A Complete Guide to Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic
Karlovy Vary (also known as Karlsbad or Carlsbad) is the most famous spa town in the Czech Republic, and you can easily visit this charming destination on a day trip from Prague. Explore hot springs, colonnades, architecture, and plan your trip to this beautiful town with our travel guide, including the best things to do, tips on where to stay, how to get there, and much more.
Without any doubt, Karlovy Vary is the most famous Czech spa town and a popular day trip from Prague. The fame of this charming town goes beyond the Czech borders as Karlovy Vary is often ranked amongst the best spa towns in Europe.
Spa towns and the spa culture have a long history in Europe dating back several centuries. Between the 18th and 19th centuries, the wealthy and powerful people started to frequently visit spa destinations as retreats from the hectic way of life.
And although most of the people back in times visited spa towns such as Karlovy Vary mostly to be seen by others, to show they can afford it, we cannot fail to mention that these places were also extremely popular because of the treatments.
Several weeks-long stays could (and still can) significantly heal visitors and improve their health.
Famous European writers, composers, aristocrats, and emperors, such as Johann Wolfgang Goethe, Frederick Chopin, Charles IV, or Peter the Great fell in love with the city at first sight, and we have a strong suspicion that you will too.
According to a legend, Charles IV was the first one who discovered a hot spring during a deer hunt, but we know that as early as in the 13th-century, local people knew about the hot springs and their healing effects.
Nowadays the town is more popular than ever especially with Russians and day-trippers from Prague.
We won't be discussing here the effects of the spa treatments as we are running a travel blog here, so we will entirely focus on the best things to do in Karlovy Vary and the reasons why you should visit this lovely town.
West Bohemian spa triangle is home to many other popular spa towns, such as Marianske Lazne, Jachymov, and Frantiskovy Lazne, and you can visit all of them easily from Karlovy Vary.
So what to expect from Karlovy Vary?
Exquisite spa treatments, thermal hot springs, impressive architecture, classical colonnades, and gorgeous surroundings - this and much more offers this incredible town in the west part of Bohemia.
BEST THINGS TO DO IN KARLOVY VARY
Whether you visit the town for a day or you plan on spending several weeks here, one thing is sure, there are plenty of things to do in Karlovy Vary, and you won't get bored easily.
From spa treatments to hiking, rehabilitation to facials, unwind and shake off all the stress and tension.
Here is the list of top things to do and the best attractions to see in Karlovy Vary.
HOT SPRING COLONNADE
One of the most impressive colonnades in Karlovy Vary sits in a modern functionalist building made of glass and reinforced concrete which was built between 1969 and 1975.
The architecture is definitely something you wouldn't expect from a traditional colonnade, but the answer to the question of 'how on earth this was allowed to be constructed' lies in the dates this modern structure was built.
Yes, you guessed right, Communists built a lot of buidlings, none of them is pretty.
Actually, it's the third building that was built on this site, which is also a pretty interesting fact.
While the colonnade itself is very impressive and full of springs with different temperatures, the most fascinating part is hiding in the underground area. That's right, you can buy a ticket and visit the old underground section with a guided tour.
As the whole colonnade is under roof, it's a perfect place to find a shade in summer and get away from the sun or to escape chilly streets to warm up your body if it's too cold outside.
Czech name for Hot Spring Colonnade is Vridelni Kolonada.
The building is also home to the famous geyser Hot Spring, one of the symbols of the town. With temperature exceeding 72 Celsius, Hot Spring (Vridlo) is a top attraction in Karlovy Vary you shouldn't miss.
Travel Tip: When in the town, don't forget to buy a traditional spa cup, a unique shaped cup that's used for drinking mineral water directly from the spring.
MARKET COLONNADE
Beautiful white wooden carved colonnade has three mineral springs and sits on the left bank of Tepla River (a river flowing through Karlovy Vary) next to the Hot Spring Colonnade.
