Karlovy Vary (also known as Karlsbad, its German name or Carlsbad, its English name) is a city in Bohemia, in the western Czech Republic.
Karlovy Vary, meaning "Charles' Bath", was named after Charles IV, King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor, who founded the city in 1370. It is famous for its hot springs and its colorful and whimsical architecture. For these reasons, it was a popular tourist destination in the 18th century with guests including Tsar Peter the Great, Emperor Franz Josef I, Beethoven, Goethe, Wagner, Brahms, Leo Tolstoy, and Karl Marx. Tourism grounded to a halt during World War I and the city never regained its former glory. After World War II, the largely German-speaking city was cleared of its inhabitants and replaced with Czech settlers. Czech remains the major language today but the signs of German culture and heritage are still very evident.
The town, along with Prague, was the filming location of many scenes identified as being in Montenegro in the 2006 movie Casino Royale.
- Mill Colonade. Popular gathering place. Bands play here in the summer.
- Hot Springs. There are 12 hot springs - you can get a list and descriptions at the Infocentrum.
- Rock Spring. Spurts 1.3 litres of water per minute.
- Hot Springs Colonade. 6am-7pm. Spring that spurts 2000 litres of water per minute in a 14m jet. The thoroughly modernist hall was designed by Jaroslav Otruba replaced an earlier traditional colonnade, derelict after the war. It has a number of small fountains for visitors to take the waters, plus exhibition spaces, a cafe and tours of the underground. Free.
- Lázně III. Beautiful spa building.
- Lázně I. 09:00-18:00. Beautiful spa building that housed Franz Josef's baths (he did not visit however) and also used for the casino setting in Casino Royale. The building is being restored after a period of closure to become a cultural centre. There is a small exhibition which also gives you a quick peek around the main entrance halls and stairways. €1 / 50 CZK.
- Diana Lookout Tower. You can take the funicular railway or take a beautiful walk through the forest to get here. The funicular costs 25 Kč to the middle station, 45 Kč to the upper one, 80 Kč a return ticket. There is a café and hunting lodge style restaurant serving Czech cuisine as well as a small zoo. Animals including piglets and peacocks roam adjacent to the building. Free.
- Karl Marx Monument. Very close to the Russian embassy and the Orthodox Church and at the start of some woodland walks.
- Church of St. Peter & St. Paul. Built in 1897. Five golden domes and colourful exterior were modelled on the Byzantine Church of the Holy Trinity near Moscow. The interior of the church is decorated with paintings and icons, gifts of wealthy Russian aristocrats. One of the decorations is a relief representing Russian Tsar Peter the Great.
- Church of St. Lucas. Anglican church.
- Karlovy Vary Museum, Nova Louka 23. W-Su 09:00-12:00 & 13:00-17:00. Local history. Adult: 30 Kč; Child: 15 Kč.
- Jan Becher Museum, Masaryka 57. 09:00--17:00. Dedicated to the local inventor of Becherovka. Adult: 100 Kč; Child: 50 Kč.
Mill Colonade. Popular gathering place. Bands play here in the summer.
Hot Springs. There are 12 hot springs - you can get a list and descriptions at the Infocentrum.
- Rock Spring. Spurts 1.3 litres of water per minute.
- Hot Springs Colonade. 6am-7pm. Spring that spurts 2000 litres of water per minute in a 14m jet. The thoroughly modernist hall was designed by Jaroslav Otruba replaced an earlier traditional colonnade, derelict after the war. It has a number of small fountains for visitors to take the waters, plus exhibition spaces, a cafe and tours of the underground. Free.
Hot Springs. There are 12 hot springs - you can get a list and descriptions at the Infocentrum.
- Rock Spring. Spurts 1.3 litres of water per minute.
- Hot Springs Colonade. 6am-7pm. Spring that spurts 2000 litres of water per minute in a 14m jet. The thoroughly modernist hall was designed by Jaroslav Otruba replaced an earlier traditional colonnade, derelict after the war. It has a number of small fountains for visitors to take the waters, plus exhibition spaces, a cafe and tours of the underground. Free.
Hot Springs. There are 12 hot springs - you can get a list and descriptions at the Infocentrum.
- Rock Spring. Spurts 1.3 litres of water per minute.
- Hot Springs Colonade. 6am-7pm. Spring that spurts 2000 litres of water per minute in a 14m jet. The thoroughly modernist hall was designed by Jaroslav Otruba replaced an earlier traditional colonnade, derelict after the war. It has a number of small fountains for visitors to take the waters, plus exhibition spaces, a cafe and tours of the underground. Free.
Lázně III. Beautiful spa building.
Lázně I. 09:00-18:00. Beautiful spa building that housed Franz Josef's baths (he did not visit however) and also used for the casino setting in Casino Royale. The building is being restored after a period of closure to become a cultural centre. There is a small exhibition which also gives you a quick peek around the main entrance halls and stairways. €1 / 50 CZK.
Diana Lookout Tower. You can take the funicular railway or take a beautiful walk through the forest to get here. The funicular costs 25 Kč to the middle station, 45 Kč to the upper one, 80 Kč a return ticket. There is a café and hunting lodge style restaurant serving Czech cuisine as well as a small zoo. Animals including piglets and peacocks roam adjacent to the building. Free.
