🗺️ Where to drink water in Karlovy Vary: 18 springs, temperatures and route

Karlovy Vary grew up around hot water. According to legend, the healing springs were discovered by King Charles IV: he cured his sore leg here, and a wounded deer that fell into a spring jumped out unharmed. Since then, one of Europe's oldest spa resorts has operated in the Teplá River valley.

Drinking the water here is free, and it's the main activity for visitors to the city. But there are many springs, each with its own temperature, and some of the outlets are closed to the public. Below are all 18 colonnades and springs: where they are, what temperature they produce, how to get there from the Geyser, and what to keep in mind on site.

Ad: this article contains affiliate links, we earn a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you.

How the drinking cure works in Karlovy Vary

💡 In short:

Choose a spring based on your needs and drink the water right at the vase.
Get a 200 ml spa cup, it holds the temperature longer.
Don't pour the water into a bottle, it loses some of its properties when exposed to air.
Colonnade and tour hours: 09/2026, verified on the resort's official website.

Karlovy Vary has 15 healing springs, and all of them rise from a single layer at a depth of about 2,500 meters (as of 09/2026, city's official portal). The water's chemical composition is the same across all springs; only the temperature and carbon dioxide content differ.

It's drunk according to specific rules. A doctor prescribes a particular spring, volume, and time of intake, usually before meals. A 200 ml cup is drunk at the vase over 3-10 minutes, with a 5-10 minute break between servings. A classic course lasts from two to four weeks (as of 09/2026, resort recommendations).

The temperature in the springs varies, from 13 to 73.4 °C. The hotter the water, the more mineral salts and less gas it contains. In cooler springs, it's the opposite.

Outlet temperatures according to resort guide data:

Spring	Location	Temperature
Geyser (Vřídlo)	Geyser Colonnade	73.4 °C
Charles IV Spring	Market Colonnade	65.8 °C
Upper Castle Spring	Castle Colonnade	51.1 °C
Lower Castle Spring	Market Colonnade	48.6 °C
Rock Spring	Mill Colonnade	48 °C

Almost all the springs are located along the Teplá River, one after another. The Market Colonnade is 200 meters from the Geyser, the Mill Colonnade is 500 meters away (per the map). The route is easy to walk in one go, with stops for water.

1. Mill Colonnade

Colonnade with columns, palm trees and statues in Karlovy Vary

The Mill Colonnade (Mlýnská kolonáda) is the largest in the city. It stands beyond the Market Colonnade if you walk from the Geyser along the Teplá, and it shelters five springs at once: Mill, Rusalka, Prince Wenceslas, Libuše, and Rock.

The first wooden shelter over the springs was built in the late 18th century so that strollers could drink the water under a roof. The stone colonnade in the Neo-Renaissance style was designed by Josef Zítek and opened in 1881 (as of 09/2026, resort spring catalog). The attic is decorated with sandstone sculptures, and the orchestra shell with a bas-relief by Václav Lokvenc serves as a bright accent.

How to get there: 10 minutes on foot from the Geyser, about 500 meters up the embankment (per the map).
Who it's for: those who want to try five springs in one place.

2. Garden Colonnade

White ornate Garden Colonnade with dome in spring

The Garden Colonnade (Sadová kolonáda) stands in the spa zone, in Dvořák Gardens. There used to be a cast-iron concert restaurant here, cast at the Blansko ironworks and opened in 1881. The pavilion fell into disrepair and was demolished along with part of the veranda in 1965.

Only the eastern part has survived to this day, reconstructed in the early 2000s. On one side, the Snake Spring was routed into it, and on the other, a passage was made to the Garden Spring in the basement of the Military Sanatorium (as of 09/2026, Garden Colonnade description).

How to get there: 15 minutes from the Geyser, about 800 meters (per the map).
The catch: part of the old pavilion was demolished, and the water is not accessible at all outlets.

3. Market Colonnade

White ornate colonnade with arches and people

The Market Colonnade (Tržní kolonáda) stands in the very center, beneath the Castle Tower. There was once an ancient bathhouse here, and in 1883 a carved wooden promenade in the Swiss style was built on the site of the town hall. In the early 20th century, it was extended to the Market Spring.

