Baroque, a dazzling mix of art nouveau and modern architecture, with its ornamental fountains listed as UNESCO World Heritage and a thriving art scene, Olomouc, the ‘Little Prague’ of the Czech Republic, is one of the most interesting cities to visit in the country. If you plan to spend a day in Olomouc or a short holiday, this itinerary will be perfect for discovering the city's artistic and architectural highlights or getting an idea of what to do in Olomouc.

1. Discover Street Art

Thanks to the annual Street Art Festival launched in 2007, Olomouc has a vibrant street art scene. The festival has attracted international street art stars like Mr. Dheo, ZZRock, Wild_Drawing, ParizOne, and Chemise, and the works of these artists can be seen all around the city.

Right in the heart of the city center, there are many examples of street art, such as the ‘Lomená Gallery’. This gallery is currently across from the Museum of Modern Art, showcasing the work titled ‘Sweet vandalism’ by local artist Dosy Doss, and it is redecorated every few years.

Next to the Museum of Modern Art, there is a large mural by Mr Dheo featuring King Edward VII of Great Britain posing with a selfie stick, one of the city's most famous street art pieces. Next to the mural, there is Marie Curie holding a container filled with uranium. Among other notable large murals in Olomouc is the work titled The Silence of Power by Indonesian artist Wild_Drawing, located at the intersection of Pavelčákova Street and Třída Svobody.

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2. Visit the Olomouc Museum of Modern Art

Address: Denisova 824/47, 779 00 Olomouc, Czech Republic

The Museum of Modern Art, focusing on 20th and 21st-century art, houses a collection of 85,000 artworks, including paintings, sculptures, drawings, graphic arts, photographs, applied arts, and architectural designs. The gallery primarily focuses on long-term and short-term exhibitions showcasing 20th and 21st-century art, with a strong emphasis on Czech modern art. Don’t forget to climb the small tower above for a bird’s eye view of Olomouc's skyline.

Tip: Entrance is free on Sundays.

Don’t miss: David Cerny’s Thief

On the facade of the Olomouc Art Museum, you will see one of David Cerny’s iconic sculptures of a thief trying to steal a valuable artwork (a piece of sculpture) in a backpack. The sculpture is a tribute to the late Czech sculptor Karel Nepraš. The sculpture operates with a motor that moves along the edge every hour and features the voice of Czech singer David Koller.

3. Have Coffee at Konvikt Bistro & Bar

Address: Univerzitní 3, 779 00 Olomouc, Czech Republic

When the weather is nice, head to the terrace of the atmospheric Konvikt Bistro & Bar located in the 17th-century Baroque Corpus Christi Chapel. It is a great place to relax, offering a beautiful selection of coffee, cakes, and vegan and vegetarian options.

Or try

Traffic

Palackého 21

At the corner of Konvikt, you will find Traffic, one of Olomouc's best coffee shops hidden inside an old newspaper shop. The coffee here is excellent, and you should also try Honza's plum or sweet cream-filled cakes. Look out for the interesting chairs designed like the seats of the legendary Czechoslovak T9 tram.

4. Visit the Olomouc Astronomical Clock

Horní náměstí square, surrounded by historic buildings, is one of the most beautiful squares in the Czech Republic. One of my favorite buildings in the square is the magnificent Baroque Town Hall from the 15th century, which features a rather unusual astronomical clock dating back to the early 15th century on one side. The clock was made nearly a decade later by the clockmaker Mikuláš of Kadaň, who built the famous Prague Astronomical Clock. The Olomouc Astronomical Clock was almost completely destroyed during the Nazi occupation and was rearranged during the Communist years with scenes depicting the working class instead of saints to mark the passage of time. Twelve apostles emerge every day at noon, parading through the small windows above the main dial accompanied by a short musical melody.

5. Have Lunch at Cà Phê District

Cà Phê District is one of the best Vietnamese cuisines I found in the Czech Republic. Try the banh mi sandwiches, pho, or my favorite, red curry with tofu or chicken. The portions are generous, the prices are reasonable, the staff is friendly, and they speak English. Finish off with a strong Vietnamese coffee to avoid falling into a food coma.

6. Visit Olomouc's Architectural Wonders

I love the contradiction of architectural styles, from the extravagant Baroque and gloomy Gothic to the ugly yet beautiful socialist architecture in Olomouc. Olomouc has a very interesting architectural scene that offers a fascinating mix of old and new. Dedicate your afternoon to visiting the architectural wonders of the city. Here are my favorites.

Olomouc Red Church

A church might not seem like the most obvious place to find innovative design, but the Olomouc Red Church has undergone a dramatic renovation. The Czech Atelier-r, reflecting the church's Neo-Gothic style, has added to the existing church built in 1902. The most striking feature of the renovation is a sleek café and reception area made of the same pastel pink concrete as the ground, covered in minimalist glass. The high back wall of the reception is filled with old books illuminated by backlight in the evenings. The reception and the church aim to be a center for cultural events and live music concerts. I'm not a design or architecture enthusiast, but it's definitely a place you should see if you're visiting Olomouc.

Villa Primavesi

The Art Nouveau Villa of Otto and Mede Primavesi is a lesser-known attraction hidden in the winding streets of Olomouc's historic city center. This architectural marvel has stood for a century and is a remarkable example of the Vienna Secession style; it was built by Viennese architects Josef Tolk and Franz von Krauss. Today, the villa is recognized as a national cultural monument, serving as a time capsule of the elegance and charm of the era. A personal highlight for me is the magnificent Art Nouveau entrance of Villa Primavesi, adorned with works by Gustav Klimt, who was a frequent visitor during that time.

