In co-operation with Czech Tourism
Do you know about Becherovka, and have you even tasted it? The Czech spirit is produced in Karlovy Vary and we visited the museum and did a tasting. In the evening, we had a traditional Czech meal in the neighbouring restaurant.
Table of contents
What is the theme of the blog?
Isn't it funny how things coincide sometimes? Right now it might seem like we have a booze theme here at FREEDOMtravel, but that's completely unintentional. We recently visited Liquor museum in Stockholm during a small "museum tour", and there we checked out photo art with Absolut Vodka at the centre. Shortly thereafter, when we were in Skåne on a press trip, the Absolute Home in Åhus with Absolut Vodka, on the programme.
Now, a few days later, it was time to visit Becherovka in Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic. The visit was reminiscent of the experience at Absolut Vodka and both spirits now have the same owner, the French company Pernod Ricard. It feels a bit like everything is connected ...

History of Becherovka
Becherovka is a bitter-type spirit drink that originated in the Czech town of Karlovy Vary. The story began with the entrepreneur Josef Vitus Becher (1769-1840) who, in addition to his job, was interested in making spirits with different herbal flavours.
His son, Jan Becherov, later took over and in 1807 Becherovka was sold commercially for the first time. Called 'English bitter' at the time, the drink was used to cure stomach ailments - but was also considered good for the soul.

Although the brand is now owned by Pernod Ricard, production still takes place here in Karlovy Vary. In fact, you can even visit the factory if you want to, and see how the production takes place. However, the most secret room - where the herbs are mixed - is only accessible to two people.

Becherplatz in Karlovy Vary
Becherplatz in Karlovy Vary is a reconstruction of a 170-year-old distillery where the spirit Becherovka was produced. It houses the Becherovka visitor centre, but also an indoor square with a café and drinks shop. There is also a brewery and a restaurant serving traditional Czech food.

Jan Becher Museum - Becherovka Visitor Centre
A guided tour of the Jan Becher Museum at the Becherovka Visitor Centre starts with a short film, followed by a guided tour of the museum. There's a history lesson and an interactive section where you can, for example, smell different herbs or take crazy photos.


The tour ends with the tasting of several different types of Becherovka. The four different varieties tasted quite different, some were sweet and one was made completely without sugar. The favourite at our table was the one called Becherovka lemond.

Czech meal at Charles IV
In the evening we had dinner at the Charles IV restaurant on Becherovplatz. The whole group ordered two starters to share, with cheese and cold cut meat. For the main course, Peter and I chose duck, which is one of our favourites. The duck was served in the classic way with two different kinds of dumplings and red and white cabbage. Good and nice!




In the picture below, you can see what it often looks like "in action" when we photograph food. Peter sometimes picks up a small lamp to light up the dining table, and soon cameras are popping up all around the table.

More to see in Karlovy Vary and the Czech Republic
We have of course seen and done more in this beautiful city. Here you can find links to our other reports from Karlovy Vary:

