Ostrava: The Only Travel Guide You Need
Our personally tried and tested Ostrava travel guide includes the best things to do in the city, top attractions, must-visit places, tips on where to stay, how to get to Ostrava, and safety advice. Get inspired to visit the former coal-mining capital of the Czechia.
Iron, steel, chemicals, and coal-mining. These four words used to characterize the former capital of Czech industry and the third-largest city of the Czech Republic, Ostrava.
Once upon a time, Ostrava was known as the steel heart of the Czech Republic, or back then Czechoslovakia, to be precise.
If you were looking to get a job in the steel or mining industry, this was the place to go. For everyone else, there was no other reason for a visit.
Not more than 30 years ago, Ostrava was still the leading industrial city in the country, and for this particular reason, tourists didn't go there because the city did not have the best reputation and was usually pictured as a grey place without top tourist attractions and exciting things to do.
When we were kids, our parents simply called it Black Ostrava.
But as we all know, nothing lasts forever, and thanks to the depleted resources, the coal industry was suddenly in decline.
When the big companies shut down their production, the city was now facing one of its biggest challenges. What's going to happen next?
The resources have been depleted, unemployment was rapidly increasing, and the future didn't look bright for sure.
Ostrava found its answer in another golden egg. Tourism.
You probably won't find another city in Czechia that has transformed more than Ostrava in the past couple of years.
Dolni Vitkovice, the huge industrial complex only a walking distance from the city center that was once closed, was after some time reopened, but this time not for miners, but tourists, students, and all visitors looking for different experiences.
To everyone's great surprise, the complex became one of the most heavily visited tourist attractions outside of Prague, and tens of thousands of people flock in the place every year, not only to see the strange beauty of industrial architecture, but also to visit Colours of Ostrava or Beats fo Love, very popular music festivals.
These successful cultural events bring people in Ostrava not only from all corners of the Czech Republic but from Europe and overseas as well.
Although we know Prague will always be the crown jewel of our country, we've created this ultimate guide for first-time visitors to Ostrava, as we know that the city is still quite overlooked by foreign travelers visiting the Czech Republic which is a shame.
As family roots of one of us (now of both of us) lead to Ostrava, we are more than happy to introduce you this pulsing city and inspire you to put Ostrava on your travel itinerary.
We were not even afraid to include Ostrava in our list of the five best places to visit in the Czech Republic!
HISTORY
The first messages mentioning a small settlement on the river Ostravice come from as early as the 13th century.
The small town on the border of Moravian and Silesian region steadily grew in population and importance, but the devasting conflict in the 17th century that escalated in the Thirty Years' War caused a sharp decline and Ostrava lost its importance.
It was not until the 18th and 19th century when the discovery of high-quality black coal meant another turning point for Ostrava.
Ironworks were established, mines opened, factories built, and the extensive extraction began.
Then there was the WWI and WWII in Europe which slowed down the progress, but later when those wars ended there was nothing that could have stopped Ostrava from being super important Czech industrial city.
The massive city expansion started right after the Second World War. New residential areas and housing estates were built in the socialist realism style.
Yes, you guessed it right. Those are the ugly looking multi-story prefabricated concrete buildings on the city outskirts.
Then everything was about to change once again, as the 90s brought yet another difficult obstacle for Ostrava.
The mining came at a halt in 1994, and the desolated and polluted region called for massive investments from the government to help reduce the damage and to slowly restore the environment.
From this point, Ostrava has been transforming into a modern European city, and now depends on tourism more than ever.
BEST THINGS TO DO IN OSTRAVA
Ostrava is tightly linked to its history, and the top attractions are former mines or industrial structures or museums.
If you ever get tired of the city, head out of Ostrava, and explore its fascinating countryside and mountains.
As we travel to Ostrava quite frequently, we plan on extending this article every time we discover something new in the city, so stay tuned!
Here's the list of our favorite things to do, top attractions and simply all highlights in Ostrava and its surroundings.
DOLNI VTIKOVICE
The former industrial zone Dolni Vitkovice has been turned into a technical monument, and nowadays it is the unique symbol of Ostrava.
The area of Dolni Vitkovice is quite big, and there are more things to do than only to walk around and explore the industrial architecture.
Do you remember the fastest man on Earth, Usain Bolt? He competed on Zlata Tretra (prestigious athletic meeting) many times, and quickly became the crowd favorite.
In 2015, the new viewing platform and cafe on the top of the highest tower of the blast furnace was installed, and it carries his name - Bolt Tower.
Usain Bolt was even in Ostrava for the opening. From the top, you get stunning views of the whole Dolni Vikovice area.
