Karlovy Vary is the most famous spa town in the Czech Republic and a popular day trip from Prague. Hundreds of tourists pass through its colourful streets every year, lined with flowers and ornate decorations, including fountains with flowing thermal springs. There are not many things to do in Karlovy Vary beyond seeing the façades and the surrounding parks. But it’s a visit not to be missed.
What to see in Karlovy Vary?
The town’s history dates back to the beginning of the 14th century, when thermal springs were discovered in the area. From that time on, the town became a centre for self-care and relaxation, bringing together thinkers, politicians, musicians and other celebrities during the Belle Époque. Today, everyone is welcome. Another event to see in Karlovy Vary is the annual Karlovy Vary Film Festival, which adds to the town’s prestige.
Park Colonnade
In the centre of Dvorak Park, on the banks of the Teplá River, we find the Park Colonnade, a metal structure built in the 1960s and a must-see in Karlovy Vary. The park is also a very pleasant place to stroll around as it is well kept and lined with flower gardens.
Within the neo-baroque colonnade are several hot springs with supposed medicinal properties. In fact, the city’s most famous souvenir is the little porcelain cups for drinking from the springs. Be careful with this water, though, as it comes out at 30ºC. It’s not exactly refreshing.
Houses of the river Teplá
Along the Teplá River are some of the most impressive houses to see in Karlovy Vary. Their luxurious pastel-coloured facades, together with the bridges that cross the river, have made the town a unique and picturesque luxury. Among the facades are also famous buildings such as Mozart’s house or the seat of the Knights of Malta. The Teplá river promenade is the busiest area of the city, as it is the most beautiful and most photographable, so we recommend you try to visit the city at less touristy times of the year or get up early.
Churches to see in Karlovy Vary
The most famous church is Peter and Paul’s Church, built in the 19th century and now a symbol of the city because of the contrasting colours of its golden domes and blue façade. The building was built during the city’s golden age, and was subsidised by Russian tourists who came to spend their holidays or to relax in the thermal baths. A few metres from the church is a statue dedicated to Karl Marx, a frequent visitor to the facility.
The other must-see church in Karlovy Vary is St Mary Magdalene. It is Baroque in style and its design features two onion-shaped towers and an underground crypt with a chapel and an ossuary. Inside, we can also see several works of art dating back to the 17th century.
Tower of Diana
From behind the Grand Pubb Hotel begins the walk-up to the best viewpoint in the whole city at the Diana Tower. You can walk or take a train up to the building, and then take the lift. Entrance is free, and while you’re there you can take advantage of the opportunity to eat in the restaurant, which has the best panoramic view of Karlovy Vary.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
What to see around Karlovy Vary?
The area around Karlovy Vary is full of beautiful towns and villages that can be visited in a morning. These include the spa town of Mariánské Lázne, Loket and Cheb. The only drawback is public transport, which doesn’t give you the option of going from one town to another directly without passing through Prague. It is therefore recommended to go by private vehicle or with organised excursions.
Mariánské Lázne
Mariánské Lázne is the little sister of Karlovy Vary. It is a small spa town with beautiful buildings and picturesque corners. Highlights include the Maxim Gorky Colonnade, the Catholic Church of the Assumption and the large Marianske Lazne Garden. And among the most spectacular buildings are the Divadlo Theatre, the Casino and the Nove Lazne Baths.
From Karlovy Vary it takes almost 1 hour to get there by car, and you can go by public transport, but it is more complicated because you have to get to Prague first, and in total the trip takes almost 5 hours.
Monastery of Teplá
A 45km from Karlovy Vary we can visit the Teplá River monastery, a gift in gratitude for the Pope’s help during the Crusades. In the complex, which dates back to the 12th century, there is a church in Romanesque-Gothic style, later renovated in Baroque style, and a spectacular library, which still preserves some valuable volumes.
The only way to get there is by car, and it takes about 40 minutes. Once there you can visit the monastery with a guided tour or on your own. There are several passes organised throughout the day so you can choose.
Loket
This town is named Loket (elbow) after the shape of the Ohie River around it. Loket sits atop a hill completely surrounded by nature and protected by the waters of the river, making it one of the most photographable sights in the country.
The town is a 15-minute drive from Karlovy Vary and once there you’ll have to see the castle, the beer museum and enjoy the local cuisine, famous for its beers and gingerbread biscuits. An interesting fact is that the town has the world’s largest collection of Karlovy Vary porcelain cups.
