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Karlovy Vary

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City
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Karlovy Vary (Czech Republic)
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Practical info — Karlovy Vary

🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

  • Buy a traditional spa cup (pítko) from a local vendor to sip the mineral waters directly from the hot springs at the colonnades.
  • Ride the Diana Funicular to reach the observation tower easily, avoiding the steep hike through the forest.
  • Wear very comfortable shoes; beyond the main promenade along the Teplá river, the town is built on steep hillsides.
  • Sample the local herbal liqueur Becherovka, affectionately known as the town's '13th spring'.
  • Buy large spa wafers (lázeňské oplatky) from street stalls, they are best eaten warm right on the spot.

🍽 Food

🍽
Becherovka

The famous herbal liqueur, try it at local bars or visit the Jan Becher Museum.

🍽
Lázeňské oplatky

Round, sweet spa wafers. Buy them warm from small stalls along the main promenade.

🍽
Czech Roast Duck

Classic dish with dumplings and cabbage, available at traditional Czech restaurants along the Teplá river.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

🛍
Moser Glass

Exquisite luxury crystal glassware, with a factory shop and several boutiques in town.

🛍
Spa Cups (Pítko)

A porcelain cup with a built-in straw handle, the excellent unique souvenir available everywhere.

🛍
Vřídelní sůl

Thermal spring salt products and cosmetics, sold at colonnade shops.

🧘
Dvořákovy sady

A beautiful central park by the spa district, great for a peaceful stroll among statues and greenery.

🧘
Goethe's Lookout (Goethova vyhlídka)

An elegant lookout tower surrounded by quiet forest trails, offering great views.

🧘
Jelení skok

A rocky outcrop with a chamois statue above the town, providing a serene forest escape with panoramic views.

Highlights of 2026

1

Karlovy Vary, also known as Carlsbad, is the most famous spa town in the Czech Republic and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site as part of the Great Spa Towns of Europe. The city was founded around 1370 by Emperor Charles IV, who reportedly discovered the hot springs during a hunting expedition. Situated in the easy on the eye valley of the Teplá River, the town is renowned for its grand architecture from the Belle Époque and Historicist periods. Karlovy Vary is home to 13 main thermal springs, with the most powerful being the "Vřídlo", which erupts at 72 degrees Celsius and reaches heights of 12 meters. Elegant colonnades, such as the Mill Colonnade and the Market Colonnade, provide a setting for visitors to sip healing mineral waters from traditional porcelain cups. The city is also globally recognized for its International Film Festival, the herbal liqueur Becherovka, and the prestigious Moser glassware. Karlovy Vary continues to be a symbol of European spa culture and high-society tourism.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C-3-238131719191483-1
Rain mm473641386873777757484951

Live webcam – Karlovy Vary

See what it looks like near Karlovy Vary right now.

Carlsbad: Lázně - Panorama · 0.5 km · Open webcam on Windy · Webcams provided by Windy.com

Geography

Population
45,500
Coordinates
50.23190, 12.87200

Facts

  • The city was founded on August 14, 1370, by Charles IV.
  • The Vřídlo spring erupts approximately 2,000 liters of water per minute.
  • The International Film Festival has been held since 1946.
  • The Mill Colonnade is 132 meters long and features 124 columns.
  • Becherovka was introduced in 1807 as a medicinal stomach tonic.
  • Moser Glass has supplied crystal to royal courts since 1857.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

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Sights in the town Karlovy Vary (18)

Nový zámek Dalovice🏰 castle

New Chateau Dalovice, a neoclassical castle near Karlovy Vary.

rozestavěná lanová dráha Tži kříže🏺 historical

Ruins of the planned funicular railway to Dreikreuzberg.

Galerie moderního umění🎭 culture

The Art Gallery in Karlovy Vary exhibits contemporary works.

svatá Maří Magdaléna⛪ religious

Baroque parish church of St. Mary Magdalene in the city center.

Povýšení svatého Kříže⛪ religious

Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in the Rybáře district.

Hot Spring Colonnade📍 landmark

The modern Vřídelní kolonáda houses the strongest thermal spring.

Imperial Spa📍 landmark

Magnificent former spa building, known for its architecture.

Stephanie Spring📍 landmark

Stephanie Spring, a mineral spring in the colonnade of Karlovy Vary.

Museum Moser🏛 museum

Moser Glass Museum in Karlovy Vary, featuring hand-cut crystal.

💶

Goethova vyhlidka🏺 historical

Goethe's viewpoint, a lookout tower on a hill above Karlovy Vary.

Victims of Nazism Memorial🏺 historical

Victims of Nazism Memorial, a stone monument in Karlovy Vary's park.

Town Theatre🎭 culture

Town Theatre in Karlovy Vary, a neo-baroque building from 1886 with ornate interiors.

Ecce Homo⛪ religious

Ecce Homo statue, a Baroque stone sculpture at a crossroads in Karlovy Vary.

Ovčí rybník🌿 nature

A lake in Karlovy Vary, handy for walks in the scenic surroundings.

Andělský rybník🌿 nature

Andělský rybník (Angel Pond) is an idyllic pond in Karlovy Vary.

U Konkordie🌿 nature

A lake in Karlovy Vary, offering a peaceful atmosphere for nature lovers.

Balneo - Spa Resort Sanssouci👨‍👩‍👧 family

A spa resort water park in Karlovy Vary combining relaxation and bathing fun.

MiniZOO Diana👨‍👩‍👧 family

A mini zoo in Karlovy Vary, good for a visit with small children.

🕒 "in season"🆓

Frequently asked questions

What is special about Karlovy Vary?
It is the most famous spa town in Czechia, featuring 12 healing springs.
What is the Hot Spring Colonnade?
Here, the hottest spring (72°C) shoots up to 12 meters into the air.
Which drink originates from here?
The herbal liqueur Becherovka has been produced in Karlovy Vary since 1807.
Is there a major film festival?
Yes, the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival takes place every July.
What is the Diana Lookout?
A lookout tower on a hill, reachable by a funicular.
Karlovy Vary: where is it located?
Karlovy Vary is located in Czech Republic.
Karlovy Vary: what is there to see?
Highlights include Nový zámek Dalovice, rozestavěná lanová dráha Tži kříže, Galerie moderního umění.
Karlovy Vary: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Karlovy Vary: why is it worth visiting?
Karlovy Vary, also known as Carlsbad, is the most famous spa town in the Czech Republic and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site as part of the Great Spa Towns of Europe.
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