The temperature of hot springs varies from 55-65 Celsius, and this Swiss-style building replaced the oldest baths in Karlovy Vary. Market Colonnade (Trzni Kolonada) is a rather small structure when compared to other colonnades, but the wooden delicate artwork makes it very unique to Karlovy Vary.
One of the hot springs here carries a name after Holy Roman Emperor, Charles IV, who founded the city in 1370.
MILL COLONNADE
Built between 1871 and 1881 in a neo-renaissance style, Mill Colonnade (Mlynska Kolonada) is one of the most beautiful structures in Karlovy Vary and the symbol of the town. With 132 meters, this is the largest colonnade in Karlovy Vary with 12 allegorical sandstone statues on the roof and 124 Corinthian columns.
Karlovy Vary has fifteen major thermal springs, and the Mill Colonnade houses five of them, so have your spa cup ready.
PARK COLONNADE
Set in a beautiful green park, Park Colonnade (Sadova Kolonada) is a lovely retreat from the hot summer streets.
The cast-iron colonnade is the only remnant of the Blanensky Pavillion, which was demolished in the 60s, and you will find here two springs with temperatures 42 and 29 Celsius.
CASTLE COLONNADE
Walk slightly uphill from Market Colonnade, and you will shortly find yourself (it's a one-minute walk uphill) at yet another popular colonnade.
Castle Colonnade (Zamecka Kolonada) has two parts, the upper part, a beautiful pavilion featuring stone columns, and hot springs. The upper part is accessible to the public, but the lower part is only for guests of the Castle Spa.
And at the bottom of the complex is the Market Colonnade.
There are also two more pavilions with springs in Karlovy Vary, so if you are still not tired, don't forget to visit Freedom Spring Pavillon and Alois Klein Pavillon.
HOT MINERAL SPRINGS
Mineral springs, thermal springs, hot springs, or whatever you call them, are one of the main reasons for visiting Karlovy Vary.
There are currently 15 main springs in Karlovy Vary, and most of them are accessible to the public. Of course, that's not all, and there are more springs around the city (more than 80), but unfortunately, you don't get access to them.
You will find all the potable mineral springs at the colonnades, which makes it really easy to navigate between them.
The most famous hot spring is simply called Hot Spring (Vridlo), you should also try the healing powers of Charles IV spring, Mill spring, or Rusalka spring.
Tasting mineral springs is one of the best things to do in Karlovy Vary, and you will have a lot of fun with this activity.
KARLOVY VARY LOOKOUTS
There are many beautiful lookouts from the steep hills surrounding Karlovy Vary, but Vyhlidka Petra Velikeho (Peter's Height Lookout) and Vyhlidka Jeleni Skok (Deer Jump Lookout) are definitely our favorite ones.
Although you can drive all the way to the top of the hill via Sovova Stezka or take Diana Funicular, we highly recommend you to push yourself a little bit and climb to the viewpoint via the forested path.
It's worth it!
Regardless of your approach, the views from the top are breathtaking.
DIANA LOOKOUT TOWER
From the lookouts we've mentioned in the text above, you can continue to another top attraction - Diana Lookout Tower (Vyhlidka Diana).
This place is popular for great views and a funicular. The ride to the top of the forested hill by funicular takes about three minutes, and it's an excellent way to enjoy this stunning area for people with mobility issues or families with kids.
The 556 meters high hill features a lookout tower, and on a particularly clear day, you might be able to see the Ore Mountains or the Emperor's Forest.
If you are looking for a compromise between walking and comfort of the funicular, take a cable car to the top of Vysina Pratelstvi hill, and then walk down via the famous lookouts back to the town.
This forested area has many beautiful trails, and it is a perfect retreat from the busy streets and crowds.
ELIZABETH SPA
Named after Empress Elisabeth of Austria or shortly Sisi, Elizabeth Baths (Alzbetiny Lazne) offers a large variety of spa treatments such as massages, rehabilitation or wellness treatments.
The mix of the traditional practices and the new procedures such as facials or salt caves makes it a must-visit place, especially if you've arrived in Karlovy Vary to relax.
