The Beskydy Mountains are called many names but it’s a hidden secret that is worth exploring

 It’s a shame that most of those that plan trips to Czechia only get to see the capital city of Prague when there is so much more in the rest of the country that is begging to be discovered.  From the unspoilt outdoors to history, culture, culinary, and pamper experiences, there’s something for everyone in the Beskydy Mountains and larger Moravian-Silesian region.  Having seen a slice of it on a recent trip to Czechia, I can see why the locals love this area so much.

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Where are the Beskydy Mountains?

sunrise in the beskydy mountains in the czech republic

The Beskydy Mountains are also known as the Beskid Mountain or Beskids for short.  This is a massive mountain range that covers 600 km in length and crosses from Poland to Czechia, Slovakia, and the Ukraine.  Featuring forests, wildlife, and river valleys, these collection of peaks offer a pristine ecosystem away from the big city.   There are a number of peaks to the mountain but there’s none more famous than it’s peak, Lysá Hora.

In 1973, the Beskydy Mountains were declared a protected nature area, which signified its importance to the country.

A big portion of it resides in the Moravian-Silesian region and it’s rise in popularity is due to it’s natural beauty, development of trail systems, supporting resorts for winter and summer, and a plethora of activities for any type of vacation.

Birthplace of Freud

pribor is the birthplace of freud inside the museum

While Freud is considered to be Austrian, he was actually born in the Czech town of Příbor.  It’s here, in this modest home that the future father of psychoanalysis spent his childhood.

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This museum of open all year round and makes a perfect pitstop as you explore through the region around the mountains.  They’ve done an impressive job of transforming this ordinary-looking home into an interactive museum where an audio guide with Freud’s fictitious voice takes you through the house and it’s impact on important segments of his career.  Caricatures from well-known Czech illustrator, Vladimír Jiránek, do an excellent job of portraying Freud’s personality and love of humour.

What You Need To Know 

Address: Zámečnická 117, 742 58 Příbor

Hours:  varies (see website bel0w)

Website:  www.freudmuseum.cz

Prices:  

  • Standard fee: 40 CZK
  • Children fee: 15 CZK
  • Family fee: 80 CZK
  • Senior fee: 20 CZK
  • Student fee: 20 CZK

Read the reviews

Novy Jicin and the Town of Hats

novy jicin main old square in the czech republic

As if time has stood still, this 14th century fairy-tale town is small, approachable, and easy to explore.  With colourful pastel houses and church towers lining the cobblestone streets, they all lead into the beautifully constructed old town square named Masaryk Square.  It’s in this square that you’ll find perfect examples of Renaissance and Baroque architecture that hang above the arched arcades.

The main attraction for the city can be found in the chateau which is home to the visitor center, an exhibition of hats, and a museum centered around General Ernst Gideon Laudon.

trying on hats in the hat exhibition in novy jicin

If you’ve ever wondered where hats are made, this is the place to come as Novy Jicin is legendary when it comes to its place in the hatting industry.  The Tonak Company stands tall with 200 years of tradition and while the factories are located outside of the old town, you’ll find a fascinating exhibition that features all the varieties of hats they make from the modern to the fantastically weird.  Come here to learn about the hat-making process and if you’re lucky, also take on a mini hat decorating workshop.  Spend a little time here and you’ll understand why Novy Jicin is known as the “Town of Hats”.

Continue onwards from within the same building and find an interactive and educational museum about one of the most important military leaders of the 18th century, General Laudon.  Learn about his contribution to the wars between Austria and Prussia and campaigns against the Ottoman Empire in the Balkans.

