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15 Best Things to Do in Brno (Czech Republic)

Brno is the Czech Republic’s second city and has a hardworking reputation, although commerce is a just a small part of this quirky city’s story.

Set where  the Svitava and Svratka Rivers meet, Brno was capital of Moravia from the 1100s right up to the communist era. Naturally, a lot of heritage remains, and you can take in a great deal of Gothic and baroque sights on the cobblestone streets of the Old Town. But what really gives Brno its identity is its devotion to the weird, wonderful and downright creepy.

Let us explain, in our run down of the best things to do in Brno .

1. Villa Tugendhat

Nothing scary about this one.  Open daily for tours, Villa Tugendhat is up there with Le Corbusier’s Villa Savoye in Paris as a prototype for modern architecture. Built from 1928-30, it was designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and is a UNESCO-listed masterwork of functionalism.

This building changed the game thanks to its open floor plan and wall-sized rear windows. Villa Tugendhat’s history is as important as its design. The Tugendhats were a Jewish couple and were forced to flee Brno after 1938. The villa became a base for the Gestapo, and then as quarters for the Soviet army.

It wasn’t until 1967 that Greta Tugendhat returned and the restoration process began.

2. The Old Town Hall

Here you get an idea of Brno’s enduring sense of fun, as well as a neat view of the city from the roost of the tower. On approach you might notice that one of the turrets on the Town Hall’s decorative facade looks a bit skewed.

The story goes that Anton Pilgram, the building’s architect was screwed out of money by Brno’s City Council and his payback was to mess with the design. The other version holds that he was simply too drunk to get it right.

The building goes back to the 1200s, and formed part of the city defences during the famous siege by Swedish forces in 1645. More on that later.

3. The Town Hall’s Curios

This is where it starts to get a bit wacky. Hanging from the ceiling in the passage beneath the tower is what looks like a large taxidermied crocodile. But don’t be fooled;  you’re now in the domain of the legendary Brno dragon.

In the city’s earliest years this beast terrorised the population and its livestock, and eventually a butcher got the creative idea of filling a fur sack with lime. After the dragon devoured the sack it needed to quench its thirst and drank so much water it died.

On the wall here is the Brno wheel, a wagon wheel supposedly built and delivered from the city of Teplice 45 kilometres away in just 12 hours as part of a medieval bet. It’s a symbol for Brno’s work ethic.

4. Gregor Mendel’s Abbey and Museum

The godfather of genetics spent almost his whole life in Brno, and stands today as one of the 19th century’s most important scientists. At the Abbey of Saint Thomas you can visit the garden in which he conducted his famed experiments on pea plants that helped him discover the secrets of heredity.

For a bit more insight, the Mendel Museum outside the old town has detailed exhibits that shed light on his methods, and how early experiments breeding mice attracted the disapproval of the church.

You can also find out about his experiments in the field of beekeeping, but these have made a less  impact on the course of history.

5. Špilberk Castle

As the seat of the rulers of Moravia, this building has been around for almost as long as Brno has existed. And as you might expect this has left the structure with a range of styles, from Romanesque to baroque. It’s a large hilltop fortress that has served all sorts of roles and seen a lot of action in its time.

Like the Town Hall Špilberk Castle helped repel the Swedish Army during a siege in the Thirty Years’ War in the 1600s.

At this time it also doubled as a prison to house and torture protestants, given that Brno was a catholic city. You’ll learn at the museum here why Špilberk was a no place to end up if you belonged to the wrong denomination.

6. Capuchin Monastery

And the morbid vibes keep coming, because the Capuchin Monastery on Kapucínské Square is no place for the faint of heart. The exterior and ground floor are splendid, and offer no indication of what lies beneath.

The building is in the baroque style, with an ornate rococo interior, including a memorable fresco and a preserved library with shelves of ancient volumes climbing to ornate ceilings.

Go downstairs though and you’ll be confronted by an 18th-century crypt where members of the Capuchin order and other important figures of the time are lying around mummified like they’ve decided to take 200-year naps.

7. Modern Architecture

Alongside Villa Tugendhat, Brno had a design boom in the early-20th century when some of the most beautiful landmarks beyond the old town were built. Brno is now peppered with some 70 functionalist buildings.

Real architecture buffs can download a list and track them down on a walking tour. If you’re willing to put in the legwork you’ll be rewarded with some memorable yet unfrequented sights, nearly all of which continue to serve their intended public and residential roles.

In Brno-center keep an eye out for Žáckuv rodinný dum, Bassova vila, Haasova vila, state-of-the-art residences built for Brno’s elite in the 20s and 30s.

8. Cathedral of Saint Peter and Paul

The Swedish siege of Brno in 1645 left a big impression on the city, and put the clocks at this dominant cathedral in a bit of a time warp.

In yet another of Brno’s quirky stories, it is said that the Swedes agreed to give up on their plans to take the city if they hadn’t managed to conquer it by mid-day on the August 15 1645.

Resourceful as ever, the Brno defenders decided to improve their odds and brought the clocks at the cathedral an hour forward to chime at 11 instead of 12. To this day the noon chimes take place at 11.

9. Brno Underground

A maze of tunnels and chambers sits underneath the Cabbage Market in the old town. In 2011 these were opened to the public as part of a compelling 40-minute walking tour. The square above dates back to the 1200s and many of the passageways that weave underneath are also from this time.

You’ll see how food was preserved here in the medieval era, visit an historic wine cellar, and will also be able to peruse an authentic alchemist’s laboratory.

As ever in historic Brno, there’s a dark side. Looming underground is a real pillory, a public torture device for criminals in the middle ages.

10. The Cabbage Market

Above the underworld is a marketplace that has also been in use since the 1200s. You can still buy vegetables at the farmers’ market, as well as taking a look at some of the monuments around.

One of these is the Parnas Fountain with its statue of Hercules. It is said that in old times fishmongers showcased their stock by letting their carp swim in the fountain waters.

On the south side Reduta Theatre is a concert hall that goes back to renaissance times. In 1767 an 11-year-old Mozart performed here with his sister.

11. Brno MotoGP

Another thing about Brno that puts it on the world map is the city’s motorcycling circuit. Brno has been connected to this motorsport since 1930 and for many years the Masaryk Circuit here was a perilous street race on cobblestones.

When this course was laid with asphalt in the 1960s Brno became a mainstay of the World Grand Prix, and the street circuit was eventually replaced by a purpose-built venue in 1987.

MotoGP comes to town in August every year, bringing with it three days of high-octane action and the best riders in the world.

12. The Church of Saint James

A beautiful national monument, this church has survived intact for almost the last 500 years and dates originally to the 1200s.

It’s a lovely Gothic building, with soaring vaulted ceilings, but recent excavations have uncovered a rather sinister feature underground.

If you dare you can step down to what is the largest ossuary in Europe after the Catacombs in Paris. It opened its doors in 2012 and is crammed with the remains of some 50,000 people, their bones and skulls arranged in ornamental designs and stacks.

13. Macocha Abyss

This sinkhole, half an hour north of the city, is like something out of a fantasy movie. The Macocha Abyss is part of the Punkva cave system and draws both serious subterranean adventurers and casual tourists who want to explore the deepest sinkhole in Central Europe.

The Abyss came about when the ceiling of a deep cave collapsed, and the feature is part of a vast and labyrinthine network of tunnels that you can navigate on a guided tour on foot and then by boat once you approach the cathedral-like Abyss.

In the open air is a trail that snakes through the rocky scenery is favoured by walkers and cyclists.

14. Brno Dam

The best time to head down to Brno’s dam is after sunset at the end of May and start of June when teams from around the world vie for the top awards at the Ignis Brunensis fireworks competition.

This started out as a mere exhibition, but in 2003 things started to get serious and hi-tech pyrotechnics companies started using the event as a chance to show the marketplace what they could do. This sense of competition is great news for the public, as the increasingly elaborate displays are reflected wonderfully by the waters of the reservoir.

By day people flock to the wooded shores of the reservoir in summer for boating, water sports and bike rides.

15. Brno’s Parks

Lužánky Park was the first public park in what is now the Czech Republic, which has earned it national monument status. The Jesuits played a part in its foundation, using these grounds for meditation and rest, and when they were expelled in the late 1790s Lužánky was laid out in the French formal style, later becoming more of a botanic garden with an ornamental stream.

Denis Gardens meanwhile connect Peter and Paul Cathedral with Špilberk Castle.  For those who have the energy to tackle the slope the park is full of surprises, with 19th-century gazebos and an elegant colonnade.

There are lookout platforms offering what is surely the most romantic view in Brno.

15 Best Things to Do in Brno (Czech Republic):

• Villa Tugendhat
• The Old Town Hall
• The Town Hall's Curios
• Gregor Mendel's Abbey and Museum
• Špilberk Castle
• Capuchin Monastery
• Modern Architecture
• Cathedral of Saint Peter and Paul
• Brno Underground
• The Cabbage Market
• Brno MotoGP
• The Church of Saint James
• Macocha Abyss
• Brno's Parks

25 Amazing Things to Do in Brno by Local

Welcome to Brno, the 2 nd largest city in the Czech Republic. Brno presents a perfect combination of history and a modern city. You can find there remarkable places, delicious food, beer, and wine. Brno was voted as 6 th most favorite student city in the world! (followed by Prague at 8 th position). It’s definitely one of the best places to visit in the Czech Republic . Let’s have a look at the best things to do in Brno.

This is your Ultimate Guide to Brno City written by local. As I am living there my whole life, you can bet, that I have valuable information no one else can tell you. For your easy orientation, I have prepared a map with all the mentioned places and things to do in Brno.

Obsah / Table of Contents

Best things to do in Brno City Center

Brno City Center is a lovely area which can be easily explored by walk within one day . If you prefer a faster way, you can check guided tours on Segway. Great idea is to buy a BrnoPas, which gives you free public transportation, free entry, and discounts to the best places. So, what to do in Brno?

1) Špilberk Castle

Castle of Špilberk was established in the 13th century. It’s situated on 290 meters high hilltop. Špilberk was turned from the royal castle to massive baroque citadel in the 17 th century. In its casemates, there used to be the heaviest prison in the Austro-Hungarian empire, intended for the most hardened criminals.

Špilberk Casemates are opened to the public and it’s one of the most interesting things to see in Brno Špilberk Castle. You can also visit the viewing tower or some of those permanent exhibitions. Check the opening hours and prices at the official Spilberk website .

You can visit the walls and courtyard of Špilberk for free. At the courtyard, you can find a castle well and chimes (which plays a nice melody every hour). There are also cannons on the wall and a beautiful view of the city.

2) Petrov – Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul

Petrov Cathedral is the most iconic building of Brno. It’s situated on Petrov hill and you can see it on arrival to Brno from many different directions. You can also see it on our 10 CZK coin. It has a long history. Petrov used to be a Romanesque Chapel in the 11th century, then Basilica (in 12-13th century) and later it was rebuilt into the Gothic style and officially declared a cathedral in 1777.

Cathedral can be visited for free every day from 8.15 to 18.30. There is also a mass every day. You can also climb one of the two impressive 84-meters-tall towers for a small fee. There is a nice view of Brno. If you are interested, you can join commented tour and visit also a cathedral crypt. In this case visit “Diecézní museum” – a building with address Petrov 1 by the stairs (Corner of Petrská street, next to the Cathedral).

Denisovy sady – Park around Petrov – If you are at Petrov hill, make a short walk around Denisovy sady, a nice park with a view to the tallest building in the Czech Republic. This place is also popular for parkour enthusiasts as well as a place where to have a drink and chill.

The most famous legend of Brno – Why the noon is ringed at 11 o’clock at Petrov – this legend dates back to the Thirty Years’ War when the Swedish army sieged Brno. General Torstenson and his 28 000 men spent 4 months trying to conquer Brno, which had only 1526 defenders. General Torstenson agreed to call off the attack if they couldn’t conquer the fortress by midday on August 15, 1645. Thanks to a wise idea, someone decided to ring noon an hour early that day and Brno was saved. True story: Swedish army was exhausted, and they gave up in the evening of 15.8.1645. 8 000 of Swedes were killed, meanwhile, on the other side, only 250 Brno defenders lost their lives.

3) Old Town Hall

Brno Old Town Hall has the 63-meters-tall tower which you can climb up and enjoy the view of Petrov Cathedral and Brno City. The tower is open to public from April till October and tickets cost 70 CZK. Opening hours and other info can be found here .  The Old Town Hall was built around 1240. There is also a tourist information center.

Before you enter, there are 3 interesting things worth noticing:

• Twisted pinnacle – Look up at 5 Gothic turrets decorating the entrance. The one in the middle is twisted. Why? Here is another legend: When the councilors ordered the decoration, they agreed with the sculpturer Anton Pilgram on the price, but when it was nearly finished, they refused to pay him, so he got angry and made the last turret as you can see it – twisted as council manners.
• Crocodile aka Brno Dragon – Crocodile is a symbol of Brno City and again it is tied to a legend, according which the Turkish sultan gave the crocodile to Brno Council as a present. The crocodile lived by the Svratka river and locals were afraid of the “dragon”, who was killing their sheep. So, one day, one brave man came up with an idea. He took a bull, stuffed it with quicklime and brought it to the river. The crocodile ate it, drank from the river and died because of the quicklime. Now crocodile is hanging in the arched passage at Old Town Hall.
• Wheel – You can also see there a wheel. This story began in Lednice town (60 km away from Brno) in a pub. Locals bet with the wheelwright that he is not able to make a wheel and roll it from Lednice to Brno on the same day. But Mr. Birk was so skillful that he was able to make it. As memory and tradition, there is a race of rolling the wooden wheel from Lednice to Brno every year.