Even if you don't plan to try any of the treatments, the building itself is worth seeing as the building is one of the most beautiful dominants of Karlovy Vary.
Located in a beautifully landscaped park with a water fountain, this neo-Baroque structure built between 1905-1906 is worth your time.
STARA LOUKA
Do you want to go back in time, let's say in the 18th century? Look no further, Stara Louka is the place to go.
Despite the somewhat confusing Czech name, Stara Louka (Old Meadow) is technically a pedestrian-friendly street, and one of the most popular places in Karlovy Vary.
On the main promenade, there are dozens of hotels, cafes, restaurants, and jewelry stores. The street starts at the southwest from Grandhotel Pupp and ends at the junction of Divadelni Namesti and Trziste street. From there, continue your journey to Hot Spring Collonade.
The street is lined with wonderful buildings, and it's a perfect place for a leisure stroll, despite the fact, it's usually pretty crowded.
The prices in the stores are inflated, and you might want to do the shopping somewhere else, in case you are traveling on a budget.
On the other side of the riverbank, there is Nova Louka, but this street is for cars and is not as charming and welcoming as its older sister.
CHURCH OF SAINT MARY MAGDALENE
The Roman Catholic Church designed by Kilian Ignac Deintzenhofer sits next to the Hot Spring Colonnade in the town center of Karlovy Vary.
It's also possible to visit an underground crypt with skeletal remains in the adjacent cemetery, but you need to arrange the tour in advance. This magnificent church (Kostel Sv. Mari Magdaleny) built in High Baroque style has an impressive altar and replaced an old church from the 14th century, which was in a poor state.
In 2010, the church was included on the list of Czech National Cultural Heritage Central List. The church is so close to Hot spring that you will be passing by anyway, so it's worth a quick look even though there is not much to do.
GRAND HOTEL PUPP
When you ask someone from the Czech Republic to say five things that represent Karlovy Vary, you might hear the name Grandhotel Pupp a lot.
This more than 300 years old hotel is the symbol of accommodation in Karlovy Vary.
Although we will cover the best hotels in Karlovy Vary later on in the text, the most famous hotel in town deserves a standalone paragraph.
The history goes back to 1701, and since then, the hotel hosted many famous people such as Wolfgang Goethe or Johann Sebastian Bach. Even now the hotel is a popular choice with the Hollywood stars who visit the famous Karlovy Vary Film Festival.
The hotel has an amazing and serene location on the banks of Tepla River, only a short walk from the colonnade, rooms are beautifully decorated and feature ceiling with frescoes and stunning chandeliers.
The on-site spa center with medical facilities offer more than 30 procedures, and you can also relax in a salt cave or steam sauna.
Somehow the accommodation is still affordable for a luxury five-star hotel, and here, you can book the night at Hotel Pupp.
ORTHODOX CHURCH OF ST. PETER & PAUL
After undergoing expensive renovations in 2016, the Orthodox Church of St. Peter and Paul in Karlovy Vary is a must-visit place.
This Byzantine-style white-walled church from the 19th century has five gold-covered cupolas and is worth visiting even though you are not planning to go inside. The architecture is astonishing, and it resembles an old Russian church in Ostakino in Moscow.
It's also a very pleasant 10-minute walk from the town center along the streets lined with gorgeous villas and gardens.
You can get inside, but we think the exterior is much more beautiful than the interior.
TREATMENTS, WELLNESS, RELAX
Karlovy Vary has many spa facilities and hotels that offer plenty of traditional spa treatments and wellness programs.
You can undertake many treatments during your stay, and it's only up to you how you decide to spend your day.
You can choose from a wide range of medical and spa treatments such as hydrotherapy (baths, showers, etc.), massages, electrotherapy (lasers, magnetotherapy, etc.), exercises, treatments in the pool and other medical procedures.
You might think that you don't need anything but what's the point of visiting a spa town without trying that one thing, that's the town most famous for?
Trust us, a relaxing massage or CO2 bath in the morning will do wonders for your well-being.
