Unzip your tent beside a river, spend the morning exploring a castle and return for a swim before dinner. Camping in Central Bohemia brings together countryside, historic towns and days on the water — with Prague within reach. Central Bohemia is the region surrounding Prague, in the heart of the Czech Republic, also known as Czechia. It is a natural next stop after a city break, whether you are travelling with a tent, touring in a motorhome or looking for a simple holiday cabin.
The landscape changes as you explore. Follow the Berounka and Sázava rivers for canoeing holidays, head to Orlík Reservoir for beaches and boat trips, or discover sandstone scenery around Bohemian Paradise and Kokořínsko. Castles, châteaux and small towns give you plenty of reasons to leave your camping chair for a few hours.
Getting around is part of the appeal. Prague’s regional train and bus network connects the capital with towns across Central Bohemia. Several riverside campsites work well for a trip without a car, particularly along the Berounka and lower Sázava. More remote lakeside and woodland locations are easier to explore with your own transport. Check the final connection to your chosen campsite, especially at weekends.
Camping at Orlík Reservoir: Bor, Popelíky Trhovky
South of Prague, the River Vltava opens into Orlík Reservoir, a vast stretch of water framed by wooded slopes in the tourist region of Toulava. These three campsites offer different ways to enjoy it: a quieter beach break, a base near the dam or a lively holiday with watersports.
For a more relaxed lakeside camping holiday, start with Kemp Bor. Set in a sheltered bay, it has a sandy shoreline with a gentler entrance to the water and a grassy area for stretching out afterwards. Stay in your own tent or motorhome, or book a basic cabin. Spend a day exploring the traditional timber buildings at Vysoký Chlumec Open-Air Museum, or head to a viewpoint above the Vltava valley. Back near camp, Restaurace Na Téčku serves Czech dishes and pizza.
Choose Kemp Popelíky for open space, swimming and a close-up look at the impressive Orlík dam. Tent and motorhome pitches spread across a broad meadow, with simple cabins available too. For a rewarding outing, walk to Milada Lookout Tower, around three kilometres from the campsite. Naše bistro, below the tower, makes a convenient refreshment stop. Seasonal sightseeing boats also call near the campsite you can also offers paddleboard hire, so lunch can turn into a little adventure on the reservoir.
Kemp Trhovky suits travellers who enjoy having plenty going on around them. This large campsite combines tent and motorhome pitches with cabins and apartments, plus watersports and places to eat nearby. Try Wakesurf Trhovky, rent a paddleboard or pedal boat, or browse the seasonal sightseeing-boat timetable for a trip across the reservoir. For time away from the water, explore Vrškamýk Castle ruins near Kamýk nad Vltavou.
Berounka riverside campsites: canoeing, castles and forest walks
The Berounka Valley is a rewarding choice for a holiday that mixes paddling with sightseeing. Around Křivoklát, the river winds through wooded countryside; closer to Prague, it leads towards Karlštejn and the limestone landscapes of the Bohemian Karst.
At Riviéra Zbečno, you can keep things simple: breakfast outside, a paddle on the river and dinner overlooking the water. The campsite welcomes tents and motorhomes, with electric hookups and facilities for refilling drinking water and disposing of waste. Walk into Zbečno to visit Hamous Farm, a preserved timber farmhouse, or make Křivoklát Castle the focus of a longer outing. There is a food stop worth remembering here too: the campsite restaurant serves its distinctive square burgers, with a terrace beside the Berounka.
Near Roztoky, Višňová-Hájek pairs a riverside setting with the forests of Křivoklátsko. It is a good fit for travellers who want to alternate canoe trips with woodland walks, with cabins available for those travelling without a tent. Set aside time for Křivoklát Castle, then explore the surrounding marked trails. Staying nearby gives you room to enjoy the area beyond a quick castle visit. The campsite’s self-service restaurant makes meals straightforward, and fresh bread can be ordered for breakfast — a small convenience that makes mornings outside much easier.
