Prague to Olomouc Road Trip — Bohemia’s Hidden Baroque Gem
Prague is magnificent. But after a few days among its golden spires, something happens — you want to see the country that surrounds it. Olomouc answers that impulse perfectly. Fewer tourists, unhurried café culture, a main square lined with six baroque fountains, and a UNESCO World Heritage monument that most travellers have never heard of: the Holy Trinity Column, the tallest baroque plague column in Central Europe.
Getting there by car from Prague takes about two and a half hours each way. That makes it a possible day trip, though staying one night gives you time to eat well, drink locally and walk at the pace the city deserves.
The Route: Prague to Olomouc by Car
Total distance: ~280 km Driving time: ~2 h 30 min Czech vignette: included free with every CarLove rental
The standard route runs D1 motorway east from Prague towards Brno, then turns northeast on the D35/D46 to Olomouc. This is a motorway or dual-carriageway the entire way — smooth, fast and straightforward.
Alternative route via Brno: If you want to stop in Brno on the way back, this works well: Olomouc as the day's main destination, then 80 km south on the D46 to Brno for dinner, then the D1 west back to Prague. Total distance adds about 60 km but it's a very different shape of trip.
Fuel tip: Fill up in the Czech Republic before entering Moravia — prices are consistent nationwide and significantly cheaper than at Austrian or Slovak border motorway stations.
The Holy Trinity Column — UNESCO and Extraordinary Scale
The first thing you should do in Olomouc is walk to the Upper Square and look up. The Holy Trinity Column (Sloup Nejsvětější Trojice) stands 35 metres tall and took 30 years to complete — started in 1716, finished in 1754. It is the largest Baroque plague column in Central Europe, and since 2000 it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The column is dense with sculpture: 18 statues of saints, a chapel inside the lower section with an altar (open on certain days), and at the very top, a gilded bronze sculptural group of the Holy Trinity reaching toward the sky. The effect is overwhelming when seen in person, despite being one of the least-known UNESCO monuments in the country.
Practical note: The column stands in the middle of the upper square (Horní náměstí). It is free to view from the outside at any time. Check locally for chapel opening hours.
The Upper Square and Six Baroque Fountains
Olomouc's Upper Square is one of the largest historical squares in the Czech Republic, and one of the most theatrically beautiful. It is dominated by baroque — not just the Trinity Column but six elaborately carved fountains depicting ancient mythological figures: Hercules, Caesar, Neptune, Jupiter, Arion, and Mercury (the sixth, Triton, is in the nearby Lower Square).
The Town Hall (radnice) anchors the square's northern edge. It has a working astronomical clock — but one with a distinctive twist. The original Gothic clock was damaged in 1945 as German forces retreated through the city. The replacement figures, installed in 1955, were carved in a Socialist Realist style with workers, miners and scientists replacing the original religious imagery. It is the only socialist realist astronomical clock in the world.
Best time in the square: Early morning before tour groups arrive, or early evening when locals fill the café terraces.
The Cathedral, the University and the Rest of the City
St. Wenceslas Cathedral (Katedrála sv. Václava) is a 20-minute walk from the main square, perched above the older city. The current neo-Gothic towers were added in the 19th century, but the original Romanesque structure dates to the 12th century. The cathedral is the seat of the Olomouc Archdiocese — one of the oldest in the Czech lands. The crypt and treasury are worth the visit.
Palacký University was founded in 1573, making it the second-oldest university in the Czech Republic after Charles University in Prague. The university gives the city its youthful, intellectual atmosphere — bookshops, good coffee, and little bars that stay open late.
Hradisko Monastery sits on a hill at the edge of the city. The Baroque Premonstratensian monastery was founded in the 11th century and rebuilt in Baroque style after a fire. The buildings are not always open to tourists, but the exterior and the views back toward the city are worth the walk.
What to Eat and Drink in Olomouc
Olomoucké tvarůžky (Olomouc cheese) is perhaps the most divisive food in Czech cuisine — a small, intensely pungent fermented cheese with a powerful smell and sharp taste that is either addictive or intolerable depending on the eater. It has PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) status and is produced only in this region. Even if you do not eat it, ask for it in a local restaurant — it is genuinely part of the city's identity.
The local beer scene is strong. The nearest major brewery is Litovel, about 20 km northwest of Olomouc, and its lager is found on tap everywhere in the city. The microbrewery scene in the old town adds to the options.
For lunch, the streets south of the Upper Square have a good mix of local restaurants with traditional Moravian food — heavier, more meat-forward than Bohemian cuisine, with the regional influence of neighbouring Slovakia and Hungary visible in the spicing.
Which Car to Choose for the Olomouc Trip
Olomouc is a motorway trip — two and a half hours each way. Comfort and fuel economy matter more than ground clearance. The Renault Austral is the natural choice: the hybrid system makes it efficient at motorway speeds, the cabin is quiet, and automatic transmission makes long drives genuinely restful. For a group of four or five, the Renault Espace 7-seat turns the trip into a comfortable shared experience. The Hyundai Tucson AT gives a good balance between size and running costs for couples.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Olomouc from Prague by car? About 280 km via the D1 and D35 motorways. Driving time is approximately 2 hours 30 minutes without stops.
Is Olomouc worth a day trip from Prague? Yes, but it is borderline. The drive is 2.5 hours each way, leaving about 4–5 hours in the city. To do it comfortably, consider spending one night. Hotels in Olomouc are much cheaper than in Prague.
What makes the Holy Trinity Column special? At 35 metres, it is the tallest baroque plague column in Central Europe, completed in 1754 and inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. It is considered by many the finest example of Central European baroque sculpture.
What is Olomoucké tvarůžky? A traditional Czech fermented cheese produced in the Olomouc region, with PDO protection since 2010. It has a strong, sharp smell and is served in various forms — plain, fried, in a sauce. It is the city's most famous local product.
What is the best route from Prague to Olomouc? Take the D1 motorway east from Prague past Brno, then switch to D35/D46 north to Olomouc. The entire route is motorway or dual carriageway.
Does CarLove include the Czech vignette for Olomouc trips? Yes — the Czech vignette is included free with every CarLove rental. All motorways including D1 and D35 are covered.
Book Your Car for Olomouc
CarLove's fleet of 40 vehicles — all under two years old — is available from Hilton Prague, Pobřežní 311/1 (metro Florenc). Every rental includes the Czech vignette, Gold insurance (zero deposit, no credit card required), and child seats at no charge. We deliver to your hotel in Prague for €25 or to the airport for €30.
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