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Welcome to Karlovy Vary
"The Garden City"

Welcome to Karlovy Vary, the jewel of Bohemia, where elegance flows as naturally as the thermal waters that made this town world-famous. Nestled in a lush valley embraced by forested hills, the city unfolds like a painted postcard, with pastel colonnades, grand spa houses, and the gentle murmur of the Teplá River guiding your every step.

Wander along ornate promenades where emperors, artists, and visionaries once strolled, sampling the mineral springs from delicate porcelain cups as steam rises softly into the cool air. Each spring has its own character and legend, turning a simple walk into a ritual of wellness and discovery, while the architectural splendor of the Mill Colonnade and Market Colonnade adds a sense of timeless grace.

Karlovy Vary is not only a sanctuary for relaxation but also a stage for culture and glamour. The city comes alive during the internationally renowned Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, when cinema stars and storytellers fill the streets with excitement and sparkle, blending seamlessly with the town’s refined spa atmosphere.

Climb to panoramic viewpoints like Diana Tower for sweeping views over red rooftops and rolling green hills, or lose yourself in the surrounding nature trails where tranquility reigns. In the evening, candlelit cafés and elegant restaurants invite you to savor Czech and international cuisine, accompanied by the famous Becherovka herbal liqueur, born right here.

With its harmonious blend of healing traditions, natural beauty, and refined culture, Karlovy Vary offers an experience that soothes the body and enchants the soul. Come and immerse yourself in a town where time slows, elegance lingers, and every moment feels like a gentle indulgence.

9 Highlights

The Mill Colonnade, Karlovy Vary’s most iconic landmark, is a grand neo-Renaissance structure housing several hot mineral springs and forming the architectural and social heart of the spa town
The Historic spa center, with pastel-colored spa houses, ornate hotels, and riverfront promenades, reflects the town’s 19th-century golden age as a retreat for European nobility
The Diana Observation Tower, reached by funicular or forest paths, offers sweeping views over Karlovy Vary’s red roofs and surrounding wooded hills
The Vřídelní Colonnade, home to the Vřídlo geyser that shoots thermal water up to 12 meters high, showcases the raw power behind the town’s world-famous thermal springs
The Svatošské Rocks, a dramatic granite rock formation above the Ohře River, provide one of the region’s most scenic hiking areas, complete with a legendary footbridge
The Market Colonnade, a wooden, ornamented structure near the river, shelters historic springs and adds fairy-tale charm to the old town
The Loket Castle, in the nearby medieval town of Loket, crowns a rocky river bend and ranks among the Czech Republic’s most photogenic fortresses
The Ján Becher Museum, dedicated to Becherovka liqueur, explores the town’s signature herbal drink through historic cellars and tastings
The Grandhotel Pupp, a lavish Belle Époque hotel overlooking the Teplá River, is one of Central Europe’s most famous spa hotels and a defining visual symbol of Karlovy Vary’s elegance

Host City / Viña del Mar, Chile
Venue / Anfiteatro de la Quinta Vergara
Hosts / Mon Laferte, Pedro Pascal and Luciana Echeverría

Participating countries / 39
Returning countries / Czech Republic, Italy, Malaysia, Russia and Slovakia
Withdrawing countries / Andorra, Hungary, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia and Switzerland

Debuting players / None

Returning Artists

19	Marco Mengoni / 12 times for San Marino and 6 times for Italy / Silver Medallist

16	Michalis Hatzigiannis / 13 times for Cyprus and twice for Greece / Double Global Music Champion

10	Within Temptation / 7 times for Netherlands and once for Liechtenstein and Poland / Bronze Medallist

08	Becky Hill / 6 times for United Kingdom and once for Norway / Silver Medallist

07	Sarit Hadad / 5 times for Israel and once for Azerbaijan / 4th place

06	Fernando Daniel / for Portugal / Global Music Champion Karla Grunewaldt / for Chile / Double Global Music Champion

05	BLACKPINK / 3 times for South Korea and once for Thailand / 5th place Coeur de Pirate / for Canada / Siliver Medallist Dermot Kennedy / for Ireland / Global Music Champion

03	Camille Dhont / once for Belgium and Luxembourg / 9th place Diodato / for San Marino / Global Music Champion

02

Adel the Second / for Denmark / 6th place
Birkir Blær / for Iceland / Global Music Champion
Celik Erisci / for Turkey / 7th place
Christos Mastoras / for Greece / 18th place
David Podsiadlo / for Poland / 16th place
Gary Barlow / for Canada / Semi Finalist
Jannike Sandström / for Ireland / 13th place
Jerry Heil / for Ukraine / 4th place
Kelly Yu / for Canada / 15th place
Nikolija Jovanovic / for Serbia / Semi Finalist
Nina Chuba / for Liechtenstein / Semi Finalist
Pendulum / for Australia / 12th place
Peter Jöback / for Norway / 9th place
Rkomi / for Italy / 12th place
Skyline / for Czech Republic / 19th place
Ziynet Sali / for Turkey / 15th place

DEADLINES

August 14th:
Vote in the semi finals
Nominate an artist for Global Music Royalty

August 25th:
Vote in the final and for Global Music Royalty

August 31st:
Submit a song for the next edition