Kopřivnice and the Tatra Museum: a family trip from Rožnov

When it starts raining in the Beskydy, I have a sure-fire tip that keeps children and adults entertained alike: Kopřivnice and its Tatra Museum. It is about 25 km from Penzion Anděl, roughly 30 minutes by car. The whole exhibition is under one roof, so you can enjoy the trip in the rain or in winter, when the mountains hold less appeal.

How far is Kopřivnice from Rožnov, and how do you get there?

From Penzion Anděl in Rožnov pod Radhoštěm it is about 25 km to Kopřivnice. By car you will get there in roughly 30 minutes, heading via Frenštát pod Radhoštěm. Parking right at the museum is no trouble, so the car is the most comfortable option, especially if you are travelling with children and a pushchair.

The drive is short and winds through the rolling Beskydy countryside, so even younger children will not have time to get bored. You pass through Frenštát both there and back, so it is easy to fit into your return route as well. What is more, you can leave your car parked free of charge right at the guesthouse all day, and come back just in time for coffee and dinner.

What will you see at the Tatra Museum?

Kopřivnice is the birthplace of the famous Tatra car company, and the Tatra Museum is among the very best technical museums you will find in the country. Under one roof you will find:

• the legendary aerodynamic Tatra 87, which was even driven around the world,
• historic passenger cars and trucks from the very beginnings of the company,
• racing specials from the Dakar Rally, which made Tatra famous around the world,
• a display of carriages and railway draisines from the days when Kopřivnice made more than just cars.

Admission runs somewhere from the higher tens to the lower hundreds of crowns, with a discount for children. It is worth checking the current price list and opening hours before you set off, as they change with the season.

Why is the Tatra Museum an ideal trip in the rain?

This is the main reason I recommend Kopřivnice especially in autumn and winter. The whole Tatra Museum is under one roof, so rain, wind or cold will not spoil your visit. When the skies close in over the Beskydy and Pustevny or Radhošť lose their appeal, Kopřivnice is the obvious alternative.

A few practical numbers to help you plan the trip:

• you can comfortably see it all in two to three hours, just right for a half-day trip,
• the displays are warm and indoors, so you do not need to worry about layering up as you would in the mountains,
• the museum is only 30 minutes away from the guesthouse by car, in both directions.

“When the weather closes in over the Beskydy, at Anděl we send our guests straight to Kopřivnice. They happily spend half a day at the Tatra Museum and never give the rain outside a second thought.”

Is the Tatra Museum worth it with children too?

It is, across generations. Children are drawn to the cars, trucks and motorcycles, even younger schoolchildren manage the visit easily, and the displays are clear and engaging. Boys and girls alike are usually most taken with the giant Dakar vehicles and the gleaming historic Tatras.

The trip suits families for a few other reasons too:

• the whole museum is under one roof, so you can easily keep an eye on the children whatever the weather,
• the visit takes two to three hours, which children handle comfortably,
• on the way back you can stop off in Frenštát or Štramberk.

Who is the trip to Kopřivnice suited for?

Kopřivnice suits almost everyone. Families with children will love the cars and motorcycles, history and technology fans the famous Tatras and Dakar specials. Couples and older visitors can enjoy an unhurried visit in the warmth, whether the sun is out or the rain is falling. And because everything is under one roof, it is a safe bet even on days when heading into the mountains is out of the question.

What to combine a visit to Kopřivnice with?

Kopřivnice combines beautifully with neighbouring Štramberk, home to the Trúba tower and the famous Štramberk Ears. The two places are only a short distance apart, so you can easily turn the trip into a full day out. You will find more detailed tips in our article on the trip to Štramberk’s Trúba tower.

In Kopřivnice itself, the Fojtství museum and the birthplace of the runner Emil Zátopek are also worth a stop. The table below sums up where to go depending on the weather:

Place	What makes it worth a visit	In the rain
Tatra Museum	legendary vehicles and Dakar racing specials	Yes, entirely under one roof
Fojtství Museum	the history of Kopřivnice and the region	Yes
Emil Zátopek’s birthplace	a memorial to the famous runner	Yes
Štramberk, Trúba tower	viewpoint and Štramberk Ears	Better in good weather

Where to head back to after the trip?

After a day full of cars and walking, a warm specialty coffee and a homemade cake at our café will do you good, we are open daily from 11:00 to 20:00. And if you would like to warm your bones in peace, book the private sauna in advance, just for your group.

Staying with us for the first time? You can leave your car right at the guesthouse, and the Wallachian Open Air Museum is just a few minutes’ walk away, find out more on our page about accommodation a few minutes from the open-air museum. Planning a weekend or a longer stay in the Beskydy with children? Take a look at our rooms and get in touch about a reservation, we would be glad to suggest a tailored programme. We look forward to welcoming you at Penzion Anděl.