Car & Van Hire - Ostrava

Stodolní Street, found in the city centre, is Ostrava's main entertainment destination. It is home to a large number of bars and clubs, which are especially busy over the weekend and form a key part of the city's nightlife. Additionally, the street offers a number of popular restaurants, offering cuisine from all over the world.

The city of Ostrava is recognised as a major cultural hub within the Czech Republic, with an especially strong emphasis being placed on the performing arts. A number of theatres are popular within the city, including the Antonín Dvořák Theatre, the Aréna Chamber Theatre and the Ostrava Puppet Theatre. Additionally, the city hosts the Leoš Janáček International Music Festival every year.

For families with young children, Ostrava Zoo serves as an ideal day out and is one of the largest zoos in the country.

Silesian Ostrava Castle serves as one of the city's most important tourist attractions and will appeal to anyone with an interest in Ostrava's history. The castle was originally constructed in the 1200s, though it was rebuilt in 1534. It is also situated close to Masaryk Square, which contains several statues and a shopping mall.

The New Town Hall is one of Ostrava's most instantly recognisable buildings and features a tower that is over 85 metres tall. A viewing platform can be found around 70 metres up, providing visitors with a great view of the city. Another significant building is the Cathedral of the Divine Saviour, found in the city centre.

Museums and art galleries are common sights in Ostrava. Some of the most notable of these include the Ostrava City Museum, the Railway Museum, the Ostrava Science and Technology Centre, the House of Art and PLATO Ostrava.

It should also be noted that Ostrava is the home of some of the biggest sports teams in the Czech Republic. Football fans may be interested in going to see FC Baník Ostrava play at the Městský Stadion. Baseball fans may prefer to see Arrows Ostrava play baseball at Arrows Park Ostrava. Some of the other popular sports in the region include floorball, ice hockey and basketball. Those who wish to be active themselves may enjoy hiking or cycling in the nearby Beskid Mountains.

Drivers must be at least 18 years old, but the minimum age for car hire in Ostrava is 21. You can legally drive in the Czech Republic using a driver's licence issued in the United Kingdom or the European Union. Licences from some countries, including the United States, must be accompanied by an international driving permit. It is important for visitors to check the rules that are in place for the country their licence was issued in.

Vehicles drive on the right side of the road and overtake on the left. Seatbelts must be worn at all times, and this applies to the driver and all passengers. Children under 150 cm in height must have appropriate child restraints. Mobile phones cannot be used while driving, although a hands-free kit is permitted. The speed limit in built-up areas is 50 km/h, and urban expressways have a speed limit of 80 km/h. On motorways, the limit is 130 km/h.

Motorists using an Enterprise car or van hire in Ostrava should be aware that several items are legally required to be present within the vehicle at all times. These include a reflective jacket and a warning triangle for breakdowns. The Czech Republic has very strict rules regarding driving under the influence of alcohol, and the maximum blood alcohol limit is 0.00%. Testing can be carried out at random, even without suspicion, and motorists must submit to this testing.

Toll charges are common on motorways. When using a motorway, you must also obtain and display a motorway tax sticker or vignette. These are widely available from petrol stations, post offices and border points. On-the-spot fines may be issued for non-compliance with this rule.

Trams are a common sight in Ostrava, and you should avoid passing trams on the inside, as this will put tram passengers at risk. Drivers must slow down or stop to allow trams to merge with traffic.

Parking is only permitted in designated areas, and fines will be issued for vehicles breaking these rules. Motorists should also be aware of the prevalence of clamping and towing vehicles that are parked illegally.

The A1 leaves Ostrava and extends to the northeast, crossing the border to Poland and leading all the way to the Polish city of Katowice. The D1 motorway leads to the city of Brno, to the southwest of Ostrava, and provides easy access to Prague, as well as Vienna in Austria. Route 58, meanwhile, connects the city of Ostrava to Leoš Janáček Airport Ostrava and extends south, passing the towns of Frenštát pod Radhoštěm and Rožnov pod Radhoštěm.