A Complete Guide to Kutna Hora, Czech Republic
Planning a day trip from Prague to Kutna Hora and looking for the best things to see and do in Kutna Hora, Czech Republic? Kutna Hora is a UNESCO city famous for sights such as St. Barbara Church or Sedlec Ossuary alias Bone Church and much more. This travel guide includes practical tips on visiting Kutna Hora, where to stay, how to get around, how to get there, or what attractions to visit.
Kutna Hora, a small(er) town in the Czech Republic, is only one hour's drive from Prague, but we cannot emphasize enough that it is much more than just a one-day trip from the capital city that you tick off from your bucket list.
We believe that both locals and foreign visitors already realized the value of Kutna Hora, historical, cultural, and architectural as back in days, Kutna Hora rivaled Prague in importance because it was a prosperous silver mining town.
Still, we feel that Kutna Hora, even though it has been listed in UNESCO for twenty-five years now, would deserve more attention, more focus, from foreign travelers.
And like proud Czechs, we are glad to spread the word about the beauty of this town.
Hopefully, this blog post will inspire all the independent travelers to explore all the best things to see and do in Kutna Hora at a more relaxed pace and in a more sustainable way, which is the approach Martin and I perceive is the best.
This way, you can support the town and locals and make sure it won't turn in a skansen, the problem many today's popular destinations face.
Recently, we’ve visited Kutna Hora on a day trip from Prague. But first things first.
Both of us had been to Kutna Hora years ago on a mandatory school trips that were very similar to what half-day visitors do.
We saw three or four must-visit sites such as St. Barbara Church, Sedlec Ossuary, and Medieval Silver Mine, later had lunch in a touristy restaurant and left after a couple of hours.
Even though the attractions we've mentioned above are the real highlights, and we understand it can be challenging to narrow down an itinerary with a limited amount of time, the city's picturesque historical center with narrow cobblestone streets has much more to offer.
That’s why we couldn’t wait to come back. And more importantly, this time, willingly.
You can rent a bike here to explore the surroundings, visit exhibitions in museums, or chase the superb views as the settings of Kutna Hora could not be better, especially if you are an enthusiastic photographer.
It probably does not come as a surprise that the atmosphere in Kutna Hora is much more peaceful than in Prague (before or after all the tour buses leave), so why not spend here an evening or even a night and enjoy a drink or two accompanied by beautiful views?
We've created this travel guide on the best things to see and do in Kutna Hora for all travelers who plan their trip.
If you are looking for tips on top attractions, practical information on where to stay, how to get to the town, how to get around, or where to take the best photos, you've come to the right place.
We are excited to present yet another gem our home country, the Czech Republic, offers.
Welcome to Kutna Hora!
A BRIEF HISTORY OF KUTNA HORA
The proper Czech spelling of Kutna Hora is Kutná Hora with diacritics, and this is also what you are going to see on the signs when traveling to this UNESCO town.
To make it easier for you, we won't use diacritics in this article, though.
The word Kutna comes from the German word Kutten, which describes monks' cowls, or the Czech word Kutat, which means mine.
Hora then means a mountain or a hill.
The history of Kutna Hora is connected with the founding of Sedlec Abbey in 1142 that was the first Cistercian Monastery in Bohemia.
There were most likely settlements in the area around the 10th century, as small silver coins were discovered in Malin, a district now belonging to Kutna Hora, but the real boom was just about to come.
Even though the information about silver in the area was bubbling under the surface, it was not until the 13th century when Kutna Hora was finally put on the map.
The real silver-mining fever had begun, and settlers from the neighboring countries the same as local people were moving to Kutna Hora.
Thanks to the wealth generated by silver deposits, the town grew, and it became a political and economic center of Czech lands, competing even with Prague.
It must be said that these times were extremely chaotic until 1300 when King Wenceslaus II of Bohemia issued the new royal mining code Ius regale montanorum that specified all conditions for operating the mines.