Visit Karlovy Vary in 1 day
Karlovy Vary is a town for strolling and relaxing in its thermal springs and spas, so one day is more than enough to enjoy the essence of the place. In fact, day trips from Prague, either on your own or with a guided tour (€48 per person), are commonplace.
Spas and beauty treatments are available at the hotels themselves, which offer a wide range of services in different price ranges. But the best things to see in Karlovy Vary are outside, around the Teplá River. There you can see the pastel-coloured facades reflected in the river, the churches of Peter and Paul and St. Mary Magdalene, and stroll through beautiful gardens such as the Dvorak Garden. On your way you will find beautiful and luxurious bridges and colonnades with all kinds of ornaments. And last but not least, don’t miss the opportunity to eat a traditional Czech soup or knuckle of pork on the banks of the river.
How to get to Karlovy Vary?
Karlovy Vary can be easily reached from Prague. The city is about 120 km from the capital of the Czech Republic and these are your options for getting there.
- Bus: the best way to get there is by bus, as it takes 2 hours and leaves quite frequently. It is also the cheapest option.
- Train: The train takes almost 3 hours and costs 322 kronor.
- Car: a car is also a good option as it takes less than 2 hours to get there, although you’ll have to pay for parking once you’re there. You can rent one at Prague airport itself.
Where to eat in Karlovy Vary?
Karlovy Vary is a rather luxurious town, so prices are not exactly cheap. Still, we’ve put together this list of a few more affordable restaurants where you can try some typical Czech dishes such as goulash (meat stew) or Šopský salát (pepper salad).
- Velkopopovicka: is a pub 5 minutes from the centre that comes highly recommended by locals. The portions are plentiful and you can eat well for around €30 per person. Their speciality is knuckle of pork.
- Becherplatz Pivovar Karel IV: another very good option for a cheap meal. This quaint restaurant serves traditional Czech dishes for less than €10. The portions are also quite generous.
- Sklipek: this is a simple, traditional restaurant where dishes cost no more than €7. The portions are plentiful and the atmosphere is very pleasant.
- Bagel Lounge: We include this bagel restaurant as a breakfast or snack option. The menu costs between €5 and €7 and the bagels are delicious.
Best accommodations in Karlovy Vary
Because of the price of accommodation, many people prefer to take a day trip and not spend the night in town. However, when the sun goes down, the city becomes even more beautiful and it’s a real treat to dine by the river. That’s why we’ve put together a selection of accommodation that will make your stay even better.
- Romania: a simple little hotel in the centre of town, less than 1 km from the thermal baths. Room rates start at €67 and include breakfast.
- Pension Village: This charming guesthouse is 1.5km from the centre and is a good place to stay for a reasonable €25 a night. They offer breakfast and the bathroom is shared.
- Revelton Studios Karlovy Vary: a well-equipped apartment complex about 3 km from the centre. It is an ideal choice for families or for those with pets. The price per night starts at 60€.
- Grandhotel Pupp: At 5 stars, this is one of the city’s most luxurious hotels. Room rates start at €175 and services include a restaurant, spa, sauna and gym.
Travel tips to Karlovy Vary
- The best time to visit Karlovy Vary is in May, June and September. Summer is the high season and there are a lot of tourists.
- The official currency of the Czech Republic is the Czech Koruna.
- We recommend that you exchange money before you set off on your trip, as it will be cheaper.
- As European citizens we don’t need a visa to enter the country either, just your ID card or passport is enough.
- Be covered for medical emergencies: travel insured.
Organize your trip to Karlovy Vary
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- Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers.
- Create your own itinerary and add suggestions from the app to it.
- Add the stops you’re most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
- Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can take inspiration from the routes we present in the post).
- Check out the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make any modifications you need, and you’ll be all set for your trip.
- Share your experience. Upload photos of places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travellers what to see in Karlovy Vary.
If you have any doubts about how to do this, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.
Frequently Asked Questions when travelling to Karlovy Vary
It all depends on the plan. If you’re going to relax in the hot springs and rest, it’s best to spend at least a weekend. But if you just want to visit the town, one day is more than enough to explore the river and visit the must-see places in Karlovy Vary.
From Prague the best way is by bus, as it is the cheapest and quickest way. Buses leave every day quite frequently, so a day trip can be organised without any problems.
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