Thanks to its rich beer tradition, the Czech Republic is attracting more and more tourists from all over the world. According to the latest statistics from CzechTourism, Pilsen (Plzeňský Prazdroj) and the Žatec beer region are among the most popular destinations. Last year alone, almost 530,000 people visited the brewery in Plzeň, while in Žatec places such as the Hop and Beer Temple and the Hop Museum are increasingly attracting tourists. Beer spas, which are becoming increasingly popular across the country, are also experiencing significant growth.
The Czech Republic has developed into an important centre for beer tourism. In addition to the long brewing tradition, the diverse experiences that combine beer culture and history with local traditions offer a special attraction. This is also reflected in the growing number of visitors and the introduction of new beer products, which not only offer tastings but also cultural and historical experiences. One example of this is the Radegast Brewery in the Moravian-Silesian Region, which recorded a 188% increase in visitors last year. The brewery museum in Tábor, the Velké Popovice brewery and the Budějovický Budvar visitor centre are also particularly popular with tourists.
Beer tourism in the Czech Republic is also becoming increasingly recognised internationally. One highlight is the visitor tour of the Pilsen brewery, Plzeňský Prazdroj, which was recognised as ‘Europe’s Leading Beer Tour Visitor Experience’ at the 31st World Travel Awards 2024. This prestigious honour underlines the attractiveness of Czech beer and its culture.
Žatec: UNESCO World Heritage and beer tourism
The inclusion of Žatec and its hop landscape on the UNESCO World Heritage List last year represents a significant milestone for Czech beer tourism. As the world’s first hop landscape with this status, Žatec attracts visitors with unique experiences such as walks through the hop gardens and visits to the Hop Museum. The region can look back on a centuries-old hop culture, which makes Žatec an exceptional place on the world map of beer. This is also reflected in the sharp rise in visitor numbers.
Prague: beer meets culture
Prague is also setting new trends in beer promotion. The capital combines the presentation of small breweries with tours of lesser-known neighbourhoods to offer authentic local experiences. Visitors can not only sample craft beers on these tours, but also explore the history of beer brewing and visit monastery breweries.
Trends: craft beer on the rise
Beer tourism in the Czech Republic continues to develop, with a trend towards smaller craft breweries. These not only offer high-quality beers, but also experiences that are closely linked to production and local traditions. The aim of all these activities is to present Czech beer as an integral part of the country’s culture and to invite tourists to enjoy beer responsibly in the context of local history.
