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Statutory city in the Czech Republic
Photo: Norbert Aepli, Switzerland (User:Noebu), CC BY 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons
Brno (pronounced Burno) (German: Brünn, Štatl in the local dialect) is the major city of Moravia (a historical region in the Czech Republic). It is the largest city in Moravia and the second-largest city in the Czech Republic by population and area. It was founded around the year 1000; and since the 14th century, the city served as the capital of Moravia. Brno is the heart of Moravia and its cultural hub; it's home to many institutions related to Moravian history and culture. At the same time, Brno represents the administrative centre of the contemporary South Moravian region. It has a population of over 400,000 people (2024), and it's in a beautiful natural environment between South Moravian vineyards and the Moravian Karst.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
See beloved Brno symbols the Brno Dragon (Brněnský drak) and the Wheel. Also notice the lopsided tower above the entrance. Legend has it that the city council stiffed the mason who built it and he made the crooked ornament in a fit of pique. The town hall's tower is accessible, but cathedral towers offer much better views for significantly lower price.
Kapucínský klášter
The 17th-century monastery lies right in the city centre. It has Baroque statues and a mummified monks exhibition in an underground tomb.
This church is doubtlessly one of the most notable churches in Brno. It's a big Gothic church founded in the 13th century. It has remained unchanged since the 17th century which is quite rare. Beneath the church is the Brno Ossuary, the second biggest ossuary in Europe (after the Catacombs of Paris) that is open since 2012. Note that the catacomb is closed for maintenance as of Nov 2024.
St. Peter and Paul Cathedral, known as Petrov forms a dominant silhouette of Brno skyline. (Petrov is the name of the hill which the cathedral is built upon, not the cathedral.) Pictured on 10 Kč coin.
Hrad Špilberk
Formerly the major royal castle in Moravia, the seat of Margraves (rulers) of Moravia, and once the seat of the King of the Holy Roman Empire (King Jobst of Moravia). Later it became a famous fortress which was for a long time used as one of the most feared prisons in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Many people have been tortured here from all around Europe, mostly during the time of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It's the city museum with restaurant and there's a nice park around it, open for walks and beautiful sightseeing, the castle and the park are parts of the national cultural heritage of Czech Republic.
The villa is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Designed by Mies van der Rohe, it is seen to be a classic example of functionalist architecture, and was also the location of the meeting which decided upon the Velvet Divorce that separated Czechia and Slovakia in 1992. It is possible to visit the Villa by guided tour; tours are led hourly and must be booked in advance (see the Villa website). The building reopened in March 2012 after an extensive restoration.
Ulice Veveří
This street is a group of outstanding Art Nouveau buildings called Tivoli (tram stop Konečného náměstí), and a number of baroque and other beautiful historical buildings. Nearby is one of three botanical gardens in Brno. The street goes from the historical centre and leads to the north.
It was built between 1927-1929 for the family textile factory owner Alfred Stiassni. It was later a government villa that hosted many important state visits, such as President Edvard Beneš or Cuban leader Fidel Castro.
The most famous biologist in the history of genetics worked and died in Brno. This interesting museum commemorates his revolutionary research. Information in English available.
The second largest art museum in the Czech Republic. Mainly exhibits Moravian art and applied art throughout history. Most recommended is its exhibition of modern Moravian art. The gallery consists of three buildings:
Místodržitelský palác
Uměleckoprůmyslové muzeum
Pražákův palác
Moravské zemské muzeum
It's the second largest and oldest museum in the Czech Republic. It was founded in 1817 by Emperor Francis I and has collections with millions of objects from different fields of human history. Apart from the main building in Dietrichstein Palace at Zelný trh the museum has various branches:
Exhibition on the oldest history of the settlement in Moravia and on the whole European continent.
Biskupský dvůr
Numismatic exhibition and Moravian fauna exhibition.
Dům umění města Brna
Dům umění
Dům pánů z Kunštátu
Muzeum romské kultury
A museum dedicated to the Roma minority in Moravia.
Gregor Mendel's burial site.
