Long regarded as one of Europe’s great spa towns, Karlovy Vary is attracting a new generation of travellers looking to slow down and switch off.
By Naina Nath
For centuries, travellers have come to Karlovy Vary to do something increasingly difficult in modern life: slow down. Known for its thermal springs, elegant colonnades, and UNESCO-listed spa culture, the town has traditionally attracted wellness seekers, honeymooners, and those looking to recharge. Today, a younger generation is beginning to discover the appeal that has drawn visitors here for centuries: a refreshingly slower pace of life.
Drink the city
You cannot visit Karlovy Vary without encountering its famous mineral springs. The town is home to 13 main drinking springs and dozens of additional thermal sources, each with a different mineral composition and temperature. Visitors wander along the historic spa promenades carrying distinctive porcelain spa cups, sipping mineral water as generations of travellers have done before them. Long associated with digestive health and wellbeing, the springs remain central to the town’s spa traditions. It may feel unusual at first, but before long, the ritual becomes part of the experience.
Life slows down
Karlovy Vary is not a destination packed with late-night distractions. In fact, that is exactly the point. Shops begin closing early, restaurants wind down, and by 11pm much of the town is asleep. Miss your dinner reservation and you may find yourself learning very quickly just how seriously the town takes its beauty sleep.
Beyond the springs
While wellness remains the main attraction, there is plenty to explore beyond the spa culture. Visitors can take the funicular to the Diana Observation Tower for panoramic views, wander through the town’s colourful streets, explore boutique shops, or sample the locally produced Becherovka herbal liqueur. The surrounding forests also offer walking trails that provide a different perspective on the region’s natural beauty.
Crystal craftsmanship
One of the town’s most famous attractions is Moser Glassworks. Founded in 1857, the factory continues to produce luxury crystal entirely by hand. Visitors can watch glassblowers at work, tour the museum, and browse the showroom, where everything from small keepsakes to statement pieces is available for purchase. Souvenirs start from just a few euros, while collectors can easily spend hundreds or even thousands on Moser’s intricate crystal creations.
Cinema in the summer
Every July, Karlovy Vary transforms as it hosts the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, the most prestigious film festival in Central and Eastern Europe. For a few days, filmmakers, international stars, industry professionals, and cinema enthusiasts descend on the town, creating an atmosphere that feels remarkably glamorous and quite different from the quiet spa destination visitors encounter throughout the rest of the year.
The upcoming 2026 Karlovy Vary International Film Festival will take place from 3 to 11 July 2026.
An easy escape
Karlovy Vary works particularly well as a two or three-night extension from Prague. The drive takes approximately two hours from Prague, making it easily accessible for travellers wanting to combine the energy of the capital with something more restorative. It is also compact enough to explore largely on foot, allowing visitors to move between hotels, springs, restaurants, and attractions with ease. An unmissable destination with a world of offerings!
Karlovy Vary is not the place for packed itineraries and late nights. It is a place to sip mineral water from a porcelain cup, take an evening stroll beneath the colonnades, and embrace a slower rhythm. Sometimes, that is exactly the kind of holiday travellers do not realise they need. After all, few destinations make doing less feel quite so rewarding.
