Ostrava sits at the eastern end of the Czech Republic and is a useful base for a string of worthwhile day trips. Štramberk, a small medieval town 25 km south, has a perfectly preserved old centre and a famous round tower with views over the Beskydy foothills.
The Beskydy Mountains themselves are the closest proper hill walking, an hour by car or train from the centre. Hukvaldy Castle, a romantic ruin in a deer park, sits a half-hour drive away and is the birthplace of composer Leoš Janáček.
Across the border, Kraków is just over two hours by direct train. Brno is two hours west.