Česká Lípa District: Castles, Lakes and Glass

Between Castles, Lakes and Protected Landscapes

Česká Lípa District combines impressive cultural monuments with pond landscapes, protected areas and excursions that can be enjoyed in many different ways. Particularly striking is Zákupy Chateau: it was once a summer residence of the Habsburgs and preserves historically furnished rooms. The chateau also includes a Baroque garden and an English park. An unusual feature is the private lift from 1870, considered the oldest surviving lift in the Czech Republic. For orientation on site: the chateau is a three-minute walk from the town square; there is an unguarded car park below the chateau.

The landscape can also be explored in various ways. The Kokořínsko–Máchův kraj Protected Landscape Area protects the Dokesko, Podbezdězí and Ralsko landscape areas. In total, three protected landscape areas extend across Česká Lípa District: České středohoří, Kokořínsko–Máchův kraj and Lužické hory. They are joined by four national nature monuments – Peklo, Swamp, Jestřebské slatiny and Panská skála – as well as four national nature reserves: Břehyně-Pecopala, Novozámecký rybník, Jezevčí vrch and Velký a Malý Bezděz.

Active Days and Nature Experiences

One specific option for an active excursion is the flat, 20-kilometre cycle tour from Zámek Zahrádky to the Holanské rybníky ponds. In hot summer weather, the ponds offer a swimming stop along the route. The path through the Peklo national nature monument also begins at Zámek Zahrádky. Peklo is a valley with rock formations and chambers carved out of the rock. At Dolanský rybník, the remains of an old mill and a nearby waterfall recall the former use of the landscape.

For families with different interests, Brniště’s Stezka hastrmanů offers another clearly described option: the trail has small playgrounds and is considered suitable for visitors with pushchairs. The former military area of Ralsko has a different character, with equestrian tourism developed there. The district also connects the wider region to Prague in the south, providing an additional geographical reference point for planning your trip.

Castles, Glass and Regional History

At Bezděz Castle, the self-guided tour includes the chapel, the Royal Palace, the Burgrave’s Palace, the Lords’ Palace and the large tower. A boat trip on Lake Máchovo jezero can include views of Bezděz Castle. Hrad Sloup stands on a sandstone rock in North Bohemia and adds another cultural highlight to the region.

Nový Bor offers a particularly vivid insight into the glassmaking tradition. At Novotný Glass, you can watch glassblowers working at hot furnaces; glass shows take place regularly. The permanent exhibition at the Nový Bor Glass Museum is organised according to the techniques of engraving, cutting, painting, as well as hot forming and decorating. Vísecká rychta, by contrast, focuses on traditional ways of life in the Česká Lípa district, including hop growing, grain cultivation, livestock farming, spinning, weaving and carpentry. The exhibition also presents folk architecture and forms of housing in North Bohemia.

Places for Your Further Selection

If you choose your accommodation according to your planned excursions, you can narrow down your choice of locations in Česká Lípa District. For further orientation, you can choose from Zahrádky, Bezdez, Novy Bor, Prachen, Stráz Pod Ralskem, Tachov, Marenice, Cvikov, Okna, Tuhan, Dubá, Doksy, Holany, Böhmisch Leipa, Volfartice, Kozly U České Lípy, Jestřebí U České Lípy, Slunečná, Žandov, Blíževedly, Brniště, Ralsko, Dubnice Pod Ralskem, Hamr Na Jezeře, Horní Libchava, Horní Police, Stružnice, Kamenický Šenov, Stvolínky, Kravaře V Čechách, Krompach V Cechách, Kunratice U Cvikova, Mimoň, Nový Oldřichov, Polevsko, Provodín, Prysk, Skalice U České Lípy, Sloup V Čechách, Sosnová U České Lípy, Svojkov, Svor, Blatce, Velenice U Zákup, Zákupy, Bohatice U Zákup, Ždírec V Podbezdězí, Chlum U Dubé, Chotovice U Nového Boru, Kvítkov, Luka, Radvanec, Noviny Pod Ralskem, Okrouhlá U Nového Boru, Pertoltice Pod Ralskem, Skalka U Doks, Velký Valtinov, Vrchovany, Beškov, Žďár, Arnultovice, Újezd and Radeč available.

For the overarching travel overview: Liberec.