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Czech-Moravian Highlands
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Explore Czech-Moravian Highlands landscapes, medieval towns, UNESCO heritage, forest trails and winter sports across the heart of Czechia.

The Czech-Moravian Highlands, commonly known in Czech as Vysočina, form a broad upland in the centre of Czechia between Bohemia and Moravia. The contemporary Vysočina Region is a largely rural area of rolling hills, spruce and beech forests, meadows, ponds and scattered villages, with Jihlava as its principal city. Its elevated terrain gives the region a cooler climate and a spacious character, while the historic division between Bohemian and Moravian lands remains part of its cultural identity.
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Jihlava grew wealthy from silver mining in the medieval period and retains a sizeable historic centre, remnants of its fortifications and an atmospheric network of underground passages. Farther east, Třebíč provides one of the region's most important cultural encounters: its Jewish Quarter and cemetery stand alongside the Romanesque-Gothic Basilica of St Procopius, together forming a UNESCO World Heritage site. The town's layered history reflects centuries of Jewish and Christian life within a major Moravian settlement.
The northern uplands around Žďár nad Sázavou and Nové Město na Moravě are associated with the Žďárské vrchy, a landscape of wooded ridges, granite formations, ponds and long-distance walking and cycling routes. The pilgrimage church of St John of Nepomuk at Zelená Hora, designed by Jan Blažej Santini-Aichel, is the region's most celebrated Baroque-Gothic monument. In winter, the high country becomes one of Czechia's principal cross-country skiing areas, conditions permitting.
Elsewhere, visitors find compact historic towns, castles and châteaux set among working countryside. Lipnice nad Sázavou Castle rises above a village linked with the writer Jaroslav Hašek, while Roštejn Castle occupies a wooded setting near Telč, just inside the Vysočina Region. Jaroměřice nad Rokytnou is known for its grand château and musical tradition, and Pelhřimov preserves a handsome square and a strong association with Czech records and curiosities. The region is best appreciated at a measured pace, with time for village churches, farm landscapes, local museums and walks between small ponds and forested hills.

When is the best time to visit Czech-Moravian Highlands?

Best: June–August · 21–23°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January125
February225
March730
April1235
May1845
June (best)2155
July (best)2365
August (best)2365
September1955
October1445
November635
December330

Getting to and around Czech-Moravian Highlands

How to get there

Jihlava is the principal gateway and lies close to the D1 motorway between Prague and Brno, although its main railway station is outside the historic centre. Direct trains and buses connect the principal towns with Prague, Brno and other Czech destinations. Třebíč, Havlíčkův Brod and Žďár nad Sázavou are reachable by rail, while smaller castles and villages generally require a local bus, taxi or car. International visitors will usually arrive through Prague or Brno airports, both outside the region, then continue by road or rail.

Transportation

Rail is practical between the major towns, and regional buses serve many smaller settlements, but services can be less frequent in rural districts and at weekends. A car offers the greatest flexibility for combining castles, villages, forests and nature reserves, particularly in the northern uplands and around Pelhřimov. Cycling is rewarding on quiet minor roads and marked routes, though the rolling terrain requires preparation. Walking trails are well suited to day excursions, while taxis are most useful for the final connection to dispersed sites.

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Best attractions in Czech-Moravian Highlands

The Czech-Moravian Highlands offer a varied but unhurried collection of attractions, spread across wooded uplands, farming country and historic towns. In Jihlava, visitors can explore the medieval centre, city museums and underground passages associated with the town's silver-mining past. Třebíč combines the UNESCO-listed Jewish Quarter, Jewish cemetery and Basilica of St Procopius, while Žďár nad Sázavou brings together the former monastery complex, the Museum of the New Generation and the nearby pilgrimage church at Zelená Hora. Castles and châteaux provide another strong theme, from the hilltop ruins and literary associations of Lipnice nad Sázavou to the forest setting of Roštejn and the Baroque residence at Jaroměřice nad Rokytnou. The Žďárské vrchy support walking, cycling, cross-country skiing and nature observation, with ponds, granite outcrops and marked trails. Pelhřimov adds museums and a well-preserved central square, while the region's villages and small churches reward travellers who explore beyond the principal routes.

