Recommendation

Olomouc at the top

Three years, three excellent awards by the world’s prestigious guidebook. Lonely Planet made a list of the most beautiful, yet lesser known tourist destinations. It wasn’t the hot springs of Iceland, Gibraltar Rocks, Odysseus' Ithaca or Luxemburg that ranked in first place but the historical center of Olomouc!

The mini guidebook, Secret Europe, presents tourists with fifty cities from different parts of Europe. The largest, world-renowned guidebook publisher attracts tourists to Olomouc by saying that “in terms of tourism Olomouc can be equated to an authentic restaurant which is your own, small, personal secret. The Main Square is amongst the most enchanting in the country. It is surrounded by historical buildings. It is adorned by the Holy Trinity Column listed as the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage. Magnificent churches, many of which host an exciting history, are scattered in the streets of the historical center. Explore the foundations of the ancient Olomouc castle in the Archdiocese Museum which is a must-see and then set out to one of the many pubs or mini-breweries”. In 2012, the publisher also awarded Olomouc by ranking it in the top ten most beautiful hidden treasures in Europe. One year later it was once again on the list of the recommended destinations in Moravia. “It’s beautiful as well as surprising for us. Lonely Planet is to tourist guidebooks what Michelin is to gastronomy. I perceive it as a win in the tourist Olympics,” responded Olomouc mayor, Martin Major, when he first heard of the award. “I am very pleased that the professional editor-in-chief of this publication truly appreciates the beauty of our city, its picturesque atmosphere and its uniqueness.

Apart from other things, Olomouc captivated them by the fact that it offers the same architectural treasures as Prague but without the crowds of tourists. It is definitely Olomouc’s advantage in comparison with our capital. However, despite repeated acclaim from the renowned guidebook, it may only be temporary”, mentioned the mayor, Major, with a smile. The deputy mayor, Jan Holpuch added, “I believe that this is an opportunity to introduce our beautiful city to many other tourists.” “I think that being awarded as a hidden treasure or undiscovered city will give Olomouc an even stronger stamp of attractiveness and will evoke more interest in potential visitors.”

Olomouc has been trying to advertise its beauty in a high-quality and systematic way. In the past years, this attempt has proved effective. Statistically as well as simply looking into the streets of the city center confirms that the number of tourists to Olomouc has truly increased. Olomouc is on the list of destinations offered by travel agencies as for example, one-day trips from Prague or as a part of the Vienna – Krakow route. “Greater advertising in cooperation with the agency CzechTourism certainly helped.

This agency gives Olomouc more space than before”, says Karin Vykydalová, head of the tourism department. “Acclaim from Lonely Planet obviously helps. Ideally, a visitor comes here based on the recommendation, is satisfied here and then recommends Olomouc to his friends back home”, adds Dušan Gavenda of the same department. Lonely Planet Secret Europe can be downloaded for free at: www.lonelyplanet.com/secret-europe.

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The Holy Trinity Column - a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the unique astronomical clock or a rare collection of churches and fountains. All this awaits you in Olomouc!

stay overnight spiritual metropolis family friendly heart of the haná region rhapsody in green cultural evenings party life a place for your business

This project was co-financed by EU Structural Funds through SROP.

Events calendar

2. 4. 2023 20:00–23:00 Bruce Dickinson

31. 3. 2023–10. 4. 2023 Easter Fair

15. 3. 2023–30. 4. 2023 Paschalia Olomucensia

13. –29. 4. 2023 15:00–22:00

15. –16. 4. 2023 Poděs

15. –16. 4. 2023 „Olomoucké tvarůžky“ Cheese Festival

20. –23. 4. 2023 09:00–17:00 Flora Olomouc Spring stage

24. 4. 2023 17:00–21:00

25. –30. 4. 2023 Academia Film Olomouc

1. 5. 2023–30. 9. 2023 Street Art Festival

1. 5. 2023–31. 10. 2023 Sculpture Line

3. 5. 2023 Majáles Student Festival of Palacký University

11. –22. 5. 2023 Flora Theatre Festival

12. –14. 5. 2023

13. 5. 2023 09:00–15:00 Barvám Neutečeš

19. 5. 2023 18:00–23:55 Olomouc Night of Museums National launch

26. –27. 5. 2023 Olomouc Spring Wine Festival

31. 5. 2023–4. 6. 2023 Festival of Songs Olomouc

1. –30. 6. 2023 Tramtárie OPEN-AIR

1. 6. 2023 17:00–20:00 Olomouc City Awards for 2022

2. –3. 6. 2023 Olomouc City Fest

2. –3. 6. 2023 Olomouc Festivities

2. 6. 2023 17:00–23:55 Night of Churches

4. 6. 2023–10. 9. 2023 Promenade concerts

7. –12. 6. 2023 Cirkuzkus

9. 6. 2023 19:00–22:00 Philharmonic Festival

10. –11. 6. 2023 09:00–18:00 Profession to Roses

15. –29. 6. 2023 Theatrical June

16. –17. 6. 2023 09:00–17:00

17. 6. 2023 Olomouc Half Maraton

24. 6. 2023 Olomouc comes to life

1. 7. 2023–27. 8. 2023 Evening relaxation at the Trinity

21. –22. 7. 2023 Olomouc Summer Wine Festival

28. –29. 7. 2023 Festival Colores

1. –25. 8. 2023 Olomouc Shakespeare's Summer

25. –26. 8. 2023 International Festival of Army Brass Bands

4. –10. 9. 2023 European Heritage Days

4. –18. 9. 2023 International Organ Festival

4. –10. 9. 2023 16:00–18:00 Olomouc Lafayette Festival

19. 9. 2023 MEET UP 23

22. 9. 2023–22. 10. 2023 Autumn Festival of Sacred Music

29. –30. 9. 2023 Olomouc Autumn Wine Festival

5. –8. 10. 2023 09:00–17:00 Flora Olomouc - Hortikomplex

13. –15. 10. 2023 EXOTA Olomouc

16. –19. 10. 2023 Prix Bohemia Radio

11. –12. 11. 2023 St Martin’s Day in Olomouc

19. 11. 2023–23. 12. 2023 Olomouc Christmas

24. –26. 11. 2023 Dizajntrh (Design market)

7. –10. 12. 2023 17:00–20:00 PAF Animated Film Festival

1. 1. 2024 New Year celebration