Bohemia on a budget: Take a day trip to Liberec for less than CZK 800

Bohemia is so much more than Prague, Český Krumlov, and Karlovy Vary. Whether you're interested in history, or nature, or just want to immerse yourself in the local culture, smaller Bohemian cities have something to offer everyone. And no – you won't have to dig deep in your pockets to have an enjoyable day in these cities. With as little as CZK 800, you can get a full lay of the land.

Let's begin our budget-friendly Bohemian discoveries with Liberec, a great destination for travelers looking to experience the beauty of the region beyond the usual tourist hotspots. 

Only one hour's drive away from Prague, Liberec is a charming city that offers visitors a unique blend of history, nature, and culture. 

With a population of around 100,000 people, Liberec is the fifth-largest city in the country and is renowned for its Ještěd Tower, an iconic modernist building that hosts breathtaking views of the city and surrounding mountains. The city also boasts the oldest zoo in the Czech Republic that hosts rare species like white tigers, numerous museums, and galleries. 

My personal recommendation is to spare at least six or seven hours to enjoy bits of nature, culture, and architecture in the city. If you are a history enthusiast or a competitive hiker, you will need more time or a second visit, as Liberec will keep on entertaining you.

You'll get off the bus on Fügnerova-Blažkova Street in Liberec. If you need some energy before a day of sightseeing, have a cup of coffee and a snack at DOK Nordbeans. You will enjoy the minimalist, tasteful interior design of the place that'll accompany your first sips and bites in town. 

In case you want to get started with sightseeing right away, take a walk to the Town Hall (Liberecká radnice), and enjoy the views of the square. Continue moving towards Masarykova street, which has been my favorite part of the city with its picturesque architecture and greenery.

On Masarykova, you will find the Technical Museum, the Regional Gallery (also known as Lázně), and the North Bohemian Museum. Choose the one that interests you, and spend a few hours discovering it.

I spent three wonderful hours walking through the corridors of the once-a-municipal-spa Regional Gallery that hosts examples of Dutch, German, French, Austrian, Hungarian, and Czech art. You may find permanent exhibitions such as the much valuable Liebieg Collection, temporary exhibitions from Czech and international artists, and an interactive exhibition where you first-handily get to experience trying different forms of visual arts.

Petra Švecová's In the Garden and a little further and Cameron Tauschke's Valleys of the Heart were my personal favorites. The entrance to the museum costs 150 CZK for adults.

In case you're in an outdoorsy mood, a great spot for a lakeside walk is the Harcov Reservoir, which is twenty minutes by walk from Masarykova street. If your time is limited, move just a few steps forward from the museums to have a walk along the mini-lake Jezírko. After that, you may continue with a visit to the Liberec Zoo, or the Botanical Garden. 

I spared a little more than an hour at the Botanical Garden, which hosts nine pavilions with carnivorous plants, orchids, camellias, ferns, Australian, Asian, and African flora, cacti growing upside down, a pavilion with aquariums and vivariums, and many other rare plants. Though the garden's outdoors did not offer much to see, the tropical exhibition definitely made my visit worthwhile! The entrance to the Botanical Garden costs CZK 140 for adults.

If you're up for hiking, visit the famous Ještěd Tower. The cable car is currently not working, but you can still hike there by taking tram number 2 to Horni Harchov. 

After all the discovery, enjoy a great (yet affordable!) Czech dish at Radniční sklípek right behind the Town Hall. The restaurant serves a truly authentic, local feeling, though might be worth making a reservation as this is a buzzing spot in the city! 

In case you can't find any seats at Radniční sklípek, you may check out Dim Sum Spot for fantastic dumplings, Chicago Bar & Grill for American-style wraps or wings, Ananda for vegetarian options, or Budvarka for juicy burgers. 

If you have some time to kill before you jump on the bus back to Prague, have a beer at the hip bar Pivnice Vokno, or a gin and tonic at Jungle Gin.  

All in all, Liberec has definitely been a delight! My budget trip to Liberec cost CZK 753, covering: