The West Bohemian spa triangle: Plzeň to Karlovy Vary
Beer town Plzeň, the colonnades of Mariánské Lázně and Karlovy Vary, the imperial castle at Cheb and the rock castle of Loket.
- Distance
- 261 km (162 mi)
- Driving
- 3 h 36 min
- Suggested days
- 4
- Stops
- 9
- Countries
- Czechia
- Updated
- July 21, 2026
At a glance: 4-day road trip of about 261 km (162 mi) with 9 stops, from Prague to Karlovy Vary. About 3 h 36 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Czechia · More road trips from Prague
Route description
Take the D5 motorway west from Prague to Plzeň, about 95 km; Czech motorways need an electronic vignette, bought online before you drive. Plzeň is the home of Pilsner lager, and the brewery tours and the underground passages beneath the old town are the main draws besides St Bartholomew’s Cathedral, whose tower you can climb for a view over the square.
From Plzeň, main roads lead west to Mariánské Lázně, around 75 km. The spa town is laid out around a park with a cast-iron colonnade and a singing fountain that plays music several times a day in season. A short drive north brings you to Kynžvart Château, Metternich’s summer house, before you continue west to Cheb and its Romanesque castle near the German border.
From Cheb, route 6 runs east towards Karlovy Vary. Stop at Loket, a small town wrapped in a loop of the Ohře under its Gothic castle, then carry on to Karlovy Vary, about 15 km further. The spa quarter along the Teplá river is pedestrian; walk from colonnade to colonnade and taste the hot springs from a spa cup, then return to Prague on route 6, about 130 km.
This is an easy trip for motorhomes on good main roads, but the spa centres are narrow and busy, with limited parking. Use the large car parks on the edge of each town and walk in. The region is pleasant year-round; spa colonnades and cafés stay open in winter, while the castles mostly close from November to March or open only at weekends.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Prague
Czechia - 2106 km
Plzeň
Czechia - 31 km
St Bartholomew’s Cathedral
HistoryPlzeň, CzechiaA Gothic cathedral in the middle of Plzeň’s main square whose tower, at over 100 metres, is the tallest church tower in the country. Climb the tower stairs for views; park in the garages around the old town.
- 468 km
Mariánské Lázně
Czechia - 59 km
Kynžvart Château
HistoryLázně Kynžvart, CzechiaThe classicist summer residence of Chancellor Metternich, set in a large landscape park a short drive from Mariánské Lázně. Guided tours show his library and an old cabinet of curiosities; tours run mainly from spring to autumn.
- 625 km
Cheb Castle
HistoryCheb, CzechiaA Romanesque imperial castle of the Staufer emperors above the Ohře, with the square Black Tower and a rare two-storey chapel. It sits at the edge of Cheb’s old town, a short walk from the market square.
- 737 km
Loket Castle
HistoryLoket, CzechiaA Gothic castle on a rock almost enclosed by a tight loop of the Ohře river, above a small old town. Park on the edge of town and walk in; it is a 15-minute drive from Karlovy Vary.
- 813 km
Mill Colonnade
HistoryKarlovy Vary, CzechiaJosef Zítek’s long neo-Renaissance colonnade shelters several of the hot springs of Karlovy Vary. Bring or buy a spa cup and taste the warm mineral water; the spa centre is pedestrian, so use the car parks by the river.
- 91 km
Karlovy Vary
Czechia
Suggested stages and overnight stops
4 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Prague → Plzeň · 106 km · 1 h 28 minOvernight nearby, for example: Diana Autokemp Ejpovice (10 km); Autokemp Radost (18 km).
- Day 2: Plzeň → St Bartholomew’s Cathedral · 1 km · 0 h 01 minOvernight nearby, for example: Diana Autokemp Ejpovice (10 km); Autokemp Radost (18 km).
- Day 3: St Bartholomew’s Cathedral → Kynžvart Château · 77 km · 1 h 04 minOn the way: Mariánské Lázně.Overnight nearby, for example: Reisemobilhafen Sibyllenbad (14 km); Autokemp Dřenice (15 km).
- Day 4: Kynžvart Château → Karlovy Vary · 76 km · 1 h 03 minOn the way: Cheb Castle, Loket Castle, Mill Colonnade.Overnight nearby, for example: Stellplatz Hipodrom Holoubek (3 km); Stellplatz Hipodrom Holoubek (3 km).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May. Cold, short days in December–March. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Practical notes for the road
- Czechia: Vignette needed for motorways. Buy the e-vignette online before you drive on motorways. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
FAQs
How long is The West Bohemian spa triangle: Plzeň to Karlovy Vary?
4-day road trip of about 261 km (162 mi) with 9 stops, from Prague to Karlovy Vary. About 3 h 36 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for The West Bohemian spa triangle: Plzeň to Karlovy Vary?
We suggest 4 days: about 3 h 36 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does The West Bohemian spa triangle: Plzeň to Karlovy Vary start and end?
It starts in Prague and ends in Karlovy Vary.
Which countries does The West Bohemian spa triangle: Plzeň to Karlovy Vary pass through?
Czechia.
Where can you camp along The West Bohemian spa triangle: Plzeň to Karlovy Vary?
OpenStreetMap lists 96 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Caravan Park Yacht Club Císarská Louka, HG Sport, s.r.o. and Camp Slivenec.
When is the best time for The West Bohemian spa triangle: Plzeň to Karlovy Vary?
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
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