Location: Ostrava
Top Things to do in Ostrava
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What to do and see in Ostrava, Czech Republic: The Best Places and Tips
Ostrava (Polish: Ostrawa, German: Ostrau or Mährisch Ostrau) is a city in the north-east of the Czech Republic and is the capital of the Moravian-Silesian Region. It is 15 km (9 mi) from the border with Poland, at the meeting point of four rivers: the Odra, Opava, Ostravice and Lučina. In terms of both population and area Ostrava is the third largest city in the Czech Republic, the second largest city in Moravia, and the largest city in Czech Silesia. It straddles the border of the two historic provinces of Moravia and Silesia. The population was around 300,000 in 2013. The wider conurbation – which also includes the towns of Bohumín, Doubrava, Havířov, Karviná, Orlová, Petřvald and Rychvald – is home to about 500,000 people, making it the largest urban area in the Czech Republic apart from the capital, Prague.
Restaurants in Ostrava
1. Dolni Vitkovice
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 365 reviews
In 1998 after 170 years of continuous production, the manufacturing of pig-iron in so-called Lower Area was discontinued. Vitkovice MACHINERY GROUP, the Moravian-Silesian Region and the Union of ,,The Lower Area of Vitkovice" now provide the visitors an opportunity of visit/tour of the area including Hlubina mine, coking plant, blast furnaces and the other technological facilities of metallurgical basic industry and energetics. Since 2002, the area of Hlubina mine, coking plant, and the blast furnaces has been a National Cultural Monument. In 2008, the Lower Area of Vitkovice was inscribed on the the European Cultural Heritage list. The objective of the reactivation project is not only to preserve the NCM but to give it a new, useful and modern face - by gradually changing the space and buildings of the NCM into the university, the research and development and cultural facility including free time zones. Visit us and you will see amazing technical heritage of the past and you will learn the great future of our National Cultural Monument! Vitkovice MACHINERY GROUP contributes with the visits to the National Cultural Monument to the fulfilment of the project titled Ostrava by means of visits - The European City of Culture.
Reviewed By HughJarres - London, United Kingdom
Fascinating to get up close to a bit of heavy-industrial history. Amazingly, there's no admission charge to wander around the rusting machinery and pipework of the former iron foundry. Tours are offered at Kč 190, but in Czech only and, as one reviewer has already noted, if that's not your lingo you're better off guiding yourself around and Reading the information boards, which are also in English. We did that, then paid Kč 200 to be taken to the top of the Bolt Tower (built on top of the 1911 blast furnace and weirdly named after Jamaican sprinter Usain, who has connections with Ostrava): the ticket includes a Kč 100 voucher to spend in the café up there, which is frankly an uncanny and unique experience, with spectacular views.
However, the Vítkovice experience could be so much better for the foreign visitor. Maybe the Czech guided tour covers this, but the wordy information boards assumed a knowledge of iron smelting and steel production that none of my party had, and we were desperate for some kind of visual explanation of how the various processes were carried out in these buildings around us. The place cries out for diagrams and illustrations, video reconstructions and historic footage, or maybe just some archive photos. And what about some living history? This iron works closed within living memory: we would love to hear from those who actually worked here telling what the experience was like. A huge missed opportunity.
The EU put money into the restoration: they should have insisted on a more imaginative explanation of this important heritage.
2. Zoo Ostrava
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 372 reviews
Reviewed By HardCorToronto - Toronto
Lovely zoo, with animals that are clearly well cared for. Nice break from the tourists and easy to get there on the bus. Clouded leopards were amazing. Also, you can just get a beer and walk around with it. That is pretty neat. First time I ever saw a honey badger live and in person.
3. New City Hall Viewing Tower
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 205 reviews
At 86 meters, the tower offers sweeping views of the Ostrava basin, the Mountains of Beskydv to the south, the Jesenisky Mountains to the west and the Upper Silesian plateau to the east.
Reviewed By Beatrix T - Brno, Czech Republic
A very accessible tower - I don't recall many other viewing platforms or towers where you don't need to climb even a single stair. This is such a tower - from the entrance hall of the city hall, you take one lift to the 6th floor, where there's a tourist information office, and from there you take another lift to the viewing platform. Extremely comfortable.
And of course, it's totally worth it, Ostrava has its own very special landmarks, and it's a curious experience to check those out from a high angle, too.
4. Landek Park Mining Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 136 reviews
Reviewed By Sujit J
Visited landek park with my office friends. Its very well maintained site. Tour is not available in English. Although one get a headphone device with English translated audio clips.Overall nice experience, something out of box to get coal mine working experiance
5. Ostravice River
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 55 reviews
Reviewed By Badbones - Brisbane Region, Australia
One of which is the river...actually the whole area is full of meandering little streams and is much favoured by the Czechs for camping and family holidaying. Gorgeous , picturesque walks and I would say, excellent fishing, make it a good choice for a week-end { or more }.
Considered by many to be merely a border Town for connections to nearby Poland, it is much, much more than that and if you have the time , a day or two spent here, would be a tonic for the weary.
6. Michal Colliery
Overall Ratings
5 based on 31 reviews
The country's only National Cultural Heritage Site, this museum houses exhibits from the Ostrava and Karvina mines.
Reviewed By jan1988 - Ostrava, Czech Republic
I consider this place better and more interesting than the similar Landek Park Museum (but instead of Landek, in Michal Colliery you do not go underground, the exhibits are only above).
Note that the tour start only at 9:00h, 11:00h, 13:00h, 15:00h and 17:00h.
Very recommended.
7. Svet Techniky
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 55 reviews
Reviewed By JonDoe04134 - Lidingo, Sweden
A great place with expositions divided by theme, where you can touch and feel every aspect of nature. The objects, devices and games are often ingenious and thought-provoking, without being overly politically correct. Everything is explained in Polish and English as well and the staff are helpful in facilitating the understanding of how things work. On the plus side, it's located in the Lower Vitkovice Area (Dolni Oblast Vitkovice), so it's best to plan an all day visit to the whole site.
8. Antonin Dvorak Theater
Overall Ratings
5 based on 32 reviews
Reviewed By bara1987 - Ostrava, Czech Republic
Worth visiting mainly for the opera ballet Performances. It is one of the most photographed attractions in the city center :)
9. Forum Nova Karolina
Overall Ratings
4 based on 58 reviews
Reviewed By Poker589 - Ostrava, Czech Republic
If You want to visit "food court" in the centrum of Ostrava You have to chose Nova Karolina shopping center, but do not expect many food or coffee shops like in another shopping centres. But there are in Nova Karolina some and not overcrowded. You can find here some world - known shops.
10. Ostravar Arena
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 31 reviews
Reviewed By Huskice - Ostrava, Czech Republic
Throughout the year the arena hosts various cultural and sport venues in Ostrava. The ice ring can be transformed to a tenis court or performance podium for famous groups such as Roxette (in June 2015). Above that, we went to watch there many "on ice" Performances such as Disney, Cinderella, Romeo and Juliet and we always enjoyed it. Shortly before Xmas there is also an inside fair where you can buy all kinds of goods. There are smaller buildings attached to the arena where you can find a hotel and a smaller ice-ring which is open to the public at certain dates and time slots..
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