Eger combines architectural history and art with paths and leisure activities along the Ohře. This gives you different options when planning your trip: historic buildings and collections on the one hand, riverbanks, a cycle path and a forest park on the other.
Historic buildings and the town’s history
The Špalíček merchants’ houses date from the 13th century onwards; parts of the buildings are half-timbered. The ensemble is part of Cheb’s urban conservation area and is listed in the Czech register of immovable cultural monuments. So what you see here is not just a single façade, but a group of historic houses with a building history stretching back to the Middle Ages.
Cheb Castle contains a two-storey Romanesque-Gothic chapel dedicated to Saint Erhard and Saint Ursula. Its distinctive design makes the chapel a unique architectural feature within the castle complex. Visitors interested in historic architectural styles will find a clearly defined point of interest here, distinct from the half-timbered houses of the Špalíček.
The Cheb Museum also connects the town’s history with a specific historic site: it is housed in the Pachelbel House. The museum is one of the oldest regional museums in Bohemia and opened on 15 May 1874. The house itself is associated with a pivotal event: Albrecht von Wallenstein was murdered there on 25 February 1634. The museum’s founding and the house’s earlier history are separated by a considerable span of time, providing two distinct historical reference points for a cultural visit.
Art and church
The Gallery of Fine Arts in Cheb, also known as GAVU Cheb, focuses on 19th- and 20th-century art, as well as Gothic art from the historic region of Cheb. Its permanent exhibitions include Czech art of the 19th and 20th centuries and an exhibition of Gothic sculpture. The art collection thus spans works from two more recent centuries as well as a dedicated exploration of Gothic sculpture.
The Church of St Nicholas and St Elizabeth is the oldest church in Cheb and is open to the general public. As opening arrangements may vary, check them before your visit. The church adds another site with a history of its own to the town’s monuments and art.
The Ohře, cycle path and forest park
Krajinka is a tourist recreation and sports area on both banks of the Ohře, below Cheb Castle. The area also includes a cycle path. Cycling enthusiasts will find a wider regional connection here too: the second section of the Ohře Cycle Route starts in Cheb and passes through picturesque countryside close to the river, via Kynšperk nad Ohří and Sokolov.
Another option is Goethův naučný lesopark. It is located in Cheb on the left bank of the Ohře, in the direction of Františkovy Lázně. The park has well-maintained paths, a maze and a suspension bridge. Several information boards provide details about the area’s history, the animals that live there and its geological features. The paths also lead to the Egerwarte viewpoint, also known as Chebská stráž. This brings the town’s landscapes, wildlife and geology into view alongside its architectural and artistic attractions.
A stay shaped around your interests
FIJO is another feature of Eger: it is an international festival for youth wind orchestras. If you want to plan your trip around the festival, check the specific event dates and programme before making your plans. When looking for hotels in Eger, you can first decide whether architectural and art history or the river, cycle path and forest park will be the main focus of your stay. This way, your choice starts with the interests you want to pursue in the town, rather than a prescribed route.
Discover more destinations: Liebenstein, Sangerberg, Scheibenreuth, Schanz, Poutnov, Cetnov, Mühlbach, Dreihacken.
Go to the regional travel overview: Cheb District.