When booking a room, make sure the hotel you want to stay in offers their own spa and services (often included in the price, but you need to ask beforehand).
THE MOSER GLASS MUSEUM
The Czech Republic is famous for exquisite handmade glass, and you have a perfect opportunity to learn about it here in Karlovy Vary.
Moser Museum maps the 150 years history of the factory, has more than 1000 exhibits on display, and on top of that, you can visit the factory, which is the highlight of the trip.
The informative museum offers a superb collection of glass, and the factory will allow you to watch the whole process of blowing, shaping, color creation, engraving, and finishing the product, while you will be standing next to the hot ovens.
Make sure that you visit both the museum and the factory, to see the talent and craftsmanship of glassmakers, and get that behind the scenes look.
You must be a fan to really appreciate the visit to the museum, but it might be a great addition to your itinerary on a rainy day.
JAN BECHER MUSEUM
Becherovka is a traditional Czech herbal liqueur from Karlovy Vary, and once you step inside the Becherovka Museum, you will learn about its 200-year history.
You will have a chance to see the family recipe book, smell the mix of the herbs, taste the liqueur, and the water that is used for production.
Becherovka is also a traditional Czech souvenir that visitors like to bring back home to gift it to their relatives or partners.
Similar to the glass factory, Becherovka Museum is for people who have enough time to spend in Karlovy Vary, day-trippers from Prague don't bother, just pop into a local grocery store and buy a bottle yourself without touring the museum.
CARLSBAD WAFERS
A visit to a Czech spa town wouldn't be complete without buying the traditional wafers. Carlsbad spa wafers (Karlovarske Oplatky) are the most famous of the bunch, and more than 30 tonnes are produced in this region only each year.
The wafers come in several sizes, shapes, and you can also choose between many flavors such as cinnamon, almond, hazelnut or vanilla.
Those are usually the most popular flavors, but there are about a dozen more you can try while there.
You can buy them everywhere in Karlovy Vary (actually, you can buy them even in major grocery stores across the Czech Republic), but we loved the fresh wafers from the street vendors the most.
Together with the glass and Becherovka, Carlsbad spa wafers are an authentic Czech souvenir you might want to take home.
FILM FESTIVAL
Every year in July, Karlovy Vary hosts the biggest film festival in the Czech Republic (and Europe), and the city becomes a home to all film lovers for a whole week.
The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival or simply KVIFF is a unique event in the world-famous spa town, that attracts thousands of visitors every year, and will introduce you Karlovy Vary in a completely different way than you would have expected.
The film festival welcomes each year a famous Hollywood stars, such as Julianne Moore, Robert Redford, or Jude Law.
And although this Czech film festival lacks the glamor of Cannes, it's way more relaxed and a perfect choice for budget travelers who like European and international movies.
In case you are going to visit Karlovy Vary during the film festival, make sure you will make your hotel reservation well in advance.
WHEN TO VISIT KARLOVY VARY
Karlovy Vary is an all-year-round destination, but each season has its pros and cons.
If you are a movie fan and you've never been to Europe and the film festival, the beginning of July is the time for you to visit Karlovy Vary. If not, stay away from this short period of time as the town will be packed, and you might get easily bored by the crowds and skyrocketing prices.
The best time to visit Karlovy Vary is in summer, although it's the busiest time of the year, and there will be tons of tourists in the city. Days are hot and the weather is perfect for traveling. Spring and autumn will bring a quieter time, and your visit will be more enjoyable.
Winter is the best time for people who don't mind the cold and gray weather and prefer a relaxed atmosphere.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
HOW TO GET TO KARLOVY VARY
Karlovy Vary lies in the west corner of the Czech Republic near the northern borders with Germany, and it takes more than two hours to get there from Prague.
You need to have a car to get to the city, but it is also possible to get to Karlovy Vary by bus.
If you prefer guided tours, go on a Karlovy Vary day trip from Prague with a professional guide.
