Františkovy Lázně – competition with Karlovy Vary - our stay

Tuesday, 03 June 2025 00:00
Written by Portal Editor

Františkovy Lázně - On the way to the South Bohemian Aleš Gallery to the exhibition “Metamorphoses” with works by HR Giger, we had planned an overnight stop, probably the oldest of the Czech seaside resorts.

We had heard too often about the fashionable, once so popular Czech spas, which were visited by emperors and kings to maintain their health, their creativity and for cures and which are still used by many guests today. Accordingly, the public image of such a seaside resort is antiquated, which we wanted to check at least once. After checking into the hotel, we immediately went on a first tour of the city of Františkovy Lázně.

Historical spa facilities of Františkovy Lázně

What's striking immediately after reaching the centre: the cityscape is characterized by ensembles of 19th century buildings, most of which are in Schönbrunner Palace yellow and stucco white, as well as really spacious parks for long walks. The predominant stylistic eras are classicism, the Empire style associated with it and the Belle Époque; you almost feel like you have been transported back to the Danube Monarchy.

The spa district begins in the northern area of the city park at the Stanislaus Spring, where there is a monument in honour of the inventor of the Esperanto language, the Pole Ludwik Lejzer Zamenhof. To the east of it, the Kollárova boulevard with the Mozart, Beethoven and Esplanade bathhouses closes off the city park. What is striking is the large number of guests who visit the various buildings and their springs with their drinking cups in their hands.

The Františkovy Lázně medicinal springs and bathhouses

The other historical spa facilities of Františkovy Lázně extend west and southeast of the Náměsti Míru square with a monumental fountain from 1962, a music pavilion and the New Colonnades with shops that replaced a previous building from 1912. The Františkovy Lázně medicinal springs and bathhouses are spread over a spacious park with centuries-old trees.

To the west are the Lázně bathhouse, which was built in 1828 and expanded several times, as well as the pavilion named after the daughter of Francis II, Marie-Louise of Austria, Louisenquelle (1827), which contains the second oldest spring in Františkovy Lázně, discovered in 1806. Next to it is the cold spring, which was discovered in 1817 and fed into the Louisenquelle.

Women who want to have children should touch the “best piece” of the sculpture

The heart of the spa district is the spa's oldest spring, the Franzensquelle, which is covered with a pavilion with Doric columns (1793). A little south of it are the Glaubersalz springs 3 and 4 (11.5 °C, discovered in 1921, at 52.9 and 92.6 m depth respectively), the Neue Kirchenquelle (14 °C, discovered in 1999, at 63 m depth) and the Neue Quelle (discovered in 1849, at a depth of 40 m).

The symbolic figure of the bath was the statuette of “Franzl” (“František”) with a fish on a ball, created in 1923 by the master potter Karl Mayerl, father of the sculptor Adolf Mayerl, which is considered a symbol of fertility.

Tradition holds that women who want to have children who touch the “best piece” of the sculpture should become pregnant within a year. The original statue, which was replaced by a copy, is kept in the Municipal Museum.

Goethe was often a spa guest in the city Františkovy Lázně

At the eastern end of the Isabellenpromenade, which is lined with classicist villas, are the Salty Spring and the Wiesenquelle, also named Adler's Spring after the doctor Bernhard Adler, who is commemorated by a monument in front of the Wiesenquelle.

A bathhouse from 1880 surrounds the Nátalie, Herkules and Stěpánka springs.

The so-called Imperial Baths, named in 1864 after the most prominent visitor to the spa town, Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria-Hungary, was built on the initiative of the doctor Paul Cartellieri, who created two new springs, Zelezitý and the Cartellieris named after him, on the site of today's spa parks.

On the southern edge of the park there is a viewing tower from 1906 in the form of an artificial castle ruin, the Salingburg, from which you can overlook the spa facilities. At the eastern end of the park is the Goethe monument; Goethe was often a spa guest in the city.

The America local recreation area, named after a pond with this name, in a sparse forest area southwest of the town and spa centre with an amphitheater, sports facilities and other springs (Glauber 1 + 2, Sonnenquelle) offers excursion restaurants, campsites, swimming areas and a zoo.

Some of the ponds in this forest area are part of a nature reserve with breeding grounds for waterfowl and are used for fish farming.

Surroundings of Františkovy Lázně

The Soos nature reserve is located 6 km northeast of the spa, 2200 m long and around 1400 m wide.

It is a peat and mineral meadow bog with gas escaping from Mofetten. The move against Carlsbad, to undermine the idea behind the moor in Soos that Carlsbad had acquired by having the municipality of Franzensbad buy up all the surrounding land and thus prevent access to the moor, also came from the pen of Franzensbad mayor Gustav Loimann.

The Sooser Moor is still owned by the city of Franzensbad today. 10 km northwest, next to the road to Aš, is the natural monument Goethova skalka (Goethe Rocks, 670 m) with picturesque quartz rocks. To the southwest lies the extinct volcano “Kammerbühl”, where Goethe carried out studies.