Karl Marx Monument. Very close to the Russian embassy and the Orthodox Church and at the start of some woodland walks.
Church of St. Peter & St. Paul. Built in 1897. Five golden domes and colourful exterior were modelled on the Byzantine Church of the Holy Trinity near Moscow. The interior of the church is decorated with paintings and icons, gifts of wealthy Russian aristocrats. One of the decorations is a relief representing Russian Tsar Peter the Great.
Church of St. Lucas. Anglican church.
Karlovy Vary Museum, Nova Louka 23. W-Su 09:00-12:00 & 13:00-17:00. Local history. Adult: 30 Kč; Child: 15 Kč.
Jan Becher Museum, Masaryka 57. 09:00--17:00. Dedicated to the local inventor of Becherovka. Adult: 100 Kč; Child: 50 Kč.
- Castle Spa. 7:30AM-7:30PM. Modern spa center. €20 for 1 hour, €80 for 4 hours including massage.
- Elizabeth Baths, Smetanovy sady 1145/1, Karlovy Vary, 36001 (Main entrance is in the flower gardens, +420 353 222 536-7. 09:00-21:00. Somewhat old school publicly accessible state owned spa and baths, with Communist-era baths downstairs, and early twentieth-century therapeutic rooms. Cheap and worth a visit just for the retro feel. 85-900 Kč.
Castle Spa. 7:30AM-7:30PM. Modern spa center. €20 for 1 hour, €80 for 4 hours including massage.
Elizabeth Baths, Smetanovy sady 1145/1, Karlovy Vary, 36001 (Main entrance is in the flower gardens, +420 353 222 536-7. 09:00-21:00. Somewhat old school publicly accessible state owned spa and baths, with Communist-era baths downstairs, and early twentieth-century therapeutic rooms. Cheap and worth a visit just for the retro feel. 85-900 Kč.
- Food Festival Karlovy Vary, in the front of the Thermal Hotel. 1st May.
- Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. Early July.
- International Student Film Festival. Late august.
- Karlovy Vary Folklore Festival. Early September.
- Jazzfest Karlovy Vary. Early September.
- Dvorak Autumn. September. Classical music.
Food Festival Karlovy Vary, in the front of the Thermal Hotel. 1st May.
Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. Early July.
International Student Film Festival. Late august.
Karlovy Vary Folklore Festival. Early September.
Jazzfest Karlovy Vary. Early September.
Dvorak Autumn. September. Classical music.
- Golf Resort Karlovy Vary, Pražská 219, +420 353 331 001. March-October. The course underwent a rapid renovation, which included the building of a new clubhouse, an irrigation system, and new tees. The Karlovy Vary golf course becomes one of the most prestigious European golf establishments.
Golf Resort Karlovy Vary, Pražská 219, +420 353 331 001. March-October. The course underwent a rapid renovation, which included the building of a new clubhouse, an irrigation system, and new tees. The Karlovy Vary golf course becomes one of the most prestigious European golf establishments.
Karlovy Vary is famous for its spa wafers. They come in various flavors and are best when warm. The wafers are sold at street stands in Karlovy Vary, and can also be purchased at grocery stores throughout the Czech Republic.
- Cafe Pizzeria Venetia, Zahradni 43, +420 353 729 221. Looks out on the Tepla River. Pizza: 120Kc.
- Jean De Carro. Very good and spacy interior, however dishes served are of a low quality, despite being high priced.
- Parlament, Zeyerova 5. closed on Sun. Outdoor tables. Good food.
- Steakhouse Sklipek, Zeyerova 1, +420 353 229 197. Huge steak meals. Steaks: 180 Kč.
Cafe Pizzeria Venetia, Zahradni 43, +420 353 729 221. Looks out on the Tepla River. Pizza: 120Kc.
Jean De Carro. Very good and spacy interior, however dishes served are of a low quality, despite being high priced.
Parlament, Zeyerova 5. closed on Sun. Outdoor tables. Good food.
Steakhouse Sklipek, Zeyerova 1, +420 353 229 197. Huge steak meals. Steaks: 180 Kč.
Jan Becher invented the liquor that bears his name (Becherovka) in Karlovy Vary. However, it is an acquired taste.
Some establishments on the river charge twice the price of places 20m+ off the main drag so shop around for a place to drink.
- Cafe Elephant, Stara Louka 30. Coffee and cake. Coffee: 45 Kč.
- Juice Bar Kokopelli, Bulharska 9. Juice & Smoothies: 20 Kč-37 Kč.
- Kafe Brejk, Stara Louka 62. 09:00-17:00. Design your own baguette. Coffee: 35 Kč; baguette: 50 Kč.
Cafe Elephant, Stara Louka 30. Coffee and cake. Coffee: 45 Kč.
Juice Bar Kokopelli, Bulharska 9. Juice & Smoothies: 20 Kč-37 Kč.
Kafe Brejk, Stara Louka 62. 09:00-17:00. Design your own baguette. Coffee: 35 Kč; baguette: 50 Kč.
- Moonstorm Internet, Masaryka 31. 9am-9pm. 48 Kč per hour.
Moonstorm Internet, Masaryka 31. 9am-9pm. 48 Kč per hour.