Basically, from this point, all the silver belonged to the king.
In the 14th century, Kutna Hora started to produce Prague Groschen that was the coin common throughout Medieval Central Europe, and the town became a financial center of the lands.
As we all know, nothing lasts forever.
Kutna Hora then saw a Hussite wars, fires, floods, but the final decline of Kutna Hora came in the 16th century when the production of silver coins was terminated, and the city lost its privileges.
Fortunately, during the times of expansion, many architectural gems and houses of wealthy inhabitants were built.
The architecture and spirit of local people survived even the impoverished and challenging times, and today we can admire the top attractions both above and under the ground.
BEST THINGS TO DO IN KUTNA HORA
What are the best things you need to see in Kutna Hora? First, before you start planning your perfect itinerary, you should know that almost every notable residential house in the town's center holds an interesting exhibition.
So you rather need to ask yourself how much time you have for the town in total.
Kutna Hora is heaven for cultural geeks, so you must set your priorities right.
Down below, we've listed all the sights we visited in the exact order in Kutna Hora, and this itinerary is doable either in one long day, or you can split it and enjoy the UNESCO town in a more laidback pace.
We went inside the most notable structures, and then chose four attractions that required either the guided tour or more time for exploring the interiors.
Feel free to follow our steps.
Kutna Hora is a real gem of the Czech Republic, and we are excited to show you the must-visit places.
CATHEDRAL OF ST. BARBARA
The crown jewel of Kutna Hora, Cathedral of St. Barbara, is the sight you cannot miss when in the town.
It is not only one of the most important Gothic structures in the Czech Republic but also the whole of Central Europe.
We headed there first thing in the morning to avoid crowds and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
The gothic church that dates back to the end of the 14th century has a unique exterior with exceptional flying buttresses and a three-peaked roof that is super-photogenic, and we cannot imagine the famous panorama of Kutna Hora without it.
Same as Prague Castle, it took several hundred years to finish this masterpiece.
Take your time and enjoy the views of the church from the outside, we were blown away even when walking towards it as the path leading to Cathedral of St. Barbara (Czech: Chram sv. Barbory) lined with statues on the left side, overlooking the creek, and Jesuit College on the right side is pretty impressive.
We absolutely understand why this structure is the pride of local citizens, who like to come to the park encircling the church for an evening stroll.
Did we mention that we have a soft spot for places with vineyards nearby?
Same as Vysehrad in Prague, St. Barbara Church reminded us our times when we were working on a vineyard in Martinborough, New Zealand.
So later in the evening, we stopped by there, and I had a glass of wine after all day sightseeing as Martin had to drive back home.
Once you are done admiring the exteriors, it is time to go inside as there is also a lot to take in.
The interior of St. Barbara Church is rich in frescoes, vaulted ceilings, statues, paintings, or colorful stained glass windows.
It felt actually quite cozy to be there, so we spent inside quite a while as the longer we looked around, the more details we discovered.
The church is dedicated to St. Barbara, a patron of all people who practice a dangerous profession, especially miners. Once you leave the church, do not miss the one-room Corpus Cristi Chapel on your right-hand side.
Opening hours
Otherwise, the regular opening hours are as follows: January and February 10 AM - 4 PM, March, November, and December 10 AM - 5 PM, April to October 9 AM - 6 PM.
St. Barbara Church is closed on Christmas Day, 24th of December.
As the church is in use for regular services, always please check for the updated opening hours on the official site.
Tickets
The single ticket costs 120 CZK per adult.
We recommend you buy a discounted ticket for 360 CZK that is valid for Cathedral of St. Barbara, Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady and St John the Baptist and Sedlec Ossuary.
You can book your tickets online.
Our tip: If you are a student, senior, or a family, always ask for a discount at the counter. Most of the Czech Republic sights offer this kind of promotion, just do not forget your ID in the hotel room.
