Points of Interest & Landmarks • Lookouts
Things to Do in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic - Karlovy Vary Attractions
Things to Do in Karlovy Vary
Book these experiences for a close-up look at Karlovy Vary.
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings
Open now
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Speciality Museums
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings
Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings
Points of Interest & Landmarks
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
What travelers are saying
- Brun066Florence, Italy12,264 contributionsWhere - walking south - the compact core of the historic city of Karlovy Vary ends, at the Pupp hotel, a funicular takes you a few hundred meters uphill to this tower.
The arrival point of the funicular is already prominent; but this quality is enhanced by the height of the tower, which allows the view to be elevated above the curtain of thick trees covering the entire hill, and also the whole of the surrounding hills.
Thus, not far to the north-west side, the Erzgebirge mountain range appears, indicating the border with Germany; and in the other directions a series of less prominent hills, heavily wooded and lonely, contrasting singularly with the urbanization of the underlying valley floor of the Tepla river, in which the spa area is located, and of the northern districts of the city, which can be seen further away.
The beauty of these hills easily induces the desire to follow their paths; firstly the one – 17 km long – leading to the beautiful village of Loket
It's also worth noting that the climb to the tower is free, a rather rare feature among this type of buildings.Written November 27, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Brun066Florence, Italy12,264 contributionsThere is obviously no official definition of what the central point of Karlovy Vary is (like any city). But if the center is to be found in the collective perception, it's likely that this building could be the one considered as central to the Karlovy Vary spa district.
In fact, here flowed (before being diverted inside the neoclassical building) the so called "Mill spring" (and which gave its name to the Colonnade), whose use for therapeutic purposes is documented by the longest time frame.
But when the monumental colonnade was erected (1870-1871), the pipes of other hot springs were diverted under the portico: the Libuše Spring, the two springs called “Prince Venceslaw”, and two others. All these springs are now located under the colonnade, and the visitor can freely draw water from them for drinking (paying attention to their high temperature), preferably using the characteristic amphorae with spouts on sale everywhere in Karlovy Vary; and perhaps accompanying it with oplatky, the typical waffles also on sale everywhere.
When we visited the colonnade, it was frequented by few visitors, and very pleasant indeed. What a contrast to the 1909 picture, reproduced here, showing an overflow crowd outside the colonnade, queuing to wait their turn to drink! Evidently the role of spas is no longer what it once was.Written November 28, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Imre JVienna, Austria170 contributionsSunday at 9 o'clock you can join the mass. The Orthodox rite is quite an experience! Don't miss that!Written August 23, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Markéta_TravelCzech Republic128 contributionsAbsolutely charming place. Beautiful and relaxing. The bus goes throughout the whole city and it's really easy to get around.Written September 25, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Jim WSchonaich, Germany2,843 contributionsThis is apparently where it all starts as you begin the journey to taste and feel the healing of the thermal springs. I am not sure about all of that, but I did drink out of the dozen or so hot springs I could find. Some must have been hidden and two (#14 and #16) are just outside of town. However, this is the first one and is situated across form the Church of Mary Magdalene. I understand that several of the hotels have water lines connected to this one. I know the Carlsbad Plaza Hotel does. At the end of the day whether or not this whole concept of healing waters is a gimmick is unknown to me. I will say that a visit to Karlovy Vary is an absolute must. The springs, the food, the spas, and more importantly, the people are wonderful.Written March 13, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- pamatu049Prague, Czech Republic239 contributionsGreat spot for the whole family. Better to arrive early in the morning. 45 min guided tour, 30 min museum, 20 min shop. You will love this place and its products! PS: shopping centre 5 min walk from Moser factoryWritten October 1, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Gidons51Herzliya, Israel4,330 contributionsA very nicely richly decorated Catholic Church . Just in center of town , with great view of the Main Street and the river . We enjoyed a beautiful organ concert with a solo singer , a real adventure. Follow up the music performances.Written July 22, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Anna 🌹Nuremberg, Germany18 contributionsVery beautiful place with not tasty but healthy water 💧People believe that this water can heal, it’s coming from inside the ground and it’s warmWritten December 23, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Jim WSchonaich, Germany2,843 contributionsOf the three largest colonnades, the Market Colonnade was my favorite. I really liked how it was made of white lattice and looked so clean. This is also where you start when you hit the three if you do the hot springs in order. I think there were a total of three springs here. All in all, you must visit all three of them plus the original Hot Spring Colonnade.Written March 13, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Sara KMunich, Germany24 contributionsNice place and educated- we learn a lot about the place and its past- find out, at last, the reason for the funny ceramic pots in all the souvenir shops in the cityWritten March 30, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- avipitiHod Hasharon, Israel2,804 contributionsLocated right off the promenade in the center of Karlovy Vary, this is a beautiful park with a very pretty pond with ducks. The tress in the autumn are magnificentWritten October 21, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- PavlaPavlaChrudim, Czech Republic6,539 contributionsNová Louka is on the opposite side of the river Teplá than Stará Louka. Both sides are beautiful. You can find there nice, very well maintenance buildings, a lot of hotels and restaurants.Written July 24, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Brun066Florence, Italy12,264 contributionsThis "colonnade" (actually a closed pavilion), in functionalist style from 1975 - therefore dating back to the Soviet occupation - is probably the least beautiful of those in Karlovy Vary.
But this flaw is compensated by the interest of the thermal phenomena: the emission of hot water at high pressure, giving rise to a water column 15 meters high.
Part of this water is conveyed into pipes which allow it to pass to progressively lower temperatures; so the corresponding taps - located inside the adjacent rooms - allow you to drink water at your preferred temperature.
However, what impressed me most about the complex (even more than the high water column) is the bed of the underlying Tepla river, where it receives the waste water from the source. The river bed, being flooded by this discharge of hot, mineral-rich water, is covered with a characteristic, very green, thermophilic aquatic vegetation; and two semicircular "terraces" of yellowish limestone concretions have also formed, reminiscent of the very famous - and white - ones of Pamukkale in Turkey.Written November 27, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Steve G218 contributionsWe walked downhill from the Diana Tower, along well maintained trails for this spot. Good overall view of what could be called the “upper” part of town. Either way, it’s a nice hike downhill from DianaWritten September 6, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- krisennaidooAuckland, New Zealand5 contributionsWe decided to visit this city on the way to Prague and it did not disappoint. My impression is skip Prague and visit this City and Loket.Written February 3, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Karlovy Vary
- The top attractions to visit in Karlovy Vary are: See all attractions in Karlovy Vary on Tripadvisor
- The best outdoor activities in Karlovy Vary according to Tripadvisor travelers are: See all outdoor activities in Karlovy Vary on Tripadvisor
- The best day trips from Karlovy Vary according to Tripadvisor travelers are:
- Karlovy Vary Day Trip from Prague
- Trip to Karlovy Vary from Prague
- Karlovy Vary Full Day Tour from Prague with lunch
- Karlovy Vary day trip from Prague with lunch
- Czech Spas of Karlovy Vary and Marianske Lazne from Prague
- The most popular things to do in Karlovy Vary with kids according to Tripadvisor travelers are:
- Pravoslavny Kostel Svateho Petra a Pavla
- Stará Louka
- Park Colonnade
- Mlýnská kolonáda
- Diana Lookout Tower
Karlovy Vary Attractions Information
Attractions | 134 |
|---|---|
Attraction Reviews | 9,440 |
Attraction Photos | 9,355 |
Local Time | Saturday 10:50 PM |