Spa colonnades and crystal glass
Karlovy Vary, known in German as Karlsbad, is the grand spa town of West Bohemia. It is an easy, flat day trip from Prague, with colonnades, hot springs and one of the world’s best-known glass makers.
The one Karlovy Vary tour with a large review base, which is why this page lists only one booking option.
The only Karlovy Vary trip with a big review base. You walk the spa colonnades, taste the warm spring water if you like and visit the Moser glassworks, which has supplied crystal to royalty for over a century and a half.
Check availabilityThe town sits in a narrow valley along the Teplá river and is built around its hot springs. The classic walk goes from the Mill Colonnade past the Market Colonnade to the Hot Spring Colonnade, where you can taste the warm, mineral-rich water from a small cup. The town is part of the UNESCO listing of Great Spa Towns of Europe. Tours often include the Moser glass factory, founded in 1857, where you can watch glassblowers at work. Many visitors also try the Becherovka herbal liqueur and the thin spa wafers sold on every corner.
The tour is a good fit if you want an easy day: the walking is flat, the distances are short and the highlights are close together. The main drawback is the time on the road, around four hours in total. If you travel in summer, bring a hat and water; if you travel in winter, the colonnades are still open and the town is calmer.
Regular coaches run from Prague’s Florenc station to Karlovy Vary in about two hours, and the town centre is a short walk from the bus station. You will not get a factory tour or a guide, but you can follow the colonnade walk on foot, take the funicular to the Diana lookout and have lunch at a leisurely pace. A tour is better if you want the glass factory and a fixed schedule.
Traveller feedback
Real reviews of the tours on this page, copied from GetYourGuide. Read them for the details that can change your choice: how busy the boat or bus felt, what the guide did well, what surprised people.
“I thought the guide Lucy was great. I do not think that we needed so long for free time at the end. it made the day too long. Also translating for two languages as with all the talking you just switched off and missed information”
Shane · October 2026About: Karlovy Vary and the Moser Glass Factory from Prague
“Very good commentary and explanations by our guide Karolina - she was enthusiastic, knowledgeable and helpful. We had a good amount of free time after our walking tour to explore on our own. Very enjoyable day, comfortable minibus ride, and worth the drive to get to the town.”
Susan · September 2026About: Karlovy Vary and the Moser Glass Factory from Prague
“A great day out of Prague. Very pretty town. Lovely drive through the countryside. Jan and Jan looked after us well. Plenty of free time to look around and enjoy the place on your own.”
Maree · July 2026About: Karlovy Vary and the Moser Glass Factory from Prague
Reviews come from verified GetYourGuide bookings and are shown with the traveller’s first name and the month of the review. The text may be translated by GetYourGuide.
About 125 km, roughly two hours by coach or car. A tour usually takes nine to ten hours in total.
Yes, for a relaxed day with flat walks and a distinct spa-town atmosphere. If you prefer dramatic scenery or medieval history, choose Bohemian Switzerland or Kutná Hora.
Yes. The springs have different temperatures and a mineral taste that most people find unusual. Take small sips from a spa cup.
On the tour listed here, yes. Check the listing for the current inclusions.
Not comfortably. It is a full day, and the distance to Český Krumlov or Kutná Hora is too long for a second stop.