JESUIT COLLEGE
An early Baroque building lines the famous route that leads to St. Barbara Church, and even though we know your eyes are probably on the cathedral, do not forget to look at Jesuit College (Czech: Jezuitská kolej) later.
The building was fully completed in 1750, but the Jesuits moved there already in 1678.
But Jesuits were quite soon replaced by soldiers, and the former Jesuit College was used for military purposes until 1998. Today, the building is a beautifully-renovated gallery (GASK) that holds both temporary and permanents exhibitions.
GASK focuses on art from the 20th and 21st centuries, and it really goes hand in hand with the modern interior that emphasizes the original plans and design.
If you have time (as we think you should) go inside as the interiors of the building are quite impressive.
We were lucky to enjoy the exhibition of Jiri Trnka, a famous Czech puppet-maker and illustrator.
The exhibition was well laid out and visually impressive. Still, we believe the management of the gallery have already ideas for new exhibits you can visit in the future. Do not forget to check out the adjacent gardens as well.
Opening hours
The gallery is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 AM - 6 PM.
Tickets
The ticket costs 240 CZK per person or 120 CZK for a permanent exhibition only.
HRADEK - CZECH MUSEUM OF SILVER, MEDIEVAL MINE
As the history of Kutna Hora is closely linked with silver, one of the must-do things here is to visit a museum of silver and the medieval mine, simply called Hradek (Czech: Hradek - Ceske muzeum stribra a stredoveky dul).
Hradek, which means a little castle, is an old residential house that once belonged to a wealthy mine owner that later rebuilt the house into a patrician palace.
Thanks to its past, we think there was no better place where to establish a museum dedicated to the development of Kutna Hora, explaining its exceptional geology, capturing the booming period, the journey of a small settlement turning into a royal mining town, and showing exhibits of local minerals and coins made of silver.
Did we mention that we could mint our coins and then keep it as a souvenir?
As my relatives come from Ostrava, the coal mining capital of the Czech Republic, we could not miss the tour that actually took us under the ground.
The Journey of Silver, how the guided tour was called, showed us what the silver mining several centuries was about.
After the introduction to medieval technology, we were equipped with a coat, helmet, and headtorch, and then we finally descended into the original medieval mine.
It was awe-inspiring to hear the stories from our guide Bara how the life of miners used to be, and we could imagine the working men crawling through the narrow paths in such hard conditions.
Once we got back above the ground, we learned all the steps of processing raw silver to the final product.
We just felt that our experience of Kutna Hora would not be complete without visiting Hradek as the visit shaped our understanding of the town's history.
It is good to know that the underground passage is at times low and narrow, but we believe every traveler who does not have claustrophobia should make it safely.
The Tour I
Tour of Silver is self-guided, and it does not need to be booked in advance. It is basically a museum where you will learn by yourself the story of silver in Kutna Hora.
The ticket costs 90 CZK.
Reading all the signs will take you about an hour.
The Tour II
The Journey of Silver is guided, will take you underground, and takes an hour, an hour and a half maximum.
The ticket costs 160 CZK.
And we recommend making a reservation in your preferred language via this online link as space fill up quickly, especially in the high season.
For the full experience, we think it is best to buy a combined ticket for the tour I and II, which is for 190 CZK.
CATHEDRAL OF ASSUMPTION OF OUR LADY AND ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST IN SEDLEC
After visiting Hradek, it was for us time to get to Sedlec. If traveling by bus or train to Kutna Hora, you can visit Sedlec as the first or last stop on your itinerary, but more about it later.
You probably remember reading about the old Cistercian monastery that cannot be missing in any story covering the history of Kutna Hora.
The French Gothic style cathedral (Czech: Katedrala Nanebevzeti Panny Marie a sv. Jana Krtitele) was built on that same spot at the end of the 13th century.
The cathedral went through some painful times during the Hussite wars (it was massively burned down) and was extensively rebuilt at the beginning of the 18th century.
