City Triathlon Karlovy Vary 2026

Get ready to start in an absolutely unique setting! City Triathlon Karlovy Vary is one of the most prestigious and spectacular triathlon events in Central Europe, regularly hosting the World Cup 🏊🚴🏃. Athletes from all over the world (both elite and amateurs in the Age-Group category) race over the Olympic distance (1.5 km swim, 40 km bike, and 10 km run) as well as the sprint distance. The swim leg takes place in the natural Rolava reservoir, from where the triathlon village moves right into the heart of the historic spa town. The cycling and running courses lead right past monumental colonnades, luxury hotels, and along the Teplá River, guaranteeing unforgettable impressions (and demanding climbs up the valley’s mountain slopes) ⛰️.

Once you rack your bike in the transition zone, cross the finish line, and proudly receive your medal on the iconic square in front of the Municipal Theatre, Karlovy Vary will host you in truly royal style:

For a stroll: Take a walk along the elegant Market Colonnade (Tržní kolonáda) and the Mill Colonnade (Mlýnská kolonáda). Be sure to buy a traditional porcelain spa cup with a spout (lázeňský pohárek) and taste the healing mineral waters bubbling straight from the ground—especially the most famous Vřídlo spring, which shoots up to 12 metres high 🌊.

For the family: Take the charming funicular up to the Diana lookout tower (Rozhledna Diana). At the top you’ll find a beautiful city panorama, a mini-zoo, and the Butterfly House (Motýlí dům), where hundreds of exotic specimens fly literally within arm’s reach 🦋.

For a trip: In just 15 minutes you can reach the picturesque medieval town of Loket, dominated by a mighty stone royal castle built on a bend of the Ohře River 🏰.

After a gigantic triathlon effort, it’s time for a classic local recovery mix. Try crispy, warm spa wafers (Karlovarské oplatki) in chocolate, cinnamon, or nut flavours. For a bigger hunger, roast duck is perfect, and adults can aid digestion with a taste of the famous herbal liqueur Becherovka, which was born right here and is jokingly called Karlovy Vary’s “thirteenth spring” 🥃