Private trip from Prague to Plzeň and the Pilsner Urquell brewery
The home of the world's first pale lager. Tour the Pilsner Urquell brewery and its cellars, then explore the city centre. About 70 minutes from Prague.
- Distance from Prague
- about 95 km
- Drive each way
- 1 h 10 min
- Typical day
- 6 to 7 hours
- Country
- Czech Republic
Highlights
- The Pilsner Urquell brewery tour and its historic cellars
- Unfiltered beer tasted straight from an oak barrel in the cellars
- Republic Square and St Bartholomew's Cathedral
- The Great Synagogue, one of the largest in Europe
- The Patton Memorial and the story of Plzeň's liberation in 1945
Ways to do it
Brewery day with car and driver
The brewery tour, lunch and the city centre, back in Prague by late afternoon.
With a licensed guide
A guide adds the history of the city, the synagogue and the liberation by the US Army.
Combine with Karlovy Vary
Spa town in the morning, brewery in the afternoon, for a long and varied day.
Sample day
9:00
Pick-up at your hotel
About 70 minutes west of Prague on the motorway.
10:30
Brewery tour
The brewhouse, the bottling hall and the cellars, with a tasting at the end.
12:30
Lunch
A traditional brewery restaurant or a table in the centre.
14:00
City centre
Republic Square, the cathedral and the Great Synagogue.
15:30
Return to Prague
Back at your hotel around 17:00.
About Plzeň and Pilsner Urquell
Plzeň changed the history of beer in 1842, when its brewers produced a golden, clear lager that became known as Pilsner. The Pilsner Urquell brewery still stands on the original site, and its tour is one of the best industrial visits in the country.
The brewery tour
You see the historic and modern brewhouses, learn how the brewing tradition works, and walk down into the cellars where beer once matured in oak barrels. The visit usually ends with a tasting of unfiltered beer drawn straight from the barrel.
More than beer
The centre of Plzeň is compact and handsome. Republic Square is dominated by St Bartholomew's Cathedral with the tallest church tower in the Czech Republic, and the Great Synagogue is one of the largest in Europe. Every May the city celebrates its liberation by the US Army in 1945.
Planning tips
Book the brewery tour first, then plan the rest of the day around it. If you want to see both of West Bohemia's highlights, combine Plzeň with Karlovy Vary in one long day.
Combine it with
Frequently asked questions
How far is Plzeň from Prague?
About 95 km, around 1 hour 10 minutes by car.
Why is Plzeň famous for beer?
In 1842 the brewers of Plzeň produced the first pale lager, the Pilsner style that most of the world's beers now follow. The Pilsner Urquell brewery still stands on the same site.
Is the trip interesting if we do not drink beer?
Yes. The brewery tour is about history and craft, and the city has a fine cathedral square, one of Europe's largest synagogues and a well-restored centre.
Ask about a day trip to Plzeň and Pilsner Urquell
Tell us your date and group size. We send timings, the vehicle and a written quote.
We reply by email the same business day (Monday to Saturday, 9:00 to 18:00 Prague time).