Ostrava isn’t just about its big landmarks. Some of its most special places are hidden in plain sight — quiet, creative, and unexpected corners you won’t find in every guidebook. Here are some hidden gems that locals love, and tourists rarely discover.

The Rooftop of the City Campus
The rooftop of the City Campus offers a running track, peaceful seating areas, and outdoor workout spaces. It has become a favorite not only for students but also for locals. The outdoor area is freely accessible to the public — if you make it up there, you can try a few sprints along the track that runs parallel to the Ostravice River, or run the stairs of the sports building. After lunch, enjoy a health walk, try the barefoot path, or have a thoughtful chat at the Václav Havel Bench.

Ostravice River Promenade
A calm riverside walk that connects the city’s vibrant energy with nature. Locals come here to jog, bike, or relax by the water. In summer, pop-up cafés and live concerts bring even more life to the area. Along the way, you can enjoy local pubs: start at Piková Dáma, grab a drink to go, and stroll past other small bars toward the boathouse near the castle. You can refill or return your cup at the pubs along the way.

Prokeš Square – Memories Beneath the Viewing Tower
While visiting the New City Hall, take time to explore the surrounding streets. You’ll find reminders of World War II, such as white arrows on Horova Street and the old bank building on Sokolská Avenue. These arrows once guided residents to air raid shelters. You can also still see the inscription "Reinhard Heydrich Park," the wartime name for today's Komenského Sady Park.

Mini Zoo in Bělský Forest
A charming animal corner inside one of Ostrava’s largest parks. It’s not a full zoo — just goats, deer, rabbits, and more — but children love it, and it feels like a countryside escape just a short tram ride from the center.

The Secret Garden of Černá Louka
Černá Louka is a hidden oasis in the city center. Once home to 25-meter-high mining heaps — known as "Ostrava’s Carpathians" — today it’s a peaceful park with trees, glacial boulders, a fantastic playground, a Beatles-themed insect hotel, and a vibrant community garden where locals grow vegetables, herbs, and flowers. In season, the "Pavilion" café offers refreshing drinks.

Near Černá Louka, you’ll also find the Puppet Theatre with the Ostrava Astronomical Clock.

Komenského Sady Park
Komenského Sady is a 30-hectare park with 3,000 trees and nearby villa neighborhoods. Popular for its poplar-lined avenues and the riverbank views with the New City Hall in the background. If you want a break from sightseeing, this is the place to relax.

Viewing Platform at Landek Park (not the main museum)
Climb Landek Hill not only to visit the Mining Museum but to discover a hidden viewpoint where a medieval castle once stood. From here, you’ll see an unusual panorama: Ostrava lies beyond the nearby coking plant — a raw and unforgettable view.

Trojice Valley
Behind the old Trojice Mine in Silesian Ostrava, dating to 1840, lies a valley where coal was first discovered in 1763. Explore remnants of a former coking plant, preserved retaining walls, and wander nature trails and hidden alleys leading all the way to the Ema Slag Heap.

Silesian Viewpoint Above Bazaly
High above the football stadium, this quiet spot offers stunning panoramic views across Ostrava — from its industrial heart to surrounding green hills. Especially magical at sunset, it's a favorite for photographers, dreamers, and those needing a deep breath.

Michálkovice – A Meeting of Faiths
Near the Michal Mine Museum, you’ll find a rare spot where three faiths meet within one small area: visit the Hussite Church, the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, and the Jewish cemetery nestled between them.

Hrabůvka Slag Heap – Urban Jungle with a View
Created in 1890 from metallurgical waste, the Hrabůvka Slag Heap was once home to up to 200 people who built their own small "state." After reclamation, it became a local hotspot for cycling, picnics, and family outings. Don’t miss the swans on the artificial lake, originally built to cool the heap.

The Lost Jewish Cemetery
In the Milada Horáková Park, you’ll find traces of the city’s lost cemeteries — both municipal and Jewish. Although mostly erased, careful observers will spot remnants of old gravestones and fencing among the trees, alongside a memorial to Ostrava’s Jewish citizens.

Water Trail in Bělský Forest
Follow wooden paths, play zones, and mini "Priessnitz" water therapy installations. The Water Trail leads from natural springs and restored wells through seasonal streams to a deep, wild meandering brook — a paradise for kids and adults alike.

Memories of 1968 in Vítkovice
When Warsaw Pact troops invaded Czechoslovakia in August 1968, graffiti and arrows pointing "To Moscow" appeared throughout the country. While most have been erased, Vítkovice still preserves some authentic markings on Mírové Square and Šalounova Street — vivid reminders of a turbulent past.

Tereza Slag Heap
Right next to the famous Ema Slag Heap, you’ll find another mound — Tereza — a reminder of Ostrava’s mining past. While it doesn't offer sweeping views over the city and distant landscapes like its more famous neighbor, it rewards visitors with beautiful views of Ema itself and stones decorated with mining-themed artwork.