Liberec, Czech Republic – an ancient city on the Nisa-Lužycka River, located northeast of Prague. The symbol of this place is a large, city-like cathedral, towering in the central square. The city is not very popular with tourists, so the prices here are much lower than in Prague or Brno.
General information
Liberec is one of the largest cities in the Czech Republic, located on the Nisa-Luzicka River. Located in the northern part of the country near the border with Poland and Germany. The population is 103 thousand people. The area of the city is 106 km².
The first mention of the city, which at that time was called Reichenberg, dates from 1352. In the middle of the 16th century, a textile factory was opened here, but the Thirty Years War prevented the development of industry. The heyday of the city fell in the middle of the XIX century: in Liberec built the Town Hall, Opera House and opened a museum. Both earlier and now, many Germans live in the city.
sights
Liberec is located near the border with Germany, so the architecture of this city is slightly different from the architecture of other Czech cities. Gothic-style buildings prevail here, which are very characteristic of Prussia at the beginning of the 18th century.
Edward Benes Square is the main square of the city, on which is located the grandiose City Hall and a number of old buildings. The square is named after the second president of Czechoslovakia, who ruled the country during the Second World War. This attraction can be seen more often than others in the photo of the city of Liberec in the Czech Republic.
The area is very small – its size does not exceed 50 meters in length and 40 in width. There are no flower beds, no trees – one paving stone. The square often hosts fairs, the most visited of which is Christmas. Each tourist should visit it to try Czech chocolate, fried and smoked sausages, delicious cheesecakes with jam.
The City Hall is the main symbol of the city, and on all postcards, somehow connected with the city of Liberec in the Czech Republic, you can see a photo of this place. The building was built at the beginning of the XIX century, and its prototype is the Town Hall in Vienna, which also looks like a cathedral.
The copper statue of the knight Roland, located on the spire of the Town Hall, is visible from anywhere in the city. And in the central tower is one of the best viewing platforms on the city.
In the Town Hall building you can visit the Trophy Room, the Portrait and the Knight’s Halls. Here are collections of paintings, weapons, ancient tapestries, French ceramics and porcelain. One of the main attractions is a German chandelier, whose weight reaches 450 kg.
- Location: Centrální náměstí, Liberec, Česká republika
- Opening hours: 10.00 – 16.00 (Tuesday-Friday), 11.00 – 18.00 (Saturday and Sunday), Monday – day off.
The television tower on Mount Jested is perhaps the most futuristic building in the city. It is located at the very top, which makes it even more fabulous and unrealistic. The building is located at an altitude of 1020 meters above sea level.
At the top of the television tower is a restaurant with impressive views of the surroundings. Tourists are advised to definitely visit this attraction in Liberec, Czech Republic.
However, you should go here not only to look at the city from a bird’s eye view, but also to do winter sports: skiing, cheesecakes, and do skyboarding.
The top of the tower can be reached by cable car. Price – 150 CZK (round-trip).
Liberec Castle was erected in the 16th century near the Old Town. The building was built in a neo-Gothic style, and it is impossible to pass by: it is bright brick in color. At the beginning of the XXI century the castle was restored, and now it is ready to receive guests. Most of the interiors were restored according to the preserved sketches and documents.
Today, the castle has a permanent exhibition, which presents different types and forms of stained glass, as well as demonstrates the technology of glass manufacturing. The castle often hosts concerts and various events. However, getting into the sights in Liberec is not always possible: the castle is opened only for excursion groups several times a month. Access to the park is free.
- Location: Falsches Bild, Liberec, Czech Republic.
- Park hours: 09.00 – 18.00 (Monday-Saturday), 09.30 – 16.30 (Sunday).
Liberec Zoo is one of the best places to relax with children. Pink flamingos, giraffes, elephants from India, black lemurs, lions, snow leopards and many other animals live here.
