Karlovy Vary is the most famous spa town in the Czech Republic. It was founded around 1350 by the Holy Roman Emperor and Czech king Charles IV.

The city center is situated along the narrow valley of the Tepla River and is overlooked by high green hills. The colonnade and pedestrian zone are lined with breathtaking architecture of spa hotels. The most famous is the Grand Hotel Pupp featured in the movie Last Holiday; another well known hotel is the Hotel Thermal, which hosts the world-famous Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.

Karlovy Vary acquired international fame, thanks to the healing powers of the local mineral springs, of which there are around a hundred, going down to various depths with their temperatures varying from 30 to 73 degrees Celsius.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, the spa town was a popular place of stay for the nobility as well as poets, writers, and musicians.