Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad)

The basics

Since the late 19th century, well-heeled tourists—and artists such as Chopin and Beethoven—have come to Karlovy Vary to improve their health through hill walking, taking in the mountain-fresh air, and consuming the different spring waters that occur naturally here. Each spring is thought to have slightly different healing properties, though many of the springs are both hot and salty in taste.

The town is named for the Bohemian King Charles IV who ruled in the 14th century. Local legend has it that Charles was the first person to discover the springs while walking his dogs in the hills above the town. Many people visit Karlovy Vary on a sightseeing day trip from Prague.

There’s another healing elixir found in the town, too—the herbal Becherovka liqueur—which locals swear by.

Things to know before you go

• The town has 16 different springs to try.
• For the local way, buy a traditional spa cup with a handle and a spout to collect drinking water from the various taps around town.
• Keep an eye out for the Grandhotel Pupp at the far end of the town, the inspiration behind Wes Anderson’s Grand Budapest Hotel.
• Visitors can take a cable car up the mountain near the Grand Pupp—there’s a lookout tower, cafe-restaurant, and butterfly garden at the top.
• A number of different hiking routes set off from the town center.

How to get there

Karlovy Vary is located in the region of Bohemia, to the west of Prague near the border with Germany. There are regular daily bus and train connections from Prague, along with guided tours that provide round-trip transportation.

When to get there

Karlovy Vary is in the Czech Republic, in Central Europe. The country has warm summers and cold winters with both rain and snow. Most people choose to visit in the summer months when warm daily temperatures and long days make exploring the town and countryside very pleasant. In winter, cross-country ski trails draw outdoor sports enthusiasts.

Explore the Czech Republic’s Spa Triangle

Karlovy Vary is at the center of the Czech Republic’s "Spa Triangle," which also includes the nearby town of Marianske Lazne. Smaller than Karlovy Vary, Marianske is a well-kept town that's worth a visit. The main street is bordered by landscaped gardens filled with flowers and fountains, and the healing spring waters (which are cold, unlike those in other towns) have attracted such luminaries as the great writer Goethe and British King Edward VII, who vacationed here for nine years in a row in the early 20th century.