A Western Bohemia holiday will completely win you over with its variety and spa-town elegance. You’ll find no fewer than three spa towns inscribed on the UNESCO list, plus some of the best beer in the world, majestic castles and arguably the quietest forests in the entire country.
Whether you long to relax with a glass of healing mineral water in hand, or you’d rather lace up your hiking boots, this corner of the country offers the perfect retreat. You can wander along the colonnades, admire historic landmarks or lose yourself in deep woodlands.
I’ve put together a detailed guide to help you plan an unforgettable trip. You’ll discover where to go for romance, where to keep the kids entertained and which places would be a huge shame to miss.
TL;DR
- The Spa Triangle (Karlovy Vary, Mariánské Lázně and Františkovy Lázně) has been on the UNESCO list since 2021.
- Karlovy Vary impresses with its famous Hot Spring and its film history linked to the Bond movie Casino Royale.
- Pilsner Urquell offers brewery tours with a tasting straight from the lager cellars.
- Techmania Science Center in Plzeň has a flat admission of around €12 (280 CZK) and is an ideal choice for families in any weather.
- Bečov nad Teplou Castle hides the Reliquary of St Maurus, the second most valuable goldsmith treasure in Czechia.
- The SOOS Nature Reserve surprises you with bubbling mud volcanoes and comfortable boardwalks suitable for pushchairs.
- DinoPark in Plzeň is only open from April to October and can be combined with a visit to the excellent local zoo.
When to visit Western Bohemia
Western Bohemia is beautiful all year round, but every season has its own special charm. If you long for quiet walks along the spa colonnades and want to avoid the biggest crowds, I recommend heading out in spring. This is when the parks in Mariánské Lázně and Karlovy Vary burst into gorgeous shades of blossoming flora, and the healing springs are nowhere near as packed with tourists as in the sweltering summer.
The main spa season runs through the summer, when the towns come alive with a bustling social scene. In early July, Karlovy Vary regularly hosts its famous international film festival, which completely transforms the town. The atmosphere is fantastic and full of energy, but bear in mind that accommodation tends to be hopelessly sold out months in advance and prices can climb. The summer months are also the best time to visit the castles and châteaux, which offer plenty of extra programmes and have extended opening hours.
Autumn, on the other hand, is absolutely ideal for hiking and discovering natural beauty away from civilisation. The Slavkov Forest and the Bohemian Forest offer breathtaking scenery full of colourful leaves that passionate photographers and lovers of silence will especially appreciate. And if you’re planning a family holiday and want to visit the DinoPark in Plzeň, remember that this popular park is only open from April to October. You can spend those damp autumn days perfectly under the roof of Plzeň’s Techmania.
The winter months attract lovers of snowy slopes and winter fun above all. The Ore Mountains, led by their highest peak Klínovec, which rises to 1,244 metres, provide excellent conditions for skiing and snowboarding. After a full day of sport, there’s nothing better than warming up in nearby Jáchymov, where you can experience the beneficial effects of the world-unique radon spa first-hand.
Where to stay in Western Bohemia
If you want to experience the true spa atmosphere and let yourself be pampered a little, Karlovy Vary is a safe bet. An absolute legend here is the Grandhotel Pupp, which has been running since 1701 and whose corridors remember many a famous face. The renowned Bond movie Casino Royale was filmed here too, so over an evening drink you’ll feel like a genuine film star. For those who love maximum indulgence, a great choice is Carlsbad Plaza Medical Spa & Wellness, where guests rave about the huge wellness centre and top-notch spa care.
The fairy-tale-looking Hotel Savoy Westend will instantly charm you with its unique architecture towering above the town. Also worth a mention is the Hotel Imperial, which offers classic elegance and an absolute one-off in the form of its own funicular that takes you from the town centre straight up to your accommodation. Anyone looking for a quieter spot close to nature will surely appreciate Parkhotel Richmond with its beautifully maintained garden.
In nearby Mariánské Lázně I recommend checking out Ensana Nové Lázně, where you’ll feel the wonderful atmosphere of the interwar era and the rich history of the old spa houses. The traditional Hotel Esplanade stands proudly right above the main colonnade and offers lovely views of the surroundings. Hotel Harmonie, meanwhile, is made for romantic getaways for two, as it combines modern wellness with traditional healing treatments.
