Liberec is one of the most beautiful and diverse cities in the Czech Republic, located in a picturesque place, among nature and architectural monuments, museums and mountain peaks. One of the many advantages of a trip to Liberec is the ski resort located on Mount Ještěd. There are also many opportunities for ecotourism. The city is interesting for children and adults thanks to its museums, aqua park, interactive entertainment centers.

Liberec is located 100 km from Prague, and the ski center called “Liberec – Jested”, often called simply Liberec, lies in the foothill valley between the peak of Jested and the chain of the Jizera Mountains. The altitude difference is 1012 m.

The proximity to Poland (about 40 km) and Germany (20 km) determines the advantageous and successful location of the resort.

A piece of history

Due to its special geographical location, Liberec has acquired a rich, eventful history. The proximity of the border with Poland and Germany plays an important role in it.

The city was founded in the 13th century and after 300 years it became a rival of Prague in authority. The 20th century marked the city as a powerful industrial center.

Interesting! Liberec did not always belong to the Czech Republic: in the pre-war period it was transferred to the disposal of Germany. But after World War II the city again “returned” to its native Czech possession.

Climate and recommendations for travelers

If we were to advise a tourist to visit Liberec, we would recommend only two seasons: summer and winter. These two seasons are the most popular, since in winter travelers visit the ski resort, and in summer they can safely visit several eco-routes, make a pilgrimage to museums and historical and cultural monuments. Moreover, in summer you can wander around the zoo and botanical garden with your children, visit the water park.

Winter in Liberec is cold, by local standards. Due to the location of the city, in a mountainous area in the north of the Republic, it is always cooler here than in the center of the country. The average temperature in the cold season is -4 degrees, but it can be colder, up to -8. Winter here is snowy and frosty, clear and very beautiful.

Spring brings warming, but this season in the north of the Czech Republic is not very pronounced. During this period, the snow melts, the air temperature rises to +2 degrees. At this time, the cost of vacation in Liberec will be lower, especially after the end of the ski season in early April.

Summer is hot, temperatures reach +25 degrees. Summer is a great time for ecotourism and walks around attractions, museums, entertainment centers. Shopping is also great during this period. If you go to Liberec for walks, exploring the city, its cafes and restaurants, then in the summer.

Autumn comes to Liberec along with discounts and reduced prices for vacation packages. The beginning of autumn is warm, with an average temperature of 16 degrees. But the end is a time of calm, tourists do not come here, the ski season has not yet begun. So if you want to really save money, autumn in Liberec is the time.

Trails and sports opportunities

Elevation difference – more than 1 km;
number of trails – 10;
total length of mountain slopes – 40 km;
availability of a snow park;
snow cannons and snowmobiles, evening lighting;
number of lifts – 10;
additional service.

The highest point in this region is 1012 m, this is Mount Ještěd. There are 10 trails on the slopes of the mountain, which vary in difficulty, landscape and additional infrastructure elements.

All trails are provided with excellent coverage thanks to snow compaction machines and snow cannons, some have a lighting system. Therefore, you can ski even in the dark evening hours.

Ski slopes

Among the slopes intended for alpine skiing, there are 3 ski jumps, 2 ski slopes of easy difficulty – they are necessary for training (blue), 5 sports slopes with a level of increased and professional difficulty.

The most difficult trails are popular among experienced, skilled, seasoned tourists and professional athletes who come here to maintain and strengthen their skills. Among such descents – 4 red and 1 most difficult black.

In addition to the mountain, there is also a flat running track 7.5 km long through the picturesque foothills and forested landscape.

Snowboarder

There is a multi-profile snow park in Liberec, which has structures for snowboarders, extreme sports, stuntmen: pipes, jumps, pipes, trapezes, etc.

Other sports services

For a comprehensive winter vacation, Liberec also offers such active entertainment as an ice rink, snow bikes, hiking, swimming pool, sledding or cheesecakes.

Keep in mind that in winter, hiking trails run on ice. They are not very wide, so they are considered dangerous. It is not advisable for unprepared tourists and alone to make extreme ascents and descents.

