- The town's historical settlement, Hůrka, was once the regional capital before it was eclipsed by the founding of New Plzeň in 1295.
- The Rotunda of St. Peter and Paul is one of the oldest standing stone buildings in the entire Czech Republic.
- The local castle ruins, Radyně, were commissioned by King Charles IV during the 14th century to secure his influence in Western Bohemia.
- Starý Plzenec sits at the confluence of the Úslava and Bradlava rivers, historically influencing its strategic defensive layout.
About Starý Plzenec
Starý Plzenec is a historic town in the Plzeň Region, recognized as the successor to the original medieval administrative center of the region. The town is dominated by the ruins of Radyně Castle and the ancient Rotunda of St. Peter and Paul, which dates back to the 10th century. Visitors can explore the expansive Castle park Kozel or take in the panoramic landscape from the Vyhlídka Radyně viewpoint. The area serves as a primary site for studying early Přemyslid fortification history in Bohemia.
Highlights of Starý Plzenec
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Historical places
Explore the 14th-century Gothic ruins commissioned by King Charles IV atop the highest hill in the area.
Historical places
Visit this rare 10th-century Romanesque rotunda that represents some of the oldest masonry in the country.
Parks
Walk through the sprawling landscaped gardens surrounding the neoclassical chateau.
Places of interest
Reach this lookout point for an elevated view over the surrounding Western Bohemian countryside.
Historical places
Tour the well-preserved Baroque interiors and surrounding grounds of this distinctively designed castle.
Places of interest
Walk the site of the original medieval fortified town that preceded the current municipal center.
Amusement parks
Families can utilize the indoor amusement facilities designed for children.
Top things to do in Starý Plzenec
The 35 highest-rated places in Starý Plzenec, ranked by travellers.
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Historical places
Kozel is a neoclassical hunting lodge constructed between 1784 and 1789 for Jan Vojtěch Černín. The chateau was designed...
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Parks
Kozel Castle Park is an extensive 30-hectare landscape park surrounding a late 18th-century hunting lodge built by archi...
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Historical places
Radyně Castle is a 14th-century royal castle ruins perched atop a 567-meter-high hill near Starý Plzenec. Commissioned b...
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Historical places
Nebílovy Castle is an exceptional example of High Baroque architecture located in the Plzeň Region, designed by the arch...
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Historical places
The Rotunda of St. Peter and Paul is the oldest preserved Romanesque structure in the Czech Republic, situated atop the...
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Places of interest
Mariina Skála is a rock viewpoint located within the forested terrain near the village of Milínov, southwest of Starý Pl...
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Amusement parks
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Parks
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Natural attractions
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Historical places
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Temples
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Starý Plzenec on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Starý Plzenec
Late spring to early autumn, as the historical outdoor sites and castle grounds are most accessible and scenic during these months.
1-2 days, sufficient for visiting the primary historical monuments and surrounding nature trails.
The town center is compact and walkable, while regional bus and train services connect the town to nearby Plzeň.
Stay near the town square or the edge of the residential area closer to the forested slopes of Radyně for quieter access to hiking paths.
Generally affordable, as it is a smaller town compared to major metropolitan centers in the Czech Republic.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 35 curated attractions in and around Starý Plzenec, ranked by traveller ratings.
Kozel is the highest-rated place to visit in Starý Plzenec right now.
The largest category is places of interest, with 11 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Prague, Brno, Karlovy Vary.
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Other cities ranked by number of curated places.
