The historic centre in Karviná-Fryštát is well preserved and is protected by law as an urban monument zone.

The highest point is the hill Rájský kopec at 306 km (190 mi) above sea level.

In October 1938 it was annexed by Poland as part of the region known as Trans-Olza, and during World War II it was occupied by Nazi Germany.

The period after World War II is characterised by the economic orientation on heavy industry.

Karviná, as a multi-ethnic city of Cieszyn Silesia, was a home to many football clubs established by particular ethnic groups after World War I.

At that time many football clubs within the Polish, German, Czech, and Jewish communities were founded.

Today, the only football club in the city is MFK Karviná, playing in the Czech First League.

Other sport clubs in the city include two ice hockey teams SK Karviná (playing in the lower division) and HC Baník Karviná (playing in the 2nd Czech league), and the athletics club, with tennis, gymnastics, and ice skating being also very popular and established sports within the region.

The last remnant of the original village of Karviná is the baroque Church of Saint Peter of Alcántara in Doly.

After the area was undermined during the coal mining, it fell by 36 metres (118 ft) and inclined 6.8° south of the vertical axis.