What to Buy in Karlovy Vary: 16 Ideas of Souvenirs and Gifts

Karlovy Vary is a picturesque spa town in the Czech Republic that is famous for its hot springs and beautiful architecture. It is also a great place to find unique souvenirs and gifts for both children and adults. From traditional spa wafers to handmade wooden toys, there is something for everyone. Visitors can explore the town's gift and specialty shops to find the perfect memento of their trip. In this article, we will highlight some of the best souvenirs and gifts to bring home from Karlovy Vary. Whether you are looking for a tasty treat or a beautiful piece of crystal, we have got you covered.

Photo: pixabay.com

Karlovy Vary is a resort for those who appreciate a quiet and measured vacation. The city, founded about 600 years ago, attracts with its picturesque nature, unique architectural monuments, and healing water. What souvenirs are most often brought from Karlovy Vary? Here are the top 5 options:

1. Cosmetics

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Karlovy Vary is famous for the production of cosmetics based on thermal water. Soaps, masks, scrubs, foams, and creams from well-known Czech factories (Beer Spa, Pure Czech, Chemek, RYOR, Dermacol, Carl's, Manufaktura) can be found on the shelves of Karlovy Vary stores and pharmacies.

In addition to cosmetics, we would like to mention oral care products. They are produced by the company Vřídlo. The products are based on mineral water and salts from local springs.

2. Bath salts

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One of the most common souvenirs of Karlovy Vary is mineral salt. It has been mined here since the middle of the 17th century. It is renowned for its tonic effect and invaluable benefits for the body. It is mainly used for baths, but Karlovy Vary salt can also be used internally for gastrointestinal problems and to improve metabolism and eliminate "harmful" cholesterol.

3. City souvenirs

Karlovy Vary is a popular resort in the west of Bohemia. It is located at the confluence of three major rivers. Mountains surround the town, and the famous Slavkovský les (Slavkov Forest) is nearby. In short, the area is very picturesque. That is why souvenirs depicting the views of the city and its surroundings are very popular among tourists. Boxes, postcards, key chains, paintings, and even tablecloths are often purchased by tourists in Karlovy Vary.

4. Footwear

Photo: pikolinos.com

One of the popular souvenirs that visitors bring back from Karlovy Vary is footwear. The Czech Republic is famous for its shoe industry, and the first shoe shops appeared here in the late 19th century.

Many famous Czech brands are represented in local stores: Bata, Botas, Gabor, Prabos, Pikolinos, and others.

Thanks to its proximity to Austria and Germany, recognized European leaders in the industry, quality footwear from these countries can also be found on the shelves of Karlovy Vary's stores.

5. Moser crystal glassware

Photo: moser.com

One of the must-see attractions in Karlovy Vary is the Moser Museum Factory. The company was founded in 1875 and is still the leader in the production of crystal products in the Czech Republic. The tour includes:

• A visit to the company's workshops.
• An introduction to the production process.
• Shopping in the factory's specialty store.

Decanters, sets of glasses, shot glasses, wine glasses, and chic chandeliers of different colors, with gilding and decorative ornaments, in a large assortment are presented on the store's shelves.

What gifts to bring from Karlovy Vary for sophisticated travelers? Here are some interesting ideas:

6. The Stone Roses of Karlovy Vary

​One of the most unique souvenirs that can only be bought in Karlovy Vary is a stone rose.

The Stone Roses of Karlovy Vary is a unique souvenir that can be found in the town. They are calc-sinters and accreted aragonite that have been fossilized and turned into stone. The roses were originally created by the local people by soaking the flowers in calcium carbonate so that they could be sold as souvenirs. Today, there are many Stone Roses on display in the visitor centers in Karlovy Vary. The production of these souvenirs can be seen during a tour of the historical part of the Vridlo hot spring underground.

7. Souvenir coin

In Karlovy Vary, sophisticated shoppers will find an interesting gift option — a souvenir coin depicting the main sights of the city.

The coin 50 Korun was issued in 1991. The material is silver of 700/1000 Ag quality proof , and the mintage is 75 thousand copies. The coin depicts the facade of the Bristol Palace spa complex and the main symbol of the resort — the deer Kamzik. According to legend, he first showed the king the miraculous spring. You can buy such a souvenir in special vending machines in the city.

8. Garnet jewelry

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Only a single trip to a particular city is complete with buying jewelry. Karlovy Vary is no exception in this regard. Tourists often buy jewelry with Czech garnet, a precious stone from the Pyropes group. Stones are mined in Turnov, where they are processed, and jewelry is produced. There is no company store in Karlovy Vary, but Bohemian garnet jewelry can be bought in the Atrium shopping center.