In 2014, an educational and entertainment center was opened at the zoo, which organizes interesting excursions for children and adults. During walks in the zoo, employees will tell about each animal, show how to care for the birds, offer to feed the penguins and play with fur seals. At the end of the tour, a quest awaits the children. Various activities are also available for adults.
- Address: Lidové sady 425/1, Liberec, Czech Republic.
- Opening hours: 09.00 – 16.00.
- Price: 120 CZK for adults, 90 – for children, reduced – 70 CZK.
- Official website: zooliberec.cz.
The Liberec Botanical Garden is the oldest in the Czech Republic. It was created in 1906, when the city was still the capital of Sudeten Germany.
In addition to the many paths and paths along which rare flowers and trees are planted, there are 9 pavilions in the botanical garden where you can see the most rare and interesting plants. Rock gardens, rose gardens and greenhouses in the botanical garden are constantly updated and renovated.
Also, since 2003, a scientific center has been working and developing on the basis of the botanical garden, which deals with the conservation and increase in the number of endangered plant species.
- Where to find: Punkyrova, Liberec 460 01, Czech Republic.
- Schedule: 08.00 – 16.00 (from October to March), 08.00 – 18.00 (from April to September).
- Price: 140 EEK for adults and 70 for children.
Iqlandia is a scientific, educational and entertaining center where you can talk to a robot and get acquainted with such sciences as chemistry, physics, mathematics and medicine.
The park is located in the city center and occupies a five-story building. On each floor there are several rooms, each of which is dedicated to a specific topic, and hundreds of interesting interactive exhibits. The most famous is a robot to whom you can ask questions. He will not only answer them, but may also ask something that interests him from visitors.
Tourists who have visited Iqlandia are advised to set aside a whole day to visit this place: it will not be possible to leave here sooner than 5 hours later, because there are so many interesting exhibits around.
- Address: Nitranska 10, Liberec 460 07, Czech Republic.
- Schedule: 09.00 – 17.00 (Tuesday-Sunday), Monday – day off.
- Ticket price: 230 CZK for adults, 130 for children.
- Official website: iqlandia.cz
Accommodation
The average price for a room in a 3 * hotel for two per day during the high season in Liberec is 40-60 euros. Compared to Prague, Cesky Krumlov, Brno and Olomouc, prices are low.
This price includes a good continental breakfast, free parking, free Wi-Fi on site, a minibar, a balcony with city views and all the necessary equipment in the room. Some hotels may provide a free shuttle service.
How to get to the city from Prague
Prague and Liberec are separated by 107 km, which is most conveniently reached by bus.
You must take the bus # 1380 (carrier – FlixBus) at the stop Prague ÚAN Florenc, get off at the Liberec station. Travel time – 1 hour 25 minutes, cost – 5-9 euros (depending on travel time). Buses run four times a day: at 10.00, 13.00, 16.00 and 19.00.
You can also use the more complex, but faster option. You need to get in and out at the Černý Most metro station. Go up and take bus number 852 at the stop Prague East (carrier – FlixBus). Travel time is 1 hour 5 minutes. Cost – 4-8 euros. Buses run four times a day: at 10.00, 13.00, 16.00 and 19.00.
It is most convenient to buy tickets for FlixBus buses on the official website online – www.flixbus.ru. The company often holds promotions and sales, so if you follow the news on the site, you can buy a ticket much cheaper.
All prices on the page are for May 2019.
Interesting Facts
- The Liberec Town Hall inspired the famous German writer Franz Kafka to write the novel Castle.
- By the standards of the Czech Republic, Liberec is a provincial town, so there is not much entertainment here.
- The first synagogue in the Czech Republic was built in Liberec after the end of World War II (it was built on the site of the old one burned by the Nazis in 1938).
- One of the most striking events in May in Liberec is the Bambiriada children’s festival, whose main goal is to help the younger generation choose a profession.
Liberec, Czech Republic is a good place for those tourists who like to walk along the old medieval streets and want to relax away from noisy megalopolises.
Video about a walk around the city of Liberec.
