Karlovy Vary, the spa town hidden in the middle of Czech Bohemia

The charming Czech town of Karlovy Vary

Healthy mineral springs for adults, rose baths with milk-infused mineral water, sparkling fountains for kids… it sounds like a fairy-tale, doesn’t it? Yet all of this exists in the rather charming Czech town of Karlovy Vary. And yes, the pastel-coloured buildings and chic boutiques make it unforgettable. Well, you might also encounter the occasional mischievous member of staff—but alright, that’s all part of the charm and absolutely worth the visit.

Now let’s start from the beginning. You can sip mineral water right from the colonnades where Ludwig van Beethoven once walked. But be careful! Each spring has its own temperature, and drinking them follows strict medical advice—you should do it only three times a day. So, enjoy the mineral springs properly.

And afterwards? Well, you can grab a bit of Czech Becherovka, the herbal liqueur created in the early 19th century by pharmacist Josef Becher. You can’t live healthy all your life, can you? Besides, it was originally created for digestive health purposes—so technically one might say it’s medical. Karlovy vary was a famous resort in soviet times, yet for centuries, European aristocrats, writers, and musicians also came here to drink, relax, and socialise in elegant salons. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was a regular visitor; Beethoven strolled the same colonnades guests walk today.

My two-year-old daughter even grabbed one with a cat on it and happily sipped the warm water. Already a little traveller on her tenth trip, she clearly knows how to enjoy life. She was mesmerised by the fountains, the pigeons, and the gentle steam rising from the springs—watching everything quietly, completely absorbed.

Founded in the 14th century by Charles IV, the town’s story began almost by accident: while hunting, one of the emperor’s dogs jumped into a steaming pool—and emerged healed. Charles IV realised the spring had special powers and built a settlement around it. So here is where the name of the town comes from. Today, the powerful Vřídlo Geyser erupts in the centre of town, sending hot mineral water high into the air (12 metres)- a dramatic reminder that Karlovy Vary exists because of what lies beneath the ground.

Life here revolves around the springs. There are more than eighty, though only about fifteen are used for the traditional drinking cure. Visitors wander slowly from colonnade to colonnade, sipping from the town’s iconic porcelain spa cups—tiny teapot-shaped vessels made for hot mineral water.

For adults, indulgence takes a rather romantic turn. In one spa house I soaked in a warm mineral bath scented with roses—a moment so theatrical it felt like stepping straight into La vie en rose. By the way, we were there on our third anniversary, which made it even more special. So, keep that in mind if you’re ever planning an anniversary escape.

And then there are the little surprises. We found a tiny restaurant in the centre where Armenian music was playing. The singer was quite impressive, effortlessly switching between several languages during the evening. Can you imagine the tip the singer received from a generous Armenian man? Hehe… let’s just say we had a brilliant time. Of course, if you fancy something more formal, you can always dress up and head to a Michelin-star restaurant instead.

Have you ever heard of Czech crystal? You can find Czech crystal sets in boutiques, though let’s be honest—it’s not exactly cheap. Browsing these shops feels like walking through the town’s history. Yet modern life sneaks in too: many stores display “liquidation” or closing-sale signs, adding a slightly quirky twist to the town’s character.

Every summer, Karlovy Vary transforms during the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. From a quiet spa-town it suddenly becomes a red-carpet stage for directors, actors, and film lovers from across the globe. Yet the town’s slow rhythm somehow remains. People still stroll the colonnades with porcelain cups, sip mineral water, and pause to watch steam rising from the springs.

Perhaps that is the true magic of Karlovy Vary: a place where history, health, and everyday life quietly intertwine—where a child delights in fountains, an adult relaxes in a rose-scented bath, enjoying his dream of a healthy calm adulthood, and even a simple walk between springs becomes part of a centuries-old tradition. And if you leave with a porcelain cup in your bag and a bit of Becherovka in your system—well, you probably did Karlovy Vary exactly right. By the way, it’s only one hour drive from Vaclav Havel international airport Prague.

Sona Aghbalyan
Journalist/Reporter

Prague, Czech Republic

The magic city!
Snapshots by Phivos Nicolaides

Prague is the capital and the largest city of the Czech Republic. Nicknames for Prague have included: «Mother of Cities», «City of a Hundred Spires» and «Golden City».

Situated in central Bohemia on the Vltava River, Prague has been the political, cultural and economic centre of the Czech state for more than 1100 years.

For many decades during the Gothic and Renaissance eras, Prague was the permanent seat of two Holy Roman Emperors and thus was also the capital of the Holy Roman Empire.

Today, the inhabitants of the city are more than 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of nearly two millions.

The Czech Republic has been a member of NATO since 1999 and of the European Union since 2004.

It is not an exaggeration to say that Prague is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It’s an exciting place a «Jewel in the Crown» of Central Europe with epic history, rich culture and wonderful sightseeing.

The dramatic history of Prague is reflected in the amazing beauty of the buildings.

St. Vitus's Cathedral is the largest and the most important church in Prague. Apart from divine services the coronations of Czech kings and queens also took place in it.

A Greek team of youngsters from Nicosia, Cyprus exploring Prague and having fun.

Prague is full of beauties and can be enjoyed and explored for days...

For centuries it has been known as Zlatá Praha or Golden Prague - a glittering jewel of art and architecture nestling at the heart of Europe.

Home to emperors and kings, artists and astronomers, this magic city has inspired artists, musicians and writers.