A campfire is a favourite part of a Czech camping holiday. Join in by roasting špekáčky — traditional Czech sausages — over the fire on a long stick. Make shallow cuts at both ends before roasting, turn slowly over the embers and enjoy with bread and mustard. Simple food, fresh air and good company: an evening well spent. Use designated fire pits and check with your campsite whether fires are allowed that day.
For camping near Karlštejn Castle, this riverside campsite is a natural starting point. Bring a tent or motorhome, or choose a cabin close to the Berounka. Make the climb through the village to Karlštejn Castle, then leave another day for walking or cycling through the surrounding Bohemian Karst. The local railway connection also makes it possible to combine your stay with time in Prague. There is food available on site, including breakfast, so you can set out without unpacking a camping stove. This is a sociable campsite with occasional music and events; check the programme if quiet evenings are a priority.
There is something especially appealing about sleeping on an island. At Kemp Ostrov in Zadní Třebaň, you can stay in a tent, caravan or cabin surrounded by the Berounka Valley. Use the campsite as a base not only for Karlštejn Castle but also former lime quarry the Great America and riverside cycling, or take the train towards Prague or Beroun. It is a useful option for travellers who want countryside around their accommodation and railway connections nearby. The on-site Country restaurant provides an easy dinner stop, with country music forming part of the campsite’s summer atmosphere. Bring Czech crowns: the campsite states that payment is cash only.
Camping near sandstone rocks: Bohemian Paradise and Kokořínsko
At Branžež, Kemp Nebe sits beside Komárovský Pond, within reach of the sandstone landscapes of Bohemian Paradise — Český ráj. Stay in a tent or cabin and divide your days between swimming and walking. Bring Czech crowns: the campsite states that payment is cash only.
Explore the trails around Příhrazské Rocks, or visit Valečov Castle ruins, where medieval stonework meets the region’s distinctive sandstone scenery. These outings give you a good introduction to Bohemian Paradise without changing accommodation. Back at camp, Bar Nebe is a convenient place for refreshments.
A pond enclosed by forest and sandstone gives Harasov its distinctive setting. The campsite, below the pond’s dam, is part of a wider holiday resort and offers practical facilities for tents and motorhomes, including a shared kitchen and motorhome servicing. Spend a day exploring Kokořín Castle and the paths through Kokořínsko, a landscape of wooded valleys and unusual rock formations. Bike and paddleboard hire add other ways to enjoy the area. For food, stop at the resort’s HaraBistro. Harasov works particularly well when you want active days outdoors with somewhere comfortable to return for a meal.
Sázava Valley
Just outside Mnichovice, Šibeniční vrch is a compact camping option within a sports and leisure complex. A bathing pond, tennis, beach volleyball and indoor activities make it useful for families or groups who like having things to do close by. For a local outing, visit Hrusice, the village associated with Czech artist Josef Lada. His illustrations offer a charming introduction to Czech village life. Another option is a visit to Ondřejov Observatory, subject to its visitor programme.
At Tábořiště Pikovice, camping is about being close to the river and the trails. This straightforward campsite beside the Sázava is a useful choice for canoeists and walkers who value location over resort facilities. Its standout outing is the Posázavská Trail, which follows the valley above the river through woodland and rocky sections. Wear proper walking shoes and choose a route suited to your group.
Looking for year-round camping in Central Bohemia? Sázavský ostrov, also presented as Kemp Sázava, explicitly welcomes visitors throughout the year. Accommodation ranges from tent and caravan pitches to mobile homes and apartments. In warmer weather, make the river part of your holiday with a canoe trip. For a cultural outing, visit Sázava Monastery, one of the town’s main historic landmarks. Food is part of the appeal too, with Sázavská Taverna on site.
