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Pilsen – Freedom washed down with true Pilsner Lager
When the Bavarian brewer Josef Groll brewed the first batch of new beer in Pilsen in 1842, he probably had no idea just how phenomenal his creation was. Pilsner lager, a type of light bottom‑fermented beer with a distinctly hoppy taste, quickly spread to the rest of the world and was also enjoyed by General Patton’s American troops, who liberated Pilsen on 6 May 1945. The city’s liberation monument reminds of them to this day. In addition to good beer and memories of the end of World War II, the city has a well-preserved historic centre with the imposing Gothic cathedral of St Bartholomew.
Don’t miss:
The Old Town
Situated at a trade-route crossing point, Pilsen has been a prosperous city since the Middle Ages. This fact is rather evident from the sheer scale of the Gothic Cathedral of St Bartholomew, dominating the main square. Its tower is the tallest church tower in the Czech Republic, and the view from the top gives a captivating insight into the orderliness of the medieval street network in the Old Town. Opposite the cathedral is the Renaissance Town Hall building and lining the square are the ornate façades of townhouses.
Jewish monuments
The splendid Great Synagogue is the largest in the Czech Republic and the third largest in the world. Also still surviving is the Old Synagogue, recently beautifully renovated. Nearby lie the remnants of the Auxiliary Synagogue, now a symbolic monument to victims of the Holocaust.
The Adolf Loos interiors
Another much-visited site in the city centre are the Loos interiors. These originated in the 1920s and 30s, designed by world-acclaimed architect Adolf Loos, and are a highly prized example of Czech modernist architecture and interior design. The restored interiors are complemented by period furniture, and accessible through guided tours. Information and tickets are available in the TIC on the square.
Plzeňský Prazdroj [Pilsner Urquell]
U Prazdroje 7, Plzeň 
prazdrojvisit.cz
From the historical centre of the city it is only a few minutes’ walk to the Pilsen breweries. Beer has been brewed in Pilsen since the Middle Ages, but its quality was inconsistent, so the townsfolk founded the first modern brewery in the city in 1842. Since its foundation, Pilsner Urquell has been brewed here, and very soon literally conquered the whole world, becoming the best known and most famous Czech beer abroad. Excursions to the brewery will reveal some of the production secrets of this golden nectar, not forgetting the ‘mandatory’ tasting of freshly ready lager.
World War II
slavnostisvobody.cz
Military history enthusiasts will surely be impressed by the liberation monument dedicated to the American army, permanently on display to commemorate the last days of WWII in Pilsen and West Bohemia. If you head off to Pilsen in May, do not miss the traditional Freedom Festivals, a magnificent celebration of the war’s end, accompanied by military technology parades and the reminiscences of those who witnessed it all.
Pilsen with kids
The town also offers a number of attractions for families with children. One of the most popular is Pilsen Zoo, where in addition to the inevitable penguins, zebras, tigers or giraffes they keep the most venomous snakes in the world. Nearby is the Dino Park, where you can take a trip back in time to see the prehistoric lizards, or take your more investigative kids to the ‘Techmania Science Center’, with interactive science and technology exhibits to keep children and adults enthralled for hours.
Great places to eat & drink:
Šenk a Restaurace Lékárna
náměstí Republiky 97, Plzeň 
hospodskalekarna.cz
A restaurant in a former pharmacy on Pilsen main square offers Czech pub-grub classics and excellent Pilsner beer.
Polévkárna – Supa Supa - Soup Bistro
Dřevěná 3, Plzeň 
supasupa.cz
Offers far more than just soups. A great place for a spot of lunch or when you feel peckish.
Schovaná kavárna [The Hidden Café]
Zbrojnická 6, Plzeň 
schovanakavarna.cz
A café and patisserie with a selection of coffee from Dos Mundos and great seasonal desserts.
Pappa Coffee Veleslavínova 8, Plzeň pappacoffee.cz
A stylish café with amazing desserts
Kafe Smetanka Bedřicha Smetany 1, Plzeň kafe-smetanka.cz
A fantastic combination of Respekt Coffee and stupendous pancakes
Delish Riegrova 20, Plzeň delish.cz
A popular Pilsen burger bar near the main square.
Café Regner Bezručova 152, Plzeň facebook.com
The trendiest café bar in Pilsen. The interior design and coffee choices are by mamacoffee.
Srdcovka Corso Kopeckého sady 12, Plzeň srdcovkacorso.cz
Fabulous Czech and international cuisine, plus Pilsner beer on tap.
Pivstro – Brewhemian Beer Bistro Bezručova 185, Plzeň pivstro.cz
In this bistro, everything revolves around the beer, which is absolutely flawless. Always on tap is their House Ale, brewed exclusively for the bistro by the Zhůřák brewery, as well as the Belgian brew Delirium Tremens and Pilsner Urquell. Other taps alternate craft brewery specials. A menu of dishes complements the beer.
Walter – Brunch Coffee Drinks Smetanovy sady 314, Plzeň walterpilsen.cz
Another great Pilsen place worth a visit for choice coffee and something good to eat. The bistro and stylish café do a great brunch, too.
More about the destination:
When:
Offering a broad range of things to see and do, Pilsen is an ideal place for a family trip in any weather.
How to get there:
+420 221 111 122, idos.cz
There is a direct train connection between Prague and Pilsen from the Prague Main Station (Metro C, Hlavní nádraží). You can also get here by bus from Prague, Central Bus Station, Florenc stop (Metro B, C). Depending on the chosen transport, the trip to Pilsen takes about 60-90 min.)