When in Dolni Vitkovice, you can take a guided tour which will take you around Hlubina areal which was opened more than 150 years ago, it was one of the deepest mines in Ostrava region, and also some of the most quality coal came from this place.
The highlight of the tour is a visit of an old headframe.
What used to be a giant gasholder, now serves as a multifunctional center with a simple name - Gong.
The great hall has a capacity of 1500 visitors for concerts, there are a gallery, cafe and conference rooms attracting students, international speakers, and tourists as well.
It's an amazing inspiration to all of us and true engendering gem, which reminds us, that if there is a will, anything is possible.
Another place to visit in the areal is Science and Technology Centre which is a large museum aimed for children and younger audience.
But don't get fooled, all that science and technology is presented entertainingly, and it's great for families with kids and even adults.
I might say, that Lucie spent more time in the giant hamster spinning wheel that she would like to admit.
Simply put, Dolni Vitkovice is the top attraction in Ostrava that you must visit. Reserve at least a couple of hours to have enough time to see it all.
LANDEK PARK
Landek, the largest mining museum in the Czech Republic, offers a unique experience to see miners work and life very authentically.
If you take the 2-hour long guided tour, be prepared to get underground.
Though the mining elevator will take you roughly only four or five meters under the ground surface, it's better to know this before you start the tour, if you don't like dark and confined areas.
The guides, mostly former miners, are the soul of this place and the reason which makes the visit so exceptional and brilliant.
The tour is however only in the Czech language, but you can get an English audio guide for an extra 130 CZK.
We highly recommend you to take this tour even if you don't know a single Czech word because once you get down the pit, no words are necessary to feel and absorb the atmosphere breathing with hard work, sweat and an omnipresent sense of danger.
We slightly favor Landek Park over Dul Michal for first-time visitors as the tour will take you into the deeps of an actual mine.
DUL MICHAL
Michal Mine is a former coal mine which is well-preserved, and nowadays it is a museum where you can follow the footsteps of a coalminer from the beginning of his shift all the way to his workplace and back.
As in most of the mines in Ostrava, the guided tour is mandatory, and it's the highlight of the visit, as the tour guides are former workers who worked there most of their lives, and they know what they are talking about.
Unfortunately, the tour itself is not currently available in English on the day of your arrival and must be booked in advance, hopefully, it will change soon.
However, it's still worth considering to visit Dul Michal even without an English speaking guide.
And if you meet some Czechs on your travels, bring them along, and they will help you translate what the guide is saying.
CITY HALL
Built in the 1920s, this structure is the tallest city hall not only in Ostrava but also in the Czechia.
Once you get to the viewing platform (the platform is easily accessible by elevator) of 85 meters tall clock tower, you will get spectacular views of the city and the whole Moravian-Silesian region.
And to a great surprise, from above, Ostrava is much greener than you would have thought.
The viewing platform stands 73 meters above ground, and on a fine weather day, you can see also Poland, Jeseniky or Beskydy mountain range.
The tower is open every day, and the regular entrance fee is 50 CZK.
Even if you don't want to go up there, it's still interesting building worth seeing from the ground.
KOMENSKEHO SADY
In the heart of Ostrava and the vicinity of Ostravice river, Komenskeho Sady is a green island of heaven, at least for Ostrava standards.
I have to confess, I let myself get carried away a little bit, and the park is not an actual island, it is rather busy park, but it offers a place to jog, cycle, in-line skate, walk or just relax in the otherwise urban area.
It's also safe and family-friendly, so everyone can visit the place and have a rest or enjoy one of many sports activities. There are a few restaurants and pubs near the park where you can try locally brewed beers.
And they say, that more than 3000 trees grow in the park, but we never had the guts to count them all.
FORUM NOVA KAROLINA
A three-story shopping mall in the center of Ostrava just about 5 minutes from the main square or Stodolni street was built on a brownfield site and now consists of 220 shops featuring all popular fashion brands, food court, or multiplex cinema.
It is a place to go if you want to do shopping in the Czech Republic, as the selection of brands is awesome, and the mall is not that crowded as those in the capital Prague.
MASARYKOVO NAMESTI
The main square in Ostrava carries the name after our first president of Czechoslovakia since 1919.
Interestingly, it has a very unusual L-shape, at least for typical Czech square, and you can find there a few distinctive architectural elements such as Marian Plague Column from the 18th century, a statue of Saint Florian, and a modern waterworks.
There is a nice pub Radegastovna on the corner where you can try a local beer from the tank, and traditional goulash with dumplings.
There used to be tall trees, but they were cut during renovations, so there is not much shade right now, but it’s still a nice place to walk around.
