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Karlovy Vary Culture & history

Our most recommended Karlovy Vary Culture & history

From Prague: Day Trip to Karlovy Vary with Hotel Transfers

1. From Prague: Day Trip to Karlovy Vary with Hotel Transfers

On this 9.5-hour excursion, you’ll be picked up at your Prague hotel and head off on a drive to the largest and most popular spa town in the Czech Republic. The history of this Bohemian town dates back to the 14th century. Today, Karlovy Vary is also well known for its film festival, which takes place every year. Enjoy a walk along the colonnade through the historic center, where you’ll find the thermal springs. The most famous of the springs, Vřídlo, spurts boiling hot water to a height of 12 meters. You will have a break so you can visit on your own a spa house or the renowned Jan Becher Museum. At the end of the tour, you’ll head back to Prague and the driver will then drop you off in the city center or at your hotel.

From Prague: Private Karlovy Vary & Crystal Factory Tour

2. From Prague: Private Karlovy Vary & Crystal Factory Tour

The city of Prague was founded in the 14th century by the Czech king and Roman Emperor Charles IV. According to legend, the Emperor had the city built soon after the accidental discovery of thermal springs by his hunting entourage. The springs and spa at Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad) continued to be a popular place across Europe, hosting great names in science, politics and art including Beethoven, Paganini, Chopin, Mozart, Freud and many others. Today there are 12 hot springs in use here, and you’ll get the chance to experience them for yourself. The best-known spring is named Vřídlo - the Sprudel, which spouts its warm waters to a height of 55 feet (17 meters). If you wish you can go swimming in the Thermal hotel swimming pool, which is built into the cliff above the city. The swimming pool is composed of 1/3 hot spring water and 2/3 fresh drinking water. We also offer a visit to the world-famous Moser glassworks. You will learn more about glass blowing into moulds and product hand shaping. The guided tours at the Moser glassworks are available Monday to Friday. On the weekends we can visit the Becherovka (famous liqueur) museum as an alternative.

Karlovy Vary & Marianske Lazne Tour from Prague with Lunch

3. Karlovy Vary & Marianske Lazne Tour from Prague with Lunch

Experience the largest, most well known Czech Spa - Karlovy Vary – a scenic 2-hour drive from Prague. Also known as Carlsbad, the founding of this town has been linked to Emperor Charles IV since 1358, when he built a hunting lodge here. Experience some of the 12 famous springs with temperatures from 40°C to 72°C, the most famous being Vridlo, as you walk along the Tepla River and the majestic Neo-Renaissance colonnades. Enjoy samples of the different mineral waters and purchase souvenirs before lunch. Then, admire the city's famous glass and china as you visit the Moser Glass Shop and the Thun Porcelain Shop. Enjoy a guided tour of the Moser Glass Factory Museum Next, journey to the famous Marianske Lazne, with its curative springs. Take a tour of the spa with its unique historical architecture, a sampling of the spa waters from the famous Cross Spring, and finally visit the ancient colonnades.

Karlovy Vary Tour from Prague with Lunch

4. Karlovy Vary Tour from Prague with Lunch

Journey to the largest, most well known Czech Spa - Karlovy Vary – just 2-hours away from Prague. Also known as Carlsbad, the founding of this town has been linked to Emperor Charles IV since 1358, when he built a hunting lodge here. Learn about the 12 famous springs with temperatures from 40°C to 72°C, the most famous being Vridlo. Karlovy Vary is also famous for its local china and glass manufacturing industry. After lunch, admire these products as you visit the Moser Glass Shop and the Thun Porcelain Shop. Finally, visit the Moser Glass Museum.

From Prague: Karlovy Vary Full-Day Tour

5. From Prague: Karlovy Vary Full-Day Tour

Depart Prague and journey to the beautiful spa town of Karlovy Vary about 100 kilometers to the west of the Czech Republic capital. Upon arrival, benefit from the chance to take a walk along its enchanting promenade. Founded by King Charles IV in 1358, Karlovy Vary is notable for its mineral springs that have healed many celebrities, including the German poet Goethe and the Russian Tsar Peter the Great. Stroll along the colonnades of the spa and get a taste of the hot springs for yourself. The town is well-known as the location of the Moser glass factory, founded by Ludwig Moser in 1893. Renowned around the world for its high quality glassware, Moser's former clients include the court of the British King Edward VII, the Shah of Persia and Emperor Franz Josef I of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, among others. Take a guided walking tour of the historical town center. Benefit from some free time to shop and enjoy a stroll on your own before the return journey to Prague.

Karlovy Vary Private Tour: A Day Trip from Prague

6. Karlovy Vary Private Tour: A Day Trip from Prague

This trip will take you through the picturesque West Bohemian countryside to the city of Karlovy Vary. This world-famous spa city is known for its 12 medicinal mineral springs, which you will have the chance to taste. The best-known of these springs is the "Vřídlo" ("Geyser"), a fountain of therapeutic water that shoots to a height of 12m. In Karlovy Vary, you'll also find historical and modern colonnades, and you can admire locally manufactured Moser glass and Thun porcelain. It's highly recommended that you taste the delicious local wafers and traditional "Becherovka" liqueur made from herbs. Take the stress out of your trip to this city with private transportation and an expert guide - make it a day to remember! 

Prague: Day Trip to Karlovy Vary and St. Maurus Reliquary

7. Prague: Day Trip to Karlovy Vary and St. Maurus Reliquary

Enjoy a full-day guided trip to Karlovy Vary, the most renowned and historical Czech spa town, with a visit to Moser Glassworks and the incredible reliquary of St. Maurus in Bečov Castle.  Travel from Prague for about 2 hours in a comfortable air-conditioned minibus to Karlovy Vary. This town was founded as early as 1370 by the mighty and powerful Czech emperor Charles IV and has 13 main hot springs and more than 300 smaller springs. Visit the town center’s ornamental spa buildings before visiting the most powerful spring, Vřídlo, which rises from a depth of 3000 meters and reaches a temperature of 73°C.   Then, visit the headquarters and museum of Moser Glassworks, one of the most famous glass manufacturers in Europe, founded in 1857. See breathtaking samples of contemporary and historical art glass exhibits and see how these articles are made. Moser made glass for kings, emperors and tsars, and you can also get a great piece for your collection at the local factory outlet for a bargain price. After lunch in a charming local restaurant, continue on to the castle of Bečov nad Ohří. Finally, it’s time for the highlight of the tour. St. Maurus’s reliquary (a container for relics), housed inside Bečov Castle, is considered one of the most important historical items in the country and a priceless part of Czech cultural heritage. This is truly a sight to behold.  After admiring this priceless piece of history, you’ll return to Prague for about 6:00 PM.

Other Sightseeing Options in Karlovy Vary

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What people are saying about Karlovy Vary

Overall rating

4.2 / 5

based on 109 reviews

my partner and I booked this tour as Karlovy Vary has been on my bucket list for years. Stunning place. lovely tour guide. very knowledgeable and helpful. you can try water from the hot springs, which was an experience. We spent some free time in the thermal hotel spa. we used the outdoor pool and the 8 saunas. highly recommended

An excellent tour to a beautiful place. The driver was on time at the pick up point and he was very kind. The tour guide was very enlightened and he answered to all of our questions. It was a great experience and a must for anyone visiting Prague to go the karlovi cary using this guided tour.

Great tour! Very well organised and tour leader Eva was super knowledgeable ... unforgettable experience!

In the middle of January we were the only ones for the excursion at the top

Have lots of time for us to explore in this full-day tour.