Under this colonnade, three springs flow: the Market Spring, the Lower Castle Spring, and the Spring of Charles IV. The ornate structure is considered one of the most important in the city (as of 09/2026, description of the Market Colonnade).

Inside: a semicircular apse with streams of water and good acoustics, concerts are often held here.
Getting there: a 3-minute walk from the Geyser, about 200 meters (on the map).
Who it's for: for those who want to try three springs in one stop.

4. Castle Colonnade

Stone colonnade with domed rotunda among houses

The Castle Colonnade (Zámecká kolonáda) is connected to the Castle Spring, which was first tapped in 1769. Above the spring there was first a pavilion, then a promenade designed by Josef Esch, and later a colonnade by architect Johann Friedrich Ohmann. It connected the spring with the Market Colonnade into a single space.

In 2000, the old structure was rebuilt. The Zámecké lázně spa complex rose in its place, and access to the water was granted only to its clients (as of 09/2026, Castle Colonnade).

The catch: you can't freely walk up to the water, entry is by appointment for treatments only.
What's nearby: the Market Colonnade is a stone's throw away, where the same waters are available to everyone.

5. Lower Castle Spring

Lower Castle Spring with cast-iron basin

The Lower Castle Spring surfaces on the left bank of the Teplá River, in the historic center. The water temperature is 48.6 °C. The main outlet is open only to guests of the Zámecké lázně complex, so the water is diverted to the Market Colonnade, where everyone can drink it (as of 09/2026, Lower Castle Spring).

The spring was first tapped in 1769. In 1784, a cold winter left the townspeople without water: it was hauled to the public fountains from here. The first pavilion over the spring was built in 1797, but 12 years later the water went underground and only returned in 1823.

Getting there: in the Market Colonnade, 200 meters from the Geyser (on the map).
The catch: you can't fill up at the spring itself, only the water in the Market Colonnade is freely accessible.

6. Upper Castle Spring

Decorative spring pavilion in the colonnade, Karlovy Vary

The Upper Castle Spring draws from the same aquifer as the lower one, but emerges higher above sea level. Because of the elevation difference, the water temperature differs: 51.1 °C versus 48.6 °C at the lower spring (as of 09/2026, official reference guide).

The spring flows weakly and is usually covered with glass, with no public access. It was opened to the public in 1912, when the colonnade was built, but now the water is used by guests of the Zámecké lázně complex.

Getting there: by the Castle Colonnade, 200 meters from the Geyser (on the map).
The catch: you can't drink at the spring itself, but you can try the water in the Market Colonnade.

7. Snake Spring

Spring with vase and snake in Karlovy Vary

The Snake Spring (Hadí pramen) is the youngest in the city, brought to the surface in the Garden Colonnade only in 2001. The water comes out cool, around 30 °C, so it's easier to drink than the hot springs (as of 09/2026, Snake Spring).

The spring got its name from the grass snakes that lived near the colonnades. This is also reflected in the design: a low column is decorated with an image of a snake, with water pouring from its head, and it's topped with a vase whose handles are shaped like snakes.

Getting there: inside the Garden Colonnade, a 15-minute walk from the Geyser (on the map).
Who it's for: for those who find the hot water too strong.

8. Mill Spring

Mill Spring in the Karlovy Vary Colonnade

The Mill Spring was known as far back as the 16th century, and it got its name from a mill on the Tepla River. By 1705, doctors were already prescribing this water to patients, and demand was so high that the Baroque Mill Spa was built nearby in 1711.

The spa was later demolished, and the Mill Colonnade, designed by Josef Zitek, was built over the spring. The water from here was once bottled and exported to other countries, so well known was it (as of 09/2026, Mill Spring).

Water temperature is 56.6 °C, with an output of about 4.5 liters per minute.

How to get there: in the Mill Colonnade, 500 meters from the Geyser, a 10-minute walk (see map).
The catch: the colonnade is always busy, but it's less crowded at the vase in the morning.

9. Dorotka Spring

White Dorotka spring pavilion by a road in the forest

The Dorotka Spring (Dorotka) surfaces on a slope above the right bank of the Tepla. The pavilion over it has been closed to visitors since 2012: it now serves as a monitoring station for carbon dioxide levels in the water (as of 09/2026, Dorotka Spring).

The spring produces very little water, half a liter per minute, but around 45 liters of gas. A thin stream of lightly mineralized water flows into the Tepla near the Charles IV Bridge. It used to be channeled into the Dorothea Pavilion, built in the Empire style.

