Weekend Getaway from Ostrava — Luhačovice in 2 Hours
Ostrava is a city full of energy, industrial heritage and unique atmosphere. But even the most devoted Ostrava resident occasionally needs a change of scenery, to breathe different air and slow down for a few days. Where to go for a weekend from Ostrava that isn’t too far, yet worth the trip? The answer is simpler than you might expect — Luhačovice lies just 160 kilometres south, the journey takes about two hours, and the reward is one of the most beautiful spa towns in Central Europe. A trip from Ostrava to Luhačovice is ideal not only for a whole weekend, but you can also manage it as a day trip if time is limited.
Luhačovice from Ostrava presents the perfect contrast to the industrial character of the city. Instead of steel furnaces and mining towers, you’ll find mineral springs, Art Nouveau architecture and Moravian hospitality. A weekend in Moravia from Ostrava also offers an excellent opportunity to stop at several interesting places in the Beskids and Wallachia region on the way, so one trip can become a rich two to three-day programme full of experiences.
How to Get from Ostrava to Luhačovice
Getting from Ostrava to Luhačovice is surprisingly easy and comfortable, whether you choose car, train, or bus. Each mode of transport has its advantages and depends on whether you want the freedom to stop along the way, or prefer to rest during the journey.
By Car via D56 and D49 through Vsetín
The fastest and most comfortable option to get from Ostrava to Luhačovice is by private car. The route measures approximately 160 kilometres and takes around two hours of driving in normal traffic. From Ostrava, you’ll take the D56 motorway towards Frýdek-Místek. After Frýdek-Místek, continue on the I/56 road to Frenštát pod Radhoštěm and further to Valašské Meziříčí. From there, you’ll join the D49 towards Hulín, but shortly exit towards Vsetín.
From Vsetín, continue on the I/57 road through Valašské Klobouky to Luhačovice. The route leads through the picturesque landscape of Wallachia and the White Carpathians, so the drive itself is an experience. The roads are in good condition and apart from passing through larger towns, there are no significant delays. At weekends, traffic on this route is usually quieter than on weekdays, so you needn’t worry about traffic jams.
Practical tip for drivers: If you’re travelling on Friday afternoon, it’s better to leave after six o’clock when the afternoon rush hour subsides on the way out of Ostrava. This will save you twenty to thirty minutes in traffic jams on the D56 around Frýdek-Místek. Parking in Luhačovice is available in the centre and at most hotels and guesthouses.
By Train via Otrokovice or Vsetín
By train, you can get from Ostrava to Luhačovice in approximately two and a half hours, which is only slightly longer than by car. The main connection runs from Ostrava hlavní nádraží (main station) by express train to Otrokovice, where you change to a regional train to Luhačovice. The second option leads through Vsetín, where you transfer to the line to Bylnice with a branch to Luhačovice.
The advantage of the train is that you can rest along the way, read, or simply enjoy the views of the Beskids landscape. Czech Railways offers decent connections on this route even at weekends, and with early online ticket purchases, you can get significant discounts. The station in Luhačovice is only about a ten-minute walk from the centre, so you don’t need a taxi or bus.
By Bus from Ostrava
Bus connections from Ostrava to Luhačovice are provided by scheduled buses with transfers usually in Zlín or Vsetín. The journey takes approximately two and a half to three hours depending on the specific connection and number of transfers. Buses are mainly used by those who don’t have a car and want to save money compared to the train. Look for connections on the IDOS portal, where you’ll find current timetables for weekend trips.
Stops on the Way from Ostrava to Luhačovice
One of the biggest advantages of the journey from Ostrava to Luhačovice is that the route passes through absolutely beautiful countryside full of interesting places. If you’re travelling by car, we definitely recommend not just planning a transfer from point A to point B, but stopping along the way. Each stop offers a different type of experience, and you’ll take far more memories home from one weekend.
Rožnov pod Radhoštěm — Wallachian Open-Air Museum
Rožnov pod Radhoštěm lies approximately halfway between Ostrava and Luhačovice and is home to one of the oldest and largest open-air museums in Europe — the Wallachian Open-Air Museum. The museum consists of three areas: the Wooden Town, Mill Valley and Wallachian Village. In each you’ll find authentic folk architecture buildings that were transported from various corners of Wallachia and carefully reconstructed.
A walk through the Wallachian Open-Air Museum takes at least two hours, but you could easily spend the whole morning there. During the season, traditional craft markets, folk performances and demonstrations of folk crafts are held here. Children can try their hand at work on an old farmyard and adults can taste Wallachian specialities — sauerkraut soup, frgály pastries or plum brandy. If you’re travelling from Ostrava on Friday and have time, a stop in Rožnov is an excellent way to get into the mood for a weekend in Moravia from Ostrava.