4) Zelný trh (Vegetable market)

Zelný trh is one of the oldest squares in Brno. For centuries, it has been a place where locals buy fruit, vegetables, flowers, and other goods. The dominant of the square is a monumental Baroque fountain by Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach. There are 2 theaters, Husa na Provázku, and Reduta – one of the oldest theatre buildings in central Europe. You can find there also the Moravian Museum.

From Zelný trh, you can continue to Biskupský dvůr, Petrov or the Old Town Hall.

5) Labyrinth underneath Zelný trh 

Brno is literally drilled through with the underground tunnels and labyrinths. Have a look to one part underneath Zelný trh.

The cellars were built since medieval times. Typically, they were used as storage units for food, beer, and wine or as hideouts during wars. More often they were used as cool storage rooms for the marketplace above them. You can join a guided tour from Tuesday to Sunday. Find out more information about the tour and prices (about 160 CZK) at the official website .

6) St. James Ossuary – 2 nd largest Ossuary in Europe

An incredible number of more than 50 000 people is buried underneath the St. James (Sv. Jakub) Church. The ossuary was discovered in 2001 and opened to the public 11 years later, in 2012. It’s the 2 nd largest ossuary in Europe after Paris. It’s definitely one of the things to do in Brno. Skeletal remains belong to victims of medieval cholera and plague epidemics, Thirty Years’ War and Swedish siege.

You can visit St. James Ossuary in Brno from Tuesday to Sunday. Entrance fee is 140 CZK. The tour is very impressive also thanks to music composed especially for the ossuary. You can find more info here . I can 100% recommend visiting this place.

7) Astronomical Clock and it’s secret

Maybe you will laugh when you see it. The astronomical clock is the last thing that it is similar too. Locals call it “big black dick” or just a “dick”. Now seriously – you already know the legend about the Swedish Siege of Brno. This astronomical clock was built in a shape of the bullet, as a memory of the victory in 1645. It is made of 7 parts of granite which are rotating with different speed (one part makes one rotation in 1 minute, another one in 1 hour, etc.). So technically it really shows time, however, it’s almost impossible to read it.

Therefore, there is a guideline : Face the clock with the tram track behind you, make 15 steps back, turn left and look at the clock at St. James Church.

The secret of the Astronomical Clock: Every day at 11:00 AM you have a chance to catch a glass ball (marble ball). Who wouldn’t like a free souvenir from Brno? It is not that easy, but you might be lucky. Choose one of the 4 holes around the clock and wait until the 11:00 (it is good to be there early because people are usually waiting there ahead of time). Glass ball will go from the top to one of these holes. Put your hand inside by the “ball track” and try to catch it. You must be lucky to pick the right hole because there is only 1 ball out of 4 holes. Have fun!

Locals also make fun of it because “Of course, dick has to have balls” 😀

Insider’s tip: During the Christmas Markets time, the marble drops every hour from 11 AM to 11 PM.

8) Sculpture of Jobst (Jošt) on the Moravian square (Moravské Náměstí)

Just a few steps from St. James Church you will find 8 meters tall sculpture of Jobst of Moravia as an allegory of Courage. Moravské náměstí is a nice square right next to the St. Thomas Church, but why I am recommending you see this sculpture? It is another fun thing to do in Brno. Go right underneath the horse, stand between his front legs, look up to his head and you can start laughing. Sometimes there might me queue of sightseers who want to take a picture from underneath the horse to add one more d*ck to their Brno photo collection.  

9) Villa Tugendhat

If you find yourself as a fan of modern architecture, you shouldn’t miss Vila Tugendhat. The Villa of Greta and Fritz Tugendhat is a unique monument designed by German architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Villa was built in 1929–1930 in functionalist style and it is the only building of modern architecture in the Czech Republic which is inscribed in the UNESCO list.

Visiting Villa Tugendhat: you can visit Vila Tugendhat every day except Monday from 10:00 to 18:00 (last entry is at 17:30). It is necessary to buy tickets in advance. Usually, all the tickets are sold out several months in advance, but from time to time you might find some free slot. So, if you want to visit this unique place, book your ticket in advance. Visit the official page of the Vila Tugendhat to find more information and tickets.

How to get to Villa Tugendhat? – the Adress of Vila is Černopolní 237/45, Brno-sever, Černá Pole. The easiest way to get there is going by tram (9 or 11) to Tomanova stop and then continue to Muchova street by walk.

More things to do in Brno City Center

If you want something more or if you are interested in underground places of Brno, here are two extra places:

10) Bunker 10-Z

You already know that Brno has really a lot of underground places. If you are a fan of it, you might want to visit a nuclear fallout shelter 10-Z. It had been built during the Nazi occupation as a civil defense shelter and it was under control of the Czech army until 1993, and it had been classified as a top-secret . Book your cheapest ticket here .

11) Capuchin Church and Crypt

Aren’t you bored with bones and underground yet? Then you can visit Capuchin Church at Kapucínské náměstí (nearby Zelný trh) to see mummified monks in a crypt from 17th century. Find more info here .  

 Check out this video guide about best things to do in Brno:

Things to do in Brno Dam Area (Brno Water Reservoir)

Brno Dam is my favorite place. It’s an ideal leisure destination all year round. You can do various water sports there, go for a boat trip, play beach volleyball or cycle to Veveří Castle. When the winter is cold enough, it is a perfect place for ice skating or cross-country skiing.

12) Take a boat trip at Brno Dam

Sailing the Brno Dam is simply a nice experience + you can combine it with a visit of Veveří Castle. All the information can be found on Brno Transport Company website DPMB . If you click on Transport by boat, you can find a map , prices , timetable, departures and more. If you want to visit also a Zoo, Veveří Castle or Vida center – buy a combined ticket . It is only a few hundred meters by walk from tram stop Přístaviště to the port and boat stop Bystrc.

How to get to Brno Dam? Getting there is easy. You take the tram no. 1 from the Main Station (Hlavní nádraží) in the city center and get off at Přístaviště stop (one stop after Brno Zoo – Zoologická zahrada).

13) Zoo of Brno

Especially kids will be excited to visit Zoo Brno. You can find there more than 800 different species in 4 different theme areas. Highlights of the zoo are the polar bears and the goat area, where you can enter and play with goats, sheep, llamas, rabbits and guinea pigs. Zoo is open every day of the year! Opening hours, prices and more information can be found here .

You can get there easily by tram no. 1 (Zoologická zahrada stop), cross the bridge over the river and turn left.

14) Veveří Castle

Veveří is one of the oldest and largest castles in the Czech Republic. According to the legend it was founded in the 11th century, first written mention of Veveří Castle is from 1213. Castle is situated on the rocky promontory above the Svratka River surrounded by beautiful nature. Find more information about different excursions, opening hours and prices at official websites .

You can get there by bus no. 303 or much more enjoyable is to take a boat from Přístaviště Bystrc and enjoy the beautiful view of Veveří Castle from Brno dam. Name of the boat and bus stop at the Castle is “Hrad Veveří”.

Fun things to do in Brno

If you stay in Brno for longer or if you want other ideas to do, here are some fun things to do in Brno:

15) Explore Brno with an Outdoor Treasure Hunt Game

Enjoy the exploring of the best tourist attraction of Brno while playing this outdoor sightseeing treasure hunt game. You will collect clues which will lead you to find the treasure at the end. Start your game adventure here .

16) Play Exit Game

Have you ever tried exit game? It’s a great fun with friends and one of the best things to do in Brno in any weather. Read our review of the best exit game in Brno .

17) Visit Starobrno Brewery

If you like beer and you have already tried the best brands (Read our Czech Republic Beer Guide ! ) you can also try the traditional beer of Brno. Starobrno brewery in located at Mendlovo náměstí and you can join a brewery excursion with beer tasting. Tours are held every Saturday at 11 AM and 1 PM and on Sundays at 2 PM and 3 PM. Price for the tour is 150 CZK. Excursions are in English, Czech, and German.

18) Vida Science Center

Vida Science Center is an interactive exhibition divided into four thematic sections: Planet, Civilization, Mankind and the Microworld. If you are traveling with kids, they will be super excited. Vida Center is open every day and it’s located near the Brno fair trade complex. It’s one of the best things to do in Brno in rainy weather. Find more info at VIDA website.

Things to do in Brno – Nightlife

Brno is a student city, there are many well-known Universities and that’s why Brno has about 80 000 extra people during the school year. It means there is a rich nightlife. There are good restaurants, pubs, bars, and clubs. Especially busy are Wednesday evenings, a lot of people have a meeting at Česká street. It is really nice rush!

Best Party, Dance and Music clubs in Brno

There are several Music clubs that are in City Center. Usually, they have themed parties and evenings. Unfortunately, some of their websites are only in the Czech language. If you don’t like music in one of them, just go to another one (I have put all of them to the map , which you can download).

• Metro Music Bar – Open Wednesday to Saturday, Address: Poštovská 450/6
• Two Faces Music Club – Open Tuesday to Saturday, Address: Biskuupská 1
• 7. nebe – Check their program in English, Address: Jánská 453/9
• Bastila – Open every day, Address: Dominikánská 15
• Caribic Club Brno – Open at Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Address: Běhounská 2

Things to do in Brno – Restaurants

Here are some tips for good restaurants in Brno:

• Železná růže – my most favorite restaurant near the Brno Exhibition Center. Great Czech Cuisine for very good prices. Various types of beers and vines.
• Dřevěný vlk or Dřevěný orel – steak and beer bars. Czech and International cuisine in Brno City Center.
• Restaurace Pavillon – high quality and award-winning restaurant.

Pablo Escobar – if you want a great burger, it is an ideal choice. Unfortunately, it is a little further from the city center.

Things to do in Brno – Where to have a drink?

Those are the most popular places to have a beer in Brno:

• Na stojáka – Great beer bar by St. James Church. It is unique because there are no chairs. “Na stojáka” means to have a beer while standing. Evenings are usually crowded, and people are sitting on the street with beer.  
• Lokál u Caipla – Another great place to have a beer not very far from “Na stojáka”.
• Pegas – Alehouse in the historical building, better to book your table in advance (it is also a very popular place).

Cocktail bars:

If you are a fan of cocktails, you shouldn’t miss:

• Bar, který neexistuje – “Bar which doesn’t exist”. One of the most popular cocktail bars in Brno, where you can choose from hundreds of drinks from all around the world.
• Aloha Tiki Bar – Another Cocktail bar, only a few steps from Bar, který neexistuje.

• Friends Teahouse Brno – Spacy tea room in the city center.
• Dobrá Čajovna – “Good Tea Room” is quite hidden but very cozy tea room not far from Main Station.
• Za zrcadlem – Tea room with a lot of different board games.

Things to do in Brno – Best Cafés and Confectionaries

Here is a few of my favorites, every single one is unique in something:

• Aida – a great place to have a coffee, cake or ice cream just by the St. James church.
• SKØG Urban Hub – An award-winning café, a bar, and a coffee-roasting place with interesting interior.
• Café Momenta – stylish café and confectionary at Zelný trh.
• Kolbaba – traditional Czech sweet shop.

Practical map of best things to do in Brno

We have prepared a detailed map of all the best things to do in Brno to help you plan your trip out. Points of interest are divided by categories. Each category has a different color for easy orientation.

The map can be exported and uploaded to the mobile map app like Maps.me or  Locus map .

• Check here  all our travel planning maps .

Things to do in Brno – Public Events

1) ignis brunensis – festival of fireworks (may/june).

The most popular festival in Brno! I guarantee, that you will see the most awesome firework show you have ever seen! Fireworks at Brno water reservoir are grandiose. You will see the awesome reflection and the firework accompanied by music which is 15-20 minutes long. It is a completely awesome show and one of the absolute best things to do in Brno. There are thousands of people watching these firework shows every year. Depending on the weather, 200 000 people can watch a single firework.

Ignis Brunensis is not only about fireworks, but there are many more accompanying programs, like food festivals, theatre festivals or very traditional festivals of individual Brno districts.

2) Brno Museum Night (May)

This is an awesome event when all Brno museums are open for free to everybody for the whole day until late in the night. This can be a very nice experience, but you have to plan what you want to see because there are sooo many options, where to go. Read more here .

3) Brno Church Night (May)

Church Night is the equivalent of the Museum Night. All the churches are open until late at night. You can collect stamps in every single church and make a nice souvenir for yourself. It’s also possible to visit monasteries, cloisters, crypts, towers, organ galleries, and other usually inaccessible places. Find out more here.

4) Moto GP Brno (August)

Fans of fast motorcycles can visit Brno for Moto GP. The annual  Motorcycle Grand Prix of the Czech Republic  is the circuit’s most important event. You can read more about the events and circuit at official websites .

Things to do in Brno – Day trips

Although there are plenty of things to do in Brno, it might be nice to make a day trip to places nearby.

1) Moravian Karst – Moravský kras

Not very far from Brno, you can find very unique Protected Natural Area of Moravian Karst (Moravský kras). There are more than 1 000 caves which make Moravian Kast one of the most important karsts of Central Europe.

There are 5 different caves you can visit – those are pretty impressive:

• Macocha Abyss (Propast Macocha) – Macocha is more than 138 meters deep abyss/gorge. Mococha is biggest of its kind not only in the Czech Republic but even in Central Europe. There are two viewing platforms which you can visit.
• Punkva Caves (Punkevní jeskyně) – Punkva Caves are the most popular caves in Moravian Karst together with Macocha gorge. Maybe because of the romantic water cruise on underground Punkva River and the possibility to visit Macocha Abyss bottom. 
• Balcarka Cave (Jeskyně Balcarka) – is located in the northern part of Moravian Karst nearby Ostrov u Macochy, caves have a full-color stalactitic decoration.
• Katerinska Cave (Kateřínská jeskyně) – Kateřínská Cave has the biggest underground hall in the Czech Republic which is open to public (nearly 100 meters long and 44 meters wide).
• Sloupsko-Sosuvske Caves (Sloupsko-Šošůvské jeskyně) – Sloupsko-Šošůvské caves have a complex of large domes, corridors and huge underground gorges created in two levels. One hall (Eliška’s cave has perfect acoustics which is ideal for concerts of chamber music.
• Vypustek Cave (Jeskyně Výpustek) – Výpustek is not a traditional cave full of beautiful stalagmites and stalactites because it used to be an underground fallout shelter and a secret command post during the World War II and later a “socialist secret bunker”.