Kynžvart Castle in the Czech Republic - among mummies and snake skins
In cooperation with Czech Tourism Kynžvart Castle in the Czech Republic is a beautiful historic castle, where...
Drinking well - in the Czech Republic the tradition lives on
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Landek Park in Czech Republic - camping and mining museum
Landek Park is a mining museum in Ostrava, in the eastern Czech Republic, and also houses a...
Stříbrný rybník in Hradec Králové - fine Czech camping.
Kemp Stříbrný rybník in Hradec Králové is a nice Czech campsite. The campsite has been renovated and...
Unesco World Heritage Sites in the Czech Republic - 14 exciting cultural heritage sites
Have you seen any of the Unesco World Heritage Sites in the Czech Republic? There are currently 14 of them,...
Travelling to Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic by plane and bus
In partnership with Czech Tourism Travelling to Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic by air and...
Olomouc - a gem in the eastern Czech Republic
We had no expectations of the city of Olomouc at all. Maybe because we hadn't even heard...
Things to do in the Czech Republic - 40 sights and experiences
What to see and do in the Czech Republic? This beautiful and exciting country offers...
Beer spa in the Czech Republic - how does it work?
In partnership with Czech Tourism Beer spa in the Czech Republic - how does it work? We have...
Adventure in Malá Skála in the Czech Republic - canoe, scooter and castle
Adventure in Malá Skála in the Czech Republic! Malá Skála is a town in the north of the Czech Republic that...
The highest mountain in the Czech Republic - Sněžka in Sudetenland
The highest mountain in the Czech Republic is called Sněžka and is located in the Krkonoše mountain area in the Sudetenland. The mountain has a height...
Kokořín Castle in the Czech Republic - plus nature experiences
Kokořín Castle in the Czech Republic is a historic castle located in the Bohemian Paradise nature reserve. The castle is...
Pravcicka Brana - the largest sandstone arch in Europe
In cooperation with Czech Tourism Pravcicka Brana is Europe's largest natural arch of sandstone and...
Devil heads in the Czech Republic - and two other spooky hikes
Devil heads in the Czech Republic are a very special attraction, which you can find in the Bohemian...
Crystal Valley in the Czech Republic - guide to the Crystal Valley
The Crystal Valley in the Czech Republic, or Crystal Valley as the valley is known in English, is an area in...
Sloup Castle in the Czech Republic - a fascinating place to visit
The castle Sloup is located in the Bohemia / Bohemia region in the north of the Czech Republic....
Mount Praděd in the Czech Republic - down the mountain on a scooter
Mount Praděd is located in the north-east of the Czech Republic and is 1492 metres high. We went up to...
Christmas market in Prague - one of the best in Europe
The Christmas market in Prague is an experience. From the end of November until Christmas, the...
The spa town of Frantiskovy Lazne in the Czech Republic - the yellow town
In partnership with Czech Tourism As we walked into the spa town of Frantiskovy Lazne in the Czech Republic...
From Prague to Vienna - a journey of discovery full of Czech culture
Guest writer: Björn Erik Gustavsson Immediately after arriving in Prague, I head to the legendary café...
Cool treetop course in Krkonoše, northern Czech Republic
The treetop course in Krkonoše, in the north of the Czech Republic, offers a wonderful nature experience. You walk high up...
Loket in Czech Republic - castle with friendly dragon
In cooperation with Czech Tourism We have visited the towns of Becov nad Teplou and Loket, which...
Punkva caves - underground boat trip in the Czech Republic
Punkva caves are located in Blansko, just north of Brno in the Czech Republic. These large caves...
Welcome to Štramberk - a village in eastern Czech Republic
Štramberk is a cosy little village in the eastern Czech Republic, with an old castle and...
Hiking in Bohemian Switzerland in the Czech Republic
We have done a hike in Bohemian Switzerland in the Czech Republic, which was incredibly nice. It...
The fairytale town of Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic
When you enter the gates of Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic, you have to pinch...
Terezin, Czech Republic - Theresienstadt concentration camp
In collaboration with Czech Tourism We have continued our motorhome trip to Terezin in the Czech Republic, for...
Park Boheminium in the Czech Republic - Czech Republic in miniature
In partnership with Czech Tourism Park Boheminium in the Czech Republic is a miniature Czech Republic. Here...
Handmade Christmas decorations in the Czech Republic - a UNESCO heritage site
Handmade Christmas decorations in the Czech Republic, made from blown glass beads, have a long tradition. Now the manufacturing process has...
Pačinek Glassworks, Czech Republic - decorated garden and church
Pačinek Glassworks was one of the greatest experiences during our trip through the "Crystal Valley" in...

Facts about Becherovka Visitor Centre
- Address: Cup Square, T. G. Masaryka 282/57, Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad)
- Find here: You can walk to Becherplatz from the centre of Karlovy Vary, which takes about 15 minutes.
- Prices: A basic guided tour for adults (with four drinks included in the tasting) costs 180 Czech koruna, which is equivalent to about 82 Swedish crowns (2019). Students pay 120 koruna (55 SEK) and children pay 50 koruna (23 SEK). It is also possible to choose more expensive tours, with more drinks included in the tasting. A combined ticket that includes both the museum and the factory tour costs 600 koruna (274 crowns). Please note that prices are subject to change. See the visitor centre's website for current prices.
- Opening hours: Tuesday - Sunday 9-12 and 12:30-17:00. Guided tours can be booked in advance, via the website.
- Service: A shop with Becherovka and souvenirs is located in the visitor centre. A café and restaurant are located right next to the visitor centre.
- Read more: You can find more information on the visitor centre's website.
Britt-Marie Lundgren says:
If you carry on like this, you will soon have sampled Europe's alcohol range....
We really hope to organise a motorhome trip to Poland - Czech Republic next spring. I can't believe how quickly this year's calendar filled up. For now, we'll keep up with the blog.
16 May 2019 - 11:06
Helena says:
Haha, yes, right? We may have to find a new "theme" soon 😉 Incidentally, I recognise that with how the almanac is filled. Fortunately, Poland and the Czech Republic remain 🙂
17 May 2019 - 6:20
BP says:
Hahaha! Soon you can build your travel blog with a blog about alcohol;-)
What incredibly delicious and special environments. Love it! Waiting with excitement for more posts from the magnificent spa town of Karlovy Vary.
16 May 2019 - 21:55
Helena says:
Haha, yes, right? 😉 More coming soon about Karlovy Vary and the surrounding region, but a bit difficult to write about everything during an intense trip 😉.
17 May 2019 - 6:21