One of the oldest spas in the Czech Republic – Karlovy Vary – forms the West Bohemian Spa Triangle together with the towns of Mariánské Lázně and Františkovy Lázně. Karlovy Vary impresses with its rich history and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage. This popular town was built around the Vary springs, whose sulfurous water is said to have healing effects. And don’t forget – even famous figures like Beethoven, Kafka, and Freud recognized the beauty of Karlovy Vary! Now we’d like to show you exactly what there is to discover!
If you travel to Karlovy Vary, you will come across several attractions. Discover the famous colonnades or the Diana Tower. In addition to its thermal baths, Karlovy Vary has so much more to offer. A city that will enchant you.
Stará Louka ("Old Meadow") is the famous promenade of Karlovy Vary on the northern bank of the River Teplá, showcasing impressive Art Nouveau buildings crowned by forested hills in the background. There you’ll find numerous restaurants, cafés, shops, and upscale hotels. The Grandhotel Pupp is also located along the promenade and may already be familiar to you. It served as a filming location for the James Bond movie "Casino Royale". Afterwards, you can stroll from the promenade to the adjacent shopping street Lázenská ulice, offering plenty of shopping opportunities.
Karlovy Vary is home to many colonnades—covered promenades with pillars offering shade and space to relax or recover. Among them is the Hot Spring Colonnade, representing the most famous of the city’s twelve springs. Since the 16th century, the twelve-meter-high and 72-degree warm water fountain has been active, erupting from the hot spring. Its water is used for drinking cures and spa baths. In addition to the main geyser, five other spring vases dispense drinkable mineral water at varying temperatures. This water is believed to help with digestive disorders, diabetes, obesity, and musculoskeletal diseases. Other notable colonnades include the Mill Colonnade and the Market Colonnade, the latter located directly on the historic market square.
Located near the Hot Spring Colonnade is the Church of St. Mary Magdalene, which has displayed its beauty since 1736. This grand high-baroque building is a national cultural monument of the Czech Republic. The distinctive towers are particularly striking. The baroque style is also reflected in the opulent interior of the church. Of special interest is the underground crypt, even older than the current church, and a remnant of an earlier Gothic one. Human remains from the former cemetery are still located in the crypt today.
But Karlovy Vary is not only famous for its thermal springs—it is equally renowned for its bitter herbal liqueur, first developed in 1807 by Jan Becher as a remedy. This unique herbal liqueur is therefore referred to as the 13th spring, complementing the town's twelve thermal ones. The Jan Becher Museum honors the history of this liqueur and offers an audio guide tour covering its 200-year legacy. Learn more about production, original bottling, and storage in historic cellars. But who visits such a museum without tasting the liqueur? Exactly—no one! So don’t miss the chance to try this distinctive herbal spirit!
In addition to the famous herbal liqueur, you should definitely try out Karlovy Vary’s thermal baths. Various spa houses and hotels offer this experience. Choose between traditional spa treatments, wellness and beauty programs, massages, whirlpool baths with thermal water, and more. Be sure to look for well-reviewed spa houses for the best possible experience.
The Moser Museum highlights the history of the namesake glassworks, which has been a part of Karlovy Vary for over 150 years. Learn about the process of glassmaking and admire more than 2,000 exhibits. The tour through the glassworks is also exciting, allowing you to observe the glassmakers up close. This luxury glass makes a perfect souvenir from your trip.
Another attraction is the Diana Observation Tower. For over 100 years, you can take the funicular railway from the station next to Grandhotel Pupp through the spa forest up to the tower. The ride takes only three minutes and already offers great views of Karlovy Vary. After the ride, a few stairs or an elevator take you up the 35-meter-high tower platform. Enjoy a stunning view of the historic city center, surrounding nature such as the Ore Mountains, Slavkov Forest, and the spa woods. On your way back, a stroll through the spa forest is highly recommended.
Beyond the colonnades, thermal baths, and promenades, the spa forests are well worth a visit! Hike through nature or enjoy the fresh air by bike. The spa forest trails are in excellent condition and clearly marked. Pay attention to the trail colors! Green paths are easy, blue ones are moderate, and red trails are more challenging—ideal for young, fit, and enthusiastic hikers. Even these can be completed without advanced training, requiring only basic fitness. Along your route, you’ll encounter gazebos, pavilions, huts, and other small structures—especially welcome during rainy weather.
The spa forest features additional viewpoints like the Charles IV Observation Tower or the Deer Leap Pavilion from 1804. The latter is especially fun for children! Encourage them to find the statue of a chamois under the pavilion.
Thanks to its wide range of activities, a trip to Karlovy Vary is possible year-round. The city is especially popular during the summer months, but winter and the Christmas season also offer a fantastic opportunity to visit. Let yourself be enchanted by the festive markets, concerts, fairy-tale characters, and countless colorful decorations.
But there’s more to Karlovy Vary than just summer and Christmas! In January, enjoy New Year’s performances, balls, and concerts. In April, witness an extraordinary gathering of nobility, as more than 600 aristocrats from across Europe arrive to celebrate a medieval festival.
The high season begins in May, featuring many rituals, traditional costume shows, fairs, and May celebrations. June brings international canoe competitions, the Karlovy Vary Carnival, and the "Mozart and Karlovy Vary" music festival. Late June and early July see more events, including the annual Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.
Driving is a very convenient way to reach Karlovy Vary, allowing you to visit nearby attractions as well. Please note that a vignette is required for Czech motorways. You can easily order it from home and benefit from immediate validity. Bus or train travel is also possible—however, the fastest option is by train (4.5 hours) from Munich via Nuremberg and Cheb.
In Karlovy Vary itself, everything is within walking distance, and you can also take advantage of the excellent public transport system.
If you’re already in Karlovy Vary, don’t miss the chance to visit nearby attractions. Particularly worth seeing are the spas in Františkovy Lázně and Loket Castle.
Františkovy Lázně is home to the world’s first mud bath, the so-called Franzensquelle. You can also visit the splendid Ruská Avenue and several other spa buildings. The spa town of Mariánské Lázně also has much to offer—it is rightfully called the pearl of the spa triangle. Discover over 40 mineral springs and experience their famous drinking cures. Don’t miss the city’s landmark, the Maxim Gorky Colonnade.
The town of Loket is one of the most beautiful day trips near Karlovy Vary, crowned by Loket Castle ("Elbow Castle"). It dates back to the 13th century and features an old pharmacy, a mineral collection, a porcelain exhibition, a weapons display, a torture museum, and a viewing tower. Nearby, you'll find the family brewery Svatý Florián, which still uses traditional Bohemian methods to brew beer and make soft drinks.
We wish you a great trip to the Czech Republic and lots of fun exploring Karlovy Vary. Don’t forget to inform yourself about the country’s toll regulations. You can find information about the toll in our guide. Feel free to use our route planner to help plan your trip and view the related toll products. If you have any questions, we are happy to assist. Contact us via email.
