One of the oldest spa towns in the Czech Republic - Karlovy Vary - together with the towns of Mariánské Lázně and Františkovy Lázně forms the West Bohemian Spa Triangle. Karlovy Vary is impressive with its history and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage. The popular town of Karlovy Vary was built around the Vary Springs, whose sulfur-rich water is said to have healing properties. And don’t forget that famous figures like Beethoven, Kafka, and Freud also recognized the beauty of Karlovy Vary! Let us now show you what you can discover there!
Stará Louka ("Old Meadow") is the famous promenade of Karlovy Vary located on the northern bank of the Teplá River, offering impressive Art Nouveau houses crowned by forested hills in the background. Here, you can explore a variety of restaurants, cafes, shops, and luxury hotels. The Grand Hotel Pupp is also located on the promenade and you may already be familiar with it, as it was featured in the James Bond movie "Casino Royale". Afterward, you can take a stroll from the promenade to the adjoining shopping street Lázenská ulice, where you’ll find many shopping opportunities.
Karlovy Vary is home to a large number of colonnades, columned halls that provide shaded spaces for relaxation and healing.
One of the most famous is the Sprudel Colonnade. It represents the most well-known of the city's twelve springs. The twelve-meter-high and 72-degree hot water fountain has been active since the 16th century and rises from the Sprudel Spring. The water of the Sprudel Spring is used for drinking cures and spa treatments. In addition to the water fountain, there are five other spring vases, from which drinkable mineral water flows at varying temperatures. It is said that this water can help with digestive system disorders, diabetes, obesity, and musculoskeletal diseases.
Other interesting colonnades include the Mill Spring Colonnade and the Market Colonnade, the latter located directly at the historic marketplace.
Located in close proximity to the Sprudel Colonnade, the St. Mary Magdalene Church has been showcasing its beauty since 1736. The impressive building, in the high Baroque style, is a national cultural monument of the Czech Republic. The prominent towers especially impress visitors. The Baroque style is also present inside the church, where it decorates the interiors magnificently. Also of interest is the underground crypt, which is even older than the St. Mary Magdalene Church itself and was once part of an older Gothic church. Therefore, the bones of the former cemetery can still be found in the crypt.
But Karlovy Vary is not only known for its thermal springs, it is also at least as famous for its bitter herbal liqueur, developed by Jan Becher in 1807 as a remedy. This special herbal liqueur is referred to as the 13th spring, in addition to the twelve famous thermal springs in Karlovy Vary. The Jan Becher Museum honors the development of this herbal liqueur and offers an audio guide to learn about the 200-year history of the bitter liqueur. Discover more about its production, original bottling, and storage in the old cellar rooms. But who would visit such a museum without trying the herbal liqueur? Right, no one! So, make sure to taste this unique herbal schnapps!
In addition to the famous herbal schnapps, you should definitely try the thermal baths in Karlovy Vary. Various spa houses and hotels in the area offer you this experience. Choose from traditional bath cures, wellness and beauty programs, massages, whirlpool baths with thermal water, and much more. Make sure to choose well-rated spa houses to get the best possible experience.
The Moser Museum focuses on the history of the famous Moser Glassworks, which has been part of Karlovy Vary for over 150 years. Learn more about glassmaking and admire over 2,000 exhibits. The tour through the glassworks can also be quite exciting, as you can witness the glassmakers at work. The luxury glass is an excellent souvenir from your vacation in Karlovy Vary.
Another notable sight is the Diana Observation Tower. For over 1000 years, you have been able to take the cable car from the station next to the Grand Hotel Pupp through the spa forest up to the Diana Tower. The ride takes only three minutes and brings you quickly to the viewpoint, while already offering a wonderful view of Karlovy Vary on the way. After the ride, you can climb some steps or use the elevator to reach the 35-meter-high tower. Enjoy the stunning view of the historic city center and the surrounding nature, including the Ore Mountains, the Kaiser Forest, and the interesting spa woods. On your way back, a walk through the spa forest is highly recommended.
In addition to the various colonnades, thermal baths, and promenades, the spa forests are also worth a visit! Hike through nature or enjoy the fresh air on the saddle of your bike. The routes in the spa forests are in very good condition and well-marked. Pay attention to the colors of the trails! Green-marked routes are easy, blue-marked trails are medium difficulty. If you're looking for a bigger challenge, choose the red trails, which are suited for young, fit, and enthusiastic hikers. However, even these can be managed without intense training as long as you have basic fitness. Along the way, you will encounter gazebos, pavilions, huts, and other small structures—especially a welcome surprise in rainy weather.
In the spa forest, there are further viewpoints such as the Karl IV. Tower or the Hirschsprung Pavilion from 1804. The Hirschsprung Pavilion is especially fun for children! Encourage them to search for the figure of a chamois under the pavilion.
Thanks to the variety of activities, a vacation in Karlovy Vary is possible all year round. The city is particularly popular during the summer months, but winter, with its Christmas season, also offers an excellent opportunity to visit Karlovy Vary. Let yourself be enchanted by the beautiful markets, festive concerts, fairy-tale characters, and countless colorful decorations.
However, Karlovy Vary has a lot to offer not only in summer and at Christmas! In January, discover the many New Year’s performances, ball dances, and concerts, or observe the unusual aristocratic gathering in April. Over 600 members of European noble families travel to celebrate a medieval festival.
The main season begins in May due to many rituals, costume shows, fair tents, and May celebrations. In June, international canoe competitions, the Karlovy Vary Carnival, and the “Mozart and Karlovy Vary” music festival follow. Other events take place at the end of June and the beginning of July, such as the annual Karlovy Vary Film Festival.
The car is a very convenient way to travel to Karlovy Vary, allowing you to visit other nearby attractions. However, please note that there is a vignette requirement in the Czech Republic. You can easily order this from home and benefit from its immediate validity. You can also travel by bus or train, but the fastest option is by train (4.5 hours) from Munich via Nuremberg and Cheb.
Once in Karlovy Vary, you can walk everywhere and also benefit from the good public transportation system.
If you are already in Karlovy Vary, make sure not to miss out on other attractions nearby.
In Františkovy Lázně, you will find the world’s first mud bath, the so-called Franzensquelle. You can also visit the grand Ruská street and other spa houses. But Mariánské Lázně also has something to offer, and it is no wonder that it is called the Pearl of the Spa Triangle. Discover over 40 mineral water springs and experience the interesting drinking cures. Be sure to visit the city’s landmark, the Maxim Gorky Colonnade.
The town of Loket is one of the most beautiful excursion destinations near Karlovy Vary and is dominated by the Loket Castle ("Elbow Castle"). It has existed since the 13th century and houses an old pharmacy, a collection of rocks, a porcelain exhibition, a weapons collection, a torture museum, and an observation tower. In the immediate vicinity is the family brewery Svatý Florián, which still uses the old Bohemian traditions and offers beer and soft drinks.
