Essential Tips for Your Cathedral Tower Visit

Before you head up, check the local weather. The tower gallery is open-air and can be very windy. Wear comfortable shoes with good grip. You will need to climb 301 narrow stone steps. There is no elevator available for this historic structure. Always check the St. Bartholomew's Cathedral Plzeň opening hours and admission before your visit. The tower often has different hours than the main church. Tickets are usually sold at a small booth inside the tower entrance.

10 Best Things to Do in Plzeň in 2026

Plzeň is a city of beer, history, and beautiful architecture. Use this list to plan your trip effectively. These picks cover the best experiences in the city center and nearby areas.

• Quick picks: Best overall: St. Bartholomew's Cathedral; Best for families: Techmania Science Center; Best rainy-day: Brewery Museum; Best free: Republic Square walk.

1. Name: St. Bartholomew's Cathedral Tower Type: Sight Why go: It offers the highest 360-degree panorama in the country. Best for: Photographers and active travelers. Where: Republic Square. Time: 45 minutes. Cost: Low (approx. 100 CZK). Getting there: Walk to the center of Republic Square. Tip: Go at sunset for the best lighting on the city.
2. Name: Republic Square (Náměstí Republiky) Type: Neighborhood Why go: It is one of the largest medieval squares in Europe. Best for: Relaxed walks and people-watching. Where: City Center. Time: 1 hour. Cost: Free. Getting there: All main tram lines stop nearby. Tip: Look for the three modern golden fountains.
3. Name: Pilsner Urquell Brewery Type: Experience Why go: Taste unfiltered beer in the place where pilsner was born. Best for: Beer lovers and history buffs. Where: East of the city center. Time: 2-3 hours. Cost: Moderate. Getting there: Walk 15 minutes from the square. Tip: Book your brewery tour in advance online.
4. Name: Great Synagogue Type: Sight Why go: It is the third-largest synagogue in the world. Best for: Architecture fans. Where: Sady Pětatřicátníků. Time: 1 hour. Cost: Low. Getting there: Five-minute walk from the cathedral. Tip: Visit the interior to see the stunning Moorish-Romanesque decor.
5. Name: Plzeň Historical Underground Type: Activity Why go: Explore a labyrinth of medieval corridors and cellars. Best for: History seekers. Where: Veleslavínova street. Time: 1 hour. Cost: Moderate. Getting there: Located near the Brewery Museum. Tip: Bring a jacket as it is cold underground.
6. Name: Zoo Plzeň and DinoPark Type: Experience Why go: See rare animals and life-sized dinosaur models. Best for: Families with children. Where: Lochotín district. Time: 4-5 hours. Cost: Moderate. Getting there: Take tram number 4 or 1. Tip: Use a zoo practical guide to find the best walking routes.
7. Name: Techmania Science Center Type: Indoor Why go: Interactive exhibits and a 3D planetarium. Best for: Rainy days and kids. Where: Near the Škoda factory. Time: 3-4 hours. Cost: Moderate. Getting there: Take a bus or trolleybus from the center. Tip: Check the show times for the planetarium early.
8. Name: Brewery Museum Type: Museum Why go: Learn about the history of brewing in a medieval house. Best for: Culture enthusiasts. Where: Veleslavínova street. Time: 1.5 hours. Cost: Low. Getting there: Short walk from the main square. Tip: Your ticket often includes a beer voucher for adults.
9. Name: Patton Memorial Pilsen Type: Museum Why go: It honors the liberation of the city by the US Army. Best for: WWII history buffs. Where: Pobřežní street. Time: 1 hour. Cost: Low. Getting there: Walkable from the Great Synagogue. Tip: Look for the personal items donated by veterans.
10. Name: Radyně Castle Type: Day trip Why go: Visit a 14th-century royal castle ruin on a hill. Best for: Nature and hiking. Where: Starý Plzenec (near Plzeň). Time: 3 hours. Cost: Low. Getting there: 15-minute drive or local train. Tip: Climb the castle tower for a view of Plzeň from afar.

What to See in the View from St. Bartholomew's Cathedral Tower in Plzeň

Once you reach the top, take your time to look around. To the east, you can see the huge Pilsner Urquell Brewery complex. Its tall chimneys are easy to spot. Looking down, the Republic Square looks like a colorful toy town. You can see the patterns of the paving stones clearly. To the north, the green hills of Lochotín rise up. This is where the city zoo is located. On a clear day, look south toward the Bohemian Forest. You can find more details on the Visit Plzeň website. The view is truly the highlight of any trip to the region.