Things to do in Karlovy Vary
Imagine a fairytale village nestled among a pine forest with Art Nouveau houses in pastel colors. This dreamy place is Karlovy Vary, a historical thermal city in western Bohemia, the actual Czech Republic. In this charming village, I spent a few days on a detox program before the festive winter season. Given its small dimensions, I made the most of my time discovering all the things to do in Karlovy Vary. If you love cultural travel destinations, this is a perfect vacation place. Staying in Karlovy Vary allows you to combine a prompt remise-en-form with a stroll around the rich cultural heritage. In detail, admiring the beautiful colonnades with water spring sources, the enchanting architecture, and the stunning nature are some of the best things to do in Karlovy Vary.
Karlovy Vary historical sightseeing
Karlovy Vary, also known as Carlsbad, is one of the best-established spa destinations in Europe. Known since 1370 for the beneficial properties of its natural springs, it was a favored destination for European cultural figures since the 18th century. Personalities like Russian tzar Peter the Great, music composers Chopin and Paganini, writers like Goethe and Schiller, psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud were habitué there. Strolling around Karlovy Vary, many statues testify to the passage of these important protagonists of European culture of the past centuries. Since its foundation in 1370 by Charles IV, king of Bohemia (actual Czech Republic) and Holy Roman Emperor, Karlovy Vary is a healing center centered on the power of its spring waters. Rich in carbon dioxide gas, the water springs differ in temperature, ranging between 59F to 176 F (15–80 C). These thermal waters have beneficial effects on the digestive tract, metabolism, and periodontal disease.
Karlovy Vary attractions: The Imperial Baths
To have a glimpse into the splendor of this city, you can head to the Imperial Baths. Built in 1895 in a former brewery (1732- 1893), the baths were a superb spa in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. At the moment under an important restorative project, but still accessible, Imperial Baths’ architecture combines the Austrian Renaissance and Baroque elements with Art Nouveau decorative motifs. The nearby Grand Hotel Pupp, established in 1771, is a symbol of the splendor of Karlovy Vary.
Enjoy a view from Diana Observation Tower
Another way to admire Karlovy Vary and its enchanting pastel-colored houses is by climbing on one of the town’s lookouts. According to local guides, one of the best viewpoints is the D iana Observation Tower. Enjoying the town from here is one of the best things to do in Karlovy Vary. You can easily reach it by taking the funicular close to the Grandhotel Pupp in the center of Karlovy Vary. To get to the top of the Diana Observation Tower, you can either take a lift or climb the stairs.
What Diana Observation Tower | Where Vrch přátelství 360 01, 360 01 Karlovy Vary, Czechia | When January Closed; Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec 9 am — 5 pm; Apr, May, Oct 9 am — 6 pm Jun. — Sep. 9 am — 7 pm
Hike around the best lookouts in Karlovy Vary
From the Diana Observation lookout, you can reach the Deer Jump or Jelení skok. This wooden arbor is considered the oldest lookout in Karlovy Vary. Built in 1804 by Mr. Mayer, a local who made his fortune as a merchant in Wien is also known as Mayerův gloriet ( Mayer’s Gloriette).
Leaving the Deer Jump and passing through the Gamekeepers Lodge or Myslivna Sanatorium, you will reach Peter’s Height. Rich of more history, this observation point is where tsar Peter the Great went riding a horse without a saddle through steep rocky terrain. According to folklore, the tsar carved his initials into a wooden cross that used to stand on the site. Renovated in 2011, on the site, there is a cross and a bust of Peter the Great dating back to 1877.
Enjoy a stroll around the Mill colonnade
On the left bank of the Teplá River in the spa center of Karlovy Vary, the Mill Colonnade or Mlýnská kolonáda is one of the symbols of Karlovy Vary. Built between 1871 and 1881 in Pseudo-Renaissance style, it contains five mineral springs. Taking a stroll under this promenade is one of the best things to do in Karlovy Vary. The Mill is the largest colonnade in Karlovy Vary with 12 sandstone allegorical statues. They represent the months of the year by sculptors Alfred Schreiber and Karl Wilfert. Inside it houses the Mill Spring, the Rusalka Spring, the Prince Wenceslas Spring, the Libuše Spring, and the Rock Spring.
Try a drinking thermal water cure
If beside a stroll around the beautiful town, you want to try a drinking cure — which I highly recommend — the first step will be by buying a porcelain cup. Strolling around Karlovy Vary you will notice many vendors of porcelain cups, essential tools for the infusion therapy. Given the high temperature of the waters, porcelain helps to prevent you from burning your hands. The drinking cure is part of any detox holiday in Karlovy Vary. While historically the first cures were administered through bathing, in 1522, they started to prescribe drinking ones, still in use nowadays.