Denisovy sady
It's one of the most beautiful parks in Brno, with an obelisk and a colonnade, and it offers a nice view of the city, including the Špilberk castle and the cathedral, also it is the oldest public park in the country which was founded by public administration authorities. It's located in the historical center, between the Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul and the Špilberk Castle.
Otevřená Zahrada
An NGO project to bring city gardening and nature to the city centre. You can walk there for free, have a picnic or join some of their periodic activities.
Náměstí Svobody
It forms the heart of the city. It's shaped into big reversed "A". Many cultural events take place here and there are always a lot of people here. It is closed for most cars, but trams run through the middle. Also most of the interesting places in the city center are within 10 minutes walk from the Square.
Park Lužánky
The oldest public park in the country and the biggest park in Brno. There is an artificial brook with living fish and a number of similar nice things. Perfect for picnic, but can get crowded in nice weather.
Moravské náměstí
The biggest square in Brno, it's dominated by the Church of Saint Thomas, which is the last resting place of Jobs of Moravia, German King and Margrave of Moravia. The nearby former Governor's Palace offers permanent exhibitions of the Moravian Gallery.
Kryt 10-Z
World War II bunker. The exhibition offers self-guided 500 m of tunnels. The guide shows different areas that is not covered by the exhibition, but mainly conducted in Czech language. Look out for the English tour on select days. No audio guide.
Kryt Denis
Different tours are offered on different week: the classic tour of the Shelter, ‘Finding Shelter in Wartime Brno’ tour, and 'Tour in the Dark'.
Žlutý kopec
Three huge underground tanks are a unique architectural monument
Labyrint pod Zelným trhem
An underground maze through the passages and cellars, up to 8 metres below the surface. Only available with guided tours that require a minimum of participants. 17:30 is the last time to start a guided visit.
A great zoo set in a nice area with hundreds of animals such as polar bears, seals, tigers, chimpanzees and more.
There are four firework competitions on the dam lake and at least two in the town centre. The fireworks begin every evening at 22:30 and last about 22 minutes. Public transport runs longer and more frequently at these times. During the festival there are nights of theatres and museums. Entrance is free, but expect crowds.
Moto GP Grand Prix every year takes place here in August.
BVV
The largest trade centre in the Central European region with many important fairs. The largest are Autosalon, MSV (International Engineering Fair), Invex (International Fair of Information and Communication Technologies), IDET (International Exhibition of Defence and Security Technologies and Special Information Systems), a Vinex (International Wine Fair) and Pivex (International Beer Fair). Notable for its functionalist interwar architecture, it is mostly unused and fairs are held in newer halls. Guided tours are sometimes organized.
Documentary film festival on human rights held every [ the background]].
Treasure Hunt Brno is a dynamic team competition that makes use of modern technology and GPS-enabled tablets and lets you visit a wide range of Brno's historical monuments in a record time. Suitable for larger groups and companies.
Grab a few friends and go have a drink at Jakubské náměstí during summer. After work or school, lot of people came here to have a drink. The area behind the St. James church has become a living part of Brno. Many pubs, wine cellars and cafés make a unique atmosphere. If you are lucky, you can run into a concert or screening. Almost every day there are dancing lessons at Café Savoy (salsa, tango, swing....) If you are talented, you can use a free-to-play piano on the square.
Launch a hydrogen rocket, star in the TV weather report, freeze your own shadow, experience an earthquake, set free a tornado, and get to the bottom of the Bermuda Triangle. Near the Brno trade fair complex, playful explorers of all ages will find more than 170 interactive exhibits over an area of nearly 5,000 m² that will give them a better understanding of the world around us.
Authentic, delicious, decently-priced Mexican food (tacos, pozole soup).
Cheap vegetarian/vegan dishes.
Vegetarian.
Czech cuisine, good Pilsner beer and daily menu even during weekend.
Fresh pasta, good wine selection. Has two branches, both close to city centre.
Goulash, roasted ribs, pickled cheese and many other "go-with-beer" courses. Self made beer.
Delicious Caucasion dishes (mostly Georgian), a good selection of wines from the Caucasus, Czech beer on tap.
Italian restaurant with fresh fish and sea food, pizza and pasta. Nice collection of Grappa.