Vsetín — Castle and Gateway to the Beskids
Vsetín is a natural crossroads on the route from Ostrava to Luhačovice and worth a short stop. The town’s dominant feature is a Renaissance castle, which now houses the Wallachia Region Museum with exhibitions on the history, nature and culture of Wallachia. From the castle hill, there’s a lovely view of the town and surrounding Beskids hills.
Vsetín is also the starting point for many tourist trails into the Vsetín Beskids. If you fancy a short walk, head to Hořansko or to the Bystřička reservoir, which lies just a few kilometres from the town. You can swim there in summer, and in winter the surroundings are beautifully snow-covered. For those looking for quick refreshments on the way from Ostrava, the centre of Vsetín offers several pleasant cafés and restaurants with Wallachian cuisine.
Vizovice — R. Jelínek and Masters of Rock
Vizovice lies just 17 kilometres from Luhačovice and is the last place you can stop on the way from Ostrava without deviating too much from the route. The town is known primarily for the Rudolf Jelínek distillery, the oldest and largest producer of fruit spirits in Central Europe. The distillery complex has a visitor centre with tours, tastings and a company shop where you’ll find limited editions of plum brandies and other spirits.
For hard music fans, Vizovice is synonymous with the Masters of Rock festival, one of Europe’s biggest metal festivals, held annually in July in the grounds of Vizovice castle. Even outside the festival, the castle is worth visiting — the baroque building surrounded by parkland offers a pleasant walk. In the castle restaurant, you can then enjoy lunch before the final stretch to Luhačovice.
Weekend Itinerary: Three Days in Luhačovice
Do you have a weekend ahead and want to make the most of it? We’ve prepared a detailed three-day itinerary that combines relaxation, culture, nature and gastronomy. Of course, adapt it to your own pace — Luhačovice is about rest, not rushing around.
Friday: Arrival and Evening Colonnade
If you leave Ostrava on Friday after work, you’ll arrive in Luhačovice around seven or eight in the evening. After checking into your hotel, take an evening stroll along the spa colonnade. Luhačovice gains a completely different atmosphere in the evening than during the day — it’s peaceful, romantically lit, and in warm months there’s pleasant seating on café terraces. Walk around Jurkovič House, look at the illuminated colonnade and breathe in the fresh air infused with mineral vapours.
Treat yourself to dinner at one of the local restaurants. Luhačovice’s gastronomic scene is surprisingly diverse and you’ll find both traditional Moravian cuisine and modern bistros and cafés. After a full day’s work and a two-hour journey from Ostrava, you deserve a proper dinner and a glass of Moravian wine — after all, you’re in South Moravia, even if formally in the Zlín region.
Saturday: Springs, Architecture and Surrounding Nature
Devote Saturday morning to a circuit of the mineral springs, which is the heart of visiting Luhačovice. In the spa complex and its surroundings, 15 natural healing springs emerge, six of which are freely accessible to the public. Start at the most famous Vincentka spring in the centre of the spa park. Continue to Aloiska, Dr. Šťastný spring, Ottovka and St. Joseph’s spring. At each spring you’ll taste different mineral water — each has a specific taste, temperature and composition. Bring your own bottle or cup.
After the springs, take a walk through the architecture of Dušan Jurkovič, the Slovak architect who gave Luhačovice their distinctive appearance at the beginning of the 20th century. His buildings in so-called folk Art Nouveau combine elements of traditional Wallachian architecture with modern design. Jurkovič House, Villa Chaloupka, Hotel Valaška or the Sun Spa — these are all unique buildings you won’t find elsewhere in Czechia. Their nomination for UNESCO World Heritage status is being prepared, so you might be admiring a future monument of global significance.
In the afternoon, head out for a trip to the surroundings. Luhačovice is surrounded by the White Carpathians, a protected landscape area with rich flora and peaceful forest paths. Popular is the hike to Komonec (672m above sea level), from where there’s a beautiful view of the town and surrounding hills. The trail is undemanding and manageable even for families with children. Another option is a walk to the Luhačovice reservoir, where you can swim and relax on grassy beaches in summer.
In the evening, treat yourself to a typically Moravian experience — sitting with dulcimer music whilst tasting local wines and specialities. In Luhačovice and the surrounding area you’ll find several wine cellars and restaurants where live music plays, and the atmosphere is downright infectious. Even for Ostrava residents who are more accustomed to pub sessions with beer, it’s an unforgettable experience.
Sunday: Wellness and Departure with a Stop
Devote Sunday morning to relaxation. Luhačovice is a spa town and it would be a shame not to use the local wellness services. Many hotels and spa houses offer one-off access to pools, saunas and whirlpools even for non-resident guests. Treat yourself to a mineral bath, massage or inhalation — after an active Saturday, your body deserves it.