If you want personalized tour with hotel pick up, visit of Punkva Caves, Macocha plus a visit of Pernštejn Castle on the way, book a tour with your personal guide .

How to get to Moravian Karst?

The easiest way is to rent a car (especially if you want to visit more than one cave). Check out the best deals here . There is a paid parking nearby each cave (not expensive).

Moravian Karst from Brno by public transport

Take a train from the Brno Main Station to Blansko (train from Brno goes here every hour). At Blansko you need to change to the bus according to the cave you want to visit:

• For Macocha and Punkva Caves and Katerinska Cave take bus 226 to Skalní Mlýn. You can also use a special bus called Krasobus during high season.
• For Sloupsko-Sosuvske Caves take bus 233 or 240 to Sloup
• For Balcarka Cave take a bus 232 to Ostrov u Macochy, Balcarka

If you want to visit underground fallout shelter Výpustek , you take the same train, but you will get off earlier in Adamov, then you need to wait for bus 157.

You can find all transport connection on Google Maps or at IDOS . (Switch IDOS to English in the right bottom corner).

2) Lednice-Valtice Complex

Lednice-Valtice is a cultural-natural landscape complex in South Moravia listed in UNESCO World Heritage. You can find there absolutely charming Chateau surrounded by beautiful gardens full of rare tree species, romantic buildings, and fishponds. Lednice-Valtice Complex is known as the Garden of Europe. Chateau Lednice has a neo-gothic appearance, meanwhile Valtice in a residence od Lord of Lichtenstein. Wine lovers will surely enjoy this region. In Pálava they grow the best wine in the Czech Republic.

You can head off for a personalized Wine Tour to Lednice-Valtice and Mikulov.

Opening hours of Lednice Castle, various excursions and prices can be found at Lednice Castle website. The easiest way to get there from Brno is by car, but you can get there by public transport (bus+train).

Land of wine – the best wine in Moravia and the whole Czech Republic. The highlands of Pálava reminiscent “laying lady”. Pálava Natural Reserve is a part of UNESCO biosphere reserves. Thanks to the warm and dry climate, there can be found unique flowers and both flora and fauna are extremely rich in this area. There is also a beautiful water reservoir Nové Mlýny. Adrenaline enthusiast and wellness lovers might try Aqualand Moravia in Pasohlávky.

Where to stay in Brno?

Internesto Apartments Downtown offers a unique experience because of its unique design. They have great reviews and a perfect location. If you seek a great value/price ratio, pick 7 NIGHTS Apartments. They are located at the city center and have good reviews.

Nice hostel in the city center is Hostel John Galt . Perfect location, good prices. Another hostel option is ApatrHostel not far from the city center.

If you need to stay nearby the Exhibition center, Orea Hotel Voronez 2 is a popular option.

Best accommodation by Brno dam is at Maximus Resort , which has fabulous Wellness and Spa! The budget option is to stay just nearby at Beach Pub Sokolák .

Practical Tips

• BRNOPAS is a MUST! It will give you free public transportation, free entry to the most interesting places and things to do in Brno + discounts to other Brno attractions. You can buy it for 24 hours, 2 or 3 days.
• Don’t book your accommodation at Cejl (read the following paragraph about safety)

Safety in Brno

Brno is a very safe city in general, maybe except one quarter among the streets of Cejl – Ponávka – Francouzská. It is a gypsy quarter, all shops have bars/grids because the criminality is higher. There is quite a lot of cheap Airbnbs and Booking offers because tourists don’t know about it. If you want nice memories of Brno, book your accommodation elsewhere. Cejl is not a nice area anyway.

Brno is not that touristic place, so there are no tourist scams or traps.

Brno weather

Check the weather forecast for today and the following days:

Getting around Brno

Brno has great public transportation and is quite small compared to other European cities. Getting around by public transport and by walk is more than enough. You can also use shared bikes “Rekola”.

Brno by walk

If you are in the Old Town area among Main Train Station, Petrov, Špilberk Castle, and Česká street, you have everything in walking distance. Nice walking tour around all interesting places of Brno Old Town can be done in half a day to a full day.

Brno Public transport

Public transport will be handy in case you are staying elsewhere than in the city center. The vast majority of the best things to do in Brno is easily reachable by public transport.

Tickets – You can buy tickets in orange machines on a frequented bus and tram stops or in some newsstand/tobacco shop (it is possible to buy tickets even from the driver, but these are more expensive). If you plan to stay a couple of days, buy multiple day ticket (24 hours, 5 days or 14 days ticket). You can find the price list here . Zone 100 + 101 should be enough for you, they cover most of the Brno city area.

A very good option is to buy a BrnoPas which gives you entry to the best Brno attractions plus public transport for free.

Connection search – You can also use Google Maps “Route Search” to find the best connection. Alternatively, you can find a connection on IDOS . Click on the English flag in the bottom right corner to get an English version.

Shared bikes in Brno

If you are a cycling fan, you can use pink shared bikes “Rekola”. You will need a smartphone with data to download and use the app. Visit their website to find all the necessary information.

How to get to Brno?

Most travelers are coming to Brno from Prague, Vienna or Bratislava

Travel from Prague to Brno by train

You won’t find cheaper, more comfortable or fastest way to get from Prague to Brno than by train. The journey from Prague to Brno takes just 2 hours 37 minutes. Book your ticket with yellow RegioJet company. We don’t have any affiliate with them, but they are simply the best and cheapest! Brno Train Station is (so far by the year 2019) right in the city center.

Prague to Brno by bus

Another option is to go from Prague to Brno by bus. You can book RegioJet or Flixbus . But beware that our highway D1 is bumpy and constantly under the construction. You never know how long the journey will take. In average the journey takes around 3 hours (2,5 outside of rush hours). The bus station at Benešova třída by Grand Hotel is also in the city center.

Bratislava + Vienna to Brno

There are fewer connections between those cities than from Brno to Prague, but again buses or trains are the best options to choose from.

Brno flights

There are regular flights to Brno from London, Berlin, and Milan by Ryanair. If you fly from different destinations, look up for flights to Prague, Bratislava or Vienna. The best deals can be usually found on Skyscanner .

More Places to visit in the Czech Republic:

Read our ultimate guide to the best places to visit in the Czech Republic:

• 39 Best Places to Visit in the Czech Republic: Insider’s Guide

More tips for your travels:

We have prepared for you this comprehensive list of links, discounts, and resources for travel planning in one place. Bookmark this page and whenever you plan a vacation in the future, just open it and save yourself a lot of time.

1) Where to book accommodation?

• We prefer to find an accommodation using Booking.com .
• It's also worth it to compare with AirBnb .
• Read also our guide - How to search for the best accommodation .

2) How to find cheap flights?

• We recommend searching for flights on Skyscanner .
• Read also our complete guide - How to find cheap flights .

3) How to rent a car?

• We recommend a comparison portal RentalCars.com to compare the best offers of all available rental companies.

Pin this guide to the best things to do in Brno for later or for your friends:

Things to do in Brno – FAQ:

Is there a downloadable map of the best things to do in brno.

Yes, you can find a  detailed map of the best things to do in Brno . You can download this map to your mobile phone.

Internesto Apartments Downtown  offers a unique experience because of its unique design. They have great reviews and a perfect location. If you seek a great value/price ratio, pick 7 NIGHTS Apartments. They are located at the city center and have good reviews.

Nice hostel in the city center is  Hostel John Galt . Perfect location, good prices. Another hostel option is  ApatrHostel  not far from the city center.

If you need to stay nearby the Exhibition center,  Orea Hotel Voronez 2  is a popular option.

Best accommodation by Brno dam is at  Maximus Resort , which has fabulous Wellness and Spa! The budget option is to stay just nearby at  Beach Pub Sokolák .

Where to eat in Brno?

Železná růže  – my most favorite restaurant near the Brno Exhibition Center. Great Czech Cuisine for very good prices. Various types of beers and vines.

Dřevěný vlk  or  Dřevěný orel  – steak and beer bars. Czech and International cuisine in Brno City Center.

Restaurace Pavillon  – high quality and award-winning restaurant.

Where to have a beer or drink in Brno?

Na stojáka  – Great beer bar by St. James Church. It is unique because there are no chairs. “Na stojáka” means to have a beer while standing. Evenings are usually crowded, and people are sitting on the street with beer.  

Lokál u Caipla  – Another great place to have a beer not very far from “Na stojáka”.

Pegas  – Alehouse in the historical building, better to book your table in advance (it is also a very popular place).

Did this post about things to do in Brno help you? Share it with your friends! It can help them too!

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• BUTCHER'S Grill & Pasta
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• Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul
• Skip the Line: 10-Z Bunker Entrance Ticket in Brno
• THE PUNKVA CAVE, MACOCHA ABYSS and the PERNSTEJN CASTLE
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13 Top Things to Do in Brno, Czech Republic

While it may not be as well-known as Prague, Brno is full of impressive historical sights, a thriving food and drink scene, and a number of quirky attractions. From architectural masterpieces to subterranean discoveries, the Czech Republic’s second city has something for everyone without the hustle and hassle of bigger cities.

Located in the south-eastern part of the country, Brno is closer to Vienna and Bratislava than it is to Prague but is just as easily accessible from many of Central Europe’s capitals. Whether you’re just passing through or are making it the main event, don’t miss these top things to do in Brno.

Take in the Views from the Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul

TripSavvy / Evgeniya Vlasova

Perched atop Petrov hill, the impressive Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul is impossible to miss. Explore the area around it, marvel at the Baroque architecture inside, and climb to the top of the Gothic Revival towers to take in sprawling views of the city below. This beautiful piece of architecture is such a significant landmark in the Czech Republic it landed the coveted spot on the back of the 10 koruna coin. A curious quirk of the cathedral, it rings its bells at 11 a.m. instead of 12 p.m., thanks to a popular legend originating from the Thirty Years’ War.

Explore Špilberk Castle

Dating back to the 13th century, Špilberk Castle was once the seat of Moravian margraves and, for a time, was considered to be the harshest prison in the Austro-Hungarian empire. The casemates below the fortress can be visited today and offer a glimpse into this grim past. Above ground, the castle is now home to the Brno City Museum. Visitors are treated to some of the city's best views from the complex, and the gardens surrounding are a great place to enjoy a relaxed stroll.

Enjoy the Unique Nightlife

While Brno’s nightlife tends to be more understated than the wild nights bachelor parties travel to Prague for, it has plenty of its own quirks. If you want to try some of the Czech Republic’s world-famous brews, head to Lokál U Caipla or Pivovarská Starobrno for some of the freshest beer in the city. Výčep Na Stojáka offers a more unusual beer-drinking experience. Its name roughly translates to ‘standing up pub,’ so it’s common to see patrons sipping their craft news on the curb outside during the warmer months as there are no seats inside.

If cocktails or fine spirits are more to your taste, Bar, Který Neexistuje (Bar that Doesn’t Exist) won’t disappoint. Enjoy a dram from their impressive whisky list or sip a handcrafted cocktail while enjoying the 1920’s New York atmosphere. If you want to leave your drink choice up to fate, head to the entertaining Super Panda Circus .

Learn Something New at the Museum of Romani Culture

The Museum of Romani Culture is the only museum of its kind dedicated to the culture and history of the Romani people. The permanent exhibit takes visitors on a journey through the history of the Roma, covering an expansive time period from ancient India to the present day. From World War II onward, the exhibit takes a closer look at the situation of Roma in the Czech Republic specifically. Temporary exhibits showcasing art and photography are also regularly featured.

Catch the Astronomical Clock’s Glass Ball in Náměstí Svobody

Náměstí Svobody, or Freedom Square, is Brno’s main square and the location of the city’s peculiarly shaped astronomical clock. Crowds gather around the imposing black stone monument daily as it chimes 11 a.m. and drops a glass ball for one lucky person to catch. It’s common to find people standing around the clock as early as 9 a.m. claiming their spot for this event. The square hosts several festivals throughout the year and is lined with restaurants and bars, making it a great spot to enjoy a meal or drink outside in the city center.

Tour the Ossuary Beneath Church of St. James

Walking past the Church of St. James, you’d never know what lies beneath, and people didn’t for many years. Rediscovered in 2001, the ossuary is the second biggest in Europe, after the Parisian catacombs. It dates back to the 17th century and houses the remains of over 50,000 people. Visitors explore this underground resting place accompanied by music from Miloš Štědroň that was composed specifically for this location.

Hike Around the Brno Reservoir to Veveří Castle

The Brno Reservoir is a beautiful setting for water sports, swimming, cycling, and hiking. Hikers will enjoy the forested trail along the water’s edge leading to Veveří Castle . The castle has a long history dating back to the 11th-century housing royals, withstanding sieges, and even hosting Winston Churchill and his wife on their honeymoon. Boats run between the castle and Bystrc harbor during the summer, providing a relaxing, scenic journey back to the city after an exciting day of hiking and exploring.

