Lipno Reservoir is the largest dam lake in the Czech Republic — a vast, shimmering expanse of nearly 49 km² nestled among the forested hills of the Bohemian Forest. Locals fondly call it the 'South Bohemian Sea', and once you arrive, it is easy to see why: the water stretches 42 km along the Vltava valley, opening up to 5 km wide near Černá v Pošumaví.

The atmosphere here shifts beautifully with the seasons. Summer brings colourful sails, paddleboards and kayaks gliding across the blue surface, with mixed beech, fir and spruce forests framing every view. In autumn the hillsides turn amber and gold, and on calm mornings a low mist drifts across the water. When winter is cold enough to freeze the reservoir, it transforms into the world's longest natural skating trail — stretching nearly 11 kilometres of ice. Most of the lake lies within the Šumava Protected Landscape Area, keeping the shores wonderfully unspoiled.

• Lipno nad Vltavou — the main resort village at the dam; reachable by car or by train from České Budějovice with one connection. This is the best base for exploring the lake.
• The Lipenská Magistrála cycling trail (58.5 km) runs along the right bank, linking Nová Pec, Horní Planá, Černá v Pošumaví, Frymburk, Lipno nad Vltavou, Loučovice and Vyšší Brod — an outstanding full-day ride.
• Four seasonal ferry crossings connect the two shores (Frymburk–Frýdava, Dolní Vltavice–Kyselov, Horní Planá–Bližší Lhota and one for cyclists only). Regular passenger boats run from March to November; the full round trip from Lipno nad Vltavou to Horní Planá takes about 4 hours.

• Motor boats are permitted up to 10 kW — water police patrol the lake regularly.
• Fishing is allowed year-round with a valid permit; predatory fish may be caught from 16 June to 31 December.
• Lipno nad Vltavou offers a treetop walkway on Kramolín hill, a ski area, bob track, rope park and aquapark.
• Kiteboarding and windsurfing are popular — waves up to 2 metres can build in the widest section during strong winds.

Hidden beneath the surface lies the old village of Lipno — around 700 buildings flooded when the reservoir was filled in the 1950s. During unusually low water levels, the tops of former walls and even a church tower occasionally emerge from the depths, offering a ghostly glimpse into a submerged world.