Spa Town- Karlovy Vary

Karlovy Vary is well known for its thermal springs, which were discovered in the 14th century. Nowadays, they attract many tourists, locals and people coming from abroad, looking for special health treatments. 

Czechia’s most famous spa town of Karlovy Vary is located two hours drive away from Prague, in the western region of the country. However, Karlovy Vary is not only popular for its natural springs, but it also hosts the famous Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, which takes place in end of June. For those who would like to experience a more active visit, the town offers numerous sports facilities, such as golf, tennis, hockey and horseback riding. Whether you are into spas or not, Karlovy Vary should be on your top list of places to visit in Czechia. 

Hot Spring Tour

You can take a tour of the hot spring underground from May to September. The curative hot spring water is supplied to all the spa hotels located in the town and it is used for bathing, but also for drinking, as it has numerous benefits and minerals, which can help with various health issues including digestion, skin problems, diabetes and obesity. Note: you can find a variety of hot spring waters which measure between 50 and 60 degrees Celsius.    

For those who wish to benefit from hot springs and a wellness treatment, the town hosts the five colonnades, which are located at a close proximity from each other. The largest one out of all,  is the Park Colonnade, which includes three different therapeutic springs and dates back to 1871. 

You might have already heard of the famous herbal Czech liquor Becherovka, which is made of spices and herbs, and originates from Karlovy Vary. It was produced for the first time by Josef Becher in 1807, and for over 200 years the recipe of this ‘stomach medicine drops’ have been kept a family secret. To learn more about this iconic drink, don’t forget to visit the Jan Becher museum, which includes an exhibition and short videos about the history of Becherovka. Most importantly, you can also taste the liquor drink in the museum bar. 

Once you visit Czechia, you will soon realise that the country is well known for and abundant in glass making. The Moser glasswork is world famous for its quality and products. While in Karlovy Vary, take the opportunity to visit the Moser glass museum, which will take you through the 150 years of the glass factory’s history. In addition to the museum, you can also take a tour of the glasswork and see how glass is actually produced with glassblowers. Of course, you may purchase various glass products after the tour.    

Both a bottle of Becherovka and a beautiful piece of glasswork are excellent items to purchase as gifts or souvenirs for your loved ones back home!