Kokořín Castle is one of the most enchanting medieval fortresses in Bohemia — a slender Gothic tower rising above the wooded valley of the Pšovka stream, surrounded by sandstone rocks and deep ravines. Whether you are a history lover or simply looking for a scenic hike, this place will not disappoint.

Situated roughly ten kilometres north-east of Mělník in the Dokeská Highlands, the castle sits at the heart of the protected Kokořínsko landscape area. The terrain is gently hilly, with rocky outcrops, shaded forest paths and picturesque viewpoints at every turn. Spring and autumn are particularly magical here — the forests glow with colour and the crowds are thin. The cylindrical lookout tower, standing 38 metres tall, rewards those who climb it with a sweeping view over the surrounding countryside. The castle's romantic, fairy-tale atmosphere is no accident: it has served as a backdrop for several Czech films and fairy-tale productions.

• Mšeno or Mělník — bus line Mšeno–Mělník serves the area; marked hiking trails lead directly to the castle; difficulty: easy to moderate

• The castle is open to visitors; tickets available on site
• A short road tunnel called Kokořínský tunel runs beneath the castle
• No railway station nearby — access by bus is recommended
• Over 39,000 visitors came in 2015 alone
• Marked on KČT hiking map no. 16

Inside the castle you will find a memorial to the Czech Romantic poet K. H. Mácha and an exhibition of 19th-century Czech Romantic art — a fitting tribute given the castle's own dramatic story of ruin, imperial curse and eventual restoration.