About the trip
Pilsen gave the world pale lager — and the city still takes that responsibility seriously. In October 1842, Bavarian brewer Josef Groll combined Bohemian hops, soft Pilsen water, and bottom-fermentation in a bold new experiment. The result, Pilsner Urquell, became the model for the pale lagers brewed around the world today. On this private tour, you stand at the source.
The Pilsner Urquell Brewery guided tour descends into a 9-kilometre network of sandstone cellars beneath the complex, where unpasteurised lager still ages in original oak barrels. Your private driver handles the logistics from Prague — no queuing at bus stops, no shared coach groups, no timetable pressure. You arrive in comfort and move at your own pace.
But Pilsen holds considerably more than beer. The fourth-largest city in the Czech Republic contains one of Central Europe’s most spectacular Gothic cathedrals, a vast main square (one of the largest medieval squares in Bohemia), the largest synagogue in the Czech Republic, and more than 13 kilometres of medieval underground passages beneath the city streets — originally cellars, water reservoirs and supply passages.
The drive from Prague takes approximately 90 minutes along the D5 motorway. This tour works beautifully as a full day: brewery in the morning, city on foot in the afternoon, and the underground tunnel network if time allows. You set the sequence on the day, around your interests and energy.
You might also enjoy: Czech Beer Trail, Karlovy Vary & Loket Castle, Moravian Wine Trail.
Pricing: One fixed price per vehicle, valid for your whole group of up to 8 passengers. Included: private vehicle, English-speaking driver, fuel, tolls and parking. Pilsner Urquell guided brewery tour: see the official price list; advance booking strongly recommended in summer and on weekends.
Tips: The brewery tour lasts about 100 minutes and ends with an unpasteurised tasting directly from the oak barrels in the cellars — the undisputed highlight of the visit. Book your brewery slot online at the Pilsner Urquell website before travelling. The Great Synagogue is a 5-minute walk from the main square. Pilsen’s underground tunnel network offers a cool, atmospheric detour — guided tours (see the official website for times and prices) depart from an entrance just off Republic Square. The square itself is at its finest before 10:00 before the coach-tour groups arrive.
Stops
Pilsner Urquell Brewery 2 h
Pilsner Urquell Brewery is not merely a beer brand — it is the birthplace of a style that now accounts for the majority of all beer brewed worldwide. Josef Groll first brewed the pale, brilliantly clear bottom-fermented lager here in October 1842, transforming the global brewing industry in a single season. The visitor experience begins above ground in the historic maltings and copper brew-house, then descends into a 9-kilometre labyrinth of sandstone cellars carved beneath the complex. In the deepest chambers, unpasteurised lager still ages in massive oak barrels — and at the end of the tunnel, a cold glass of unfiltered Urquell awaits.
The photography opportunities throughout are exceptional: steam rising from copper vessels, barrel vault ceilings, amber light filtering through centuries-old glass. The facility remains fully operational — this is a working brewery, not a museum — which makes the experience genuinely immersive rather than theatrical. Allow a minimum of two hours and book your guided tour slot in advance, particularly from May to September when capacity fills quickly.
Republic Square - Pilsen 1 h 30 min
náměstí Republiky is one of the largest medieval squares in Bohemia — 139 metres wide and flanked on all sides by Baroque town houses, Gothic arcades, and a commanding Renaissance Town Hall. At its centre stands the Cathedral of St. Bartholomew, whose tower at 102.26 metres is the tallest church tower in Bohemia. On a clear day, climbing it reveals panoramic views across the city and south towards the Šumava hills.
The square anchors Pilsen’s entire medieval street plan, and the streets radiating outward lead quickly to the Great Synagogue — the largest in the Czech Republic, a neo-Romanesque building with Moorish elements completed in 1893 — the regional theatre, and the entrance to the underground tunnel network. A walk around the square itself takes no more than 20 minutes, but the concentration of architecture, the Baroque Plague Column of 1681, and the proximity to both major attractions makes this the ideal base for the afternoon half of any Pilsen visit. Most of what the city has to offer is within easy walking distance.
Price per vehicle with driver (max. 8 persons)
see price details ▾
Frequently asked questions
Planning your trip with Private Tours Czech is simple:
- Choose your pick-up location.
- Plan your route and stops.
- Select the length of each stop or overnight stay.
- Set your final destination (which can be the same as your starting point).
- Choose additional services – free child seats, or a licensed guide on request (on site, or with you in the car all day).
Travel in comfortable, spacious vehicles and complete your booking easily online.
If you don’t want to plan the entire trip yourself, you can choose from our Popular Tours section with recommended routes and then customise them to suit your needs.
Payment is made directly to the driver – you can pay in cash or by card in your chosen currency (CZK / EUR / USD upon request).
The price includes everything listed in your confirmed booking – for example, transportation in a comfortable vehicle, professional driver services, fuel, tolls, parking, and selected additional services.
The price does not include expenses such as entrance tickets, licensed local guides, meals, overnight stays, or other personal expenses.
Please cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled pick-up time. For quick cancellation, use the cancellation link in your confirmation email.
There are two ways to change your booking:
- Cancel your existing booking using the cancellation link in your confirmation email and create a new one.
- Contact our customer support via email or chat – our team will make the changes for you.
We use fully equipped Hyundai Staria 4×4 vehicles for up to 8 passengers, with a fixed price and large luggage capacity.
Ideal for families and groups with luggage on trips.
All vehicles feature:
- Leather seats
- Britax Römer child seats
- Vittel water
- Electric doors
- Tinted windows
- Modern safety systems
- USB and air conditioning
Drivers are carefully selected, follow strict quality codes, and are regularly checked.
If you have special requests – such as assistance for passengers with reduced mobility, transport of sports equipment, specific vehicle equipment, or route adjustments – include them in the “Notes” field when booking.
You can also contact us via email or chat for personalised advice.
Don’t want to plan from scratch? Choose from our range of Popular Tours with carefully designed routes and itineraries.
You can customise each one – change the order of stops, adjust the length of visits, add services, or include your own stops.
Further Reading
