century though it’s unknown exactly when it was built. It can be found just behind Horni Namesti.

The church houses a magnificent organ, boasts gorgeous Gothic architecture and visitors can climb the bell tower for fantastic, panoramic views of the city centre.

St Wenceslas Cathedral

After working up a sweat climbing the bell tower of the Church of St Maurice, it’s time to walk about fifteen minutes to Olomouc’s historic cathedral – housed on top of Wenceslas Hill within the Olomouc Castle complex.

St. Wenceslas Cathedral is a thousand-year-old cathedral which is the second tallest in the Czech Republic. Its imposing Neo-Gothic architecture and chilling subterranean crypts make it worth the walk from Horni Namesti.

You can book guided tours of the cathedral throughout the months of July and August if this is something that interests you. Otherwise, you can enter the church on your own and explore the creepy crypts that lie below ground.

Archbishop’s Palace

If you want to see a stunning example of gorgeous early Baroque architecture in the heart of Olomouc, then venture about five minutes from the cathedral before finding yourself at the Archbishop’s Palace.

This gorgeous palace is worth a visit if you’re interested in this era of history and love seeing opulently decorated noble homes.

There are guided tours available of the palace where you can get a lot of context to the building and learn about its history, residents and famous visitors.

Tours last 45 minutes and are available in English, however, make sure to check the opening and operating hours depending on the season you’re visiting, as availability can vary.

Bezruče Park (Bezručovy Sady)

Now that you’ve taken in a good amount of history, it’s time to enjoy a gorgeous green space!

Bezruce Park is a lovely area to relax in that sits just below the city walls. It’s a popular hangout for students and you won’t have to look too hard to encounter some street art. You can also visit the lovely Botanical Gardens that house hundreds of different floral species.

Crown Fortress (Korunní Pevnůstka)

Located within Bezruce Park is the Crown Fortress, an old fortification that used to protect the historic city of Olomouc. Today the fortress area is used as an event space for various markets or concerts, but there are also a couple of museums to check out if that interests you.

There is the Museum of the Olomouc Fortress where you can learn about the history of this bastion and what it has been used for over the centuries. There is also an interactive science museum (which includes a planetarium) that can be a good option to visit if you are travelling with children.

Church of St Michael

After exploring the sites in the beautiful city park, it’s time to wander back into the old town and visit another historic church,

St Michael’s Church is characterised by its three domes visible throughout parts of Olomouc – the domes are meant to symbolise the Holy Trinity. The Baroque-style church was built in the early 18th century and is considered one of the most beautiful in the region and an important landmark in Olomouc.

If you tour the interior of the church, make sure to take in its gorgeous organ, which is the original from 1706. Nearby to this church, you can also visit the Chapel of St John Sarkander, another beautiful historic church in the Olomouc Old Town.

If you’re after a traditional Czech lunch then consider heading to Hanacka Hospoda which is has a range of hearty meals and delicious Czech beer.

Unwind at a Tea House

I’m not exactly sure how it happened, but somehow Turkish tea house culture is extremely prevalent throughout Olomouc. There are a number of tea houses that are a perfect place to pop in for a relaxing cup of tea and shisha.

One of my favourites and most popular tea houses in Olomouc is Dobrá Čajovna. This is an excellent place to unwind after a busy morning and afternoon of sightseeing!

They have an extensive tea menu featuring drinks from all regions of the world. There are also plenty of comfortable couches and cushions that are perfect for a relaxing afternoon! Their sections are divided into shisha smoking and non-smoking.

Lower Square (Dolní Náměstí)

Now it’s time to wind your way back into the main city centre and find yourself visiting Dolni Namesti, otherwise known as the Lower Square. Situated just south of Horni Namesti, this is a smaller and quieter city square, but it still retains all of the charm of its larger counterpart.

Here you can take in sites like the Jupiter Fountain – dedicated to the Roman God – and the Marian Column. This baroque column was erected in the early 18th Century as a memorial to the victims who parished from the Pague and is adorned with patron saints made to protect from a plague once more.

In general, this is just a lovely square to find a bench and chill out a little bit – just simply to kick back and watch the people of Olomouc stroll by.

Wander the Old Town

One of the joys of visiting this city and why I have now returned three times is that it’s simply a lovely city to walk around in and get lost.

You can see the sites in a day or two but the beauty and magic of the city can only be discovered by taking the time to people-watch in the squares, walk down random streets and through hidden tunnels (make sure to check out the Lomená Gallery on Denisova for some great street art!) or pop into one of the many great cafes, bars or restaurants in the city.

There is also plenty of gorgeous Art Nouveau and Baroque architecture to enjoy – it is truly a beautiful and ornate city. It’s for these very reasons that I will keep returning to this wonderful city.

Czech Beer and Dinner at Moritz Brewery

No visit to a Czech city is complete without having a few beers. And while you can’t go wrong with knocking back a perfectly chilled Pilsner Urquell, it can be a great idea to check out (mind the pun) some of the local microbrews.

It might be a controversial statement but Moritz Microbrewery might just have the best beer in all of Olomouc! Their own microbrew can be enjoyed in the lovely garden and also accompanied by all your favourite Czech dishes.

Where to Stay in Olomouc

Hotel Palác – This 3-star hotel has a great location within a stone’s throw of the Wenceslas Cathedral. They have several cosy rooms to choose from, a fab breakfast and parking available, as well.

Miss Sophie’s Olomouc – A boutique hotel located only a few minutes from the main square, this 4-star hotel is perfect for an upmarket stay. They have several rooms, an on-site bar and breakfast available each morning.

Long Story Short – A boutique hostel with a unique design, they also offer a range of dorms and private rooms. They have a lovely garden, parking available and an on-site cafe that sometimes hosts live music.

There are lots of great things to do in this gorgeous Czech city and it should be on everyone’s bucket list to visit Olomouc.

Are you thinking of heading to Olomouc? Have any questions? Let us know in the comments!