Surroundings
A landscape that slows you down
Jamný is a small village near Písek, under three kilometres from the Podolsko Bridge over the Orlík reservoir. Písek is fifteen minutes away, Zvíkov Castle twenty, and most of South Bohemia's castles, châteaux and towns are within an hour's drive.
From Jamný the Orlík reservoir is practically on the doorstep, and most of South Bohemia's castles, châteaux and old towns are less than an hour's drive away. Outside the summer season many places keep shorter hours or close. In winter, reliable choices are the Crocodile Zoo in Protivín, Ohrada Zoo at Hluboká, Blatná Château (open between Christmas and New Year too) and the Tábor underground, but always check opening times on the website first.
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Orlík Reservoir – Podolsko Bridge
Water almost on the doorstep
The nearest spot on the Orlík reservoir is at Podolsko Bridge, under three kilometres from the cottage. Built between 1939 and 1943, the 510-metre reinforced-concrete arch carries the road at least 39 metres above the water of the Czech Republic's largest reservoir by volume.
Tip: Pleasure boats don't stop at the bridge; you board below Zvíkov Castle or Orlík Château. Boats run Tuesday to Sunday until the end of October, depending on water levels, and not at all from November until spring. Check dates online or by phone (not on Mondays).
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Jarník Lookout Tower – Písek Hills
Through the woods to a lookout
This steel tower in the Písek Hills doubles as a transmitter, and 182 steps lead up to a viewing platform just under 35 metres high. You can drive only as far as the U Vodáka car park. From there it's 1.7 km on foot along the blue-marked trail, about 40–45 minutes uphill and less on the way back. Entry is free, and the Od Ptáčkovny k Živci nature trail starts at the same car park.
Tip: Sources disagree on opening times; out of season, count on weekends and public holidays. The key is usually kept at Chata Živec (V Živci), a nearby hikers' lodge that also serves food. It makes a good short outing on your arrival day.
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Písek – Stone Bridge and old town
A river town and its old stone bridge
The Stone Bridge over the Otava probably dates from the 13th century. It is the oldest surviving bridge in the country and is lined with copies of Baroque statues. On the main square, the Prácheňské Museum occupies the remains of a Gothic castle, including its knights' hall. Its displays cover the town's beginnings, minerals (including gold from the Otava region) and fish and fishing, with live fish in aquariums. Next door, Sladovna is a hands-on gallery in an old malt-house, with a giant wooden labyrinth called Mraveniště and the Animárium, where you can make your own animated film.
Tip: Book Sladovna tickets online in advance. Entry is in timed slots, and the Animárium (age 6+) needs a reservation. Balzám café is on site. Písek has no water park, only an indoor pool and a summer outdoor swimming area.
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Písek – Medieval Tavern U Jakuba
A medieval feast in Písek
This medieval-themed tavern on the Budějovické Předměstí side of Písek seats up to 200 guests, so the whole group from the cottage fits in easily. On selected evenings a medieval programme starts at 7 pm; on other days you can simply come for dinner and a beer. A good way to round off a day in Písek.
Tip: It is usually open Thursday to Sunday; check current hours on the website. For programme evenings (CZK 245 per person) book a table in advance on +420 774 080 067 or online; same-day tables can only be booked by phone. There is parking at the tavern.
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Zvíkov Castle
The 'king of Czech castles'
This 13th-century royal castle stands above the meeting of the Otava and Vltava rivers, and the historian August Sedláček called it the 'king of Czech castles'. Its oldest part is the Markomanka tower with the Crown Hall. The Chapel of St Wenceslas keeps frescoes from the second half of the 15th century. When the Orlík reservoir was filled, the water rose by about 25 metres and flooded the small town below the castle.
Tip: The Royal Palace tour is self-guided, takes about 55 minutes and costs CZK 180 for adults. It runs only in season: in 2026 until 1 November, then not again until spring. The castle grounds stay open all winter, daily 8 am–6 pm. Allow a few minutes' walk from the car park.
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Protivín – Crocodile Zoo and Platan Brewery
Crocodiles and a brewery in one small town
The Crocodile Zoo grew out of Miroslav Procházka's private collection and now keeps more than a hundred crocodiles, including a display of white crocodiles. It is open daily all year round and is fully wheelchair accessible. In the same town, the Platan brewery, documented since 1540, has a garden restaurant called Belveder.
Tip: The crocodiles are fed at weekends at 11 am and 2 pm. Outside July and August the zoo closes at 4 pm, with the last entry at 3.30 pm. Adults pay CZK 300 and children aged 2–15 CZK 240. Brewery tours currently have no dates listed, so ask ahead.
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Orlík Château
A château on the rock above the water
Originally a guard castle built by King Přemysl Otakar II in the second half of the 13th century, Orlík stands on a rocky promontory above the reservoir. It passed to the Schwarzenbergs shortly after 1717, took its neo-Gothic form in 1849–1860, and was returned to the family in 1992. Field Marshal Karl Philipp Schwarzenberg founded its collections of weapons, painted glass and books. The family tomb (1861–1864) stands in the English-style park.
