family travel guide
Marianske Lazne (or Marienbad) is one of the famous European balneotherapeutic spas. In the 19th century, an uninhabited marshy area where about a hundred healing springs were found was transformed into the spa town of Marienbad.
The old town has still retained its charm: the silhouettes of its roofs seem to echo the shapes of fir trees against the sky, and the bright colours of its facades add colour on cloudy days.
Marianske Lazne, a picturesque spa town nestled in the heart of the Czech Republic, is not just a haven for wellness enthusiasts and relaxation seekers; it's also an ideal destination for families looking to create unforgettable memories with their children. It was once a place where members of royal families used to improve their health, and now it is a popular place for family holidays. Some medical centres in Mariánské Lázně specialise in the treatment of children's diseases.
However, the town is famous not only for its mineral springs and sanatoria. What else can make a holiday with children in Mariánské Lázně enjoyable? Read Kidpassage's review.
The town of Marianske Lazne is located in a beautiful valley in West Bohemia, on the edge of the Slavkov Forest. The area is about 52 sq. km, and no more than 15 thousand people live here (holidaymakers at the resort are much more).
The distance from Marianske Lazne to Prague is 170 km, to Karlovy Vary — 50 km, to Cheb — 31 km, and to Pilsen — 76 km.
Mineral springs in the area where Marianske Lazne is located were known already in the XIII century. However, their healing properties were scientifically evaluated only at the end of the XVIII century. In 1805, the first "Spa House" — the name of sanatoria in the Czech Republic — appeared on the forest's edge.
A few years later, the new town was named Mariánské Lázně. The new spa was built for centuries: architects Václav Skalník and Jiří Fischer designed a respectable town with Empire and Baroque buildings, drinking colonnades, parks and fountains.
All of this has been preserved today, with the only difference being that the infrastructure and medical facilities of the twenty-first century have supplemented the luxury of the nineteenth century.
In 2021, Marianske Lazne, along with 10 other European spa cities, earned the esteemed title of UNESCO World Heritage, a testament to its enduring significance.
Family holidays in Marianske Lazne have a definite reason: it is a specialised, time-tested children's resort. That may be enough — but it is so interesting to learn more details.
Travelling to Marianske Lazne is akin to travelling back to the 19th century: here, the health resorts and hotels look more like palaces, and the parks look like palace parks. This luxury, however, does not prevent you from finding inexpensive holiday options in the resort without compromising on quality.
Marianske Lazne is most often visited for treatment. The spa centres here have a long-standing reputation, and if you or your child need to improve your health, you will be offered one of the treatment programmes here.
But you don't have to go for procedures to get healthy at the resort — sometimes a lot of walking is enough.
The Slavkovský forest saturates the air with phytoncides, a proven means of preventing respiratory diseases. Some hiking trails through the woods are specially designed for walking with an infant.
The entertainment programme in Marianske Lazne for children is not particularly rich — the resort does not offer as much entertainment as in big cities.
However, in a small town, you can relax with your child from everyday life's noise and the hustle and bustle. When the blissful silence gets you tired, you can go to Karlovy Vary, Cheb or Plzeň: this will provide entertainment and an excursion programme.
When it comes to experiencing the very best that Marianske Lazne has to offer, there's no time quite like the high season. Tourists come to Mariánské Lázně all year round — in any case, hotels and health resorts are open no matter what month is on the calendar. But, there are some periods when it is best to come to the spa. One of them lasts from April to October. You'll revel in pleasant temperatures, clear skies, and the lush beauty of the surrounding landscape. At this time, it is more pleasant to take health-improving walks than in damp winter weather; besides, only in April-October, you will have access to all mineral springs.
In addition, there is a greater desire to go on excursions or go for a little hike in the woods in the warmer months. It is advisable to come to Marianske Lazne in summer or early autumn with an infant.
We advise you to look for accommodation in advance because, in summer, it is challenging to find a free room or apartment in the resort.
Winter holiday in Marianske Lazne offers a unique blend of natural beauty, wellness, adventure, and cultural experiences. It's a season that brings a touch of magic to this charming spa town, making it an ideal destination for those seeking a memorable winter escape.