What You Need To Know 

Address:  Tourist Information Centre, Masarykovo nám. 45/29, Nový Jičín

Hours:  

  • Mon – Fri   8AM to 5PM
  • Sat – Sun  9AM to 4PM

Website:  https://www.icnj.cz/en/

Prices:  

  • Exhibition of hats – Basic 40 CZK,  Concession 20 CZK, Family 80 CZK
  • General Laudon exhibition – Basic 40 CZK,  Concession 20 CZK, Family 80 CZK
  • Joint ticket – Basic 60 CZK,  Concession 30 CZK, Family 120 CZK

Read the reviews

Ancient village of Štramberk

aerial view of stramberk truba tower

There’s no town that has a more striking silhouette than Štramberk.  Set on the rocky hill, the castle that once stood here is no more but a slender, stone tower rises above the town and can be seen for kilometers.

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Lone standing tower

In the 13th century, the castle was built to protect merchants on trade routes to Hungary.  Today, it is a popular lookout point where a wooden spiral staircase takes you up to the just below the gabled roof and with open shutters, gives you access to 360 degree views of the town, Beskydy Mountains, Jeseniky mountain range and the plains that lead towards Ostrava.  The Trúba tower is a must-do and is a fabulous walk up from the base of the town.

As you make your way up, take note of the wooden houses of the 18th and 19th century and soak in the views of the farms and villages below.

Prehistoric discoveries

sipka caves with prehistoric remains in stramberk

Not only does this town date back to the 13th century, but it goes as far back as 40,000 B.C..  On the neighbouring hillside is a cave where prehistoric remains have been found.  In 1880, the lower jaw of a Neanderthal child was discovered in an alcove which was quite significant at the time.  It’s most likely that prehistoric hunters and large predatory animals used this cave.

Today, it’s an easy trail to get to the Šipka cave and a perfect side detour during your time here.  Along the way, you’re also treated with the most stunning panoramic views of Štramberk.

Try a local specialty

watching the making of stramberk ears

Štramberk is also known for something that will sound quite strange.  The name, Štramberk ears, will make you cringe but it is in fact a sweet pastry made of honey-spiced dough and twisted to look like twister ears.  They were created and baked to commemorate the victory of the Štramberk Christians over the Tartar army, or so legends go.

The closest thing they taste like would be oversized gingerbread cookies but softer.  You’ll find them sold at shops all over the town and it’s the only place where you can find them in Czechia.  You can eat them with gelato or the best would be to go to the factory, Cukrárna U Hezounů, where they’re made fresh every day.  Piping hot is the way I like them!

having traditional czech food in stramberk
Having traditional Czech food in Stramberk

What You Need To Know 

Address: 

  • Tourist Information Centre, Náměstí 9, ​742 66 Štramberk
  • Trúba Tower, Kopec 77, 742 66 Štramberk

Hours:  

  • May – September: 9AM – 7PM (daily)
  • April – October: 9AM – 5PM (daily)
  • November – February 10AM – 4PM (Saturday to Sunday)

Website:  City of Stramberk and Stramberk Castle

Prices for Trúba Tower:  

  • Adults – 35 CZK
  • Children (6-15) – 25 CZK
  • Children under 6 – Free

Read the reviews

PGA-level golf course in Čeladná

prosper golf resort in celadna

With a good dose of culture, history, traditions, there’s no better place to stretch things out than on the golf course.  In the town of Čeladná, you’ll find the Prosper Golf Resort Čeladná which was designed by professional golfer Miguel Ángel Jiménez and open in 2001.  Hosting numerous PGA European Tour events, this resort will surely put you to the test with not just one but two full 18-hole courses.

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propser golf resort celadna landscape views

What makes this resort memorable is how scenic the panoramic setting is.  With the Beskydy Mountains towering to one side and the natural rolling hills of the course, it’s truly a pocket of golf paradise.  Beyond the two full courses, you’ll also find a driving range, putting green, indoor golf simulators, short game area, a restaurant with a water view terrace, and golf shop.

What You Need To Know 

No club membership is required at the Prosper Golf Resort.  All you have to do is book a tee time on the website and you’re good to go.  There are also many packages available that include stay.

