Waters of every hue: rivers, ponds, canoeing adventures and raft trips

Whether you enjoy summer sports or prefer exploring historical sites, South Bohemia has something for everyone. The Vltava, Otava and Lužnice rivers are ideal for canoeists and anglers, and make for a great destination for a family holiday in the summer. Well-known reservoirs offer enjoyable activities such as water sports or swimming, whilst walking and cycling trips will help you stay in shape. In summer, you can enjoy sightseeing cruises and visit power stations set within the dams, whilst in winter the frozen waters offer excellent conditions for ice skating and other winter sports. All year round, you can enjoy romantic raft trips in the historic centre of Český Krumlov, as well as explore the unique rafting museum. This tradition was inscribed on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2022. Come and discover South Bohemian customs on the Kudy z nudy portal!

The Třeboň Region, Ponds and Fish Farming

Ponds are a true symbol of South Bohemia. The Třeboň region is therefore known as the ‘land of two skies’: one is above you and the other is beautifully reflected on the surfaces of Rožmberk, Svět and other bodies of water. The Třeboň region, with its tradition of fish farming, offers fishing, festive fish harvests and an excursion into the heritage of fish farming at the Štěpánka Netolický House in Třeboň. The interactive exhibition will delight visitors of all ages – young people, active seniors, families with children and those travelling without children.

Fish farming, the Ohrada hunting lodge and Hluboká Zoo

Of course, the Třeboň fishpond landscape is synonymous with excellent fish. Here you will find the shops Rybářství Hluboká and Lesy a rybníky České Budějovice; the autumn fish harvests and various fishing festivals and celebrations are also renowned. Don’t forget to visit the Museum of Forestry, Hunting and Fishing at Ohrada Castle near Hluboká nad Vltavou, which is the oldest hunting museum in Europe, where exhibitions of hunting trophies and taxidermy began as early as 1842. In addition to several exhibitions, freshwater aquariums and a collection of antlers, you can also admire the magnificent interiors of the hunting castle, which served as a base for organising par force hunts and festivities. For families with children, a pleasant surprise awaits near the museum – Hluboká Zoo.

Fishing in South Bohemia

Anglers in South Bohemia will find plenty of fishing grounds – there are the Vltava, Malše, Otava and Lužnice rivers, along with the private grounds of Rybářství Třeboň, Rybářství Hluboká, Blatenská ryba and Rybářství Nové Hrady. Among the most common inhabitants of the local ponds, you can catch the famous Třeboň carp, grass carp, pike, zander, catfish, bream, roach, tench, perch, rudd and asp.

Thousands of recreational and sport anglers head to Lipno every year. Fishing is permitted here all year round, with the exception of the predatory fish season, which runs from 16 June to 31 December. The waters of Lipno are teeming with a variety of fish, and as the reservoir has never been drained, you may be lucky enough to land some excellent catches here.

Much like the Třeboň region, the Novohradsko region also has a rich tradition of fish farming. The most famous is the Novohrad carp, but the Nové Hrady Fish Farm also specialises in the selective breeding of geese.

The Lipno region: yachting and holidays on and by the water

Whether you’re looking for a place to moor your boat or are just starting out on your sailing journey and want to learn the ropes with a hired boat, in Lipno nad Vltavou and the other villages around the lake you’ll find all the necessary services and opportunities for this wonderful hobby. The Lipno region and sailing have gone hand in hand for decades, and the vast expanse of Lake Lipno offers opportunities for a wide range of sailing skills.

Take advantage of sailing courses, sailing camps and training camps, sailboat hire and a range of sailing races. Everyone can try out other water sports: simply hire a kayak, rowing boat, paddleboard, sailboat, dragon boat or surfboard.

The Vltava, a river for canoeists, rafters and hikers

The Vltava River, famous throughout the Czech Republic, is a great place for every water sports enthusiast. Whether you’re a beginner or a more experienced paddler, you can set off on a trip with young children, on your own or with a group of friends. The Vltava offers fun for everyone.

The Vltava is associated with the tradition of rafting, which has been inscribed on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Enjoy sightseeing trips on rafts that will take you through the heart of the historic centre of Český Krumlov. These cruises have a unique atmosphere, and rafting on the Vltava takes place all year round; you can also visit the Rafting Museum in the former Church of St. Jošt in Latrán. Here you can learn in detail about the history, traditions and construction of rafts, and view a large model of a raft launch.

The Schwarzenberg Canal also serves as a reminder of the historic tradition of transporting salt, timber and other goods. This unique engineering monument was built around 220 years ago on the border of the Czech Republic, Austria and Bavaria and was used to float timber from the hard-to-reach forests of the Šumava. In the village of Jelení vrchy, you can view an interesting exhibition, and nearby you will discover a water tunnel almost 400 metres long, through which the canal passes beneath the saddle between Plešivec and Jelenská hora. Both sides of the tunnel are adorned with stone portals, which are popular destinations for Šumava tourists.

If you prefer walking trips to a boat trip on the Vltava, you can make use of the restored nature trail from Týn nad Vltavou to Hněvkovice, which features ten stations with play elements and information boards. The Fritsch Trail, part of the South Bohemian section of the Way of St James – a long walking route to Santiago de Compostela – leads from Boršov nad Vltavou to Dívčí Kámen Castle. It was established between 1933 and 1938 by Emanuel Fritsch, a technical advisor to the Czechoslovak State Railways.

The tradition of South Bohemian spas and wellness

If you’re looking for true relaxation, spas and wellness, South Bohemia is the ideal place for you. This region offers healing not only through its clean air and beautiful nature, but also through the therapeutic effects of peat and mud baths. For centuries, our ancestors have utilised the healing properties of the marshes, and today the spas in Bechyně, Vráž near Písek and Třeboň recommend them for the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. The tradition of spa treatment in Třeboň dates back to 1883, when the first spa house, Bertiny Lázně, was founded near the historic centre. On the banks of Svět Pond, you will find Lázně Aurora, which features a glass-walled lift offering the best panoramic view in Třeboň, the Aqua Viva wellness centre, and the Třeboň Water World with heated outdoor pools and a sauna complex.