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/marianskelazne.cz
If a holiday with a child is planned for winter, you should not expect boredom. There are ski slopes and cross-country skiing routes near the resort, and children's clubs always have something interesting to do. The weather is not very suitable for walking, but it does not interfere with sightseeing.
To help you orientate when it is best to go to Marianske Lazne, we offer a short overview of the weather by month.
The climate of Marianske Lazne is a gift for those who like neither hot summers nor cold winters. The resort lies in a valley with mountains on three sides. The Šumava Range and the Ore Mountains keep out the north wind, but the pleasant warmth comes from the south. You need to know that the weather in the city changes almost every day, so you need to bring clothes for different occasions.
The most pleasant time for a holiday in Marianske Lazne is summer. In June-August, daytime temperature is +20-25°C, but it is quite possible to get colder to +15°C and hotter to +30°C.
The two disadvantages of summer weather are cold nights and frequent rain: as the sun sets, the temperature drops to +8-12°C, and it rains at least once every two or three days.
With the arrival of September, the weather becomes cooler but sunnier. The temperatures range from +13°C to 19°C, and precipitation is infrequent, but Slavkovský les (Slavkov Forest) becomes a magical experience.
The first half of autumn can safely be called the time for the best holidays in Marianske Lazne with children.
In October, the temperature still drops a little. It is difficult to predict the weather: mid-autumn brings summer warmth or scares you with early frosts. The average temperature in November is +5°C. At night, the temperature drops to zero and sometimes to subzero. The resort now and then plunges into fog.
From December to February, the temperature in Marianske Lazne ranges from -2-4°C at night to +1-4°C during the day. The weather remains cloudy, although it does not rain very often. Snow falls in the mountains close to the resort, and there is enough snow for skiing. The ski season lasts until spring.
In March, the situation changes: the number of sunny days increases, and the air warms up to +4-10°С. In April, it gets warmer to +12-16°C, and May is already very similar to summer, including frequent rains.
Summing up, we can outline the main characteristics of the seasons:
Spring (March-May)
Summer (June-August)
Autumn (September-November)
Winter (December-February)
Sanatoria and spa hotels in Marianske Lazne use different methods of treatment, but nowhere without the use of local mineral waters.
There are 40 springs in the spa, 16 of which are considered particularly valuable. Unlike Karlovy Vary, where hot water rises from the depths of the earth, the water in Marianske Lazne is very cold, only +7-10°C.
Spring water from Mariánské Lázně is used to cure:
Mariánské Lázně is considered a children's spa where inflammatory and respiratory disorders are successfully treated. For the therapeutic procedures to be effective, spending at least 3-4 weeks at the spa or coming twice a year for 2 weeks is advisable.
Important thing: medical centres accept children from 6 to 15 years old for treatment.
Types of food in hotels have almost no influence on the choice of where to stay in Marianske Lazne. Most hotels include breakfast in the price; sometimes, half board or full board is offered.
If you don't need to stick to a diet, we recommend experiencing the local culinary traditions in the town's restaurants. The ratio of haute cuisine restaurants to home-cooked food is about the same, and you can find European and Oriental restaurants.
A gastronomic highlight of Marianske Lazne is the waffles "oplatky", which have been produced here since 1840.
Round, thin wafers with printed designs are so large that you need hold them with both hands. It's not easy to decide which flavour to choose — berry, chocolate, caramel — it's better to try all and bring them back with you as a sweet gift.
Several supermarkets are in the city centre, including Tesco, Kaufland and Lidl.
Photo: https://www.mdml.cz/
Public transport in Marianske Lazne is surprisingly diverse, even though the town can be reached on foot. There are buses, trolleybuses, a sightseeing train and a funicular railway. Tickets are available at the driver´s and also can be purchased at the terminal at the entrance of the bus and paid by contactless credit cards (VISA, Master Card, or “Marianka” card).
A ticket for one trip on a bus or trolleybus costs 20 CZK for adults, while tickets for children between 6 and 15 years old cost 10 CZK. If you pay for the ticket with a credit card, the price is reduced to 18 and 9 CZK, respectively.
An adult ticket for the whole day costs 60 CZK, a child ticket costs 30 CZK, and if purchased with a credit card, the cost is 50 CZK and 25 CZK, respectively. Tickets must be bought from the driver at the entrance.
