TOP Thermal Springs of the Czech Republic: where to warm up, improve your health, and relax your soul

The thermal waters of the Czech Republic are not just a therapeutic procedure, but a whole philosophy of rest, where time slows down and the body receives what it has needed for so long. To get to the best wellness complexes of the country, choose a comfortable Dnipro - Prague coach — and in just a few hours you will be immersed in healing pools among the Czech Lazne.

What Lazne is and how a medical sanatorium differs from an aqua park

The word "Lazne" in the name of a Czech city is the official status of a resort center. Such status is given to settlements where there are recognized natural healing springs and developed sanatorium infrastructure. That is why Marianske Lazne, Frantiskovy Lazne, and Teplice v Cechach have this "quality mark" in their names. It is important to distinguish three types of establishments:

• Medical sanatorium (lazensky dum / sanatorium) — a medical institution where a doctor prepares an individual program of procedures. People come here for a course from one week and longer.

• Wellness complex / wellness center (wellness centrum) — a combination of thermal pools, saunas, and massage rooms. It can be visited for several hours.

• Public thermal pool (Termalni koupaliste) — the most affordable option for budget rest at thermal springs in the Czech Republic. Entrance costs the same as in a regular aqua park.

The choice of type of establishment depends on the purpose of the trip: if you are looking for a medical result — a sanatorium, if you simply want to rest and relieve tension — wellness or a public pool will be perfectly suitable and will cost significantly cheaper.

Culture of thermal waters: textiles, towels, and rules of behavior

Before going to the best thermal springs of the Czech Republic, it is worth knowing a few important things about local etiquette. In most Czech thermal complexes, the sauna area is strictly textile-free — the so-called Bez plavek mode. Entrance in swimwear is prohibited for hygiene reasons. Instead, guests are given sheets or towels. This is not "for adults" — this is ordinary Central European sauna culture, where hygiene is a priority.

General thermal pools and aqua parks follow the textile mode (Plavky). That is, a swimsuit is mandatory. Also, in most complexes, a rubber swimming cap is required. Tip: Check on the website of the complex before visiting — which area is "Bez plavek" and which is "Plavky". This will help avoid awkward situations.

Karlovy Vary — the capital of hot springs of the Czech Republic

Karlovy Vary is the most famous balneological resort of the country and a real mecca for those looking for the best thermal springs of the Czech Republic. The city stretches in the valley of the Tepla River between the Ore Mountains and the Slavkov Forest, 120 km west of Prague. According to legends, the thermal springs were discovered by King Charles IV himself during hunting in the XIV century. Today there are more than 79 mineral outlets on the surface here, of which 15 are officially recognized as healing.

How to get there and where to stay

From Prague to Karlovy Vary, people travel by bus or train for approximately 2 hours. If you are traveling from Ukraine — use the routes from KLR Bus Kyiv — Prague or the route Lviv — Prague. Directly from the bus station of Karlovy Vary, it takes 15-20 minutes on foot to reach the center of the resort area.

Hotels in Karlovy Vary range from budget guesthouses (from 50 €/night) to luxurious 5* spa hotels (from 200 €/night). Directly near the thermal complex Saunia is located Star Hotel — a convenient option for vacationers.

Thermal Resort Saunia — prices and schedule

The largest thermal complex of the city is the five-story Saunia in the heart of the resort area (address: Ivana Petrovice Pavlova 2001/11, Karlovy Vary). Here there is a unique pool with 110,000 liters of 100% natural thermal water (38°C), a sauna area (Finnish, salt, tropical, herbal), an ice pool, and rest areas.

• Adult tickets: for 3 hours — 649 CZK (~27 €), all-day — 899 CZK (~37 €);

• Children’s ticket (up to 15 years): for 3 hours — 449 CZK (~19 €), all-day — 599 CZK (~25 €).

Working hours: daily, all year round. In winter, swimming in an outdoor pool with 38°C in the fresh air is a special pleasure, which makes Czech thermal springs in winter especially attractive.

Colonnades and drinking therapy — free of charge

Visiting drinking springs in Karlovy Vary is free of charge — they are scattered across all five colonnades of the city: Castle, Vridlo, Garden, Mill, and Market. The water here has a temperature from +39°C to +72°C, so it should be drunk slowly — from a traditional resort mug.

Life hack: Do not try on the first day to drink "as much as recommended". The stomach adapts gradually. Start with small sips — and your body will thank you.

To get to know Prague better before traveling to Karlovy Vary, read the guide from KLR Bus — where to go for a tourist in Prague - 5 interesting places worth visiting.

Teplice — the oldest thermal resort of the Czech Republic

The city of Teplice, the name of which literally translates as "hot", is one of the oldest balneological centers in Europe. The first written mention of the healing springs dates back to the XII century. It was here that Swedish King Gustav IV and Prussian monarch Frederick William III received treatment.

The main spring — Pravridlo — is the oldest and hottest in the Czech Republic: the temperature is about +41°C, the depth of occurrence is more than 2000 m. The water is rich in minerals and microelements of the volcanic massif, the formation of which lasted approximately 18,000 years. The composition of the spring prevents osteoporosis, improves joint mobility and overall well-being.