What we can say for sure is that the church absolutely deserves its UNESCO status.
Even though the cathedral is pretty imposing from the outside, we could not wait to see the interiors.
The inside of the church is again a bit different, and even though we believe that you'd seen many temples from inside already, we can only encourage you to visit this one, as it is yet new experience.
Cathedral of Assumption of our Lady and St. John the Baptist is very bright inside and simple, in a good sense.
It has a high vaulted ceiling, beautiful frescoes on the ceiling and the walls, but one of the must-see things here is the unique wooden cantilever staircase.
When we saw the pictures for the very first time, we knew we must see it with our own eyes.
Climb the stairs and cross the landing that reminded us of Basilica of the National Vow in Quito, Ecuador, and you will get to a balcony that will offer you a wonderful view of the church from above.
Tickets
The admission fee to the Cathedral and Ossuary is 220 CZK.
It's 360 CZK if you buy the combined ticket for the three attractions, including the Cathedral of St. Barbara and Sedlec Ossuary.
The tickets are not available in the cathedral but the information center between the cathedral and Bone Church.
You can book your tickets online.
Photos
From the beginning of 2020, it is not allowed to take photos inside the cathedral.
Opening Hours
The opening hours are 10 AM - 5 PM from April to September and 9 AM - 5 PM October to March; the cathedral opens at 11 AM on Sundays.
SEDLEC OSSUARY
Fascinating, unusual, weird, bizarre, creepy, morbid, or even shocking. These are just a few words that you might hear a lot when talking with others about Sedlec Ossuary alias Bone Church in Kutna Hora.
For us, Sedlec Ossuary (Czech: Kostnice Sedlec) is one of the truly unique places we have ever visited, and not just in the Czech Republic, but around the world.
From outside, Church of All Saints looks like a typical Czech church from the 14th century, but inside, you will find decoration made of thousands of bones.
Any day trip to Kutna Hora wouldn't be complete without a visit to Sedlec Ossuary, though there are a few things you should know before you go.
First, church premises are small, and the visit won't probably take very long. If you rush it, you can spend there less than ten minutes and see it all. When you know this, you can save yourself from disappointment.
The Bone Church is a two-story building, the first is the chapel, and the lower story is used as the ossuary.
The next thing you should know is that this is still a church and not just another tourist attraction.
The bones you see are actual human remains from the nearby cemetery, remains of people deceased from wars, plague, or natural causes.
It's a simple fact, but some tourists didn't treat this place with respect in the past. Without surprise, it's the good old 'posing Instagrammers' story.
That's why taking pictures is not allowed inside the church anymore, and yes, not even on the phone. People who take care of this site are strict about the rule, and we witnessed a few tourists being told off.
As we were on a press trip, we were allowed to take pictures inside the church and would like to thank the staff for this opportunity.
Also, this is a popular spot for bus tours so that the place can get really crowded.
And lastly, the bones are everywhere, and some visitors might find this place disturbing. Even the coat of arms of the House of Schwarzenberg or chandelier are made from the bones.
At the end of the day, this comes down to a personal taste. We found the Ossuary quite fascinating.
Tickets
The individual ticket costs 220 CZK, but again, you can buy the combined ticket for 360 CZK.
The tickets cannot be purchased in the chapel, but in a Tourist Information Center a few hundred meters away (street address: Zamecka 279, Sedlec).
You can easily book your tickets via the official Sedlec Parish site in advance.
Opening Hours
The opening hours are April to September 10 AM - 5 PM and October to March 9 AM to 5 PM, every day but 24th December.
ROYAL ROUTE
Already in the morning, when we were enjoying the views from St. Barbara Church, we noticed that just across the creek on the opposite side of the valley is a park, and we thought that from this place we could get the best photo of Kutna Hora's panorama.
So when we were returning on the bike (more about how to get around the town below), we took this small detour that rewarded us with amazing views.
