Karlovy Vary day trip from Prague
A plan for two days in Karlovy Vary, day by day: the mineral springs and colonnades along the Teplá river, the Grandhotel Pupp, the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul and the Diana lookout tower on day one, then a trip to Loket Castle and the Jan Becher Museum on day two. Every stop has a typical visit length.
How long do you have?
Map: 2 days
Karlovy Vary in 2 days
Day 1
Hot Springs Colonnade
Modern glass and concrete colonnade of the 1970s housing the Vřídlo, the town's hottest spring, which shoots a geyser of water high into the air.
Mill Colonnade
Long neo-Renaissance colonnade of 1881 with 124 columns and several springs, the main promenade of the spa town.
Charles IV spring
One of the town's mineral springs, named after the emperor said to have founded the spa, with warm water to taste.
Castle spring
A mineral spring beside the Castle Tower in the lower town, with warm water for drinking from a spa cup.
Market Colonnade
Carved wooden Swiss-style colonnade of 1883 beside the market square, with a spring inside for drinking.
Grandhotel Pupp
Grand hotel beside the Teplá river with a long history, a landmark of the spa town and its film festival.
Deer Jump Lookout
Wooden lookout on a rock above the spa town, near the gilded chamois statue, with views over the rooftops and the river valley.
Diana Observation Tower
Brick lookout tower on a hill above the town, reached by funicular or footpath, with wide views over the valley.
Saint Peter and Paul Cathedral
Orthodox church of 1898 in Russian-Byzantine style, with golden onion domes visible above the western end of the spa district.
Jan Becher Museum
Museum of the Becherovka herbal liqueur, made in Karlovy Vary since 1807, with a tour of the cellars and a tasting.
Day 2
Moser Museum of Glass
Museum at the Moser glassworks showing the history of Bohemian crystal, with a shop and tours of the factory.
Loket Castle
Gothic castle of the 12th century on a rock above a tight loop of the Ohře river, with a small museum and views of the old town.
Watch: Karlovy Vary
A one-minute look at the plan: every stop, day by day, with the map.
Staying in Prague? This day fits into those city plans, and in the Trip Builder it is one click under each of them.
When to go to Karlovy Vary
Late spring to early autumn is the best time to stroll the colonnades and walk the hillside lookouts, with warm summer days and some thunderstorms. Winters are cold and quiet, and some outdoor attractions are quieter, though the springs flow all year. The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in early July fills hotels and raises prices.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Where to stay: hotels in Karlovy Vary on Booking.com or Trip.com
- Skip-the-line tickets: museums and sights in Karlovy Vary on Tiqets
- Tours and day trips: things to do in Karlovy Vary on GetYourGuide
- From the airport: a private transfer in Karlovy Vary with Kiwitaxi
- Data on arrival: an eSIM for Czech Republic from Airalo
Some of these are affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips for Karlovy Vary
- The spa town is compact and the springs and colonnades lie within a few minutes' walk of each other, so a day on foot is easy; the lookouts are uphill.
- Bring a small spa cup (lázeňský pohárek) to taste the springs; the waters are warm, mineral-rich and taste salty or bitter to many visitors.
- The Diana Observation Tower can be reached by a funicular from near the Grandhotel Pupp, which saves a steep climb.
- Loket lies about 12 km west of Karlovy Vary and is reached by bus or car; allow time for the walk through its old town and the loop of the Ohře river.
- The Moser glassworks and museum are outside the centre, so plan a short bus or taxi ride and check the factory tour times in advance.
Make it your own
Open the guide in Andiamo Places to see every stop on a map with walking directions, move places between days, check opening hours for your dates, and add your own finds. After the trip, your photos become a journal and, if you like, a printed photo book.
Guides are made with the help of AI and public sources such as Wikipedia, and may contain errors. Opening hours and prices change, so check before you go. Spotted a wrong photo, a pin in the wrong place, a missing stop or a better one? Write to andiamotravelapp@gmail.com: the e-mail opens with this guide filled in.
Photo credits
- Castle spring: Ajznponar, CC0
- Deer Jump Lookout: Forest Service Northern Region from Missoula, MT, USA, Public domain
- Grandhotel Pupp: Becherka, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Hot Springs Colonnade: Bobak Ha'Eri, CC BY 3.0
- Jan Becher Museum: Mattsjc, CC BY 4.0
- Loket Castle: Bobak Ha'Eri, CC BY 3.0
- Mill Colonnade: Bobak Ha'Eri, CC BY 3.0
- Moser Museum of Glass: Rauantiques, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Saint Peter and Paul Cathedral: VitVit, CC BY-SA 4.0
Opening hours change; check before you go. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
