Prague to Pilsen – Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tours from Prague

TOUR INFO

Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour – Private Day Trip from Prague

This tour is a must for beer fans! Pilsen’s history is closely associated with beer. The light “lager beer” was “born” in Pilsen (Plzeň in Czech) during 1842 and became known as “pilsner.” It did not only become famous as a brand, but also as a type of beer. Since it was introduced to the beer world, pilsner has gained worldwide acclaim. During this tour you will not only visit the Pilsner Urquell Brewery and taste the golden Pilsner Urquell beer, but you will also explore the Old Town section of Pilsen, which boasts the tallest cathedral in the country.

“Our group had an amazing day trip from Prague to Pilsen. Our driver-guide, Mr. George, was well informed, enthusiastic, and committed to show us as much of Pilsen as possible…” Read more testimonials at our Private Prague Guide Day Tours profile at the TripAdvisor.com.

Prague to Pilsen: 6-hour Itinerary

1 hour Prague to Pilsen transfer
1.5-hour tour of historical Pilsen
1.5-hour Pilsner Urquell Brewery tour (with beer tasting)
1 hour traditional Czech lunch at the Pilsner brewery restaurant
1 hour Pilsen to Prague transfer

This is a private tour, so the itinerary can be adjusted as you wish.

Tour Details

 The city of Pilsen

Founded in 1295 by King Wenceslas II, Pilsen was located on a trade route from the German towns of Nuremberg and Regensburg to Prague. In the 14th century Pilsen was the third largest town after Prague and Kutná Hora. In the 16th century, after several fires that had damaged the inner center of the town, Italian architects and builders contributed significantly to the changing character of the city. Pilsen flourished. The 19th century saw major positive developments in the city. The City Brewery was founded in 1842, and the Škoda Works was established in 1859. With the population of 167, 000 inhabitants, Pilsen also holds the distinction of being the seat of the University of West Bohemia and Bishopric.

How was golden Pilsner beer, Czech light lager, invented? Join the Pilsner Urquell Brewery tour.

Four years before Pilsner Urquell was invented, 36 barrels of bad beer were spilled out in front of Pilsen’s town hall. The following year the decision to build a new brewery was announced, and the first light “lager beer” was created in Pilsen during 1842. The Pilsner Urquell beer was unique. It was a new kind of beer, simply called “Pilsner” or “Pils.” Nowadays, Pilsner beers make up 70 percent of all the beers in the world.

In 1856 Pilsen beer was introduced abroad, exported to Vienna by train every day. By 1874 the beer first made an appearance in the United States. During 1880 the lager grabbed first prize at an international exhibition in Brussels. At the very end of the 19th century, the Prazdroj-Urquell name was born. At Prague’s Jubilee Exhibition in 1891, the Pilsen town brewery was awarded first place.  The volume of production reached a million hectoliters in 1913. Thirty-four countries offered the immensely popular brand. The Pilsen brewery proved the biggest in Europe.

Admission fees and opening times: Monday to Sunday: 12:45 p.m., 2:15 p.m., 4:15 p.m. Entrance fee for the brewery excursion in English: 200 CZK / person. Photography pass: 100 CZK.

Similar Tours

One of the first Prague pubs to serve Pilsner Urquell was Prague’s U Pinkasů, located on Jungmann Square, which started selling Pilsner beer in 1843, shortly after tailor-turned-pub owner Jakub Pinkas became enamored with the taste of Pilsner beer. You can visit U Pinkasů on our  Prague Beer Tour. Another otpion is to visit both Pilsen and Karlovy Vary, a world famous spa town, in one day: Brewery Excursion (Pilsen) & Crystal Glassworks (Carlsbad).

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