After lunch, set off on the return journey to Ostrava, but don’t rush. On the way back, stop at one of the places you didn’t manage on Friday. Vizovice with the Jelínek distillery, Rožnov with the Wallachian Museum, or simply a beautiful place in the Beskids where you stop for coffee and bid farewell to your weekend in Moravia. You’ll arrive in Ostrava in the early evening, rested and full of impressions.
Luhačovice vs. Beskids Weekend — Why Not Both
When an Ostrava resident thinks about where to go for a weekend from Ostrava, two main options usually come to mind: mountains or spas. The Beskids are close, offering hiking, cycling and skiing in winter. Luhačovice promises relaxation, culture and gastronomy. But why choose when you can have both?
The route from Ostrava to Luhačovice leads directly through the Beskids and Wallachia, so combining an active and relaxing weekend is completely natural. Imagine it like this: on Friday afternoon you leave Ostrava and stop for a hike in the Beskids — perhaps climbing Radhošť or walking around Pustevny. You stay overnight in Rožnov or the surrounding area. On Saturday you continue to Luhačovice, where spa relaxation, springs and architecture await. On Sunday wellness and return to Ostrava. This gives you the perfect mix of adrenaline, culture and relaxation in one weekend.
This combination is ideal especially for couples where one prefers active holidays and the other relaxation. In the Beskids you’ll enjoy nature and movement, in Luhačovice peace and tranquillity. Both will be satisfied and return home feeling you’ve really accomplished a lot in one weekend.
What Will Surprise Ostrava Residents in Luhačovice
Ostrava and Luhačovice are two completely different worlds, despite being separated by just two hours’ drive. The contrast between the industrial metropolis and spa town is so striking that several things will pleasantly (or surprisingly) catch you off guard.
Silence and peace. After Ostrava’s bustle, trams and constant urban noise, you’ll be struck by the silence in Luhačovice. In the spa park you can hear birds, the babbling of a stream and occasionally the footsteps of passing guests. No factories on the horizon, no industrial sound. For some this might initially be even unpleasant, but after a few hours you’ll get used to it and won’t want to go back.
Air. Luhačovice lies in a valley surrounded by White Carpathians forests and the air is significantly cleaner than in Ostrava. Especially in winter months when Ostrava battles with inversion and smog, the difference is dramatic. One weekend in Luhačovice can literally clear the lungs and charge you with energy. It’s no wonder that respiratory diseases are treated here.
Architecture. Ostrava has its beauty in industrial architecture — Dolní Vítkovice, Michal Mine, New Karolina. Luhačovice offers a completely different aesthetic experience. Jurkovič’s folk Art Nouveau, spa pavilions, colourful wooden facades — all this is something you won’t find in Ostrava. It’s precisely this contrast that makes a trip from Ostrava to Luhačovice so refreshing.
Pace of life. In Ostrava life is brisk, practical and without unnecessary detours. In Luhačovice the pace is completely different. People stroll slowly, sit by springs, sip mineral water and aren’t rushing anywhere. The first day this might make you slightly nervous, but the second day you’ll walk just as slowly and wonder if you really have to go back.
Gastronomy. Ostrava offers excellent and diverse gastronomy, no doubt about that. But Moravian cuisine in Luhačovice and surroundings is specific — local wine, home-made cakes, brandy from Vizovice orchards, Wallachian sauerkraut soup and other specialities. Here you eat slowly, with relish and always with a story.
With Children from Ostrava to Luhačovice
Where to go for a weekend from Ostrava with children? Luhačovice is surprisingly welcoming to families with children, despite having a reputation more as a spa town for adults. The reality is different — you’ll find plenty of fun and interesting things for small and older children alike.
The journey from Ostrava itself can be an adventure for children. A stop at the Wallachian Open-Air Museum in Rožnov is paradise for children — they can try traditional crafts, look at farm animals and run around among old wooden cottages. The museum regularly organises programmes specifically for families with children.
In Luhačovice itself, children enjoy tasting mineral springs — each spring tastes different and children’s reactions to salty mineral water are unforgettable. The walk from spring to spring is undemanding and manageable even for smaller children. The spa park offers plenty of space for running and playing.
In summer months, the Luhačovice reservoir is ideal for families with children, offering swimming, boat hire and refreshments. On the reservoir shores are grassy beaches where children can play while parents rest. In the surrounding area you’ll also find several nature trails adapted for children — for example, the trail around the reservoir or the forest nature trail to Komonec.
For rainy days, the local indoor swimming pool and wellness centres are salvation, with children’s pools and water attractions. Some hotels offer special family packages including accommodation, meals and pool access at a discounted price.
