A small, picturesque medieval castle-town developed above the meanders of the river Ohře. Its symbol is the royal sentry castle with Romanesque elements, rebuilt during the reign of Wenceslas IV and later in the style of the Saxon Renaissance. Colorful burghers' houses surround the town square. A short drive from Karlovy Vary or Mariánské Lázně, Loket makes an excellent day trip from either spa town.
Loket (known in German as Elbogen) became a major part of the significant German-Czech castle route called the Castle Road.
