Today we’ll take a look at some inspirations from the Jizera Mountains – we’ll visit more or less well-known towns and explore the natural surroundings. However, we’ll skip Bedřichov. It no longer needs our attention.
You can use the description as an example of a 3-day route or simply as inspiration for a trip to the Jizera Mountains, whether you are spending just a weekend or a week’s holiday here.
JABLONEC NAD NISOU
Everyone in the Czech Republic knows Jablonec, but who actually stops there when passing through? It would be a shame to miss the town. It has experienced a significant resurgence recently and is regaining its former glory.
In the city with the apple tree in its coat of arms, you should especially discover the following sights:
JABLONEC JEWELRY, GLASS AND CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS
It would be a mistake not to see anything related to glass in Jablonec; after all, it’s a tradition! Even today, gold Bohemian clock hands are still made here, although they are not as well-known as they were during the planned economy era.
Did you know that Jablonec nad Nisou became a world center for the export of costume jewelry as early as the 19th century? Only in Jablonec can you see all kinds of costume jewelry in one place.
You shouldn’t miss out on other experiences related to glass and jewelry:
FRAGILE BEAUTY
The annual summer exhibition showcasing the best products from Jablonec nad Nisou and the entire glassmaking region lasts four days and is a truly memorable experience. I’m surprised that more people don’t know about this event. The exhibits range from everyday wearables to extravagant works of art that are a feast for the eyes, but you’re not obligated to buy them.. 
 
The entire exhibition is for sale, so you can buy fashion jewelry, beautiful Czech glass (including modern designs) and, last but not least, Christmas decorations at above-average prices.
There is also a supporting program, including demonstrations of glassblowing and the making of decorative objects, as well as musical performances and fashion shows on the stage. In 2019, Czech Miss was also a partner of the event, so the promenade was impossible to miss, with the beauty queens in their swimsuits, and the front rows were already occupied by men an hour in advance.. 
 
Children get in free. It still blows me away – such an interesting event, so affordable, and nobody knows about it except the locals.
The ticket for Fragile Beauty also includes free entry to the local Museum of Glass and Jewelry. I highly recommend it; the museum is interactive and interesting. If you enjoy these kinds of things, you can easily spend a lot of time there.
PERMANENT SALES SHOW AT PALACE PLUS
If you arrive in Jablonec at a time when Křehká krása is not taking place, your search for high-quality Jablonec jewelry and glass should lead you to Palace Plus. This building is located just a short walk from the Volt Brewery and the Jablonec Dam, where the permanent sales exhibition of the Association of Glassmakers is held.
 
They change their stock every week, and for just a few crowns you can find real treasures. The selection includes not only glass and fashion jewelry, but also Christmas decorations. Everything is handmade right here in the region.
Children and craft enthusiasts can enjoy themselves in the local workshop, where countless beads and pearls are available for stringing bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and more. The prices are reasonable and very affordable. My bracelet, made from three colors of beautifully cut glass beads, cost 20 CZK.
Palace Plus also hosts creative workshops about once a month where you can learn more advanced jewelry-making techniques.
And then there are the various glass installations around town. The locals are patriotic, so they often use locally made glass for decoration. Right next to the Volt Brewery mentioned below, there’s a series of arches covered with glass “jewels” that are beautifully illuminated in the evenings.
NEW TOWN HALL
The functionalist building on Mírové náměstí not only offers a beautiful view from the Town Hall tower, which is interesting at first glance. It also houses a paternoster lift, for example. :)) If you haven’t yet experienced this “elevator,” there aren’t many places left in the Czech Republic where you can try it, so hurry!
The assembly rooms of Jablonec Town Hall also boast a number of small details typical of 1930s functionalism. Architect Winter paid attention to even the smallest details – note, for example, the ceramic light switches.
 
