Things to see in Ostrava

Temples & religious sites

Cathedral of the Divine Saviour

A Roman Catholic cathedral in the heart of Ostrava, the second largest in the Moravia-Silesia region. Built in Neo-Renaissance style with twin 67-meter towers, it was completed in 1889.

Culture & venues

Antonín Dvořák Theatre

The Antonín Dvořák Theatre is an opera house in Ostrava that opened in 1907. Since 1919 it has served as one of two permanent stages of the National Moravian-Silesian Theatre, making it a great place to enjoy opera and other performances.

Zoos & aquariums

Ostrava Zoo

A zoo located in Ostrava, Czech Republic. It's a great destination for families traveling with children.

Nature

Ostravice

A river flowing through Ostrava, formed by the confluence of two branches. A walk along its banks offers lovely views of the city.

Nature

Opava

The Opava is a river flowing through both the Czech Republic and Poland, about 110 km long. You can enjoy the riverside scenery as it passes through Ostrava.

Museums & galleries

Museum of the fortifications in Hlučín

This site preserves and displays border fortifications built by the Czechoslovak army in the 1930s. Visitors can explore the original bunkers and defense structures firsthand and experience the history.

Shopping & districts

Přívoz

Přívoz is a district right next to Ostrava's main train station, where early 20th-century Art Nouveau buildings make for an enjoyable stroll through its streets. Old shops and markets blend together here, offering a close-up view of everyday local life.

Castles & palaces

Palace in Chałupki

Chałupki Palace is a castle in a village in southern Poland, right on the border with the Czech Republic. It's a good place to take in the quiet border-region scenery and explore the historic palace building.

Temples & religious sites

Church of Saint Catherine

The Church of Saint Catherine in Ostrava's Hrabová district is a wooden church that was destroyed by fire long ago and later rebuilt from residents' memories and old photographs. Its simple wooden architecture gives the area an unusual atmosphere, making it a nice stop on a walk.

Temples & religious sites

Kristův kostel

This is a Protestant parish church in Ostrava, Czech Republic. It's a quiet spot worth visiting while traveling through the Moravian-Silesian region.

Nature

Hlučínské jezero

This broad lake formed when a former gravel quarry flooded, and it has become a favorite spot near Ostrava for cooling off in summer. Visitors can swim and enjoy water sports from the sandy shore, or simply stroll along the lakeside for a relaxing break.

Temples & religious sites

Orlová monastery

A Benedictine monastery once located in Orlová, Czech Republic, founded around 1268. Walking through the historic ruins, you can sense traces of a medieval monastic life.

Nature

Hraniční meandry Odry

Near Ostrava, this protected wetland reserve is shaped by a river winding through it in long, sweeping meanders. Walking along the water is a great way to take in the untouched natural scenery.

Culture & venues

Komorní scéna Aréna

A small theater in Ostrava, Czech Republic, that opened in 1994. It carries on a musical theater tradition dating back to 1951, making it a great pick for travelers seeking a distinctive performance.

Nature

Landek

Landek is a 280-meter hill located 4 km north of downtown Ostrava, offering varied attractions with geological, archaeological, and mining heritage sites all in one place. It's a fitting destination for travelers who want to explore nature and history together.

Nature

Lučina

The Lučina is a river flowing through the Moravian-Silesian region of the Czech Republic and a tributary of the Ostravice River. It's a nice place for a walk along the river to enjoy a peaceful landscape.

Museums & galleries

Citerárium

On the third floor of a historic building on Masaryk Square, this unique museum is devoted entirely to the zither. Its collection of around 100 instruments and related sheet music reveals the charm of an instrument once widely beloved.

Culture & venues

Polský dům

Completed in 1900, this Art Nouveau building served as a cultural hub where Ostrava's Polish community gathered for meetings and performances. Polish symbols such as an eagle crest and a crown-shaped spire remain throughout, making it a rewarding building to look at closely.

Views & landmarks

Bolt Tower

Bolt Tower is an observation tower converted from a former ironworks facility in Ostrava, located in the Dolní Vítkovice industrial heritage district. From the top, you can take in a striking view combining the city skyline with the unique industrial landscape.

Nature

Turkov

Turkov is the last remaining floodplain forest within the city of Ostrava, protected as a natural monument and perfect for a quiet walk. Small ponds and lush wooded paths also make it a nice spot for cycling or a light outing.

Nature

Skučák

This protected wetland near Ostrava surrounds long-established fish ponds that are home to rare aquatic plants and numerous bird species. A walking trail lets you take in the tranquil pond scenery while watching wild birds.

