Private day trip from Prague to Karlovy Vary
The grand spa town of hot springs and colonnades, part of the UNESCO Great Spa Towns of Europe. About 1 hour 50 minutes from Prague.
- Distance from Prague
- about 130 km
- Drive each way
- 1 h 50 min
- Typical day
- 8 to 9 hours
- Heritage
- UNESCO World Heritage

Highlights
- The Mill Colonnade and the other colonnades along the Teplá river
- The Hot Spring geyser and tasting the mineral waters from a spa cup
- Spa wafers, a local speciality since the nineteenth century
- The Becherovka museum and the Moser glass factory
- The Diana lookout tower above the town
Ways to do it
Car and driver
A comfortable day at your own pace, with our walking route and lunch reservation.
Car, driver and licensed guide
The history of the spa, the famous guests and the springs, told by a guide as you walk.
Spa experience
Add a massage or a spa treatment at one of the town's spa hotels, booked in advance.
Sample day
8:30
Pick-up at your hotel
Drive west on the motorway to the spa region.
10:15
Colonnades and springs
A walk along the river from colonnade to colonnade, tasting the springs as you go.
12:30
Lunch
A table in the spa district.
14:00
Moser or Becherovka
A glass factory tour or the liqueur museum, depending on your interests.
15:30
Return to Prague
Back in Prague around 17:30.
About Karlovy Vary
Karlovy Vary grew around hot springs that, according to tradition, were discovered by Emperor Charles IV in the fourteenth century. It became one of the most fashionable spas in Europe in the nineteenth century, and its colonnades, hotels and promenades still show it. Since 2021 it has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Great Spa Towns of Europe.
A walk from spring to spring
The town follows the narrow valley of the Teplá river. The walk from the Hot Spring colonnade to the Mill Colonnade and beyond passes springs of different temperatures, each with its own tap and its own reputation. Your guide tells the stories of the guests who came for the cure.
Taste and craft
Karlovy Vary gives its name to spa wafers, to the herbal liqueur Becherovka and to Moser crystal glass. We can book a factory or museum visit so you see how they are made.
Comfortable for every age
The spa district is mostly flat and full of benches and cafés, which makes this one of the most comfortable day trips for seniors and families.
Combine it with
Frequently asked questions
How far is Karlovy Vary from Prague?
About 130 km, around 1 hour 50 minutes by car on the motorway.
Is Karlovy Vary good for a day trip?
Yes. A full day of eight to nine hours is comfortable and leaves time for the springs, lunch and one visit.
Can we combine Karlovy Vary with Plzeň?
Yes. The Pilsner Urquell brewery in Plzeň fits on the way back. The day gets longer, so we plan the timings with you.
Ask about a day trip to Karlovy Vary
Tell us your date and group size. We send timings, the vehicle and a written quote.
We reply by email the same business day (Monday to Saturday, 9:00 to 18:00 Prague time).