Koupadla Čerčany combines a traditional riverside bathing area with accommodation close to the town’s railway station. Direct trains from Prague make it an appealing option for a camping holiday without a car. Enjoy time by the Sázava, try the sports facilities or head to Konopiště Château for a day trip via nearby Benešov. Back at the bathing grounds, the on-site bistro makes it easy to stay for a meal. Accommodation options include camping and more comfortable alternatives. Motorhome travellers should note one specific limitation: the site does not provide a motorhome water-refilling or waste-disposal service.
In Czechia, camping has its own cultural tradition: tramping, a movement inspired by scouting, the American Wild West and a love of freedom outdoors. Emerging in the early 20th century, it brought friends together for woodland walks, simple cabin stays and songs around a campfire. Central Bohemia became one of its heartlands, particularly the Vltava, Sázava and Berounka valleys, along with the Brdy forests. For generations of people from Prague, these landscapes offered an escape from city life. That spirit of friendship, music and simple pleasures remains part of the region’s outdoor culture today.
More camping ideas: lakes, animals and historic towns
For a holiday centred on swimming, Proboštská jezera offers a lakeside setting close to Brandýs nad Labem–Stará Boleslav, northeast of Prague. Spend a day at the beach, then switch to sightseeing at Brandýs nad Labem Château or the pilgrimage landmarks of Stará Boleslav. The nearby Elbe Cycle Route adds another option for an active day out.
For children who would happily spend the whole holiday watching animals, Zoopark Zelčín offers a memorable setting. The camping area sits at the back of the zoopark, near the alpacas, with space for tents and caravans. Combine time at the zoopark with a trip to Mělník, where the historic centre and château overlook the meeting of the Vltava and Elbe rivers.
At Tyršák in Rakovník, camping comes with the atmosphere of a traditional Czech outdoor bathing spot: water, wooden piers and long summer afternoons. Explore Rakovník’s historic centre, or make a separate outing to the Czech Railways Museum in Lužná u Rakovníka, a particularly good choice for railway enthusiasts and families.
Discover the stellplatz options
Travelling in a campervan or motorhome? A stellplatz is a designated overnight parking area for leisure vehicles. Facilities vary: some provide electricity, drinking water and waste disposal, while others offer a simpler place to stop. Check the individual listing rather than assuming that every stopover has full campsite facilities.
Milovice is worth considering if Mirakulum amusement park is high on your family’s wish list. Another local attraction is the grazing reserve, where large herbivores help maintain the landscape and can be observed from designated public viewpoints. The stopover associated with Apartmány a stellplatz Milovice is small, so arrange your pitch directly and confirm which motorhome services are available for your dates.
Near Uhlířské Janovice, Farma Bláto brings camping together with a working farm. It is an appealing stop for travellers who enjoy discovering local food, with farm-made dairy products and Bistro Maštal adding a reason to linger. Choose a motorhome pitch or look at the farm’s glamping accommodation. For a day out, head to Kutná Hora, known for its historic centre and remarkable architecture.
Above the Berounka Valley, Tetín combines historic churches, walking routes and views across the Bohemian Karst. Its motorhome stopover is a useful base for exploring the village and nearby Beroun. The stopover provides electric hookups, water and waste facilities.
Camping beyond campsites: how Bezkempu works
Prefer a small meadow or a quiet farm to a larger campsite? Bezkempu, available in English as Campu.eu, lets you book stays on participating owners’ land. Depending on the property, you can arrive with a tent, caravan or motorhome. Some places have showers and electricity; others require you to be largely self-sufficient.
It is a practical way to arrange camping on private land with the owner’s permission, but it does not mean that wild camping is allowed everywhere in Czechia.
In protected landscape areas, camping outside built-up areas and designated sites is generally prohibited. Forests also have restrictions on camping, fires and vehicle access. Landowner permission does not override nature-protection rules, and ordinary parking permission does not automatically allow you to set up camp.
Take your next adventure offline with our map of campsites and motorhome stopovers in Central Bohemia. Download the map or pick up a printed copy at the Central Bohemia Tourist Information Centre in Prague’s Old Town: Husova 156/21, Prague 1.
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