I was fortunate to be able to return to Karlovy Vary last year for an overnight stay. Karlovy Vary is up there on my list of ‘beautiful architectural towns’. Only 1.5hrs by bus from Prague, Karlovy Vary looks like you’d expect all the princes and princesses from fairy tales to live which is not that far from the truth. Large wide boulevards, beautiful neoclassical, art dec, renaissance (and more) architecture and surrounded by nature, it is such a beautiful and peaceful place to visit.
Market Colonnade
Famous for their hot springs, Karlovy Vary attracted all of Europe’s aristocracy. Being neither a princess or a member of the European aristocracy, I settled for a walk around town instead. Arriving in the late afternoon, my friend and I walked to our airbnb. It was nestled in the hills which wasn’t too bad to walk to and on a quiet residential street. After leaving our things, we went for a walk and keen for my friend to try the thermal water. There are taps around town where you can try the local mineral water. They are usually located in the many colonnades around town- which I have since found out are evenly spaced out columns.
Remember to bring a cup or otherwise you can purchase a sipping cup from one of the many souvenir stores around town. I can’t say I had fond memories the first time I came here trying the mineral water so just had a quick taste this second time which reminded me that I didn’t like the taste of the water at all.
We ate at Czech restaurants for dinner and the following day’s lunch and found the food to be great. Alot of the restaurants in town seem to be all highly rated so you’ll be spoilt for choice. The town is quite touristy and on my first time here, joined a day trip tour from Prague. By late evening, the streets start emptying and the entire town quietens down.
For me, this town is just the place to spend walking around admiring all the buildings and just the general pleasantness of the town.
Sipping cups being sold around town
Beautiful sunset on gold embellishments on the building
St Mary Magdalene’s Church
The next morning, we did a walk to the Three Crosses Lookout. Walking through the shady forest, I spotted this little fairy house (is there a word for these?) with moss growing over their front porch. On the opposite end of town, there is another walk to the Diana Observation Tower which also looks like it would’ve been a nice walk too.
Maybe next time or in my next life as a princess, I might book into a wellness hotel for a handful of days. On my first trip here, our tour made a stop at the Moser Glass workshop where we got to see how glass was blown (literally). Karlovy Vary is also famous for Becherovka Liqueur and there is a museum in town if you want to know about the process of making it and trying it.
Have you been to Karlovy Vary? Would you like to go? What did you like/not like?
Lingo in Transit 
I visited Karlovy Vary as a day trip from Prague several years ago in the winter time, so it was snowing and absolutely freezing; it’s interesting to see the city in warmer months! I visited Karlovy Vary, because my one of my favorite films (Last Holiday– Queen Latifah remake) is set here and at the Grandhotel Pupp, which I visited during my time there. Didn’t try the spas, but I’ll have to next time! Thanks for sharing your time there 🙂
Oh it must’ve been a sight to see in winter! I didn’t visit any hotels but I’ve seen some interiors- they are beautiful and so grand. Next time!
Looks beautiful, where stories and fairy tales are made 😉 Is there a story behind ‘fairy houses’? I imagine there must be
I was just trying to see if I could find anything online- turns out the Czech Republic started mass producing gnomes after the collapse of communism. Maybe it’s a gnome house?!
Such a charming place, and what a beautiful twilight. Definitely seems like the kind of town I’d walk without ever tiring of admiring the architecture.
What a nice town to visit for a day trip or longer. Love your photos, especially the St Mary Magdalene’s Church at sunset.
Thank you!
I have not been and am a tad green with envy. What a magical city. I am glad I got to see it through your eyes, Sophie! Thanks for posting!
I hope you get to visit one day!
Me too! Although I have no immediate Europe plans.
I love these beautiful posh and colourful old European cities. Your shot of St Mary Magdalene’s Church at sunset is particularly beautiful 🙂
It makes walking around an activity in itself. Thank you!
Lovely photos. We hope to travel to the Czech Republic someday to visit the home of my ancestors.
Thank you. I hope you will get to travel there someday! I love Mexico too- looking forward to reading about your food adventures.