Písek District: Hotels and accommodations

The Písek Ridge Trail is a 74-kilometer hiking route with a cultural and historical section, an Otava section, and a final stage through the Písek Mountains to the Jarník lookout tower. It particularly appeals to travelers who want to combine culture, a river landscape, and a viewpoint in a longer hike.

Cycling

Cycling Route 1149 connects Písek with Zvíkovské Podhradí and Zvíkov over 19 kilometers. Another route, numbered 1225, follows the Sedláček Trail from Písek via the footbridge over the gas pipeline and Varvažov to Orlík and is listed as 31 kilometers long.

The Písecko–Blatensko–Strakonicko–Vodňansko tourist area promotes the Sedláček Trail for hiking and cycling. As a hiking trail, it runs 25 kilometers along the Otava River from Písek to Zvíkov. For shared use by hikers and cyclists, there is also a 35-kilometer cycling route numbered 1225.

Cruises, water sports, fishing, and summer recreation are possible at the Orlík Reservoir. In the Orlík Reservoir, divers can search for the flooded church of the former village of Těchnice at a depth of approximately 60 meters.

Nature

The Písek Mountains have been a protected area since 1973 and offer opportunities for hiking and cycling. The V Obouch Nature Monument provides nesting habitat for many bird species; there is also a permanent population of Eurasian otters there.

Němec Pond has a small island accessible via a footbridge. Archaeological finds identify this island as the site of a fortified settlement from the 15th century. At 633 meters, Velký Mehelník is the highest peak of the Písek Mountains.

The Jarník lookout tower has a 35-meter-high observation platform with views toward the South Bohemian Forest, the Novohradské Mountains, Kleť, the Písek region, and Brdy.

Culture and history

The fish and fishing exhibition at the Prácheň Museum displays fish from Czech rivers, ponds, and reservoirs in several aquariums. Písek is also home to the Kamenný most, the oldest surviving stone bridge in Bohemia and an important medieval monument. For travelers interested in medieval architecture, it therefore represents a specific cultural point of reference.

Zvíkov Castle is an early Gothic castle above the confluence of the Otava and Vltava rivers. The parts accessible to visitors include the royal palace, the royal bedchambers, the Knights’ Hall, the Crown Hall, and St. Wenceslas Chapel. From Zvíkov Castle, visitors can also take a boat trip to the nearby Orlík Chateau.

Milevsko Monastery is described as the oldest and largest monastery in South Bohemia and as the home of the region’s only Romanesque basilica. The monastery is accessible by car; when arriving by train, a marked three-kilometer path leads there, and cycling route 1059 also goes there. Guided tours include the Basilica of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary, the abbey chapel, the Paradise Courtyard, the cemetery Church of St. Giles, the former prelature rooms, and the Baroque library in the Latin School.

Visitor information

The Crocodile ZOO Protivín is accessible by train or bus; local parking is available.

A beer tasting or the purchase of beer at the Čížová brewery is possible by arrangement directly at the brewery. The local beers from Čížová are neither filtered nor pasteurized. Beer has been brewed in the Čížová chateau building since 1629.

The Vráž spa is located in a Neo-Gothic chateau in the Otava Valley, surrounded by an English-style park and woodland. Vráž Chateau and the English-style park form a heritage site.

Geographical overview

The following local pages provide further context for Písek District: Štědronín-Plazy, Orlik Nad Vltavou, Kovářov, Ostrovec, Slabčice, Mirotice, Borečnice, Slavkovice, Chrást, Temešvár, Vrcovice, Zbelítov, Zvíkovské Podhradí, Přeborov, Vráž, Stehlovice, Vlastec, Podolí I, Probulov, Okrouhlá, Olešná, Paseky, Nevězice, Dobev, Minice, Myslín, Lety, Květov, Křižanov, Křenovice, Smetanova Lhota, Kožlí, Králova Lhota, Horosedly, Zběšičky, Přeštěnice, Vojníkov, Dolní Novosedly, Zhoř, Božetice, Branice, Cerhonice, Nerestce, Veselíčko, Rakovice, Sepekov, Skály, Tálín, Kostelec Nad Vltavou, Předotice, Ražice, Vlksice, Kluky, Kestřany, Jetětice, Hrazany, Hrejkovice, Drhovle, Albrechtice Nad Vltavou, Chyšky, Mišovice, Boudy, Luckovice, Obora U Cerhonic, Cerveny Ujezdec, Vadkovice, Záluží, Pametice U Pisku, Vusi, Radvánov, Jickovice, Pisek, Protivin, Putim, Varvazov, Zebrakov, Písecká Smoleč, Oslov, Nová Ves U Protivína, Cervena, Cimelice, Cizova, Drahenicky, Jestrebice, Kucer, Milevsko, Mirovice, Bernartice U Milevska, Záhoří und Písku.

Anyone wishing to book a hotel in Písek District can then continue their accommodation search.

To the higher-level travel overview: South Bohemian Region.