Tourist Attractions

The small town of Chodová Planá is best known for the Chodovar Brewery, the oldest in West Bohemia.

The best-known and most significant granite rock formation in the Karlovy Vary massive is undoubtedly the Svatoš Rocks (Svatošské Skály), part of the Jan Svatoš National Nature Park (NPP).

The three crosses were erected here as a symbol of gratitude by spa patient who had been cured of their ailment in 1859. Endemite cerastium alsinifolium grows here, a plant not found anywhere else in the world. For this reason, entrance into the territory of the reservation is strictly prohibited.

The shallow basin between the Vonšovský and Sooský Creeks (at the Nový Drahov train station, 6 km from Františkové Lázně) is divided by a mound of silicious sand into two parts.

The first written record of Planá dates back to 1251. The town was founded on an important trade route leading from Nuremberg to Cheb and further on into Bohemia.

Its beauty and serenity made this place a favourite with the Abbot Alfréd Clements of Teplá. A simple wooden bench stood here where the dignitary often used to sit. During his time as Abbot, Mariánské Lázně experienced the largest building boom of its early development (1888–1900).

Friedrich’s Stone is the name given to a naturally occurring mound of coarse granite boulders that stand in a location known as ‘Little Switzerland’ (Malé Švýcarsko).

This steel tower situated on the hill near the village of Drmoul, was opened on November 15 in 2008. The total height of the lookout tower is 55m, but the actual viewing gantry is 40m above the ground. From the tower you can admire the view of the Slavkovský Forest, Mariánské Lázně, Dyleň, Kynžvart and even as far as Přimda. During the winter months the tower is closed for safety reasons.

This is a natural pine growth area on the southeast slope of Planý Hill with exposed serpentinite rock formations, partly interrupted by a small extinct rock quarry covered by a rare botanical community.

The director of the local theatre Julius Laska had this chapel built in 1909 in memory of his mother. It is a small, pretty, neo-Gothic building set against a forest backdrop.

The largest city in Western Bohemia was established at the confluence of four rivers - the Úhlava, Úslava, Mže and Radbuza - which all flow together here to create the River Berounka.

A composition of typical sub-saturated peat meadows in the Slavkovský Forest close to the serpentinite hill of the Three Crosses at the roadside between Prameny and Nová Ves. Site of the rare swamp willow.