Jan Becher Museum – The Home of Becherovka

About the museum

The herbal liqueur Becherovka was created in Karlovy Vary in 1807, when Josef Vitus Becher launched a bitter herbal liqueur based on a recipe by the physician Christian Frobrig. The business was developed by his son Jan Becher, after whom the company is named and whose signature is still on every bottle. In 1866 Becherovka received its characteristic flat bottle shape, and a year later Jan Becher moved the growing production to a new factory at Steinberky, with a direct railway connection.

That building from 1867 was used to produce the liqueur for more than 140 years; in 2010 production moved to a modern plant in Bohatice. According to the museums directory, the museum was founded in 1999, and the permanent exhibition was last updated in 2012. Today the visitor centre The Home of Becherovka is run by the company Jan Becher – Karlovarská Becherovka.

The exhibition presents the history of the brand and the Becher family through historic bottles and small flasks, business and account books, medals and awards from world exhibitions, and original oak barrels. It is complemented by interactive elements and virtual reality. The tour is always led by a guide through the cellar spaces of the former factory and ends with a tasting of the products. The building also houses an official shop, and visitors can take a longer experience tour that includes a trip to the production plant.

Highlights

• guided tour of the cellars and the exhibition in the original 1867 factory
• historic bottles and small flasks, including objects from the founding period
• oak barrels, account books and medals from world exhibitions
• interactive exhibition and virtual reality
• product tasting and the national cocktail Beton
• experience tour of the production plant by prior reservation

Permanent exhibition

• Stálá expozice The Home of Becherovka – Guided tour of the cellars and the exhibition with historic bottles, oak barrels, account books and medals from world exhibitions.

Founded

1999

Operated by

Jan Becher – Karlovarská Becherovka, a.s.

Admission & discounts

The basic guided tour lasts about 45 minutes and includes a tasting of four products (4 × 1.5 cl). The price given applies “from CZK 290”; prices of the other variants (Extended, Exclusive, Cocktail) are not stated on the website. The basic tour is free with the KarlovyVARY Region CARD, but only when purchased in person at the museum's ticket office. A gift voucher is valid for 3 months for a museum visit and 6 months for the factory experience tour. Evening tours are free during Museum Night.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The centre provides step-free access. Because of evacuation from the cellar spaces, no more than one wheelchair user may take part in a tour. Guide dogs and assistance dogs are admitted.

Kids & families

Only partly suitable for kidsRecommended for ages 6+

The centre does not recommend the tour for children under 6. People under 18 may enter the tasting room only accompanied by an adult and without consuming alcohol.

Getting there & parking

The visitor centre is on the main street T. G. Masaryka, house number 282/57, in Karlovy Vary. The production plant, which is visited only on the experience tour, is at Jáchymovská 73/61.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The building houses an official shop selling Becherovka, glass gift items and souvenirs that are available only here. Large luggage, bicycles and scooters may not be brought into the premises.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

The centre offers private and corporate events, celebrations and team-building in the form of tailor-made VIP workshops; contact +420 602 603 385.

Plan your visit