If you plan a trip to Czechia, its fairytale capital Prague is on many tourists’ radar. But the country is full of hidden gems awaiting you to discover them. Karlovy Vary, is definitely one such place that welcome everyone wanting to just relax in a quiet town.
This blog post will walk you through Karlovy Vary: so what does the town in store for you? Let’s find out!
What is Karlovy Vary?
Karlovy Vary is part of the Great Spa Towns in Europe initiative and has also been listed as UNESCO World Heritage thanks to the opulent Habsburg-Viennese architecture spread around the town.
The founding father of the town is the legendary 14th century ruler of Central Europe, Karl IV. He allegedly discovered a thermal spring flowing while on a hunting trip in the forest where it is Karlovy Vary today. In a reality, the thermal effect of the spring has been known before Karl IV’s time and the settlement had been formed since then.
Although the town had been around for centuries and centuries, only the Art Nouveau shaped the current look of Karlovy Vary. This artistic movement in the 19th century brought pastel-colour wooden houses and shophouses, colonnades, turrets und curlicues all over the town. Only then was Karlovy Vary the most known spa and sanatorium centre in Europe which draw Celebs to the town.
Amazing! What to see and do in Karlovy Vary?
Karlovy Vary has a lot to offer for anyone – even if the gorgeous buildings in the picture put off your low budget, don’t cancel your trip. Nearly all 20 colonnades in the town let you drink the thermal water from its ground for free – all you need is to bring along your own cup. Pick up a porcelain (more on this later) or even your own pet bottles for more a budget option.
Do the funicular ride at Diana which is also reasonably priced (110 CZK one way, various discounts available). The funicular takes you from city centre, behind Grandhotel Pupp to the mountain top in five minutes. Come there early – it opens at 9AM every day – to avoid hefty queues.
If you don’t want to join the queue and save the pennies, you may hike from the centre to the summit. The trails are very well signposted.
The Diana lookout is admission free: meet butterflies at nearby Butterfly House (entry 140 CZK).
Entry is free at Grandhotel Pupp. Nobody will chase away if you just roam around and admire the elegant decor made up of wall panels, chandeliers, wall paintings, staircases and carpets. The film Budapest Hotel draw its inspiration from this exact hotel!
If you are up to paid spa massages and baths, do book a room in one of the hotels across Karlovy Vary. They will give you access to its exclusive jacuzzis, massage rooms and saunas reserved for their own guests.
Where to stay in Karlovy Vary
The window view from a room. Picture: Villa Leopold
We booked a room at Villa Leopold and were 1000% satisfied with our choice! We called the front desk to inquire about booking a room for the same day, and luckily, they had one available. The staff also gave us some practical information over the phone on how to find and reach the hotel.
The hotel offers 24/7 check-in, and the rooms are affordable (starting at 1,520 CZK) yet well-equipped, featuring a kitchenette and a comfortable queen-sized bed.
Villa Leopold also has an interesting history that you might appreciate: the hotel has been welcoming spa and sanatorium guests since the 19th century. The current management decided to preserve this historic and illustrious name, which I think is a lovely gesture!
Your dream room (on a budget!!) at Villa Leopold. Picture: Villa Leopold
Get around in Karlovy Vary
The town is very walkable, although some of its streets can be quite hilly and steep. The bus service is reliable and takes you to destinations throughout the surrounding area. Check out the official website of the local public transport operator for bus timetables.
Getting a Karlovy Vary Region Card might also be a good idea if you want to have everything in one place. It gives you free or discounted admission to a wide range of attractions. The card also offers a 50% discount on public transport in Karlovy Vary and 100% off (yes, completely free!!) in Mariánské Lázně.
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