Located near Prague, Karlovy Vary is a historic spa town brimming with culture, springs and tradition. The town’s famous mineral water comes from the River Teplá, meaning ‘hot’. Steaming spring geysers rise several metres into the air across Karlovy Vary, so the power of the iron-rich water is evident across the town.
According to legend, Emperor Charles IV used to treat his aching limbs at the spring in the historic Market Square. Today, richly decorated colonnades house the town’s springs, each providing mineral water for passers-by to drink.
Karlovy Vary is also home to another famous drink – the Becherovka liqueur – as well as culinary specialties like the Pupp Cake and spa wafers.
Local artisans have made Karlovy Vary famous for craftsmanship, including the Stone Roses, made from calcified mineral water, and glassblowing. Tours of the underground hot spring and the Moser Glassworks are fascinating insights into these longstanding traditions.
Hot Springs and Geysers
The Vřídla Geyser is a unique natural phenomenon. Shooting up to 12 metres high, this geyser releases an average of 2000 litres of mineral water per minute.
The thermal water from this spring is the only spring used for bathing. Some of the water is used to supply spa operations, while some is used for the production of Karlovy Vary spring salt and petrification of the iconic souvenirs, the Stone Roses.
Curious minds can take a tour of the underground hot spring to learn about the Vřídlo, a collection of calc-sinters and accreted aragonite and even see how the Stone Roses are calcified.
Local Specialties
The Grandhotel Pupp dates to 1701, making it one of the oldest hotels in the world. Its founder, Johann Georg Pupp, was a confectioner from Karlovy Vary who laid the foundations of the local hotel dynasty.
Café Pupp is renowned for its classic Czech desserts from its own pastry shop. The true masterpiece is the Pupp cake, still made with the original recipe from the 18th century. The hotel restaurant was recently added to the Michelin Guide.
The hotel’s most important guests have included composers such as JS Bach, L. van Beethoven and Richard Wagner, monarchs Franz Joseph I, Peter the Great and Edward VII, as well as personalities such as Sigmund Freud, Franz Kafka, Morgan Freeman, Jude Law, Johnny Depp and many others.
Film and the hotel are inextricably linked, especially due to the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.
Spas, Thermal Pools and Bathing
Karlovy Vary is a true spa town with a wide offering, using its mineral water to provide restorative and healing balneological experiences.
The Sauna Thermal Resort offers multiple pools, a sauna resort and a rooftop pool with natural spring water at a luxuriously warm 38°C.
The historic Imperial Spa is bathing grandeur in a Cultural Monument that tells the story of the golden age of European spa culture. Equally steeped in magnificent architecture is the Elizabeth Spa, which has whirlpools and swimming pools alongside a Salt Cave, used for respiratory health.
The Windsor Spa Hotel is one of the oldest historical building in Karlovy Vary built in 1866 for the most modern balneological institutions during Austria-Hungary period.
The modern Moser Museum offers an absorbing tour through over 165 years of the glassworks’ history with more than 1,000 pieces on display.
See the unique talent of master glassmakers. The magic atmosphere of glass being blown and shaped, the smell of wooden moulds smouldering with the heat and the beauty of molten glass are sure to leave a strong impression. Visitors are permitted to take photographs or videos during the tour, and guides are available in international languages.
Karlovy Vary spa wafers (Karlovarské oplatky) are famous, large, thin, round Czech wafers made with local thermal spring water, often sold warm from street vendors or in boxes. They come in popular flavours like vanilla, hazelnut, chocolate and cinnamon.
Designed to be nibbled while walking between springs, spa wafers are a true taste of Central European spa town tradition.
Karlovy Vary’s springs are saturated with minerals. Through fast vaporisation of water, they settle on all objects which come in contact with it. The process of souvenirs being sprayed with mineral water and “growing over” with aragonite created famous stone souvenirs, including the iconic Stone Roses.
Spa town visitors can witness this phenomenon on an underground tour of the hot spring.
Places of Interest
Mill Colonnade
Today’s pseudo-Renaissance stone colonnade was the first building of its kind in Karlovy Vary, which provided spa guests with the opportunity to stay by the springs even in adverse weather. Built in 1871-1881 according to the design of the outstanding Czech architect Josef Zítek, it replaced the former wooden structure.
