Karlovy Vary, named after Charles IV, King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor, was founded in the 14th century following the discovery of its thermal springs, which Charles IV believed had healing properties. The town developed as a spa destination over the following centuries, attracting visitors from across Europe. By the 18th and 19th centuries, it became a favoured retreat for aristocrats, writers, and musicians, particularly during the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Its reputation was built around the therapeutic use of mineral waters sourced from dozens of springs, which continue to define its public spaces and infrastructure.

The walking tour covers the city’s colonnades—prominent covered walkways built to access the springs—including the Mill, Market, and Park Colonnades. The town’s layout features Baroque and Art Nouveau buildings, many constructed during the spa town’s peak in the 19th century. Visitors are shown the spring fountains, traditional porcelain spa cups used to drink the mineral water, and monuments dedicated to notable historical visitors. The tour also reflects on the town’s role in Czech national history, its integration into Czechoslovakia, and its preservation efforts since becoming part of the modern Czech Republic.