Address: Prosper Golf Resort Čeladná, Čeladná 741, 739 12  Čeladná

Hours: varies

Website:  Prosper Golf Resort

Read the reviews

Hiking up to the highest peak of the Beskydy Mountains

hiking up to lysa hora in the beskydy mountains

One random fact I learned on my trip to the Czechia is how the country has the largest number of sports gear stores per capita in all of Europe.  It’s something you wouldn’t normally attribute to Czechia but once you come out to the Moravian-Silesian region, you begin to understand how much the locals love their outdoors.

landscape view from lysa hora peak of beskydy mountains

The trailhead up to the highest peak of the Beskydy Mountains begins in Ostravice.  The path is well-marked, and quite wide and open.  Your target is the summit, Lysá Hora which stands tall at 1325 meters and is easily identifiable by the large tower that sits at the top which acts as a mountain rescue centre, meteorological station and radio transmitter.

lysa hora sunrise view

As far as hikes go, the incline isn’t too challenging but expect to hike to the peak to take 2 hours.  Along the way you’ll see a dynamic change in scenery from forest, to open hillside views, to the switchbacks that eventually take you to the top.  The trail is mostly gravel and in some places a smattering of large loose rock which means you’ll need to be careful with your steps to ensure you don’t get any twisted ankles.

Once at the top, you’ll be greeted by a newly built wooden log chalet which not only caters to day hikers with their cafeteria but also is called Cottage Maraton that is available for reservations.  Stay the night to take in the sunset, the night sky, and sunrise all in one trip.

The breathtaking views from Lysá Hora can’t be beat with the undulating hills beneath, glowing lights of nearby towns, the seemingly infinite humps of lesser peaks, shimmering blue hues of  a reservoir, and swaying forest that blanket the range.

What You Need To Know 

At the Lysá hora peak, the brand new Cottage Maraton where we stayed is not easy to book for foreigners since the website is only in Czech but it’s entirely possible.  Just make sure you use Google Chrome’s translate feature. 100% pre-payment is required.

Address: GPS: 49°32’45.1″N, 18°26’53.933″E

Hours: 

  • Cafeteria is open from 9AM – 7:30PM

Website:  https://www.lysa-hora.cz/index.php

Prices:  Price start from 1,575 CZK (approx. $72 USD)

Read the reviews of the hike

A spa to remember

miura hotel spa hot tub

If you’re looking for the perfect way to end off your time in the Beskydy Mountains, you’ll surely appreciate a well-earned time in a spa.  Right next to Prosper Golf Resort Čeladná is the Miura Hotel which is in itself a modern work of art when it comes to architecture.  Built to stand rugged like the surrounding mountains, it uses a balance of concrete with rusted metal sheets and purple glass to make it feel cozy.  The entire hotel inside and out is littered with art including the work of David Černý which should be familiar if you’ve checked out my favourite Prague photography spots.

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inside miura hotel spa sanarium

Then of course there’s the spa which in itself is incredibly impressive with has an ultra modern and futuristic look to it but is grounded with touches of nature that will completely relax every muscle in your body.  Broken into two parts, you start off with the water section which features a hot tub that is in the shape of Mickey Mouse’s face with powerful jets, heated bed, Kneipp rock paths, and a green terrace.  The second part sauna section and this expands into a zen space that gives you your pick of herb bath, salt bath, steam room, sanarium, Finnish sauna, and finally your choice of a pouring pail, ice rain, or snow room for cooling.

It’s the perfect space to find your inner peace.

This is where I went “wow, I can’t believe I’m in Czechia right now.”

What You Need To Know 

The Miura Hotel spa is open to the public even if you are not guests of the hotel.  Price includes entry to the water and sauna areas, slippers, towel service and relaxing tea.  Children older than 3 are also allowed at a discounted rate.

Address:  Čeladná 887, 739 12  Čeladná

Hours: 

  • Mon – Fri 2PM – 10PM
  • Sat – Sun 11AM – 10PM

Website:  https://goingawesomeplaces.com/miura-hotel

Prices: 

  • Entry for 2 hours: 450 CZK
  • Entry for 3 hours: 600 CZK

Read the reviews

Where to stay

Here are 3 recommendations for where to stay in the Beskydy Mountain area based on a 2-3 day itinerary.