The Imperial Spa
The Imperial Spa was considered to be a prestigious spa institution with the most state-of-the-art balneological facilities. Its ornate and rich artistic decoration demonstrates the importance and wealth of Karlovy Vary at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.
Karlovy Vary Municipal Theatre
The Theatre stages the best pieces from the production of the Czech theatre scene and presents successful Czech and international authors.
Mayer's Gloriette
The wooden gazebo was built in 1804 by a Carlsbad native, offering a unique bird’s-eye view of the town’s spa centre. Freely accessible all year round, the Gloriette is a popular stop for spa guests on a walk.
Castle Tower
The castle tower is the last remnant of a small Gothic castle, which was built by Emperor Charles IV. Today, it holds a exhibitions and offers views over the town from the cafe.
Moser Glassworks
An absorbing tour of over 165 years of glassworks’ history. Alongside objects, you’ll see master glassmakers at work.
Market Colonnade
According to legend, Emperor Charles IV used to treat his aching limbs at the source of the local spring. The famous Viennese architects Ferdinand Fellner and Hermann Helmer designed the wooden colonnade in the Swiss style, richly decorated with carvings.
Castle Colonnade
The Art Nouveau Castle Colonnade is located at a historically exceptional site. It was here that the hunting castle of Charles IV stood.
Hot Spring Colonnade
A modern concrete colonnade in the functionalist style was opened above the Spring. The Vřídla geyser sprays water up to 12 meters high in a separate pavilion.
The Diana Lookout Tower
The most famous Karlovy Vary lookout tower has provided panoramic views of the city and its surroundings since 1914. The Butterfly House, a mini zoo, a children’s corner, a historic restaurant and stands are also at the tower.
Deer Jump Lookout
The wooden arbour on a rock bill near the Deer Jump above the spa centre is probably the oldest lookout structure in Karlovy Vary.
Goethe’s Lookout
A Pseudo-Gothic restaurant with a lookout tower providing stunning views. Located on the romantically-named Height of Eternal Life, there are different paths leading from the town to this lookout.
National House
The National House served for entertainment. The impressive Art Nouveau society building and hotel was built in 1899-1901.
Municipal Savings Bank
The Art Nouveau building is situated directly in the spa centre of Karlovy Vary. The construction took place between 1904 and 1906.
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A perfect day in Karlovy Vary
8-10 a.m
Breakfast
Enjoy a spa town breakfast in your hotel, or visit one of the beautiful coffee shops in the centre of Karlovy Vary, where you can try local specialties.
10:30-12 a.m.
Tour of the historic town centre
Get your drinking cup for a beautiful tour along river Teplá. Starting from the Hotel Thermal (where Karlovy Vary International Film Festival takes place every year), the route goes past the Park Colonnade in Dvořák’s park, then continues with the monumental stone Mill Colonnade, an iconic sight of Karlovy Vary. Next, pass through the romantic wooden Market Colonnade and meander through the Hot Spring Colonnade, where you can find the hottest spring in Karlovy Vary. In all the colonnades you can taste the springs, and locals still fill up their cups with healing spring water.
12-1 p.m.
Lunch
Try Czech dishes in one of many restaurants along the River Teplá, where you can enjoy the view of charming art-nouveau architecture. For something sweeter, visit Café Vienna, where time has stopped in 1912. The stylish interior is matched with live music.
1-2 p.m.
Diana Lookout Tower
The perfect after-lunch activity is a visit to the Diana Lookout Tower, either by taking the funicular railway or walking up the hill. From here, you will see the whole town, the River Tepla and the landscape. There is also a mini zoo, a butterfly house with some butterflies about 23cm, a restaurant and stalls. Make the most of the landscape with a walk down the hill and enjoy the spectacular spa forests around Karlovy Vary.
2-4 p.m.
Museums
If you’re curious about the Hot Springs, take a tour under the Hot Spring Colonnade, where you can also see how Karlovy Vary stone roses are made. The museum of Karlovy Vary will dive into the history of the town, while the Castle Tower is another popular exhibition space. Visit the Becherovka Visitor’s Centre to learn about the history of this great herbal liquor or Museum and Glasswork Moser to see how the famous Czech crystal is made.