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Best landmarks in Czech-Moravian Highlands

The region's most internationally significant landmark is the pilgrimage church of St John of Nepomuk at Zelená Hora, an inventive Baroque-Gothic work by Jan Blažej Santini-Aichel placed on a hill above Žďár nad Sázavou. Třebíč's Basilica of St Procopius is an imposing Romanesque-Gothic building whose unusual architecture reflects the former Benedictine monastery, while the adjoining Jewish Quarter and cemetery form a rare, remarkably coherent historic ensemble. Jihlava's broad Masaryk Square, Gothic churches and surviving sections of town fortification express the city's medieval mining wealth. Lipnice nad Sázavou Castle crowns a rocky hill above the village and remains one of the area's most recognisable medieval silhouettes. Roštejn Castle rises from wooded country near the region's southern edge, and the château at Jaroměřice nad Rokytnou demonstrates the scale of aristocratic Baroque rebuilding. Natural landmarks are equally characteristic: the granite formations, wooded ridges and pond landscapes of the Žďárské vrchy reveal the upland geology and help define Vysočina's visual identity.

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Best restaurants in Czech-Moravian Highlands

Dining in Vysočina reflects the region's farming landscape and central position between Bohemia and Moravia. Traditional restaurants and pubs commonly serve Czech staples such as soups, roast meats, dumplings, potato dishes and seasonal game, while menus may also feature trout, mushrooms and produce from nearby farms. Potato-growing uplands have encouraged hearty potato-based cooking, although individual dishes are often part of wider Czech culinary tradition rather than exclusive regional inventions. Třebíč, Jihlava and Žďár nad Sázavou offer the broadest choice of cafés, contemporary restaurants and international food, while village inns provide a more local setting and often serve regional beer. Farmers' markets and farm shops are useful for cheeses, smoked products, honey, preserves and baked goods. In summer, outdoor seating is common in historic squares; in rural areas, opening days and kitchen hours can be limited, so planning meals around the main towns is sensible.

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Best bars in Czech-Moravian Highlands

Evening life in the Czech-Moravian Highlands is centred more on pubs, beer halls, cafés and cultural performances than on a large club scene. Jihlava has the widest choice of bars, cinemas, theatres and live-music events, with Třebíč and Žďár nad Sázavou offering smaller but active selections of cafés, wine bars and traditional pubs. In market towns, the local hospoda remains an important informal meeting place, while village evenings are generally quiet outside special events. Breweries and taprooms may provide opportunities to sample Czech beer, but availability varies by town and season. Nightclubs exist in the larger centres rather than across the countryside, and visitors staying near forests, ski areas or historic villages should expect restaurants and pubs to wind down earlier than in Prague or Brno.

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Best nightclubs in Czech-Moravian Highlands

Evening life in the Czech-Moravian Highlands is centred more on pubs, beer halls, cafés and cultural performances than on a large club scene. Jihlava has the widest choice of bars, cinemas, theatres and live-music events, with Třebíč and Žďár nad Sázavou offering smaller but active selections of cafés, wine bars and traditional pubs. In market towns, the local hospoda remains an important informal meeting place, while village evenings are generally quiet outside special events. Breweries and taprooms may provide opportunities to sample Czech beer, but availability varies by town and season. Nightclubs exist in the larger centres rather than across the countryside, and visitors staying near forests, ski areas or historic villages should expect restaurants and pubs to wind down earlier than in Prague or Brno.

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Best shops in Czech-Moravian Highlands

Shopping in the Czech-Moravian Highlands is concentrated in the historic centres and high streets of Jihlava, Třebíč, Žďár nad Sázavou, Havlíčkův Brod and Pelhřimov rather than in major destination malls. Independent bookshops, galleries, craft outlets and food shops are useful for finding locally made ceramics, woodwork, textiles, honey, preserves, cheeses and other farm products. Market days vary by town and season, with the best selection of regional produce often found in open-air markets or directly at farm shops. Třebíč and Jihlava offer the widest range of everyday retail, while smaller towns provide a more traditional high-street experience and antique or specialist shops. Visitors seeking souvenirs should look for items linked to Czech glass, pottery, folk-inspired crafts or the region's castles and religious heritage, but should check provenance where a product is presented as locally made.