If you have time, want to take a leisure stroll and escape the crowds, we recommend you to walk this path.
DACICKY HOUSE
When we saw photos of almost ruined Dacicky House before the reconstruction and imagined that the center of Kutna Hora used to look like this only several years ago, we really appreciated that the money from tourism goes to projects that make sense.
Dacicky House is a unique building from the Late Gothic period.
It carries the name after Mikulas Dacicky, who was born in this very house and was a famous chronicler and hell-raiser in this area in the middle of the 16th century.
Today the completely renovated complex (2015) holds unique exhibitions, including interactive presentations, and the whole house is dedicated to cultural and educational activities that acquaint visitors with the UNESCO organization.
We loved the idea that we could freely walk through the entire house and the exhibitions that tastefully put together historic elements with modern architecture and new technologies.
One part of the exhibition is IQ Park, so this place is great even for families with kids.
Tickets
The entrance fee is 130 CZK.
Opening Hours
Dacicky House is open every day from 10 AM - 5 PM.
HISTORICAL CENTER
The town's center is full of historic houses, churches and other monuments, so make sure you'll have time to wander around.
Fortunately, most of the top sights are within walking distance, and it is possible that if you follow our itinerary, you've already walked around some of the best things we are going to mention down here.
Keep your camera in hand, have your eyes open, and the narrow cobblestone streets take you to the best things to see and do in Kutna Hora.
Stone House
The richly decorated house is towering above its neighbors as it wanted to declare its importance. It is one of the most prominent examples of Late Gothic architecture.
As the structure is under the management of the Czech Museum of Silver, when you buy your ticket for a tour in Hradek, you will get a small discount for visiting the interiors of Stone House.
Palacky Square
A meeting point and the true heart of the town, we believe that even unintentionally, you will stumble upon the main square of Kutna Hora.
Sankturin House
The dominant of Palacky Square, Sankturin House, will catch your attention by a newly renovated Baroque facade. The building houses a tourist information center.
The staff there is accommodating and ready to answer all your questions related to traveling in the area.
Tyl House
Josef Kajetan Tyl is an author of the Czech national anthem, so quite many buildings across the country are named after him, but this house in Kutna Hora is much more special because Tyl was born here in 1808.
Plague Column
The more than 16 meters high plaque column is the Baroque gem of Kutna Hora that was built between 1713 and 1715 to worship thousands of people who died in 1713 during the plaque epidemy.
Stone Fountain
One of the top things to see in Kutna Hora is Stone Fountain on Rejsek Square.
The fountain is huge, beautifully decorated, and it is one of the masterpieces from the late 15th century when Kutna Hora desperately needed a water reservoir for the growing town.
Church of St. James
The oldest church in Kutna Hora is yet another dominant you cannot overlook. The high tower is visible from almost every angle and completes the town's picturesque panorama.
Church of St. John of Nepomuk
Only a short walk from Stone Fountain is Church of St. John of Nepomuk that will catch your eyes by its striking pinkish facade.
When the doors are open, do not wait and look at how the interiors look.
Church of Our Lady Na Nameti
On the edge of town's historic center stands yet another beautiful church from the 14th century.
Tyl Municipal Theatre
We're not saying this is a must-visit place in Kutna Hora, but why not stop by at one of the cultural centers of the town when nearby?
Technical School
Kutna Hora is not only about medieval architecture, but there are buildings even from the 20th century worth mentioning.
One of them is the town's Technical School. It stands just opposite the Tyl Theatre.
Church of the Holy Trinity
This church with an old cemetery is a bit away from the center, and we believe it does not see many tourists.
We stopped there on our way home, but we must admit that we drove there by car as we were quite tired already.
If you are short on time, do not bother coming there.
ITALIAN COURT
Vlašský Dvůr alias Italian Court is one of the most important places in Kutna Hora.
It was built in the 13th century as a fortress, but later, it was converted to a royal mint, and it was the symbol of the town's wealth and importance.
