Karlovy Vary (also sometimes referred to in English as Carlsbad) is one of my favourite little Czech towns. It’s a great getaway from Prague, and although a tourist hot spot, it is far less crowded than the Czech capital. While mostly know for the the film festival it hosts every year, here are three other fun things to do while you’re in Karlovy Vary.

Eat!

You’ll find the same delicious Czech cuisine here as you do in Prague, with the same rustic-style restaurants but far less busy. And less expensive! Some of my favourite Czech dishes are roast pork and cabbage with Knedlíky (dumplings), potato pancakes (called Bramboráky), or any of the fried cheeses. Follow it up with a hot wafer from one of the roadside stands.

Drink!

The two drinks that are most well-known with Karlovy Vary are the spa waters – which taste disgusting, I think, but are renowned for their healing properties. You buy little porcelain mugs from any of the tourist shops and then you can fill up from the many fountains – for free. It is quite hot so the handle serves as a straw, which cools off the drink as you sip.

The other major known drink is Becherovka, a strong herbal liquer. Some swear by it – it’s quite strong but I find it a very nice digestive.

Walk!

Karlovy Vary is essentially a valley in a mountainous woods. Or I should say hills – somewhat steep but nothing too strenuous. You can ask your hotel or accommodation for a map – take any street out of town and you’ll find yourself on a leafy wooded path, pretty much. There is a funicular that you can take to quickly get up into the hills, then just wander your way back into town.

Have you been to Karlovy Vary?
What was your favourite thing to do?

Photo courtesy of Chiara Marra