Děčín for children and parents: castle, zoo and adventure on the rock

If you want to experience a real urban adventure with your children, head to Děčín! Everything is at your fingertips – a fairytale castle with a view, exotic animals in the zoo with a colourful underwater world, museum cruises on the Elbe and just around the corner ferrata or adrenaline activities for bigger kids. Whether you have a toddler in a pram or a teenager at home, there is something for everyone in Děčín.

Děčín Castle

The main landmark of the town is Děčín Castle with the Rose Garden, from where you will have the whole surroundings at your fingertips. For families with children, we recommend special tours – in the high season with princesses, or year-round diversification of the classic tours with crayons around the castle. Don’t forget to reward yourself and the children with a cake in one of the castle cafés after the tour.

Zoo Děčín and Exposition of Paradise Islands

Over the footbridge from the town centre you will climb up to the Shepherd’s Wall, where you will find Děčín Zoo – smaller, but beautifully structured and with lots of activities for children. Here you will meet Bruno the bear and Irina the she-bear, wolves and even a rare lynx. The zoo also includes the Paradise Islands exhibit, which attracts aquariums with tropical fish, terrariums with snakes, iguanas and turtles. Just beware, the Exposition is located outside the zoo under the Shepherd’s Wall.

Tip: If it’s raining, head to the Paradise Islands first – you can enter separately and it’s all under roof.

Regional Museum in Decin

If you have time to spare or are looking for an activity for a rainy afternoon, head to the Regional Museum in Decin. Housed in the beautiful historic building of the former hunting lodge of the Thun-Hohensteins, it offers interesting permanent and temporary exhibitions – from the history of the town to the nature of Bohemian Switzerland to an interactive exhibition on the development of shipping on the Elbe. Come with your little sailors, because we are just sailing!

Adrenaline for older children: Active Point

Do you have a little climber at home or a teenager who is no longer “taken” by the zoo? Try the Via ferrata on the Shepherd’s Wall. Under the guidance of instructors from Active Point older children and adults can try safe climbing here. There are several routes of varying difficulty and the views from the top are worth every step. And the adventure doesn’t end there – you can go rafting, paddleboarding or try canoeing on the Elbe by arrangement with the rental company. The advantage is that at the destination “port” they take the boats from you again and you don’t have to deal with anything. Use the regional train or bus service to get back to Decin.

Tip: What about exploring the caves as well? Company Into the forest offers, in addition to bike rental, unique guided climbing courses, including the possibility of descending into the caves of Bohemian Switzerland and the Elbe Sandstone.

Aquapark Děčín

Not only in rainy weather we recommend heading to Aquapark Děčín. The indoor part offers everything children love – water slides, a wild river, massage jets and a paddling pool for the little ones. Parents can relax in the jacuzzi or sauna, while older children can have fun in the waves. In summer, the outdoor area opens up with more pools, a grassy area and refreshments, where you can spend a leisurely afternoon.

Děčín offers an ideal combination of nature, sights and fun – whether you come for a weekend or just for the day, children will have fun here from morning to night.