Preparing for Church of St Mary Magdalene underground tours

Booking your tour in advance is highly recommended. These tours are popular and have limited group sizes. You can usually find tickets at the church entrance or the local information center. The official tourism portal provides updated seasonal schedules.

The underground environment is unique and chilly. Even in summer, the temperature in the crypt remains low. Wear a light jacket and comfortable walking shoes. The stone floors can be uneven and damp in some areas.

Understanding the history of the church adds value to your visit. It was built between 1733 and 1736. The architect, Kilian Ignaz Dientzenhofer, was a master of the Baroque style. The underground section served as a foundation and a burial site.

10 Must-See Sights Near the St Mary Magdalene Church Crypt

To make the most of your trip, visit these top-rated locations. Most are within walking distance of the church. Here are the best spots for your 2026 itinerary:

• Best overall: St. Mary Magdalene Church Crypt
• Best for families: Diana Observation Tower
• Best rainy-day: Jan Becher Museum
• Best free: Mill Colonnade

1. Name: St. Mary Magdalene Church Crypt Type: Experience Why go: See unique mineral crusts and an ossuary with human remains. Best for: History enthusiasts. Where: Directly beneath the main altar. Time: 45 minutes. Cost: 100-150 CZK. Getting there: Walk to the center of the spa zone. Tip: Look for the "Vřídlo" mineral formations on the walls.
2. Name: The Baroque Main Altar Type: Sight Why go: Admire the stunning 18th-century artwork and sculptures inside the church. Best for: Art lovers. Where: Inside the upper church. Time: 20 minutes. Cost: Free (donations welcome). Getting there: Enter through the main church doors. Tip: Visit during a scheduled organ concert for a better experience.
3. Name: Vřídelní Colonnade (Sprudel) Type: Sight Why go: See the city's most powerful hot spring shooting 12 meters high. Best for: Everyone. Where: Opposite the church. Time: 30 minutes. Cost: Free. Getting there: It is a 1-minute walk from the church. Tip: Try the water from the different temperature taps inside.
4. Name: Market Colonnade Type: Sight Why go: View the intricate white wooden carvings of this Swiss-style structure. Best for: Photographers. Where: Market Colonnade is just down the street. Time: 15 minutes. Cost: Free. Getting there: Walk 200 meters from the church. Tip: Find the relief depicting the legend of the city's founding.
5. Name: Mill Colonnade Type: Sight Why go: Walk through the largest and most famous colonnade in the city. Best for: Architecture fans. Where: Mill Colonnade along the river. Time: 30 minutes. Cost: Free. Getting there: A 5-minute walk along the Teplá River. Tip: Count the 12 statues representing the months of the year.
6. Name: Diana Observation Tower Type: Viewpoint Why go: Get the best panoramic views of the entire valley and surrounding forests. Best for: Families and hikers. Where: On the hill above the Grandhotel Pupp. Time: 1-2 hours. Cost: Tower is free; funicular has a fee. Getting there: Take the funicular from Mariánská Lane. Tip: Visit the butterfly house located right next to the tower.
7. Name: Jan Becher Museum Type: Museum Why go: Learn the secret history of Becherovka, the famous Czech herbal liqueur. Best for: Adults. Where: Near the main bus station. Time: 1.5 hours. Cost: 200-300 CZK. Getting there: Take bus 1 or 13 from the center. Tip: The tour includes a tasting session at the end.
8. Name: Moser Glassworks Museum Type: Museum Why go: Watch master glassblowers create world-famous crystal pieces. Best for: Craft enthusiasts. Where: Kpt. Jaroše street. Time: 2 hours. Cost: 150-300 CZK. Getting there: Take bus 1, 2, or 22 to the Sklářská stop. Tip: Book the glassworks factory tour separately from the museum.
9. Name: Loket Castle Type: Day trip Why go: Explore a massive 12th-century stone castle overlooking a winding river. Best for: Day trippers. Where: 12 km from Karlovy Vary. Time: 4-5 hours. Cost: 150-200 CZK. Getting there: Take a 20-minute bus or train ride. Tip: Visit the torture exhibition in the castle basement if you are brave.
10. Name: Svatoš Rocks Type: Nature Why go: See unique granite rock formations shaped like a petrified wedding procession. Best for: Nature lovers. Where: In the Ohře River valley. Time: 3 hours. Cost: Free. Getting there: Cycle or walk along the river path from the city. Tip: There is a lovely riverside restaurant for a lunch break.

Practical Advice for Your Karlovy Vary Adventure

Karlovy Vary is part of the UNESCO World Heritage list. This means the city is well-preserved but can get crowded. Visit early in the morning to enjoy the colonnades without the masses. Weekdays are generally quieter than weekends.

Public transport is efficient and easy to use. Most of the spa area is pedestrian-only. You will do a lot of walking, so bring comfortable shoes. Local buses connect the train station to the spa center quickly.

For a smooth trip, carry some local currency (Czech Koruna). While many places accept cards, small shops and kiosks might not. Checking the Visit Czechia site can help with current travel regulations. Always verify tour times locally as they can change for church services.