Visit Kolin, Czech Republic – An Easy Day Trip from Prague

Kolin, located in the center of the Czech Republic, is such a charming town, yet it’s always overlooked by tourists going on a day trip from Prague to Kutna Hora. Every time I passed the town by train (and there were many times since it is on the main train route from Prague to Poland), I promised to visit Kolin soon. Somehow, it took me some twenty years to eventually go there, and I was enchanted right away.

Kolin is one of those lovely Central European towns with pastel houses, winding cobbled streets, and some amazing gems hidden with centuries of history. But even if there are plenty of Kolin attractions that make the place worth giving a chance to, there were hardly any tourists around – those focused only on nearby Kutna Hora.

If you are looking for nice day trips from Prague – consider Kolin, even if only for a short stop before or after visiting Kutna Hora. Here is a little overview of things to do and see in Kolin and how to plan a trip there.

Where is Kolin, Czech Republic

Kolin, a town of around 33,000 inhabitants, is located in the central part of the Czech Republic, only a bit over 60 kilometers east of Prague, the capital.

How to get to Kolin

Getting to Kolin is super easy, which makes it a perfect choice for a day trip from Prague. There are frequent trains (at least a few per hour) from the main train station (hlavni nadrazi) or Masarykovo nadrazi (this one serves slower trains).

Depending on the connection, the journey from Prague to Kolin takes between 35 minutes and one hour and forty minutes, so check the schedule beforehand and choose the right train. You can do it at the Czech Railways website here.

In Kolin, the train station is located a short walk away from the historical center, where you can find most of the town’s highlights.

A brief history of Kolin

Kolin was first mentioned in 1261 when the settlement Stary Kolin (Old Kolin) was relocated due to the danger of floods. The area, however, was already inhabited in prehistoric times. Due to its location on the trade route from Prague to Moravia, Kolin has played an important role over the centuries.

In the 14th century, a Jewish community was established here shortly after the castle was built. During the Third Silesian War in 1757, the crucial Battle of Kolin took place here, with Prussian and Austrian troops clashing brutally.

Nowadays, Kolin is a sleepy town that is typical for the region and offers some interesting attractions, yet it is not widely popular among tourists.

What to see in Kolin

The historical center in Kolin is small but still resembles medieval urban planning, with the main square – Karlovo Namesti – right in the middle. Here, you will find some of the most beautiful buildings in Gothic and Baroque styles, as well as the Neo-Renaissance town hall (originally, it was a Gothic house from the 15th century but rebuilt to its current shape in 1887).

Like in many other towns in the region, also in Kolin, you can find a Marian Column in the middle of the main square, built in 1682 to commemorate the plague from two years earlier that took the lives of around 800 inhabitants (half of Kolin’s population at that time).

From the main square, you can wander around the maze of winding lanes – each of them is picturesque, with beautiful townhouses along the cobbled streets.

Through one of the houses at Na Hradbách Street (the one marked as tourist information), you can enter the courtyard with the beautiful synagogue. Back in the day, Kolin was home to a large Jewish community. Its synagogue, built in 1696 to replace the prayer house from the 14th century, is the second oldest and most valuable one in Bohemia region.

It is possible to visit the synagogue inside and see its stunning decor – the place was beautifully renovated to its former glory. There are also small exhibitions if you want to learn more about the Jewish past of Kolin.

Not far from the historical center, you can also visit the old Jewish cemetery – the second most important one in the Czech Republic (ask for the key to the gate in the synagogue). It was founded in the 15th century and is one of the oldest and largest Jewish cemeteries in Bohemia, with over two and a half thousand tombstones.

When wandering around, you might also stumble across the remnants of the castle. It was built in the first half of the 15th century on the remnants of the burnt monastery but was badly damaged during the Thirty Years War in the 17th century. The rebuilt castle also included a brewery, but again, the building was destroyed in 1911 during the fire.

To this day, only a small part of the castle remains, and to be honest, it’s not a very interesting one. Still, you might want to see it when visiting Kolin, especially since it’s in the historical center, only a short walk away from the main square.

The biggest highlight of Kolin is the Church of Saint Bartholomew, with its majestic Gothic structure dominating the area, which can be clearly seen even from far away. It dates back to the second half of the 13th century, but less than a century later, it was rebuilt with the help of the famous architect Peter Parler (known for his works in Prague, especially St. Vitus Cathedral and Charles Bridge).

The church is spectacular, a perfect example of the Gothic style, stunning both from the outside and inside. You can also climb to the towers to admire the panorama of Kolin and its surroundings.

Unfortunately, during my visit, it was closed, but I still could peek a bit inside and was amazed by this place. I even dare to say it is one of the most amazing Gothic churches in the Czech Republic.

Final thoughts on visiting Kolin

Even if Kolin is incredibly overlooked by tourists, favoring nearby Kutna Hora, it’s still worth stopping here for an hour or two and discovering all the amazing attractions the town has to offer. There might not be too many of them, but they are of huge value to local history and culture.

Add to that the slow vibe of the Central European province, and Kolin is a great day trip option from Prague. It took me years to visit Kolin, but I’m really glad I finally made it there – this place is such a gem in the region!

Where to go next

With its location on the main railway route from Prague and with proximity to other interesting places, you can combine a trip to Kolin with visiting Kutna Hora, Pardubice, or Podebrady – they all are nearby, with direct train connections from Kolin. A bit further on the same railway line, you can find Olomouc – one of the most beautiful cities in the Czech Republic.

Further reading

I published many articles about the Czech Republic that you might find useful when planning your trip there. Here are some of them:

• 2 Days in Prague Itinerary
• Holesovice – a mini guide to Prague’s coolest district
• 17 Great Things to Do in Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic
• 13 Amazing Things to Do in Pilsen, Czech Republic
• Karlovy Vary Itinerary. What to Do in Karlovy Vary in 3 Days
• 20 Great Things to Do in Brno, Czech Republic
• What to See in Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
• Visit Kromeriz, Czech Republic – the UNESCO Castle and More
• Visit Marianske Lazne, Czech Republic – the UNESCO spa town
• and more!

If you are looking for articles about a specific destination – check out the map with all the articles I’ve published (and their locations). You can also join my Facebook group about traveling in Central Europe and ask your questions there.

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