Ostrava Tourist Information and Tourism

(Ostrava, North Moravia, Czech Republic)

The Czech Republic's third-biggest city after both Prague and Brno, Ostrava is a dynamic and evolving destination, still with strong connections to its past Vitkovice steelworks. Now closed, the striking skyline of Ostrava is no longer dominated by smog and the city has well and truly shrugged off its industrial shackles, becoming one of the greenest and most pleasant Czech cities that you could possibly visit.

Ostrava has now emerged as nothing short of a new city and much of the centre has recently been overhauled and redeveloped, particularly around the Karolina area, next to the River Ostravice. Filled with theatres and stadiums, Ostrava is very much a city of culture and close by, the Beskydy and Jeseniky mountain ranges provide a host of recreational activities, ranging from summer hiking to cross-country skiing in the winter.





Tourist information is readily available at the Municipal Information Centre (Mestské Informacni Centrum - MIC) tourism outlets, which can be found along the Nádrazni and also within the New Town Hall. Nightclubbers in Ostrava should pickup their copy of the free monthly magazine 'Stodolni Noviny', which lists everything of interest and more besides.

Ostrava Tourist Information and Tourism: Top Sights

Whilst Ostrava may not be brimming with typical tourist attractions, there is plenty to see and experience. One of the first things to do is climb the tall clock tower at the New Town Hall (Nové Radnice), where you will be able to enjoy outstanding views and get a feeling for the layout of the city. The 13th-century Silesian Ostrava Castle is another highlight, as is St. Wenceslas Church and the ever-popular Zoological Gardens, which are located within Stromovka Park and home to many large African creatures. More information about Ostrava Tourist Attractions and Landmarks.

The Museum of Coal Mining has long been one of the most visited of the city's attractions and is perhaps better known to many as the Hornické Muzeum. Take a stroll around the grounds and you will find an interesting archaeological trail. With regional historical artefacts and natural historic exhibits, the Ostrava Museum is another highlight, as is the city's Art Museum, where a good collection of contemporary paintings from across the Czech Republic await. More information about Ostrava Museums and Art Galleries.

Moravia is full of attractions and perfect for tourists wishing to head outside of Ostrava and visit some of the neighbouring cities and towns. Havirov is especially near and is a youthful city founded in the late 1940s, while Olomouc is also relatively close by and boasts much more in the way of historical sights, with numerous Gothic churches and its famous Holy Trinity Column. Spilberk Castle is amongst the main landmarks in Brno, to the south-west of Ostrava, along with the Cathedral of SS Peter and Paul, and also the rather austere and modernist Villa Tugendhat. More information about Ostrava Attractions Nearby.

More Ostrava Information / Fast Facts and Orientation

• Country: Czech Republic
• Location: North Moravia
• Status: city / administrative centre of Moravian Silesian region
• Area: approximately 83 square miles / 215 square kilometres
• Population: approximately 305,000
• Language: Czech
• Currency: Czech Koruna (CZK)
• Time zone: GMT +1 (summer time GMT+2)
• Country dialing code: +420
• Telephone area code: 596
• Average daily Ostrava January temperature: 1°C / 34°F
• Average daily Ostrava July temperature: 23°C / 73°F