Úštěk: Hotels for Culture, History and Nature

If you want to combine historic buildings, cultural venues and destinations in a scenic setting, Úštěk offers several different points of interest. The town’s protected historic centre and castle are complemented by museums, exhibitions and events; Chmelař and nearby destinations add bodies of water and walking routes to the mix. When planning your trip, consider whether you want to focus primarily on architectural history, a particular exhibition or the surrounding area.

Old Town, Castle and Architectural History

The historic centre of Úštěk was declared an urban conservation area in 1980. Úštěk Castle was built at the beginning of the 15th century within the existing town. Gothic and Renaissance architectural details have been preserved, including cellars carved into the sandstone bedrock. The Pikartská Tower is the only surviving one of Úštěk’s five prismatic watchtowers, which formed part of its fortifications.

The religious buildings also reflect different historical periods. The Church of St. Peter and St. Paul was built in the late Baroque style between 1764 and 1772. Concerts and church services are held there; the programme may vary. The synagogue is a Neoclassical building dating from the late 18th century. It was the centre of the town’s former Jewish quarter and houses a permanent exhibition; it also hosts exhibitions and concerts.

A striking landmark is the Ptačí domky: their multi-storey side can be seen from Kamenná Street. As you walk through the town, you can take in this view alongside the castle and the buildings in the historic centre. This lets you explore architecture and urban history as different highlights of your time in Úštěk.

Museums, Art and Crafts

The Muzeum čertů is located in the Pikartská Tower and the adjoining Gothic cellar. It includes the moving devil world “Peklém.” The visitor attraction thus brings together the history of a surviving defensive tower and a distinctive exhibition theme. Vodní svět Úštěk features a year-round exhibition about freshwater fish. The venue also includes a small museum dedicated to Jan Wassermann.

Galerie Úštěk displays collections of paintings and graphic art and regularly hosts exhibitions. As exhibitions and displays may change, it is a good idea to check the current programme if you are interested in a particular exhibition. Tkalcovna Anima offers guided tours of the weaving workshop, where you can try traditional crafts. Simple workshops are available on request. Individual weaving sessions can be arranged for individuals and small groups; advance arrangements are required.

Chmelař and Nearby Destinations

Chmelař is a 67-hectare recreational body of water with two beaches. The surrounding area is within the České středohoří Protected Landscape Area. This means Úštěk offers both urban history and a scenic destination, without requiring you to focus on just one. The annual “Piráti dobývají jezero Chmelař” event takes place at Chmelař in July. If you want to plan your trip around it, check the dates separately.

Near Úštěk, the Opičí hlava sandstone formation lies in Havraní důl, about two kilometres east of Úštěk, in the Úštěcké Švýcarsko area. A yellow-marked hiking trail leads to the rock formation from a junction near Lukovsko or from Ostré. A hikers’ shelter provides a viewpoint overlooking the formation. Nearby, the surviving 30-metre-high tower of Helfenburk Castle ruins serves as a lookout tower on weekends and daily during the summer months.

Events and Trip Planning

The Úštěcký historický jarmark is a recurring event. The 28th edition, held in 2026, included a historical procession, a period market, exhibitions, guided tours, children’s workshops and a programme across several stages. Programmes and dates vary from year to year, so check the details if a particular festival is an important part of your trip.

When choosing a hotel in Úštěk, start by deciding how much of your trip you want to devote to historic buildings, cultural venues or nearby destinations. The attractions also differ in what you need to consider when planning: Tkalcovna Anima requires advance arrangements, while exhibitions and events depend on their respective dates and programmes. This way, you can shape your stay around the experiences you actually want to enjoy.

Discover more destinations: Chodovlice, Libotenice, Roudnice Nad Labem, Žabovřesky Nad Ohří, Račiněves, Vlastislav, Straškov-Vodochody, Vrbičany

For the broader travel overview: Okres Litoměřice.