North Bohemia

Understand

This area used by to be inhabited by Germans, who had been invited by Czech kings in the early Middle Ages. This area had a German majority and was called Sudety (Sudetenland). It was one of the wealthiest and most industrialized regions in Austria-Hungary and then Czechoslovakia. Before the beginning of World War II, in 1938, Sudetenland was annexed by Nazi Germany. After the war, the whole German population of 3 million people was deported to Germany, and the region was resettled by Czechs from outside the region. Large German villas are reminders of its past. The North Bohemian landscape is stunning. On the borders with Germany and Poland are the Ore Mountains (Krusne hory), Lusatian Mountains (Luzicke hory) and Jizera Mountains (Jizerske hory). The Elbe valley, also located here, is the lowest point in the Czech Republic. The Central Bohemian Mountains (Ceske Stredohori) are of volcanic origin, and can be found with rock structures in the Bohemian Switzerland National Park.

Getting there

By bus Bus is a good option to get to regional metropolises Liberec and Usti nad Labem and it takes one hour and couple of minutes.

By train Since Ústí nad Labem is an important railway junction between Prague and Berlin, the train is best way to get there and it takes just one hour from Prague hlavni nadrazi (main railway station). To Liberec, there is no direct train connection from Prague and bus is definitely better option.

By car Ústí nad Labem and Liberec are well connected with Prague via highway (Usti - D8 motorway; Liberec - R10 expressway). It takes just about 1 hour driving.

Getting around

Railway network is dense in North Bohemia. Using train, you can get to almost every town here. Buses are common too.

By foot Great option how to explore many sights in this region is by walk. Lots of beautiful towns, castles and chateaus are located close to each other and are often set in beautiful landscape. Tourist trails are well marked and can be found in every corner of North Bohemia.

By boat It is possible to see some North Bohemian and Saxon sights (Dresden; Meissen; Königstein) with Labská Plavební, which offers cruises on river Elbe from Děčín and Ústí nad Labem.

See

If you like landscapes, go to Bohemian Paradise, České Středohoří or mountains on the borders (see other destinations). These areas are also great for people interested in architecture and history. One of the best and most famous Czech castles (Bezděz; Kost; Kokořín; Frýdlant; Trosky; Houska) and chateaux (Mnichovo Hradiště; Frýdlant; Jilemnice; Zákupy; Hrubá Skála and many; many more) can be found there. Although big North Bohemian cities can be called ugly, smaller towns are surprisingly beautiful. Jičín, Kadan, Louny, Žatec, Litoměřice, Roudnice nad Labem, Úštěk or Chomutov has well preserved gothic and baroque historic centres. If you prefer modern architecture, you should not miss Jested Mountain with Jested Tower on the top of the mountain. This is one of the best Czech buildings built during Communism and is well known among foreign architects due its hyperboloid shape, which naturally extends the silhouette of the hill. Moreover, there are great views of Liberec city and whole Bohemia as well.

Natural sights 1 Panská Skála. A curious rock structure, which looks like an organ, is definitely worth a visit. The rock structure is made of columnar basalt. There is nothing like that in the Czech Republic. It is located in the little town Kamenický Šenov, 17 kilometres from Česká Lípa.

Miscellaneous 2 Ostré. 3 Lake Mácha (Máchovo jezero). Around the town of Železný Brod, you can find the Museum of the Bohemian Paradise in Turnov, Hrubá Skála Castle, the Bozkovské dolomite caves, the Maják Járy Cimrmana viewing tower, Suché skály, and Cimrman's world's smallest lookout tower.

Do

Hiking Network of walking trails is dense and trails are well marked. Moreover, the landscape is beautiful, with sandstone rocks and many castles and chateaux (look at the See section above). Bohemian Paradise is most popular destination and there is plenty of places, where you can rest, eat, sleep or buy a souvenir. However, in summer it could be a bit crowded. If you are fan of unplanned hiking, Central Bohemian Uplands is the place you will love. There are dozens of small hills that are near the road, so you can just stop and go for a short hike with beautiful views. Since most of the hills don’t have many trees on them, no hiking trails are needed and you can just go straight up. As a bonus, you will most probably be the only one on the hill you choose.

Vlhošť mountain and nature reserve in Kokořínsko Martinská stěna in Kokořínsko 1 Staré Splavy. A small spa 2 NPP Swamp. 3 Břehyně - Pecopala. Vústra near Železný Brod Hruboskalsko nature reserve near Železný Brod

Biking Biking is also popular due to flatland located here. However, cycling some mountains in České Středohoří or Jizera Mouinains can be more challenging.

Swimming You can swim and sunbathe on shores of Machovo jezero (Macha's Lake) in Kokořínsko landscape protected area.

Water tourism Why go by foot, if you can borrow canoe, kayak or inflatable boat and follow many Czech tourists on Ohře and Jizera rivers.

Spas Teplice Bílina

Winter sports Due to several mountains on borders with Germany and Poland, there are few small ski resorts.

Krupka, near Usti nad Labem and Teplice Loucna, near Chomutov Jested in Liberec Bedrichov, Bila and Severak around Liberec. Kliny, near Litvínov Mezihoří, near Chomutov

Motor sports The race tracks 4 Autodrom Most and 5 Autodrom Sosnová are popular among amateur and professional racers.

Buy

This whole region is famous for its glasswork and crystals. The manufacturing process of these crystals are listed as UNESCO heritage. Consider buying crystal decorations manufactured by factories in this region.

Drink & nightlife

Beer In North Bohemia are several local breweries. The area around Žatec is well known for production of hops. In Žatec there is a museum about hops and brewing. In the towns Žatec and Louny you can find many local town breweries that are usually connected to a restaurant. Local breweries

Studánka in Liberec Frýdlant chateau brewery Cvikov Restaurant with brewery in Děčín Křinice brewery in Krásná Lípa Klášter brewery in Mnichovo Hradiště

Wine Among the most northerly in Europe, two only Bohemian wine subregions (the bigger wine area is in South Moravia) are located in North Bohemia, thanks to Elbe's rivers flatland. Wineyards are around towns Mělník (officially part of Central Bohemia Region) and Litoměřice

Go next

Your next destination can be Prague and Central Bohemia, Pilsen and spas in West Bohemia, Krkonose Mountains and some beautiful towns in East Bohemia or Germany (Sachsen).