Discover Karlsbad: Springs, UNESCO and Culture

Karlsbad combines an impressive spa tradition with urban history, architecture and experiences for a range of interests. Since 2021, Karlsbad has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Slavná lázeňská města Evropy”, or “Great Spas of Europe”. Between hot springs, colonnades, museums, viewpoints and family-friendly activities, you can discover the character of the city in many different ways. When choosing your accommodation, it is worth deciding what you want to focus on during your stay: culture, springs, regional specialities, views or shared activities.

Spa history at springs and colonnades

The Vřídlo produces an average of 2,000 litres of mineral water per minute, reflecting the particular importance of the springs in Karlsbad. Five hot springs emerge in the Mlýnská Colonnade: Mlýnský, Libušin, Knížete Václava, Rusalčin and Skalní. The stone colonnade is in the pseudo-Renaissance style and was built from 1871 to 1881 to designs by the architect Josef Zítek. On a tour, you can therefore encounter both the geological uniqueness of the site and one of the spa town’s defining buildings.

City history, towers and theatre

The Zámecká věž is the last surviving part of a Gothic castle that Emperor Charles IV had built around 1358. The Zámecká věž also houses an exhibition and offers a picturesque view of the spa district of Karlovy Vary. The permanent exhibition at the Muzeum Karlovy Vary provides a broader historical and natural-history overview. It covers the history and nature of the Karlovarsko region and traces, among other things, the development of the spa town from the 15th century to the present day.

The Karlovy Vary City Theatre is also part of the town’s architectural history. It was built from 1884 to 1886 to designs by the architects F. Fellner and H. Helmer. Those wishing to compare different periods and styles will find another distinctive example in the city alongside the Zámecká věž and the Mlýnská Colonnade.

Views and activities for different age groups

From the Diana observation tower, you can look out over Karlsbad, the river valleys of the Ohře and Teplá, and large parts of the spa forests. The viewpoint extends the view beyond the historic city to its surrounding landscape. The Svatý Linhart outdoor rope centre offers rope courses with obstacles for children and adults, making it suitable for shared activities. There are also low rope obstacles and top-rope obstacles, so the centre’s offering features a variety of course types.

Regional specialities and craftsmanship

At the Becherovka Visitor Centre, an interactive exhibition provides insights into the herbs and spices used to make Becherovka, as well as the bottling facility. The experience ends with a tasting of products from the Jan Becher range. The Moser glassworks offers a different insight into the region’s craft tradition, with guided tours of its glassworks in Karlovy Vary.

More places to explore

If you would like to continue your research beyond Karlsbad, you can also visit the pages on Doubi, Olšová Vrata, Tasovice and Cihelny.

Back to the main travel overview: Karlsbad District.

More about the destination

Useful information for planning your trip:

Karlsbad – Czech Republic network.

More destinations

More places within the same destination:

Münchhof, Ostrov Nad Ohří, Sichlau.