The сhairlift Koliba - Krakonos fare is 140 CZK for adults and 90 CZK for children. A round-trip ticket will cost 200 CZK for adults and 120 CZK for children. A family ticket for 2 adults and 1 child costs 320 (440) CZK.
The bus and trolleybusses timetables differ: most transport runs only on weekdays, and only five routes operate on weekends and holidays.
The timetable of the funicular railway depends on the season. From April to October, the funicular runs daily from 10:00 to 17:30 in winter — from 9:00 to 16:00.
The tourist road train runs only from April to October. It leaves from the Excelsior Hotel stop several times daily and goes round the city in half an hour.
You can buy a Karlovy Vary Region Card for travelling around Marianske Lazne and Karlovy Vary. It entitles you to free public transport in spas and discounts in restaurants and shops.
The card price for 2, 4 and 7 days is 450, 650 and 1100 CZK respectively. A family card for 2 adults and 2 children costs 1100, 1400 and 2100 CZK.
Family holidays in Marianske Lazne are likely to be very relaxed. In a small town, you won't be overwhelmed by the entertainment, but you won't be bored.
In any case, the primary type of recreation (and one of the most important methods of treatment) in Mariánské Lázně is walking. There are plenty of options for walking with a child in the resort.
Of course, you should start with a walking tour of the town. You can go wherever you like or use one of the ready-made routes — for example, the "Royal" route, which passes through the favourite places of King Frederick August II of Saxony. The route is only 1.5 kilometres long, but you will have to climb uphill, which is not easy with small children.
For travelling with children, it is best to take the Goethe route. It does not go uphill, but it leads to the Geological Park, where you can see all the Slavkovský les (Slavkov Forest) plants and find out what rocks are mined in this region.
Any spa's parks are suitable for strolling, but the one in front of the U Krakonoše Hotel is especially popular with children: it is home to fairy-tale characters carved out of stone. There is a small creche in the park, near which a festive concert is organised at Christmas.
Perhaps any walk at the child's request will end near the Singing Fountain. Every two hours, the fountain gives a musical performance, and when it gets dark, the impression is enhanced by artistic lighting.
What to do in Marianske Lazne with a child if it rains? In bad weather, you can walk under the arches of the Main Colonnade.
It is a real attraction of the spa: it has preserved its original appearance since 1888 and is the longest colonnade in the Czech Republic — it stretches for 119 metres. The famous Czech artist Josef Vyletal painted the colonnade's ceiling.
Children who like to make things can participate in one of the many creative workshops of the Draček Club (Mariánské Lázně City Center for Children and Youth). The master classes are held indoors in winter, and in summer, children can play outdoors.
Once the town has been explored, you can head outside the town. One of the best places for a holiday with a child in Marianske Lazne is the ecological playground at Prelatov Pramen.
All play structures are made of natural materials, leaving room for children's imagination. There is a picnic area on the playground, which is very popular in summer.
In the warm season, it is pleasant to spend time with children on the basketball and volleyball courts, play mini golf or tennis, and swim in the pool. There is also a riding school and cycling track for family outings.
In general, the resort encourages physical activity. The outdoor playgrounds and rope park prove it. But children's entertainment is not limited to sports games.
5 km from Mariánské Lázně is the Boheminium Park, where the Czech Republic is represented in miniature.
Some sights will be interesting for the child to see in real life — several famous medieval castles (Hiche, Bečov, Loket, Kynžvart) are located near the resort.
There is a contact park next to the miniature part, where a child can easily pet a deer and meet a hedgehog or squirrel.
While the valley where Marianske Lazne is located is being watered by winter rains and fogs, the mountains are still covered with snow. By the end of December, a good snow cover is formed, which means it is time to open the skiing season — the Mariánky resort is ready to welcome visitors.
Marianske Lazne is not on the list of the main ski resorts in the Czech Republic, but there are good pistes, a funicular and two rope tow lifts, and a ski school for beginners.
Although two of the three pistes are red and one is blue-red, skiing in Mariánky can be recommended for beginners. 2 hours of skiing costs 240 CZK for an adult, 190 CZK for a child over 140 cm tall and 160 CZK for a child under 140 cm tall.
A full day of skiing costs 370, 300 and 240 CZK respectively. Depending on the equipment class, a day of ski and boot hire for adults costs 390-420 CZK, and for children 290 CZK.
