Boutique hotels
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Hotel Nautilus
- Style
- Geological neoclassical
- Setting
- Old-town Tábor
Tábor Overview
Czech Republic
- Cityscape
- Historic Czech hilltop
- City life
- It’s Bohemian down south
With a history of religious nonconformism that gave Bohemians their name for rebellion, Tábor is an architectural jewel an easy trip south from Prague.
Locals are clearly proud of its mediaeval old-town streets, baroque and Renaissance burghers’ houses and beautiful location, with rural rides and walks in the hills a big attraction for summertime visitors. By night, things aren’t as sleepy as you might expect in such an unspoilt environment, with cool or cosy restaurants, bars and cafés in both old and new towns. The Czech Republic is largely undiscovered beyond its wildly popular capital: we’re glad we found our way to this well-preserved gateway to the south.
Typically Tábor
Join a tour of the underground tunnels linking the old-towners’ cellars, dating from the 15th century, since when they’ve served as cold stores, gaols and protection in times of war. The part you’ll be guided through circumnavigates Zižka Square, and represents just a tiny fraction of the whole labyrinth. Admission is through the Jan Hus Museum, and costs CZK 80 per adult.Local knowledge
- Taxis
- You can walk everywhere in Tábor, but if you want a car to/from the station, for a day trip or to take you back to Prague, ask your hotel to book you one. There are a handful of local firms: try Taxi KoláR (+420 381 252 068).
- Tipping culture
- Substantial tips aren’t expected outside Prague, but adding up to ten per cent or at least rounding up the bill is always appreciated.
- Packing tips
- Suitable footwear for cobbled streets and hillside walks.
- Recommended reads
- A Desert in Bohemia by Jill Paton Walsh. The Coasts of Bohemia: a Czech History by Derek Sayer. The Hussite Wars 1419–36 by Stephen Turnbull.
- Cuisine
- The cornerstones of traditional Czech food are pork, cabbage, potatoes, dumplings – and beer. The food you’ll eat in Tábor restaurants will tend towards this peasant heritage, with goose and duck dishes, sweet-toothed cakes and pastries, and good Moravian wines. Look out for bramborak, a potato pancake sometimes layered with pork.
- Currency
- Czech koruna. CZK 40 = about £1.
- Time zone
- GMT+1.
- Dialling codes
- Country code for Czech Republic: 420. No city code.
- Do go/don't go
- If you want to make the most of the countryside, visit in spring, summer or early autumn. Winter temperatures can be jolly cold, but you’ll experience crowd-free Central Europe, and winter-wonderlandscapes.