From the town hall tower, you can see Mírové náměstí as if from the palm of your hand, as well as the still standing building of the Old Town Hall and the hills with observation towers that surround Jablonec.
But it is definitely worth taking a walk through Jablonec, noticing how functionalism and Art Nouveau combine in the buildings, and quietly walking to the Church of St. Anny, which deceives with a corpse and hides an exhibition space inside (it is not a church, it only looks like one).
SEA OF JABLONEC
If we no longer have a sea in the Czech Republic, it’s nice to at least “play” on one. The Mšeno Reservoir in Jablonec is nicknamed the Jabloneck Sea, and even if its size can’t be compared to the real sea, it’s a first-class recreational area.
 
Shallow shores offer many opportunities for swimming. All three dams combined into one have designated bathing areas, and naturists should feel comfortable.
WHERE CAN YOU EAT IN JABLONEC
For example, try the Púlměsíc Grill & Pasta restaurant. They cook excellent food using regional ingredients, and they also offer a vegan option. We went there for lunch and enjoyed it very much.
ACCOMMODATION IN JABLONEC
How about staying in a brewery? The Volt Brewery in Jabloneck, situated on the shores of Lake Jabloneck, offers quite pleasant accommodation. I particularly liked the location by the dam. Our room was fine; it lacked nothing. We had plenty of space, including a huge bathroom. Breakfast in the lovely restaurant on the ground floor of the Pivovar Volt, however, was a pleasant surprise.
You can take the tram to neighboring Liberec!
A tram runs approximately 3-4 times per hour between the two towns. The entire 12 km line has been in operation since the 1950s and is currently being replaced by buses due to bridge repairs in Jablonec. An extension to the center of Jablonec is planned for the future.
LIBEREC
Liberec is a heartland. I’ve been here several times, mostly for shorter visits, but this city never ceases to amaze me. I suspect the main attraction of Liberec is the town hall and Ještěd!
So if you’re traveling to Jizera, you should also visit the city of Liberec and spend at least a day there. Here are the main places to see in Liberec:
Liberec Town Hall
You can’t miss it. The moment you step onto Liberec Square, Dr. E. Beneš, you’ll be breathless. And when you enter the building itself, you’ll be immediately struck by the Neo-Renaissance town hall. It’s so beautiful.
 
As you climb the 183 steps to the tower and walk through the grounds smelling of old wood, you’ll see all of Liberec from a bird’s-eye view. Below you’ll see Náměstí Dr. E. Beneš, next to it the neo-Gothic St. Antonín the Great, all the greenery that stretches through the city, and of course, the biggest star: Ještěd!
This town hall is not original. From the tower’s walkway, observe the outline of the cat’s head in the square – that’s where the old town hall stood. When it was no longer large enough, this grand new one was built and the old one demolished.
LIBEREC CAFÉS AND CAFÉS
One of the best coffees in the Czech Republic is roasted in Liberec – Nordbeans. Nordbeans operates a roastery and a small café on the outskirts of Liberec. We had the opportunity to discover both and experience the alchemy of coffee roasting.
 
Nordbeans supplies coffee to the best cafes throughout the country, for example to Kavárna co sánche namé in Prague, to Eska from the Ambiente chain, to Vnitroblock, Cafefin and Coffee Room in Vinohrady … etc. etc.
SWEET CITY
This is actually a Nordbeans café. So you get the best coffee beans straight from the source. And on top of that, homemade cakes, pastries, sandwiches… everything a proper café should have.
ORGANZA
A café and bar in one, where they serve a great breakfast and, unlike other breakfast cafés, are open from 9 am on weekends.. The best time to be here is in the summer, when you can sit on the outdoor terrace opposite the café. I don’t envy the waiters having to constantly run around, but they managed it quite well.
MIKYNA
We didn’t have time to go to Mikyna, but it’s one of the most famous cafes in Liberec and I will definitely visit it on my next trip to Liberec.. 
DESIGN
Design lives on in Liberec. Czechs from the north are simply clever. Even if not all projects were started by people from Liberec, but only by people who immigrated to Liberec.. 
BLACK MOUNTAIN
A team of experienced locals from Liberec and the surrounding area sews decent balloon skirts, sweatshirts, t-shirts, dresses, 
PINK TINE
You can’t miss this shop full of designer fashion and accessories from the Czech Republic, especially if you like Fler’s creations.
JEŠTĚD
Who doesn’t know Ještěd? The iconic structure, which primarily serves as a transmitter, has adorned a hill in Liberec since the 1970s.
The best way to reach the summit is by cable car (currently out of service), but you can of course also drive alone or by car, although the capacity of the upper parking lot is quite limited.
On Ještěd, you should especially enjoy the view of the green surroundings. Walk all the way around the transmitter and stop to see Jaroslav Róna’s work called Little Martian, which has been sitting on its back for more than 10 years.
 