If you prefer the buzz of a bigger city and technical landmarks, Plzeň offers plenty of great options. The best bet is to find a hotel or a cosy apartment right in the historic centre around Republic Square, where the choice of accommodation is genuinely dense. From this strategic spot you can comfortably walk to the famous brewery, into the mysterious historic underground and out for a great dinner, without having to deal with complicated transport or late-night taxis.
Western Bohemia holiday: 15 most beautiful places
Let’s take a look together at the most interesting places in Western Bohemia that you definitely shouldn’t miss on your trip. I’ve included famous spa towns, mysterious castles, picturesque nature and technical marvels, so there really is something for everyone on this list.
1. Karlovy Vary
Karlovy Vary is the uncrowned king of Czech spa culture and since 2021 it has rightfully boasted an inscription on the UNESCO list as part of the transnational Great Spa Towns of Europe. The town will instantly charm you with its elegant promenades, gorgeous architecture and the ever-present smell of warm spa wafers, which you simply have to buy on your very first stroll. Getting here is easy too, as the town is well connected by motorway.
The biggest draw is undoubtedly the famous Hot Spring, the warmest and most powerful source in the whole town. It shoots up to an impressive twelve metres and its temperature exceeds an incredible seventy degrees, so caution when tasting from the traditional spa cup is definitely wise. The spring is protected by the modern glass Hot Spring Colonnade, which forms an interesting contrast to the historic buildings.
As you stroll around you’ll come across three more important colonnades that form the architectural backbone of the town. Often considered the most beautiful of all is the Mill Colonnade with its grand Corinthian columns. But the delicate cast-iron Park Colonnade and the beautiful wooden Market Colonnade are definitely worth seeing too. The town is also famous for producing the herbal liqueur Becherovka, jokingly nicknamed the thirteenth healing spring.
Above the town rises the popular Diana lookout tower, which you can easily reach by funicular right from the legendary Grandhotel Pupp. A short walk away you’ll also find the famous Deer Leap viewpoint with its iconic chamois statue. You shouldn’t miss the Pupp itself, as its elegant spaces from 1701 shone in the well-known Bond film Casino Royale.
💡 Tip: I recommend checking the admission and funicular tickets on the website before your trip so you have up-to-date information on opening times.
2. Mariánské Lázně
Mariánské Lázně is another gem inscribed on the prestigious UNESCO list and, unlike bustling Karlovy Vary, it feels a little calmer and more intimate. The town is sensitively set within gorgeous sprawling parks and surrounded by dense forests, giving it an incredibly romantic and relaxed atmosphere. By car it’s only about forty-five minutes from Karlovy Vary.
The town’s main symbol is the beautiful nineteenth-century cast-iron colonnade, in front of which stands the famous Singing Fountain. This fountain plays world-famous melodies at regular intervals, and in the evening its musical show is complemented by very impressive light effects. Crowds always gather around the fountain, so I recommend arriving a little early for the evening performance.
Right in the town and its immediate surroundings there are more than forty mineral springs, while in the wider area travellers can discover over a hundred. No wonder these healing springs were once favoured by such notable historical figures as the famous poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and the powerful British king Edward VII.
💡 Tip: Just above the town lies the popular miniature park Boheminium, an absolutely perfect stop for families with children, who can see dozens of Czech landmarks in one place.
3. Františkovy Lázně and SOOS
Františkovy Lázně completes the famous Spa Triangle inscribed on UNESCO and is the smallest and quietest of the three towns. Its huge charm lies in its perfectly cohesive Empire-style buildings, which glow in a typical yellow colour and create a very soothing, visually clean environment. It’s an ideal choice for anyone seeking total relaxation without the tourist crowds.
The town is laced with beautifully kept flat parks that are absolutely ideal for slow strolls, resting on benches and easy walks. As you wander the centre you’ll surely come across the famous little statue of František, with whom just about every visitor has to take at least one lucky photo.
Just a short distance outside the town hides an absolute natural wonder: the SOOS Nature Reserve. It’s a vast peat bog of European significance where you can watch bubbling mud volcanoes, technically called mofettes, with your own eyes. Carbon dioxide constantly escapes from these tiny craters, and the whole scene resembles a rugged lunar landscape.
💡 Tip: A very comfortable wooden boardwalk runs through the reserve, so you can get up close to this unique quirk of nature safely, even with small children or a pushchair.