Even though the past of Kutna Hora always saw its ups and downs, we can say that the Italian Court survived the whirlwind of events and keeps its importance because it is the town's City Hall until these days.
It is possible to join guided tours that will tell you more about the medieval currency, Prague Groschen, that was several centuries back similarly strong as today's Euro, and the minting process.
At the time of our visit, the complex had been going through a renovation, so we could only see the wonderfully painted Royal Chapel that was absolutely worth it.
HOW TO GET AROUND KUTNA HORA
Kutna Hora is a compact town, and the historical center with most of the top attractions is pedestrian-friendly; therefore, all the best things to see and do are within walking distance.
Only two must-visit attractions, The Church of the Assumption of Our Lady and Saint John the Baptist and Sedlec Ossuary (Bone Church), are a bit out of the town's center, in a suburb called Sedlec, that is approximately 2.5 kilometers from the rest of the highlights.
How to get to Sedlec?
You can for sure walk, there is a lovely trail along the tracks that will take you around 45 minutes.
Another alternative is to take a train from Kutna Hora Město to Kutna Hora Sedlec (more about the train options below), there is also a bus running between the town and Sedlec district (the most straightforward lines are number 13 and 14).
You can get on on Palackeho Namesti in Kutna Hora and get off at Sedlec, Tabak.
But now it comes. Just shortly before we arrived in Kutna Hora, we had found out about the ultimate possibility of renting a bike and exploring the city and its surroundings this way.
And do you know what? We loved it.
Not only we got to Sedlec to see the Bone Church in like fifteen minutes, but on the way back, we stopped by at other attractions that many people usually skip because they are a bit away from the center, Technical School, and Tyl Municipal Theatre.
Then we rode along Vrchlice Creek, and later we followed Royal Walk for a while, as from this side, a visitor can get splendid views of the Cathedral of St. Barbara, the Church of St James, or the Italian Court.
We had those bikes for about three hours, which helped us to see a few attractions more efficiently, and it was a pleasant change.
How does it work? The bike rental is a project of the town of Kutna Hora, and you can hire it either on Palackeho Square or at the main train station.
The bike rental is open between April and October. When the weather is pleasant, you can try to contact the information center and ask whether it is possible to rent a bike out of season.
As the supply is limited, we recommend you to make a reservation via this email.
The price for the bike is 220 CZK per day, which is an absolute steal (the price is lower when you rent more bikes as a group), even if you would have used it only for a couple of hours.
Rental accessories such as a lock or helmet are included. What do you need to rent a bike in Kutna Hora?
You must be over 18 years old, have an ID, and deposit in cash 1500 CZK per bike.
We love trying new things, and exploring the part of Kutna Hora on a bicycle was a great experience, not only because we are sports enthusiasts, but because it spiced up our day in the town a bit.
Another reason why we rode around the town on the bikes was that we like supporting ideas that focus on creating a more friendly and modern environment for travelers.
We can definitely recommend you to check this service out.
HOW TO GET TO KUTNA HORA
Kutna Hora lies approximately 80 kilometers from Prague, so getting to the town will take you an hour, a maximum of two hours, depending on the way of transport.
Here's the list of options you have when traveling to Kutna Hora.
On top of that, you can read a separate post How to Get from Prague to Kutna Hora.
BY CAR
As we live in Prague, traveling to Kutna Hora by car was a no brainer.
If you are in the Czech Republic only for a couple of days and do not have your own car but prefer your comfort, renting a car is possible at the airport, but also in the city center.
Plus, most of the rental companies will deliver the car in your hotel free of charge.
Daily rates are quite cheap because of the competition, and you won't pay much for the fuel either.
Renting a vehicle pays off if you travel as a family or group of friends. Under normal circumstances, you should be able to get from Prague to Kutna Hora within one hour.
