About this place
Křenecké jezero is a lake in the village of Křenek in Central Bohemia's Polabí region, also known locally as Ovčáry lake or Křenek-Ovčáry. Covering roughly 18 hectares, it sits on the site of a former sand quarry and is now valued for its clear water and sandy shoreline.
How did the lake form?
Where the water now spreads out, a hill called Na Homolce once stood, rising some twenty meters above the surrounding land. In 1958 the state-owned company Severokámen Liberec began preparatory work for sand extraction, and mining itself ran from 1958 to 1963. Water pumped from the pit was used at the time to irrigate nearby fields. Once extraction stopped, the pit filled in gradually, leaving behind the lake known today as Křenecké jezero.
Where is the lake located?
The lake lies close to the town of Kostelec nad Labem, with the villages of Křenek and Dřísy providing the most direct access. Fields border it on three sides, while a strip of forest closes off the fourth, giving the spot a calm, natural feel even though it sits near several settlements.
What is there to do at the lake?
Sandy beaches and clear water make Křenecké jezero a popular swimming spot, and getting onto the beach costs nothing. A well-established water ski club operates on the lake, drawing both sport enthusiasts and people who simply want to spend time by the water. Through the summer months, the Kačer campsite opens nearby with a restaurant and parking, serving both day visitors and those staying overnight.
Who is this destination for?
Křenecké jezero suits travelers after an unstructured day outdoors — no tickets to buy, just sand, open water, and views across the surrounding fields and woodland. It works well as a day trip from Prague or Kostelec nad Labem, and the Kačer campsite makes a longer stay possible too.
What does the surrounding landscape look like?
The setting reflects the flat, farmed character typical of the Polabí lowlands, with a band of forest running along one edge of the lake. That mix of open fields on one side and shaded trees on the other gives the beaches noticeably different conditions depending on the time of day and how much sun visitors are after. The nearby villages of Křenek and Dřísy keep the trip to the water short, and Kostelec nad Labem provides solid onward connections across Central Bohemia.
Frequently asked questions
Is it free to visit Křenecké jezero? Yes, swimming at the lake's beach costs nothing.
How was the lake created? It formed after sand extraction carried out between 1958 and 1963 by the company Severokámen Liberec, on the site of a former hill called Na Homolce.
Which villages are closest to the lake? Křenek and Dřísy are the nearest villages, along with the town of Kostelec nad Labem.
Can visitors stay overnight at the lake? Yes, the Kačer campsite runs there during the summer season, with a restaurant and parking on site.
What can visitors do besides swimming? A water ski club is based at the lake, and its sandy beaches are also well suited to relaxing and sunbathing.
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