Visit the Capuchin Crypt

The mummified remains of dozens of Capuchin monks lie beneath the Capuchin Monastery in Brno. Due to a vow of poverty, the deceased monks' bodies were placed in the crypt without a coffin. The composition of the environment of this resting place has naturally mummified their remains over time. This practice ceased in the 18th century due to hygiene laws, but visitors can still enter the crypt to pay their respects and marvel at this natural phenomenon. The words “As you are now, we once were; as we are now, you shall be” in Czech are inscribed at the site, leaving visitors with a solemn reminder.

Spend the Night in the Nuclear Bunker 10-Z

This formerly top-secret air raid shelter was originally built in the hill below Špilberk Castle during the Nazi occupation of Brno. It was later equipped to house 500 people in case of a nuclear attack during the Communist era. Today, visitors can explore bunker 10-Z on their own or with a guide, and the brave can even spend the night in one of the hostel rooms in this underground labyrinth.

Tour the Famous Villa Tugendhat

Villa Tugendhat is an architectural icon. Located in Brno’s Černá Pole neighborhood, this building was a pioneer of modernism when construction began in 1928. The Gestapo confiscated it during World War II, but it was restored to its former glory in the 1960s. In 1992, it was the setting of Velvet Divorce that split Czechoslovakia into two independent countries, and it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. Villa Tugendhat is one of the top sights to see in the Czech Republic, so be sure to book a tour at least three months in advance to avoid disappointment.

See the “Dragon” at Old Town Hall

Not only does Brno’s Old Town Hall house the tourist information center, but it’s also home to the city’s “dragon.” Visitors should not be alarmed when they find a full-sized taxidermied crocodile hanging from the ceiling in the archway below the Late Gothic turret. Legend has it that this “dragon” terrorized the city until an ingenious idea finally put an end to its reign. Enjoy the events hosted in the courtyard or climb to the top of the tower for a great view of the city.

Explore Zelný trh Above and Below

Zelný trh is one of the main squares in Brno. Its name translates to ‘vegetable market’ and has been the site of a marketplace for centuries. Vendors sell produce and flowers around the stunning Baroque fountain centerpiece called ‘Parnas.’ The Reduta Theatre, the oldest theatre in Central Europe, can also be found here with a statue outside commemorating Mozart’s performance here when he was just eleven years old. In addition to shopping, visitors can visit the medieval cellars and passageways that lie below the market.

Learn About the Father of Genetics at the Mendel Museum

The Mendel Museum is dedicated to Gregor Johann Mendel's work, who is generally credited as being the father of genetics. The museum is situated within the grounds of Brno’s Augustinian Abbey, where Mendel once lived and worked, and is run by Masaryk University. It’s a place where researchers and the general public can come together to learn about Mendel’s life, work, and legacy, as well as other topics of interest from various scientific and artistic disciplines.

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The inside guide to Brno, the Czech Republic's quirky second city

​Famed for its historic beauty, the Czech capital rewards travellers who look beyond its golden-stoned Old Town ­— dig deeper and discover a new side defined by edgy arts, innovative eats and hip boutiques.

For a city of only around 400,000 — a significant chunk of which are university students — there’s a discernible buzz to Brno. Long overshadowed by Prague, the Moravian capital is developing a reputation for its burgeoning restaurant scene and cooler-than-cool bars. Here, evenings are for dining out at the latest farm-to-table restaurant, and weekends are for shopping in the old market, checking out the newest speakeasy, or cycling out to South Moravia’s patchwork of thriving vineyards. The city has serious historical and cultural credentials, too — its streets whisper of empires, occupations and a revolution (albeit the Velvet kind) — but it’s the quality and lazy pace of local life and the infectious joie de vivre of the locals that’s the real highlight of any visit.

Off-beat Brno  

Brno, you’ll find, has a penchant for odd monuments. A popular meeting spot is the ASTRONOMICAL CLOCK in Náměstí Svobody square — a futuristic, phallic sculpture out of which a glass marble pops each day at 11am. Another eye-catching flourish is the bronze STATUE OF THE KNIGHT , featuring Jobst of Moravia astride a 25ft tall giraffe-like steed in Moravian Square. Sights like these can be admired on a walking tour booked through the tourism office .  

Below its charming array of ornate churches and towers, the historic centre has a secret, subterranean kingdom with a sinister history. Beneath the Zelný trh — or Cabbage Market — is a labyrinth of former torture chambers and dusty cellars, and even a pub, all of which can be toured with a costumed guide. Brno also boasts Europe’s second-largest OSSUARY after Paris — visit the installation under Church of St James for a spooky display of bones. And at 10-7 BUNKER , grab a map and start exploring the fascinating tunnels and anterooms of a former Cold War-era nuclear fallout shelter, which was classified as ‘Top Secret’ by the military until as recently as 1993. It also offers overnight rooms, tucked away in the depths of the bunker.

For an equally outlandish but far more luxurious stay, check into the 10-room ANYBODY HOTEL , which also offers immersive game play in rooms inspired by cult 1960 films like   La Dolce Vita and Breakfast at Tiffany’s . The concept has gone down a storm with locals, many of whom opt for multiple weekend staycations to sample each different room. Rooms start at €120 (£101) for two people, B & B. Pair a stay with a visit to cocktail bar extraordinaire SUPER PANDA CIRCUS . This intimate, Tokyo-inspired speakeasy has no drinks menu; instead, bartenders challenge guests to a game to determine their order.    

Gourmet gallivant  

No visit to the city would be complete without a leisurely rummage through the edible produce and flower stalls of the CABBAGE MARKET , which has been in trading since the 13th century and is open from spring to autumn, Monday to Saturday. Don’t miss BOŽSKÝ KOPEČEK , which sells vegan ice cream, and DOBROKÁVA , a coffee maker that will exchange a flat white for a good deed.

When it comes to restaurants, Brno is having a boom. Over the past decade, talent and investment has returned to the city, and the very best eateries can be scouted out with the help of stylish annual pocket guide   GOURMET BRNO . Not sure where to start? Last year, CASTELLANA TRATTORIA was lauded for its hedonistic Italian fare and extensive wine list, while intimate courtyard bistro ATELIER COCKTAIL BAR & BISTRO won for its creative farm-to-table approach.

Look beyond the city, too. Brno sits at the heart of South Moravia’s legendary winelands, which include the picturesque slopes and valleys around the Pálava Hills and the fairytale Lednice Castle. Drive or cycle into the countryside for tastings at the historic cellars of NEPRAŠ , the award-winning SONBERK , and the new kid on the block OBELISK , stopping for lunch at the characterful, rustic restaurant PENZION PASTUŠKA . Vineyard tours and tastings can be organised through local travel agency Holiday Moments .      

Local entrepreneur Adam Vodička’s guide to Brno’s nightlife

U Alberta Brewing its own craft beer, this place is magic in winter when its tiny interior is packed out; in summer, its beer garden extends over the whole park surrounding Špilberk Castle. I love its beer, Šalina — it’s the same name we give our city trams.

Atelier Cocktail Bar & Bistro Atelier is definitely the place to eat if you want to know the definition of ‘contemporary yet traditional’. Here, perfection lies in simplicity — you win no matter what you choose, wine or cocktails.

4pokoje   At this (almost) 24-hour bar, enjoy a crafted cocktail based on homemade ingredients, grab a bite to eat, or swing by in the morning for the eggs benedict with a glass of champagne. Ask the staff for suggestions, too — if there’s anything happening in the city, they’ll know about it.

Cabaret des Péchés With a lavish red interior full of velvet, this new cabaret is a novel addition to the city’s entertainment scene, hosting regular standup comedy nights. Unusually for Brno, you can even turn up here even with a party of 10 or more.

Lemon Music Club Brno is still waiting for its own big nightclub venue, but if you want to go dancing and you’re not shy, you’ll definitely enjoy our Frisco/Castro district — check out the refreshing atmosphere at the LGBTQ-friendly Lemon Music Club. When you’re done, greet the dawn in Denisovy sady, the public gardens overlooking the twinkling city lights.  

Adam is a trained psychologist and local entrepreneur, designing experiences in the hospitality industry, including high-end cocktail venue The Bar That Doesn’t Exist .  

Published in the April   2020   issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK)

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Things to Do in Brno Czechia: One Day Itinerary

You have to love a town with a name like Brno. Who but the Czechs could create a language with words that have no vowels? I mean, we stayed at a hotel on Zelny trh!

They might spend a weekend in Prague , but it seems that most people don’t explore much more of the Czech Republic . Okay, maybe they’ll do a few day trips like Kutna Hora or Bohemian Switzerland , but few foreign tourists think about visiting Brno.

I’m going to tell you why you should visit Brno in this article

Why bother visiting Brno?

We almost didn’t visit Brno ourselves, but Czech Tourism talked us into it. They were right: it makes an ideal base for day trips around the southern Moravia region . I’m glad we took their advice.

Four nights in one place enabled us to see:

• Moravian Karst,
• Lednice-Valtice complex,
• Trebic, and

without having to change hotels.

But let me tell you, navigating Brno’s narrow one-way streets – especially at twilight – Is not for the faint of heart! Had it not been for Waze I don’t know what we might have done, because Brno is the Czech Republic’s second largest city after Prague. Worse, our hotel was smack-dab in city center, which is full of one-way streets.

I was sure we were going the wrong way a few times but no police stopped us, so we kept driving. I think we both heaved a huge sigh of relief when we finally parked.

How to get from Prague to Brno

Regardless of how you choose to travel, it takes approximately 2.5 hours to get to Brno from Prague. Prices vary, and Czech Transport does not offer a discount for round-trip tickets.

• Take the bus. Czech Transport offers numerous buses daily between Prague and Brno. Buses have leather seats, toilet, electric sockets, wi-fi, and complimentary hot drinks. Pre-book bus tickets here.
• Take the train. This is perfect if you (or a child) like to move around. Czech Transport offers 12 direct trains daily. The fastest train runs the distance in 2 hours and 40 minutes. Booking is possible 90 days in advance. Reserve train tickets here.
• Hire a driver. You can book a private transfer and let a personal chauffeur drive you from Prague to Brno. Both Czech Transport and Get Your Guide offer this. Nap or relax in complete privacy or enjoy views of the surrounding countryside along the way.
• Rent a car. Not only is renting a car cheaper than hiring a driver, it offers the ultimate in complete flexibility. We rented a car for our a 3-week road trip around the Czech Republic and it made all the difference.

ⓘ BUDGET TIP: When comparing prices, remember that some prices are quoted per person, while others are per group.

Where to stay in Brno

Zelný trh is one of Brno’s most beloved public squares. People have been selling produce there since the middle ages, and it has a practical name. Its name, zelny trh, actually means “cabbage market” in Czech.

It’s also a lot of fun to try to say . My tongue had a lot of fun flipping around the word trh while we were there.

The best thing about staying on Zelny trh is that a lot of the city’s best attractions are within walking distance. The most unusual attraction is Brno’s Underground Labyrinth. Plus, a shopping mall is only a couple of blocks away, and you’re spoiled with the choice of nearby restaurants.

We stayed at the Grandezza Hotel Luxury Palace , and we loved how our windows opened onto the square. But since it was already dark, we went in search of a place to enjoy dinner with a pivo . The Czechs hold the record for beer consumption per capita. Proof that it’s almost ­always a good time for a Czech beer.

The square’s centerpiece is Parnas Fountain, which was built in the 1690’s. The Baroque fountain symbolizes a cave made of natural boulders, but it was hard to make out, because it was being restored while we were there. The rocky parts were obvious. What wasn’t obvious was that its statues allegorically represent three ancient empires – Babylonia, Persia and Greece. I have a good imagination, but it doesn’t work very well with scaffolding in the way.

A one day Brno itinerary

Brno may not seem visit worthy at first glance, but it is. The city is full of interesting attractions and things to do, not to mention a UNESCO World Heritage Site. I think we fit the best things to see in the one day we devoted to sightseeing in Brno. We could have seen a couple more, if they had been open a bit later.

10:00 – Spilberk Castle

Our day in Brno began with a short walk to Špilberk Castle (hrad Špilberk). We’d have started earlier, but they weren’t open.

Well … not so short, actually. Even though the castle is only a few blocks away according to the map, Spilberk sits on a steep hill and you have to navigate up a lot of winding paths to get to its gate. We passed young couples, senior citizens walking their dogs and athletes, all walking the hill to keep in shape. Gluttons for punishment, if you ask me. All of ‘em.

Worse, the city was holding a mountain bike competition so we all had to keep our wits about us as bikers pedaled past us on the steep slope.

Touring through the 13 th century fortress was fascinating. Our guide brought us through its dark casemates, castle interior, and up its tower, all the while explaining the castle’s history. Špilberk castle has been everything from a royal castle and seat of the Moravian royalty to a monumental Baroque fortress, the toughest prison of the Austrian monarchy and a military barracks.

Even though it was founded by beloved Czech king Přemysl Otakar II, the castle made its darkest mark on history during its time as a prison. Not only “regular” murderers, thieves or arsonists did their time here, but also so-called state prisoners. The upper classes had to be very careful not to offend the Habsburg rulers. Walking through its casemates we could see why no one wanted to be imprisoned there.

Nazi Germany occupied the country during World War II, and they took over the castle. They turned the casemates into offices. You can still see their original telegraph lines strung along the brick walls.

All interesting, but I think my favorite memory of our visit is the remarkable view from the tower. It might have been something to see the museum too, but we had to give it a miss.

• Address: Špilberk 1, 662 24 Brno
• Phone: +420 542 123 611
• [email protected]

12:00 – Lunch at Spilberk Castle

Although we had planned our entire itinerary around UNESCO World Heritage Sites, we had despaired of seeing the one in Brno because tours had sold out months before. Then, we got a call that our partners at Czech Tourism had wrangled two tickets for us. I can’t begin to express how excited and grateful I was. We were going to see Villa Tugendhat after all!

