Plan the perfect day trip to Karlovy Vary from Prague! Stroll through grand colonnades, taste the healing thermal waters, and admire the town’s picturesque charm. This guide covers the best sights, activities, and practical tips for making the most of your visit.
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12 places
Dvořákovy sady, Karlovy Vary
1
10:00 - 10:30
These elegant park gardens surrounding the Hot Spring Colonnade offer peaceful walking paths amid lush greenery. Listen to classical music from the park pavilion while admiring impressive floral displays and the symbolic statue of Karlovy Vary's deer.
Park Colonnade, Karlovy Vary
2
This ornate cast-iron pavilion with intricate lace-like patterns shelters the Snake Spring. Built in 1881 and carefully restored, its delicate Victorian design showcases 19th-century spa architecture while offering visitors therapeutic mineral waters in a romantic setting.
Mill Colonnade, Karlovy vary
3
10:30 - 11:30
The neo-Renaissance Mill Colonnade boasts 124 elegant Corinthian columns sheltering five mineral springs. This architectural masterpiece offers visitors beautiful ceiling frescoes and decorative reliefs while they sip therapeutic waters from ornate fountains.
Castle Colonnade, Karlovy Vary
4
This neo-Renaissance gem features ornate ceiling paintings depicting allegorical scenes. Built in 1912 atop medieval castle ruins, it houses the Upper Castle Spring and offers spectacular elevated views of the spa district from its panoramic terrace.

Market Colonnade, Karlovy vary
5
11:30 - 12:30
This delicate white wooden structure resembles Swiss lace architecture, housing three healing springs. Built in 1883, its intricately carved design and charming atmosphere make it one of Karlovy Vary's most photogenic and romantic attractions.
Vřídlo, Karlovy vary
6
The heart of Karlovy Vary's spa tradition, this remarkable geyser produces 72°C mineral water shooting dramatically upward. The spring yields 2,000 liters per minute, with minerals that form unique aragonite roses displayed in glass cases nearby.
St Mary Magdalene's Church, Karlovy Vary
7
12:30 - 13:00
This magnificent Baroque masterpiece by Kilian Ignaz Dientzenhofer features twin towers and an impressive dome. The church's richly decorated interior boasts remarkable acoustics, stunning frescoes, and ornate altars, creating a powerful spiritual atmosphere in the spa town.

Lubor Ferenc, CC BY-SA 4.0 International, via Wikimedia Commons
Hot Spring Colonnade, Karlovy Vary
8
Modern glass and concrete architecture houses Karlovy Vary's most powerful thermal spring. Watch as Vřídlo erupts 12 meters high, producing 2,000 liters of 73°C mineral water per minute, enveloped in clouds of steam.
Stará Louka, Karlovy Vary
9
This charming riverside promenade lined with colorful historic buildings houses elegant boutiques and inviting cafés. The picturesque street offers splendid views across the Teplá River and serves as Karlovy Vary's sophisticated shopping destination for luxury goods.

Grandhotel Pupp, Karlovy Vary
10
14:00 - 15:00
This legendary neo-Baroque palace has welcomed royalty and celebrities since 1701. Featured in Casino Royale, the luxurious hotel combines historical elegance with modern amenities, housing exquisite restaurants serving Czech and international cuisine.

lienyuan lee, CC BY-SA 3.0 Unported, via Wikimedia Commons
Diana Observation Tower, Karlovy vary
11
15:30 - 16:30
Perched 562 meters above sea level, this charming brick tower offers breathtaking panoramic views across Karlovy Vary and surrounding forests. Accessible via scenic funicular ride, it features a butterfly house and mini-zoo for visitors.
Elisabeth Spa, Karlovy Vary
12
17:00 - 19:00
Elizabeth Spa, established in 1906 and named after Empress Elisabeth of Bavaria (Sissi), stands as a testament to Karlovy Vary's rich spa heritage. This historic facility offers a comprehensive range of treatments, blending natural healing resources with modern wellness practices.
Sticky Notes
Getting from Prague to Karlovy Vary:
By Bus: 2 hours from Prague (RegioJet, FlixBus)
By Car: 1.5–2 hours via the D6 highway