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Czech-Moravian Highlands essentials

Currency and Payment
The currency is the Czech koruna, written as Kč and coded CZK; Czechia has not adopted the euro. Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted in hotels, larger restaurants, museums and shops in Jihlava and other principal towns. Carry some koruna cash for village cafés, small attractions, market stalls, rural buses and occasional car parks, particularly outside the main tourist centres. If paying by card, choose to be charged in koruna rather than accepting an exchange rate offered by a terminal.
Safety
The region is generally straightforward for visitors, but ordinary precautions remain sensible in busy town centres, at transport stations and in parked vehicles. Rural roads can be narrow, poorly lit or shared with agricultural machinery, and winter conditions may make driving difficult on exposed upland routes. Take care on wet woodland paths and around ponds, quarries and rocky formations. Cyclists and walkers should carry water, navigation details and appropriate clothing because settlements and shops can be widely spaced.
Emergency Situations
The national emergency number 112 provides a multilingual connection to the emergency services in Czechia. You can also call 150 for the fire service, 155 for an ambulance and 158 for the police. Give a precise location, especially on forest paths or cycling routes, and use a map reference or named trail where possible. In a serious outdoor incident, 112 is the most practical number for coordinating assistance; mobile coverage can be variable in wooded and remote areas.
Do's and Don'ts
Use formal greetings in shops, museums and restaurants until invited to be less formal, and observe quiet behaviour in churches, cemeteries and memorial sites. Ask before photographing people, private property or religious interiors. Follow marked paths, close gates and keep dogs under control in the countryside. In pubs and traditional restaurants, wait to be seated where local practice indicates and check whether service is included before tipping. Do not assume every rural attraction accepts cards or keeps the same opening arrangements throughout the year.
Local Tips
Allow extra time for the region's compact historic centres, where museums, churches and cafés may close earlier than visitors expect from larger Czech cities. The northern uplands are particularly attractive for walking in late spring through autumn and for cross-country skiing when snow cover is reliable. Třebíč and Žďár nad Sázavou reward overnight stays because their heritage sites are more enjoyable outside the busiest daytime period. Local tourist information offices are useful for current bus connections, trail conditions and access to seasonal monuments.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloAhoj[ahoy]
GoodbyeSbohem[sbohem]
YesAno[ah-no]
NoNe[neh]
Please/You're welcomeProsím[pro-seem]
Thank youDěkuji[dyeh-kwee]
Excuse me/SorryOmlouvám se[om-loh-vahm seh]
How are you?Jak se máš?[yak seh mahsh]
Fine. And you?Dobře. A ty?[dob-zhay. ah tee]
Do you speak English?Mluvíš anglicky?[mloo-veesh ahn-glitskee]
I don't understandNerozumím[neh-roh-zoo-meem]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseChtěl bych vidět menu, prosím[kht-yel beek veed-yet meh-noo, pro-seem]
I don't eat meatNejím maso[ney-eem mah-so]
Cheers!Na zdraví![nah zdrav-ee]
I would like to pay, pleaseChtěl bych zaplatit, prosím[kht-yel beek zah-pla-teet, pro-seem]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Pomoc![poh-mots]
Go away!Jdi pryč![yee preech]
Call the Police!Zavolejte policii![zah-vo-lay-teh poh-lee-tsee-ee]
Call a doctor!Zavolejte doktora![zah-vo-lay-teh dok-toh-rah]
I'm lostZtratil jsem se[ztra-teel ysem seh]
I'm illJsem nemocný[ysem neh-mots-nee]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Chtěl bych koupit...[kht-yel beek ko-oo-peet]
I'm just lookingJen se dívám[yen seh dee-vahm]
How much is it?Kolik to stojí?[koh-lik toh stoy-ee]
That's too expensiveTo je příliš drahé[toh yeh pree-leesh drah-heh]
Can you lower the price?Můžeš snížit cenu?[moo-zheesh snee-zit tseh-noo]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Kolik je hodin?[koh-lik yeh ho-din]
It's one o'clockJe jedna hodina[yeh yed-na ho-dee-na]
Half past (10)Půl jedenácté[pool yeh-deen-ah-steh]
MorningRáno[rah-no]
AfternoonOdpoledne[od-po-led-neh]
EveningVečer[veh-cher]
YesterdayVčera[v-cheh-rah]
TodayDnes[dnes]
TomorrowZítra[zee-trah]
1Jedna[yed-na]
2Dvě[dvyay]
3Tři[tree]
4Čtyři[chti-ree]
5Pět[pyet]
6Šest[shest]
7Sedm[se-dum]
8Osm[osum]
9Devět[deh-vyet]
10Deset[deh-set]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Kde je...?[kde yeh]
What's the address?Jaká je adresa?[ya-kah yeh ad-reh-sah]
Can you show me (on the map)?Můžeš mi to ukázat (na mapě)?[moo-zheesh mee toh oo-kah-zat (nah mah-peh)]
When's the next (bus)?Kdy jede další (autobus)?[kdee yeh-deh dal-shi (ow-to-boos)]
A ticket (to ....)Jeden lístek (do ....)[yed-en leess-tek (doh ....)]