With two hours to spare, we opted to eat in the castle’s historic dining room. We didn’t want to waste time looking for a lunch place somewhere in town.

Big mistake. Even though we could see the restaurant clearly through its windows, the entrance was nowhere to be seen. No. Sign. Anywhere. Eventually we opened an unmarked door in a passageway and there it was. No wonder that we were the only ones in the place.

It seemed to take ages to get our food. It was nearing half past one when we finally got the bill, and we still had to get to the villa – on the other side of Brno! Adding to the stress, that biking event meant all the roads around the castle were closed — and taxis were nowhere to be found! The only option we could think of was to go in search of a hotel and ask the concierge to call for a taxi.

The taxi arrived with 20 minutes to spare. Finally, we were on our way. Whew!

2:00 – Villa Tugendhat

I can see why tickets are so hard to get. Villa Tugendhat has influenced modern housing design so much that it is featured in every college textbook of architecture. It’s even been called one of the four most important villas of the world.

Now, we may not know much about building design but even we were impressed by this house. I could live here. The house is named for Fritz and Greta Tugendhat, the Jewish German couple who built it, not for its famous German architect (Mies van der Rohe). This is modern living at its best, with disappearing windows, clean lines, exotic wood and stone, and plenty of light and open space. And the view is incredible!

The house’s story is sad. The Tugendhats didn’t live there for long. They had to flee to Switzerland when the Nazis took over. Their home ended up in the hands of the Gestapo, then later, the Soviet military used it. And they destroyed the place with all their remodeling.

Greta Tugendhat was able to explain the original design in the late 1960s, but it wasn’t until recently that UNESCO added it to its World Heritage list and it was completely restored. Now that we’ve been, we’d say that it’s worth visiting Brno just to see this house.

How to see the Tugendhat Villa in Brno

Villa Tugendhat is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 9:00 to 17:00. Online ticket sales HERE .

Entry fees: 300 Kč – Photographs in the interiors of the Villa are permitted without the use of a flash and a tripod. A “photo-ticket” can be purchased directly at the cash desk for CZK 300.

• Address: Černopolní 45, 613 00 Brno 
• Phone : +420 515 511 015
• http://www.tugendhat.eu/en/

ⓘ TIP: Villa Tugendhat is extremely popular. Book your tour at least 3-4 months in advance.

4:00 – St James Ossuary

Leaving the beautiful house, we walked back to a main street, where we caught a tram to see the ossuary under St. James Church.

What makes St. James Ossuary unusual is that it wasn’t discovered until 2001, and that was completely by accident. The bones were discovered while the city was surveying for the Brno Underground. St. James Square was once the churchyard for St. James church. Eventually, the churchyard was closed down and this ossuary  was forgotten.

Containing the bones of over 50,000 people, St. James Ossuary is the second-largest in Europe; only the Paris Catacombs is larger.

Like many other churchyards, wars, cholera and plagues quickly overwhelmed the space. They began to open graves a decade or so after burial and remove the remains to make room for “new residents.” The bones were stacked in underground areas specially designed for the purpose. Eventually, water and mud began to invade. It took over 10 years to get the bones cleaned and re-stacked. The ossuary opened to the public in 2012.

It was worth visiting I guess, though we saw it all within 15 minutes. Dan and I went upstairs to check out St. James Church itself. A caretaker chased me off, endlessly repeating something to me in Czech. Maybe he wanted me to pay him for the privilege of taking photos, who knows.

Not happening, because the interior looked like a dozen other churches we’d seen that week, and Dan had taken some before the caretaker appeared. Besides, our next destination closed at 6 p.m. and we didn’t want to miss it. We began walking up the hill to Zelny trh.

4:30 – Burcak festival

However, we passed a Burcak festival on our way back. Lucky for us, because burcak is a Czech specialty that you can’t find elsewhere and we’d been wanting to try it.

Burcak (pronounced BUR-chahk) is only available for a few weeks in the fall, after the grape harvest begins. It looks like unfiltered grape juice and comes in two varieties: red and white. We found a stall offering both and bought one of each to share.

Oh. My. I could drink that forever! It tastes far more like sweet, unfiltered grape juice than a wine. And it is tasty enough to want seconds and thirds. But don’t let its 5% alcohol content fool you: Burcak is sneaky. Its high-sugar and cloudy, juice-like content can easily fool unwary first-timers into underestimating its punch.

Fortunately, we knew better and resisted the strong temptation to go back for more.

Let me tell you, burcak is extremely popular with the locals; they buy it in 2.5-liter jugs because it tastes so good. If we lived there, we would, too.

ⓘ TIP: Burcak is only available in the Czech Republic, and only in late September. Make it a point to try it if you’re in Czechia at that time of year.

5:30 – Brno Underground

The Moravian capital still has its secrets. Not too many know this, but there is an extensive underground network of tunnels running under Brno that date back to medieval times. Originally used as food storage, wine cellars and torture chambers, a portion has been newly renovated and is open to visitors. The entrance to Brno Underground is at Zelný trh .

Experienced guides in historical costumes lead visitors through the system of old cellars and passageways. We got to see the mysterious nooks and crannies of the medieval passages and cellars, including a historic pillory, which hopefully was moved from its original location aboveground.

The tour is a great way to see how people lived in the Middle Ages. You can see how they stored food, a historical wine cellar, an alchemist’s workshop and jail. The braver visitors among you can try wearing the masks which were used for punishment. If even that is not enough for you, the guide can lock you in the “lunatic cage” for a while. That might be fun.

ⓘ TIP: This tour is not for people with mobility issues or those who dislike closed spaces. You will have to negotiate more than 200 steps and descend to a depth of eight meters.

6:30 – Gothic Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul

One of Brno’s best-loved sites is the Gothic Cathedral of SS Peter and Paul on Petrov Hill. Its Chapel of the Annunciation of the Lord has a rare altar made from ebony, while the cathedral treasury has sacral textiles, cups and a monstrance on display. Also, if you have the stamina, the church spires offer a beautiful view.

According to legend, the Petrov church saved the city from the Swedish army during the Thirty Years War.

In 1645, Brno endured a three-and-a-half-month siege by the Swedish army. The Swedish general finally declared that if he was unable to conquer the city by the time Petrov rang the noontime bells, he would end the siege and withdraw. To hurry their departure, the people of Brno rang the bells an hour earlier. The Swedish army withdrew, never able to capture the city.

To this day, Petrov rings its bells every day at 11 o’clock in remembrance of the event.

ⓘ TIP: Climb one of the lookout towers for a view of the beautiful Chapel of the Annunciation of the Lord with its rare ebony altar. The permanent exhibition in the cathedral treasury has sacral textiles, cups and a monstrance on display.

6:45 – Old Town Hall

Brno’s Old Town Hall is a landmark in the city, partly because it dates from the 13 th century. You can climb its 63-meter-tall tower for a magnificent view of Brno city.

The building has a number of interesting legends, including one about a dragon that supposedly terrorized the citizens. Once he was killed, the dragon was stuffed and suspended from the entryway’s ceiling. But don’t let the legend fool you: their “dragon” is actually a crocodile.

There’s no admission to the tower after 5:30 pm, so we missed the opportunity. We did, however, see the Gothic gateway, with its crooked middle turret. Depending on who you talk to, the builder was either

• Objecting to not being paid, or
• Making fun of Gothic art by making the middle turret look like it was about to fall on passersby.

Maybe both.

Other things to do in Brno if you have more time

Náměstí Svobody is the natural center of the city, where fairs and various celebrations are held several times a year. The square is home to the youngest astronomical clock in the world. The people of Brno had a modern astronomical clock built here in 2010 from black granite in the shape of a shell casing. Every day at 11 am, a marble is ejected from it to commemorate the Brno siege.

We’ve already mentioned the Brno Underground at nearby Zelný trh . However, this picturesque little square is also home to two notable theater buildings. Reduta, the current building of the National Theatre in Brno, once had Mozart play to the Brno public as a young boy. Nearby, the Husa na provázku played an important role in protests against the communist regime. Its experimental theatre is regarded as some of the highest quality theatre on the contemporary Czech scene.

Also, we found two unique experiences on Get Your Guide that look like a lot of fun. The first is an affordable 2-hour Historic Downtown Walking Tour. A private guide will show you the sights around Brno’s Old Town. Get the details here.

Where to eat in Brno

Czech Tourism recommended these restaurants, pubs and bars:

• PAVILLON Restaurant –high-end Czech modern dining (11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.)
• Koishi Fish Restaurant – Amazing fish restaurant and sushi bar (maybe best sushi in Central Europe) (11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.)
• Lokal u Caipla – Delicious beer and traditional Czech dishes (11:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.)
• Vycep Na stojaka – Typical Czech pub with tens of local beers on tap at (2:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.)
• Bistro Franz
• Fresh Freaks (gluten free)
• Stopkova Plzenska pivnice (old time Czech pub)
• Pegas (microbrewery)
• U Alberta (probably the largest selection of craft beers in the country)

Coffee shops

• Industra Coffee (industrial feel)
• Skog Urban Hub (hip place)

Regional and farmer products

• My Food at Zelný trh (Zelný marketplace)
• Mikrofarma at Moravské namestí (Moravské square)

ⓘ TIP: Here’s a unique dining experience! Enjoy your choice of cuisines at The Queen Elizabeth Winery, a medieval style restaurant in Brno. They have has hosted presidents and royalty, including Queen Elizabeth II, George Bush, and Václav Havel. Savor the flavors of authentic Czech recipes while a trio of classical musicians provides the background music. Learn more here.

Trip planning resources

Here is some more information to help you plan your own trip.

Tourism bureaus

• Czech Tourism is the official tourism bureau for the country.
• TIC BRNO (Tourist Information Centre) is a city-run entity related to tourism in Brno.

For more sightseeing, see our photo albums from the Czech Republic .

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Written by Linda

Linda is multilingual and has been to over 50 countries. Her insatiable love of travel, cuisine, and foreign languages inspired her to create As We Saw It, where she documents her trips, shares practical itineraries, and offers insider tips. She’s passionate about helping fellow travelers save time, money, and hassle, and loves to discover new places to explore.

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6 thoughts on “things to do in brno czechia: one day itinerary”.

Such an intriguing and pretty castle, and you look so lovely, Linda! 🙂

OH, thank you, but it’s the wine that makes you say so, Renuka. 😀

There seem to be quite a few nice things to do in Brno. I’d love to visit it. Especially the Spilberk Castle. It reminds me a lot about some fortresses I’ve seen in Transylvania, Romania. Good to know they have a gluten-free restaurant in Brno. I’m gluten intolerant lately. Love the pictures, by the way.

Had it not been for Villa Tugendhat, we probably would have skipped the city, but I’m really glad we didn’t. It’s a lovely place, and as I mentioned it’s a great base for exploring the region.

Romania is on our ‘European short list.’ We really enjoyed Spilberk Castle, and if it’s similar to Transylvania, then we have even more to look forward to. How is it for gluten awareness? So many of us have issues with it these days. So sad. I do miss my pasta. 🙁

I would need to take care with burcak Linda. I love sweet drinks. Bad combo for a light weight like me LOL. What a cool town.

Ryan, don’t sweat it. I’ll happily drink your burcak. 🙂

Comments are closed.

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Tourism in Brno

Czech Republic

Hotels in Brno

Brno is a city offering friendly, cosmopolitan atmosphere , colourful festivities; it is a city twined by grapevine and shaped up by ancient wine-growing traditions. The Czech saying “ small things are nice “ holds true here. A quick tour of the historic centre takes only a few hours and you will still have some time left to explore interesting sights and exchange a few words with people you meet along the way. In short, falling in love and being fond of the city – bitterly, sweetly and forever – is not hard.

The City of Brno, the second largest city of the Czech Republic with more than 400.000 inhabitants, lies in the central part of Europe.

Brno is a starting point for tourists who wish to explore the natural and cultural sights of the South Moravian Region. The Protected Landscape Area of the Moravian Karst is situated north of Brno and vineyards with stylish vine cellars stretch to the south. The city is surrounded by beautiful mixed forests which offer plenty of opportunities for hiking and cycling.

The area is dotted with many significant landmarks that are proof of its rich history. At first glance the panorama of the city of Brno features the engrossing Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral.

Very few cities can say of themselves that their dominant landmark is a prison. This is the situation in Brno: in the 18th century the royal Špilberk Castle was a notorious “prison of nations”. Now the Špilberk Castle offers visitors several permanent exhibitions and tours of underground casemates.

A pearl of modern architecture in Brno is the world-famous Tugendhat Villa – the work of the German architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe – which is included in the UNESCO list of world heritage . The fin-de-siècle jewel of the architect Jurkovič, so-called Jurkovič Villa – a first-rate example of modernistic architecture – is also worth a visit. Also, the underground kingdom in the historical city centre has recently been opened to the public.

These secret and unusual places underscore the ancient and rather unstudied history of the city, and in a unique way they allow visitors to get a look beneath the surfaces of the squares and streets.

Today, Brno is the seat of both public and private universities, the highest judicial bodies and the centre of science, research and innovation. The city offers many cultural activities in theaters, museums, galleries, cinemas and clubs. The Exhibition Centre is of great economical and social importance to the city; it has an 80-year-long tradition and is a venue for a number of international trade fairs, exhibitions and congresses. Every year, the city hosts cultural events, festivals as well as important sporting events (for example the World Motorcycle Championship – Grand Prix Brno).

Best hotels

VV Hotel   ★ ★★

The town square is 700 m away

Private parking free of charge

Grandezza Luxury Palace  ★★ ★ ★

The town square is 200 m away

Enjoy a modern international cuisine 

Parkhotel Brno  ★★ ★★

The town square is 3.2 km away

Pool and sauna facilities for free

Barceló Brno Palace  ★★ ★ ★★

The town square is 300 m away

A wide selection of pillows is available

Bed & breakfast Placzek   ★★★

This is our guests' favourite part of Brno

Best Western Premier  ★★★★

Salt-water pool, hot tub and sauna

image gallery

Top things to do

Villa tugendhat.