9. Traditional hats

Photo: carlsbadhat.cz

In 2010, the only currently specialized headwear store, Carlsbad Hat Co., opened its doors in Karlovy Vary. The main product range is hats from the famous Czech manufactory Tonak. In 2018, thanks to successful cooperation with the American company Stetson, a second brand store was opened. You can buy everything your heart desires here: classic felt hats, caps, cashmere hats, handmade scarves, Panama hats, and straw hats.

Karlovy Vary is, above all, mineral water, and water is the basis of all beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. What can you buy as a gift in Karlovy Vary? What products can surprise you?

10. Becherovka

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The only genuinely Carlsbad herbal liqueur is Becherovka. It has been produced in the city for over 200 years. The drink's recipe, which was initially invented as a medicinal mixture, is still kept secret, but despite this, its popularity grows every year. Tourists jokingly call Becherovka the thirteenth healing spring and gladly bring it to their family and friends. By the way, the flat green bottle in which the drink is traditionally bottled is also over 200 years old.

11. Beer

Photo: krusovice.cz

Czechs love beer, and they certainly know how to brew it. Karlovy Vary is a vivid confirmation of this. There are several breweries in the town:

• KAREL IV. Produces unusual types of beer, including Ilzen-type, unfiltered and unpasteurized, top-fermented beer with banana flavor and others.
• The brewery, Old Slavic Kitchen, is at Moskevská, 18.
• Krušovická is a royal brewery, one of the oldest in the country. Beer has been brewed here since the 16th century. Today, besides traditional varieties, they offer clove, banana, caramel, and other unusual types.

12. Absinthe

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It would not be wrong to say that the third most popular alcoholic drink in Karlovy Vary is absinthe, an herbal tincture with a high alcohol content of 50 to 80%. Absinthe is traditionally based on wormwood, aniseed, and fennel and is supplemented with mint, coriander, sage, and chamomile.

In the city center, on Zahradni Street, there is even a museum shop where you can learn more about the history of the drink and watch the process of its creation, but also buy a bottle or two as a gift.

13. Mineral water

Most of our readers will say that a bottle of water can hardly be called a full-fledged gift, but we assure you, not the water from Karlovy Vary, thanks to which the resort has become world famous. There are two options: collect the water yourself or buy it in one of the local supermarkets or grocery stores.

Regarding its chemical composition, the latter is no different from the water from the springs, except that it undergoes additional purification and is bottled.

The resort of Karlovy Vary is one of the best options for recreational family vacations. In addition to thermal springs, there are many places to visit with children: geological formations, a zoo, modern entertainment centers and swimming pools, and quiet, cozy cafes serving delicious desserts. What should you bring your child from Karlovy Vary so that this souvenir will remind them of a great vacation for a long time?

14. Karlovy Vary wafers

Photo: kvoplatky.cz

One of the most famous street treats in Karlovy Vary is wafers, or as the locals call them, oplatki. They do not look like wafers in the usual sense, as they are flat, round plates. They are made from natural ingredients based on local thermal water, without preservatives or coloring. They are sold in most supermarkets and bakery stores, wrapped in foil to keep them fresh longer. We advise you to buy wafers from kiosks where they are prepared.

15. Christmas decorations and toys

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There is one magical place in Karlovy Vary — the House of Christmas. Located in a small medieval castle, it welcomes visitors, adults and children, all year round. The smell of sweets and mulled wine, The aroma of a live Christmas tree and the incomparable Christmas atmosphere, as well as a multitude of toys, Christmas candles, and beautifully decorated Christmas trees that you can buy in the small gift store — all this awaits you in Karlovy Vary at Studentska 1/4.

16. Wooden toys

Wooden toys are a traditional souvenir that captures the essence of the Czech Republic. You can find a variety of wooden toys, including old-fashioned cars, trains, and hanging animals, at souvenir shops and weekend markets in Karlovy Vary.

Czech customs regulations govern the import and export of goods from Karlovy Vary. So, let's find out which souvenirs from Karlovy Vary are strictly forbidden to take out and which ones require special documents:

• Items of historical, cultural, or artistic value, as in most countries, cannot be exported. As for paintings and other souvenirs depicting the city, which tourists often buy from street artists, we advise you to request a receipt so customs officials do not ask questions.
• If we talk about foodstuffs, all of them should be in vacuum factory packaging. The Czech legislation does not set any restrictions on the volume.
• Strong spirits and wine can be exported at least 1 liter per adult, and beer — up to 5 liters.

Shopping in Karlovy Vary, as well as recreation in the Czech resort, is rich and varied. If you have not been lucky enough to visit this amazing city yet, we advise you to remedy the situation immediately.

While planning your vacation, find out not only what to bring from Karlovy Vary as a gift but also where to stay and what to see, and get tips on spending an unforgettable vacation with the whole family. All of this is on the pages of Kidpassage blog.