The Market Colonnade is one of Karlovy Vary's most charming landmarks, an airy wooden structure built in Swiss style that instantly stands out among the town's grander stone buildings. According to legend, it was here that Emperor Charles IV himself once soothed his aching limbs in the waters of the spring that now bears his name.

Set on the left bank of the Teplá River, right in the heart of the spa promenade, the colonnade buzzes with a gentle, unhurried energy - spa guests sipping mineral water from their distinctive spouted cups, visitors admiring the richly carved woodwork, and the quiet trickle of water from the three springs hidden beneath its roof. In summer, the open colonnaded arcade offers welcome shade; in winter, snow dusting the ornate timber gives it a storybook feel. It's a lovely spot to slow down, take a seat, and soak in the old-world spa atmosphere.

How to get there

• Karlovy Vary town centre - short walk along the promenade beside the Teplá River, about 5-10 minutes, easy, no trail markings needed
• From the Mill Colonnade - a few minutes' walk further down the promenade, easy

Practical information

• The colonnade covers three springs: Charles IV (originally called Žrout), Lower Castle Spring, and Market Spring
• Listed as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic
• Open, Swiss-style timber construction with richly carved decoration
• The left wing holds a bronze relief by Adolf Zörkel from 1939, depicting the legend of the discovery of the Vřídlo hot spring

Interestingly, the structure was meant to be temporary - built for just ten years due to lack of funds for the original design by architects Fellner and Hellmer. Yet it still serves its purpose today, well over a century later.