Poděbrady: Spa Tradition, Lake and Culture

Poděbrady combines spa tradition, water-based activities and history within a compact area. Here you can discover natural springs, a lake near the city centre, a medieval castle complex and museums with unusually vivid themes. There is also a section of the Elbe Cycle Route that leads to the spa promenade. This allows you to shape your stay around walks, culture and active excursions.

Water and spa tradition

Poděbradka is a natural mineral water and a natural healing spring used by the local spa facilities. The Boček mineral spring is located in the Libenského Colonnade. The Poděbrady Lake offers another way to enjoy the water: The sandy lake, with its grassy areas, lies near the city centre. There you can rent rowing boats and pedal boats, as well as paddleboards, with a wide selection of boards for beginners and advanced users.

A trip on the “Král Jiří” excursion boat is another possible water-based experience. The boat offers a scenic ride. Those who prefer to combine their stay with a walk will find the centre of the local spa facilities in Lázeňský Park. Visitors can stroll through the park while getting to know another part of Poděbrady’s spa world.

History to see and try

The permanent exhibition “Příběh Polabí” at the Polabské Museum covers life in the Bronze Age, Roman period and Migration Period in the Elbe Lowlands. A visit to the museum is not limited to viewing exhibits: Visitors can mint a souvenir in the form of a denarius and, in the play area, try grinding grain with prehistoric mills as well as drilling into the head of a stone axe.

Poděbrady Castle developed from an Early Gothic castle built in the second half of the 13th century. The castle contains a monument to King George of Poděbrady, as well as exhibitions about his life and legacy. The Památník krále Jiřího z Poděbrad is located in the oldest part of Poděbrady’s medieval castle. The castle therefore offers historic architecture and a tangible way to engage with the city’s history.

The Poděbrady Flower Clock, dating from 1936, is one of the distinctive details of the cityscape. With the help of seedlings, it displays not only the time but also the current date. The Film Legends Museum is located directly in the city centre. The Ludvík Kuba Gallery complements the cultural offering with art exhibitions and the guided tour “Na Rozcestí” with Adam Jílek.

Walks and cycling excursions

For an active stay, the Elbe Cycle Route from Kolín to Poděbrady provides a clear point of reference. It runs along the Elbe and Cidlina rivers and ends at Poděbrady’s spa promenade. This section is suitable for inline skaters and family outings. When choosing your hotel, you can therefore focus on the lake and city centre, the spa promenade and cycle route, or historical experiences without mixing up the different ideas for each day.

Compare more destinations

If you would like to compare more places for your travel planning: Vykáň, Kostomlaty Nad Labem, Libice Nad Cidlinou, Žitovlice, Budiměřice, Křečkov, Stratov, Zbožíčko.

To the higher-level travel overview: Nymburk District.