4. Plzeň and Pilsner Urquell
Plzeň is the beating heart of the whole region and the town that made Czechia famous around the world thanks to its unmistakable golden brew. The local Pilsner Urquell brewery has been brewing beer to its original recipe since 1842, and a visit is an absolute must for every traveller. The town is also very well connected by direct express train.
The tour of the historic brewery is one of the most visited attractions in the whole country. Its highlight is the very finale in the extensive cool cellars, where adult visitors are treated to a tasting of excellent unfiltered lager poured straight from the huge oak lagering tanks. Given the enormous interest from foreign and local tourists alike, it’s far better to book your tickets well in advance online.
Besides the brewery, the town boasts a gorgeous historic centre dominated by the Gothic Cathedral of St Bartholomew on the sprawling Republic Square. Its slender tower stands an impressive 102 metres tall, making it the tallest church tower in all of Czechia, whose gallery you can climb in good weather.
💡 Tip: Lovers of history and architecture definitely shouldn’t miss the local Great Synagogue, which is the second largest in Europe and the third largest in the whole world.
5. Loket Castle
If you love places with a good dose of dark medieval atmosphere, the majestic Loket Castle will completely thrill you. It towers on a prominent rocky spur that is almost fully encircled by the Ohře River, which in the past rightly earned it a reputation as an impregnable fortress. The sight of the castle silhouette reflected on the water’s surface is truly breathtaking.
The history of this place is incredibly rich and its cold stone walls have witnessed a great deal. During his travels through the Czech lands, the famous German poet Goethe often stayed here, deeply inspired by the local romantic scenery and wild nature for his further literary work. The little town below the castle, with its winding lanes, positively invites you to an afternoon coffee and a dose of historic atmosphere.
Interestingly, the photogenic quality of the ancient castle and adjacent town didn’t escape the eyes of Hollywood filmmakers either. The opening scene of the popular Bond film Casino Royale was shot here, so you can walk the very same streets as legendary agent 007, played by Daniel Craig.
💡 Tip: Since this is a very popular landmark, check the current opening hours and ticket prices on the official website in advance so you’re not disappointed on arrival.
6. Bečov nad Teplou
The château in Bečov nad Teplou is a fascinating place that hides a treasure of incalculable value, and crowds of tourists head here from all over Europe. In one spot, an original medieval castle blends uniquely with an elegant Baroque château, which in itself makes for a gorgeous architectural spectacle and a showcase of masterful building.
The main reason people come here, though, is the stunning Reliquary of St Maurus. This richly decorated Romanesque chest full of gemstones and gold is, after the St Wenceslas crown jewels, the second most valuable goldsmith treasure in the whole of Czechia. Its precise craftsmanship still takes your breath away after many centuries.
The story of the treasure’s rediscovery reads like a gripping detective novel. For many decades the reliquary lay buried beneath the floor of the château chapel, where the original owners hid it at the end of the war. It saw the light of day again only in 1985, still considered one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the last century.
💡 Tip: The reliquary tour is extremely captivating and the guides really know how to build the suspense, but tickets for this particular route tend to sell out very quickly in high season.
7. Kladská and the Slavkov Forest
If you need to escape the bustle of the spa colonnades and recharge, the Slavkov Forest offers the perfect refuge full of silence and clean nature. The heart of this protected area is the picturesque hamlet of Kladská, set amid deep woodlands and looking as if it had fallen out of some rugged Nordic fairy tale.
Right on the shore of the dark Kladská pond stands a beautiful hunting lodge, built in the past in the style of traditional Norwegian timber houses. Its unique architecture contrasts beautifully with the surrounding trees and the mirror-like water surface, together creating an incredibly photogenic scene for nature lovers and photographers.
Right from the pond runs a very easy nature trail that guides you through the mysterious world of the local peat bogs. The whole route is sensitively made of wooden boardwalks, so it’s maximally comfortable, you won’t get your shoes wet, and even small children or active seniors seeking peace and quiet can manage it with ease.
💡 Tip: The trail around the peat bogs is very quiet and completely flat, so it’s a great way to rest after more demanding mountain hikes and enjoy absolute silence far from civilisation.