How to get there: a 30-minute walk from the center (see map).
The catch: you can't fill up water here, the pavilion has been closed since 2012.

10. Charles IV Spring

Charles IV Spring in the white ornate colonnade

The Charles IV Spring (Pramen Karla IV) is tied to the city's main legend. Near the Market Square, water surfaced here as early as the Middle Ages, and the spring was once called "Glutton." According to legend, this is where Emperor Charles IV cured his ailing legs. The blacksmith Adolf Zerkel immortalized the story in the relief "Charles IV Discovering the Hot Springs."

The water in the spring is very hot, 65.8 °C (as of 09/2026, Charles IV Spring). Output is about 4.8 liters per minute. The wooden Swiss-style colonnade over the water was built in 1883 by Viennese architects Fellner and Helmer.

How to get there: in the Market Colonnade, a 5-minute walk from the Geyser (see map).
Tip: the water is very hot, pour it into a cup and let it cool for a couple of minutes.

11. Prince Wenceslas Spring

Prince Wenceslas mineral spring in the colonnade

The Prince Wenceslas Spring (Pramen knížete Václava) burst out from under Bernard's Rock in 1784. At the time, a powerful fountain shot up four meters, and the water from here was used to produce the famous Carlsbad mineral salts.

The flow was split into two vases. One has an output of 4 liters per minute at 65.6 °C, the second produces half as much water and is cooler, at 64.3 °C. The colonnade over the spring was proposed by Josef Zitek in 1870 (as of 09/2026, Prince Wenceslas Spring).

How to get there: in the Mill Colonnade, 500 meters from the Geyser (see map).
Who it's for: for those who want to compare two vases of the same spring side by side.

12. Libuse Spring

Panorama of Karlovy Vary in the Teplá valley

The Libuse Spring (Libušin pramen) was discovered during the construction of the Mill Colonnade. Four small springs merged into one flow and broke through at the site of the orchestra shell. It was first called the "Spring of Elizabeth's Roses," and received its current name in 1947.

Water output is 3-5 liters per minute, temperature 62 °C. Its location in the largest colonnade has made it one of the most recognizable springs among spa guests (as of 09/2026, Libuse Spring).

How to get there: in the Mill Colonnade, by the orchestra shell (see map).
Tip: come at opening time, in the morning there are almost no people at the vase.

13. Rusalka Spring

Spring basin under the columns of the Mill Colonnade

The Rusalka spring was known as early as the 16th century, and by the mid-18th century it had become especially popular and was named the "New Spring." It flowed next to the Mill Spa under a simple wooden canopy. Later, a promenade area was created here for walks after drinking the water.

In the early 19th century, this part of the spa was the liveliest. In 1811, a new colonnade was built over the spring and stood for 60 years, after which it was replaced by a stone promenade (as of 09/2026, Rusalka spring).

The water emerges at 60.2 °C, with a flow of 4 to 7 liters per minute.

How to get there: in the Mill Colonnade, 10 minutes from the Geyser (on the map).
The catch: you can't bathe here, the water is only for drinking: a different spring is used for baths.

14. Štěpánka Spring

Teplá River in the center of Karlovy Vary, vintage postcard

The Štěpánka Spring stands in the park by the Richmond Hotel, on the southern edge of the spa. The water was discovered in 1884 and named after the Austrian Archduchess Stephanie. Due to its iron content, it was recognized as medicinal, but in the early 20th century the spring went underground. It was searched for for almost a hundred years and was only captured again in 1997.

Today it is the coldest spring in town: the water is only 13 °C. On the other hand, it is rich in carbon dioxide and iron ions, so it is prescribed for anemia (as of 09/2026, Štěpánka Spring).

How to get there: 1.5 km from the Geyser, about a 30-minute walk (on the map).
The catch: the spring is still not registered as a medicinal resource.
Where to stay: the Richmond Hotel is nearby, check prices on Trip.com.

15. Svoboda Spring

White ornate Freedom Spring pavilion in Karlovy Vary

The Svoboda Spring was discovered by accident in the 1860s, when the foundation was being dug for the Lázně III spa building. A trickle of water broke through between the two spa buildings, and in 1865 an octagonal wooden pavilion was built over it.

