//
Statutory city in Czech Republic
Photo: User: (WT-shared) Oztraveller at wts wikivoyage, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Karlovy Vary (also known as Karlsbad, its German name or Carlsbad, its English name) is a historic spa town in West Bohemia, in the western Czech Republic. It's famous for its mineral springs and its gorgeous Belle Epoque architecture.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Mlýnská kolonáda
Popular gathering place. Bands play here in the summer.
There are 12 hot springs; you can get a list and descriptions at the Infocentrum.
Skalní Pramen
Spurts 1.3 litres of water per minute.
Vřídelní kolonáda
Spring that spurts 2000 litres of water per minute in a 14-m jet. The modernist hall was designed by Jaroslav Otruba and replaced an earlier traditional colonnade, derelict after the war. It has a number of small fountains for visitors to take the waters, plus exhibition spaces, a cafe and tours of the underground.
Beautiful spa building.
Beautiful spa building that housed Franz Josef's baths (he did not visit however) and also used for the casino setting in Casino Royale. The building is being restored after a period of closure to become a cultural centre. There is a small exhibition which also gives you a quick peek around the main entrance halls and stairways.
Rozhledna Diana
You can take the funicular railway or take a beautiful walk through the forest to get here. The funicular costs 100 Kč to the top station, or 150 Kč for a round trip ticket. There is a café and hunting lodge-style restaurant serving Czech cuisine as well as a small zoo. Animals including piglets and peacocks roam adjacent to the building.
Very close to the Russian embassy and the Orthodox Church and at the start of some woodland walks.
Built in 1897. Five golden domes and colourful exterior were modelled on the Byzantine Church of the Holy Trinity near Moscow. The interior of the church is decorated with paintings and icons, gifts of wealthy Russian aristocrats. One of the decorations is a relief representing Russian Tsar Peter the Great.
Anglican church.
Local history.
Dedicated to the local inventor of Becherovka.
If you're walking between old town and the upper train station, don't miss the fantastic murals while taking the underpass below the big bridge roundabout crossing the Teplá.
A local liquor that is produced in Karlovy Vary, there are a variety of tours available.
Spa 5
Somewhat old-school publicly accessible state owned spa and baths, with Communist-era baths downstairs, and early twentieth-century therapeutic rooms. Cheap and worth a visit just for the retro feel.
1st May.
Early July.
Late August.
Early September.
Early September.
September. Classical music.
The course has been renovated, including a new clubhouse, an irrigation system, and new tees.
A game reserve, with wooden paths and rope playground for kids.
Looks out on the Tepla River.
Spacious. Dishes are of a low quality, despite being high priced.
Outdoor tables. Good food.
Huge steaks.
Touristy establishment serving a variety of draught beers, decent Czech meals with lots of meat and salads. Outdoor seating by the river. Service is not the friendliest but quite fast.
Coffee and cake.
In spite of the name, serves soda fountain type drinks and interesting smoothies.
Open Apr-Oct.
Very nice place to stay, it is ideal if you take a mineral water drinking course, because the range from this hotel to the closest spring is roughly 20 m. The hotel is modernly furnished, and despite being given only 3 stars looks like a typical four stars hotel. The only disadvantage is absence of a restaurant (breakfast is possible though).
Family-run guesthouse offering accommodation in conveniently furnished rooms, each including a bathroom and a TV-SAT set, in quiet environment.
Opened in May 2004, is a two-storey building in the district Bohatice. Friendly atmosphere, lot of programmes available: cycling with or without a cycling guide, golf, golf-school, wellness and relax programmes.
Spacious rooms.
Has been a symbol of Karlovy Vary and Czech Republic for three centuries. It is a place of comfort and first-rate service. It was a major location for the 2006 movie Last Holiday starring Queen Latifah. It also appears in the 2006 James Bond film Casino Royale as Hotel Splendide in Montenegro.
Deluxe hotel opened in December 2005.
The biggest hotel in the centre of the city was used by USSR's political elite for recovery. It is still state-owned and hosts the annual film festival. Its modern Balneo Wellness Center offers a wide range of spa and wellness services. The centre offers over 50 medical and wellness treatments and services: various massages, hydrotherapy, electrotherapy, and Nordic Walking for hotels guestscand for non-residential clients. It has an indoor pool (15x5m), Whirlpool, Kneipp's path, dry Finnish sauna, steam bath, infra cabine and cardio zone. The Wellness Center is open M-F 13:00-20:30, Sa 10:00-20:30, Su 09:00-20:30 (last admittance 20:00 every day).
Hotel set in an aristocratic manor dating back to the 19th century.
One of the most luxurious hotels in the city, Hotel Imperial has been a landmark of Karlovy Vary and Czech spa tradition since the early 20th century. Opened in 1912, this five-star hotel is renowned for its Art Nouveau architecture, service, and luxurious spa treatments. Perched on a hill above the city, it offers panoramic views and a unique funicular railway that connects it directly with the town centre. It is a popular venue during the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.
By train
Karlovy Vary is well connected to the regional and long-distance train network. The vast majority of trains in Karlovy Vary Region are modern and very comfortable.
By plane
If you're arriving from a place not connected to KLV, it will likely make more sense to fly into Prague (PRG).
The town can comfortably be covered on foot, but a car or motorcycle is useful for exploring the surrounding areas.
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Karlovy Vary · International · KLV
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Karlovy Vary and Czechia.
InspirationDiscover the best Christmas markets in Europe, comparing opening dates, hotel costs, train connections and the mug deposit system across top cities.
8 min read
Culture & historyThe Austro-Hungarian Empire (German: Österreichisch-Ungarische Monarchie, Hungarian: Osztrák–Magyar Monarchia) or Austria-Hungary was a constitutional dual monarchy that existed from 1867 to 1918.
Wikivoyage
InspirationSome hotels have a heritage from the golden age of steam railways and ocean liners, before the Second World War, in the 19th or early 20th centuries. These hotels were where the rich and the famous of the day would stay.
Wikivoyage
Travel tipsJames Bond, also known as Agent 007, is one of the world's most successful literary and motion picture franchises, and has codified the spy fiction genre.
Wikivoyage
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.