Marienbad

It is hard to believe that more than 200 years ago Marienbad (in Czech Mariánské Lázně) was nothing more than an uninhabited swamp surrounded by tangled forests. Today it is an elegant spa resort, one of the most renowned in the Czech Republic, visited over the centuries by artists, politicians, kings and princes.

Marienbad’s thermal waters are famous for their healing properties, but today they are also used for wellness and relaxation treatments. Whether you drink directly from the springs or take a dip in the pool, the waters of Marienbad will bring you back to life.

You can combine spa and beauty treatments with wonderful walks and other sporting activities in the nearby parks and forests, attend a classical music concert or indulge in total laziness, simply admiring the timeless beauty of this town.

Spa treatments

There are more than 100 natural thermal springs in and around Marienbad, 40 of which are within the city limits. Six springs are mainly used for curative purposes: Cross Spring, Carolina Spring, Rudolf Spring, Ambrose Spring, Ferdinand Spring and Forest Spring.

Many springs are protected and embellished by colonnades and pavilions built over the centuries, which help to give Marienbad the typical atmosphere of an elegant spa town; others are still immersed in an unspoilt natural setting.

The curative waters of Marienbad are cold, with a temperature generally between 7 and 10 degrees Celsius. They are effective in the treatment of diseases of the kidneys, urinary tract, nervous system, digestive system and also benefit the skin, respiratory tract and musculoskeletal system.

Some springs are accessible free of charge, such as the famous Croce spring or the Carolina spring, but if you want to drink these waters for therapeutic purposes, it is best to follow medical advice.

Thermal pools

If you are not sick good for you, but you can still benefit from the waters of Marienbad. Many hotels in Marienbad are equipped with a swimming pool, beauty centre and spa where you can choose from a wide variety of beauty treatments and massages.

Things to do in Marienbad

Marienbad is a true gem, elegant and refined, and it is really pleasant to stroll around the city admiring stately homes and other picturesque buildings.

One of the town’s wonders is the Baroque colonnade, almost a symbol of European spa towns in their heyday. It was built at the end of the 19th century by a local builder, Johann Koenig, according to the design of two Viennese architects, and restored between 1973 and 1981 as part of a remodelling of the pedestrian area between the Cross Spring and the Carolina Spring.

Another famous attraction in Marienbad is the Singing Fountain, which will leave you speechless with its artistic effects of splashing, light and sound created by architect Pavel Mišík. During the tourist season, from the end of April to the beginning of November, every day tourists can enjoy the free show of the singing fountain, which comes to life to the sound of music. In the evening hours, the show is made even more impressive by the play of light.

There is also a town museum, housed in an elegant 19th century building, which will give you a clear idea of what Marienbad was like at that time.

Walking and sport

For your well-being, you can combine curative or beauty treatments with relaxing walks in the city’s elegant parks and gardens or in the beautiful forests surrounding the city.

Signposted city trails will take you retracing the steps of famous writers, kings and princes such as Goethe, Metternich, Frederick Augustus II of Saxony and Edward VII of England, while at the Boheminium Park you can walk alongside the most important monuments of the Czech Republic, meticulously reproduced on a 1:25 scale.

There are numerous opportunities for sporting activities: Marienbad and its surroundings offer a variety of cycling routes, swimming pools, tennis courts, golf courses, ski slopes and other facilities for both summer and winter sports.

How to get to Marienbad from Prague

Marienbad is located in the Karlovy Vary region, about 170 km from Prague. It takes about two hours by car and about three hours by train or bus to reach Marienbad from Prague.

Marienbad Weather