The beginning of the town dates back to 974. The town's most significant sight is the castle from the second half of the 10th century, located on a rocky precipice near the confluence of the rivers Jizera and Klenice.
The castle exhibit features the most valuable collections of the regional museum. The Old Town includes the newly renovated Gothic palace (called Templ). In its interiors visitors get a chance to learn about with the history of the town since the primeval times up until 1600. Unique exhibits (e.g. the hymn books of Mladá Boleslav – Mladoboleslavský kancionál) can be seen via an interactive multimedia programme.
The town is also home to one of the most advanced European car factories, the Škoda car factory (now managed by Volkswagen.)