by The Czech Republic have been on the tourist map for a long time, but visits are often limited to Prague, a hotspot for British who enjoys Gothic architecture as much as a Boozy Pub -Crawl. However, what is less known for those outside the country is that the Czech Republic houses several picturesque spa cities in which aristocrats, artists and intellectuals have been flosing for centuries.
Embedded in the forest near the German border is the West Bohemian Spa triangle, which consists of three cities: Karlovy vary, Františkovy Lázně and Mariánské Lázně.
The region was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2021, which is partly due to its high concentration of mineral sources that are said to have healing properties.
It is accepted Institute for Spa and Balneology is dedicated to understanding the further development of scientific research in this area).
Nowadays, Czech doctors often prescribe spa stays for sick or convincing patients in whom breathing in the fresh forest air is as important as the treatments. Guests can hike, cycle and meander into the Slakokov forest and then dress up in a spa hotel in which the treatment menus are extensive (think long, steaming baths in rose leaves or chocolate or hemp).
In the region you will also find a number of beer spas in which guests can handle bubbling beer barrels while they quickly shut down unlimited beers (however, the locals quickly mention that these institutions are not traditional).
Here is a summary of some of Karlovy and Mariánské Lázne’s most unique spas and wellness experiences.
Karlovy varies
Hidden in a valley, the spa city of Karlovy looks different like a scene from a fairy tale with high pines and pastel-colored houses that sting the emerald hills. The city overlooks the charming Teplá river, in which cafés, boutique shops and sociable restaurants are abundant.
Dozens of mineral springs are littered in the region, including 13 dozen heat springs, which are believed to have curative forces. Karlovy also varies for his round, sugar -containing “spa wafer”, which has been sold by a local bakery since 1867 and is now available in aromas such as chocolate, hazelnut and egg liqueur.
A bus drives directly from Václav Havel Airport Prague to Karlovy with a travel time of approx. 1 hour 40 minutes. Book cards in advance.
Try the healing water
When you walk through Karlovy, you pass numerous water wells where you can drink the thermal mineral water. Each fountain is allocated with a plaque that describes the name and temperature of the mineral spring, and each location is loaded with legends. For example, drinking Pramen Knížete Václava should strengthen the “male potency”, while those who can hold two fingers under the hot water of Pramen Svoboda will find love for a whole minute.
The visitors are recommended to drink mineral water from special porcelain cups instead of water bottles due to the hot temperature.
Drink a beer in a thermal pool on the roof
To get a feeling of Karlovy, vary from above to Sauna Thermal Resort, a wellness center on the top of the hotel thermal energy, for an evening swimming. Two thermal swimming pools offer a panoramic view of the baroque buildings and rainbow colors of the city, with the brutalist architecture of the wellness center.
The larger pool has 25-meter lanes for serious swimming, or you can float around with a Pilsner or a KoFola (a Czech drink for Koka-Cola) in the steaming green water, which takes up the majestic view. There is also a “sauna world” with eight different saunas, cold pools and a steam bath as well as a bar that serves without soup such as soup, hot dogs and ice cream.
Sauna thermal resort. A whole day for adults is 899 Kč (approx. 31.50 £).
Visit an opulent spa from the 19th century
The imperial spa was built in the 1890s by Viennese architects and is a relic of the opulent spa culture of the 19th century of the Czech Republic. Guided tours lead to guests in the historic building, where monarchs, politicians and artists would travel through Europe to bathe. You can explore a former high school in which cut mahogany walls with bare bathers or the salon, a decorated bathroom with silk wallpapers and stone windows, which elite guests of the spas are reserved.
The building, which is now organizing concerts, was also used as a backdrop for cult films such as Casino Royale and Jackie Chan.
Imperial spa. Entry for adults is 100 Kč (approx. £ 3.50).
Mariánské Lázně
Mariánské Lázně looks like a city that is taken directly from a WES Anderson film with high, candy-colored hotel fronts and faded cocktail bars that serve decadent cakes and elaborate ironing. Pioneering intellectuals such as Friedrich Nietzsche, Sigmund Freud and Franz Kafka have recovered in this Spa city, while composer Wilhelm Richard Wagner came up with the Lohengrin opera during a visit.
Mariánské Lázně is often referred to as the “city of the parks” and has numerous untouched gardens that have assigned pergolas, ponds, water wells and well -groomed flower beds and offer numerous opportunities for revival.
Direct train runs between Mariánské Lázně and Karlovy with a travel time of approx. 1 hour 37 minutes.
Relax like a Roman
In Nové Lázné Hotel, a Grand Five star hotel, a Roman bath house hides a royal spa atrium with two turquoise pools, a steam bath, a sauna, a cold fall and much more. The Roman baths built in 1896 were inspired by bath houses in Budapest and Vienna, with yellow walls, 21 marble tasting skills, columns,
Renaissance sculptures and patterned tiles. After a luxurious bathing session, you may want to get ready in the Vienna Cafe (also in the Nové Lázné Hotel), a café inspired by Viennese with mahogany switches, high, curved windows and draping gold curtains. Cakes are baked daily (and delicious).
Nové Lázné. The three -hour entry is € 32.69 (approx. £ 28.22).
Bade in the royal cabin of King Edward VII.
Nové Lázné Hotel guests and visitors can also take a bath in the Royal Cabin Deluxe Royal, where King Edward VII ruled Great Britain from 1901 to 1910. The chamber is elegantly designed: a stone bath surrounded by turquoise, tiled walls and lively glass windows.
Baths are filled with CO2-rich mineral water, which bubbles and bubbles over the skin and creates a gentle tingling. Lit back, relax and imagine what it would be like to be king.
Nové Lázné. A bath in the royal cabin costs €32.28 (approximately £27.87).
