The Karlovy Vary Region is one of the most castle-rich areas of the Czech Republic. Within 35 km of the city: a Gothic castle on a cliff above a river, a medieval fortress holding a reliquary set with 18-century-old diamonds, and a Baroque-Gothic residence with its own brewery and the room where Karel Čapek once wrote.
All three can be visited on one or two day trips from the resort.
| Castle | Distance from KV | Drive | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loket Castle | 14 km | 20 min | Gothic on a cliff, prison, porcelain |
| Bečov nad Teplou Castle | 25 km | 25 min | Reliquary of St Maurus, Baroque |
| Chyše Castle | 35 km | 35 min | English Gothic, Čapek, brewery |
Distance: 14 km from Karlovy Vary Drive: ~20 minutes
Loket is one of the most beautiful views in the Czech Republic. A medieval Gothic castle on a rocky promontory, surrounded on three sides by a loop of the Ohře River. The town of Loket itself is one of the most picturesque small towns in the country.
History: The castle was founded in the 13th century and expanded through the 14th and 15th. Gothic architecture, a Romanesque chapel, fortifications — the building changed over six centuries. At various times significant prisoners were held here, including King Wenceslaus IV.
Goethe visited Karlovy Vary 13 times and always made the trip to Loket — he wrote poetry and sketches here. The castle and town inspired him throughout his life.
What to see inside:
In summer: jousting tournaments and historical festivals in the castle courtyard.
St Florian Brewery: a few steps from the castle — a small brewery with its own production. The signature dish people travel here specifically for: whole roasted suckling pig on a spit, with crackling skin, traditional side dishes and a live folk programme. This is not just dinner — it is an evening in a medieval spirit that you won’t find in Karlovy Vary itself.
Practical:
Excursions from Karlovy Vary to Loket:
→ Loket: Medieval Fortress (castle ticket paid separately)
→ Loket: Dinner at St Florian Brewery with Roasted Suckling Pig and Folk Programme
Distance: 25 km from Karlovy Vary Drive: ~25 minutes
Bečov Castle is known primarily for what it holds. The Reliquary of St Maurus — a golden reliquary of 12th–13th century goldsmith work of the highest order, set with diamonds some of which are over 18 centuries old. Inside: the relics of four saints — Maurice, John the Baptist, Apollinaris, and Timothy.
In terms of significance, this is the second most important reliquary in the Czech Republic — after the Crown of St Wenceslaus. In terms of craftsmanship, it is one of the outstanding pieces of European medieval jewellery.
History of the castle: Founded in the 13th century. In the 15th century two parts of the complex were joined and a Renaissance guest palace was added. In the 18th century a Baroque castle with an octagonal tower was built. In the 19th century all sections were unified into a single complex.
The reliquary: how it was found. During World War II the reliquary was hidden by Nazi officials. After the war it disappeared without trace — searched for decades. It was discovered only in 1985 — bricked into a wall in a house in West Germany. Since 1991 it has been kept at Bečov Castle under strict security.
What to see:
Practical:
Distance: 35 km from Karlovy Vary towards Prague Drive: ~35 minutes
Chyše Castle is one of the most interesting and least-known castles in the Karlovy Vary Region. The history of this place begins in 1158. Over eight centuries the building was successively a fortified manor, a Gothic castle, a Renaissance palace, a Baroque residence. Its present appearance — 19th-century English Neo-Gothic — is the result of the last major reconstruction.
What makes it special: The Lažanský family owned the castle continuously from the 17th century until the 1945 confiscation. Because of this, the original furnishings and art collections survive intact — an extreme rarity among Czech castles.
The main artistic treasure: a ceiling oil painting from 1699 by Petr Brandl — the greatest master of Czech Baroque. The fresco in the main hall is among the finest examples of Baroque painting in the region.
Karel Čapek at Chyše: In 1917, the celebrated Czech writer Karel Čapek spent time at Chyše — and this is not just a biographical footnote. The castle preserves a dedicated exhibition “Karel Čapek and West Bohemia” — personal belongings, letters, the atmosphere of that period. For lovers of Czech literature, a rare living contact with the era.
Castle brewery: Brewing at Chyše has a tradition going back to 1580. The brewery was built in 1839–1841, closed during communism, and revived in 2006. The castle brews its own beer according to traditional recipes — tasting it on-site in 19th-century surroundings is an experience in itself. Today the historic brewery interiors house a restaurant — a good lunch stop after the tour.
Tour with a descendant of Count Lažanský: Chyše Castle is a rare case where you can experience history not just through interiors and a guide, but through a living person. A descendant of the Lažanský family personally leads tours of the castle — sharing family stories, explaining what stands behind each object in the collection, and finishing with a tasting of the castle’s own beer. An entirely different level of immersion from a standard guided tour.
Practical:
Excursion from Karlovy Vary to Chyše:
→ All excursions from Karlovy Vary
Loket — morning kayaking on the Ohře → lunch in Loket → castle → return to KV. A full active day.
Bečov + Chyše — both southeast of KV. Bečov in the morning (reliquary — 1 hour), lunch at the Chyše brewery, Chyše Castle in the afternoon. Distance between them ~25 km.
Day 1: Loket + kayaking Day 2: Bečov + Chyše
If you’d rather not plan independently — all these routes can be arranged with us. Comfortable transfer, professional guide, everything included.
→ Loket: Medieval Fortress → Loket: Dinner at St Florian Brewery with Suckling Pig and Folk Programme → All excursions from Karlovy Vary
The documentary “Journey Through the Karlovy Vary Region” at City Hub on Lázeňská 14 — 15 minutes, a visual guide to the region including the castles. Screenings every 30 minutes from 10:00 to 19:30.
→ What to see around Karlovy Vary: Full Regional Guide → Active outdoor activities — kayaking and cycling: Read → Dresden from Karlovy Vary: Day Trip Guide → First day in Karlovy Vary: Hour-by-hour route
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