There are several roads; the quickest option is to take D11 highway (the rental company should provide you with a car that has a highway sticker), but there is a dense network of roads that will take you to Kutna Hora, so use the navigation to search for the fastest route.
You can travel via the toll-free ways in case you want to see the Czech countryside.
Parking in Kutna Hora is mostly free, even in the center, though this might change in the future.
BUS TO KUTNA HORA
If you prefer taking a bus, there is a direct 381 bus service connecting Prague with Kutna Hora every hour.
The journey takes 1 hour and 40 minutes, but the ticket is super-cheap, around 70 CZK one way — the bus leaves from Haje station.
You can take a metro (red line) from the Prague’s city center to Haje, and get on the bus here.
Using public transport in the city is very easy, read our guide on how to get around Prague.
The bus station in Kutna Hora is about 1 kilometer from the center, so it is an easy walk, and you can start sightseeing right from the start.
TRAIN TO KUTNA HORA
The best way how to get to Kutna Hora without driving is by train. The train leaves Prague's main train station every two hours, the ride takes less than an hour, and the one-way ticket costs around 160 CZK.
The train station - Praha Hlavni Nadrazi is on the metro, but if you are staying in the center, it might be even more convenient to walk.
The train goes to Kutna Hora hl.n. (main station) that is about four kilometers from the town.
Make sure you buy your ticket to 'Kutna Hora Město.'
You need to transfer to a local train at the main station, but the local train comes a few minutes after the connection from Prague, so you do not have to wait.
The train station in Kutna Hora město is also about a kilometer walk from the town's center, so we would not bother to take public transport or a taxi. If we were you, taking a train would be our option number one to travel to Kutna Hora.
Our tip: Take a train from Prague hl.n. to Kutna Hora hl.n., and then transfer to a local train to Kutna Hora město (city).
On the way get off at Kutna Hora Sedlec, visit The Church of the Assumption of Our Lady and Sedlec Ossuary, and if you do not want to walk to the center, take again train to Kutna Hora město.
You can also visit Sedlec on the way back, as it is one of the top things to see in Kutna Hora, but we think it is better to see it early as you can quickly lose track of time in Kutna Hora and you don't want to miss it out.
Our tip for using public transport. Download the IDOS app that includes all timetables, plus there is always a map to see where the station is from the city's perspective.
KUTNA HORA TOURS
We will discuss taking a tour in the next paragraph, and even though we prefer traveling independently, we are aware that many travelers like a certain level of comfort and services.
That's why taking a tour from Prague (the company will pick you up and drop off at your hotel) is for many the way to go.
VISITING KUTNA HORA INDEPENDENTLY VS WITH A TOUR
Getting to Kutna Hora and then around the town independently is very easy, and we would definitely recommend this option in case you are not short on time.
When traveling individually, you can take your time and visit many more sights that are usually not included in the guided tour, and go off the beaten path.
If you are traveling around the Czech Republic more extensively, you can even spend here a night and then continue your journey.
KUTNA HORA TOURS
In case you are short on time or simply do not want to arrange transport and itinerary for Kutna Hora, booking the tour from Prague makes sense.
This way, you'll see the highlights that put Kutna Hora on the tourist map in a day, some tours sometimes even take only half-day.
Here are the best-reviewed trips from Prague to Kutna Hora.
Kutna Hora Half-Day Tour | This 5-hour trip from Prague to Kutna Hora will allow you to see the best places in the town, such as St. Barbara Cathedral or the Bone Church in Sedlec. Includes three-course lunch.
Kutna Hora Private Tour | Enjoy a trip from Prague to the medieval town of Kutna Hora with a local guide. Walk around the city center, visit the Bone chapel and Saint Barbara's Church. This tour includes pick-up and drop-off at your hotel.
BEST HOTELS IN KUTNA HORA
Kutna Hora is a lovely little town, and as many foreign visitors usually return to Prague in the afternoon, there is a chance to reserve a room and see a different side of this place that is quite busy during the day.
