Karlovy Vary & Loket tour: Spa town and medieval castle
Thermal springs, a James Bond hotel, and a hilltop fortress in one day
A full-day tour from Prague to Karlovy Vary and Loket combines the elegant spa town's colonnades, mineral springs and historic architecture with the medieval fortress of Loket Castle overlooking the river valley. You travel in a small group with hotel pickup and drop-off, a professional guide in English or Russian, light snacks and bottled water throughout the day, and professional photos from the trip. Castle admission is included with the Standard option. The Ticket option covers entry to Karlovy Vary's attractions only.
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Step-by-step itinerary
Explore Karlovy Vary and Loket
- Walk hot springs colonnade in Karlovy Vary
- Taste mineral water from fountains
- Learn about local spa traditions
- Admire historic architecture and stories
- Visit Diana Observation Tower or hike viewpoint
- Discover Grandhotel Pupp and riverside
- Visit historic Kaiserbad Spa exterior
- Explore Loket Castle and viewpoints
The experience
The day starts in Karlovy Vary's famous colonnades, where you walk past the elegant facades and taste mineral water directly from the thermal fountains. Each one has a different mineral composition and temperature. A guide shares stories of the kings, artists and composers who came here to heal, and you have time to move at your own pace through the town, stopping for coffee or simply absorbing the atmosphere of one of Europe's most refined spa destinations. The Grandhotel Pupp, the legendary riverside hotel featured in Casino Royale, anchors the town's cinematic glamour. You'll see why it draws film crews and international visitors during the annual International Film Festival.
Two viewpoint options break up the afternoon. The Diana Observation Tower sits accessible by a charming historic funicular (round-trip ticket roughly €5), or you can take a quiet forest hike of around 20 minutes to a nearby viewpoint: both deliver panoramic views over the forested hills and the spa town below. The Kaiserbad Spa, an ornate imperial-era building, shows the grand bathing traditions that made Karlovy Vary famous across Europe.
The journey then moves to Loket, a medieval town that feels frozen in time. Loket Castle rises above a dramatic bend in the Ohře River, its thick stone walls and courtyards offering some of the most striking views in western Bohemia. You explore the fortress and its viewpoints, where the raw medieval architecture and the river landscape below create unforgettable photo moments. Light snacks, bottled water, fruit, nuts and pastries sustain you throughout, and you return to Prague with professional photos from the day and a small souvenir.
What’s included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Prague.
- air-conditioned vehicle for the small group.
- professional guide in English or Russian.
- light snacks throughout the day including bottled water, fresh fruit, nuts and pastries.
- professional photos taken during the tour.
- a small souvenir gift.
Options for this experience
2 optionsYou pick the guide language when booking.
Before you book
Prices and times updated 10 days ago
Operated by BohemiaGo
Is this one for you?Choose the Standard option if you want to walk through Loket Castle and see the fortress from inside. Pick the Ticket option if you prefer to explore the castle grounds and viewpoints from outside without interior admission, keeping more flexibility and a lower price for a day focused on Karlovy Vary's spa atmosphere and the castle's dramatic exterior setting.
Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English and Russian.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Youth (6 to 16 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.
How long does the tour from Prague to Karlovy Vary and Loket take?
The full day runs 10 to 12 hours from hotel pickup to drop-off, allowing time to move unhurried through both towns and their main attractions without rushing between stops.
What exactly are the thermal springs in Karlovy Vary and can I taste them?
Karlovy Vary's thermal springs emerge naturally from the ground at different temperatures and mineral compositions. You taste mineral water directly from the historic fountains in the colonnades, experiencing firsthand why the town became a spa destination for European royalty and artists.
Is Loket Castle admission included, or do I pay extra?
Castle admission depends on which option you choose at checkout: the Standard option includes it. The Ticket option covers Karlovy Vary attractions only, and you can decide about the castle when you book.
What's included in the tour price?
Hotel pickup and drop-off in Prague, transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, a professional guide in English or Russian, light snacks and bottled water throughout the day, and professional photos from the trip are all included. Lunch is not covered.
What is Grandhotel Pupp and why does the tour visit it?
Grandhotel Pupp is Karlovy Vary's most iconic riverside hotel, famous for its appearance in the James Bond film Casino Royale and as a gathering place for celebrities, world leaders and film crews during the International Film Festival. The tour includes time to walk the elegant riverside and experience the cinematic atmosphere that has made it a landmark of Central European luxury.
Karlovy Vary & Loket tour: Spa town and medieval castle
10h–12h · EN +1 · at your hotel
from US$ 169 per person