Last updated: 11 Jan 2011

Public Transit in Karlovy Vary

www.dpkv.cz

All local bus routes meet at “Tržnice” (The Market Hall)
Tickets:
Non-transferable: 18 CZK (valid for one ride)
Transfer: 25 CZK (valid for 60 minutes)
Non-transferable tickets are sold in kiosks; transfer tickets are available from the driver. To buy your ticket from the ticket vending machine, please press the fare you require and then pay the amount in coins.
Unless you are a transit pass holder, always enter by the front door to buy your ticket or to validate the ticket at the punching machine beside the driver.

Please notice some of the differences from Prague Public Transit System, www.dpp.cz , where tickets are:
Short-term: 24 CZK (valid for 30 minutes in metro, on bus and tram in any combination)
Basic: 32 CZK (valid for 90 minutes in metro, on bus and tram in any combination)
When purchasing a ticket at the ticket vending machine, first of all press the fare you desire (press it as many times as many tickets you need) and then throw the required amount in, it gives you change back.
You can get on buses or trams by any door, don’t forget to validate your ticket at the closest punching machine.

Shopping in Karlovy Vary

To buy groceries:
Billa Supermarket on TG Masaryka (Avenue), on the other side of McDonald’s
Albert Supermarket at “Tržnice” (The Market Hall, there is also a buffet serving most of the traditional Czech main dishes)

Shopping Malls in Karlovy Vary

Varyada, www.varyada.cz, Kpt Jaroše (Avenue) in Karlovy Vary-Dvory, Hypermarket Interspar, the last stop of No.2 bus, it takes 12 minutes from “Tržnice” city bus junction 
Fontána, www.oc-fontana.cz, Chebská (Road), Hypermarket Tesco, usually the last stop of No.22 bus called “Tesco”, a 15 minute ride from “Tržnice”

Restaurants and fast food places in Karlovy Vary

There is no problem to choose from in the area of TG Masaryka, Bulharská, Zeyerova and Moskevská (Streets). These places are visited also by locals in contrary to the fancy restaurants around the colonnades towards Grand hotel Pupp. If you feel like having a cup of coffee or tea and spa wafers, go to Café Kolonáda, www.cafe-kolonada.cz. You´ll find it at I.P. Pavlova 15, just past the bridge heading from the fountain in front of the the main post office towards Hotel Thermal.

Swimming in Karlovy Vary

Elisabeth Spa or Spa 5, www.spa5.cz, a 25–meter indoor swimming pool, whirlpool, sauna, spa treatment procedures available upon request. The pool entrance is from Bulharská (Street), the opposite side of the main entrance which is facing Smetana Gardens. It is well maintained, an excellent place to relax in. Admission price is 100 CZK for 90 minutes including sauna and steam room.

Thermal Pool, www.thermal.cz, a 50-meter outdoor swimming pool, water temperature could be over 30 Degrees Celsius in winter, an unforgettable experience while swimming and snowflakes are falling down on you. The downside of this facility is its very long hallway so it takes some time before you reach the pool from your changing room. The pool entrance is above Hotel Thermal, get ready to climb up. Admission price is 90 CZK per hour or 160 CZK for a 2-hour package of pool and sauna.

Cinemas in Karlovy Vary

Kino Čas, www.kinocaskv.cz, you find it at the bottom of TG Masaryka (Avenue) near the main post office

Kino Panasonic, www.kinopanasonic.cz, located at Vítězná 50 (Street) in Karlovy Vary- Drahovice, about a 10 minute walk from the previous movie theater, a part of this art-house cinema is a cozy coffee bar (with beer on tap, of course). Let’s say it is a local version of very popular “Kino Aero” in Žižkov, Prague

Live Music in Karlovy Vary

Klub Paderewski, www.husovka.info, located at Husovo náměstí 2, just off Divadelní (Street), offers live concerts of various music bands. The entrance to the club is on the side of  the Divadlo (Theather) Husovka Building.

Museums in Karlovy Vary

Moser Glass Museum, www.moser-glass.com, to be found at Kpt Jaroše 19, beside Varyada Shopping Mall in Karlovy Vary-Dvory, admission 80 CZK, the last stop of No.2 bus (12 minutes from the center)

Jan Becher Museum, at TG Masaryka 57, www.jan-becher.com, for anyone who is interested to learn about history of the so called 13th curative spring, the herbal liqueur “Becherovka”, admission 100 CZK

Karlovy Vary Museum, located at Nová Louka 23,  www.kvmuz.cz, exhibits on history of Karlovy Vary Region including its glass & porcelain production, admission 60 CZK

Public Skating and Playgrounds in Karlovy Vary

Ice skating rink for the public in KV Arena, www.kvarena.cz, Západní 1812/73, admission 30 CZK per 90 minutes. Usually open for 90 minutes a day, check the schedule before you go. Skate rentals not available

Rolava Park Leisure Centre, www.koupaliste-rolava.cz/cs/, offers a swimming pond in summer, an inline skating trail (1250 meters), a climbing wall, Petangue and a buffet with restrooms. It is located at Čankovská and U Koupaliště Street in Karlovy Vary - Rybáře

Meander of the Ohře River, at Západní and Plynárenská street, is another option for inline skating (a 930 meters long trail) while this huge playground offers many attractions for children

This sandy playground bordered by a wooden structure is very impressive. To be found in Karlovy Vary - Tuhnice. The No.204 bike route towards Svatoš Rocks and Loket goes just beside it.

Walking Tips in Karlovy Vary

Apart from Diana Lookout Tower which is reachable effortlessly by riding a funicular railway, you can take a walking trail to Goethe´s Lookout. Built in 1889, it sits at the elevation of 638 meters above sea level (that is 91 meters higher than Diana). A yellow marked trail to Goethe´s Lookout Tower runs for about 3,5 kilometers from the Hot Spring Colonnade (you´ll find it behind St Mary Magdalene´s Church). The only flaw of this walk is  the view tower´s closure. You can´t buy anything there so don´t forget to bring some refreshments.

Info Center in Karlovy Vary

Three Tourist offices in Karlovy Vary, www.karlovy-vary.cz, the first one is located at Mlýnské nábřeží 5 (Spa 3), the other two at the Lower Station Bus & Train Terminal, Západní 2A (Street) and at Elisabeth Spa (Spa 5), Smetanovy sady 1145/1

Internet Access in Karlovy Vary

Moonstorm Internet & Game Club, www.moonstorm.cz, TG Masaryka 31, Price: 48 CZK per hour, open daily 9 am-9 pm

Student Agency, www.studentagency.cz, TG Masaryka 43, Price: 30 CZK per 30 minutes, 40 CZK per hour, Mo-Fri 9 am- 6 pm, free for passengers of Karlovy Vary-Prague bus line from 90 minutes to 30 minutes before departure. The company also runs an Internet Cafe at Florenc Bus Station in Prague, open daily.

Kino Panasonic, www.kinopanasonic.cz, see Cinemas section, 15 CZK per 15 minutes, open daily 11 am- 11 pm

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