Karlovy Vary

Karlovy Vary is one of the oldest spa towns in the Czech Republic and, together with Mariánské Lázně and Františkovy Lázně, forms the West Bohemian Spa Triangle. The city impresses with its history and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Karlovy Vary was built around the Vary springs, whose sulphurous water is said to have healing effects. Famous figures such as Beethoven, Kafka and Freud also appreciated the special atmosphere of the city. Below you will find an overview of what there is to discover in Karlovy Vary.

Sights of the city

When you travel to Karlovy Vary, you will encounter numerous sights. Discover the famous colonnades or the Diana Tower. In addition to its thermal spas, Karlovy Vary offers much more and will leave many visitors lastingly impressed.

Stará Louka promenade

Stará Louka ("Old Meadow") is the famous promenade of Karlovy Vary on the northern bank of the Teplá. It is characterised by impressive Art Nouveau buildings framed by wooded hills. Along the promenade you will find numerous restaurants, cafés, shops and high-quality hotels. The Grand Hotel Pupp is also located here and is familiar to many visitors, as the James Bond film "Casino Royale" was filmed there. From the promenade, you can continue walking to the Lázeňská ulice shopping street, which offers additional shopping opportunities.

The famous colonnades

Karlovy Vary has a large number of colonnades, i.e. covered pillared halls that provide shaded areas for relaxation and spa treatments. One of the most famous is the Hot Spring Colonnade, which houses what is probably the most famous of the city's twelve springs. Since the 16th century, a roughly twelve-metre-high fountain of water at around 72 degrees has been active here, rising from the Hot Spring. The water is used, among other things, for drinking cures and spa baths. There are also several spring vases from which drinkable mineral water can be taken at different temperatures. The water is said to have a supportive effect on digestive complaints, diabetes, being overweight and disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Other colonnades worth seeing are the Mill Colonnade and the Market Colonnade, which is located directly on the historic market square.

St Mary Magdalene Church

In the immediate vicinity of the Hot Spring Colonnade is St Mary Magdalene Church, which has shaped the cityscape since 1736. The imposing building in the high Baroque style is regarded as a national cultural monument of the Czech Republic. The striking towers in particular immediately catch the eye. The Baroque style continues inside too, defining the splendid design. The underground crypt is also worth seeing, being even older than the current church and once belonging to a Gothic predecessor church. To this day, the crypt contains remains from the former cemetery.

Jan Becher Museum

Karlovy Vary is known not only for its thermal springs but also for its bitter herbal liqueur, developed in 1807 by Jan Becher as a remedy. In addition to the twelve thermal springs, this herbal liqueur is therefore often referred to as the "13th spring". The Jan Becher Museum is dedicated to the development of this liqueur and, with the help of an audio guide, offers insights into its more than 200-year history. You will learn more about production, bottling and storage in the historic cellar rooms. For many visitors, a tasting is also part of the museum experience.

Thermal spas

In addition to the famous herbal liqueur, it is also worth visiting the thermal spas in Karlovy Vary. Numerous spa houses and hotels offer various treatments, including classic bathing cures, wellness and beauty programmes, massages and whirlpool baths with thermal water. It is advisable to look for well-rated establishments to have the best possible experience.

Moser Museum and glassworks

The Moser Museum focuses on the history of the glassworks of the same name, which has been linked to Karlovy Vary for over 150 years. Visitors gain insights into glass production and can admire over 2,000 exhibits. A tour of the glassworks can also be particularly interesting, as you experience the work of the glassmakers up close. The high-quality glass also makes a great souvenir.

Diana Tower

Another popular attraction is the Diana Tower. For many years, a cable car has been taking visitors from the station next to the Grand Hotel Pupp through the spa forest to the viewpoint. The journey takes only a few minutes and already offers lovely views of Karlovy Vary along the way. Once at the top, after a few steps or comfortably by lift, you reach the 35-metre-high tower gallery. From there, you can enjoy the view over the historic centre as well as the surrounding nature, including the Ore Mountains, the Kaiserwald and the spa forests. A walk through the spa forest on the way back is also recommended.

Spa forest

In addition to colonnades, thermal spas and promenades, the spa forests are also worth a visit. There you can go hiking or explore nature by bike. The paths are well maintained and reliably signposted. Colours usually indicate the level of difficulty: green stands for easy routes, blue for moderate routes and red for more demanding paths. Along the routes, you will repeatedly come across arbours, pavilions, huts and other small structures that offer a welcome place to shelter, especially in the rain.

Viewing platforms: Hirschsprung and Charles IV

The spa forest has further viewpoints, including the Charles IV Lookout Tower and the Hirschsprung viewing pavilion from 1804. Hirschsprung is particularly interesting for children, as a figure of a chamois can be discovered beneath the pavilion.

The ideal time to travel for your dream holiday

Due to the wide range of possibilities, a stay in Karlovy Vary is possible all year round. The city is especially popular during the summer months. Winter can also be worthwhile, as the Christmas period offers a special experience with markets, concerts, festive programmes and atmospheric decorations.

In addition, events also take place regularly outside the summer and Christmas periods. In January, for example, you can experience New Year performances, balls and concerts. In April, there is also an unusual gathering where several hundred members of European noble families come together to celebrate a medieval-style festival.

The main season often begins as early as May with rituals, traditional costume shows, market tents and May festivities. In June, among other things, international canoeing competitions, the Karlovy Vary Carnival and the "Mozart and Karlovy Vary" music festival follow. Further events take place at the end of June and beginning of July, including the annual Karlovy Vary Film Festival.

Getting there and getting around locally

Travelling by car is a convenient way to get to Karlovy Vary, especially if you also want to visit nearby attractions. Please note, however, that a vignette obligation applies in the Czech Republic. Alternatively, you can also travel by bus or train. In Karlovy Vary itself, you can reach many places on foot and also make use of the well-developed public transport network.

Other interesting sights near Karlovy Vary

If you are already in Karlovy Vary, it is worth planning a visit to nearby attractions as well. Particularly recommended are the spa towns of Františkovy Lázně and Loket Castle.

The other two spa towns of the West Bohemian Spa Triangle

Františkovy Lázně is home to the world's first peat bath, the so-called Franz Spring. You can also visit the splendid Ruská street and other bathhouses there. The spa town of Mariánské Lázně is also very much worth seeing and is not without reason called the pearl of the spa triangle. Discover over 40 mineral water springs and experience the drinking cures. You should also visit the city's landmark, the Maxim Gorky Colonnade.

Loket Castle

The town of Loket is one of the most beautiful excursion destinations near Karlovy Vary and is defined by Loket Castle ("Elbow Castle"). The castle has existed since the 13th century and houses, among other things, a historic pharmacy, a rock collection, a porcelain exhibition, a weapons exhibition, a torture museum and a lookout tower. In the immediate vicinity is also the Svatý Florián family brewery, which continues to uphold traditional Bohemian methods and offers beer as well as lemonades.

The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey

We wish you a pleasant journey to the Czech Republic and lots of enjoyment exploring Karlovy Vary. Please make sure to find out about the applicable toll regulations in good time. Feel free to also use our route planner to better plan your trip and have suitable toll products displayed. If you have any questions, we are of course happy to help. Contact us at any time by email.