That, of course, does not mean that Kutna Hora is vacant.
On the contrary, especially during summer months, local travelers fill up the town pretty quickly, so make sure to reserve your room well in advance.
The best advice we can give you is to find a hotel right in the historical center, so you will be able to reach most of the attractions, restaurants, and bars on foot.
We've handpicked three best hotels in Kutna Hora for every type of traveler and budget.
Budget | Hotel u Kata - Situated only a stone's throw from Kutna Hora's UNESCO-listed historical center lies Hotel u Kata, one of the most popular hotels in the town. It offers cozy rooms and a wellness center with a beer bath and sauna. The restaurant serves traditional Czech cuisine. Free private parking is available.
Mid-range | Hotel Mědínek Old Town - Thanks to the location right on the square, this reasonably priced hotel is a great pick. Everything is within walking distance, rooms are cozy, and when we consider that the hotel is situated right in the heart of town, it is a bang for the buck.
Mid-range | Palace Kutná Hora - Beautifully adorned rooms are the main reason to stay in the hotel. When you add the friendly staff, tasty breakfast and excellent location, we believe that this hotel will satisfy all your needs.
Do you have only one day for Kutna Hora?
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WHERE TO EAT IN KUTNA HORA
We must admit that we often do not know where to eat when we travel around the Czech Republic.
We believe that you won't have the same problem as we do because you will most likely want to try the Czech cuisine during your time here.
For us, the traditional Czech cuisine is simply too heavy, we rarely eat it normally, and the idea of eating it on a trip in the middle of the day kills us.
That's why we often pack our own food even though it might seem cheap.
First, it is healthy, and we know what ingredients we used, and second, we hate paying for average food more than necessary.
But that's us.
A traveler who has a limited time in the country and wants to taste the traditional food that would not be complete without beer, will not have a problem finding a place to eat in Kutna Hora.
One of the most popular and traditional restaurants in the town is Pivnice Dačický that is often reserved during lunchtime for tour buses, but as an independent traveler, you should be able to squeeze in.
Another alternative is, for example, restaurant U Hrnčíře - our guide from silver mines told us this is where locals go to eat or restaurant V Ruthardce.
If you are looking for something more modern and fresh, our choice number one in Kutna Hora would be Čtyři sestry.
If we were you, we would avoid restaurant Kometa on the corner near St. Barbara's Church.
It’s typical tourist resturant, it does not have the best reviews; the interior is really outdated, and it is the classic restaurant that lives only from the location.
THE BEST TIME TO VISIT KUTNA HORA
Kutna Hora is an all-year-round destination, so we would not say there is the best time to visit the town, you just need to adjust your expectations and clothing to the season.
The Czech Republic has four distinct seasons.
Winter is cold, but the temperatures are quite mild. What is the advantage of visiting Kutna Hora in winter? Fewer people in the streets.
On the other hand, you must expect that days are shorter as it gets dark around 4 PM or 5 PM, and landmarks close earlier as well.
Between June and August is summer time that is usually sunny with warm temperatures, and it is one of the most popular times among day-trippers, both locals and international travelers, so the small town's center can feel a bit flooded.
But we like the lively atmosphere during the summer when people sit on terraces with a drink in hand and just enjoying the moments after all day sightseeing.
We were in Kutna Hora in June and as the days in this month are already quite long, we were able to see most of the must-visit places. In the winter, you must adjust our outlined itinerary a bit.
Weather in spring and autumn can turn both ways, but days are still quite long, temperatures are colder than in summer but pleasant already.
The most photogenic season, according to us, is the beginning of autumn, when the leaves turn red and yellow.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
This post was written in collaboration with Oddělení cestovního ruchu a marketingu, Město Kutná Hora. As always, all opinions are our own.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Get Around: Buses and trains are an affordable way to get around the Czech Republic. Regiojet offers clean and modern buses and trains with all the amenities.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