The Functionalist Villa of the Tugendhats with an untraditional lay-out and unique technological equipment, masterpiece of the architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe from the 1930’s was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2001. The tour of the villa interior is in great demand and must be booked in advance; however, the garden may be visited without any previous arrangements.

Špilberk Castle

The royal castle dating from the 13th century and rebuilt into a Baroque fortress in the 17th and 18th centuries used to be the most notorious prison in the entire Habsburg Monarchy and was known as the “Jail of Nations”. It presently houses the Brno City Museum with permanent exhibitions dedicated to the history of the castle and of the city and occasional art exhibitions. 

Old Town Hall

The oldest and most interesting secular building in Brno, the seat of town councillors from mid-13th century. The council moved to the New Town Hall in Dominican Square as late as 1935. It features the legendary Gothic portal with a crooked turret and the passage „inhabited” by the famous dragon, beloved and respected symbol of the city of Brno. You can also visit its tower with a look-out gallery, information centre and exhibition spaces.

Brno Underground

Three parts of the Brno underground that have been open to the public offer a look below the surface of roads and squares. The largest of them is the Labyrinth under Vegetable Market, historically the oldest public space in the city offering an interesting tour. You can also descend into the underground when visiting Mintmaster’s Cellar in Dominican Square and the Ossuary under St. James’ Church. This largest ossuary in the Czech Republic and the second largest in Europe holds the remains of more than 50 thousand deceased.

Brno Architecture Trails

Do you like functionalism and modern architecture? Then you should not miss.. Fourteen sightseeing routes, ninety-eight architects and almost four hundred structures erected between 1918–1945. All this is offered by the Brno Architecture Manual.

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A Magazine for Those With a Passion to Travel in Style

An Inside Look at Brno in Czech Republic

LuxeGetaways Magazine – Fall/Winter 2017 |   Brno (sounds like “BIR-no”) is the Czech Republic’s second-largest city. Although Prague gets all the attention, this second-largest city has everything it needs to be the country’s next go-to destination.

My introduction to Brno took place at the city’s new tourist center, which was celebrating its own arrival with a little welcome get-together of folks in the local tourist industry. Expecting an event that included plenty of speeches and wine in little plastic cups, I was greeted with a craft cocktail on the center’s sunny rooftop and DJs pumping out chill tunes. I knew, at that moment, I was going to like — check that, love — Brno.

Located in South Moravia, and surrounded by vineyards, Brno has some typical tourist-ready attractions — the Old Town Hall originally dates back to 1240; the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul dominates the skyline at night; the Brno City Museum that was founded in the 14th-century Špilberk Castle; and the grisly yet fascinating Ossuary of St. James’ Church (with its more than 50,000 skulls of plague- and cholera-infected victims). However, it is the locally known hidden hotspots and less visited enclaves that best define this fresh city of 400,000.

Architecture: Functionalism, Modernism and More

As you walk through the center of the city, there are plenty of buildings from the 17th- and 18th-centuries (even prior to these dates too), but look closer, and inside these buildings you will find spaces that have been repurposed and reborn to suit a modern ethos, a telltale sign of the nature of Brno’s people.

Barceló Brno Palace (Šilingrovo námestí 2/265) is a perfect example of the “old is wonderfully new again” aesthetic. On the site of the city’s old pig market, the hotel is in the city’s former Municipal Court. Today, it houses 119 posh rooms and suites, a good modern Czech restaurant, a fitness center and salon, and one of the hippest lobby bars you will find in the city. With the lavish lobby soaring upwards, Alice in Wonderland chairs that hide you from public view, and LED lighting that reflects off of the white surroundings – this chic lobby can be light and bright, or shadowy and sexy.

A good breakfast is also part of the attractiveness here, as it is the most important meal of the day, after all. You will be ready to nosh after having a good night’s sleep in what is one of the most stylish and well-designed rooms that I have experienced. Tip: if you can, book room 315 for the two stone balconies that look out over the city from the comfortable digs.

But not everything is centuries old in Brno. The city had a resurgence of building design in the early 20th-century, and it is one of the leading centers of functionalist architecture in Europe today. A philosophy that states that a structure should be designed based on its practical use may seem obvious, but in a time when historical revival was rife, the idea that “form follows function” was not nearly the norm.

The most visited functionalist building in Brno is Villa Tugendhat , built by Mies van der Rohe in 1930. Open to the public only since 2016, and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this is the home that has made the Moravian metropolis a favorite of fans of the modernist movement. Elegant in its simplicity, it sits on (and within) the green landscape surrounding it, with views extending out to the city beyond. If you love modern architecture, it is not to be missed, and ticket reservations should be made well in advance of a visit.

Villa Tugendhat (Černopolní 45) is not located in the city center. However, it can be reached by taxi or a longer stroll through tree-lined streets. Tip: You must have a tour reservation to visit, which are made by emailing them at: [email protected]

Aside from this functionalist beauty, what most people do not know is that the entire neighborhood around Villa Tugendhat is a dream for lovers of modernism. In the Černá Pole district (when translated means “black field”) you will find classic examples of functionalist houses, flats, and other First Republic buildings. In particular, check out Café Era (Zemědělská 1686/30) for good coffee to go with the good design.

Coffee Culture

Brno is a city of students, scholars and scientists. There are 34 colleges and seven universities in Brno, and no, this is not a typo. It means that a quarter of the population goes to school in their city. The rest, it seems, are in the tech industry – AT&T, IBM and Honeywell all have major operations here.

With this many young, creative and cosmopolitan types in a city, having good and strong brew available is a must. I took the responsibility wholeheartedly, and began finding the best coffee in the city, and I now have plenty to recommend.

Housed in a building from 1659, Café Mitte (Panská 362/11) is the sort of place that a visitor might walk past without noticing unless they were staying at the adjoining hostel, but that would be a mistake. This wee café is dark and cozy, with doors that open out to the street. Locals wait in line to grab a cup of espresso with tonic water, which is a big deal in Brno right now; and then mill about chatting or reading at one of the few café tables.

Skog Urban Hub (Dominikánské náměstí 187/5) is the exact opposite of Café Mitte. Brno’s largest coffeehouse has a definite Scandic slant to its design, with rustic wooden floors and tables, iron fittings, white-painted brick walls, and a cool crowd. This café roasts its own coffee in the lighter “Nordic” style to perfectly suit its surroundings. And, as evening arrives, patrons start to shift from coffee to cocktails.

Trust the owners of two of Brno’s most unique bars — Super Panda Circus and the Bar That Does Not Exist — to open the most unlikely of coffee houses: one without espresso and espresso beverages. Forget about getting a cappuccino, 4pokoje (Vachova 45/6) means ‘Four Rooms’ and only serves filtered coffee. But good filtered coffee.

The café has the feel of a more traditional European coffeehouse with its red brick walls and parquet floors, but the fuchsia pink accents have you realize that traditional, it is not. With a bevy of bartenders working at the company’s other two lounges, coffee is treated as the base for both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks here. Nine different menus of food and drink take the coffee lover in all of us from morning to night — for all 22 hours that the café is open.

As the Days Turns Into Night

So, you have seen the sights while on your coffee high, but now it is time for a bite to eat and nightcap. This is when having insider intel is key: some of Brno’s best nightspots do not even have signs to indicate when you have arrived at your target.

To fill your tummy before hitting the bars, any one of these tasty restaurants will fill the bill nicely.

Restaurant Borgo Agnese (Kopečná 43) is one of those rare and impressive restaurants with a sophisticated interior, an abundance of bow-tied and friendly waiters, and excellent food that is truly cooked to order. The restaurant states in its menu that if you do not see a dish (or type of preparation) that you would like to enjoy, simply ask the staff, and they will do their best to accommodate your request. The chef will even make an appearance if deemed necessary. And so, I did.

My waiter simply asked me what I was in the mood for and I told him. The results were perfection. It began with a luscious creamy potato soup that was drizzled with cool bleu cheese foam that was ever so slightly sweet, and then sprinkled with a hint of sour green apple and an earthy walnut paste. It was a great beginning. I moved on to have a perfectly seasoned, local beef tenderloin, as recommended by the waiter that was served with a green peppercorn sauce and a pappardelle side dish that I requested the chef prepare how he/she thought it should be served when paired with the beef. Chef chose to lightly bathe it in olive oil, and then sauté it with scallions and garlic confit. It was truly scrumptious.

Grab a table here for either lunch or dinner. The restaurant is open daily from noon.

Palazzo Restaurant (Biskupská2) is at the Barceló Brno Palace, and is a small restaurant serving modern Czech cuisine with a Mediterranean slant in an elegant, but contemporary space. Think warmed goat cheese with grilled vegetables, and then seasoned with chili and delicate hibiscus to add fruitiness; and braised beef that is served with a sour cream sauce, dumplings and cranberries that is so rich that there is a chocolatey hint that pairs nicely with a Czech cabernet sauvignon (98% of the country’s wine comes from just south of Brno).

The restaurant is only open daily for dinner between 7 pm and 11 pm.

For an atypical Italian trattoria-style menu, I suggest that you try Retro Consistorium (Mečová 4). Stone walls, café chairs, solid wooden tables and wine barrels raise the bar of authenticity when it comes to this stylish restaurant. Menu items such as tuna crudo with arugula and homemade mayo; trout en papillote served alongside olives, capers and lemon; and simple panna cotta for dessert all grace the menu, along with a mostly Italian wine list.

Retro Consistorium is open daily for lunch and dinner.

One of the most popular nightlife spots with locals is the oddly named Super Panda Circus ( Šilingrovo náměstí 3). It is surreal. It is disconcerting. It is theater. It is crazy cool. There is no name above the door, so you need to keep track of where you are before ringing the doorbell and waiting to be allowed inside by a costumed resident of this dreamlike world. Upstairs, patrons sit in tiered rows where the focus is on the barkeeps. There is no cocktail menu; you are asked to choose a character — when I was there the “story” consisted of archetypes: a spaceship representing the explorer, a Superman figurine representing the hero, a happy face signifying the jester, and a rubber ducky is the caregiver. Then choose light or dark, and the mixologist concocts the cocktail that corresponds to the character. Prepare to be delighted (and slightly confused!).

Super Panda Circus is open Monday to Saturday from 6 pm – do not forget the address, or you will never find it.

For something completely different, the Petit Cru Wine Bar (Údolní 1) is the perfect destination to try some local Czech wine. Operated by the charming and affable owner, Janko Martinkovič, this stylish, warm bar has a steady stream of tastings and events, and if you happen by when there is a tasting taking place, you are welcome to join in the fun if they can fit you in.

With 500 wines available and about 50 open at any one time, the choice can be daunting, but each member of the staff is a trained sommelier. They can tell you everything there is to know about Moravian wine, or any wine really, while you are sipping on a glass or two. Small plates on offer ensure that you’re sober enough to keep tasting, and enjoying.

Petit Cru is open daily from 3 pm.

Know Before You Go

How to get there: Several North American airlines fly into Prague. Some European carriers can then take you on to Brno. I flew into Prague and stayed for a few days before taking the Czech Republic’s RegioJet intercity bus service. RegioJet buses are ridiculously inexpensive — tickets from Prague to Brno are EUR 5,10 — with services similar to short haul flights, such as a snack menu and in-seat TV (in Czech).

What kind of cash is king in Brno: The Czech Republic uses Euros, and credit cards are widely accepted.

Get acquainted with the city: Local tour company, Holiday Moments , is tapped into the culinary, architectural and nightlife scene in Brno. Tours are offered at great prices.

To get insider knowledge on the hottest coffee cafés in Brno, visit European Coffee Trip , a local company that is spreading its coffee love across Europe.

I need to know more: The Brno Tourist Information Centre has great info both on their website or in person at Radnická 2.

• Czech Tourism http://luxegetaways.info/czech-tourism
• Brno Tourism http://luxegetaways.info/brno-tourism
• Barceló Brno Palace http://luxegetaways.info/brno-palace-hotel
• Villa Tugendhat http://luxegetaways.info/tugendhat
• Café Era http://luxegetaways.info/era-cafe
• Café Mitte http://luxegetaways.info/cafe-mitte
• Skog Urban Hub http://luxegetaways.info/skog
• 4pokoje http://luxegetaways.info/4pokoje
• Restaurant Borgo Agnese http://luxegetaways.info/borgo-agnese
• Palazzo Restaurant http://luxegetaways.info/palazzo-brno
• Retro Consistorium http://luxegetaways.info/retro-consistorium
• Super Panda Circus http://luxegetaways.info/super-panda-circus
• Petit Cru Wine Bar http://luxegetaways.info/petit-cru
• RegioJet http://luxegetaways.info/regiojet
• Holiday Moments http://luxegetaways.info/holiday-moments
• European Coffee Trip http://luxegetaways.info/european-coffee-trip

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18 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in the Czech Republic

Written by Bryan Dearsley and Diana Bocco Updated Mar 30, 2022

Although one of the continent's smaller nations, the Czech Republic won't disappoint travelers looking for some of the best places to visit in central Europe. Given its size – and thanks to a first-rate public transit system – it's an easy country to get around, particularly for those planning on spending the bulk of their time exploring the nation's beautiful capital, Prague, which has nearly endless sightseeing opportunities and things to do.

Yet while Prague boasts an inordinate number of excellent attractions, there are enough out-of-the-way attractions to warrant exploring by car. Highlights of a trip to the Czech countryside include many excellent national parks and conservation areas. One of the most popular is aptly named Bohemian Paradise , an area of outstanding natural beauty characterized by numerous splendid rock formations and many fine old castles.

