The Top Sandy Beaches or Cozy Coastal Vibes at Home

Michal, Barbora, Milada & spol.

In the region beneath the Ore Mountains, situated between Ústí nad Labem and Sokolov, a network of beautiful lakes is gradually taking shape. The process of restoring and flooding the old coal mines may not always be going as swiftly as expected, especially during drier years which have slowed things down. However, you can still find many lovely recreational areas with nice sandy beaches. The most well-known is Lake Milada, located to the west of Ústí nad Labem. There’s also the older and naturally filled Lake Barbora to the west of Teplice, along with the Benedikt swimming pool in Most. The restoration of the old Vrbenský quarry has given rise to Lake Matylda, while Lake Michal serves as another recreational spot close to Sokolov. Here, you’ll find grassy and sandy beaches, expanding in-line skating paths, bike trails, restaurants, campgrounds, and various other facilities.

Another submerged quarry, dubbed Christine, located near Hrádek nad Nisou, boasts excellent swimming and is filled with clean underground water that maintains its quality even during hot summers. Similarly, the Stone Lake in Chomutov is unique, as it is the only one of its kind worldwide. It was formed by flooding a mine once used for extracting stone and sulphur, and it features a spectacular floating pier, the largest in our country, which is connected by smaller piers via bridges and additional paths. There’s also the well-regarded Silver Lake on the outskirts of Opava, formed from a former gypsum quarry that was active until the 1960s, which is why locals sometimes refer to it as Sádrák.

Sands, sandpits and sandy beaches

When talking about popular swimming spots, there’s a strong chance that you’ll find at least one (often several!) flooded sand and gravel pits on the list. Just keep in mind that the closer you are to a big city, the more likely you are to be joined by a crowd, which can certainly affect your swimming experience negatively.

Fortunately, there are plenty of these spots available, providing a beach-like experience in Central Bohemia. For instance, Lake Lhota (where the sand mined was used to construct the D1 highway and part of the Prague metro), Proboštská jezera, Lake Konětopy, Sand plant Sadská, and the Mlékojedy sand plant located near Neratovice. A bit further, near Lovosice, lies the Píšt’anské jezero. The legendary Hamer Lake in Hamr na Jezře, known from the movie Holiday with Angel, is another highlight. Close to Veselí nad Lužnicí in South Bohemia, you can enjoy the Veselské sandpits, while in Moravia, popular spots include the Náklo sand plant near Litovel, a gravel pit in Otrokovice, and Albatros, a natural swimming area close to Ostrožská Nová Ves. Among the best lakes is also Moravičanské jezero, which attracts visitors for paddleboarding, sailing, and windsurfing.

A few more tips…

• • Have you had the chance to swim in Lake Most? It’s one of the largest and deepest lakes in Bohemia! It’s even bigger than Lake Macha, and once the reclamation project is finished, it will become angler’s paradise.

• • Lake Medard, located near Sokolov, stretches an impressive 4 km long and 1.5 km wide, covering nearly 500 hectares, making it twice the size of Lake Most. It was formed by flooding the previous Medard-Libík brown coal mine and is one of the largest lakes of its kind in the Czech Republic. Although a recreation center is planned, it has yet to be built, so this area remains a peaceful spot with a low tourist presence, perfect for a refreshing dip in clean water.

• • Hlučín Lake Gravel pit is undergoing revitalization efforts from 2020 to 2022, and plans include creating a new beach area with a bay. There will be inflatable water attractions, a paddling pool, an inflatable trampoline, beach volleyball, tennis and floorball courts, a climbing wall, and many other sports amenities. Deck chairs will also be available for rent.