„Empty stomach“can become a problem

Let's summarize: Anyone who likes spa resorts of this type will certainly get their money's worth, especially since some hotels are equipped with a pool so that you can also have private bathing fun. Booking massages, saunas, etc. at short notice was also no problem.

But, and this has to happen now: It may have been because the main season was over or because all meals take place in the hotels, so it turned out to be a real problem to be able to eat somewhere in the evening. Sometimes everything was already over and the shop closed at 5 p.m., sometimes it had to be booked in advance, sometimes it was just completely closed.

It's a shame, because where do you go with your spa shadow? Well, that wasn't our problem. We were just hungry.

Františkovy Lázně: The charming spa town in the Czech Republic -more details

A real insider tip in the shadow of Karlovy Vary

In the western Czech Republic, near the German border, lies Františkovy Lázně, an idyllic spa town with a nostalgic flair, healing springs, and plenty of peace and quiet. If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of Karlovy Vary and prefer authentic wellness far from mass tourism, this is the place for you. In 2025, Františkovy Lázně will be one of the top destinations for spa and relaxation holidays in Europe.

Why visit Františkovy Lázně in 2025?

Are you looking for a quiet retreat where you can rejuvenate your body and mind? Františkovy Lázně offers:

22 natural healing springs
• Historic spa houses with modern amenities
• Romantic spa parks & walking paths
• More affordable alternatives to Karlovy Vary
• Ideal conditions for a relaxing holiday

Spa history & healing springs

Franzensbad became famous as a medical center as early as the 19th century. The mineral springs are rich in carbon dioxide, iron, and other minerals – ideal for the treatment of:

Cardiovascular diseases
• Gynecological disorders & infertility
• Joint problems & rheumatism
• Exhaustion & stress

The most famous spring is the František Spring – a symbol of the town and a symbol of fertility.

The best spa treatments at a glance

A wide range of treatments await you in Frantiskovy Lázně:

Mineral baths with natural CO₂
• Mud packs for muscle tension
• Gas injections – unique in the Czech Republic
• Drinking cures directly at the springs
• Aromatic massages, lymphatic drainage & more

Sights in Frantiskovy Lázně

In addition to the spa offerings, the town also offers cultural highlights:

František Statue – brings good luck for those trying to conceive
• Spa Colonnades – with drinking fountain & concert stage
• City Museum – insights into spa history
• Smetana Park – perfect oasis for relaxation
• Aqua forum – thermal bath for all ages

Culinary Highlights of the Region

In Frantiskovy Lázně, you can enjoy Bohemian specialties and healthy cuisine:

Svíčková (roast beef) with dumplings
• Koláče – sweet yeast pastry
• Fresh salads & medicinal teas in spa cafés
• Regional wines & beers

Accommodations – from charming to luxurious

Top addresses in Frantiskovy Lazne:

Spa Hotel Pawlik-Aqua forum – right next to the spa
• Hotel Belvedere – classic elegance
• Pension U Dubu – family-friendly & affordable
• Apartments for long-term guests

Activities & Day Trips

Frantinovy Lazne is perfect for:

Cycling and hiking tours (e.g., to Cheb or the Soos Nature Reserve)
Visiting Marienbad and Karlovy Vary
• Strolling through endless spa parks
• Nature observation & photography

Best time to visit

The peak season is between May and October. Then:

Parks in full bloom
• Events & concerts in the colonnade
• Perfect temperatures for spa treatments & walks

Getting there made easy

You can easily reach Frantiskovy Lazne:

By train from Prague in about 2.5 hours
• By car via the E48 or E49
• The nearest airport: Karlovy Vary or Prague

Insider tips for your stay

Try a drinking cure from the public springs
• Book spa treatments early
• A trip to the Soos Nature Reserve is worthwhile!
• Stroll through the spa parks at sunset

Sustainable travel & environmental awareness

Frantinovy Lazne focuses on:

Eco-friendly hotels
• Public drinking fountains instead of plastic bottles
• Bicycle-friendly infrastructure
• Regional organic products

Linguistic & cultural peculiarities

Many people speak German or English. Nevertheless, it's worth learning a few Czech terms:

Dobrý den – Good day
• Děkuji – Thank you
• Na zdraví! – Cheers!

Healthy vacations are booming: Why Františkovy Lázně is trending

The trend in 2025 will continue toward mindfulness, health, and sustainable travel. Františkovy Lázně offers exactly that – without the hustle and bustle, without mass tourism, but with true relaxation for body and soul.

Conclusion

Franiškovy Lázně is not a place for Instagram snapshots or shopping malls. It's a place to breathe deeply, recover, and enjoy. Anyone looking for a genuine break from everyday life will find just that here – in an environment that is welcoming, affordable, and full of charm.