The Pilsner Urquell Brewery (Czech: Plzeňský Prazdroj) is the birthplace of the world's first golden lager and the original 'pilsner' style, launched here in 1842 and now the model for the majority of the beer brewed worldwide. Bavarian brewmaster Josef Groll poured the first Pilsen lager on 5 October 1842, and the 9 km of hand-carved cellars and historic brewhouses that made it are still part of the tour today. A new immersive Ingredients Exhibit opened in 2025, and the tour was named Europe's best brewery visit at the 2024 World Travel Awards, making it a highlight of any trip to Plzeň for beer lovers and families alike.
The iconic double-arched Jubilee Gate, built in 1892 for the brewery's 50th anniversary and still the emblem printed on the beer's labels
The contrast between the historic 1931 copper brewing kettles and the modern 2004 brewhouse capable of millions of beers a day
The roughly 9 km labyrinth of hand-dug cellars where the beer ferments and matures
A tasting of unfiltered, unpasteurized Pilsner Urquell poured straight from an oak barrel deep in the cellars (18+ only)
The immersive Ingredients Exhibit, where you touch, smell and taste the malt, hops and water, plus the Na Spilce pub at the tour's end
Good to know
SeasonThe cellars stay around 5°C year-round, so bring a jacket even in summer, and wear flat, closed-toe shoes as floors can be damp and slippery.
SeasonSummer and weekend tours sell out quickly. Book online in advance to secure your preferred time and an English-language slot.
RulesBeer tasting is limited to visitors aged 18 and over. Children may join the tour itself but cannot taste, which is worth noting for family visits.
SafetyWatch for pickpockets on the Prague–Plzeň trains, at the main station and on trams; keep bags, passport and wallet in front of you.
CautionBuy tickets only from the official sites (prazdrojvisit.cz / tickets.prazdroj.cz) to avoid resale mark-ups, and avoid unmetered taxis that overcharge.
MannersA tip of roughly 5–10% is customary in Czech pubs and restaurants such as Na Spilce; keep noise down on trams and stay with your tour group.
RulesFrom 13 April 2026, construction work in the complex means the tour is no longer wheelchair accessible; check the official notice before visiting if anyone in your group has limited mobility.
Practical info
The brewery is about 1.5 hours by frequent train from Prague and a 10–15 minute walk from Plzeň main station (or trams 1, 2, 13 and 28); the visitor centre is at U Prazdroje 7. Guided tours run about 100 minutes in English, German and Czech, year-round except 24–26 December and 1 January, but always confirm current prices, hours and available slots on the official website.
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