Off to Prague

A trip from Nelahozeves to Prague is ideal if you are looking for a mixture of peaceful river scenery and a big city experience. The route leads upstream on the Vltava, is well equipped with locks and can be planned in 3-4 days plus time spent in Prague.

Stage 1: Nelahozeves – Veltrusy

• Start in Nelahozeves with time to visit the castle high above the river, which looks like an “Italian picture-book castle” and yet is a classic Bohemian princely seat.
• Then a leisurely ride upstream through a peaceful, green river landscape with apple trees, fields and small harbors, which Rainer Maria Rilke described as “hills like light music”.
• Destination of the day: the Veltrusy area with its baroque castle and 300-hectare park, which is perfect for a stroll.

Stage 2: Veltrusy – Kralupy nad Vltavou – Prague suburbs

• Continuing upstream, the valley becomes a little busier, but it remains a relaxed area without a lot of hustle and bustle.
• Stopover in the town of Kralupy nad Vltavou, which offers a wide selection of restaurants and a beer garden on the riverbank – ideal for a break with kulajda, a typical Czech potato soup with mushrooms, sour cream and poached egg.
• The route then continues towards the Prague suburbs, where the first suburbs and more traffic appear, but the Vltava is still well suited to leisurely houseboating.

Stage 3: Entry to Prague and city experience

• On the last few kilometers before Prague, aristocratic buildings and prestigious facades line the right bank of the Vltava, giving the journey an almost boulevard-like flair.

• The locks in the city area are very busy, as there are many tour boats here, but they are well organized; the Smíchov lock, for example, has been described as the busiest on the Vltava.
• In Prague itself, we recommend a berth with good connections to the city center so that you can explore the Charles Bridge, the castle, the Golden Lane and the Old Town Square on foot or by public transport – ideally topped off with an absinthe or coffee in the traditional Café Slavia directly on the Vltava River.

Return to Nelahozeves

• The return journey follows the same route downhill, which shortens the journey time and leaves more room for spontaneous stops at familiar favorite spots.
• We recommend another stop at Veltrusy Castle or in one of the small towns along the Vltava to enjoy regional wines, beer and Bohemian cuisine.
• All in all, this cruise combines peaceful water hiking with an intensive experience of Prague from the water, making it an ideal suggestion for a week’s vacation on the Vltava and Elbe.