What’s a beginner to do? A tourist who wants to learn how to ski or snowboard – whether an adult or a child – can train in a special training area. It is located in the lower, gentler and safer part of the slopes.

Lift system and other services

Liberec uses three types of lifts:

Tow lifts (4 of them);
Chair lifts (3 of them);
One cabin.

The capacity of the resort is about 4,000 people / per hour.

Photo from the last century.

Among other necessary services at the resort are:

ski and snowboard schools (adult and children);
temporary kindergartens for supervising children in the absence of parents;
storage rooms and changing rooms;
rental services that provide full equipment for skiing, snowboarding, slalom gates, equipment for safe skiing;
medical and rescue services that operate regularly.

Apres ski

Liberec is a resort town rich in entertainment. In addition to the basic sports activities, there is a well-established “after skiing” system, where tourists can relax blissfully.

The cultural program of the city of Liberec includes excursions to its old part, visits to museums, castles, cathedrals, art galleries. Anyone looking for night fun is welcome in restaurants, bars, cafes, and discos of Liberec. For a day out with the whole family, tourists are happy to go to the Babylon entertainment complex, where there is a water park.

The infrastructure of the ski resort includes:

Bars, taverns, restaurants, cafes with excellent traditional Czech and European food;
Fitness and training centers;
Spa services and saunas;
Discotheques and clubs;
“Centrum Babylons” – an amusement park (the largest in the country) with swimming pools, aqua park, fairs, spa complex, casino;
Children’s entertainment centers;
Zoo;
Among the interesting are sightseeing tours around the surroundings.

Interesting places for tourists

The city is the owner of many beautiful architectural elements and fascinating objects. What should a tourist see?

The Liberec Botanical Garden has collected several valuable plant collections over its more than a century-old history. The nine pavilions of the garden are arranged in the shape of a flower. Among them: rose gardens, rock gardens, alleys with plants prevalent in the Czech Republic;
The Liberec Zoo (the oldest in the Czech Republic), which recently celebrated its centennial anniversary, is proud of its collection of hundreds of species of animals, birds and reptiles. Its inhabitants come from different parts of the world: giraffes, zebras, Bengal tigers and elephants, chimpanzees, flamingos, pheasants;
Liberec Castle (from the 16th century);
Waldstein Houses (17th century). The Wallenstein Houses – this rarity should be seen by everyone. Because they are the oldest burgher houses in Liberec. The cute log houses, pressed against each other, are a direct testimony to how the cloth workers, for whom the houses were built, lived in the past. They were named after Albrecht von Wallenstein (Waldstein), despite the fact that they arose long after his death. The oldest of them – in 1678, the newest arose only three years later, while Albrecht von Wallenstein was killed in 1634. As a true ruler, he loved to dress up, so he surrounded himself with a large retinue of craftsmen – hence the Waldstein houses;
Church of Anthony the Great (16th century);
Grabstein Castle rises near the city of Liberec on a steep cliff. And around it is a park with a beautiful linden alley. The medieval castle in the Gothic and Renaissance styles is crowned with a round observation tower, and the luxurious interiors are dedicated to different eras;
Liberec Town Hall (19th century – neo-Renaissance architecture) is an ancient symbol of Liberec (65 m), from which, like in the palm of your hand, you can see the old city center. Inside, it is worth visiting the trophy room, the Knight’s and Portrait Halls. The town hall was built according to the design of the architect Franz Neumann. He was a resident of Vienna, so if someone thinks the town hall in Liberec reminds them of the town hall in the Austrian capital, it is now at least clear why. The building itself has 80 rooms, and a total of three excursion routes are open to tourists, including a tour of the town hall tower, which offers a different perspective on the city and its surroundings. Visitors can also see the clock mechanism on the town hall;
North Bohemian Museum;
The Ještěd TV Tower (located on the peak of the mountain of the same name – it is a symbol of Liberec) is the visiting card of the city of Liberec, cutting through the clouds with its spire at a kilometer height. Having climbed the cable car to the top of the mountain, it is worth having lunch at the restaurant, admiring the amazing view of the city, and, if you wish, staying at the local hotel;
Jizera Mountains Nature Reserve.

