A rugged and hilly landscape is typical for the district. The territory extends into three geomorphological mesoregions: Benešov Uplands (north), Vlašim Uplands (south) and Křemešník Highlands (smaller part in the east). The highest point of the district is the Mezivrata hill in Neustupov with an elevation of 713 m (2,339 ft), the lowest point is the Štěchovice Reservoir in Krňany at 220 m (720 ft).
The area is rich in watercourses and ponds. The most important river is the Sázava, which forms the north and northeast boundary of the district before crossing it on the northwest. Other important rivers of the district area its tributaries Blanice and Želivka. Slapy and Štěchovice reservoirs, built on the Vltava River, form the western boundary of the district. The largest body of water is Švihov Reservoir, built on the Želivka. It is the fourth largest reservoir in the country.
From the total district area of 1,474.9 km2 (569.5 sq mi), agricultural land occupies 903.0 km2 (348.7 sq mi), forests occupy 414.5 km2 (160.0 sq mi), and water area occupies 33.6 km2 (13.0 sq mi). Forests cover 28.1% of the district's area.[1]
The D1 motorway from Prague to Brno passes through the northern and eastern part of the district. The European route E55 separates from it, which passes across the district and continues as D3 motorway in its south.