It is a big pub & restaurant owned by Starobrno brewery.
Cocktail bar featuring a huge menu of rums and whiskies.
Traditional pub, featuring lots of typically Czech dishes and beer served from big metal tanks.
Beer speciality pub - serving Dalešice beer (made in a brewery 60 km away famous for appearing in the film Postriziny) as well as a selection of beers from around the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Austria which changes every day.
Already above mentioned pub with self-made beer.
Cosy little bar with good wine, spirits and coffee.
Probably the most popular bar in Brno during summer, where locals and foreigners alike drink cold Chotěboř (lager type beer) soak in the evening sun in the square.
The Lucky Bastard Beerhouse takes you to the world of ales where you can play a few songs on the piano and taste some quality gin.
Relaxed atmosphere of the 1930s. Excellent Pilsner and pork knee.
The place where the beer connoisseurs gather. 8 types of draft beer and at least 20 bottled in the fridge.
Great light show
Move your hips to Latin American music and have fun with your friends over a glass of Cuba Libre.
Choose your beans from two coffee grinders of different flavors and enjoy a slice of the local, divine cake quickly brought to you by the smiling barista.
Cordial service, latte art cappuccino, delicious homemade cakes, and innovative cocktails.
Besides the excellent locally roasted coffee that you can read about in Kávové listy magazine, you can also try thick cocoa from Tanzania or homemade lemonades made from fresh juices and aromatic herbs.
Popular also among people on gluten-free and vegan diets. Come have breakfast and a cup of cappuccino.
No generic coffee here in Café Mitte; behind every cup, you can see the farmer who grew and harvested the beans himself. Tip – filtered coffee!
Luxurious desserts, delicious breakfasts, and homemade pastries in various original shapes.
Are you a fan of functionalism? So when you leave Villa Tugendhat go straight to Café Era. Top-quality service and traditionally prepared Italian coffee.
M–F 09:00–22:00, Sa Su 10:00–22:00. This place used to be a bookshop, but now instead of books you can smell excellent coffee, cocoa with rum, and homemade desserts.
Low-budget hostel, 10 minutes walking from the centre, possible discounts in the nearby club Fleda.
Nice little hostel in the very centre.
Kryt 10-Z
This bunker offers overnight accommodation.
Lovely boutique hotel in romantic style located in the centre of Brno.
Basic pension. Call to book a room.
Offers a luxurious accommodation in 13 double rooms, 1 single room and 1 suite with a fireplace in a comfortable environment of a new restored stylish villa dating from the beginning of the 20th century. The villa has an enclosed parking lot on the hotel premises.
Very nice romantic hotel.
Good if you are visiting the exhibition centre, otherwise you will need a taxi to centre.
A large shopping centre converted from an old industrial centre dating to the beginning of the 19th century. Many of the historical industrial buildings were saved and integrated into the new shopping centre.
South of the centre in the metropolitan area of Brno-jih, Avion Shopping Park is a huge shopping mall with dozens of shops, from small boutiques to large Ikea.
In the southern part of the city, a huge shopping mall with many shops
By car
Using highways - D1 highway from Prague and Ostrava or using any of the national roads, D2 from Bratislava or D52 from the south (it runs towards Vienna, but ends about 25 km ahead of borders).
By bus
There are coach services from various European destinations including Prague where frequent buses run touting assorted amenities and stops (such as Prague Airport).
Taxi
Try to avoid getting a taxi on the street (public transportation is always the better option in Brno) and if you have to, try to negotiate the price in advance.
By plane
Ryanair flies up to 6 times a week a week to London-Stansted (year-round), and 4 times a week to Milan-Bergamo (seasonal). Smartwings operates seasonal flights to Egypt and Canary Islands.
By boat
An unconventional, but beautiful way to get to Brno (well, from just outside town) is to take a boat from the village of Veverská Bitýška, which takes you (in the summer season only) on a trip across…
The Integrated Transport System of the Southern Moravia Region (IDS JMK) covers public transport over Brno and the whole Southern Moravia Region; it includes local trains, trams (called "šalina" in local dialect), buses…
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