4-6 p.m.
Spa
After a long day, relaxing in thermal pools of mineral water is the perfect day to revitalise. Rest and relax in the salt cave, the rooftop swimming pool, saunas or enjoy some procedures such as a classic massage, mineral bath or oxygen therapy.
7-12 p.m.
Culture
Karlovy Vary is filled with cultural events. Music lovers can enjoy an organ concert in the church or experience the Karlovy Vary Symphony Orchestra in the Grandhotel Ambassador. The Town Theatre or a cinema will reveal Karlovy Vary’s rich performing history. Some our hotels also offer dance nights with live music.
Accommodation & Offers
Accommodation for every taste
Are you looking for an luxurious hotel with great cuisine? An apartment with your own privacy and kitchen? Or would you rather be in a bungalow with a fire place? You can find everything in Karlovy Vary. From a small family pension on the edge of the town to beautiful 5* hotels with swimming pool and Balneo centres, there is an option for whatever makes you feel comfortable and relaxed.
Getting there
- Karlovy Vary is reachable by rail, either via Přestanov (3hr 15 minimum), although the slightly longer route via Mariánské Lázně is very scenic!
- The quickest public transport route is from airport or city centre by bus (1 hr 40 approx). At the airport look out for the yellow bus.
- Nearest Airport: Prague
- Karlovy Vary Region Card
Karlovy Vary Tourist Information Centre
- +420 355 321 171
- infocentrum@karlovyvary.cz
- Mariánskolázeňská 2
360 01 Karlovy Vary
Czechia - https://www.karlovyvary.cz/en/contacts
Events and festivals in Karlovy Vary
The International Film Festival
If you want to see the biggest and...
The Karlovy Vary Folklore Festival
Visitors of all ages, from children to senior...
Dvořák Autumn
Antonín Dvořák, who lived and worked in Karlovy...
Shiningvary
Siningvary is Karlovy Vary's Festival of Light. The...
Opening of the spa season
The annual Opening of the Spa Season is...
Places to visit near Karlovy Vary
Beautiful views from lookout towers
Massive columns surround several hot springs. Grab your spa cup and imagine you are a spa patient from the end of the 19th century.
New experiences every day
Venture out among sika deer and fallow deer in the forest game enclosure, seek out adventure and float down the Ohře River, peek under the elbows of the master glassworkers, and be cultured in the gallery, museum, or theatre. And what about the children? You can entertain, amuse, and tire out your kids on playgrounds, sports grounds, cycle paths, in forests, and in parks. Many sites are adapted to their needs here, all you need do is to choose according to your mood. Karlovy Vary is always in a good mood. It will bring a smile to the lips of you and your whole family.
Religious sites
Above the Hot Spring Colonnade, you will find the Church of Saint Mary Magdalene (1736), which is among the country’s most notable historical monuments of the Baroque Era. While visiting the church, you should not miss the unique funeral crypt in the original Gothic underground, which houses the skeletal remains from the former cemetery. The Orthodox Church of Saint Peter and Paul (1898) is also worth seeing. Another major structure is the Pseudo-Gothic Anglican Church of Saint Lucas, which was constructed with the financial support of English spa guests.
Karlovy Vary – A Golf Destination
Golf was first introduced to Karlovy Vary in the early 20th century. Today, you will find 4 high quality golf courses in Karlovy Vary and its close surroundings. In the entire Karlovy Vary Region, six out of the 10 golf courses are 18- hole, three are 9-hole, and the last one offers 18 holes with 9 teeing grounds. Among them, you will also find champion golf courses that often host major golf tournaments. All offer practice areas, adequate club facilities for golfers, as well as accompanying services, such as equipment rental, pro shops, or personal coaches.
Excursions, museums & galleries
The vast majority of historic sites within and outside Karlovy Vary are open all year. The most popular include the Jan Becher Museum, the Hot Spring Undeground, Moser Glassworks, Karlovy Vary Museum, House of Wax, Butterfly House, Christmas House, or the Karlovy Vary Gallery. An abundant programme is regularly prepared by the local observatory and Becher‘s Villa Interactive Gallery.
@karlovyvarycz
@karlovyvarycz
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