Píšťanské or Žernosecké Lake is an artificially created lake, created in the 1950s and 1960s by seepage of water from the Elbe River, which flooded the gravel and sand quarry here. Today, the lake is a popular recreational spot with sandy shores.
The area of Píšťany Lake is approx. 90 ha. It lies between the villages of Velké Žernoseky, Píšťany and Žalhostice in the district of Litoměřice on the right bank of the Elbe river below the Radobyl basalt hill. The local sand, which was mined here, was used for the construction of large waterworks on the Vltava, especially the Slapská dam and the Orlická dam.
On the lake, you will find three small islands and two more prominent outcrops of land towards the lake. At the northern end, the lake is connected to the Elbe River by a 300 m long flow. Lake Píšťany has clear water and relatively high sandy shores, reminiscent of a sea beach. Near the beach (on the shore near Píšťany) there is a shipyard and a hotel with restaurant Marina Labe with a beautiful view of the water surface and the surroundings. In addition to the wharf and the hotel, there are two restaurants and a parking lot.
Lake Píšťany is located directly on the route of the cycle path leading along the river Elbe. The train connection (Velké Žernoseky stop) is also good here to Litoměřice and Ústí nad Labem. On the opposite left bank of the Elbe is the town of Lovosice, which can be reached by a small ferry. Several cruise ships sailing on the Elbe stop here.