Bečov nad Teplou

Summers are mild and fresh here, because the town sits in the hills. Winters are cold, with regular snow.

The castle is open from April to October and closes in winter. From May to September it opens every day except Monday. In April and October it usually opens only at weekends, so check the dates before you travel.

Bečov Castle and Chateau combines a Gothic castle, a Renaissance palace and a Baroque chateau on one rock. Its main treasure is the reliquary of St. Maurus, made around 1225–1230. The shrine was hidden under the chapel floor in 1945 and found again only in 1985.

Church of St. George is the town's parish church, rebuilt in the 1760s after a fire. Inside, look for the Rococo altars and furnishings.

Museum of Historic Motorcycles fills a burgher house on the main square with old motorcycles, including the unusual Čechie. Upstairs there are wooden toys and puppet theatres.

Blacksmith Museum is a small local museum with blacksmith tools and equipment from over 100 years ago.

Bečov Botanical Garden was laid out by the castle's last owners in the early 20th century. It was abandoned after the Second World War and is now being restored. It has rock gardens, old conifers and a bioferrata, an easy rock trail with safety cables.

• By air: Václav Havel Airport Prague is the main gateway. From Prague, take a bus to Karlovy Vary (about 2 hours), then continue by train or bus.
• By train: Bečov nad Teplou is a railway junction. Regional trains on the scenic line between Karlovy Vary and Mariánské Lázně stop here. Check times on České dráhy.
• By bus: Direct buses run from Karlovy Vary and from Plzeň.
• By car: The town is about 25 km from Karlovy Vary. Parking in the centre is limited, but there are several car parks within walking distance of the castle.

Quick practical facts for the Czech Republic at a glance: