What to see in Karlovy Vary in 1 day, the spa town of the Czech Republic

When considering a excursion from Prague, the spa town of Carlsbad It is undoubtedly one of the most interesting options.

Located west of Prague, reach Carlsbad It will take you about two hours of travel, but after visiting this historic spaI bet you'll consider it worth it.

In fact, I can tell you that it is one of the most beautiful cities that you can visit in your trip to Czech Republic, and you must include it in your route.

You must know that Carlsbad In German it is known as Carlsbad, Or what is the same, Charles Hot Springs.

Curiosities about the history of Karlovy Vary, a spa city

This name is due to the fact that its origin dates back to the year 1358, when a hunting dog of the Czech emperor Charles IV He discovered a spring with hot waters in the place where the city is now located.

Over time Carlsbad has earned worldwide fame for being one of the most famous spas in the world.

Specifically, it was at the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century when this city became an essential place to stay for Central European statesmen, musicians, writers and artists.

And that atmosphere of Belle Epoque It is noticeable when walking through its streets.

Today, its international fame is expanding thanks to the film Festival which is celebrated every year.

Below I am going to give you some useful keys. tips for visiting Karlovy Vary that will help you discover this famous spa city in central Europe.

The best things to see and do in Karlovy Vary in one day

First of all I will tell you that Carlsbad It is a small city that can be visited entirely on foot, and although it has a great tourist reputation, it is actually a very quiet city.

The historical and tourist area extends along the river that crosses it and on your pedestrian walk you will find the main places of interest.

It can visit Karlovy Vary in one day, but if you have the opportunity to spend the night in the spa town, you will appreciate a night walk along the banks of the river enjoying dinner on one of the terraces of the restaurants you will find.

Park Colonnade in Karlovy Vary

If you start the visit in the north of the city, from the entrance coming from Prague, the first essential point is the Dvorak Park, where you find the first colonnades that house medicinal water sources.

This is the Park Colonnade, which was rebuilt in the 60s of the last century, and currently houses three fountains where you will have the opportunity to test the aforementioned waters.

The colonnades They are buildings from the late 19th century that have a special charm.

Under these great pavilions of metal architecture, visitors to Carlsbad we find the sources from which spring medicinal waters.

It is a strange sensation, typical of a spa, to be able to drink naturally carbonated water directly from a source that comes out hot…sometimes too hot.

Mill Colonnade in Karlovy Vary

Following the walk along the river, you will reach a large esplanade where the so-called Mill Colonnade, building that was completed in 1881 and which presents a very ostentatious structure.

132 meters long, and 124 thick Corinthian style columns, when it was completed it was not very appreciated because it broke with the general style of the spa city.

Under this colonnade there are six sources of medicinal water that gushes between 53 and 65 degrees. Be careful when drinking…

Market Colonnade in Karlovy Vary

A little further along the pedestrian street you will find the Market Colonnade, a building built in wood in 1883 inspired by Swiss architecture.

Although it was dismantled after housing its two fountains for only a couple of years, it was finally decided to reassemble the colonnade for good.

Hot Springs Pavilion

A highlight of your walk along the river will be the Hot Springs Pavilion.

It is an architectural building with a contemporary design that is located in the center of the city, and inside which stands out a large water fountain that reaches a temperature of 72º degrees.

To visit it, I will tell you that it is open from 6:30 a.m. to 19:00 p.m.

In front of this pavilion, on the other bank of the river, you can visit one of the Most notable churches in Karlovy VaryThat of Santa María Magdalena.

At the end of the pedestrian promenade that runs along the river you will reach one of the most significant buildings of this spa city, the Great Pupp Hotel.

This building is possibly the greatest exponent of the imperial architecture that permeates all the houses in the city.

Karlovy Vary viewpoint at Diana's Tower

Behind this famous hotel you have an alley from where you can go up to the Diana's Tower, either walking or using a rack train.

An essential visit to enjoy the best panoramic views of Karlovy Vary and the surrounding environment of mountains with lush forests.

Peter and Paul Orthodox Church

I advise you not to finish your Karlovy Vary visit without seeing the orthodox church of peter and paul, a building of great architectural beauty which you find in the upper part of the city, and whose construction was inspired by another located in the surroundings of Moscow.

I can tell you that it is difficult to have a complete view of it, since it is surrounded by houses and among trees, but the play of blue and gold colors of its roof and its towers does not let it go unnoticed.

One place where you can see it is from the Diana's viewpoint, since its towers and dome will be easily recognizable to you.

Built in 1898, the Karlovy Vary Orthodox Church was a project partly promoted by several patients of Russian origin who came to this spa town.

In this regard I remind you that Carlsbad It has earned its fame as a spa where many famous people from Europe in the 19th and early 20th centuries attended.

Spanish tour to Karlovy Vary

If instead of going on your own in rented car or in Line bus, you prefer to go with a group organized by agency, here you have all the information to sign up for a Spanish tour to Karlovy Vary from Prague,

With 9 hours of duration, in this excursion to Karlovy Vary You will travel by private vehicle with guide in spanish and you will be able to get to know the main corners of the spa city.

Finally, in order to plan your stay in said Czech city, this access to Booking.com to search hotels in Karlovy Vary.

What and where to eat in Karlovy Vary, city and in the Region

One very important thing you always ask us is about places to eat.

We have a very interesting article where we review the typical dishes that you can eat in the Czech Republic y Recommended restaurants in Prague that you might be interested in reading.

• What to eat in the Czech Republic and restaurants in Prague

But focusing on Karlovy Vary, here is a list of restaurants where you can eat in the city and in the region in case you are going on a road trip.

Becherplatz & Karel IV (Karlovy Vary)

Next to the museum of the famous Czech liquor factory Becherovka, there is a restaurant that is worth it.

Themed as a Czech beer tavern, in the lower part of the building they serve exceptional food, the classic place where it is a pleasure to eat.

An varied menu including international dishes y typical czech dishes as snichels, the duck in sauce which comes in a very generous portion, knucklesEtc. ...

All this served with good Czech beer between large long tables.

Varyo Restaurant (Karlovy Vary)

Another brutal place to eat in Karlovy Vary es Varyo.

Beyond the food, which is very good and at a very good price, the key to this place is its views.

Carlsbad It is located in a privileged place crossed by the river and the city rises towards the slopes, and precisely on one of them is the restaurant.

At the top with a huge pool at its feet, since this place is part of a resort with thermal baths, is the ideal place to dine with a stunning sunset over the city.

Ceska Hospudka (Marianske Lazne)

A small place in the heart of the city where it is worth giving yourself the pleasure of trying czech food.

Knuckle, fish, soups, rabbit, meats, everything is very good here, and the prices are also very affordable for the quality of the food.

Restaurant Hvezda (Cheb)

If you visit the beautiful town of Cheb, there is a place worth eating.

Hvezda It's a chain style brewery. Gambrinus where you can eat a little of everything in the heart of the town.

Nothing special, but not bad either.

Bistro u Hulvy (Skalna)

If you visit Soos Game Reserve, where there is also a protected area where you can see the brutally hot water inside the earth, there is a place where you can eat.

Is called Bistro u Hulvy and it is a family-run place, very pleasant, with a huge and tremendously varied menu typical czech foods.

Typical products to buy in Karlovy Vary

Finally, I will tell you that she is famous in all the Czech Republic bottled carbonated mineral water from Karlovy Vary, as well as Becherovka liqueur.

Just like souvenir to buy during your visit, it is typical to buy some ceramic jugs with the appropriate handle to be able to taste the mineral waters that flow from the fountains, as well as the glassware Moser, with more than 150 years of tradition.

Map: how to get to Karlovy Vary

Carlsbad It is located 126 kilometers west of Prague, and close to Germany, but since there is a long stretch of national road, to getting to Karlovy Vary from Prague It can take almost two hours.

To go to Karlovy Vary from Germany, you can go down south from Berlin, with a distance of 350 kilometers, which can take 4 hours as a good part of the trip is by national highway.

From Frankfurt, it is almost 400 kilometers and also 4 hours.