Ještěd’s unique, timeless design is also reflected in the interior of the on-site café and hotel. It’s something you have to see for yourself. The café is modeled after Ještěd’s semicircular shape, so it has large windows and is beautifully lit. They serve mostly classic dishes here, such as strudel.. 
A few years ago, I also spent a night in a hotel. It was quite an experience. The room’s retro wallpaper only reinforced the feeling that we were in a spaceship and were about to lift off the ground and fly somewhere towards the stars.
The breakfast buffet at Hotel Ještěd was also excellent. We just took a photo of Hruškovica, who was also waiting on the table for those hungry for alcohol.. 
 
You can easily spend much more than just a day in Liberec. Stroll through the city center to the Valdštejnské half-timbered houses, the oldest building in the city, walk through the graffiti-covered Papírové náměstí (Pap Square), and if you have time, visit the Babylon Water Park or the iQLandia Education Center.
WHERE TO EAT IN LIBEREC
For example, you might find yourself at Omam Bistro – the lunch menu is particularly interesting, offering a choice of three dishes each time, usually including a vegan option. International flavors are woven into the menu daily, keeping your taste buds engaged.
WHERE TO STAY IN LIBEREC
After a night at the Jablonec Brewery, you can count sheep at the Old Bakery in Liberec. It’s about a 15-minute walk from the center. There are several rooms in the main building, and then one outside, where we slept. The hotel was very pleasant; unfortunately, we didn’t try the local breakfast, so I can’t describe it, as I usually enjoy it.
FRÝDLANT AND FRÝDLANT COMB
The third, this time smaller, town in the region that you can visit while exploring the Jizera Mountains is Frydlant. Its surroundings, the so-called Frýdlant Ridge, are no less interesting.
THE CITY OF FRYDLANT
Frýdlant, with almost 8,000 inhabitants, lies on both banks of the Smědé River. The largest village in one of the two northernmost regions of our republic is located just a few kilometers from the Polish border. A trip to Frýdlant could therefore be combined with a visit to Poland.
Things to see in Frýdlant include:
Town Hall and Town Hall Tower
This town hall is also beautiful. It actually shares an architect with the one in Liberec – the Viennese Franz von Neumann. However, the Frýdlant town hall was built in the Neo-Renaissance style and is also considerably smaller than the one in Liberec.. The wooden floor of the town hall is beautifully decorated with children’s creations. Each hour is announced by a carillon playing two alternating melodies.
 
Also note Frýdlant Castle and Palace. Castles were often rebuilt in the past, but this one is so cleverly situated on a hill that it couldn’t be expanded, so the palace had to be built underneath it.. The town hall also houses the Municipal Museum, full of historical artifacts such as servants’ beds, citizens’ rooms and their furnishings, historical clocks and various objects…
HISTORICAL CENTER
The center itself is practically just the square and its surroundings. Here you’ll find beautifully renovated townhouses, a fountain, benches, and above all, plenty of open space where cars aren’t even parked, unlike in other Czech cities.
HOSPITAL
A unique little museum, formerly a church-run hospital and leper colony. The “lepers” were given shelter and free food, but they were required to pray. Houses of this type were mainly built in the 13th century. This small hospital housed only six people.
 
