Kadaň

Late spring to early autumn is the best time. Summers are warm and good for walks by the river and swimming in the nearby reservoirs. Winters are cold and grey, and some sights have shorter hours or close.

The biggest event is Císařský den (Emperor's Day) in late August. This historical festival in the old town remembers the visits of Emperor Charles IV. In late September, the St Wenceslas wine festival celebrates the local grape harvest.

• Kadaň Castle was founded around 1260 above the Ohře river. It was later rebuilt in late Gothic and Renaissance style. Today it holds exhibitions on the history of the castle and the town.
• Kadaň Town Hall is one of the best-preserved Gothic town halls in the country. It has been a national cultural monument since 2024. Climb its 54 m tower for views over the roofs and the river valley.
• Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross stands on the main square, Mírové náměstí. It was founded in 1289 and rebuilt in Baroque style in the 17th century.
• Katova ulička (Executioner's Lane) leads off the main square. It is only 66 cm wide at its narrowest point and is the narrowest street in the Czech Republic.
• Žatecká brána is a town gate with a barbican from 1458. It is one of the oldest defensive structures of its kind in Central Europe.
• Franciscan Monastery sits on the western edge of town, near the river, about 15 minutes on foot from the square. It dates from the 15th century and is a national cultural monument. Its church has unique wall paintings, and the grounds include gardens and a vineyard. Kadaň Town Museum has an exhibition inside.
• Svatý vrch Lookout Tower is a small tower on a hill above the monastery. It gives wide views of the Ohře valley, the Doupov Mountains, and the Ore Mountains.

A few things to do in Kadaň that go beyond sightseeing:

• Join Císařský den in late August, when the old town hosts a historical festival.
• Climb the tower of Kadaň Town Hall for a view straight down onto the square and the castle.
• Squeeze through Katova ulička, then walk the rest of the old town walls to Žatecká brána.
• Taste local wine at the St Wenceslas wine festival in late September, or walk past the monastery vineyard at Franciscan Monastery.
• Swim in Nechranice Reservoir on a hot summer day.

Kadaň sits between the Ore Mountains and the Doupov Mountains, with several good trips nearby. The list starts with the closest.

• Nechranice Reservoir — a large dam lake of more than 13 km² just east of town, about 15 minutes by car. Its shores have places for summer swimming.
• Klášterec nad Ohří — about 10 minutes by car up the river. It has a chateau with a porcelain museum and a large park.
• Hasištejn Castle — a Gothic castle ruin in the hills north of town, about 20 minutes by car. Climb the tower for wide views.
• Chomutov — about 20 minutes by train or bus. It has a small old town and the largest zoo in the country by area.
• Žatec — about 30 minutes by car. A historic hop-growing town whose hop landscape is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Most — about 45 minutes by car. See the Gothic church that was moved 841 m on rails in 1975 to save it from coal mining.
• Karlovy Vary — about 45 minutes by car. The most famous Czech spa town, with colonnades and hot springs.

The nearest larger town is Chomutov, the district centre, about 13 km to the northeast.

For a wider look at the region, see the Ústí nad Labem Region guide. It covers the Ore Mountains, Bohemian Switzerland, and the other historic towns of northwest Bohemia.

• By air: The nearest major airport is Václav Havel Airport Prague. From the airport, take public transport into Prague and continue by bus or train. Allow at least 3 hours in total.
• By train: Most connections from Prague run via Chomutov, where you change to a regional train or bus to Kadaň. Book and check connections on České dráhy.
• By bus: Buses from Prague run to Chomutov in about 2 hours. Local buses continue to Kadaň.
• By car: Take the D7 motorway from Prague towards Chomutov, then continue a short distance to Kadaň.

• On foot: The old town is small and easy to walk. The castle, the square, and the town hall are a few minutes apart. The Franciscan monastery is about 15 minutes on foot.
• Local buses: Kadaň has a few town bus lines, but most visitors will not need them.
• Cycling: Riding along the Ohře valley is pleasant, but the hills around town are steep.

• Is a car worth it?: Not needed in town. A car helps for the castle ruins, the reservoirs, and the hills around town.
• Parking: Use the paid car parks around the edge of the old town and walk in. Space on the main square is limited.

Kadaň has no special dish of its own. Expect standard Czech food: roast pork with dumplings, goulash, and schnitzel, served with local lager. The town has a long wine-growing history, and you can taste local wines at events like the autumn wine festival.

For eating out, head to Mírové náměstí and the streets around it. Most cafés, pubs, and restaurants in the centre are here.

Kadaň is a safe town for visitors. The old town is calm by day and at night. Petty theft is the main risk, so watch your bag at crowded events such as Císařský den. When swimming in the reservoirs, use the marked beaches. Tap water is safe to drink.

Kadaň was first mentioned in 1183. Around 1260 it became a free royal town, and the king built Kadaň Castle. After a large fire in 1362, Emperor Charles IV gave the town new rights, including a vineyard and an annual market. He visited Kadaň in 1367 and 1374, and Císařský den remembers these visits.

In 1421, during the Hussite Wars, Hussite troops took the town. In the late 15th century, the noble Jan Hasištejnský z Lobkovic founded Franciscan Monastery, and he is buried there. In 1534, a religious peace between King Ferdinand I and the Protestants of Württemberg was negotiated here.

For centuries, most people in Kadaň spoke German. After the Second World War, the German population was expelled. The well-kept old town, with Kadaň Town Hall and Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, still shows the wealth of the medieval royal town.

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