Poděbrady: Spa Park, Colonnade and the Elbe

• Poděbrady lies on the Elbe in Central Bohemia.
• The glass colonnade stands above the Boček Spring.
• The spa park, castle, town centre and Elbe offer different destinations for a stroll.
• Prague, Pardubice and Hradec Králové are separate city destinations for further legs of a trip.

The glass colonnade, named after cardiologist Václav Libenský, stands above the Boček Spring. The spring and colonnade are among the specific stops that help place a walk through the spa town in its historical context.

The local spa operator uses Poděbradka mineral water for baths as part of its treatment offer for cardiovascular diseases. A spa stay includes the treatments scheduled for the period booked; the mineral spring and colonnade can also be included in an ordinary walk around town. The spa town of Poděbrady combines this historic core with park paths and its location on the Elbe.

The spa park, colonnade and flower clock form part of a peaceful circuit that can be combined with the castle grounds and town centre. A monument to King George of Poděbrady stands in the castle, and his monumental statue is in Jiřího z Poděbrad Square. There is room for a break or a visit to a café between the park, square and river. If you plan a longer walk along the Elbe, choose a walking time that suits your pace.

A visit to the town can be rounded off with an evening programme or a bike ride. Karlovy Vary, Mariánské Lázně and Františkovy Lázně are other spa towns whose springs and parklands each merit a visit of their own: Karlovy Vary, Mariánské Lázně and Františkovy Lázně. When travelling through Czechia, its location in Central Bohemia between Prague and other regions is an important consideration.

Prague is a convenient starting point for a trip; travelling to Poděbrady can combine a stay by the Elbe with a visit to a major city. For an overnight stay, the location of your accommodation in relation to the station, spa park and centre is key. On longer trips, Pardubice, Hradec Králové and Pelhřimov can each make up a separate leg; Pilsen and Kutná Hora also require extra travel and time to explore. The order depends on your starting point and planned overnight stops.

If you are planning treatments or a longer restorative break, compare the options for a wellness holiday in Czechia with your planned travel legs. Your train arrival, the journey from the station and the return trip all belong in the same day’s itinerary. Coordinate train travel and stations, transfers and local transport and getting there and transport accordingly.

For an overnight stay, factor in your arrival time, treatments and journeys between your accommodation, the spa park and the town centre. Keep appointments in a travel checklist with a schedule; offline maps and addresses ensure you have your arrival address and return route to hand. Other things to consider for your stay include travel preparation, money and payments and staying safe while travelling. A day spent at the colonnade, around the castle and along a stretch of riverside makes for a compact visit to the spa town; set aside a separate block of time for treatments. Depending on the length of your stay, nature and landscapes or culture and history can provide another focus.

Other destinations in Bohemia lie along separate routes: Czechia encompasses different travel legs, Prague merits its own day in the city, and Hradec Králové is another destination in eastern Bohemia. Kutná Hora and Hradec Králové are further stops on a longer round trip.

How did Poděbrady develop into a spa town?

The first carbonated mineral spring was discovered in 1905. The first season of medical spa treatments followed in 1908, with treatments for heart and vascular conditions. The glass colonnade above the Boček Spring recalls the development of the spa town and cardiologist Václav Libenský.