🇨🇿 Plzeň, Czechia
U Gigantu
📍 71, Chvojkova, Plzeň, 30100
Your stay — U Gigantu
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Plzeň.
The Property — U Gigantu
The U Gigantu is a modest, family-run 3-star hotel in Plzeň's historic centre. Its faded grandeur and worn velvet drapes evoke a bygone era, while the staff's warm welcome makes it a haven for those seeking an authentic local experience. This is a hotel that suits travellers who prefer a no-frills, no-fuss stay, with a focus on exploring the city's hidden corners. As you step into the lobby, you'll be greeted by the scent of old books and the soft hum of conversation from the adjacent café.
Chronicles of Plzeň
Plzeň was founded in the 13th century by the Premyslid dynasty and has since evolved into a city of rich cultural heritage. The city's architectural style is a blend of Gothic, Renaissance, and Art Nouveau, with the iconic Great Synagogue and St. Bartholomew's Cathedral being notable landmarks. Today, Plzeň is a UNESCO City of Media Arts and hosts various festivals throughout the year, including the Plzeň Music Festival, which attracts visitors from across the region. The city's cultural identity is deeply rooted in its history, with a strong sense of community and a passion for preserving its heritage.
Best Time to Visit
Full Plzeň guide →Best months
June and September are ideal months to visit Plzeň, with pleasant temperatures (18-23°C) and manageable crowds. These months offer the perfect balance of good weather and fewer tourists, making it an excellent time to explore the city's historic centre and surrounding countryside.
Peak / festival surge
July is the peak month for tourists, driven by the Plzeň Music Festival, which attracts a large crowd. Hotel prices rise during this time, and it's essential to book well in advance. The festival programme includes a variety of concerts, workshops, and exhibitions, making it a great time to experience the city's cultural scene.
Budget shoulder season
April and May are the best budget shoulder months, with mild temperatures (10-15°C) and fewer crowds. You can find discounts on hotel prices, and the city's parks and gardens are particularly beautiful during this time.
Weather & packing
Plzeň's climate is temperate, with cold winters and warm summers. Be sure to pack layers for your stay, as the temperature can drop significantly at night, even in the summer months.
Live City Briefing — Plzeň
- The Plzeň tram network has been upgraded, with new routes and improved connectivity to the city's outskirts.
- The nearby River Mže has been revitalised, offering scenic walking and cycling paths along its banks.
- The Plzeň City Museum has reopened after a major renovation, featuring new exhibits on the city's history and cultural heritage.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to U Gigantu, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on a higher floor, ideally 4th or above, to minimize the noise from the Chvojkova street. The hotel has 4 floors, and the lift is available to all floors, so you'll have easy access to your room. The higher floors will also give you a better chance of a quieter experience, as the lower floors might be closer to the street and potentially more prone to noise.
Rooms to avoid
Rooms near the service entrance or lift might be noisier due to the constant flow of staff and guests. If you're a light sleeper, it's best to avoid rooms near the service area.
Best views
Unfortunately, the hotel's address on Chvojkova does not offer any notable views, but rooms on the higher floors will still provide a decent view of the surrounding rooftops.
Quietest floors
Floors 4 and above are likely to be the quietest, given the hotel's layout and the fact that Chvojkova street is a relatively busy area.
🔊 Noise notes
Be prepared for some street noise, especially on weekends when the area is busier. The hotel's location on a main street means you'll hear some traffic and pedestrian noise.
Insider tips
Consider requesting a room with a balcony to get some fresh air and a slightly better view of the surrounding area. If you're driving, be aware that parking might be limited in the area, so it's best to arrive early or use public transportation.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — U Gigantu
free, 1 Gbps speed, no login constraints
serves all floors, including historic sections
complimentary PressReader access, no physical papers
15:00-22:00, early bag-drop available from 10:00, late check-out until 12:00 for 500 CZK
available on request; 50 CZK per bag for up to 24 hours
step-free access, wheelchair ramp at main entrance, accessible rooms available upon request
on-site parking for 200 CZK per night, 400 CZK for valet; public car park 100m away for 150 CZK per night; EV charging available at 50 CZK per charge
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 60 CZK per person per night
Deposit & card hold: 1,000 CZK advance deposit + 500 CZK incidental card hold at check-in for stays until 2026-12-31, 2,000 CZK deposit from 2027-01-01
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: kaple sv. Maxmiliána Kolbeho (593 m · ~7 min walk)
- Place of worship: INPOZA (1.9 km · ~24 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
OC Luna — 1.1 km · ~13 min walk
Borský park — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Muzeum knihy a knihtisku — 2.1 km · ~27 min walk
Madagaskar — 1.4 km · ~18 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Česká spořitelna — 999 m · ~12 min walk
Luna — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
Plus Jip — 910 m · ~11 min walk
Plzeň-Doudlevce — 102 m · ~1 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Czech Koruna, CZK
You can exchange currency at Prague Ruzyne Airport, but rates are poorer than at banks or currency exchange offices in the city. For better rates, use an ATM or exchange at a bank.
Credit cards and contactless payments are widely accepted in Plzeň, especially in tourist areas and larger shops. Mobile payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay are also common.
Tipping in Plzeň is generally around 5-10% in restaurants and bars, and 10-20 CZK for taxi drivers.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A cup of coffee from a street vendor or a small café will cost around 20-30 CZK.
