🇨🇿 Czech Republic · Places to discover
What to see in Karlovy Vary ?
23 places curated by Hozy - landmarks, nature, hidden restaurants and activities.
MAP · OVERVIEW
Landmarks & heritage (8)
Wikipedia (fr) - CC BY-SAMlýnská Colonnade (Mill Colonnade)
Landmark
A neo-Renaissance masterpiece by Josef Zítek housing five historic thermal springs. Locals arrive each morning with their drinking cups for the hot mineral water — an authentic daily ritual.
Wikipedia (en) - CC BY-SAVřídelní Colonnade (Geyser Colonnade)
Landmark
A brutalist building from the 1970s sheltering the main geyser that erupts at 73°C up to 12 metres high. Soviet architecture starkly contrasts with the Belle Époque setting — utterly fascinating.
Wikipedia (fr) - CC BY-SAChurch of Saints Peter and Paul (Orthodox)
Landmark
A Russian church with golden cupolas built in 1898 for the wealthy Russian colony frequenting the spa. Tsars and nobles once prayed here — the mosaic-covered interior is breathtaking.
Wikipedia (fr) - CC BY-SADiana Colonnade (Sadová kolonáda)
Landmark
An Art Nouveau cast-iron colonnade (1882) surrounded by lush gardens on the Teplá riverbank. Less crowded than others, it's where locals take their morning stroll.
Wikipedia (en) - CC BY-SAGrand Hotel Pupp
Landmark
A palace founded in 1701, among Europe's oldest hotels. Even if you're not staying, the grand café hall is worth a visit — Goethe, Beethoven and Casanova all lodged here.
Wikipedia (fr) - CC BY-SAMarket Colonnade (Tržní kolonáda)
Landmark
An elegant Swiss-style wooden colonnade built in 1883, nestled in the city centre. Two springs flow freely here — the atmosphere feels more intimate than the grand colonnade.
Wikipedia (cs) - CC BY-SAKarlovy Vary Museum (Karlovarské muzeum)
Landmark
A regional museum housed in a handsome neo-Renaissance villa tracing the spa and industrial heritage of the town. The collection of Bohemian porcelain and crystal glass is outstanding.
Wikipedia (en) - CC BY-SAChurch of Saint Mary Magdalene
Landmark
A baroque jewel by Kilian Ignaz Dientzenhofer (1736), perched on a promontory above the Vřídlo. Its twin-towered silhouette dominates the thermal centre — the interior strikes an elegant restraint.Nature & parks (5)
Wikipedia (fr) - CC BY-SASmetanovy Gardens
Nature
A terraced municipal park on the right bank of the Teplá, lined with century-old linden trees and a charming bandstand. Spa guests take their constitutionals here between treatments.Štěpánka Spring and Hilltop Trail
Nature
An isolated mineral spring accessed via a forest path from the Westend neighbourhood, with a period wooden pavilion. Local hikers stop here to drink the iron-rich water straight from the source.Jesenius Lake (Jesenická přehrada)
Nature
A small forest reservoir 8 km from the town centre, popular with locals for summer bathing and picnicking. Far from the crowds and ringed with firs — the perfect spot to unwind.Teplá Valley towards Kyselka
Nature
A 12 km cycling and walking route along the Teplá river towards the abandoned thermal village of Kyselka. Forests and riverside meanders combine to create one of the region's finest nature escapes.Health Trail (Stezka zdraví) towards Three Crosses
Nature
A 5 km forest loop above the town leading to Three Crosses, a historic viewpoint over the valley. Locals make this their Sunday jogging route — an accessible and rejuvenating trail.Viewpoints (2)
Wikipedia (cs) - CC BY-SADiana Tower and Funicular
Viewpoint
The funicular climbs within minutes to the summit of Výšina přátelství (600m), where Diana Tower offers a full 360° panorama over the thermal valley and Bohemian forests. The views at sunset are unbeatable.Výšina přátelství Viewpoint (Friendship Hill)
Viewpoint
A forest trail leading above the Grand Pupp through century-old beech trees. The natural belvedere offers sweeping views down the curve of the Teplá river and the red-tiled rooftops below.Activities (5)
Wikipedia (en) - CC BY-SABecherovka Tasting at Jan Becher Museum
Activity
Museum dedicated to the famous herbal liqueur born in Karlovy Vary in 1807, featuring a guided tasting of the original recipe. The secret formula of 20 herbs is jealously guarded — the story is captivating.
Wikipedia (en) - CC BY-SAKarlovy Vary International Film Festival (venue: Thermal Hotel)
Activity
Central Europe's largest film festival takes place each July around the brutalist Thermal Hotel. Outside festival season, the Thermal cinema screens art-house films year-round.
Wikipedia (fr) - CC BY-SAMoser Shop (Crystal House)
Activity
Crystal manufactory founded in 1857, whose pieces adorn royal palaces worldwide. The free tour of the glass-blowing workshop in Staré Město is both fascinating and accessible.Thermal Cure at Alžbětin pramen Spa
Activity
An authentic thermal establishment (not a luxury spa) where locals come for their state-subsidised cures. Carbonated baths, underwater massage and inhalation treatments — Czech thermal heritage at its most genuine.Thun Porcelain Manufactory
Activity
Fine Bohemian porcelain factory open to visitors — watch artisans hand-paint traditional floral motifs. The factory shop offers significantly better prices than the promenade boutiques.More to discover (3)
Wikipedia (en) - CC BY-SAAbandoned Thermal Village of Kyselka
Place
A partially restored Austro-Hungarian spa village with the Mattoni spring still active. The Belle Époque ghost-town atmosphere is unique — buildings undergoing rehabilitation tell a forgotten chapter of history.Dolní nádraží Market
Place
Saturday morning farmers' market where regional producers sell vegetables, farmhouse cheeses and smoked charcuterie. This is where locals shop in Karlovy Vary.Císařské lázně Art Gallery (Imperial Baths)
Place
A grand Art Nouveau thermal establishment undergoing restoration, partially open as a cultural venue. The abandoned and now restored neo-baroque bathing halls provide a striking backdrop for temporary exhibitions.