Karlovy Vary
Visitors come to Karlovy Vary to drink from mineral springs under colonnades, then walk a river valley lined with spa buildings and steep hillsides.
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Karlovy Vary is a spa town in West Bohemia in the Czech Republic, set in a narrow valley where the Teplá river runs through the center. The town grew around hot mineral springs, and visitors have come here to take the waters for centuries. Covered colonnades run over the springs, and you can carry a cup from one to the next as you walk between the spa buildings.
Much of the town's appeal is its 19th-century spa architecture, including the Mill Colonnade and the grand hotels along the river. The town is one of the Great Spa Towns of Europe on the UNESCO list. It hosts a film festival each summer, usually in July. The valley sides are steep, so expect some climbing. Two days is enough for the colonnades, the valley and a ride up to a lookout. The best season for walking the valley runs from late spring to early autumn, and a longer stay suits travelers who want spa treatments and slower days.
Karlovy Vary in five
- Walk the colonnades before you pay for anythingThe city's tourist portal lists the Park, Mill and Market colonnades as freely accessible, with the Hot Spring Colonnade over the geyser in the center. The walk between them is short, so start here.Karlovy Vary in 2 days
- Leave the car outside the spa zoneHotel guests may enter the spa zone once, free, on arrival and departure days for luggage, with written proof of the booking. Other visitors need a one-day permit, so use a car park or stay on foot.Where to stay in Karlovy Vary
- Ride the Diana funicular for the valley viewThe funicular climbs from near Grandhotel Pupp to the Diana tower, built 1912 to 1914. The tower has a lift or about 150 steps, and entry to the tower, mini zoo and playground is free.
- Price the Region Card against your planThe card lists 60+ free sites, 40+ discounts of up to 50%, half-price city transport and a free Diana funicular ride. It pays off only if you plan several paid sights.
- Book early for the film festival weekThe city portal lists the 61st Karlovy Vary International Film Festival for 2 to 10 July 2027. Festival weeks draw crowds, so compare rooms early and check the festival site for dates.Best time to visit
Things to do in Karlovy Vary
See all attractions in Karlovy Vary
Need to know
- Airport
- Prague (PRG); Karlovy Vary has a small regional airport
- Getting there
- Bus and train from Prague; check IDOS for current times
- Getting around
- Walk the spa center; city buses and the Diana funicular
- Best base
- The spa center near the colonnades
- Time needed
- 2 days; a single day is rushed
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuarySnow13 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh2°Low-3°Cold, quietJanuarySnow
Poor
- High
- 2°
- Low
- -3°
- Precipitation
- 65 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 4
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- FebruaryRain12 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh5°Low-2°Cold, quietFebruaryRain
Poor
- High
- 5°
- Low
- -2°
- Precipitation
- 58 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- MarchPartly cloudy12 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh8°Low0°Cool, quietMarchPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 0°
- Precipitation
- 54 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, quiet
- AprilPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh13°Low3°Spa walks beginAprilPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 43 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spa walks begin
- MayRain13 rainy daysHigh17°Low7°Spa season opensMayRain
Good
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 68 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spa season opens
- JuneRain12 rainy daysHigh23°Low12°Green, long daysJuneRain
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 72 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Green, long days
- JulyRain13 rainy daysHigh23°Low13°Film festivalJulyRain
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 77 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Film festival
- AugustPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh24°Low13°Warm, busyAugustPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 75 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- SeptemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh19°Low10°Mild, calmerSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 64 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, calmer
- OctoberPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh13°Low6°Autumn colorOctoberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 56 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn color
- NovemberPartly cloudy11 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh7°Low1°Gray, short daysNovemberPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 47 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Gray, short days
- DecemberRain13 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh4°Low-2°Christmas marketsDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 4°
- Low
- -2°
- Precipitation
- 58 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Christmas markets
Average daily high and low in Karlovy Vary, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Karlovy Vary
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
5
- Feels like
- 3°
- Humidity
- 64%
- Wind
- 9 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Karlovy Vary
09:48 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today6°2°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 6°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue5°1°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 5°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed6°1°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 6°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu5°0°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 5°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri7°-1°0%Friday: Cloudy. High 7°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat3°-3°0%Saturday: Fog. High 3°, Low -3°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun4°-4°9%Sunday: Fog. High 4°, Low -4°. Chance of rain 9%.
Updated 06:57 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 21.82 CZK
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Loketabout 15 minutes by carA castle on a rock above a bend in the Ohře river, about 14 km from the center.
- Bečov nad Teplouabout 25 minutes by carA Gothic castle, a Renaissance palace and a Baroque chateau in the Slavkov Forest.
- Teplá Monasteryabout 45 minutes by carA Premonstratensian monastery with one of the largest historic libraries in Czechia, seen on a tour.
Before you go to Karlovy Vary
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Rules for Karlovy Vary, checked
- Spa zone driving: hotel guests may enter once, free, on arrival and departure days to drop off or collect luggage; other drivers need a one-day permit.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source
- Karlovy Vary Region Card: 60+ sites free, 40+ discounts up to 50%, 50% off city transport, and a free funicular ride to the Diana tower.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source
- Austria and Germany notified temporary land border controls, including with Czechia, until 15 March 2027. Carry a passport or ID card on cross-border trips.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source
Karlovy Vary FAQ
Is Karlovy Vary worth visiting?
Yes, if you like spa architecture, walking between mineral springs and quiet forest paths. It is less rewarding if you want a long list of headline sights, since its appeal is the setting and the colonnades.
Can you drink the water at Karlovy Vary?
The colonnades hold spring bowls for the drinking cure, and the city lists about 15 healing springs. The Hot Spring is cooled in bowls to 50 and 30 °C. Taste small amounts and ask spa staff about guidance.
How many days do you need in Karlovy Vary?
Two days cover the colonnades, the Diana funicular and one museum or glassworks visit. One day is workable from elsewhere but rushed, and a third day suits a trip to Loket or another nearby town.
Can you drive into Karlovy Vary's center?
Only with limits. The city runs a spa zone where hotel guests may enter once, free, on arrival and departure days for luggage, with written proof. Others need a one-day permit, so a car park outside the zone is simpler.
When is the Karlovy Vary film festival?
The city portal lists the 61st edition for 2 to 10 July 2027. Dates can change, so check the festival's own site before booking a room, and expect crowds and busy cinemas during that week.