Valašské Meziříčí: what to see in the town of two chateaux near Rožnov

Valašské Meziříčí is just about 15 km from Penzion Anděl, twenty minutes by car. In this town, nicknamed the Wallachian Athens, two chateaux await you, along with a historic square with arcades and a museum. It is an ideal trip for a day when you do not feel like heading into the mountains, and you can easily go by train if you would rather not drive.

How far is Valašské Meziříčí from Penzion Anděl?

From Penzion Anděl it is about 15 km to Valašské Meziříčí. By car you are in the centre in roughly 20 minutes along the main road heading west. If you would rather not drive, there is a comfortable alternative: Valašské Meziříčí is an important transport hub, so both train and bus run here from Rožnov, with frequent connections throughout the day.

The town sits at the confluence of two Bečva rivers, the Rožnovská and the Vsetínská, which is in fact where its name comes from. If you arrive by car, you will have no trouble parking near the centre and can then cover everything on foot. Cyclists can also reach it along the Bečva cycle path, which runs through the river valley. Thanks to this location, Rožnov makes a great base: you set off in the morning and are back with us by evening.

Which two chateaux in Valašské Meziříčí are worth visiting?

The main draw is two chateaux a short distance apart:

• The Žerotín Chateau stands right in the centre. It is now home to cultural institutions, hosting exhibitions, concerts and social events.
• The Kinský Chateau is surrounded by a park and serves as a museum with exhibitions. It focuses on the history and culture of the region, so you will take home a piece of the Wallachian story too.

The chateau park is freely accessible and perfect for a quiet walk, children happily spend a long time there. Admission to the museum exhibitions runs in the order of tens of crowns, so the trip will not stretch your budget. It is worth checking the opening hours in advance though: outside the main season they tend to be shorter, and the individual exhibitions rotate.

Why is the town called the Wallachian Athens?

The nickname arose thanks to the town’s rich schooling and cultural life in the 19th century. A grammar school and a whole range of educational and artistic institutions were based here, and that atmosphere is still tangible in the town today. On a walk through the centre you will come across:

• a square with townhouses and arcades,
• churches and the old town hall,
• galleries and traces of the glassmaking and tapestry-weaving traditions for which the region is renowned.

It is a town for a slow walk, a coffee and a sit-down, not for hurrying. On the square and in the surrounding lanes you will find cafés and restaurants where you can enjoy a good lunch.

“When someone at Anděl wants a trip without hills, we send them to Valašské Meziříčí: two chateaux, coffee on the square and back in the mountains by evening.”

What to plan for half a day in Valašské Meziříčí?

You can comfortably cover the whole centre in half a day, leaving time for a coffee or lunch in town. Here is an overview of what not to miss:

Stop	What awaits you
Žerotín Chateau	cultural centre in town, exhibitions and concerts
Kinský Chateau	museum with exhibitions and a chateau park
Historic square	townhouses, arcades, the old town hall
Tapestry workshop	woven tapestries, one of the few in Central Europe

A trip to Valašské Meziříčí is especially good:

• for an overcast or rainy day, when you do not feel like heading into the mountains,
• when travelling with children, who will appreciate the museum and the chateau park,
• as a quieter counterbalance to more demanding hikes up Pustevny or Radhošť.

If you have more time, you can extend the trip further around Wallachia, for example to the Vsetín chateau a short way from here.

Is it better to go by train, or by car?

It depends how much you enjoy driving. By car you get the most freedom: you park close to the centre and can stop wherever you like along the way. Ideal if you are planning to carry on further around the area. By train or bus you do not have to worry about parking or driving at all, which you will especially appreciate if you want a longer lunch or a glass of wine in town. For a family with small children, the car tends to be simpler, since you are not tied to a timetable. Either way, both options are comfortable from Rožnov.

How to combine the trip with a stay at Penzion Anděl?

Valašské Meziříčí combines beautifully with a visit to the open-air museum. The Wallachian Open Air Museum is right in Rožnov, just a few minutes’ walk from the guesthouse, so you can devote one day to the town and another to the museum. For more ideas around the area, see our overview of trips from Rožnov.

On your way back to us, stop by the café for a specialty coffee and a homemade cake, we are open daily from 11:00 to 20:00. And if you are still planning your stay, take a look at our rooms and write to us directly about a reservation, or call +420 602 541 112. We are happy to advise on trips to suit the weather and your mood. We look forward to seeing you at Penzion Anděl.