Karlovy Vary

The Czech Republic's most famed spa destination, Karlovy Vary - or Carlsbad - saw 200 spa houses sprout by the end of the 1500s. The springs in this idyllic, lush, peaceful Tepla valley are said to cure an almanac's worth of metabolic and gastric issues. Visitors still flock to this town of Baroque and Art Nouveau buildings. Five beautiful Colonnades straddle hot springs where visitors try aquatherapy and drink the mineral-rich water. The town also has a respected international film festival.

GETTING TO KARLOVY VARY There is an international airport in Karlovy Vary (KLV), but the number of flights and destinations is very limited. At the time of writing, it serves regular flights to Moscow and seasonal flights to Tashkent.

The lack of direct and convenient flight connections should not discourage you by any means, because the airport in Prague (PRG) is only 120 km (74.5 mi) away. There are some direct bus connections from that airport to Karlovy Vary. However, Prague Florenc Bus Station offers more connections, so it can be a more convenient option sometimes. Detailed timetables listing all options can be found here.

At the time of writing, the fastest train-only option from Prague takes 3 h 13 min, because the train goes to several other towns (e.g. Most) before reaching Karlovy Vary. As a result of this, the route is 236 km (146 mi) long and the journey takes significantly longer than the bus connections. The route from Prague to Karlovy Vary via Most is reported to be quite picturesque, so it may be also a viable option for rail travel enthusiasts.

The most convenient, comfortable and also fast alternative is booking private transportation. Obviously, it’s more expensive than public transportation, but it costs less than you would probably expect. Especially, if you travel in a group of several people, private transportation can be very attractive and the cost per person is not high at all.

The Czech market leader in this field is Prague Airport Transfers. They can drive you from Prague Airport or from a hotel in Prague to Karlovy Vary or another place in Czechia or even Central Europe. You have choose between a sedan car or a minibus, depending on the number of people in your group. It is much better than a taxi, because their rates are much lower than regular taxis and you know the fare in advance, so you’ll never get overcharged. Here are their fares and conditions from Prague to Karlovy Vary.

POPULAR EVENTS The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (Mezinárodní filmový festival Karlovy Vary) is obviously the most popular event in the town. It is held every year in July. It has been organized continuously since 1946 and is widely considered the most important film event in Central Europe. Films from many countries compete in several categories and the main award for the best film is the Crystal Globe.

Opening of the Spa Season (Zahájení lázeňské sezóny) takes place on one weekend at the end of April or at the beginning of May. The highlight of the event is a parade of people in historical costumes, featuring Charles IV, the founder of the town. It is accompanied by a crafts fair and concerts.

Dvořák’s Karlovy Vary Autumn Festival (Dvořákův karlovarský podzim) belongs to the oldest music festivals in Europe. It is dedicated to the famous Czech composer Antonín Dvořák and has been held every autumn since 1959. The exact dates and details can be found on the website of the Karlovy Vary Symphony Orchestra.

INTERESTING PLACES NEARBY Loket – a beautiful medieval town, with a very impressive castle Františkovy Lázně – another famous spa town Mariánské Lázně – yet another well-known spa town in the West-Bohemian Spa Triangle