The Mariánky Children's Ski Park, complete with a dedicated ski school, operates as a private area distinct from the public ski slopes. It is a spacious area with its lift, ski carousel and playground
Children's park offers top-tier skiing and snowboarding instruction for your young ones, underpinned by a comprehensive concept and methodology. All classes are conducted by expert instructors who ensure an engaging and educational experience. Additionally, they incorporate various supplementary activities, including races and competitions, to make learning fun and rewarding.
There are several cross-country ski trails around the resort.
It is always amazing to find museums in small towns. Even more surprising is that there is more than one museum in Mariánské Lázně.
For example, the former boarding house "Golden Bunch of Grapes”, built 200 years ago, houses the town museum — in its halls, you will see primitive wells for extracting mineral water, royal chambers, and portraits of celebrities who used to holiday in the spa.
Another museum worth visiting in Mariánské Lázně with a child is the House of Nature in Slavkovský les (Slavkov Forest). Here, you can learn the secrets of the forest that are hidden from most people.
After the excursion, an ordinary walk through the forest seems much more exciting; what to say about unusual walks: to the Svatošský Rocks (legends call them a petrified wedding procession) or to the botanical garden, where not trees but stones grow.
Once all the exciting places for children in Marienbad have been explored, you can travel a bit in search of impressions.
Here is a short list of attractions in neighbouring towns.
Yes, with such a list, you won't have to be sad that there is nothing to see with children in Marianske Lazne — sightseeing in the Czech Republic will please any traveller.
There are many options for staying in Marianske Lazne with children — from expensive chain hotels and sanatoriums to modest guesthouses and guest houses. Which of these to choose depends only on your budget and the purpose of your trip.
If you come to the spa for treatment, it is better to choose a hotel or sanatorium in the central area of Mariánské Lázně, where the drinking springs are located. Walking to them from afar three times a day over hilly terrain is difficult for a child. In the city centre, you will find luxury and budget hotels.
For the same reason, it makes sense to live in a sanatorium or close to it: it may be necessary to coordinate counselling and therapeutic procedures with the child's daytime sleep.
If the purpose of the trip is simply a holiday from the noise of the city, you can settle in any part of the city, as silence and safety are guaranteed everywhere.
A good option would be accommodation in villages near Marianske Lazne: Hamrníky, Vlkovice, Stanoviště, and Zawišín. They are located in or near the forest, guaranteeing privacy and fresh air.
There are also several other balneotherapy spas in the vicinity of Marianske Lazne, including Lázně Kynžvart and Františkovy Lázně.
Where is the best place to stay with children — hotels or apartments? Both options have their advantages. Hotels in the resort cannot be called family-friendly, but you can count on a cot in the room, a playroom or playground, and babysitting services (for an additional fee). The list of services often includes a children's menu.
Apartments and villas are often rented for independent holidays in Marianske Lazne with children. It is a good choice if you are travelling with a baby who needs specially prepared food.
Marianske Lazne does not have an airport. Karlovy Vary (43 km) and Prague (165 km) are the nearest airports.
How to get to Mariánské Lázně from Prague:
Trains and buses run between Karlovy Vary and Marianske Lazne. You can also get to the spa by taxi or by ordering a private transfer.
Trains from Prague to Marianske Lazne run every two hours from the Main Station (Hlavni Nadrazi) in the direction of Františkovy Lázně or Cheb. The journey time is about 3 hours. There are trains from Karlovy Vary to Marianske Lazne from the Dolní Nádraží railway station. Train timetables are available on the website of the Czech Railways: https://www.cd.cz.
From the city, you can get to neighbouring resorts and other cities of the country by bus. The bus terminal is located in Nádražní Square. Ticket purchase is available at https://jizdnirady.idnes.cz/.
One of the most convenient ways to get to Mariánské Lázně is to rent a car. From Pilsen, the D5 motorway leads to the spa. From Karlovy Vary, take the E49 road through Bečov nad Teplou, then take road No. 230 to Mariánské Lázně. From Cheb - take road No. 21 through Velká Gledsebe, then road No. 215. A vehicle entry permit is required to enter the spa area (information on the procedure for issuing such permit can be found on the official website of Marianske Lazne).