8. Domažlice and the Chodsko region
Chodsko is a proud and distinctive region that still carefully guards its unique traditions, ancient dialect and specific culture. In the past, the local inhabitants, the so-called Chods, were tasked with vigilantly guarding the country’s border, for which the Czech rulers granted them a range of special royal privileges and great independence.
The natural centre of the whole region is the picturesque town of Domažlice, whose elongated historic square is lined with beautifully restored arcaded houses. The greatest attention, however, is drawn to the local cylindrical church tower, which is visibly leaning to one side, making it a great rarity for photographers and a favourite spot for tourists.
Visiting this region, you’ll feel the living folklore at literally every turn, whether you hear the traditional bagpipes playing or spot locals in richly decorated costumes. If you come here in mid-August, you can experience the renowned Chodsko Festival, full of folk music and unbridled dancing.
💡 Tip: A visit to Domažlice simply can’t be complete without tasting the traditional richly decorated Chod pastries, generously spread with quark, poppy seeds and plum jam.
9. Švihov Water Castle
Švihov Castle is one of the most beautiful and best-preserved water castles in the country, and a visit will reliably transport you deep into the dark past. It stands out above all because it still has a fully preserved and functioning moat that surrounds the inner castle core on all sides and gives the place a stunning photogenic quality.
This ingenious defensive system made Švihov a very hard-to-conquer and feared fortress in its day. Today you can calmly stroll around the water and admire the mighty stone ramparts that, in clear weather, are beautifully reflected in it and make for great compositions for your holiday snaps.
If the sight of the inner courtyard reminds you of a well-known Czech winter fairy tale, you’re not mistaken. The famous Three Wishes for Cinderella was filmed right here at Švihov and its immediate surroundings, which is sure to delight not only young visitors but also nostalgic adults who grew up on this film.
💡 Tip: Admission and exact guided tour times often change throughout the year, so check everything online before setting off for the landmark.
10. Rabí and Velhartice
As you wander the picturesque foothills of the Šumava region, you’ll come across two exceptional castle gems that you definitely shouldn’t skip. The first is the majestic Rabí, the largest castle ruin in Czechia, whose enormous size and massive walls will literally take your breath away at first sight.
Strolling through this sprawling medieval complex, you can easily imagine just how huge and militarily important this castle once was. From its highest preserved tower there’s also a gorgeous panoramic view of the wide surroundings, which is definitely worth the little effort of climbing the stairs.
Just a short distance away lies the picturesque and very well-preserved Velhartice Castle, famous above all for its unique Gothic architecture. Its greatest pride and absolute one-off is a mighty stone bridge that connects the two main castle towers high above the ground in a very unusual way, giving the landmark its unmistakable look.
💡 Tip: The two castles lie very close together and can be comfortably done in a single afternoon, so you can create a perfect castle circuit.
11. Kynžvart Château
Kynžvart is an incredibly elegant Neoclassical residence, inseparably linked in history with one of the most prominent figures of European politics. For many years it belonged to the famous Austrian Chancellor Metternich, who turned it into a highly representative venue for the secret meetings of the era’s global political elite.
On the guided tour of the beautifully furnished interiors you’ll admire the extensive historic collections the influential chancellor gathered during his lifetime. The château library and especially the famous cabinet of curiosities hide objects from all over the world that clearly testify to the owner’s enormous influence, wealth and unquenchable passion for travel.
Among the very rarest treasures is an item you might not even expect amid the flood of antiques. The collections here carefully preserve, under strict conditions, one of the oldest surviving photographs in the world, a so-called daguerreotype, which Metternich received as a gift directly from its famous inventor.
💡 Tip: The château is surrounded by a vast, carefully maintained English park that is ideal for long, peaceful walks after finishing the interior tour.
12. Jáchymov and Klínovec
Jáchymov is a mountain town with an incredibly varied and at times very harsh history, tucked away in a deep valley of the Ore Mountains. It went down in the world history of medicine as the place where the first radon spa in the world was founded, which to this day very successfully helps people with complex musculoskeletal conditions.
In the more distant past, the town was famous far and wide for its huge silver mining and the minting of coins called thalers. It was from this famous Joachimsthaler that, through gradual linguistic evolution, the globally known word “dollar” arose, a truly fascinating historical detail that few suspect before visiting. Also worth exploring is the nearby Svornost mine, which proudly holds the title of the oldest continuously working mine in all of Europe.