Thermalium — a modern spa center in Teplice

Thermalium (address: Lazensky sad 2, Teplice) is a modern wellness center opened in 2019 in the building of the Beethoven Spa House. The complex offers large and small pools with natural thermal water from the Pravridlo spring, several types of saunas (Finnish, tropical, bio sauna), as well as a Kneipp path.

• Address: Lazensky sad 2, Teplice (entrance through Beethoven Spa House, 1st floor);

• Schedule: approximately 08:00–21:00 (check on the website);

• Resort fee: Mistni poplatek: ~21 CZK (~0.8 €)/day, from 18 years old;

• Parking: Roosevelt Street or near Fontana / Galerie shopping center;

• How to get there: car or bus from Prague (~87 km, 1.5 hours).

Marianske Lazne and Frantiskovy Lazne — budget thermal springs of the Czech Republic

Marianske Lazne and Frantiskovy Lazne, together with Karlovy Vary, form the "Bohemian Balneological Triangle" — one of the most significant resort areas of Central Europe, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

In Marianske Lazne there are more than 40 mineral springs, most of which are cold carbonated ones. The resort specializes in the treatment of kidneys, urinary tract, and the musculoskeletal system. Goethe, Chopin, Edward VII, and Mark Twain rested here.

Frantiskovy Lazne is the smallest and coziest city of the triangle. Springs with ferro-mineral water are indicated for heart diseases and gynecological disorders. This is an ideal place for calm wellness rest.

Both cities are located 30–50 minutes by car from Karlovy Vary. You can get there by local bus or taxi. Learn more about public transport of the Czech Republic to navigate the routes.

Jachymov — radon springs near Karlovy Vary

Jachymov is located 20 km from Karlovy Vary and is the largest center of radon balneotherapy in the world. Here in 1898 Marie Curie discovered radium, and already in the XX century, local water became the basis of therapeutic procedures.

Aquatic Center Agricola (water center next to the spa bus stop) offers thermal pools and therapeutic baths. Radon therapy here takes place under medical supervision and is absolutely safe. Exact prices for services are formed dynamically, and current data are available in the booking system or on the website.

If you plan to visit the springs in 2026, it is worth focusing on the following cost

• adult: 350-360 CZK for 2 hours.

• children’s and/or discounted: 260-250 CZK for 2 hours.

Jachymov is an ideal stop for half a day if you are already going to Karlovy Vary. A small town, the atmosphere of a real medical resort without tourist bustle, and prices more pleasant than at the neighboring resort.

Life hacks for budget rest at thermal springs

Do you think thermal resorts are expensive? In fact, everything depends on how you approach planning. A few proven tricks — and rest will cost significantly cheaper than you expected.

• Buy evening tickets (2–3 hours before closing) — they are significantly cheaper, and there are fewer people.

• A family ticket (Rodinne vstupne) saves 20–30% for couples with children.

• Compare prices on the websites of complexes: in Karlovy Vary, entrance to the thermal pool + sauna is together 649 CZK for 3 hours, but there are also cheaper public baths.

• Stay for a weekend in Marianske or Frantiskovy Lazne — there the prices for accommodation and rest are noticeably lower than in Karlovy Vary.

• To taste mineral water from the colonnades in Karlovy Vary free of charge is already a good wellness ritual. Buy a resort mug (from 80 CZK) and enjoy.

By the way: before traveling to the Czech Republic, get acquainted with local gastronomy — our guide to Czech cuisine will tell you what is worth tasting after bathing.

Medical contraindications: who should be careful

Czech thermal waters are a powerful natural remedy, but not for everyone. Before visiting, consult a doctor if you have:

• acute inflammatory and infectious diseases (fever, acute colds)

• cardiovascular insufficiency or a recent heart attack/stroke

• malignant neoplasms

• pregnancy (first trimester or complicated pregnancy)

• tuberculosis in the active phase

• severe kidney diseases

Prolonged stay in hot water (more than 20 minutes in a row) can cause dizziness even in healthy people. Take breaks, drink regular water, and cool down in a cool pool.

Resort fee (Mistni poplatek): what you need to know

In resort cities of the Czech Republic, a local fee is charged from guests — Mistni poplatek. It is paid directly at the hotel for each day of stay. The amount of the fee varies depending on the city: in Teplice it is approximately 21 CZK (~0.8 €) per day for persons from 18 years old. In Karlovy Vary — within 15–50 CZK, depending on the class of the hotel. This money goes to support the resort infrastructure.

Conclusion: plan a trip to thermal resorts already today

Geothermal springs of the Czech Republic are a unique combination of natural power, centuries-old traditions, and modern comfort. From the noisy colonnades of Karlovy Vary to the quiet sanatoriums of Teplice and romantic Marianske Lazne — everyone will find their own rhythm of wellness here. Czech thermal springs in winter are especially attractive: immersion in 38-degree water under snowfall is an experience that remains in memory forever.

Do not postpone — buy a ticket for the KLR Bus coach and go to the Czech thermal waters. Regular routes from Kyiv, Lviv, Kharkiv, and other cities of Ukraine will make the journey as convenient as possible. Your body has long deserved such rest.