Holy Trinity Column

Right across from the Town Hall, you will see the Holy Trinity Column, which is listed by UNESCO; I had seen this structure years ago in a Lonely Planet guide. This magnificent 18th-century monument is adorned with statues of various saints and was built as a gesture of gratitude for the city's deliverance from the plague. It is said to be the largest single Baroque structure in Central Europe; constructed by the famous Moravian sculptor Ondřej Zahner, it stands approximately 35 meters (115 feet) tall and is primarily made of sandstone.

Kino Metropol

One of my favorite buildings is the art deco-style Kino Metropol, which showcases the latest independent cinema with several English-language film screenings each week. A retro cinema screening is held every week. During my last trip, I had the privilege of watching the 80th anniversary screening of Casablanca for a reasonable price of 90CZK (€3.80).

Yugoslav Soldiers' Memorial Grave

In the heart of Smetana Park, on an artificial hill, lies the Yugoslav Soldiers' Monument Cemetery, one of the more extraordinary attractions of Olomouc; this is a Neoclassical-style chapel and an ossuary built for the remains of 1100 Czech and Serbian soldiers who fought against each other in World War I. For a century, the monument was neglected, exposed to addicts and vandalism, and subsequently closed; however, it has recently been renovated. It bears the inscription: VĚRNOST ZA VĚRNOST – LJUBAV ZA LJUBA. The first part in Czech means 'loyalty for loyalty,' while the second part in Serbo-Croatian means 'love for love.'

7. Take a Boat Tour on the River

After exploring all these places, you will need to relax, so why not slow down and see the city from a different perspective? I highly recommend taking one of the river boat tours. This 45-minute service includes a lively narration by the captain about the Morava River and the surrounding nature. The journey begins at the pier named 'Olomoucká náplavka.'

Check the departure times to make a reservation for a river tour. Individual reservations can be made, but trips will not take place unless at least 6 reservations are made. If you have any questions, you can write to info@plavbyolomouc.cz; it costs 220 CZK for adults and 170 CZK for children/seniors.

8. Where Can You Enjoy Your Beers in Olomouc?

Brewery Moritz

Nešverova 2

End your day at a 1920s-style Czech pub and brewery named after the famous local architect Moritz Fischer. Moritz offers hearty Czech cuisine and also features 3 unfiltered beer options produced on-site: 10°, 11°, and 12° beers. You can also book a tour of the microbrewery or a crash course in brewing.

Svatováclavský Pivovar

Mariánská 845/4, Olomouc

Another Olomouc classic, Svatováclavský Pivovar, is within walking distance of the old town center. With a quirky location and entrance (on the ground floor of an apartment building, from the apartment entrance hall), you will find a spacious yet cozy venue once you step inside. It offers hearty Czech cuisine, friendly service, and a wide range of beers from classic pasteurized varieties to more unusual flavors like banana and cherry. In the summer, the outdoor terrace covered with checkered tablecloths is the best place to be. Additionally, if you are interested, there is also a beer spa available.

9. Where Can You Find Olomouc's Famous Tvarůžky Cheese?

There is a Czech proverb; the worse the cheese smells, the better it tastes, so I was cautious about trying ‘Tvarůžky’ Cheese. When it comes to cheese, I don't have a particularly adventurous palate, especially with strong and sharp cheeses, but Olomoucké tvarůžky is a delicacy that must be tried when visiting Olomouc or exploring Czech cuisine, so I had to give it a try...

Olomoucké tvarůžky has a typical and distinct taste and smell due to the breakdown of cheese proteins (proteolytic) during the aging process. Locals usually consume it with bread, along with onion, pickles, and sometimes butter. I am pleased to inform you that it tasted much better than I thought; it has a pleasant salty flavor, a creamy texture, and goes wonderfully with bread or crackers and dry white wine. Perhaps there is some truth to this old Czech proverb...

Visit the special “tvarůžky” shop: Prodejna Olomouckých tvarůžků ( Address: 7, Horní nám. 365, 779 00 Olomouc, Czech Republic ) is located in Horní náměstí square, across from the astronomical clock, where you can taste it when you are in Olomouc.

10. Olomouc Nightlife Tips

25% of Olomouc's population are students, so it should come as no surprise that the bar scene in this city is quite lively given its size. My favorite bar is Vertigo, a student sky club designed with scenes from Hitchcock's classic thriller film Vertigo. The cheap beers and various cocktails here (try the Angry Dog) will definitely leave you spinning the next day.

If you love Guinness and whiskey, make sure to stop by the stylish Black Stuff, Irish Pub and Whiskey Bar - great service and a wonderful atmosphere. If you're a fan of jazz and blues, visit Jazz Tibet Club, which hosts local and international groups.

11. Where to Stay in Olomouc: Long Story Short Olomouc

Location: Olomouc, Czech Republic

Long Story Short makes you feel like you're inside a cloud. When you combine this with climbing stylish large stairs to reach the loft beds in the dorm rooms, you'll feel like you're in a dream.

The historic building also houses a café that offers delicious Moravian dishes, baked goods, local wine, beer, and coffee. Additionally, there is an equally beautiful co-working space below called Vault 42.

Note

This post was created in collaboration with Czech Tourism and Traverse Events to celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of the independent Czech Republic #Czech30

As always, the views expressed here, good or bad, are entirely my own.