Things to do in Bohemian Switzerland

Best time to visit Bohemian Switzerland

• a note or something on   ✦ an occasion worth the trip

• May, June and September

  Best months: green, open, manageable crowds

• July and August

  Busy at Pravčická; start hikes before 9am

• November to April

  Gorge boats stop; some pensions close; trails can ice over

Best things to do in Bohemian Switzerland

• Pravčická brána

  Europe's largest sandstone arch, an hour's walk from Hřensko.

• Edmundova soutěska

  Boat ride through the mossy gorge, cash only, seasonal.

• Divoká soutěska

  The wilder second gorge, narrower and quieter.

• Tiské stěny

  Sandstone labyrinth, the Narnia filming location.

• Jetřichovické stěny

  Free

  Rock town with the Mariina vyhlídka lookout.

• Gabrielina stezka

  Free

  Cliff-top trail from the arch toward Mezná.

• Pohádková jeskyně

  Small cave with whimsical rock carvings.

• Janov Observation Tower

  Free

  Lookout over the Elbe sandstone mountains.

Where to stay in Bohemian Switzerland

• Hřensko village

  trailheads and restaurants

• Mezná and Mezní Louka

  gorge walks

• Jetřichovice

  rock-town side

Think twice about

• The border-market strip in Hřensko

  duty-free shops and stalls; noisy and charmless

• Right on Hřensko's main road

  truck traffic to the German border runs all day

• Ústí nad Labem

  industrial regional city with no reason to be the park base

Best restaurants in Bohemian Switzerland

• Restaurace Praha

  $$

  Village-center Czech classics, open evenings.

• Bamboo

  $$

  Czech restaurant, the lunch stop between trails.

• Resturace Lugáno

  $$

  Czech-Italian mix for pizzas and Czech plates.

• The Falcon Inn

  $$

  Village inn with straightforward Czech food and beer.

• The Dragon Inn

  $$

  Main-street restaurant, good midday refuel.

• Restaurace Dolní Grund

  $$

  Czech restaurant by the Elbe ferry and cycle path.

Outdoor things to do in Bohemian Switzerland

• Bastei Bridge

  Free

  Famous stone bridge over the Elbe canyon, 30 min away.

• Königstein Fortress

  Huge hilltop fortress above the Elbe.

• Děčín Castle

  Castle with the Rose Garden above the Elbe.

• Bad Schandau

  Free

  Spa town with the valley tram, good rest day.

• Elbe Cycle Path

  Free

  Flat riverside ride under the sandstone cliffs.

Best hotels in Bohemian Switzerland

• Penzion Klepáč

  $$

  Guesthouse with a Czech restaurant, solid and central.

• The Gorge Inn

  $$

  Pension by the gorge trailhead, the hikers' pick.

• Penzion Na Vyhlídce

  $$

  Viewpoint pension with regional Czech dinners.

Is Bohemian Switzerland expensive? What a day costs

A day of food, drink, sights and getting around, before the room

What to book ahead

• Summer weekend pensions: book ahead for Friday and Saturday
• Gorge boats take no bookings; go early in August

Is Bohemian Switzerland safe?

• Stay on marked trails; keep back from unfenced cliff edges
• Ticks are common in summer: check after walks
• Emergency number: 112

Bohemian Switzerland travel tips: tourist traps to skip

• Hřensko duty-free strip: walk past
• Trailhead restaurants: overpriced; eat in the village
• 2022 fire closures: check the park's current trail map before a loop

Getting around Bohemian Switzerland: public transport and more

• You need a car for the full park; villages are far apart by bus
• Train Prague to Děčín (1.5 h), then bus or taxi to Hřensko
• Carry cash: some Hřensko parking and all gorge boats are cash only

Who Bohemian Switzerland suits

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