Tip: The château is open roughly April to October and closed from November to March. In October, tours run Wednesday to Sunday only. Tours last 50–60 minutes, and tickets are sold online. In season, you can combine the visit with the boat from below the château to Zvíkov, which runs Tuesday to Sunday.
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Blatná Château
A moated château with deer in the park
Surrounded by ponds and a moat, the château is first mentioned in 1235. In the early 16th century Benedikt Rejt built the so-called Rejt Palace here for Zdeněk Lev of Rožmitál. The Hildprandt family has owned it since 1798, got it back in restitution in 1992 and is still restoring it. Around it lies a 42-hectare English park with a herd of fallow deer, alpacas and the Oh My Deer Café.
Tip: Blatná stays open between Christmas and New Year, with tours daily from 27 December to 3 January, 10 am–4 pm, and otherwise at weekends in winter. It is closed 24–26 December. The park is open every day. Tickets for tours and events can be bought online on the château's website.
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Tábor – Hussite Museum and medieval underground
The Hussite town and its tunnels
Tábor was founded by the Hussites in the spring of 1420, and the winding lanes around Žižka Square are now a protected historic reserve. The Hussite Museum in the Old Town Hall has a late-Gothic Great Hall. From there a guide takes you into the medieval underground, some 500 metres of passages and cellars cut up to 16 metres into the rock. The town also has the Jordán pond from 1492, described as the oldest valley reservoir in Central Europe.
Tip: From October to March the Old Town Hall and underground are open Wednesday to Saturday, 10 am–5 pm. The first underground tour starts at 10.30 am and the last at 4 pm. In July and August they are open daily. Tour capacity is limited, so with a larger group contact the museum ahead. The Kotnov tower is closed from November to April.
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Hluboká nad Vltavou – château and Ohrada Zoo
A romantic château and a zoo open all year
The château was remodelled in Tudor Gothic style in 1840–1871, modelled on Windsor Castle. The Schwarzenbergs owned it from 1661 until it was confiscated in 1947. The former riding hall houses the Aleš South Bohemian Gallery with changing exhibitions, and the large park has a nature trail. About 2 km away is Ohrada Zoo. It keeps mainly European animals, such as wolves, lynx, owls and otters, and is open 365 days a year.
Tip: The main château tour runs until 1 November. In winter a heated Winter Route is open Tuesday to Sunday, 9 am–4 pm (scheduled from 3 November to 20 December). Check opening over Christmas and New Year. Dogs are not allowed in the zoo. Opening hours are on zoohluboka.cz; in winter it is 8.30 am–4 pm.
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Holašovice – UNESCO village
The rural Baroque that Jamný shares
Since 1998 Holašovice has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List as an exceptionally well-preserved village in the South Bohemian rural Baroque style, a style our cottage is closely related to. Twenty-three protected farmsteads stand around a village green of roughly 210 × 70 metres, with gables dating mostly from the second half of the 19th century and a chapel from 1744. There is a historic smithy, a pottery workshop and a pub.
Tip: Guided tours can be booked at the information centre at house no. 43. A Peasant Festival (Selské slavnosti) takes place every July. Out of season the village is quiet, so check the workshops' opening times before you go.
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České Budějovice – main square and Budvar brewery
A grand square and the Budvar brewery
Přemysl Otakar II Square is almost perfectly square and covers 1.7 hectares. The 18th-century Samson Fountain stands at its centre, and the square also has a Baroque town hall from 1727–1730. The Budějovický Budvar brewery tour lasts 70–80 minutes. It takes you through the brewhouse and the lagering cellars, kept at around 2 °C, and includes a tasting for guests aged 18 and over.
Tip: For a group from the cottage, book a group tour. These run daily 9 am–5 pm every 20 minutes for 5–30 people, because individual tours are capped at 5 people. A booking is only valid once it has been confirmed. Bring something warm. The brewery is closed 24–26 December and on 1 January.
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Český Krumlov – castle and old town
A full day in a UNESCO town
The historic centre has been on the UNESCO list since 1992. The castle and château together form the country's second-largest castle complex after Prague Castle, with some 40 buildings around five courtyards. The Baroque castle theatre (1765–1766) still has its original scenery and costumes, and bears have been recorded in the castle moat since 1707. At about 80 km and 70–75 minutes via České Budějovice, this is the furthest trip on the list, so plan for a whole day.
Tip: In winter the Castle Museum and tower (162 steps) are open Tuesday to Sunday, 9 am–3.30 pm. Dates are listed up to 20 December, so check opening over the holidays. The interior tours and the Baroque theatre run only in season, until 31 October. The castle garden is free and open roughly April to October. The courtyards and the bear moat are freely accessible.
Website
Distances and times are approximate, by car from Jamný. Opening hours change with the season – please check each venue's website before you go.
Address
Jamný 20
397 01 Záhoří
We send guests specific tips for trips, restaurants and local events together with the arrival information.
We look forward to welcoming you to Jamný
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