Your complete guide to visiting Karlovy Vary - discover mineral springs, historic architecture, and the best experiences in this famous Czech spa town.
Karlovy Vary (Czech Republic)
Karlovy Vary (Czech: Karlovy Vary, German: Karlsbad) is a world-famous spa town located in Western Czech Republic in the historic region of Bohemia. The town stretches across picturesque hilly terrain at the confluence of the Ohře, Rolava, and Teplá rivers. Karlovy Vary is distinguished by its charming architecture and numerous health resorts and sanatoriums.
City Information
- Population – over 49,000 people.
- Area – 59.1 km².
- Currency – Czech koruna.
- Language – Czech.
- Time zone – UTC + 1, UTC + 2 in summer.
Karlovy Vary – The Most “Russian” Spa Resort
Historically, since the times of the Russian Empire, Karlovy Vary has been one of the most popular spa destinations among Russian intelligentsia, monarchs, and nobility. Emperors, famous writers, and poets came here to relax and improve their health. Today, the resort remains popular among Russian-speaking visitors. Russian is frequently heard here, and most signs are written in Russian. Shopkeepers, waiters, and hotel staff also speak Russian. There is also a significant Russian-speaking community living here. Therefore, not knowing Czech or English won’t pose major difficulties.
City Hotels
History
- In 1370, Emperor Charles IV visited Karlovy Vary and granted the settlement town privileges and royal city rights following the example of neighboring Loket. Even then, Karlovy Vary was renowned as a spa resort. The town maintained peace and prohibited carrying weapons.
- In 1401, King Wenceslas IV added the rare right of asylum to the town privileges and granted it the status of an open city without fortifications.
- In 1582, Karlovy Vary suffered from a severe flood. The Teplá river overflowed and damaged half of the town’s buildings.
- In 1640, the peaceful history of Karlovy Vary was interrupted by the horrors of war. During the Thirty Years’ War, the spa town was plundered by the Swedes.
- In 1707, the resort gained the status of a free city.
- In 1711, Peter the Great visited Karlovy Vary. The town became very popular among Russian ruling circles and intelligentsia. Famous figures frequently visited: emperors, princes, nobles, military leaders, writers, and poets.
- Karlovy Vary was loved not only by Russians. Goethe also visited frequently, coming to the resort thirteen times.
- In 1870, a railway was built connecting the resort with the rest of Europe.
- In the late 19th century, the resort’s architecture changed. Buildings in neoclassical, neo-baroque, and neo-renaissance styles began to appear.
- In 1890, the town suffered another severe flood.
- During World War II, the town was largely undamaged, though there was an exodus of German-speaking residents.
What to Bring from Karlovy Vary:
Becherovka – the famous Karlovy Vary herbal liqueur, first produced in 1807 by pharmacist Josef Vitus Becher.
Karlovy Vary wafers – traditional wafers with many flavors, produced since 1788.
How to Get to Karlovy Vary?
You can reach Karlovy Vary by plane from many major European cities, but it’s cheaper to fly to Prague or Dresden. From Prague and Dresden, you can easily reach Karlovy Vary by bus in a couple of hours. Check bus schedules from Prague at jizdnirady.idnes.cz. For bus schedules from Dresden, visit www.busliniensuche.de.
Mineral Springs of Karlovy Vary
The healing mineral springs are the main treasure of Karlovy Vary. There are 15 springs in the town, grouped into 7 colonnades (Geyser, Market, Castle, Mill, Freedom, Garden, and Alois Klein) and differing in temperature and CO2 content.
The resort treats patients with stomach and intestinal diseases, liver and biliary tract disorders, as well as metabolic conditions (diabetes, obesity, and others).
Mineral water can be consumed completely free of charge. Just visit the colonnades. We recommend buying special mineral water cups sold everywhere. These cups are very convenient for drinking mineral water and also make excellent souvenirs.
Temperature of All Karlovy Vary Springs
- Geyser (Vřídlo) – 73°C
- Charles IV Spring – 64°C
- Lower Castle Spring – 55°C
- Upper Castle Spring – 55.9°C
- Market Spring – 65.2°C
- Mill Spring – 56°C
- Rusalka Spring – 60°C
- Prince Wenceslas Spring – 65°C
- Prince Wenceslas II Spring – 64.3°C
- Libuše Spring – 63°C
- Rock Spring – 46.9°C
- Freedom Spring – 62.4°C
- Garden Spring – 41.6°C
- Štěpánka Spring – 14.2°C
- Snake Spring – 28.7°C
Geyser Colonnade
The modern glass and reinforced concrete functionalist colonnade was built in 1975 over the Geyser (Vřídlo), the most popular Karlovy Vary mineral spring. The Geyser fountain, housed in a separate pavilion, reaches a height of 12 meters. This is the third colonnade built over the spring.