Following its reconstruction in 2012, a charming little museum was created here, featuring interactive exhibits not only about the hospital itself, but also about the history of the Frýdlant region, complemented by archaeological finds. It’s a very interesting place, and if you’re in Frýdlant, be sure to stop by.
BETHLEHEM
Frýdlant can boast another unique monument: a wooden mechanical nativity scene housed in a small stilt house. This nativity scene dates back to the 19th century and took 60 years to build!
The man who makes it happen here turns the mechanical drive, and then you just watch as it all moves, as each of the 300 characters has a task that he diligently carries out, as the train travels, the horses plow the fields… a very nice spectacle for all ages.
 
FRIEDLANDKAMM AND ITS UNKNOWN PLACES
If you have a car with you, you can also drive around Frýdlant and discover places that are still largely undiscovered.
HEJNICE
In the town of Hejnice, stop at the Basilica of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. A little treasure is hidden here. Whether you’re religious or not, whether you believe in St. Valentine or not, there really was a person in Italy with that name. And they have some of his remains right here in Hejnice! You’ll find them to the left of the altar.
Libverda Spa
Do you like spa towns? Lázně Libverda is a small village in the Frýdlant region where they treat everything from cardiovascular diseases and musculoskeletal disorders to stress and obesity. We stopped at their charming colonnade, sampled some of the healing acidic water from a spring, bought a spa waffle, and moved on.
Just beyond Libverda you’ll find the Giant Barrel restaurant. Yes, it’s just a giant barrel with a few tables inside. Apparently, it also offers a beautiful view of the Jizera Mountains panorama. Unfortunately, it remained completely hidden from us thanks to the heavy storm clouds.
Pagan Stones
Another attraction of the Frýdlant ridge is hidden in nature near the village of Višňová. It’s a collection of boulders, one of which has deep grooves. According to local legend, the grooves were made by a carriage in which the devil traveled this path. Don’t believe it?
Be careful, a local skeptic didn’t believe it either and went to the stones one evening. He hasn’t been seen since.
In any case, the pagan stones are a pleasant tourist destination. It’s interesting here, and you can walk here from the nearest road in 15 minutes. Suitable for children too!
VIŠŇOVÁ
The village of Višňová itself offers several examples of typical Frýdlant half-timbered houses. There is also the so-called Craft Trail, located more precisely in the village of Poustka near Frýdlant.
The small path is lined with hand-carved wooden statues of crafts typical of the region since the Middle Ages. Each statue includes some educational information, mainly about the history of the craft, and an interactive element. This is great fun for children, but also for adults. We didn’t have any children with us, and they went absolutely crazy here.
VIŠKA
Viška (with a capital V) is a small village near Višňová full of beautiful half-timbered houses. There used to be even more, but the devastating floods of August 2010 destroyed many of them; the most beautiful, the “plank-walled” house number 36, even had to be completely demolished.
On site you will find the original photos of the wooden planks and a nearby oak tree, which locals attribute to protection against the even more devastating effects of the flood.
ČERNOUSY
Since it rained for most of the day, we ended up only exploring the local restaurants in Černousy. Restaurant Zámecký dvůr pleasantly surprised us with its masterfully prepared dishes.
Castle courtyard in Černousy
A wedding took place in the castle courtyard in Černousy.
WHERE TO EAT AND STAY
Hotel Antonie is one of the most luxurious options in the region. Located about a 5-minute drive from the center of Frýdlant, this hotel boasts a wellness center and spa. And it offers one of the best breakfasts I’ve ever had in the Czech Republic. The variety, the amount of fruit, the option to make a smoothie… it’s simply overwhelming. What’s more, when the weather is nice, you can enjoy everything on the terrace.
 
The hotel is situated in a beautiful location above the city, surrounded by residential buildings and nature. The spa area, featuring a small natural biotope, is located outside the main building but can also be reached via an underground tunnel.
You can’t help but notice the wannabe spaceship in front of the hotel. This is a unique meeting room, completely paneled in wood inside, where, in addition to meetings, small dinners or wedding receptions are also held.