Tip for parents: If you’re travelling with smaller children, divide the journey from Ostrava into two parts with a break for snacks and stretching in Rožnov or Vsetín. Two hours in a car can be managed even by toddlers, but a short stop makes the journey more pleasant for everyone.
Practical Tips for a Weekend in Luhačovice
To fully enjoy your trip from Ostrava to Luhačovice, we’ve prepared a set of practical tips that will help with planning and save time and money.
- When to go: Luhačovice is beautiful year-round. Spring (April-May) offers blooming parks and minimum tourists. Summer (June-August) is ideal for swimming at the reservoir and trips to the White Carpathians. Autumn (September-October) attracts with colourful countryside and wine harvest in the surroundings. Winter (December-February) is quiet, romantic and the Christmas markets in the spa park have their own atmosphere.
- Length of stay: Two to three days is ideal. Over a weekend you’ll manage springs, architecture, a trip to the surroundings and wellness. A day trip from Ostrava is also possible — focus on springs and the colonnade.
- Accommodation: Book in advance, especially for summer weekends and during holidays. Luhačovice offers a diverse range of accommodation from luxury spa hotels through modern boutique hotels to family guesthouses.
- Finances: Walking around springs and architecture is free. Wellness procedures and spa services range in price from hundreds to thousands of crowns per procedure. Dining is comparable to prices in Ostrava, sometimes slightly more expensive in the spa zone.
- What to bring: Comfortable walking shoes, a bottle for mineral water from springs, swimwear for wellness and a warm layer of clothing for evening walks (it can be cooler in the valley even in summer). In winter don’t forget warm clothes — the valley location of Luhačovice means it can be a few degrees cooler than in Ostrava.
- Parking: In the centre of Luhačovice you’ll find several paid car parks. Some hotels offer their own parking for guests free or for a fee. At weekends parking is usually easier than on weekdays.
- Spa tax: When staying in Luhačovice, a spa tax is paid, which is included in the accommodation price. The tax is used for maintenance of the spa park and infrastructure.
Hotel Vincent — Your Base for a Weekend in Luhačovice
If you’re looking for the ideal place to stay during your weekend in Luhačovice, Hotel Vincent is a choice that won’t disappoint you. The modern boutique hotel offers pleasant surroundings that combine contemporary design with the spirit of the spa town. The hotel’s location is excellent — it’s just a few minutes’ walk to the centre of the spa park, springs and colonnade.
Hotel Vincent is an ideal base for couples seeking a romantic weekend, as well as families with children or groups of friends. The rooms are equipped with everything needed for a comfortable stay and the staff will gladly advise you on planning trips to the surroundings, recommend the best restaurants or book wellness procedures.
For Ostrava residents who are used to directness and efficiency, Hotel Vincent is exactly the right place — no unnecessary formalities, pleasant atmosphere and helpful approach. You simply check in and can immediately devote yourself to exploring Luhačovice.
You can make an accommodation reservation simply online at vincentluhacovice.cz/rezervace-ubytovani/. If you have any questions or special requirements, don’t hesitate to contact the hotel directly:
- Email: ahoj@vincentluhacovice.cz
- Telephone: +420 720 072 780
- Online booking: vincentluhacovice.cz/rezervace-ubytovani/
Why an Ostrava Resident Will Fall in Love with Luhačovice
In conclusion, allow us a small reflection. Ostrava and Luhačovice are at first glance such different towns that it might seem that a typical Ostrava resident wouldn’t find anything appealing in the spa. The opposite is true. It’s precisely this contrast that makes a trip from Ostrava to Luhačovice so exceptional.
Ostrava is a city that doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not. It’s honest, rough and straightforward. Luhačovice appears gentle, quiet and elegant at first glance. But beneath that surface you’ll find the same authenticity — mineral springs that have been emerging here for hundreds of years, the craft tradition of Wallachia, genuine Moravian hospitality and food prepared from local ingredients without unnecessary embellishments. An Ostrava resident will recognise and appreciate this.
Luhačovice from Ostrava isn’t just a trip, it’s a two-hour journey to a completely different world that paradoxically reminds you why you love your own. You’ll return to Ostrava rested, with cleaner lungs, a full stomach and the feeling that you’ve discovered a place you’ll want to return to. And next time you’ll convince friends that a weekend in Moravia from Ostrava is exactly the type of programme worth doing.
It doesn’t matter if you’re from Poruba, Vítkovice, Mariánské Hory or Hrabůvka. Just get in a car, on a train or bus and in two hours you’re in Luhačovice. Try it — and you’ll see that where to go for a weekend from Ostrava will stop being a question you’re looking for an answer to. Luhačovice will become your certainty.
We look forward to welcoming you at Hotel Vincent.