History of Czech-Moravian Highlands

Early Settlement and the Medieval Frontier

The uplands were more sparsely settled than the surrounding lowlands in early medieval times, with forests, wetlands and difficult terrain shaping movement and agriculture. From the twelfth century onwards, monasteries, noble estates and colonising communities helped clear and cultivate the landscape. Třebíč Benedictine monastery, founded in 1101, became an important religious and economic centre, while new market settlements developed along routes linking Bohemia with Moravia. The resulting pattern of villages, fields, ponds and woodland still characterises much of Vysočina.

Jihlava Silver Mining in the Thirteenth Century

The discovery of silver around Jihlava transformed the central highlands during the thirteenth century. Mining attracted settlers, craftsmen and merchants, and the town received important privileges as its economic significance grew. Jihlava's prosperity contributed to the development of a fortified urban centre with a large market square, churches and an extensive underground system. Although the mines later declined, medieval mining left a lasting mark on the city's architecture, municipal identity and position on the route between Bohemia and Moravia.

Monasteries, Estates and Noble Power

From the later Middle Ages through the early modern period, Vysočina was shaped by religious foundations and aristocratic estates. The Premonstratensian community at Želiv, the monastery complex at Třebíč and estates connected with castles and châteaux helped organise farming, forestry and local administration. Noble families rebuilt older strongholds and created Baroque residences, including Jaroměřice nad Rokytnou. The landscape's churches, chapels, manor farms and village arrangements preserve evidence of this long interaction between landowners, religious institutions and rural communities.

Religious Conflict and the Reformation Era

The highlands lay within a region affected by the Hussite movement and the religious conflicts that divided the Bohemian lands in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Towns and estates experienced shifting allegiances, while the later Habsburg period brought Catholic renewal and the construction or remodelling of churches and pilgrimage sites. The Baroque-Gothic church of St John of Nepomuk at Zelená Hora, built in the early eighteenth century, represents the artistic and religious culture of this Catholic revival.

Jewish Communities and Třebíč

Třebíč developed one of the most important Jewish settlements in the region. Its Jewish Quarter grew over centuries into a dense neighbourhood with synagogues, houses, workshops and communal institutions, situated beside the Christian town and the Basilica of St Procopius. The quarter's survival provides an unusually clear illustration of Jewish urban life in the Czech lands. Together with the basilica and Jewish cemetery, it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2003, recognising the coexistence and architectural relationship of the two communities.

Rural Industry and Modern Transport

Vysočina remained predominantly agricultural, but small-scale industries developed around glassmaking, textiles, woodworking, food production and engineering. Roads and railways gradually connected upland towns to larger centres, reducing the isolation created by the terrain. Jihlava became an important industrial and administrative centre, while market towns retained roles in farming and regional trade. The twentieth century brought mechanisation, population shifts and changes to village life, yet the region avoided the level of urbanisation found in Czechia's major industrial basins.

The Contemporary Vysočina Region

The modern Vysočina administrative region was established in 2000 and encompasses much of the central Czech-Moravian upland, including Jihlava, Třebíč, Žďár nad Sázavou, Havlíčkův Brod and Pelhřimov. Today its economy combines manufacturing, agriculture, forestry, services and tourism. Conservation of historic towns, religious monuments and traditional countryside has become increasingly important, while outdoor recreation, cycling and cross-country skiing have broadened the region's visitor appeal without changing its fundamentally rural character.

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