How to get there and what to see in the picturesque town in the Czech Republic that is the birthplace of blonde Pilsner beer.
A European city that blends history with beer and football to perfection, Plzeň (Plzeň) wins over every visitor with its beauty. The city, also known as Plzen or Pilsen, is about an hour and a half from Prague and is the capital of the region of the same name and the fourth-largest city in the Czech Republic.
The «royal city» was founded in 1295 at the confluence of four rivers and is the birthplace of pale Pilsner beer. For fans of Panathinaikos, the match with Viktoria Plzeň on 26 February in the Europa League Play Offs is the ideal excuse to discover this picturesque city. Below we have gathered some useful tips for the trip to Plzeň.
How to get there and what the trip costs
Access by air from Athens to Plzeň is via Prague. For the dates of the match, tickets for direct flights to Prague start from 400 euros round trip, while with a stopover they start from 180 round trip. You can then take a train to Plzeň, with the journey taking about 1.5 hours and the cost starting from 10 euros per leg.
Plzeň is a more affordable destination than Prague and that is evident in hotel prices. It is ideal to stay in the city center since you can get to know it on foot, as well as reach the stadium which is close by. For that period, hotel prices start from 60-65 euros for a double room per night.
Getting around and food
Plzeňs historic center is small and you can explore it all on foot. So you will certainly save money on transport in the city and the only cost you may have is perhaps from the train station to the center. A tram ride costs about 1 euro per journey. Public transport tickets start from 1 euro for a 30-minute ride and the price increases according to the duration.
Since Plzeň is the birthplace of Pilsner, food is paired almost always with beer. A street food meal in the city starts from 5-7 euros, while in a beer hall you will pay from 10-15 euros per person. In a restaurant, for a full meal you will pay 20-25 euros per person.
The birthplace of Pilsner
The history of Pilsner is inextricably linked with the city. At the citys famous brewery, Pilsner Urquell, which was called Měšťanský pivovar Plzeň, in 1842 the Bavarian brewer Josef Groll created the worlds first pale lager beer using local ingredients. The combination of Plzeňs exceptionally soft water, noble Saaz hops from the neighboring Žatec region, low-protein barley malt from Moravia and Bavarian-style lager maturation produced a clear, golden beer.
What to do in Plzeň
A visit to the Pilsner Urquell brewery will captivate you, as you will be guided, learn the history of the beer and taste it. Plzeňs historic center lends itself to leisurely strolls and relaxing in pubs.
The citys impressive Gothic and Renaissance architecture unfolds at its central spots such as the imposing Republic Square, one of the largest medieval squares in Europe. There stands the Cathedral of St Bartholomew with the tallest bell tower in the country. Climb to the top and admire the panoramic view across the entire city. On the square is the Renaissance Town Hall, built in 1559.
Make a stop at Plzeňs Great Synagogue, the second largest in Europe, as well as at the New Theatre which shows the citys modern face. Also of interest are Plzeňs historical underground, an extensive network of tunnels and cellars beneath the city center that stretches for about 20 km. The tour reveals how residents lived in the Middle Ages and how they stored food and beer.