STODOLNI ULICE
Stodolni Ulice is the street that never sleeps. Or does it?
Nowadays the poetic words are not completely true as the days of the biggest glory of this famous party street in Ostrava are probably long gone.
Today you will find here more pubs than clubs, but it is still the place to go in the evening when you want to socialize.
The decline of the party street started when drinking tourism prevailed, and brought a lot of unwanted problems like bar fights, pickpockets, violence, or drugs.
The City Hall had to improve the safety situation and increased the numbers of the police officers patrolling the area, but the situation is still far from being perfect.
Two-thirds of the visitors are coming every weekend from Poland to party there, so if you really must visit this place, come on weekdays when it's quieter unless you want to get wild.
BESKYDY
Beskids mountain range stretches from Poland to Czechia, Slovakia, and Ukraine and offers great hiking trails and beautiful nature.
Don't expect the Alps, and you will be pleasantly surprised by how beautiful this eastern corner of the Czech Republic really is.
The most famous and popular mountain is Lysa Hora also known as the queen of the Moravian-Silesian Beskids.
The climb to the top of 1323 meters high mountain is moderately difficult, and more trails are leading to the top, some are more challenging, and one of them is even suitable for cyclists as its paved. No cars are allowed to the top though.
We've been to the top many times and enjoyed the hike and views every single time.
If you decide on hiking in the mountains, don't underestimate the weather though.
It might seem that the mountains around Ostrava are not that high and that you don't need an extra warm layer or a proper rain jacket, but the opposite is the truth. Lysa peak is one of the coldest places in the Czech Republic, and it gets quite windy up there.
ROZNOV POD RADHOSTEM
50 kilometers south of Ostrava lies a small sleepy town Roznov pod Radhostem, where you can visit Wallachian Open Air Museum.
The museum is divided into three parts: Little Wooden Town, the Wallachian Village, and the Water Mill Valley.
It's the largest open-air museum in Czechia featuring traditional timbered houses, farmsteads, windmills, gardens, and fields.
The village has been preserved to show the traditional architecture and way of life in this region in the 19th and 20th century.
The museum has quite a long history as it was first opened in 1925 by two brothers coming from this rural region.
Many buildings have been added later as the museum expanded its grounds.
You can learn more about hardship, difficulties, and everyday life of common people who lived here two hundred years ago.
You can walk around Little Wooden Town and the Wallachian Village independently, but you need to take a guided tour for Water Mill Valley.
REGIONAL MUSEUM IN KOPRIVNICE - TATRA
50 kilometers down south of Ostrava lies Koprivnice, a small town that is famous in the world for two reasons.
Emil Zatopek and Tatra. Okay, I totally see your vacant expression now, so I'll give you a small hint.
Zatopek is one of all-time greatest long-distance runners, and Tatra is a Czech vehicle manufacturer. If you've ever heard or seen Dakar Rally, some of the big trucks were made here in Koprivnice.
You need to drive there for about 45 minutes from Ostrava by car, but it's totally worth it, at least if you are a petrol head (well, even if you are not, to be honest).
Actually, there are three more museums in Koprivnice, Museum Fojtstvi, Lasske Museum, and Exhibition of Emil and Dana Zatopek, but the Tatra Museum is without a doubt the best of the bunch.
ZLATA TRETRA
Golden Spike is an athletics meeting held annually in Ostrava (usually in June) and is part of the prestigious IAAF World Challenge Meetings.
The meeting was popular with big names of athletics such as Usain Bolt or Asafa Powell.
We had a chance to see our favorite runner Asafa Powell there when he was still competing, and it was a great experience.
If you happen to be in Ostrava during the period when Zlata Tretra takes places, it is for sure a good idea to buy inexpensive tickets and have yet another unique experience from the Czech Republic.
Only remember that the price of accommodation increase during this event.
COLOURS OF OSTRAVA
A 4-day multi-genre music festival that brings all types of music to the industrial area of Dolni Vitkovice, Colours of Ostrava is one of the best music events in the Czech Republic.
You might be pleasantly surprised, that the festival is not only about the music, but you will find on the program many discussions, theatre performances, films, workshops as well as art activities on one of 21 open and covered stages in the four unforgettable days.
The show hosted big names in the past such as Imagine Dragons, Jamiroquai, Kasabian, Bjork, Robert Plant, Alanis Morissette, ZAZ, or Bobby McFerrin only to name a few.
During the festival, all the hotels are sold out and if you happen to visit Ostrava during this time, the price for accommodation skyrockets, and it's better to book your stay long in advance, or even in the cities nearby.
