Things to do in Karlovy Vary
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The Colonnades
The spa proper starts at Poštovní bridge, where rows of late-19th- and early-20th-century mansions face off against the blockish communist-era (1976) Hotel Thermal sanatorium across the river.
The 13th spring is the most famous but there are 15 springs housed in or near five colonnades (kolonády) along the Teplá.
The first is the whitewashed and wrought-iron Park spring colonnade.
Further on is the biggest and most popular, the neo-Renaissance Mill colonnade, with five different springs, rooftop statues depicting the months of the year and a small bandstand. Petra Restaurant, opposite, is the spot (but not the original building) where Peter the Great allegedly stayed in…
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Viewing Tower
For light relief, follow one of the steep trails from the Teplá into fragrant woods filled with statues and decaying pavilions. One of the most popular trails ascends 1.5km from the Grandhotel Pupp to a hilltop viewing tower. The woods on the way to the lookout are peppered with monuments, including one to that crusty old bourgeois, Karl Marx, who visited Karlsbad (Karlovy Vary) three times between 1874 and 1876.
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Moser glasswork shop
The Moser company opened its first shop in Karlovy Vary in 1857 and by 1893 had established a glassworks in the town. Less than a decade later Moser became the official supplier to the Imperial Court of Franz Josef I, who obviously put in a good word with his friend, King Edward VII, as Moser also became the official supplier of glass to British royalty in 1907.
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Milan Mottl
For more contemporary glassworks head to Milan Mottl. This innovative company was established in 1993 and specialises in handcrafted leadless crystal. There are many other excellent shops on Tržiště worth getting lost in.
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Swimming Pool
For a quick dip, the swimming pool at Hotel Thermal offers simple swimming, or there's a range of spa treatments. There's also a sauna, solarium and fitness club here. Head up the left-hand staircase at the rear of the hotel.
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Karlovy Vary Film Festival
The Karlovy Vary Film Festival in July always features the year's top films as well as attracting plenty of (B-list) stars. It's rather behind the pace of the likes of Cannes, Venice and Berlin but is well worth the trip.
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Galilea
Hookah pipes are optional at this authentic Middle Eastern spot with creamy dips and Arabic bread. Downstairs grab a felafel kebab and relax by the river. Both the restaurant and kebab shop have good vegetarian options.
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Stag's Leap
Stag's Leap, the promontory where Charles IV's dog made its famous discovery, is 500m northeast from an intermediate stop on the funicular. Another lookout tower is on vyhlídka Karla IV, south of Grandhotel Pupp.
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Karlovy Vary Symphony Orchestra
The town's orchestra stages a regular programme of concerts. See its website or Promenáda for details. From mid-May to mid-September, concerts are also held in the Mill colonnade from Tuesday to Sunday.
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Church of Mary Magdalene
The Church of Mary Magdalene is across the river. Whatever your thoughts on the excesses of baroque architecture, it's hard not to fall for this confection by Kilian Ignatz Dientzenhofer.
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Becherovka Distillery Shop
This shop is next to the Jan Becher Museum and is the place to stock up on the goodies from the 13th spring - you'll find the Becherovka cheaper here than in souvenir shops.
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Caffe Pizzeria Venezia
After a few espressos blur your eyes through your designer sunnies, see if you can spot any gondoliers from this pretty-in-pink spot looking out on the Teplá river.
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Parlament
With outdoor tables on the bustling TG Masaryka pedestrian mall, this is a favoured drinking place for locals. And the food's pretty good too.
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Rotes Berlin
Outside this club is promised 'music and propaganda'. Inside you'll hear everything from hip-hop and world music to nicely thrashy indie rock.
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Diana Restaurant
The garden Diana Restaurant sits at the base of the hilltop viewing tower near Teplá. The view, needless to say, is good enough to eat.
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Retro Club
Here's the most accurate name in all the Czech Republic, with regular nights celebrating the unique musical decade that was the 1980s.
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Golden Key Museum
Has a low-key display of old-time Karlovy Vary and paintings of the spa by Viennese artist Wilhelm Gause.
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Town Theatre
Drama, comedy and musicals are all featured. Tickets are available from the theatre or Infocentrum.
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Kafé Brejk
Trendy new-school spot for takeaway coffees and healthy design-your-own sandwiches and baguettes.
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Moser Museum of Glass
Offers a history of glass-making in the area, as well as visits to the Moser factory glassworks.
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International Student Film Festival
The next generation of film-makers strut their stuff at the International Student Film Festival.
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Karlovy Vary Museum
Has exhibits on Karlovy Vary's history and natural history, and Czech glasswork.
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Juice Bar Kokopelli
For fruit smoothies that are probably healthier than sulphur-laden spa water.
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Kino Panasonic
A compact art-house cinema with a good café and free wi-fi access.
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Jan Becher Museum
Deals with all things Becherovka, the town's famed herbal liqueur.
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