Summer Staycations Soar: Why More Czechs are Choosing to Holiday at Home
The average length of holiday stays has decreased slightly this year, dropping from ten days last year to nine. Still, Czechs aim to maximize their time off. According to a survey, over a quarter of respondents plan to revisit familiar places, while nearly half want to explore new locations. Most Czechs travel with family (46%) or a partner (31%), and seven out of ten prefer traveling by car or motorbike. They often choose guesthouses (47%) for accommodation, factoring in price, past experiences, and location. There’s also an increasing interest in local food, particularly among those under 49 (81%) and university graduates (82%).
“Domestic holidays still hold a significant appeal for Czechs, offering security, comfort, quality service, and a range of experiences—from nature to sights to delicious food. This year, interest in regional cuisine is also on the rise. As many as 77% of people sample local specialties while traveling in Czechia, which greatly benefits local producers and entrepreneurs,” says František Reismüller, Director of the Czech Tourist Authority – CzechTourism. He adds: “We’ve even outperformed popular destinations like Greece, Spain, or France. This is fantastic news, highlighting the ability of local restaurants, cafés, and bakeries to provide quality food, often using local ingredients, thus supporting their regions.”
Summer trend – active relaxation and family fun
This summer, Czechs are keen to blend holidays with physical activities. Hiking (76%) and walking (64%) are the most popular choices, with water sports, water parks (32%), and cycling (30%) also gaining traction. Only 17% prefer a more passive vacation. Visits to cultural sites like castles and museums are also part of the plan for 16% of respondents, while 13% plan to explore family-friendly attractions.
“Hiking is particularly popular among those aged 50-59, while lighter walks are favored by the 40-49 age group. The younger generation tends to favor water activities like rafting and dynamic sports. Interest is also growing in adrenaline-fueled activities such as trail rides, alpine hiking, or retreats focused on meditation and yoga,” adds Petr Janeček, head of the Institute of Tourism of the Czech Tourist Authority – CzechTourism.
Czechs will pay more for summer holidays this year, spending mainly on accommodation and food
Czechs plan to spend an average of CZK 9,707 per person on summer vacations. Most of this budget will go toward accommodation (46%) and meals at restaurants (20%). People will allocate 11% for experiences, sightseeing, and other activities, with transportation (6%) and purchases like souvenirs, food, or clothing (8%) accounting for the least.
South Bohemia as the first choice
Most vacationers this year are aged 40-49 (71%) or have a monthly income between CZK 20,000 to CZK 25,000. The top destination is the South Bohemia region (27%), followed closely by South Moravia and Central Bohemia (12% each). Mountain areas and spa-focused destinations are also popular.
Summer occupancy and prices on the rise, interest peaks at major events
Data from Data Rhymes, accessible to CzechTourism, indicates stable occupancy rates for summer weekends in popular regions, ranging from 52% to 68%. The South Moravian Region sees a significant uptick in occupancy from July 18-20, coinciding with the Moto GP motorcycle championship in Brno, which pushes occupancy up to 81% for mass accommodation.
Even weekdays show demand in South Moravia, with an expected occupancy rate of 49% to 74%. Central Bohemia ranges from 34% to 46%, while South Bohemia varies between 30% and 50%.
Accommodation prices on weekends in these regions average between CZK 2,500 and CZK 3,000 per night. The South Moravian Region sees a peak price of CZK 3,813 during the Moto GP. On weekdays, rates in South Moravia reach CZK 2,969, whereas South Bohemia’s prices range from CZK 2,277 to CZK 2,573. In Central Bohemia, expect to pay about CZK 2,447 to 2,566 per night.
In guesthouses, weekend rates across these three regions generally fall between CZK 1,900 to 2,250, while hotels charge approximately CZK 2,400 to 3,100 per room, depending on the location.
Jeseníky – occupancy remains, prices rise slightly
On a positive note, Data Rhymes shows that the impacts of September 2024 floods have not yet affected occupancy in Jeseníky. Weekend figures remain consistent year-on-year for both guesthouses and hotels. However, the average room price has risen by CZK 100 to 150 per night.
Tourists can support the area by purchasing tourist vouchers, for which the Ministry for Regional Development, along with the Olomouc and Moravian-Silesian regions, has allocated CZK 20 million. Discounted stays will be available from August 18, 2025.
Less Czechs will go abroad this summer than last year
The CzechTourism survey highlights a slight decline in foreign travel interest among Czechs this year, with 57% planning to vacation abroad—down 3 percentage points from last year. The primary reason for opting to stay at home is financial (61%), while a quarter of respondents prefer the comfort and ambiance of local regions. Younger individuals and those with higher education and income are more inclined to choose foreign vacations.
Digital tools as a key guide
When planning trips, Czechs primarily rely on recommendations from family and friends (49%) and maps with suggested points of interest (43%). Most inspiration and specific ideas come from online sources, particularly the CzechTourism’s Kudy z nudy portal, recognized by 86% of respondents, with 57% actively using it. Women and individuals aged 30-39 use this resource more frequently. Another popular website is Slevomat, where 51% of respondents seek advice.
While traveling, Czechs predominantly use Mapy.cz (46%), followed by Booking.com (9%), Kudy z nudy (7%), Google Maps, and Waze.
“Holidays in Czechia today offer much more than relaxation. It is the diversity of the offerings and the ease of finding information that help travelers choose their destinations. That’s why we invest in digital tools like Where to go from boredom, visited by over four million people each month. It features 240,000 thematic articles, 80,000 leisure offers, nearly 13,000 news items, 800 trips, and a list of the most interesting places along with contacts to 500 information centers. Last year, the portal received 38 million visits from 17 million active users, making Kudy z nudy an essential guide for domestic tourists,” concludes František Reismüller, director of CzechTourism.
- Collection method → CAWI – online – structured panel interviewing
- Participation in the survey → 1,000 respondents
- Target group → population of the Czech Republic
- Quota → gender, age, education, size of the place of residence, and region
- Data collection → in the period 5.5. – 16.5.2025