NATO DAYS IN OSTRAVA
Do you like aircraft? Air shows? Or perhaps tanks? NATO Days is the largest 2-day army show in Europe which takes place just in Ostrava.
To give you a rough idea of how popular this show really is, this year, more than 125 thousands people visited the show only on the first day.
During this event, you have a great opportunity to see military and security equipment, latest technology, entertaining air shows, jump off a plane, and much more at the Leos Janacek Airport.
The show is excellent for all type of audience and extremely popular with families.
BEATS FOR LOVE
One of the most popular electronic and dance music festivals in Central Europe, Beats for Love, is another 4-day event in Dolni Vitkovice complex.
The iron and rusty industrial structures create an amazing backdrop for the music, and thanks to it, the festival has a unique atmosphere.
More and more people (40 thousand visitors) visit Beats for Love every year, and the festival has been sold out in the most recent years pretty quick.
HOW MANY DAYS YOU NEED FOR OSTRAVA
Although Ostrava is a large city, we think that one day is enough to explore the top attractions, however, in such a short time span you would for sure miss out some of the best sights which are not within the city borders, so we would recommend you to stay at least two or three days here in case you are not in hurry.
If you allocate more days on your Ostrava itinerary, it'll allow you to visit more sights and museums, and you will have extra time to take a day trip to see the countryside and mountains.
Add a couple of days if you decide to visit one of many cultural events. You will need two days for NATO Days and four days for Colours of Ostrava or Beats for Love.
IS IT WORTH VISITING OSTRAVA ON A DAY TRIP FROM PRAGUE?
Well, yes and no.vFirst, let's do some math here.
The fastest, and most comfortable way to get to Ostrava, is by train.
The journey takes about three and a half hours, add some extra time, as you need to get to the train station first. Let's say it's 4 hours one way.
For this example, I chose Regiojet company. The first train leaves Prague at 5:47 AM and arrives in Ostrava 9:13 AM.
The last train goes back to Prague at 7:47 PM from Ostrava. It's been a few years since I graduated from high school, but you have exactly nine and a half hour if my math checks out.
That's more than plenty of time to see the historical part and visit Dolni Vitkovice or Landek Park.
So why could you still be hesitant?
What we think, is that Ostrava deserves more than just a few brief hours of your time, and at the beginning of our guide, we told you, that Ostrava is in the process of change.
It's still mostly industrial city with large factories.
But that's exactly what makes it so special.
You can see the transformation live, you can feel the change in the air and breathe the inspiration (together with carbon dioxide and other not so nice substances), and to soak up the atmosphere.
Therefore it is better to spend here at least one night, so you won't be rushing that much.
HOW TO GET TO OSTRAVA
Despite the location near the most eastern point of the country, Ostrava is well connected with the rest of the Czech Republic, and you have multiple ways how to reach the destination.
Said that our favorite way of getting to Ostrava from Prague is by train. By far. Currently, three major railway operators are providing excellent service at a reasonable price.
Regiojet, Ceske Drahy, and Leo Express offer similar service, and you won't make a mistake by choosing either of the companies.
Pendolino by Ceske Drahy is the name of the fastest train on our tracks reaching a whopping 160 km/h, so if you want to experience a bullet train in a Czech way, this is the one to choose from the selection of available trains.
If you want to be independent, or simply do not prefer public transport, there are many rental car companies in Prague for reasonable prices.
There is an international airport Leos Janacek Airport Ostrava, but it's mostly used by big travel agencies to transport customers to European holiday destinations such as Greece, Croatia or Egypt.
The only destination which might be useful for international travelers arriving from outside of Europe is London.
HOW TO GET AROUND OSTRAVA
Ostrava has great, reliable and cheap public transport. That's a lot of positive things to say in one sentence, but it's true.
A dense public transport network system consists of trams, buses, and trolleybuses. There is not a subway, as you can find in Prague, but to be frankly honest, it's not needed at all, and getting around Ostrava by public transport is a joy.
You have a few ways how to buy a ticket, and the easiest and the most convenient one is to purchase tickets in the tram and pay by a contactless credit card at the terminal, or via SMS message, which is handy, just make sure you have premium messages turned on. Wait for the incoming SMS before you hop on the bus or tram, otherwise, you can be fined.
Prices are divided into several categories. Your best bet is a regular day ticket for 80 CZK, which is about 3 euros or 3.5 dollars. See, it's very cheap. You can also purchase a family day ticket for up to 5 people for 200 CZK.
Downloading Jizdni Rady app will help you to see the timetable, map, and the price.
