Czechia’s top 10 spa towns

The spas of West Bohemia: UNESCO spas!

Karlovy Vary, Mariánské Lázně and Františkovy Lázně. The towns in West Bohemia that make up the ‘Spa Triangle’, ranked as some of the finest spa towns for centuries. It’s no surprise that they’re all listed by UNESCO as magnificent European spas. They’re situated in a beautifully rolling landscape, so besides spa procedures to alleviate digestive ailments or heart problems, they also offer countless trails through the surrounding countryside.



Karlovy Vary is Czechia’s largest and most famous spa town. The size and luxury of its historical spa buildings and colonnades, as well as its listed hotels and other cultural heritage sites, are truly breathtaking. Every summer the town hosts the International Film Festival, featuring some top Hollywood stars. You’re sure to enjoy the walks around Karlovy Vary too; the local scenery was much loved by the famous poet Goethe! The spa was also visited by other great figures, such as Beethoven, Gogol, Paganini, Casanova and Mozart. And have you seen the Vřídlo? That massive geyser in the town centre, gushing water at a temperature of over 70°C?


And what awaits you in Mariánské Lázně? Like Karlovy Vary, Mariánské Lázně has always been a popular destination for European royals, aristocrats, statesmen and politicians, famous writers, composers and scientists. Full of beautiful parks, it is the perfect example of a spa town: its architecture has not been spoilt by later reconstruction work, so you feel as though you’re returning to the classicist era of the early 19th century. In 2023 Mariánské Lázně was awarded the status of a climatic spa. And, what’s more, there are more than 40 mineral water springs bubbling up around the town! And you can enjoy a tipple while strolling along the historical colonnade… Not to mention that Františkovy Lázně is a younger and more peaceful sibling that beautifully complements the famous Spa Triangle.

Třeboň: one of the most popular spas

The South Bohemian town of Třeboň prides itself on being the centre of fish farming, as well as its peat baths, which are hugely popular in Czechia. The spa complex lies on the edge of the town centre in the peaceful setting of a large park on the shore of Svět Pond, one of Czechia’s largest ponds. Around Třeboň there are huge beds of peat, the medicinal effects of which are enjoyed mainly by patients with musculoskeletal disorders. If you have the opportunity, be sure to grab yourself a bike from one of the hire centres there and discover the beauty of the Třeboň region from the saddle! The landscape is more or less flat and is perfect for easy rides and wandering around. And what else should you really not miss in Třeboň? Absolute musts on any trip to Třeboň, besides trying the town's famous carp specialties in one of the many restaurants, are a tour of the Renaissance château or a visit to the Schwarzenberg Tomb.


 

Lázně Kynžvart: the best spa for children

Nestled in the middle of the South Bohemian triangle of spa towns is Lázně Kynžvart. This healing spa specialises in caring for children and the whole family. The spa complex is located on gentle slopes on the eastern outskirts of the town and owes its existence to three of nature’s gifts: a beneficial climate, mineral springs and peat beds. The jewel of the region as a whole is the classicist Kynžvart Château, formerly the main grand summer residence of Austrian chancellor Metternich, with its abundant collections of works of art, coins, weapons, books and manuscripts, and especially its admirable cabinet of curiosities, one of the oldest museums open to the public in Europe. The château is surrounded by an English-style park with several ponds, a neo-Gothic chapel, a gazebo, statues and monuments and a number of romantic little spots tucked away; part of the park is used as a golf course.

Karlova Studánka: a mountain spa

Modern yet ancient, a unique rebuilt spa surrounded by mountain scenery - that's Karlova Studánka. It is located amidsty unspoilt countryside in the Jeseníky, a mountain range in northern Moravia, and boasts the cleanest air in Central Europe! Besides the climate, the natural healing resources in Karlova Studánka also include natural carbon dioxide and mineral water, which is used to prepare carbonic baths and peat wraps, for inhalation and for drinking. One popular spot is the pool, with water heated to 32°C, underwater loungers, benches and massage jets. It also has a hot tub, a Finnish sauna, a tepidarium and a salt cave.

Teplice: the oldest spa

Teplice – the oldest spa in the whole of Czechia and one of the oldest in Europe, lies below the Ore Mountains. It prides itself on its lavishly decorated buildings, parks and a state-of-the-art spa that uses water from deep underground wells. Did you know that when you indulge in spa treatments in Teplice, you’re travelling back in time? That’s because the water used for treatment there found its way underground more than 18,000 years ago! Its composition prevents osteoporosis, helps to delay changes in the joints and improves fitness. That’s why it’s so popular with athletes and people whose work forces them to sit at the computer all day. Teplice is also a great starting point for summer sports. Don’t forget to pack your Nordic walking poles!


 

Lednice: the youngest spa

Lednice spa in southern Moravia uses the effects of natural iodine-bromine mineral water, which has a beneficial effect on the musculoskeletal and circulatory system, on neurological diseases, but also helps to sure gynaecological problems and heal burns. Lednice was not granted the status of a spa town until 2017! You’ll find the spa close by the famous château and park, which form part of the Lednice–Valtice Cultural Landscape, a UNESCO Heritage Site! After your procedures, you can go and relax in the English park or hire a bike there and explore the beautiful South Moravian scenery on a cycling trip. The trails take you all over the composed landscape and you will see all the hunting lodges and buildings constructed by the Liechtenstein family, who used to live there.

Editors' tip: Luhačovice and Poděbrady

The last two tips we’ve got for you are Luhačovice in Moravia and Poděbrady in Central Bohemia. Luhačovice is the perfect spot to relax and enjoy some active leisure in the shadow of the Beskid Mountains, and has a number of healing mineral springs. The town was given its distinctive flair at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries by architect Dušan Jurkovič, who designed a number of buildings inspired by folk architecture.
Poděbrady, on the other hand, specialises in treating heart problems, and while you’re there you can taste ferrous mineral springs named after some of the famous figures treated there.