The first town on the Elbe | Děčín

If you travel upstream along the Elbe from the sea towards the interior, after a while you will pass through the breathtaking Elbe Canyon and arrive at the first Czech town on the Elbe: Děčín. This town should therefore be a showcase of Czech hospitality; it should be inviting, attractive and beautiful. And it undoubtedly is all of these things.

You’ll feel right at home here, no matter how long you stay or what time of year you visit. There’s always something to experience, enjoy and admire here. What’s more, if you love all sorts of activities, exercise, sport and exploring the world actively, Děčín is the perfect choice for you. And if you bring your children along, so much the better – they certainly won’t get bored here.

So let’s take a look around the town and its surroundings. The town’s most striking feature is the magnificent snow-white castle perched on a high rock above the river. The former Thun family residence is the most visited historical monument in the region – and, by the way, it’s open all year round! Just thirty years ago, it was little more than ruins, but today it’s a true gem.

Its Baroque sections are magnificent, including the famous Rose Garden with its gazebo; a stroll through all the wings of the castle is fascinating, evoking memories of the illustrious Thun family, of Fryderyk Chopin, who composed his famous ‘Děčín Waltz’ here, and of the castle’s native son Miroslav Tyrš, founder of Sokol.

The cascading southern gardens and the adjacent Mariánská Meadow have also been restored. This castle, which boasts, for example, the longest Baroque approach road in the world, as well as numerous events and special tours for families with children, is simply a sin not to walk through and explore.

But we started by talking about an active and sporting spirit, so what does Děčín have to offer for people who love to explore whilst on the move? You could easily spend a whole day here at the thermal water-fed water park, set off along one of dozens of hiking trails, cycle along the famous Elbe Cycle Route through the Elbe Canyon – often described as the most beautiful in Europe – or explore other attractive routes… Or hire a raft and set off to explore the Elbe Canyon from a truly unique perspective! And how about a scooter adventure?

A completely original yet entirely safe experience is scaling Pastýřská stěna via the first-ever Czech via ferrata, located right in the city centre. Hire the equipment and become a rock climber for a while – it’s a marvellous feeling. You’ll be rewarded not only with a panoramic view of the city, but also with the Zoo, one of the most interactive in the country, a place full of all sorts of interactive stations, quizzes and tests – and, of course, animals.

You won’t be able to tear the children away from there. And there are several Nordic walking routes marked out around the Zoo, so fans of walking poles will also find plenty to enjoy. Prefer a bit of relaxation? How about a swim in the countryside? The recreational pond at Stará Oleška or Vlčí Lake, hidden away in the woods, will satisfy everyone.

And the surrounding area? You won’t know where to start. As well as the Elbe Cycle Route, you can explore another river by bike along the Ploučnice Cycle Route. You can head to the highest table mountain in the Czech Republic, Děčínský Sněžník, with the queen of Czech stone lookouts, or to the mysterious and breathtaking rock formations around Tisá. Or head downstream along the Elbe to discover the first hills and plateaus of the České středohoří. However, it’s likely that you’ll be most drawn to the rugged and beautiful countryside of Bohemian Switzerland.

You won’t find a better starting point for exploring this landscape of rocks and gorges. You can begin at the famous viewpoint on Kvádrberk Hill and then make your way along the crests of the rock faces, gazing in wonder at the depths of the Elbe Canyon every now and then – perhaps from the Baroque Belvedere. By then, you’ll literally have the famous gorges of the River Kamenice within easy reach – which you can explore on foot or by boat – as well as the largest sandstone arch in Europe, one of the wonders of the world – the Pravčická Gate – and, in fact, the entire national park with all its treasures. Děčín is simply the place for active people who can appreciate the beauty of nature.

More information on www.idecin.cz