Directly above Jáchymov rises the majestic Klínovec mountain, which at 1,244 metres is the highest peak in the entire Ore Mountains. Although the town lies in the Karlovy Vary Region, geographically and touristically it belongs perfectly naturally to Western Bohemia and offers great conditions for skiers as well as summer hikers.
💡 Tip: You can be comfortably taken to the very summit of Klínovec by a modern cable car if you want to spare yourself the steep climb and go straight to enjoying the breathtaking views.
13. Manětín
The little town of Manětín may not be among the most famous and most visited tourist destinations, but anyone who once comes here tends to be utterly enchanted. For its unique, well-preserved architecture it is often and quite rightly nicknamed the Baroque pearl of Western Bohemia, a title this place undoubtedly deserves.
As you calmly stroll through the local lanes and the historic square, you’ll instantly understand why. The whole town is literally dotted with countless gorgeous Baroque statues that richly adorn and line the access paths, old bridges and the spacious grounds right in front of the local château.
The Manětín château itself forms the natural centre of the whole town, and a detailed tour gives you a great sense of the everyday life of the nobility of the time. It’s a magical place where time has stood still and a wonderful calm reigns, worlds away from the hectic bustle of large tourist centres and packed colonnades.
💡 Tip: If you’re looking for a beautiful historic spot without the ever-present tourist crowds, Manětín is an absolutely perfect choice for a quiet afternoon full of history and peace.
14. The Bohemian Forest and Přimda
The Bohemian Forest (Český les) is an overlooked mountain range that stretches right along the state border with Germany and is very often called the quieter brother of the far better-known Šumava. Here you’ll find utterly untouched nature, deep dark woodlands and mysterious abandoned villages, which makes it a real paradise for lovers of solitude and long, undisturbed wanderings through the wilderness.
On one of the prominent hills of the Bohemian Forest stands proudly the ruin of Přimda Castle, which holds one very important historical first. According to historians, it is the oldest surviving stone castle on the territory of Czechia, its rich and turbulent history reaching back to the first half of the twelfth century.
The path to the ruin does lead up a steeper, wooded hill, but the ancient atmosphere of the mighty stone tower is definitely worth the physical effort. From the windy hilltop there’s also a lovely view over the surrounding forests and the endless border zone, where you won’t meet a soul.
💡 Tip: It’s best to check the admission prices and exact opening hours on the website before you set off up the hill to this historic rarity.
15. The Plzeň Historic Underground
Once you’ve admired the architectural beauty of Plzeň above ground, you definitely shouldn’t miss what lies beneath it. Under the historic centre lies one of the most extensive underground labyrinths in all of Central Europe, measuring an impressive twenty kilometres and forming a fascinating world all of its own.
This incredibly intricate system of narrow passages, deep cellars and old wells gradually took shape from the fourteenth century onwards. Local burghers built it right beneath their houses so they had somewhere cool to store food and barrels of maturing beer, or to find a safe, quickly accessible refuge for their families in times of war.
Today part of this mysterious underground is safely open to the public, and with an expert guide you can descend into the dark, cool corridors. During the hour-long tour you’ll learn plenty of interesting facts about the town’s history and see with your own eyes how ingeniously the whole sandstone system was once connected and used.
💡 Tip: Deep underground it stays quite chilly even in the height of summer, with temperatures around six degrees, so don’t forget to pack a light jacket or a warmer jumper.
Western Bohemia with kids: the best family tips
Travelling with children calls for slightly different planning, but Western Bohemia is superbly prepared for little travellers. I’ve picked out the best places for you where kids are guaranteed to have fun while you enjoy your holiday to the full too.
Plzeň Zoo and DinoPark
The local zoological and botanical garden in Plzeň is one of the best and most beautiful in the country, and you can easily spend a whole day here watching animals. Basic year-round admission for an adult comes to around €10 (240 CZK), while children aged three to fifteen, students and seniors pay around €7 (170 CZK). If you’re going as a family, a good-value ticket for four people (two adults and two children) costs around €32 (780 CZK), and for five people you’ll pay around €37 (910 CZK). The ticket price includes a small contribution to animal conservation programmes, which you can decline at the till if you wish.
