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How to Get to the Church of St. Peter and Paul in Karlovy Vary: 2 Scenic Walking Routes from the City Center
Church of St. Peter and Paul is one of the most distinctive landmarks of Karlovy Vary. Its golden domes are visible from many parts of the city, yet many visitors still ask: how do you actually walk there from the center, and which route is the most interesting?
Below are two easy and scenic walking routes, both beautiful but very different in atmosphere.
The best option is to go one way and return the other, discovering Karlovy Vary from two perspectives.
Route 1: Via Castle Tower and the Westend District
Starting point: Market Colonnade
From the Market Colonnade, head uphill along Zámecký vrch.
If you prefer not to walk uphill, you can take the elevator to the Castle Tower, located just behind the colonnade.
From there:
- walk straight ahead for about 10 minutes
- on your left you’ll pass the Anglican Church
- on your right are elegant villas and hotels of the Westend area
This district reflects the refined spa atmosphere of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when Karlovy Vary attracted aristocrats, artists, and wealthy visitors.
After a few minutes, you’ll spot golden domes on your right — turn there, and you’ve arrived.
Route 2: Along Sadová Street — a Walk Through History
Starting point: Park Colonnade
From the Park Colonnade, walk uphill along Sadová Street, one of the most elegant and historically rich streets in Karlovy Vary.
More than a century ago:
- spa doctors lived here
- distinguished guests stayed nearby
- an international and intellectual atmosphere shaped this part of the city
Today, Sadová Street remains calm, refined, and largely free from tourist crowds — a perfect route for a thoughtful walk.
Houses with Stories: Look for the Plaques
As you walk, pay attention to the façades.
You’ll notice commemorative plaques marking where notable figures once lived or worked.
Among them:
- Leoš Janáček — one of the most important Czech composers, who visited Karlovy Vary for spa treatment
- Karel Nejděl — a local historian who devoted his life to documenting the city’s past
These plaques quietly remind visitors that Karlovy Vary was not just a spa town, but a meeting place for musicians, scholars, doctors, and thinkers from across Europe.
Halfway Point: The Site of the Former Synagogue
About halfway along Sadová Street, on the left side, you’ll come across an open space with a memorial marker.
This is the site where the main synagogue of Karlovy Vary once stood, completely destroyed during Kristallnacht in November 1938.
Today, the space is intentionally left empty —
a silent reminder of the tragedy, the lost community, and the darker chapters of the city’s history.
This moment adds depth and contrast to the walk, revealing how layered and complex Karlovy Vary’s past truly is.
Final Stretch
From here, it’s just a few more minutes uphill, and the golden domes of the Church of St. Peter and Paul come into view.
Against the predominantly European architectural backdrop of Karlovy Vary, the church immediately stands out:
- Russian-Byzantine style
- rich decorative details
- bright golden domes
- and still an active Orthodox church today
A Symbol of International Karlovy Vary
The Church of St. Peter and Paul is more than a landmark.
It reflects the city’s long history as an international spa destination, where cultures, languages, religions, and traditions intersected.
Standing here, it becomes especially clear how multicultural and layered the history of Karlovy Vary truly is.
A Helpful Tip for Visitors
Walk to the church via Sadová Street
and return via the Castle Tower route —
this way you’ll experience Karlovy Vary from two very different sides.
Which route would you choose?
Via the Castle Tower or along Sadová Street?
Watch the video overview on our Instagram