Things to do in Karlovy Vary: visit the thermal springs
It’s always pleasant strolling around a city and getting some fresh air. During my stay in Karlovy Vary, this was part of my daily medical procedure. As recommended by doctor Milada Sarova, I was sipping my water while slowly walking from one spring to another. Of the circa 80 springs in Karlovy Vary, only 15 contain drinkable waters. These are located under enchanting colonnades or pavilions. Starting your stroll from the hot spring, you can head to the enchanting Tržni portico. Built over the former market, this wooden structure with white lace motifs is open all day long. Continue your walk to the iconic Mlynska colonnade, constructed between 1871 and 1881 in pseudo-Reinassencestyle. Along the river, you will also find the Sadová colonnade, built in cast iron in 1880 by Viennese architects Ferdinand Fellner and Hermann Helmer.
Visit the Jan Becher Museum
Among the things to do in Karlovy Vary to discover the local heritage, there is a visit to the Jan Becher Museum. In 1867 Jan Becher built Steinberky, a historic building that served as a factory for the local traditional herbal liqueur. Operating for this purpose for more than 100 years, it is now a museum where visitors can see historical Becherovka glass bottles. Among the memorabilia kept inside the former factory, are family belongings like their recipe book, awards from exhibitions, and accounting books. Moreover, the space hosts a permanent interactive exhibition to see and smell selected herbs and spices that make a base for the liqueur.
What Becherovka visitor’s center | Where T. G. Masaryka 282/57, Carlsbad | When Tue. — Sun. 9 am — 12 pm and 12:30 pm — 5 pm
Things to do in Karlovy Vary: attend a cultural event
Despite the small dimensions, Karlovy Vary offers an appealing variety of cultural events to its visitors. And for sure, among the things to do in Karlovy Vary attending a concert or a movie is a must-do. In detail every year in July, this spa town houses the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. This is one of the oldest in the world and has become Central and Eastern Europe’s leading film event. Moreover, the local theatre offers an interesting program. Throughout the year go on stage opera, jazz, ballet, and drama performances.
Enjoy a spa holiday in Karlovy Vary
If you are planning to visit two Karlovy Vary, there is a good chance that you are visiting it as a day trip from Prague. However, choosing Karlovy Vary as a spa holiday location is ideal if you need to slow your pace rhythm. For instance, during my stay in Karlovy Vary, I was hosted by Boho Travels and the Luxury Spa& Wellness Hotel Prezident. They invited me to try the Boho Angel program, a one-week long detox plan focused on 5 elements. In detail, it compromises a medical plan, a fitness program, slim treatments, relaxation, and beauty. The 17 procedures administered during the program, all based on natural products, help you to lose weight and clean your body and mind from the inside out.
Good to know If you are looking for a spa holiday retreat you can take a look at my H otel and Spa review: The Retreat at the Blue Lagoon in Iceland or at my The Royal Crescent Hotel and Spa in the UNESCO town of Bath in England.
Spa hotel in Karlovy Vary
With almost 40 years of expertise in the medical healing therapies using the water springs of Karlovy Vary, doctor Milada Sarova leads the medical staff at the luxury Spa & Wellness Hotel Prezident. For doctor Sarova, this place is part of her family’s history. A few months after her husband suddenly passed away in a car accident, her son Slavek made a business plan for a spa hotel as the final project for his undergraduate studies. Slavek’s business professor, impressed by the quality of the plan, invited the at-the-time 23years old man to apply for a bank loan. The Luxury Spa & Wellness Hotel Prezident opened in 2008, and was named as an homage to former Czech Republic president and patient of doctor Sarova, Vaclav Havel. After 5 years from its opening, the hotel went under a reconstruction project, and the initial 28 rooms increased to the actual 50.
Other spa hotels in Karlovy Vary
Given the historical heritage of Karlovy Vary as a thermal spa destination, the town houses many spa hotels. Among them, the more famous one is the Grandhotel Pupp, founded in 1701. The hotel was home to famous European personalities like music composers Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Johann Sebastian Bach, and Richard Wagner. Another hotel, celebrated for its spa, is the Hotel Imperial dominating the city from a hilltop. Set among five Art Noveau villas with a fantastic indoor pool is the Savoy Westend hotel. If you are looking for a secluded and relaxing property, you can check the Retro Riverside Wellness Resort.
Good to know Different countries offer, through their national health systems, a refund for a healing holiday. Verify with your public system and you’re your private insurance company if you might be entitled to a refund.
