Dolní Vltavice lies on a peninsula surrounded on three sides by the waters of the Lipno Reservoir. At the same time, the village tells a story of profound change: large parts of historic Dolní Vltavice were flooded, and only a few newer houses remain on higher ground. Visitors who choose Dolní Vltavice as a destination encounter a landscape where the village’s history is closely linked to the reservoir.

Village history between flooding and remembrance

Dolní Vltavice was first mentioned in writing in 1268 and was elevated to town status in 1505. The former Church of St. Linhart had been founded before 1355. It was demolished before the Lipno Reservoir was flooded. These dates trace a path from the settlement’s early history to a change that fundamentally shaped the historic village landscape.

A chapel near Dolní Vltavice adds another layer to this picture: it was built in 1648 as a memorial to the victims of a plague epidemic and was remodelled into its present form in 1753. Two protected lime trees, more than 350 years old, grow beside the chapel. Together, the memorial, chapel and old trees represent different forms of remembrance at this site.

Another layer of history dates back to the 1950s. At least seven bunkers with firing slits for heavy machine guns then protected the crossing over the Vltava in Dolní Vltavice. Their role in protecting a crossing sets this military history apart from the village’s older history and the memorial to the plague epidemic.

Ferry trip or route with a crossing?

For a round trip on Lipno, the Frymburk–Dolní Vltavice–Frymburk connection takes you back to your starting point and lasts one hour. Timetables and journey times may change, so check both in advance if you plan to take the trip. This distinguishes the round trip in terms of timing from a route on which the ferry is part of the journey.

The Schwarzenberg Road runs from Černá v Pošumaví via the ferry connection at Dolní Vltavice to Kyselov. Bicycles are carried as luggage on this ferry connection; carriage conditions may change. Check the current conditions if you plan to include the crossing in your cycling itinerary. The comparison is practical: the round trip brings you back to Frymburk after an hour, while the route mentioned here connects Černá v Pošumaví and Kyselov via the ferry.

Shoreline and seasonal activities

The sandy, green beach at Dolní Vltavice lies between the Dolní Vltavice ferry and the pier at Hotel Resort Relax. Kayaks with pedal drives, paddleboards and motorboats are available for hire at the beach at Resort RELAX. No boat licence is required for these motorboats. Rentals and operating conditions are seasonal; check availability before travelling if you would like to use any of these offerings.

Windsurfing is another option to consider when planning your trip. A windsurfing guide names Dolní Vltavice as the only suitable location for certain wind directions; the waves there are considered fairly average. This recommendation applies only to certain wind directions. Check local conditions and access before basing your plans on it.

This means there are different options for a stay: the history of a partially flooded village, a round trip on Lipno, a route with a ferry crossing or seasonal activities on the water.

Discover more destinations: Blizna, Mokrá, Plánicka, Muckov, Radslav

Go to the main travel overview: Cerna V Posumavi.