A historic town at the confluence of the Ploučnice and the Elbe. Its landmark is the castle on the rock, with the Rose Garden and a zoo.
A majestic seat above the meeting of two rivers
Děčín Castle stands on a mighty rocky spur above the confluence of the Ploučnice and the Elbe — a position that takes your breath away even from a distance. The history of the castle goes back to the 13th century, and over the centuries it changed from a gothic fortress into a baroque chateau with richly decorated interiors. Today it offers several tour routes, including the state rooms, the historic kitchens and the underground casemates. Every room tells the story of a different era — from medieval knights through noble families to the dramatic 20th century.
The Rose Garden with a view into the valley
The absolute gem of the castle is the Rose Garden — a terraced park on a rock ledge with views of the Elbe and the town. In summer hundreds of rose bushes bloom here and their scent mixes with the panorama of the river far below you. The garden is an ideal place for a romantic stroll, or simply for sitting on a bench with a view. In spring and summer concerts, theatre performances and social events are held here in the open air. Entry to the garden is included in the castle tour.
Děčín as the gateway to Bohemian Switzerland
Děčín is not only the castle. The town has a zoo with a view of the Elbe, where you will see rare species of big cats and birds. Pastýřská stěna (the Shepherd's Wall) — a monumental rock relief of a shepherd carved into the sandstone — is a rarity you will not find elsewhere. In summer half the town promenades along the Elbe embankment, and in the riverside restaurants you can eat well while watching the boat traffic. Excursion boats leave Děčín both towards Hřensko and to Bad Schandau in Germany.
How to plan a trip to Děčín
From our cottages you can reach Děčín by car in roughly 25 minutes. Parking by the castle is paid, but available. We recommend combining a visit to the castle with a walk around the town and lunch in one of the restaurants on the embankment. The whole trip takes a comfortable half day. If you fancy a longer programme, add a visit to the zoo or take a boat trip on the Elbe. The castle is open from April to October; in winter tours are limited to weekends. For children the castle offers special tour routes with riddles and tasks, so the whole family is kept entertained.