Accommodation

Alpine skiing The base provides accommodation in apartments, chalets, hotel rooms, cottages. It is not difficult to find private owners who are ready to rent an apartment or house to guests.

The choice of accommodation depends on the intentions and preferences of the tourist.

If the trip is in a large, friendly company or with a family, then it is more convenient and cheaper to rent an apartment or a guest house, a cottage with several rooms. Some offer catering, for example «Hotel Jested».

For maximum comfort, high-class service, VIP services, communication, you should choose hotels or residential complexes.

Chalets, private houses or small, cozy hotels located far from the center are perfect for getting together.

Hotel Liberec 3-star hotel

The Liberec Hotel is located in the city centre of Liberec and offers comfortable rooms, a fine restaurant, private parking, a sauna and a sun terrace.

Free internet access is available in the rooms and public areas of the hotel.

A variety of traditional Czech and international cuisine is served. You can relax and enjoy your favourite drink in the lobby bar, which is open from 10:00 to 22:00.

The friendly reception staff is available 24 hours a day and will be happy to provide you with any information you may need to ensure you have a memorable stay at the Liberec Hotel.

Wellness Hotel Babylon 4-star hotel

The Babylon Wellness Hotel is located just 500 metres from the centre of Liberec. It offers free Wi-Fi, a wellness centre, its own theme park and an indoor aqua park with a sauna and a laser show. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.

The classic, bright rooms at the Babylon Wellness Hotel feature wooden furniture. They are equipped with a safe and satellite TV.

Guests can enjoy a variety of leisure facilities, including bowling, a golf simulator, a laser shooting range, billiards and an 18-hole mini golf course, as well as 4D and 9D cinemas. All of these facilities are available at an additional cost. The Aquapark, IQpark, IQLandia with 3D planetarium and the wellness centre are also available at an additional cost.

Additional facilities include ski and bicycle storage on site. Ski passes are available for purchase at the hotel.

The hotel is 800 metres from the Obchodní Centrum Forum Liberec shopping centre, 300 metres from the E442 motorway and 12 km from the nearest ski lift. Prague can be reached in just 1 hour. Private parking is available at a surcharge.

Pytloun Apartments Liberec 4-star hotel

Set in Liberec in the Liberec Region, with Home Credit Arena Liberec nearby, Pytloun Liberec Apartments offers free WiFi and free private parking.

All units feature a fully equipped kitchenette with a dishwasher, a living area with a sofa, a flat-screen TV, a washing machine, and a private bathroom with shower and a hairdryer. Towels and bed linen are available at an extra charge.

Hiking and skiing are possible in the surroundings.

Ještěd is 11 km from the apartment, while Centrum Babylon Liberec is 2.6 km away.

Hotel Praha Liberec 3-star hotel

Готель Praha займає чудово відреставровану будівлю в стилі модерн 1905 року побудови. Він знаходиться в історичному центрі міста Ліберець, біля міської ратуші.

До послуг гостей готелю Praha висококласні комфортабельні номери і люкси з безкоштовним Wi-Fi.

Елегантний ресторан в стилі ар-нуво на 2 поверсі готелю був реконструйований в 2014 році. Вранці тут подається сніданок.

У розпорядженні гостей готелю парковка і цілодобова стійка реєстрації.

Як дістатися?

Найближчий для Ліберця аеропорт – празький.

Зі столиці зручно доїхати на поїзді. Він проїжджає через р. Млада-Болеслав.

Автомобіль – менш комфортний варіант, але цікавий. Дороги в Чехії – відмінні, але пускатися в автоподорож бажано в компанії людини, що знає дорогу.

Автобус «Student Agency» теж може довезти до курорту. Це транспорт підвищеного комфорту. Він від’їжджає з Праги від метро «Чорний Міст».