Plzeň

Day Trips

Beer has been brewed in Pilsen almost since the city's foundation, with the first record related to brewing dating back to as early as 1307. Josef Groll brewed the bottom-fermented light lager, which became the prototype of all lagers in 1842. The Pilsner Urqwell brewery has commemorated this memorable day by an annual festival called the Pilsner Fest. The success of the beer from Pilsen and the prosperity of the brewery were unstoppable and the trademark Pilsner Urquell soon became the synonym of quality all over the world. Join us on this extensive visit to Pilsen & Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour. Explore the brewery and learn of the story behind the first bottom-fermented light larger, brewed in 1842. Visit the brewery and the city behind the brewery: Pilsen. Whilst in Pilsen guests can also see sites such as St. Bartholomew Cathedral, the Patton Memorial and will have the opportunity to visit the Beer Museum.

When thinking of the Czech Republic, two traditional crafts often come to mind: crystal glassworks and beer. Discover the secrets of both on a full-day tour of the Ruckl glassworks and Pilsner Urquell Brewery. Admire elegant glassworks and even purchase a piece of your own before touring the Pilsner Urquell Brewery to taste the most famous Czech beer and enjoy a traditional lunch.  Meet the group in Prague 2 or arrange hotel pick up and set off in an air-conditioned van to the idyllic town of Nižbor. Here, visit a small family glassworks, one of the most famous in Bohemia. Since 1903, the Ruckel family have been blowing, grinding, and polishing beautiful glass pieces. However, the art of glassmaking goes back much further, all the way to the 17th-century when craftsmen honed their skills and passed them down through the generations. Learn about the glass-blowing process on a 1-hour tour before stopping by the factory shop for the chance to purchase your own authentic piece.   Next, head to the famous Czech brewery in Pilsen. Since 1842 the iconic Pilsner Urquell beer has been brewed here and you will learn everything about its history and brewing process on a 1.5-hour guided tour. Hop on the brewery bus in the Visitors' Center and see one of the most modern bottling plants with a capacity of 120,000 bottles per hour. Learn about the ingredients from which Pilsner Urquell beer is brewed and visit the heart of the brewery – three brewhouses from different historical periods. Taste unfiltered and unpasteurized Pilsner Urquell tapped directly from the lager barrels in the historical cellars.  After the tour, enjoy a traditional Czech lunch in an underground restaurant right in the brewery. The space was previously used for fermentation of beer and its dimensions will literally take your breath away. Of course, the local pale lager is served with lunch, but you may also choose wine or another legendary Czech beer, dark lager Kozel. Return to Prague after lunch at approximately 4:00 PM.

Discover two of the Czech Republic's famous products – pilsner and crystal. Leave Prague behind for a journey to Pilsen, a metropolis of Western Bohemia. Visit the Pilsner Urquell Brewery to learn about how this "liquid bread" is made. Founded in 1842, the brewery creates the best Pilsner in the world. Walk through the museum as you discover the brewery's 150 year long history. After your brewery tour, enjoy lunch before visiting one of the most well known glass factories of the Czech Republic – Ruckle Crystal. Enjoy a guided tour of the factory as well as discounts on your purchases before returning to Prague.