The spring's name changed over time: first it was called the Spa Spring, then it was named after Emperor Franz Joseph I, and since 1946 it has been called "Svoboda" (as of 09/2026, Svoboda Spring).

The water is hot, 62.4 °C, with a flow of 5 liters per minute.

How to get there: 600 meters from the Geyser toward Lázně III (on the map).
The catch: the pavilion stands away from the promenade, so people don't find it right away.

16. Garden Spring

Drinking basin of the Garden Spring in a marble pavilion

The Garden Spring hides in the basement of the Military Spa, which was founded in 1852. The water was found during construction of the foundation and was first called the Imperial Spring. It was used for the spa's patients, so the spring is not as well known as the springs in the center.

The flow is split: one part is piped into the lobby, the other into the basement. You can drink the water from 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and its taste is soft and slightly acidic (as of 09/2026, Garden Spring).

The temperature is almost 42 °C, with a flow of about 1.5 liters per minute.

How to get there: 800 meters from the Geyser toward the Garden Colonnade in Dvořák Gardens, a 15-minute walk (on the map).
The catch: access is through the spa building, and drinking hours are limited.

17. Rock Spring

The Rock Spring (Skalní pramen) flows beneath Bernard's Rock, at the very end of the Mill Colonnade. This used to be a damp and boggy spot where horses were taken to bathe, and locals called it the Horse Spa. The spring was captured in 1845, when part of the rock was broken off.

The water got a new pavilion in 1892, when the Mill Colonnade was completed. The water is piped from a depth of 30 meters, its temperature is about 48 °C, and the flow is 2.2 liters per minute (as of 09/2026, spring description).

How to get there: 500 meters from the Geyser, beneath Bernard's Rock (on the map).
The catch: the water is deliberately cooled to 48 °C at the request of spa doctors, so it won't be really hot.

18. Market spring

The Market spring (Tržní pramen) was discovered in 1838 during construction work on the Market Square. It had an unstable character: the water kept disappearing and reappearing, and only after several deep wells were drilled did the flow become constant. At first the water was channeled into the Marktbrunn house on the ground floor, and in 1904 a wooden colonnade in the Swiss style was erected on the square.

Granite basin of the Market Spring with tap

Its special feature is a semicircular apse with strong acoustics. Concerts are often held here, with the jets of water serving as a backdrop. It is only 200 meters from the Geyser, the water is collected at 62 °C, almost 5 liters per minute (as of 09/2026, Market spring).

The spa was made famous by Dr. David Becher. He proved the healing properties of the local water and established the production of Carlsbad salt, which was exported as a laxative. The famous herbal liqueur "Becherovka" also bears his name (as of 09/2026, history of the spa).

The heyday came in the 19th century, and even the Napoleonic wars did not interrupt it. Noble patients strolled along the embankments, and many princes and heads of state came here incognito. A great fire destroyed a significant part of the city: only one tower remained of the royal castle, and most houses were rebuilt from scratch.

Geyser (Vřídlo), the symbol of the spa

The most famous spring in the city is the Geyser. The water rises from a depth of about two kilometers and shoots up in a fountain nearly 12 meters high. The jet temperature is 73.4 °C, with a flow rate of about 2,000 liters per minute (as of 09/2026, official spa website).

Karlovy Vary: Church of St Mary Magdalene on a vintage postcard

For drinking, the water is cooled: it is distributed into five vases and served at 50 and 30 °C. The Geyser Colonnade is open on weekdays from 9:00 to 17:00, on weekends from 10:00 to 17:00, admission is free (as of 09/2026, Geyser Colonnade opening hours).

In the lobby, tickets are sold for the "Geyser Underground" tour: it shows underground springs and fossils that are used to make souvenirs. The last tour starts around 16:00, and from November to April the underground is closed (as of 09/2026, tour catalog).

How to get there from Prague

From Prague to the resort is about 118 km. The bus is the most convenient option: departures from the Florenc bus station run almost every hour, and the trip takes about two hours. By car it's the same route along the D6 highway, plus the freedom to stop along the way in Mariánské Lázně or Loket. If you're planning trips around the region, compare car rental options in advance.

The coldest spring and baths

The coldest spring at the resort is the Štěpánka spring, with water at 13 °C. The Iron Spring also produces cool water, rich in iron and traces of arsenic. The arsenic concentration is so low that it poses no health risk. Tourists rarely stop by here.