If you’re coming between April and October, don’t miss the neighbouring DinoPark full of giant moving dinosaur models, as outside those months the park is completely closed to the public. A combined ticket to both areas costs around €18 (430 CZK) for an adult and around €13 (320 CZK) for a child, while a family with two children pays around €58 (1,410 CZK). A huge advantage is that if you buy your tickets online or from a machine, you can use the fast priority lane at the lower entrance with your QR code and avoid the long queues.
Techmania and the 3D planetarium
Techmania Science Center in Plzeň is an absolute lifesaver for rainy days, and the huge former Škoda factory hall gives children space to touch everything and try out all sorts of physics experiments without worry. Basic admission is around €12 (280 CZK) per person and applies uniformly to all visitors aged four and up, so there’s no distinction between children, adults or students. Smaller children up to and including three years enter all exhibitions completely free.
Families or larger groups can cleverly use the group admission, where four people pay around €43 (1,040 CZK) together, five people around €47 (1,140 CZK) and six people around €51 (1,240 CZK). A huge advantage is that all the stunning screenings in the 3D planetarium are already included in the basic price; you only pay a small fee of about €1 (30 CZK) for the required seat reservation in the hall. You have to make this reservation at least half an hour before the film starts, because if you arrive late you won’t be allowed into the cinema for safety reasons.
Boheminium: Czechia in miniature
When you head out to admire the architecture in Mariánské Lázně, be sure to take the kids to the very popular Boheminium park, which is located up above the town. This spacious, carefully maintained park is full of perfectly crafted models of Czech landmarks at a uniform scale of one to twenty-five, which children usually love, as they can see the castles nicely from a bird’s-eye view.
In a single hour you and the whole family can walk across pretty much the whole of Czechia, from Karlštejn Castle to the Ještěd transmitter near Liberec. The park grounds are also beautifully set within the surrounding forest, so you’ll enjoy a pleasant walk in the fresh air while the children examine the detailed models from every angle. It’s simply a wonderful way to introduce them to Czech history and geography without them getting bored.
With a pushchair around SOOS and the colonnades
Travelling with the smallest children in a pushchair can sometimes be a big logistical challenge, but the spa towns are made for exactly this. The wide colonnades in Karlovy Vary, Mariánské Lázně and Františkovy Lázně are completely flat, barrier-free and beautifully maintained, so you can push a pushchair here without any problems and without needless bumping. What’s more, if you want to head up to the Diana lookout tower in Karlovy Vary, just load the pushchair onto the local funicular and spare yourself the steep climb.
A very pleasant surprise for families is the SOOS Nature Reserve near Františkovy Lázně. The entire nature trail across the marshy peat bogs and past the bubbling mofettes is made of a wide wooden boardwalk, so it’s completely accessible with a pushchair. Little explorers will be thrilled by the bubbling mud, and you’ll enjoy a relaxed walk without having to lift the pushchair over roots and big stones, which in ordinary forests is often a real ordeal.
Where to eat in Western Bohemia
As you stroll through the spa towns, a gorgeous sweet smell will hit you on every corner. Indulgence is a must here, and warm Karlovy Vary spa wafers bought straight from the hatch are simply a treat you mustn’t deny yourself on holiday.
In the little cafés by the colonnades you’ll find an endless array of delicious sweet desserts, homemade cakes and tasty spa pastries that go perfectly with an afternoon coffee after a busy day. If you head a little further south to the Domažlice area, be sure to look out for the traditional Chod pastries, richly topped with quark, poppy seeds and plum jam.
Lovers of the golden brew shouldn’t forget the iconic Pilsner beer, while visitors to Karlovy Vary often appreciate the famous herbal liqueur Becherovka, jokingly called the thirteenth spring. As for the local meaty classics, travellers in the local pubs very often praise the Plzeň goulash or the traditional roast pork with dumplings and sauerkraut, which is simply part of Czech culture and which you’ll come across at every turn in local restaurants.
Practical tips: transport, the spa season and reservations
Travelling to Western Bohemia is very comfortable these days and the region is easy to reach. There are regular direct express trains to Plzeň, and by car you can comfortably reach Karlovy Vary by motorway, which takes about an hour and a half and spares you from getting lost on back roads. If you’re driving in from Austria or Switzerland, remember you’ll need a motorway vignette (toll sticker) for those countries.