The symbol of the resort – the unique Geyser fountain – rises to a height of 12 meters thanks to water pressure. For many patients, the Geyser’s mineral water is too hot, so it’s specially cooled to 50°C and 30°C and diluted in five spring vases marked with letters A, B, and C for drinking therapy. Some thermal water is supplied to sanatoriums and hospitals, while some is used to produce Karlovy Vary mineral salt and souvenirs. The underground of the Geyser Colonnade is interesting, featuring an excursion route.
How to get there: From the Tržnice (Market) stop, take city bus No. 2 to Theatre Square in the city center. The distance from the final stop “Theatre Square” (Divadelní náměstí) to the colonnade is only 150 m.
Opening hours: Monday – Friday 09:00 – 17:00, Saturday – Sunday 10:00 – 17:00.
Market Colonnade
The carved wooden colonnade in Swiss style was built in 1882-1883 according to the design of famous Viennese architects Fellner and Helmer on the site of the former market below the Castle Tower.
In the early 1990s, the colonnade was completely reconstructed, featuring three mineral springs – Charles IV, Lower Castle Spring, and Market Spring:
- Charles IV Spring – Legend has it that Emperor Charles IV treated his sore legs with this spring’s water, whose healing properties likely influenced his decision to establish the spa town.
- Lower Castle Spring – Divided into Upper and Lower springs due to different elevations above sea level, resulting in different temperatures. The main outlet of the Lower Castle Spring is currently located in the Castle Spa area and is used for this spa’s needs. It’s also accessible at the Market Colonnade.
- Market Spring – Since its discovery in 1838, the spring has disappeared underground several times and reappeared. Its name comes from the medieval market square that was previously located here.
How to get there: From the Tržnice (Market) stop, take city bus No. 2 to the final stop “Theatre Square” (Divadelní náměstí), then walk the same road across the Jan Bridge to Market Square.
Opening hours: Open daily, free access.
Castle Colonnade
In the early 21st century, the modernist Castle Colonnade, built in 1910-1912 by Viennese architect Johann Friedrich Ohmann, was rebuilt into Castle Spa.
Only the gazebo with the Upper Castle Spring remains freely accessible. The Lower Castle Spring is available at the Market Colonnade, while Castle Spa offers treatments for all resort guests.
- Upper Castle Spring – Divided into Upper and Lower springs due to different elevations above sea level, resulting in different temperatures. The Upper Castle Spring was first discovered in 1912 during the colonnade’s construction.
- Lower Castle Spring – The main outlet is currently located in the Castle Spa area and is used for this spa’s needs. It’s also accessible at the Market Colonnade.
Opening hours: Daily, partial access.
Mill Colonnade
The stone pseudo-Renaissance colonnade was built in 1871-1881 by talented Czech architect Josef Zítek. The colonnade’s attic is decorated with twelve allegorical sandstone sculptures representing the months of the year. Five mineral springs are available at this largest Karlovy Vary colonnade – Mill Spring, Rusalka Spring, Prince Wenceslas Spring, Libuše Spring, and Rock Spring.
How to get there: From the Tržnice (Market) stop, take city bus No. 1 or No. 4 to the final stop “Lázně III”, then walk 200 m across the Spa Bridge over the Teplá river and along Mill Embankment directly to the Mill Colonnade.
Opening hours: Daily, free entry.
Springs:
- Prince Wenceslas Spring – Originally called Bernard’s Spring, it’s available in two spring vases. In the late 18th century, this powerful spring fountain, then comparable to the Geyser, rose over four meters high. Its water was previously used to produce Karlovy Vary mineral salt.
- Prince Wenceslas II Spring – Also called Bernard’s Spring, available in two spring vases. In the late 18th century, this powerful spring fountain rose over four meters high. Its water was previously used to produce Karlovy Vary mineral salt.
- Libuše Spring – Originally called Elizabeth’s Rose Spring, it received its current name only in 1947. One of the hot mineral springs available at the largest Karlovy Vary colonnade, making it very popular among spa guests and visitors.
- Rusalka Spring – Since the mid-18th century it was called “New Spring”, and in 1792-1793 a new wooden promenade was built over it – the first structure of its kind in Karlovy Vary. By the early 19th century, it became the most popular spring at the resort.
