The Frýdek-Místek District combines the Beskydy landscape with historic and cultural monuments. Around 43 percent of the district lies within the Beskydy Protected Landscape Area; forests cover 51 percent of its area. These figures describe different aspects: the share of the protected landscape area and the forest cover. The district also features broad, enclosed valleys and mountains in the Moravian-Silesian Beskids.
Landscape and regional character
The character of the larger Beskydy Protected Landscape Area is defined by mountain ridges, deep valleys and extensive forests. Meadows rich in orchids and sheep pastures also shape the landscape. In the district, these natural features meet a wealth of historic and cultural monuments. This offers different ways to plan your trip: you can focus more on nature and mountains, or make historic sites and museums the centre of your visit.
Frýdek-Místek has two restored historic centres. The Frýdek-Místek District is also home to the largest number of wooden churches in the Czech Republic. The Basilica of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary is located in Frýdek-Místek and was an important pilgrimage centre in Silesia. The basilica is visible from Lysá hora and Radhošť. Místek is also home to the Church of St John and Paul.
Museums and castles
The Beskydy Museum has its permanent exhibition in Frýdek Castle. Visitors can see the Knights’ Hall complex, climb the observation tower and visit the Chapel of St Barbara. The exhibition presents traditional crafts and the way of life of people at the foot of the Beskydy Mountains. More than 800 exhibits include a loom and a traditional Wallachian room; sheep farming is also featured. The nature section displays 200 animals from the Beskydy Mountains, including lynxes, wolves and bears. The same museum thus offers different ways to explore the region through crafts, everyday life and natural history.
Another castle complex is Hukvaldy. It was probably built in the first half of the 13th century and apparently was never conquered. The Chapel of St Andrew is considered its best-preserved structure. From the castle tower, the view extends to the Beskydy Mountains, Kopřivnice, Příbor, Fryčovice and Ostrava. The castle therefore combines a cautiously worded construction history with a specific viewpoint and a particularly well-preserved structure.
Mountains and outdoor activities
Lysá hora reaches 1,323 metres, and several trails lead to its summit. Ostravice is a popular starting point for the climb and can be reached by train from Frýdek-Místek. For planning purposes, it is helpful to distinguish between the two: the train takes you to Ostravice, where the ascent begins. Another option for road cyclists is the route from Papežov near Krásná to Lysá hora. It is fully paved and is considered the only route suitable for road cyclists.
Downhill skiing is another leisure activity in the Beskydy Mountains within the district; paragliding is also available. Water sports can be enjoyed at the Žermanice Reservoir. These activities offer different ways to spend your stay: mountain sports, the experience of flying or time by the water.
The Morávka-Sviňorky ski area has two snowmaking-equipped slopes: a 600-metre red run and a 300-metre blue run. The facilities include ski lessons and equipment rental. A horse-drawn sleigh takes visitors from the car park to the slopes. The two runs differ both in their stated lengths and in their ratings; this information can help you weigh up the ski area alongside other activities planned in the district.
Discover more destinations: Jablunkov, Moravka, Ostravice, Dolni Lomna, Nýdek, Krásná, Palkovice, Bystrice Nad Olsi, Frydek-Mistek, Navsi, Třinec, Dolní Domaslavice, Soběšovice, Kozlovice, Vendryně, Baška, Brušperk, Dobratice, Čeladná, Frýdlant Nad Ostravicí, Fryčovice, Hnojník, Hrádek Nad Olší, Hukvaldy, Krmelín, Metylovice, Mosty U Jablunkova, Paskov, Písek U Jablunkova, Pražmo, Raškovice, Ropice, Smilovice U Třince, Staré Hamry, Staré Město, Staříč, Střítež U Českého Těšína, Sviadnov, Třanovice, Vyšní Lhoty, Řepiště, Horní Lomná, Bílá, Milíkov U Jablunkova, Bocanovice, Bruzovice, Bukovec U Jablunkova, Dobrá U Frýdku-Místku, Horní Domaslavice, Horní Tošanovice, Hrčava, Janovice, Kaňovice, Komorní Lhotka, Košařiska, Lhotka, Malenovice, Nižní Lhoty, Nošovice, Pazderna, Písečná U Jablunkova, Pržno, Pstruží, Řeka, Sedliště Ve Slezsku, Vělopolí, Vojkovice, Žabeň, Žermanice, Kunčice pod Ondřejníkem, Dolní Tošanovice
For the broader travel overview: Moravian-Silesian Region.
