Brno, Czechia: travel guide
Moravian capital of a castle hill, functionalist villas and student cafés
Czechia's second city and the Moravian capital — Špilberk Castle on its hill, Mies van der Rohe's UNESCO-listed Villa Tugendhat, and 65,000 students around the Cabbage Market, with South Moravia's vineyards just outside.
About Brno
Brno is the capital of Moravia and the second city of Czechia, a university town with a lived-in feel and far fewer crowds than Prague. Špilberk Castle sits on a hill above the centre, and the spires of the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul dominate the skyline.
There is plenty to see: Villa Tugendhat, Mies van der Rohe's UNESCO-listed modernist house; the ossuary beneath St James's Church; the Augustinian monastery where Gregor Mendel worked; and the stalls of the Cabbage Market. Outside the city, the Moravian Karst and its Punkva Caves are a half-day trip, and South Moravian vineyards lie to the south.
Brno suits design lovers, wine drinkers and anyone wanting a city break that feels local. Spring to early autumn is best.
Summary adapted from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA.
- Country
- Czechia
- Currency
- CZK
- Time zone
- Europe/Prague
- Nearest airport
- BRQ
Last updated
Top places to visit in Brno
Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul (Petrov)
Gothic cathedral · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Brno's most recognisable silhouette — the twin 84-metre neo-Gothic spires of Petrov Cathedral rise above the old town. Interior features an 18th-century Baroque altar, a 16th-century Pieta, and a crypt with Brno bishops. Source of Brno's…
Špilberk Castle & Museum
castle and museum · 4.5 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Dominating Brno's skyline from its hilltop, Špilberk was built as a Gothic royal castle in the 13th century and became the most feared Habsburg prison in the 18th–19th centuries. Now a fascinating museum of Brno's history. The casemate…
Brno Ossuary at St James Church
ossuary · 4.5 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
One of the largest Baroque ossuary in Central Europe — discovered in 2001 beneath the Church of St James. Contains the skeletal remains of over 50 000 people accumulated from the 13th–19th centuries, arranged in artistic displays. Opened…
Villa Tugendhat (UNESCO)
modernist architecture · 4.8 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
One of the most significant works of 20th-century architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Villa Tugendhat was designed by Mies van der Rohe and completed in 1930. The villa embodies modernism — an open-plan living space with…
Mendel Museum & Augustinian Monastery
science museum · 4.4 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The Augustinian Abbey of St Thomas in Brno is the birthplace of modern genetics — Gregor Mendel (1822–1884) conducted his famous pea-plant hybridisation experiments in the monastery garden here, laying the foundations of the science of…
Moravian Karst Punkva Caves
caves · 4.7 rating · about 8 h · check the fee at the gate
Spectacular cave system 30km north of Brno featuring an underground river boat ride, dramatic stalactite chambers, and views into the 138m-deep Macocha Abyss.
Brno Reservoir
urban-lake · 4.5 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
Large lake on the city outskirts (known locally as Prýgl) popular for summer swimming, paddle steamer tours, sandy beaches, and lakeside restaurants.
Cabbage Market Square
historic-market · 4.5 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Historic open-air market square in central Brno with the Baroque Parnas Fountain, surrounded by colourful merchant houses and the entrance to the underground labyrinth.
Old Town Hall Tower Brno
medieval-tower · 4.4 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Gothic tower of the former town hall offering 360-degree views of Brno, famous for the legendary stuffed crocodile dragon and the intentionally twisted pinnacle.
Lužánky Park
urban-park · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Czechia's oldest public park (1786) with mature trees, ornamental ponds, sweeping walking paths, and a Classicist pavilion at the heart.
Špilberk Park
castle-park · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Forested hilltop park surrounding the famous Špilberk Castle with shaded walking trails, viewpoints, and rose gardens at the base.
Brno Underground Labyrinth
underground · 4.4 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Network of medieval cellars and tunnels beneath the Cabbage Market, historically used for wine storage, alchemy, and as a refuge during sieges.
Things to do
- Brno Underground Labyrinth Tour Cultural · 1 h · from CZK 140 per person
Where to stay in Brno
Hotels
- Hotel Barceló Brno Palace 5-star · CZK 5,500 to CZK 18,000 per night
- Grandhotel Brno 4-star · CZK 2,800 to CZK 7,000 per night
Where to eat
- Stopkova Plzeňská Pivnice Czech · about CZK 280 per person
Getting to Brno
Airport: Brno (BRQ)
Getting around
- Tram
- Transit Pass
- Walking