A history of more than 1100 years speaks for itself.

Under the communism the city was seldom visited by tourists until 1989. Despite of the mass tourism, the city's mysterious soul survives.

After of 40 years of communism, Prague has returned to the capitalist system to become one of Europe's most popular tourist destinations.

You can see Prague from many different perspective.

Everywhere you go, you discover surprisingly some aspect of the city's beauties.

Yianna, our tour guide .

In 1992 the extensive historic centre of the city was listed in the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage Register.

Prague Castle is the most popular sight visited in Prague. It is the largest ancient castle in the world.

A fascinating city with friendly and charming people.

There are so many places to be explored and so many things to do in this lovely city...

Prague is to be explored strolling through the busy streets.

Already this popular city receives more than 4.2 million international visitors annually, mainly youth.

Πράγα, σαν παραμύθι

Του Φοίβου Νικολαΐδη

Η Πράγα είναι η μεγαλύτερη πόλη και πρωτεύουσα της Δημοκρατίας της Τσεχίας. Κατά καιρούς, τις έχουν δοθεί ονόματα όπως: «Μητέρα των πόλεων», «Πόλη των εκατό πύργων» και «Χρυσή πόλη».

Δεν είναι καθόλου υπερβολή να λεχθεί ότι η Πράγα είναι μια από τις πιο όμορφες πόλεις της Ευρώπης, αν όχι του κόσμου.

Είναι ένα συναρπαστικό μέρος, ένα «πετράδι στο στέμμα» της Κεντρικής Ευρώπης, με ιστορικό έπος, πλούσιο πολιτισμό και θαυμάσια αξιοθέατα.

Ο Καθεδρικός ναός του Αγίου Βίτου στο κάστρο της πόλης, είναι η μεγαλύτερη και η πιο σημαντική εκκλησία στην Πράγα.

Η πλούσια και δραματική ιστορία της Πράγας αντικατοπτρίζεται στην εκπληκτική ομορφιά των υπέροχων μνημείων και επιβλητικών κτιρίων.

Μια ζωντανή πόλη που οι παλμοί της κτυπούν σε σύγχρονους ρυθμούς μετά την πτώση του κομμουνισμού με τη «βελούδινη επανάσταση» το 1989.

Για αιώνες ήταν γνωστή ως Zlatá Praha (Χρυσή Πράγα), ένα πραγματικό στολίδι της τέχνης και της αρχιτεκτονικής φωλιασμένο στην καρδιά της Ευρώπης.

Η όμορφη ομάδα των νεαρών παιδιών από τη Λευκωσία, απολαμβάνει τις ομορφιές της πόλης.

Μια ιστορία πάνω από 1100 χρόνια που μιλάει από μόνη της σε κάθε γωνιά της πόλης.

Η ωραία Σουζάνα απολαμβάνει τις ομορφιές της Πράγας και δείχνει ενθουσιασμένη.

Η αρχιτεκτονική σε διάφορους εντυπωσιακούς ρυθμούς. Μπαρόκ, νεομπαρόκ, γοτθικός, νεογοτθικός, νουβώ, αρτ νουβώ, ροκοκό, σοσιαλιστικός ρεαλισμός, ελληνικλασικός κ.λπ.

Το κάστρο Χρατσάνι, σύμβολο της πόλης. Η ομορφιά της Πράγας το κάστρο των Τσέχων Βασιλέων.

Στη Γέφυρα του Καρόλου του Ε’ με τα εντυπωσιακά αγάλματα. Η πρώτη από τις 17 γέφυρες της Πράγας. Οι ζωγράφοι έχουν μόνιμα στρατοπεδεύσει εδώ!

Μαγευτικές εικόνες ανεπανάληπτης φυσικής ομορφιάς και ωραίου τοπίου.

Ζωντανή πόλη γεμάτη κόσμο που χαίρεται την πόλη του.

Σε κάθε σου βήμα και μια ευχάριστη οπτική έκπληξη.

Ακόμη μια πανέμορφη γέφυρα, που στολίζει την πόλη.

Πόλη μοναδική, με πολλά διαφορετικά πρόσωπα, που το φανερώνουν οι συνοικίες της.

Σύμβολο της πόλης, το κάστρο Χρατσάνι. Υψώνεται σ' ένα λόφο στην αριστερή όχθη του ποταμού Μολδάβα.

Στα στενά δρομάκια της ιστορίας...

'Ανήσυχοι' νεαροί τουρίστες από τη Λευκωσία, απολαμβάνουν τη σπάνια ομορφιά της πόλης.

Μετά από 40 χρόνια κομμουνισμού, η Πράγα έχει επιστρέψει στο καπιταλιστικό σύστημα και έχει καταστεί ένας από τους πιο δημοφιλείς τουριστικούς προορισμούς της Ευρώπης.

Ο Μολδάβας διασχίζει την Πράγα δημιουργώντας ένα παραμυθένιο σκηνικό.

Παράδοση και πολιτισμός, ζωντάνια και δυναμισμός στην καρδιά της Τσεχίας.

Το το ιστορικό κέντρο της Πράγας προστέθηκε στον Κατάλογο της Παγκόσμιας Πολιτιστικής Κληρονομιάς της UNESCO το 1992.

Οι ομορφιές του τόπου αυτού είναι αμέτρητες...

Τέλος καλά, όλα καλά, πανέμορφη, μαγευτική Πράγα στο επανειδείν...

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