BIKING AND SKATING

Did you know? The Elbe cycle route is the most traveled bike trail in the country. It runs the whole length of the river, from its headwaters all the way to the North Sea. The section in the Czech Republic measures 370 km. One of the most beautiful stretches on the trail is the Elbe canyon north of Decin. The massive sandstone bluffs lining the Elbe River corridor make a magnificent backdrop. The trail runs right through the heart of Decin, so there are plenty of cafés along the way. As you peddle along, you can watch the climbers on the via ferrata and take in the boats plying the river. Decin Castle is a perfect place for a stop. Located directly above the bike trail it is one of the region's major landmarks. As the trail nears the German border, it enters Bohemian Switzerland National Park, where it is definitely worth taking a break for a side trip up to Pravcicka brana, the largest natural sandstone bridge on the continent. More information...

THE WATER PARK

Did you know? Decin's swimming complex is a modern recreational facility with a natural thermal water source. It has both indoor and outdoor areas. The pool's thermal water source makes swimming outdoors possible year round. More infromation...

THE SYNAGOGUE

Did you know? Plans for the construction of the synagogue in Decin materialized at the end of the 19th century with a fundraising campaign. The synagogue was built in 1907 in a faux oriental Beaux Arts style on the site of an athletics hall in what is now Zizkova ulice. It was dedicated the same year by Rabbi Max Freund. The destruction of the synagogue in 1939 was prevented at the last moment by the mayor of Podmokly. In 1941 the building was occupied by the Nazis, who painted a map of England on its floor. After World War II the building was not used again until it was made an archive in 1966. More information...

VIA FERRATA

Did you know? Decin is the first Bohemian city with a via ferrata in the heart of town. There are several anchored climbing trails with steel cables and footholds on the cliff face. They climb 90 meters and range from 150 to 170 meters in length. More information...

THE WATER PARK

Have a ball at the water park in Decin, one of the country's top recreational sports centers. On hot summer days you can cool off in one of the outdoor pools - 50 m, 25 m, and 33 m, the latter with a six-meter diving well. Or relax in the fun pool, wading area, on the lawn, or in the refreshments area. The complex also has a children's area with a sandbox. There are courts for pick-up basketball, beach volleyball, and nine-pins. The indoor area holds a 25-meter lap pool, a learners' pool, three water toboggans, a water spout, a lazy river, bubblers, geysers, a wading stream, massage jets, two Jacuzzis, a children's wading area, and a restaurant. The park is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Address: Obloukova 1400/6, 40502 Decin. Tel. +420 412 704 211.