You can easily rent a car in Prague and drive to Karlovy Vary by yourself. Leave Prague via D6 exit and head west to Karlovy Vary. Unfortunately, the highway ends in Nove Straseci as it is still not finished, so from there continue via E48 until you arrive in Karlovy Vary.
The distance between these two destinations is 130 kilometers, and the drive should take approximately two hours.
If you don't like driving and prefer using a bus or train for traveling around Europe, we suggest you to take a bus instead of a train.
It's faster, takes around two hours depending on the pick-up point, and it's cheaper.
HOW MANY DAYS YOU NEED FOR VISITING KARLOVY VARY
A day trip to Karlovy Vary from Prague is perfectly fine and will allow you to see the town's best attractions.
However, a trip to a spa town is supposed to be relaxing and fun, so we would suggest you to stay in Karlovy Vary for at least one night. Two nights would be really great, but it all depends on how tight is your travel itinerary.
For us, Karlovy Vary is a perfect weekend getaway from Prague, and the two nights stay is a great length of stay we would recommend.
Of course, if time (and budget) allows, you can stay in Karlovy Vary for weeks and enjoy spa treatments without worrying about where to go next.
You might also want to visit other nearby spa towns, which are less popular, but still very charming.
WHAT TO PACK
The most essential thing you need to pack for a trip to a spa town is a swimsuit.
And remember gentlemen, no swim trunks or boardshorts.
If you don't like speedos, look at the jammers. There are also swimming pools, where you can actually swim (25 meters), and they are great for this activity. For swimming, you will also need swimming goggles and flip flops to get around the area.
You don't need towels, every facility and hotel will provide their own.
You are also going to need workout clothes. Sweatpants are ok, but if you feel more comfortable wearing something more fashionable, pack leggings, and girls should not forget sport bra.
For walking around Karlovy Vary, bring comfortable shoes, and some warm top layers (if it's cold outside).
Carry-on luggage helps you to travel with ease and keep everything simple. When visiting Karlovy Vary on a day trip from Prague, bring only a comfortable and small daypack.
We've already mentioned the name of Johann Wolfgang Goethe, who spent about three years in Karlovy Vary, so we think the most famous book from this author - Faust - will keep you busy for a few days. If you are a fast reader, and don't want to lug your whole library around, take only Kindle with you.
Karlovy Vary is one of the most beautiful towns in the Czech Republic, and we couldn't imagine leaving our travel camera at home.
BEST HOTELS IN KARLOVY VARY
Karlovy Vary has a good selection of hotels, as it's very popular with Czech and international travelers.
When arriving in the city during the Karlovy Vary Film Festival, book the accommodation weeks or months in advance, as everything is going to be fully booked upon your arrival. Most of the hotels are lined along the Tepla River or in its vicinity and near the popular tourist spots, so you don't have to worry too much, which neighborhood to choose for your stay.
We included hotel recommendations tailored to all travelers and their budgets to ensure you make the right choice.
Check out our favorite picks for the best hotels in Karlovy Vary.
Budget | Hotel Boston - Although you will find some cheaper places in the town, we decided to include this budget hotel in the list. The reason behind our logic is, that Karlovy Vary is a place to spend a few quiet and relaxing days and this should reflect in accommodation. Rooms are basic, clean and the hotel has a perfect location only a short walk from Pramen Vridlo. In other words, this is a great choice for budget travelers.
Mid-range | Hotel Romance Puskin - Hotel sits in a newly renovated art deco building, has central location, comfortable beds, spacious rooms, and attentive staff. Everything is close and there is an on-site restaurant. One of the best values for money in the town.
Luxury | Savoy Westend Hotel - Hotel Savoy in Karlovy Vary has perfect location slightly uphill away from the crowds, beautifully decorated rooms and a modern medical spa with a large swimming pool. You have direct access to the spa included in the rates.
Alternatively, search for your accommodation via Hostelworld.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Get Around: Buses and trains are an affordable way to get around the Czech Republic. Regiojet offers clean and modern buses and trains with all the amenities.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