You can check current prices on the official site here, unfortunately, the site is currently only in the Czech language.
Consider it as a Czech language lesson for free, or use google translate.
If you plan to stay or live in Ostrava for a longer period, you may consider purchasing an ODISka electronic card, similar to Litacka in Prague.
If you prefer getting around by taxi, use the Liftago app which is similar to Uber, which is not supported in Ostrava yet. It's fast, reliable, you can see the prices upfront, and you are allowed to choose from the drivers.
WHERE TO STAY IN OSTRAVA
As a result of more and more tourists coming to Ostrava every year, many new hotels were built in the city, and the old ones have been renovated to match the demand.
You probably won't have a problem to find a hotel throughout the year with a few exceptions.
If there is a major event happening in the city, all hotels are fully booked long in advance, and if you don't make a reservation, you might end up paying a lot of money even for a basic room in a hostel.
If you are lucky to find a room at all. This is especially true for the Colours of Ostrava.
To make everything easy for you, we chose only hotels close to the city center, which is the best place to stay for travelers in Ostrava, everything is within a walking distance, even the train station Ostrava - Stodolni, in case you are arriving by train.
Keep in mind, that Ceske Drahy doesn't make a stop there as other providers, but at the Ostrava - Hlavni Nadrazi which is a little bit farther.
Check out our favorite picks for the best hotels in Ostrava.
Budget | U Betty - A budget hostel for all travelers looking to save some money on accommodation. Rooms are quite basic but clean, location is great, everything is within a walking distance. They offer both shared and private rooms.
Mid-range | Mercure Ostrava Center - This is our favorite hotel in Ostrava where we stayed a few times when we couldn't sleep over at our relatives. Its location is superb, rooms are spotlessly clean, modern, and breakfast is excellent. For the price, it exceeded our expectations, and we enjoyed our stay there every time. There is also a sauna, fitness center, and parking lot if you are arriving by car. Truly great value for money.
Luxury | Quality Hotel Ostrava City - If you are looking for clean and stylish rooms, steam bath, sauna, hot tub, local cuisine, friendly staff and excellent service, look no further. Quality Hotel Ostrava City offers great accommodation in the center of Ostrava for a just little bit more money.
SAFETY ADVICE
Ostrava is a safe city in Czechia. We go to Ostrava often and must say that we feel very safe there and fortunately, we never had any issues.
But we hear you what are you about to say. You are Czechs, and you kind of know what to expect, or you have more information about places where it is better not to go.
Without any questions, petty theft is the most common problem.
As usual watch for pickpockets especially when using public transport, and in crowded areas at shopping malls or during big events.
We've already mentioned Stodolni street. So mind your own business, and don't get involved in anything that might get you in trouble.
Also when wandering around the city, avoid a district called Privoz (Czech: Přívoz), which is an area of social exclusion in the north part. This is not Rio de Janeiro or Bogota though, it's just there are no tourist attractions, so no reason to go there.
So the most dangerous thing in Ostrava is the air quality during inversion, especially in the autumn when the smog pollutes the streets of Ostrava and stays there, so the air quality drops significantly.
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!
WHEN TO VISIT OSTRAVA
The best time to visit Ostrava is during the spring and summer when the days are warm, sunny with plenty of daylight.
May, June, and July are the most pleasant months for visiting Ostrava.
Autumn brings lower air quality, and days are cold in winter. Expect average temperatures between 20-30 degrees of Celsius in summer and below 0 degrees in winter.
January is the coldest month in general in Czechia.
Ostrava gets overcrowded a few times throughout the year during the major cultural events, and if you don't plan on visiting any of them, it's better to postpone your visit.
WHAT TO PACK FOR OSTRAVA
Pack light and smart, as usual. You are going to need good luggage or rucksack if you are backpacking.
In summer, everything is easier. Pack shorts, sneakers, t-shirts, windbreaker, and sunscreen.
Hot summer days bring storms, so a travel umbrella is a must.
In spring and autumn, you never know, how the weather turns out, as it can be warm or cold. Pack sneakers, spring jacket, jeans, and scarf.
Also in winter, there is a possibility of snow, which usually melts quickly in the city center, as it's warmer there, but as a result, there is this melting brown slush on the pavements, which is really wet, and it's not fun to walk around the city in damp sneakers.
You sure don't need snow boots to -40°C that Lucie bought in Calgary, but a high or ankle boots should be more than fine. And warm socks.
Don't forget to pack a winter coat and a sweater, if it's sunny, down jacket is an excellent choice too.
Try not to overthink it, in case you are going to miss something, there is a huge shopping mall just behind the corner that will cater all your needs.
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.
