Karlsbad

Why Karlsbad is special
Karlsbad (Karlovy Vary) is an internationally famous spa known for its medicinal hot spring waters and the long list of royal and ultra celebrity guests who once came a century or two ago. The spa town is also noted for its preserved and renovated 19th century buildings.

Karlsbad tips and insights
Pronunciation
Karlovy Vary: khar'-luh-vee vahr'ee

Mineral water
The famous local mineral-spring Karlsbad waters are heated by deep underground volcanic thermal energy. They are used for curative baths and drinks.

Glory, decline, and revival
The spa town reached its zenith in the 1800s through the late 1920s. Then, through neglect, its treasured buildings began deteriorating. In recent decades, nearly all of its key buildings have been restored. Today, Karlsbad is once again picturesque. Its town center is postcard perfect.

Colonnades
Karlsbad has a number of colonnades. These are pillared buildings constructed over hot springs (see photo). You visit them to drink mineral water as it emerges fresh from underground springs.

Spa hotels
Some of Karlsbad's old traditional spa hotels of the 19th century are still around. Pupp'sis the most famous and expensive.

Setting
Karlsbad strategically sits in a restful valley rimmed by forested hills laced with hiking trails and spotted with strategically placed gazebos and observation towers.

Discovery
The town was named in honor of the Emperor Karly IV (Charles IV). The Czech name is "Karlovy Vary", though the spa is better known worldwide by its German name, "Karlsbad" ("bad" means bath). The English spelling is "Carlsbad".

Nearest major city
Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, is 2.5 hours away by bus.