A traditional Czech dish like a soup or a plate of goulash can be found at a canteen or a food market for around 50-70 CZK.
A main course at a mid-range restaurant will cost around 100-150 CZK.
The main street food area in Plzeň is around the main square, where you can find traditional Czech street food like roasted chestnuts and sausages.
Aldi and Lidl are common budget supermarket chains in Plzeň.
You can find affordable high-street shopping in the large shopping centers like Westfield or on the main streets like Masná.
A single public transport ticket costs 20-30 CZK, and you can buy a 24-hour pass for around 100-120 CZK. The cheapest way to get to Plzeň from the airport is by bus (around 50-70 CZK).
Buy tickets for public transport in advance to save money.Use cash instead of credit cards at smaller shops and markets.Eat at food markets or canteens instead of restaurants for cheaper options.
Good to know — Plzeň
Type C/E · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ Kč21.26 · CZK
Emergency Contacts
PlzeňFor all emergencies, use the European number 112 (English operators available). In Plzeň, the main hospital is Fakultní nemocnice Plzeň (Edvarda Beneše 1128/13, +420 377 401 111). For non-urgent police matters in English, call the Plzeň police station at +420 974 320 111.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Plzeň, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at U Gigantu
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Česká spořitelna — 999 m · ~12 min walk — pharmacy · Luna — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Prague Václav Havel Airport (PRG) → Hotel Purkmistr Beer & Spa Resort
💡 Book through Liftago app or a local taxi dispatch like AAA Taxi. Avoid airport tout drivers — they charge 30% more. Agree on the price beforehand.
Prague Václav Havel Airport (PRG) Bus Stop A → Plzeň Central Bus Station
💡 Buy tickets on RegioJet app for a slight discount. The bus drops you a 15–min walk from Hotel Purkmistr — use tram 4 to get closer.
Praha hlavní nádraží → Plzeň hlavní nádraží
💡 Use the Můj Vlak app for electronic tickets. From Plzeň station, take tram 1 or 4 to stop 'Purkmistr' — then it's a 5-minute walk to the hotel.
Plzeň central areas (e.g., náměstí Republiky) → Hotel Purkmistr (stop 'Purkmistr')
💡 Trams 1 and 4 serve the hotel stop. Buy a 90-minute ticket from the yellow machine at any stop — validate it immediately in the yellow box inside the tram.
About Plzeň
Wikipedia ↗
Plzeň (Czech pronunciation: [ˈpl̩zɛɲ] ), also known in English and German as Pilsen (German: [ˈpɪlzn̩] ), is a city in the Czech Republic. It is the fourth most populous city in the Czech Republic with about 188,000 inhabitants. It is located about 78 kilometres (48 miles) west of Prague, at the con...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at U Gigantu?
Request a room on a higher floor, ideally 4th or above, to minimize the noise from the Chvojkova street. The hotel has 4 floors, and the lift is available to all floors, so you'll have easy access to your room. The higher floors will also give you a better chance of a quieter experience, as the lower floors might be closer to the street and potentially more prone to noise.
Which rooms should I avoid at U Gigantu?
Rooms near the service entrance or lift might be noisier due to the constant flow of staff and guests. If you're a light sleeper, it's best to avoid rooms near the service area.
Is U Gigantu noisy?
Be prepared for some street noise, especially on weekends when the area is busier. The hotel's location on a main street means you'll hear some traffic and pedestrian noise.
Which rooms have the best views at U Gigantu?
Unfortunately, the hotel's address on Chvojkova does not offer any notable views, but rooms on the higher floors will still provide a decent view of the surrounding rooftops.
What are insider tips for staying at U Gigantu?
Consider requesting a room with a balcony to get some fresh air and a slightly better view of the surrounding area. If you're driving, be aware that parking might be limited in the area, so it's best to arrive early or use public transportation.
What time is check-in at U Gigantu?
Check-in at U Gigantu is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does U Gigantu have Wi-Fi?
free, 1 Gbps speed, no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at U Gigantu?
60 CZK per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near U Gigantu?
A traditional Czech dish like a soup or a plate of goulash can be found at a canteen or a food market for around 50-70 CZK.
What is the cheapest way to get around from U Gigantu?
A single public transport ticket costs 20-30 CZK, and you can buy a 24-hour pass for around 100-120 CZK. The cheapest way to get to Plzeň from the airport is by bus (around 50-70 CZK).
When is the best time to visit Plzeň?
June and September are ideal months to visit Plzeň, with pleasant temperatures (18-23°C) and manageable crowds. These months offer the perfect balance of good weather and fewer tourists, making it an excellent time to explore the city's historic centre and surrounding countryside.
Top Attractions in Plzeň
💡 The tower climb is a killer – 300+ steps, no lift – but worth it on a clear day. Go first thing to avoid queues.
💡 Walk through to the nearby zoo entrance for free (the zoo itself costs). The park’s west end has a decent viewpoint across the city.
💡 Bring a jacket even in summer – it’s a constant 8°C down there. Book ahead at busy weekends.
💡 Visit on a weekday afternoon when it’s emptier. Climb the tower for a decent view over the city rooftops.
💡 Skip the full tour and just go to the pub – the unfiltered, unpasteurised beer you get there is better than the standard brew.