Another area worth visiting is Podyjí National Park in Moravia, popular for its large, unspoiled forests. Along the way, you'll stumble across numerous old villages and towns, many unchanged since medieval times and home to fine old churches, palaces, and public squares, all of them worth a visit. For ideas on the best places to visit, read our list of the top tourist attractions in the Czech Republic.

1. Prague Castle

2. prague's charles bridge, 3. st. vitus cathedral, 4. prague's old town square & wenceslas square, 5. ceský krumlov castle, 6. brno's cathedral of st. peter and paul, 7. bone collectors: czech crypts, tombs, and cemeteries, 8. the colonnades and spas of karlovy vary, 9. spectacular libraries: the clementinum and strahov monastery, 10. glassworks of karlovy vary, 11. kutná hora, 12. the bohemian paradise, 13. konopiste chateau and the archduke's trophies, 14. hluboká castle, 15. karlstejn castle, 16. pruhonice park, 17. šumava national park, 18. castle ruins.

For most travelers, the focal point of a visit to the Czech Republic is Prague Castle (Pražský hrad). It's on all Prague itineraries . Located in the city's Hradcany neighborhood and dating from the late 10th century, Prague Castle has been central to Eastern European history for centuries, and has been home to Holy Roman Emperors, the Habsburgs, Bohemian kings and, more recently, the Czech Republic's President.

Over the course of its 1,000-year history, the castle - the largest in the world in terms of area - has undergone many dramatic changes in architectural style, evidence of which can be seen in the numerous buildings constructed within its walls through the centuries.

Highlights of the castle include beautiful St. Vitus Cathedral , St. George's Basilica , the Powder Tower , and the Golden Lane with its medieval workshops. Of particular note is the Old Royal Palace with its magnificent Vladislav Hall , so big it was used to host knightly jousting tournaments, as well as the adjoining 16th-century Royal Garden with its spectacular Singing Fountain. English language guided tours and audio-guides are available.

Address: 119 08 Prague 1

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Prague

It's impossible to visit Prague without taking the time to traverse the city's most important river crossing, the spectacular Charles Bridge (Karluv Most).

This famous structure spanning the River Vltava was built in 1357 and has many unique points of interest along its 520-meter span, including numerous fine statues. Perhaps the most famous are those of the bridge's namesake, Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV, as well as the 1683 statue of John of Nepomuk, which honors the country's most revered saint who, ironically, was deliberately drowned in the Vltava.

The bridge is extremely popular with tourists and a fantastic place for photographers for its fine views. Some of the best views are actually captured during off-peak hours, at dawn and at dusk, making for a much less crowded visit.

Part of the Prague Castle complex, St. Vitus Cathedral is best known as the home of the Bohemian Coronation Jewels, as well as the tomb of the Czech people's most revered saint, St. Wenceslas.

The cathedral has a long history. Dating back to the year 925, when Prince Wenceslas built a chapel on the site, the building grew along with Prague's importance, and it soon became a basilica after the Prague bishopric was established. There was another period of expansion between 1344 and 1419 when it began its transformation into a Gothic cathedral, and the St. Wenceslas Chapel was built. Construction and repairs resumed in the late 18th century, adding neo-Gothic elements.

Highlights of a visit include seeing the bronze doors adorned with reliefs of the cathedral's history, ornate stained glass windows in the chapels, and the Royal Mausoleum. Tourists should be sure to visit St. Wenceslas Chapel to admire the murals, which are original 14th-century depictions of the stations of the cross, as well as scenes depicting the life of St. Wenceslas.

Official site: www.katedralasvatehovita.cz/en

Prague's Old Town Square was the city's first market. Situated at the intersection of trade routes, it still has buildings dating back to the 10th century. In addition to its many medieval houses, the square is home to significant historic landmarks, including Old Town City Hall , which holds the Astronomical Clock , as well as St. Nicholas Church .

This square has been the site of many defining moments in Czech history, including public executions and political protests. A statue of Protestant reformer Jan Hus stands in the center, and this is a popular sightseeing area that hosts Prague's traditional Christmas markets each December.

Just a five-minute walk from the Old Town Square sits Wenceslas Square in the heart of New Town. Not as new as it sounds, this large public space was laid out in the 14th century as a horse market. Today, it is used for parades, festivals, and at times, demonstrations. This is a popular tourist area that is filled with hotels, restaurants, shopping, and entertainment. The National Museum's main building makes for a stunning background to the square and is one of the city's most popular attractions, with a collection of 14 million items.

Address; Staromestské nám., 110 00 Staré Mesto

Read More: Shopping in Prague: Where to Go & What to Buy

Dominating the old town after which it's named, Ceský Krumlov Castle is remarkably well preserved given its age. Dating from the 13th century, much of what stands today in this UNESCO World Heritage Site stems from the 17th century, including the Rosenberg Ballroom and the Renaissance Hall , the Royal Apartments , and the Chapel of St. George . Also worth seeing is the castle's old Baroque theater. Built in 1682, it's still used for special performances.

Other highlights include historic collections of paintings and tapestries, along with fine décor and period furniture. The Ceský Krumlov Castle complex comprises 40 buildings, including fine old palaces, castle courts, and gardens. Tourists could easily spend several days wandering the grounds, although those who want to see the highlights may enjoy one of the English-language guided tours that are available.

You can visit Ceský Krumlov on a day trip from Prague . Depending on the method of transportation, you can reach the town in about 2.5 to three hours. If you get an early start, this can be an enjoyable outing.

• Read More: Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Cesky Krumlov

High above the old city of Brno is the beautiful Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul, one of the Czech Republic's most important national monuments. The site of the cathedral first held an 11th-century Romanesque chapel that was later expanded to include a crypt and a basilica, the remains of which can still be seen.

Eventually rebuilt as a Gothic cathedral during the 18th century, the interior is a Baroque masterpiece designed by architect Moric Grimm. Among its most remarkable features are the Kapistránka pulpit and the crypt, which is home to not only tombs but the remnants of Brno's original city walls.

Added in the early 20th century, the building's two 84-meter-high towers are home to the church bell that rings each day at 11am, instead of noon. This tradition has been carried on to remember the city's successful attempt to trick an attacking army into abandoning their siege after the general had announced that they would give up if they had not taken the town by noon.

Also in Brno is the 13th-century Spilberk Castle (hrad Spilberk), home to the Brno City Museum , as well as the fascinating Tugendhat Villa , built in 1930 and one of the most important examples of modern architecture from the early 20th century in Europe.

• Read More: Top-Rated Attractions in Brno & Easy Day Trips

Spread across the Czech Republic are a number of fascinating locations dedicated to preserving the remains of those slain in war or killed by diseases such as the terrible plagues that gripped Europe in medieval times. But what makes these places even more interesting are the often bizarre ways in which these centuries-old human relics are displayed.

Nowhere is this more evident than in the small town of Sedlec , home to the famous " Bone Church ," the Gothic All Saints Chapel . Here in the Sedlec Ossuary , the curious will be rewarded with a chance to see the remains of people who died between the 14th and 16th centuries displayed in rather chilling artistic fashion, including coats of arms, chandeliers, chalices, and bells.

A similar effect was created at the Brno Ossuary where the remains of some 50,000 people were found stacked in heaps in archways and used as decorative displays and ornamentation. A little less spooky but impressive for its sheer size is the spectacular Schwartzenberg Tomb , a huge crypt dedicated to one of the country's most powerful dynasties.

Official site: www.sedlec.info/en/

Often referred to by its old German name of Karlsbad , Karlovy Vary is a must-visit for anyone interested in an authentic European spa experience. Established in 1358, Karlovy Vary has for centuries been a popular destination for Europe's elite, from royalty like Peter the Great to famous composers and writers including Beethoven, Chopin, and Goethe. Evidence of the town's 13 main springs, not to mention its countless smaller springs, is everywhere.

In addition to the large spa resorts , the town is filled with Neoclassical and Art Nouveau colonnades with drinking and bathing fountains. A magnificent fountain sits in the midst of the Tepla River, shooting jets of water 14 meters into the air.

The town is also an important cultural destination, home to a number of art galleries and museums, as well as the popular Karlovy Vary International Film Festival , one of the oldest film festivals in Europe.

• Read More: Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Karlovy Vary

Three of Europe's loveliest and oldest libraries can be found in Prague. The largest, the National Library of the Czech Republic , is in the magnificent Clementinum (Klementinum), which sits in the center of historic Prague next to the Charles Bridge . This sprawling complex of historic Baroque buildings is one of the largest in Europe, and is home to several points of interest. Library Hall is best known for its frescoed ceiling, and the Astronomical Tower resides here as well, from which tourists can enjoy lovely views.

The 12th-century Strahov Monastery (Strahovsky kláster) contains two magnificent libraries, including the Philosophical Library , with its exquisite furnishings and ceiling paintings, and the Baroque Theological Library , which features excellent frescoes and stucco work. These libraries also house numerous rare manuscripts, including the nearly 1,200-year-old Strahov Gospel .

In addition to its many fine spa resorts, the lovely town of Karlovy Vary remains one of Europe's most prominent glassmaking centers, an industry that has thrived here for more than 150 years. A fascinating excursion is to the Moser Visitor Centre , part of the Moser glassworks, which was established in 1857.

Thanks to the skills and craftsmanship of the local glassmakers it employs, it is widely considered one of the world's leading manufacturers of decorative glass. Tours of the facility include a chance to learn about the history of glassmaking, visit the factory floor to watch glassblowers at work, and see some 2,000 fine examples of glass creations in the Glass Museum . English-language guided tours are available.

If you're able to visit just one Czech town apart from Prague, you couldn't do much better than choose Kutná Hora, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site . Just 80 kilometers east of the capital, Kutná Hora was once home to one of Europe's leading silver mines, the wealth from which helped finance many of the town's most beautiful structures.

Highlights include the Baroque St. Barbara's Cathedral . Built in 1338, it's notable for its beautifully decorated interior and frescoes that include not only religious themes like the mural entitled The Vision of St. Ignatius , but also references to the mining industry that funded construction.

The Czech Museum of Silver contains exhibits about the medieval mining industry, as well as the Stone House , which explores daily life during those times. Guided tours take visitors six floors underground to explore a medieval mine, walking through narrow passageways as you cross through deep caverns and around deep water shafts.

Tourists can also visit the town's old mint, housed in the splendid Italian Court (Vlassky dvur), the former palace of Bohemian King Vaclav IV, and the Gothic Sedlec Ossuary.

Read More: From Prague to Kutna Hora: The Complete Day Trip Guide

One of the most beautiful corners of the Czech Republic, Eastern Bohemia is home to the spectacular Bohemian Paradise (Ceský ráj). This area of outstanding natural beauty is famous for its many massive rock formations that protrude from the ground like spikes and pillars, formed by tens of thousands of years of erosion by the elements.

Now a UNESCO Geopark, the region draws hikers and sightseers from across Europe for its stunning sandstone hills, natural bridges, and tall basalt columns and outcroppings, all accessible by a network of trails and scenic drives.

The region also has many old castles, including Kost Castle and Trosky Castle . Start your adventure in the town of Turnov , home to the Bohemian Paradise Visitor Center , where you can find a great deal of tourist information and maps of the region.

Official site: www.cesky-raj.info/en/

One of the Czech Republic's loveliest palaces, Konopiste Chateau is just 50 kilometers southeast of Prague. Established in the 13th century and given its current Baroque form in the 18th century, this superb French-style four-winged chateau is famous as the final residence of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand, whose untimely assassination is credited as having started WWI.

The bullet that killed him is on display in the chateau's museum, as are many of the Archduke's animal trophies and many original artifacts he once owned. Other highlights include a superb collection of ancient weapons and armor, an indoor shooting range complete with moving targets, and a lovely garden with numerous statues and outbuildings.

Address: 256 01 Benesov

Official site: www.zamek-konopiste.cz/en/

A short drive north of the city of Ceské Budejovice, the huge white Neo-Gothic Hluboká Castle (Hluboká nad Vltavou) is said to be the most beautiful of the Czech Republic's many fine castles. Built on the site of an older 13th-century fortress, the current castle was constructed in the 1660s and was given its present Gothic Tudor style - loosely based upon that of England's famous Windsor Castle - in subsequent extensive renovations.

Highlights of a visit include its huge hedge mazes and lush foliage, along with its fine interior woodwork, stained glass windows, and furnishings. The castle also houses an extensive collection of art, including numerous pieces by leading Czech artists.

There are many English-language tours available at the castle, including a spectacular tour of the chateau's massive kitchen. Very modern by 19th-century standards, the kitchen is divided into sections to allow for the preparation of hot food, cold food, and confectionary.

It's also possible to tour the private apartments of the Schwarzenberg family (the last official residents of the castle); climb the main tower for stunning views of the countryside; or explore the "social" rooms, which include a morning room, a reading room, a smoking room, and a large library.

Address: 373 41 Hluboká nad Vltavou

Official site: www.zamek-hluboka.eu/en/

Karlstejn Castle was built between 1348 and 1365 for Charles IV, who was both the Czech king and the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. The grounds are arranged in a physical hierarchy, with the sacred Chapel of the Holy Cross located in the Great Tower .

It is in this chapel that Charles IV stored his most precious possessions, including the crown jewels of the Roman Empire, as well as his personal collection of artifacts, including bones of saints. The interior of the chapel can be viewed by guided tour, and includes extensive frescoes by Master Theodoric.

Other highlights include the Imperial Palace and Marian Tower , both of which are complete with period furnishings. Also, be sure to see the castle prison, the Well Tower , and replicas of the Roman and Czech crown jewels.