Baths are used for treatment. They boost the immune system, help joints, and calm the nervous system. A drinking course supports the stomach, kidneys, and metabolism (as of 09/2026, resort medical section). You can take baths both in hotels and in historic spa houses.

Festivals and season

Beyond the springs, the town lives through its festivals. In summer it hosts the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, and the spa season opens in spring with concerts and an orchestra. Every year guests come from all over Europe.

Tours and tickets in Karlovy Vary

Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and activities — most offers can be cancelled free of charge.

See offers on GetYourGuide

The widget loads once you give your consent.

Colonnades and springs of Karlovy Vary on the map

All springs and colonnades are compactly located along the Teplá River. Plan your route in advance so you don't walk in circles: the map shows all the points from the list. The farthest point is the Štěpánka spring, 1.5 km from the Geyser (according to the map).

Colonnades and Springs of Karlovy Vary

Places on the map

1Mill Colonnade The largest colonnade, sheltering five springs
2Garden Colonnade Remnant of a cast-iron pavilion in Dvořák Gardens
3Market Colonnade Carved wooden promenade with three springs
4Castle Colonnade Linked to the Zámecké lázně spa complex
5Lower Castle Spring Temperature 48.6 °C, water piped to the Market Colonnade
6Upper Castle Spring Temperature 51.1 °C, available only to spa guests
7Snake Spring The youngest spring, cool water around 30 °C
8Mill Spring Known since the 16th century, temperature 56.6 °C
9Dorotka Spring Pavilion closed since 2012, gas monitoring station
10Charles IV Spring The town's main legend, temperature 65.8 °C
11Prince Wenceslas Spring Two vases of different temperatures, 65.6 and 64.3 °C
12Libuše Spring Four springs merged into one flow, temperature 62 °C
13Rusalka Spring Temperature 60.2 °C, for drinking only, not for baths
14Štěpánka Spring The town's coldest spring, 13 °C, rich in iron
15Svoboda Spring Found by chance while building a spa house, 62.4 °C
16Rock Spring Wells up beneath Bernard's Rock, cools to 48 °C
17Market Spring Apse with acoustics where concerts are often held

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How many springs are there in Karlovy Vary?

The town has 15 healing springs, all rising from a single layer at a depth of about 2,500 meters (as of 09/2026, official Karlovy Vary resort website). Colonnades and several pavilions are set up for drinking. The chemical composition of the water is the same across springs, but the temperature and carbon dioxide content differ.

Can you drink the water for free?

Yes. The drinking course is open to everyone, no tickets needed. You only need a 200 ml spa cup, sold at kiosks and shops around town. Drink the water right at the spring, within 3-10 minutes, and take a 5-10 minute break between portions.

Which spring is the hottest?

The Geyser (Vřídlo) surfaces at 73.4 °C, but it's cooled to 50 and 30 °C for drinking (as of 09/2026, official website). The hottest of the drinking springs is the Charles IV spring, at 65.8 °C. The coldest, by contrast, is the Štěpánka spring with water at 13 °C.

How much time do you need for all the springs?

The central colonnades are close together: from the Geyser to the Market Colonnade is 200 meters, to the Mill Colonnade about 500 meters, a 10-minute walk (according to the map). If you want to cover all 18 points, including the distant Štěpánka spring, set aside half a day and wear comfortable shoes.

How do you get there from Prague?

A direct bus from the Florenc bus station takes about two hours, with departures almost every hour. By car it's 118 km along the D6 highway, about 1.5 hours. The bus is the most convenient option if you're traveling without a car and don't want to look for parking in the resort center.

In short: what to book

If you're going to drink the water and walk around, take a hotel in the center along the Teplá: you'll reach the colonnades in 5-15 minutes.

For 1-2 days: a hotel near the Geyser or the Mill Colonnade, so you don't waste time getting around.
For a week: add days for Mariánské Lázně and trips around the region.
With kids: choose a hotel with a pool and wellness, since the spring water is hot and not suitable for bathing.

You can book accommodation through the Karlovy Vary hotel selection on Trip.com, and for tours and tickets, check out the tour selection.

18 Colonnades and springs of Karlovy Vary: water temperature and route