If you want to visit the whole Spa Triangle, the main towns can be covered over a long weekend. The transfers between them aren’t demanding at all; for example, the drive from Karlovy Vary to Mariánské Lázně takes just about forty-five minutes by car, so you can set up your base in one of the towns and take trips into the surroundings.
During the main summer season and the Karlovy Vary film festival, accommodation tends to be sold out well in advance. If you want to avoid the biggest crowds, I recommend heading to the Bohemian or Slavkov Forest instead, where you’ll find peace and quiet even in the middle of summer and enjoy nature in silence.
Where to go next
- What to see in Karlovy Vary: 12 tips
- Mariánské Lázně: what to see and do
- Best thermal spas in Czechia: 12 tips
- 20 tips on where to holiday in Czechia
Frequently asked questions
Western Bohemia is a region people constantly ask me about, so I’ve put together the most common questions for you. Here you’ll find quick answers on how long to stay in the region, where to go with children and when the best time to visit is.
How many days do I need to visit the Spa Triangle?
For a quick tour of all three towns – Karlovy Vary, Mariánské Lázně, and Františkovy Lázně – a long weekend, roughly three days, will suffice. However, if you’d like to indulge in some relaxation treatments, stroll the colonnades at a leisurely pace, and enjoy the surrounding nature, I recommend setting aside at least five to seven days for this picturesque corner of the region.
Does Techmania charge different admission for children and adults?
No, Techmania has a very simple flat admission fee of €11 (280 Kč) for all visitors aged four and above, so there’s no distinction between children’s and adult tickets. However, discounted family and group tickets are available, which are great value for larger families, and a huge bonus is that children under three have completely free entry to all exhibitions.
Does the Techmania ticket include a visit to the 3D planetarium?
Yes, the screening in the modern 3D planetarium is fully included in the basic ticket price, so you don’t pay extra for it. However, you must pay a small fee of €1 (30 Kč) for a seat reservation, which is absolutely essential to make at least thirty minutes before the screening starts, otherwise you won’t be allowed inside for safety reasons.
When is the best time to visit Plzeň’s DinoPark?
The popular DinoPark is only open to visitors during the summer season, specifically from the beginning of April to the end of October. Outside these months, the dinosaur area is completely closed, and during the winter period, the Plzeň Zoo only sells separate discounted zoo-only tickets without the surcharge for this attraction.
Is western Bohemia easy to manage with a stroller?
Absolutely yes, the spa towns are superbly prepared for families! All the towns have beautifully flat and carefully maintained colonnades that are absolutely ideal for stroller navigation. You can also easily navigate the SOOS nature reserve without any problems or unnecessary bumping, where a very comfortable and sufficiently wide wooden boardwalk leads across the marshes.
What is the reliquary of Saint Maurus and where can I find it?
It’s an incredibly richly decorated Romanesque chest full of precious stones, which is the second most valuable goldsmith monument in the entire Czech Republic after the St. Wenceslas coronation jewels. In 1985, it was discovered buried under the chapel floor after many years, and today you can examine it in detail at the château in Bečov nad Teplou.
Where can I find the highest mountain in this region?
The highest point in the region is Mount Klínovec, which measures 1,244 meters and rises majestically in the Ore Mountains directly above the town of Jáchymov. You can take a very nice and somewhat challenging hiking trip to the top, or let yourself be comfortably transported up by a modern cable car, which families with small children will particularly appreciate.
Tips and Tricks for Your Vacation
Don’t Overpay for Flights
Search for flights on Kayak. It’s our favorite search engine because it scans the websites of all airlines and always finds the cheapest connection.
Book Your Accommodation Smartly
The best experiences we’ve had when looking for accommodation (from Alaska to Morocco) are with Booking.com, where hotels, apartments, and entire houses are usually the cheapest and most widely available.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Good travel insurance will protect you against illness, accidents, theft, or flight cancellations. We’ve had a few hospital visits abroad, so we know how important it is to have proper insurance arranged.
Where we insure ourselves: SafetyWing (best for everyone) and TrueTraveller (for extra-long trips).
Why don’t we recommend any Czech insurance company? Because they have too many restrictions. They set limits on the number of days abroad, travel insurance via a credit card often requires you to pay medical expenses only with that card, and they frequently limit the number of returns to the Czech Republic.
Find the Best Experiences
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can book guided walks, trips, skip-the-line tickets, tours, and much more. We always find some extra fun there!