Address: 267 18 Karlstejn

Official site: www.hrad-karlstejn.cz/en

Pruhonice Park, which is also home to Pruhonice Castle , is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located only 15 kilometers south of Prague. With a total area of 250 hectares, the expansive property includes formal gardens, wooded areas, streams, ponds, and 25 kilometers of walking paths. Among its 1,600 species of plants are a collection of more than 100 types of rhododendrons, with 8,000 specimens total. The park is open year-round and is particularly stunning during the fall season.

The Greater Castle , with sections dating back to the 12th century, forms a semicircle that faces the lake and gardens. Most of the castle itself is closed to the public and occupied by The Institute of Botany of the ASCR, which conducts research here. Its courtyard features frescoes, statues, and a replica of the fountain found in Old Market Square in Prague.

Address: 252 43 Pruhonice

Official site: www.pruhonickypark.cz/en

One of the largest natural spaces in the Czech Republic, Šumava National Park sits along the border with Germany and Austria. The park is home to a massive mountain range covered by extensive forest and crisscrossed by thousands of kilometers of hiking trails. As one of the most diverse national parks in Europe, Šumava is also home to glacial lakes, a large population of lynxes, peat bogs, and centuries-old primeval forests.

Because of its many hills, there are stunning viewpoints everywhere within the park, but the lookout tower on Poledník mountain and the top of Plechý Hill (sitting over a massive glacial lake) are particularly worth a mention. In addition to hikers who come here for the stunning giant boulders and lakeside paths, the park also attracts cyclists, river rafting enthusiasts, and people interested in bird-watching.

Many perfectly groomed trails are accessible during winter for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. And since Šumava is one of the first areas in the country to see snow every winter, it is a popular destination also for skiing – the park offers 36 kilometers of slopes and plenty of ski resorts to enjoy a winter getaway.

The Czech Republic has plenty of restored castles and chateaus to experience the stunning beauty of royal living at its best. But for a different take on history, nothing beats hiking up forested trails to explore castle ruins – and the country has plenty of that to offer as well.

Okoř castle , just 15 kilometers outside Prague, was first founded in 1359 and rebuilt and expanded throughout the years until it was finally abandoned in the 18th century. Only the outside walls remain today, but you can climb part of the tower and then hike the little paths behind the structure.

The 14th-century Trosky castle ruins in the Liberec Region consist of two towers built on top of steep rock cliffs, with buildings and corridors connecting them. It's a hard climb to the ruins, but the views from the top are worthy, plus this is one of very few ruins that offer guided night tours.

Rabí is one of the best-preserved and the largest castle ruins in the Czech Republic. Located in the Šumava region, this massive structure was heavily damaged during the Thirty Years' War and eventually abandoned. There's also Zviretice castle , easily accessible and featuring a half-preserved cylindrical tower, and Divci Kamen (Maiden Stone) castle , one of the best-preserved medieval monuments in the country, where a stunning lookout offers views of the Vltava River and the forest around.

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Czech it out: leave Prague and Bohemia behind to discover a Moravian rhapsody

Easily reached by train, the cities of Olomouc and Brno have culture in spades – and few of the foreign visitors that crowd the capital

A chorus of giggles breaks out in the corridor outside the compartment. There’s a stag party on board the train, and the stag has been dared by his mates to ask two young women if he can take a selfie with them.

So far, so stereotypical, except I’m on a Czech train, the stag party is Czech, not British, and our destination is not Prague but Olomouc, a city in Moravia, the Czech Republic’s less-visited, easterly region.

This year the tourism arm of the Czech government has been promoting the country’s extensive, low-cost rail network to show that it can meet demand for low-carbon travel. But there’s an ulterior motive: taking people out of Prague and into Moravia.

The Czech capital’s overtourism woes are well documented – yet for every Prague business owner complaining about too many tourists, there’s one in Moravia complaining there are not enough of them. Moravia is a region I know well – I lived there for almost a year some time ago – but I’ll admit that during that time, I rarely took the train. I’ll be putting that right with this short, cross-country itinerary, which trundles from Prague to the Moravian capital, Brno, and on to Olomouc.

Starting with a day in the capital, I hurry past the tourist hotspots of Charles Bridge and the Old Town Square, with its astronomical clock, down streets scented with bread dumplings, beer and the sugar-dusted, helix-shaped cakes known as trdelník . I’m anxious for respite from the crowds, and I find it in the Grand Cafe Orient , a cubist cafe that first opened in 1912. It’s in the House of the Black Madonna: a former department store designed by Josef Gočár , co-founder of the Czech cubism architectural movement. The cafe closed just 10 years later, when cubism fell out of fashion, but in 2005, new owner Rudolf Břínek reopened it, basing the restoration on 1920s photos of the cafe. It’s a flawless reconstruction, right down to the zigzag coathooks and striped satin upholstery.

The next morning, I rise early and walk to Prague’s main station, through the neo-Renaissance-style ticket hall and on to the first-class carriage of a Railjet train operated by České Dráhy, the state-owned national rail service. My ticket cost just 600Kč (£21). Young families, elderly couples and teenagers laden with shopping shuffle on. I don’t see a single other tourist.

The flat, farmland of Bohemia becomes hillier and quainter as the train rumbles into wilder Moravian territory, passing through pine forests studded with red-roofed cottages.

We pull into Brno’s immense central station, built in 1838. Then, it was a jewel of the Austrian empire, the terminus of a line that led to Vienna. As Brno industrialised and prospered in the following decades, parts were added with little regard for architectural continuity: an art nouveau facade here, a glass-fronted extension there. It’s an appropriate introduction to the city, which appears not so much built as stuck together: Austro-Hungarian confections jostle with functionalist marvels and communist-era monstrosities. Last year, Mendel’s Greenhouse became the newest addition to the mix: a minimalist steel-and-glass space that hosts science-related exhibitions and events. At the greenhouse I meet Ondřej Chybík, one of the architects, who explains the reasoning behind the pared-back, timeless design. “This building should stay here for ever,” he says. “This is the holistically sustainable approach.”

Gregor Mendel was arguably Brno’s most famous resident: through a series of experiments on pea plants from 1856 to 1863, the Augustinian friar laid the foundations of modern genetics. The greenhouse in which Mendel conducted his experiments was destroyed by a storm in the 1870s; Ondřej’s glittering creation stands on its foundations. Suspended from the ceiling are DNA-motif tapestries and pea plants in steel bowls – subtle nods to genetics’ founding father.

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As with Mendel’s pea plants, Brno is a place where ideas cross-pollinate: one in five residents is a student at one of the city’s 13 universities. Many stick around after graduation to work in Brno’s theatres and music venues. Wandering the city, I hear flutes trilling from rehearsal rooms. Behind baroque facades are creative vegan restaurants, shops selling locally made ceramics, and Anybody , a film-themed erotic roleplay hotel opened in 2019.

The management team behind Anybody also run Slast , a neon-soaked basement bar, which I visit that evening. I sink into a French empire-style chair, surrounded by grinning, Tiki-inspired murals; a turmeric-infused cocktail is pressed into my hand, its sharp scent mingling with drifting tendrils of hookah smoke.

The next day, I take a train 50 miles north-east to Olomouc. The rolling stock is more provincial than the cross-country Railjet, with a lurid teal-and-blue colour scheme and no aircon. Barring that – and the aforementioned stag do – it’s a smooth journey.

On a city tour, guide Štefan Blaho tells me that Olomouc is the Edinburgh to Brno’s Glasgow. I can see the parallels: what it lacks in grit and guts, it makes up for in glamour. The main square, with its Unesco-listed Holy Trinity Column , is pure Moravia baroque, an elaborate architectural style influenced by Olomouc’s Italian population. The Italians got their hands on the cheese, too: I catch the occasional whiff of gran moravia, a Czech take on parmesan.

One strange yet pleasing anomaly in the main square is Olomouc’s communist-era astronomical clock , which Blaho says “may be the only atheist astronomical clock in the world”. Instead of the apostles of Prague’s clock, the mechanism honours the working classes: figures depicted include a baker, a miner and a mechanic.

From here, many would catch another train on to Austria or Slovakia. But I recommend meandering further around Moravia: to the vineyards of Znojmo , and the castles in and around Mikulov . After so many years of playing second fiddle to Prague, it’s about time this fascinating region took centre stage.

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Czech Republic Travel Trade Day 2023

250 people from czechia and around the world working in the tourist industry will come in april to brno.

PRESSR: #VisitCzechia announces its participation in the 31st edition of the Arabian Travel Market

Czech Tourist Authority,– CzechTourism, in collaboration with the Embassy of the Czech Republic in the UAE, announces its participation in the 31st edition of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM), set to take place from May 6th to 9th, 2024 bringing a delegation of eight Czech partners.

This year, CzechTourism aims to elevate the Czech Republic as a premier destination for the Middle East region, targeting families, experiential travelers, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) attendees, and leisure enthusiasts. During the event, CzechTourism will engage in meaningful discussions and networking sessions with top tour operators, airlines, media representatives, and key stakeholders from the travel industry. These interactions will focus on exploring cooperation and collaboration opportunities to enhance the promotion of Czechia in the Middle East

At the heart of CzechTourism's presence at ATM 2024 is the introduction of a captivating new collection of coins by Czech Mint. With one of its latest edition – coin ‘Above the Clouds’ designed by the renowned Emirati artist, Ali Al Ali.  This coin is designed for all aviators and travel enthusiasts, and it is a symbol of aspiration and achievement. The ‘Above the Clouds’ coin aims to encapsulate that very essence - of rising above difficulties and aiming for higher goals. It serves as a reminder that no matter the turbulence we face, whether in aviation or life there is always a clearer, smoother ride ahead of us.

Ali's innovative designs seamlessly blend Emirati culture with Czech heritage, adding an intriguing dimension to the Czech pavilion. Ali Al Ali will be present at the Czechia pavilion on Tuesday and Wednesday from 11a.m. till 2 p.m., offering media interviews and engaging with visitors to provide insights into his creative process and inspiration behind the collection.

Mr. Denis Petrakov, Director of Czech Mint Middle East said, " In 2022 Czech Mint and Dubai Design Academy (DDA), established by DMCC, signed a MOU regarding cooperation in design development and knowledge sharing. DDA facilitated introduction of Ali Al Ali to Czech Mint. Since then, we have subsequently collaborated on various coin design projects. Czech Mint is honoured to be the first foreign mint to produce coins based on Emirati-created designs and we are excited to showcase our beautiful coins to all visitors of the Arabian Travel Market. "

Mrs. Barbara Andelová, International Marketing Manager - New Markets, CzechTourism, said, " We are excited to return to the Arabian Travel Market and showcase the best of what Czechia has to offer. With the support of our dedicated partners, we are confident in our ability to create memorable experiences for visitors and foster long-lasting partnerships within the travel industry."

CzechTourism will highlight a diverse array of Czech suppliers and their offerings, ranging from luxury accommodations to unique experiential activities. Visitors to the Czechia pavilion can expect to discover the country's rich cultural heritage, picturesque landscapes, and vibrant tourism experiences.

The CzechTourism delegation included following partners-

• Hotel Properties:  Barcelo & Occidental Hotels, Grandhotel Pupp, Savoy Westend Hotel, Hotel Thermal & The Julius Prague
• Spa Resorts and Hotels – Randon Spa Jáchymov
• Destination Management Company (DMC): Graficon DMC
• Shopping Outlet: Fashion Arena

About Czech Republic:

The Czech Republic, in Central Europe, is a country that's known for over twelve hundred castles, twelve UNESCO World Heritage Sites, thermal spa’s, crystals, glass, native beer and a long history. Apart from Prague, and known for it’s therapeutic spas in Karlovy Vary, the Czech Republic has picturesque places like Český Krumlov, South Moravian region – Brno and the beautiful cultural Landscape the Lednice – Valtice complex. The local currency is Czech Korona.

About VFS Global:

VFS Global is the world's largest outsourcing and technology services specialist for governments and diplomatic missions worldwide. VFS Global, headquartered in Dubai, UAE, has Swiss parentage and is a portfolio company of EQT, a leading global private equity firm headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. VFS Global, in its continuous endeavour to offer a holistic solution to its Client Governments, has set up full-fledged 360* Tourism Services function within the organization. There have been numerous projects where VFS Global has worked with various Tourism Boards and Embassies across the world to promote the respective destinations.

Currently, VFS Global has its presence across 140 + countries and has been associated with 12 tourism boards globally, providing them a wide range of sales, marketing, and PR solutions.

VFS Global is the official Tourism Representative of CzechTourism in the Middle East since 2018.

About Czech Mint:

Czech Mint is the manufacturer and supplier of the third edition of the Gold UAE bullion coins and the first edition of the Silver UAE Bullion Coins, which has been a result of our partnership with DMCC.

Being a European mint with over 30 years of experience, we have proven expertise in minting currency coins, bullion coins and commemorative coins from all main precious metals. In the 30 years since its inception, Czech Mint has accumulated substantial technological skills, world-class premier know-how, and valuable experience in making precious metal coins for private and public sectors. The Czech National Bank (the central bank of the Czech Republic) has been the most significant long-term customer of Czech Mint, with our company having been the sole producer of Czech circulation coins since the republic was established in 1993.

After a successful introduction at the Expo 2020 Dubai, we have established a regional office in the UAE.

“Above the Clouds”- a unique silver commemorative and gift coin dedicated to all aviators and travel enthusiasts. This coin is boasting reverse proof finish and is made of 1 oz of pure silver.

The coin designer is an Emirati artist and ex Emirates airlines pilot Ali Al Ali. After a successful decade-long career as an Emirates airlines pilot, his diverse background led him to pursue a career in jewellery design and visual art.

© Press Release 2024

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