Česká Lípa District: Castles, Glass and Landscapes

Česká Lípa District brings together cultural history, glass and protected landscapes, offering a variety of reasons to visit. Castle interiors, glassmaking and a flat cycling route provide very different starting points for planning your trip.

Castle history in Zákupy and Bezděz

Zákupy Castle served as a summer residence of the Habsburgs, and its historically furnished rooms have been preserved. The castle also has a Baroque garden and an English park. One special feature is the passenger lift dating from 1870, considered the oldest surviving lift in the Czech Republic. It is a three-minute walk from the market square to the castle; an unguarded car park is located below it. As access arrangements may change, check them before your visit.

At Bezděz Castle, the self-guided tour includes the chapel, Royal Palace, Burgrave’s Palace, Lord’s Palace and the Great Tower. The tower is accessible without a guide. As visitor services may change seasonally, check the latest information before planning your visit. At Bezděz, the tour therefore focuses on both the named historic areas and the tower.

Glass and regional ways of life

The exhibition at Vísecká rychta explores traditional ways of life and work in Česká Lípa District, including hop growing, grain farming, livestock breeding, spinning, weaving and carpentry. It also covers folk architecture and housing in North Bohemia. Agriculture and crafts are thus presented alongside architecture and domestic life as distinct exhibition themes.

At Novotný Glass in Nový Bor, you can watch glassworkers at work beside hot furnaces; glass shows are also held regularly. The permanent exhibition at the Nový Bor Glass Museum is organised by technique: engraving, cutting, painting, and hot glass forming and decorating. The museum exhibition therefore offers a different perspective from watching the work at the furnaces. Check the glass show schedule before you travel.

Protected areas and landscapes

Three protected landscape areas extend across Česká Lípa District: České středohoří, Kokořínsko–Máchův kraj and Lužické hory. In Kokořínsko–Máchův kraj, the Dokesko, Podbezdězí and Ralsko landscape sectors are protected. The district also includes four national natural monuments: Peklo, Swamp, Jestřebské slatiny and Panská skála. Its four national nature reserves are Břehyně-Pecopala, Novozámecký rybník, Jezevčí vrch, and Velký a Malý Bezděz.

Peklo is a valley with rock formations and chambers carved into the rock. Remains of an old mill can be found at Dolanský rybník, with a waterfall nearby. Hrad Sloup stands on a sandstone pillar in North Bohemia. These examples showcase different landscape forms, from a valley with its rock chambers to a striking sandstone outcrop.

Trails, water and activities

A flat 20-kilometre cycling route starts at Zámek Zahrádky and continues to the Holanské rybníky. The path through Peklo also begins at Zámek Zahrádky. You can choose between two different outdoor activities: a ride over flat terrain or a walk through a valley with rock formations and chambers. In hot summer weather, the Holanské rybníky also make a good swimming stop along the cycling route.

Seasonal boat trips on Máchovo jezero depart from Doksy and may offer views of Bezděz Castle. The boat trip shows the castle from the water, while the tour at Bezděz includes the named castle areas and the Great Tower. Check in advance whether the boat trips and seasonal visitor services are available on your travel dates.

The Stezka hastrmanů in Brniště has mini playgrounds and is considered suitable for visitors with pushchairs. Equestrian tourism has developed in the former Ralsko military area. If you are planning this activity, check current providers and access conditions.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Zahrádky, Bezdez, Novy Bor, Prachen, Stráz Pod Ralskem, Tachov, Marenice, Cvikov, Tuhan, Okna, 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, Arnultovice, Žďár, Beškov, Radeč and Újezd.

For the higher-level travel overview: Liberec.