Ostrava

Ostrava is a city in the borderland of Moravia and Silesia in the Czech Republic. With a population of 290,000 (2019), it is the third largest city in the Czech Republic and the centre of the second largest urban agglomeration after Prague. It has several former industrial areas that have become cultural centres and tourist attractions.

Understand
Ostrava had been a predominantly industrial city since the 18th century, when the discovery of extensive coal deposits in the area led to an industrial boom. Ostrava quickly grew from a small provincial town of around one thousand inhabitants to one of the largest cities in the region.

As a major steel manufacturing centre, Ostrava suffered heavy destruction during the Second World War, and holds the sad distinction of being one of the most polluted cities of the European Union.
 * Ostrava City Council website

By train

 * On cross-border routes, look out for split-ticket deals.


 * Prague:
 * 3½ hr, Czech Railway's IC/EC every two hours (494 Kč regular fare sold at train station before - but usually there is some discount offer, 229 Kč companions in a group of 2 or more people, 150-300 Kč if bought online or in advance at train station).
 * 3 hr, Czech Railway's SC Pendolino every one or two hours (prices as above plus 100–200 Kč compulsory reservation fee, around 300 Kč altogether if bought online)
 * 3½ hr, RegioJet several times a day. Tickets are generally sold online and start at 230 Kč.
 * Brno: 2½ hr, hourly fast trains
 * Olomouc: 1 hr, IC/EC trains and SC Pendolino (compulsory reservation) every two hours. Some fast trains (rychlík) from Olomouc to Ostrava go longer way through Jeseníky mountains for more than 3 hours.
 * Katowice: 2 hr, usually with a change at the border
 * Warsaw: 4½ hr, three ECs a day

Moreover there are direct connections from Poprad, Vienna, Bratislava, Žilina, Krakow and Budapest. All of them are best bought online.

There are two main stations, in the north and  at the far western end of the city. Fast and international trains stops at both of them. None of the stations are within walking distance from the historic city centre. However a few trains also calls at, located next to the old town.

By bus
The main bus station in Ostrava is. Student Agency offers five buses a day from Brno, the journey time is 2¾ hours.

Leo Express operates a bus that links the train station at Ostrava-Svinov with the main train station in Katowice, Poland.

By plane


Many travelers fly to Katowice Pyrzowice Airport in Poland. This airport is northeast of Ostrava, and can be reached by A1/D1 motorway in about an hour. The airport has direct connections with over 30 destinations across Europe and Asia. FLiXBUS offers bus service to and from Katowice Pyrzowice Airport.

By tram and bus
Tram and bus travel in Ostrava is operated by Dopravní podnik Ostrava. Service is fast, frequent and inexpensive.

See








Do

 * Football: FC Baník Ostrava play soccer in Fortuna or First League, the top tier. Their home ground Městský Stadion (capacity 15,000) is off Hwy 11, south edge of the city. MFK Vítkovice also play here in the third tier.

There are many activities and business that cater to children and families in Ostrava. Many restaurants have playrooms for children and offer crayons and coloring books.
 * Skalka Family Park offers a zoo, summer amusements, and winter skiing and tubing.
 * JOJO Park is an indoor children's amusement center with food and drinks.

Buy
Ostrava is the shopping centre of the region. You can find small specialised shops, hypermarkets and shopping galleries. Souvenirs are sold in branch offices of the Ostrava City Information Centre.
 * Forum Nova Karolina, a large and modern shopping mall close to the city centre with many stores from international chains, a hypermarket, specialty stores and a food court.
 * Laso, a shopping centre containing many smaller shops just off the main city square.



Eat
In such a big city the number of restaurants is naturally enormous, ranging from the very famous restaurants to the less expensive trattorie or pizzerie. Whether you are looking to enjoy classical Czech food, regional specialities or international cuisine, Ostrava probably has what you are looking for. A visit to the region would not be complete without a pint of the local beer, “Ostravar”, which has been brewed in the city since 1897. The main street for wining, dining and having a great time is Stodolní Street, in the heart of the city. It boasts over 60 bars and restaurants in an area covering just a few blocks.



The secret sweet treats of Ostrava are the katowicke rurki, named after the nearby city of Katowice in Poland - although they are arguably a version of a similar treat popular in the entirety Poland, and not peculiar to Katowice at all. The katowicke rurki consist of a sweet wafer rolled into a tube, and then filled with pařížská šlehačka, both using a specially-designed machine. Pařížská šlehačka, in turn, is a filling vaguely resembling chocolate-flavoured whipped cream, although quite often having nothing to do with either cream or chocolate when it comes to its ingredients, and obviously having no obvious connection to the city of Paris after which it is ostensibly named.

Katowicke rurki are usually made by specialized confissers in possession of one of the unique machines, who often have been operating their specialized businesses for decades. One of those is hidden in the Hornicka street.



Drink
Ostrava is home to the famous Stodolní street, the biggest strip of bars and pubs in the country. Drinks are generally cheaper than in Prague and atmosphere is more local.



Sleep
The city offers a wide variety of accommodation covering all kinds of travel budget and level of service.



Stay safe
While Ostrava remains a quiet and pleasant city, locals will let you know that many areas have gained a reputation for widespread drug consumption. Always be on the lookout for junkies.

Connect
As of July 2024, Ostrava and its approach roads have 5G from all Czech carriers.