Ostrava is a multifaceted city where beautiful historic churches stand alongside industrial and socialist-era buildings. It’s set at the junction of four rivers and combines a proud industrial heritage with flourishing arts, culture and coffee scenes. An open-air museum and excellent zoo make Ostrava a great family-friendly destination.
Things to do in Ostrava
While Ostrava is known for its industrial heritage, the city centre has plenty of historic charm. The Cathedral of the Divine Saviour soars over the city centre and is flanked by a pair of 67-metre-high towers. The impressive Neo-Renaissance façade was designed by famous Czech architect, Gustav Meretta. Other parts of the city will win you over with pastel-coloured townhouses and handsome stone buildings.
Bustling Stodolni Street has a lively atmosphere and is lined with cafes, bars and restaurants. Enjoy an al fresco lunch and stop by PLATO, a contemporary gallery housed in a former slaughterhouse, to admire works by local Czech artists.
Discover the city’s industrial heritage at Dolní Vítkovice, a former coal, steel and iron production site that’s been reimagined as an open-air museum. The Mining Museum features engaging exhibits and access to an underground network of tunnels. Guided tours take you into a decommissioned black coal mine and get you up close with the enormous blasting furnace.
Ostrava Zoo is one of the largest in the Czech Republic and sprawls across 100 hectares of landscaped gardens. View more than 400 animal species, including giraffes, black bears, elephants and red pandas. The grounds are a highlight, with trails taking you through lush wetland areas and gardens filled with azaleas and rhododendrons.
Getting around Ostrava
Ostrava is pedestrian-friendly and easy to get around on foot or using local trams, buses, and trolleybuses. Taxis are a fast and affordable way to get around. Trains run between Prague and Ostrava in 3.5 hours. Ostrava Airport is a one-hour drive away.