STRAMBERK

stramberk sipka hotel room interior

HOTEL SIPKA

Located right in the main square of Štramberk, this is a convenient hotel to stay the night.  It includes a fabulous breakfast and the rooms are quite large, spacious, and clean.

TripAdvisor

Booking.com

BESKYDY MOUNTAINS

hotel ondras beskydy mountains hotel interior

HOTEL ONDRAS

If staying up at Lysá hora is too complicated, a perfect place to stay along the trail is this property that sits within the park and gives off that rustic, charming mountain-style feel.

TripAdvisor

Booking.com

CELADNA

miura hotel in celadna czech republic exterior

HOTEL MIURA

A 5-star hotel experience that sits adjacent to the Prosper Golf Resort Čeladná with modern designs that truly belongs in a list of the most unique properties in the world.  Make sure to take advantage of the incredibly spa and the restaurant which features the best dishes I had in the region.

TripAdvisor

Booking.com

tbex best of the beskydy mountains blogger group

Shoutouts go to all of my fellow bloggers that I travelled with that made it such an amazing experience!


This trip was sponsored by Czechia Tourism and the Moravian-Silesian Region

Travel Resources For Your Next Trip

If you’re in the process of planning your trip and putting together your itinerary, these are genuinely the best resources that the Going Awesome Places team stands by 100%.

Credit cards: Don’t get burned by hidden fees on top of terrible exchange rates. When we travel now, we use the Wise Card. Simply load it with the currency you need before you go and use it as a regular VISA or their digital wallet card. Use their free app to track how much you have and top up when you need to.

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Wifi Hotspot: We’ve been a huge fan of wifi hotspot devices such as PokeFi (use code GAP24300) because their rates are are hard to beat and it works globally. Solis is another that we recommend. Pros are that you can share the wifi with your whole group but cons are that you have to invest in a device and you have to charge it every night.

Hotels: Our go-to is Booking.com because they have the best inventory of properties including hotels and B&Bs plus they have their Genius tier discounts. Expedia is also worth using especially with their One Key rewards program which is basically like cash. The exception is Asia where Agoda always has the best prices. Always do a quick check on TripAdvisor as well.

Vacation Rentals: Your first instinct will be to check Airbnb but we always recommend checking VRBO as well if you’re looking for a vacation rental (now eligible for One Key).

Tours and Activities: When planning our trips, we always check both Viator and GetYourGuide to at least see what’s out there in the destination that we’re going to. They often have different offerings and prices so check both.

Travel Insurance: Learn how to buy the best travel insurance for you. This isn’t something you want to travel without.

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If you need more help planning your trip, make sure to check out our Travel Toolbox where we highlight all of the gear, resources, and tools we use when traveling.

William Tang of Going Awesome Places
About The Author

Will Tang

Will Tang, founder of Going Awesome Places, has traveled to 51 countries. He shares his insanely detailed itineraries, travel guides, and packing lists. Will’s travels have been featured on Huffington Post, Men’s Journal, and Entrepreneur.

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The Discussion

  1. Hi Will,

    my friend from Canada sent me link to you webside telling me about your great article about Beskydy mountains in Czech.
    I’d like to say a big thanks for writing it. I live in Beskydy and it’s always nice to see tourists from different countries visiting our place. As you mentioned many tourists see only Prague and it’s surroundings which is pitty because Czech is a beautiful country to explore.

    Many thanks for spreading the word about Beskydy:)

    Greetings from Frýdek-Místek

    1. Thank you for dropping by! Yes I had an amazing time there and really felt like I was exploring somewhere that not many people get to go to or in fact know about. There’s much more to Czech than Prague so happy to share my experiences in Beskydy and overall Moravia region :)