Czechia · CANOES & KAYAKS
The 8 best kayak trips you can book today, with what each costs, how long it runs and who it suits. Number one is top for a reason; start there.
Paddle your own inflatable canoe down Prague’s Vltava for 150 minutes with an English-speaking guide such as Jiri or Pavel. Learn about the Dancing House, National Theatre, and Vysehrad, stop to swim or jump from a river wall, and finish beside a garden pub. Bring swimwear and spare clothes.
“Paul was a great tour guide, very knowledgable and made the tour fun! Would 100% recommend!”
Leave Prague for an easy, guided canoe trip on the Sazava River. You will ride a local train through rocky country, practice on calm water, then paddle for 4 to 5 hours through forest, rapids, wildlife, and old riverside cabins. English-speaking guides such as Martin, Anna, and Tina provide instruction, equipment, lunch, beer, and hotel pickup.
“Our guide Lucie was incredible . We had so much fun canoeing down the river. Great activity for beginners.”
Meet Sam, Victor, or another English-speaking SUP Prague instructor at Císařská louka. After a safety briefing and paddleboard lesson, you’ll cruise the Vltava for two hours, hear Prague stories, practice new tricks, and see the city from the river. Beginners are welcome, and experienced paddlers can receive more advanced tips.
“Fab paddle Sam is a great guide, professional, connects with peopl and superb paddle board instructor. Great fun”
Escape Prague for an easy canoe trip on the Sazava River. You will learn basic paddling, handle calm water and gentle rapids, pass forests, rocks, and old riverside cabins, and stop near Cesky Sternberk Castle. Guides such as Martin and Vojta provide instruction and local context. Lunch, beer, equipment, and hotel pickup are included.
“Great experience, the instructor was the best I’ve seen and he doubled as a local tour guide explaining the local area along river. Exceptional route which made the canoeing so much better with the hidden and isolated off-the-grid homes. Making the experience 10/10 highly recommended…”
Set out from Kemp DěčínPolabí at 9:30 a.m. with a canoe, paddles, life jacket, dry bag, bike, helmet, and lock. Paddle the Elbe through Bohemian and Saxon Switzerland, then use the cycle path toward Bad Schandau. The trip lasts about 5 hours 30 minutes and suits reasonably fit beginners who can handle a long active day.
“It was a very nice trip by canoe, but just a litte bit to long, we were getting pretty tired at the end. Our asses were painful on the bike back, not comfortabele. And we did not get any info about the way back to the camping. In Decin it is pretty complecated how to get there. Maybe you can give a plan.”
Start at Camp Děčín with a canoe or kayak, paddle, life jacket, dry bag, map, and a short briefing. Over about 4.5 hours, paddle past Děčín Chateau and Shepherd’s Wall, then through the sandstone canyon toward Bad Schandau in Germany. The operator collects the equipment at the finish, while you arrange your own return.
“Kaum eine Einweisung, kein deutschsprachiges Personal, wirst am Endpunkt stehen gelassen. Keine Rückfahrt mit den Veranstalter möglich.”
Start at Camp Děčín with a canoe or kayak, paddle 15 km along the Elbe toward Schmilka, then swap your boat for a bike and helmet. Cross by ferry to the Elbe Cycle Route and ride back to Děčín. The trip is unguided, flexible, and limited to eight people, with a short briefing, map, dry bag, and water provided.
“We enjoyed canoeing up the river to schmilka in Germany and biking back. The staff were friendly and spoke some English and the equipment was all good. My only slight criticism was it wasn't clear that we were waiting for a trailer to arrive with bikes in schmilka. We were expecting a shop or fixed point to go to but we made a phone call and were told they were coming and just had a drink in the cafe while waiting and it was worth a little walk up to the little brewery and bakery.”
Start at Kemp Děčín with a canoe, paddles, life jackets, dry bag, map, and a short briefing. Then paddle 15 km unguided along the calm Elbe to Schmilka in Germany, passing Děčín Castle, sandstone walls, towers, and heron-filled shores. Return by ferry and train, with €1.50 cash needed for the ferry.
“Great experience overall, but better communication on planning the return trip would be helpful. You need to take a train, bike or walk back. It’s 10 miles each way.”
Pick a castle, a cellar or a day out of the city.
