Are you planning your spring break? Looking for tips for short trips or perhaps a long weekend? You definitely won’t be bored in Olomouc. And when it’s a little colder outside, we’re ready for those winter days too. If the weather isn’t suitable for walks and exploring the city’s history in its winding streets, museums and galleries offer plenty of entertainment. You can also warm up in the palm greenhouses or in the unique science center in a former military fortress.
Museum Quarter on Republic Square
Young and old lovers of history, art, nature, culture, and folklore should make the Museum Quarter on Republic Square their first stop when visiting Olomouc. Here, you will find the Museum of Modern Art with permanent exhibitions and interesting temporary exhibitions, all in one place. The Regional Museum has a fantastic interactive permanent exhibition on nature, as well as entertaining workshops and themed programs for children. The nearby lapidarium is also worth a visit – a collection of stone sculptures and architectural elements, which includes exhibits dating back to the mid-12th century. Just a few minutes’ walk from the Museum Quarter, next to St. Wenceslas Cathedral, is the Archdiocesan Museum with an amazing collection of paintings collected by Olomouc bishops since the 16th century. Wenceslas Square, where the Archdiocesan Museum is located, and especially St. Wenceslas Cathedral, is one of the city’s landmarks that should definitely not be missed when visiting Olomouc. You can also visit a nearby cozy café with a beautiful view of the cathedral.
Warmth in palm greenhouses
It might seem that Olomouc’s parks are not as charming in winter as they are when they are full of greenery and flowers. However, the opposite is true. In winter, when the parks are covered in snow and surrounded by white silence, you feel like you are in a fairy tale. When walking through Smetana Park, don’t forget to visit the Collection Greenhouses, where you can warm up nicely. The Olomouc Collection Greenhouses have two superlatives. They are the largest in the Czech Republic in terms of area and also the oldest in Czechia. The palm, cactus, tropical, and subtropical greenhouses are full of exotic plants, cacti, succulents, tropical flowers, and citrus fruits even in the winter months. Some of them are even blooming beautifully now in winter. The greenhouses are open every weekend from February, always from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. From March, their opening hours are extended.
Exploring a former military fortress
When the weather isn’t ideal for walking around town, you can entertain yourself at the Fortress of Knowledge – an interactive science museum run by the Faculty of Science at Palacký University. Anyone who has visited this unique science center will agree that it’s a place you won’t want to leave. There’s something for everyone, young and old alike. Four interactive exhibitions will take you to 18th-century Olomouc, introduce you to the fascinating world of water and its inhabitants, exercise your brain, and show you how light is created. If you like to try something truly unusual, there is a gyroscope here that is also used on the International Space Station. Its rotational movements will make you feel like a pilot of an aerobatic plane. And what you definitely shouldn’t miss at the Fortress of Knowledge is the digital planetarium. From Tuesday to Sunday, animated films await you in the mornings and afternoons, allowing you to discover the universe and enjoy its endless adventures.
Family fun at the zoo and aquapark
When you are in Olomouc, you should definitely not miss the nearby Svatý Kopeček. Its dominant feature, the Minor Basilica of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary, can be seen from afar in good weather. This pilgrimage site with its amazing atmosphere and omnipresent genius loci will enchant you. Children will enjoy the nearby zoo, which is often livelier in the winter months than in the summer. This is because most of the animals love the cold weather and snow. If you like swimming in the winter, visit the Olomouc Aquapark. For children, there are pools with various water features and attractions, as well as a children’s corner outside the water areas. Adults can relax in the whirlpool or wellness zone.
If you visit Olomouc, your first stop should definitely be the information center in the town hall arcade for the Olomouc Region Card. This card gives you dozens of free or discounted admissions to museums, galleries, castles, chateaus, and other popular tourist attractions. In addition, you will also receive discounts at selected restaurants, cafes, guesthouses, and hotels, not only in Olomouc, but also throughout Central Moravia and the Jeseníky Mountains. As a bonus, the Olomouc Region Card also allows you to travel on Olomouc public transport for free.
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