- Mill Spring – Known since the 16th century, one of the oldest Karlovy Vary thermal springs. In 1705, it was one of the first springs whose water was used for drinking therapy. The mineral water was previously bottled and exported worldwide.
- Rock Spring – Originally emerged directly in the Teplá riverbed. The swamp under Bernard’s Rock, where horses were bathed, was called the “horse hospital”. The spring was first tapped in 1845 after part of the rock massif was broken off. A simple wooden shelter was built over it at that time.
Garden Colonnade
The delicate cast-iron colonnade remains from the “Blanenský Pavilion” concert restaurant built in 1880-1881 by famous Viennese architects Fellner and Helmer. In 2001, Snake Spring was added on one side, while the other side features access to the basement of the Military Spa Hospital leading to Garden Spring.
How to get there: From the Tržnice (Market) stop, take city bus No. 1 or No. 4 to the final stop “Lázně III”, then walk 150 m across the Spa Bridge over the Teplá river, past the Military Spa Hospital to the Garden Colonnade.
Opening hours: Daily, free entry.
Springs:
- Snake Spring – Became the last publicly accessible Karlovy Vary spring in 2001 when the colonnade reconstruction was completed. Contains fewer minerals than other springs but more carbon dioxide.
- Garden Spring – The twelfth Karlovy Vary mineral spring is available in the courtyard of the Military Sanatorium and not open to the public, but part of it is accessible in the sanatorium basement, open daily from 6:00 to 18:30. You can reach it from the Garden Colonnade in Dvořák Gardens. Popular among resort guests due to its high carbon dioxide content.
Karlovy Vary Attractions
There aren’t many historical monuments in Karlovy Vary. The town features interesting, beautiful architecture and rich history, but culturally it certainly lags behind Prague, Brno, and Olomouc.
St. Peter and Paul Church – An Orthodox church in Karlovy Vary. The foundation stone was laid in 1893. The church was consecrated in 1897. Built in the style of 17th-18th century Orthodox churches. The church is 41 m long, 14 m wide, 21 m high under the dome, with a 40 m high bell tower.
Address: Krále Jiřího 2c 360 01, Karlovy Vary.
Opening hours: Daily 9:00 – 18:00
St. Urban Church – A 16th-century church abandoned after World War II.
Address: Sokolovská 360 10 Karlovy Vary
St. Luke’s Church – Originally an Anglican church built for Anglo-Saxon visitors to Karlovy Vary. A brick single-nave church with a tower in the romantic English Gothic style of the late 19th century.
Address: Zámecký vrch 4 360 01 Karlovy Vary
Church of St. Mary Magdalene – Located in the very center of Karlovy Vary’s spa zone. A Roman Catholic church built in Baroque style. Considered an important Czech cultural monument. Listed as a cultural heritage site.
Address: nám. Svobody 1 360 01 Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic
Deer Leap (viewpoint) – A rock with a metal deer statue (1851). Offers wonderful views of the town.
Address: Pod Jelením skokem 26/28 360 01 Karlovy Vary
Diana Observation Tower – A brick structure from 1914 on a stone pedestal, 35 m high. Equipped with an elevator.
Address: Vrch přátelství 5/1 360 01 Karlovy Vary
Opening hours: 9:15 to 18:45.
Loket Castle (Czech: Hrad Loket) – A stone castle in the Czech Republic near Karlovy Vary. Scholars believe the castle was built as a border fortress. The castle stands at a bend in the Ohře river resembling an elbow, hence its name.
The castle is first mentioned in 1234. Its founder is uncertain – possibly Prince Vladislaus II, King Přemysl I Otakar, or King Wenceslas I. In medieval times, the castle had important strategic significance as a powerful fortress on the border with German lands. After Charles IV was elected Holy Roman Emperor, Loket Castle lost its role as a border stronghold. But under Charles IV’s son Wenceslas IV, Loket expanded and became an even more important fortress.
In the 15th century, Sigismund transferred Loket Castle to the noble Schlick family, and the castle gradually declined. From the early 19th to mid-20th century, the castle served as a prison.
Today Loket Castle is a cultural monument open to visitors as a museum. We recommend climbing the castle tower for breathtaking views of the surroundings. It’s best to combine a trip to the castle with a visit to Karlovy Vary. The castle is about 120 km from Prague.
Address: Zámecká, Loket, Česká republika
Opening hours: 9:00 to 17:00
Admission: Without guide: adults – 100 CZK, children/students/seniors – 80 CZK, family (2 adults + 2 children) – 300 CZK.
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Karlovy Vary Map