Nature

Rovninské balvany

A cluster of ten large boulders sits in Ostrava's Černá louka park, carried here from Northern Europe by glaciers long ago. Getting a close look at these smooth, massive rocks lets you sense the traces of the Ice Age.

Nature

Porubský bludný balvan

This boulder in the Poruba district of Ostrava, Czech Republic, is a massive glacial erratic said to have been carried from Northern Europe by ice-age glaciers. It's a good spot for a stroll to examine up close this mysterious trace left by nature.

Nature

Kunčický bludný balvan

In front of the ironworks gate in Kunčice, Ostrava, sits a huge boulder that was carried from Scandinavia during the Ice Age and buried underground. Discovered by chance during construction in 1954, it is the Czech Republic's largest glacial erratic, letting visitors see up close a natural trace left by moving ice.

Temples & religious sites

Church of Saint Paul

The Church of Saint Paul in Ostrava is a red-brick neo-Gothic church built during the era of the Vítkovice ironworks. Its bell tower uniquely doubled as a water tower and fire lookout, and the church is well worth a leisurely stroll around.

Culture & venues

Jiří Myron Theatre

A leading theatre in Ostrava, it hosts opera and ballet performances. Its elegant, old-fashioned auditorium makes for a memorable place to watch a show.

Theme parks

Miniature park Miniuni

A miniature park featuring small-scale replicas of famous buildings from around the world. It's a great, easygoing spot to visit with kids.

Museums & galleries

MO-S 5 Na trati casemate

This museum was converted from an old border fortification. It's a good place to explore period defense structures and military history.

Temples & religious sites

Church of Saint Joseph

This church on a hill in Slezská Ostrava has a unique story: when mining caused the ground beneath it to subside, it was reinforced with steel beams and cables to keep it standing. It's a peaceful place to take in the old wooden statue of the Madonna on the altar.

Temples & religious sites

Kostel Krista Krále

This church stands in Svinov, Ostrava, in the Czech Republic, a modest yet elegant modernist building completed in the late 1920s. Its facade lined with three arches and its towering spire make it a pleasant stop for a stroll.

Temples & religious sites

Church of Saint Anne

The Church of Saint Anne in Ostrava's Polanka district is a small pilgrimage church built in the late 19th century. Its interior, adorned with colorful mosaic windows and Stations of the Cross carvings, makes for a peaceful place to explore.

Nature

Polanská niva

This wetland reserve stretches along the Odra River on the outskirts of Ostrava, with an impressive landscape of meandering streams, woodland, and marsh. A marked trail lets you quietly take in various waterfowl and the river's untouched natural surroundings.

Museums & galleries

Stará radnice

This landmark stands at the heart of Ostrava's old town, and climbing its tower offers a sweeping view of the city. Inside, exhibition spaces let you explore the city's history as well.

Temples & religious sites

Church of Saint Wenceslaus (Ostrava)

Considered the oldest church in Ostrava, this is a site steeped in history. It sits near Masaryk Square, making it an easy stop during a walk through the city center.

Parks & gardens

Masarykovo náměstí

A square at the heart of Ostrava's old town. It's a nice spot to enjoy the city atmosphere while browsing the cafes and shops nearby.

Heritage & monuments

Memorial of Three States

This tower-shaped memorial was erected at the point where old borders once met. It's a great place to see its distinctive design of three pillars converging at the top.

Temples & religious sites

Lutheran church in Orlová

This is a 19th-century Protestant church in Orlová, in the Karviná district. It's a good place to take in modest architecture in a quiet setting.

Temples & religious sites

Lutheran church in Bohumín

This Lutheran church is located in Bohumín, in the Karviná region. It's a fine example of modest, unassuming religious architecture worth a look.

Castles & palaces

Landek Castle

The remains of an old castle stand on a hill where the Ostravice and Oder rivers meet. It's a quiet spot for a walk in the Koblov district while taking in the river views.

Nature

Nature Reserve Štěpán

This wetland reserve lies in the Opava River basin on the outskirts of Ostrava, where reed- and sedge-fringed Štěpán Pond is home to a variety of waterfowl and amphibians. Cycling paths and trails make it easy to stroll around while observing nature at a relaxed pace.

Castles & palaces

Biskupství ostravsko-opavské

This historic building in downtown Ostrava houses the seat of the Diocese of Ostrava-Opava. It's a pleasant stop while strolling through the city center, worth a look at its exterior and surrounding atmosphere.

Museums & galleries

Ostravské muzeum

This museum in the center of Ostrava presents the city's history and everyday life. It's a great place to explore the region's past and get to know Ostrava more deeply.

Nature

Sušanka

A small stream flows quietly near Ostrava, winding between fields and villages before joining the Lučina River. Though unassuming, its simple waterway and rural scenery make for a relaxing walk.