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Last updated on December 5th, 2025 at 03:54 pm
If you’re wondering what to do in Brno, the Czech Republic’s second-largest city, you’ve come to the right place.
In this guide, you’ll find inspiration on what to do in Brno and all the information you need to plan the perfect trip to this lesser-known Czech city.
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Where Is Brno?
Brno is a city in the southeastern part of the Czech Republic. It was the former capital of the historic Moravia region and it’s now the capital of South Moravia.
Brno enjoys an amazing location, a stone’s throw from the gorgeous South Moravian countryside, often referred to as Moravian Tuscany.
Is Brno Worth Visiting?
Before we go into detail about what to do in Brno, let’s address the fundamental question. Is Brno worth visiting?
Brno is a compact city that hasn’t been affected by mass tourism yet, offering an insightful look into authentic Czech life, which is hard to find when visiting other more popular – and crowded – destinations in the country, like Prague.
So, if you’re on the lookout for lesser-known destinations that align with all the principles of sustainable travel, Brno should top your list of places to visit in Central Europe.
Moreover, Brno is a remarkably lively city that can brighten your day even in the gloomiest winter weather. That’s because Brno is a major university town with many dining and nightlife options.
Last but not least, Brno is the perfect base from which to explore the charms of South Moravia, a region dotted with rolling hills and known for its superb local wine.
How To Get To Brno
By Air
Brno has a small international airport, but not many European cities are connected to Brno by plane. However, during the summer months, there are more flights to Brno.
Brno-Turany Airport is a 30-minute drive from the city centre. You can also reach the central train station and the city centre by public transport from the airport.
That said, a hassle-free private transfer is an excellent alternative to getting directly to your hotel from Brno Airport.
If there’s no flight from your hometown to Brno, you can fly to Vienna Airport instead. From there, you can hop on a direct bus or train and reach Brno in two hours.
By Train
The most comfortable way to get to Brno is by train. Brno is a stop on the railway lines connecting Prague to Vienna, Budapest or Bratislava.
This means that Brno can easily be added to an extended itinerary across Central Europe.
The train ride takes one and a half hours from Vienna and two and a half hours from Prague.
By Bus
A great alternative to the train is the bus. Buses are generally more convenient if you want to cover short distances.
The bus ride from Vienna to Brno and from Prague to Brno takes one and a half hours and two and a half hours, respectively.
How Many Days in Brno
Although compact and easy to get around, Brno isn’t a place you should visit on a day trip. With so many great things to see in Brno, you need two to three full days to appreciate this beautiful city and its charms.
Where To Stay in Brno
Brno is a very compact city. No matter which part you choose to stay in, you’ll always be within easy walking distance or a short tram ride of everything.
Hotel Passage: This 4-star boutique hotel stands out for its unique design and modern, spacious rooms. It’s conveniently located near the city centre and within walking distance of several attractions.
EFI SPA Hotel Superior & Pivovar: Located at the edge of Brno’s historic centre, this 4-star spa hotel offers the perfect place to get pampered at its wellness centre. The hotel also houses a brewery for a beer tasting after sightseeing.
For more inspiration on what to do in Brno, watch our Brno YouTube video:
Travel Resources For Your Trip To Brno
16 Best Things To Do in Brno For a Memorable Trip
1. Wander Around The Old Town
Strolling around the historic centre is a fantastic thing to do in Brno in its own right.
This is mainly because of the city’s diverse architecture. Baroque, Art Nouveau and Functionalist buildings come together to define the very essence of Brno.
To better appreciate the charm of Brno Old Town, consider joining an insightful walking tour with an expert local guide.
2. Learn About Functionalist Architecture
If there’s one architectural trend that stands out in Brno, it’s Functionalism. It wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that Brno is a study in Functionalist architecture.
According to Wikipedia, Functionalism dictates that buildings should be designed based solely on their purpose and function.
The Czech Republic was one of the first countries to embrace this architectural style. This is why Brno is dotted with Functionalist buildings.
Some of the most notable among them are Hotel Avion, the Brno Exhibition Centre, Villa Stiassni, and the most famous of all, Villa Tugendhat.
3. Step Inside Villa Tugendhat
As mentioned above, Villa Tugendhat is one of the finest examples of Functionalist architecture in Brno and one of the main Brno attractions.
It’s a monument of modern architecture and this is why it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. As such, it’s impossible to visit without making a reservation in advance.
The villa was built between 1929 and 1930 as the residence of Greta and Fritz Tugendhat.
The villa’s living room is beyond words impressive, while the villa and its grounds boast spectacular views of Brno city.
4. Visit The Old Town Hall
The Old Town Hall in Brno served its original purpose from the 14th to the 20th century, when it was transferred to a new building on Dominican Square.
To enter the Town Hall, you have to walk along an arched passageway where you will be greeted by the legendary Brno Dragon, in essence, a crocodile.
The Brno Dragon and the Brno Wheel, which you can also see at the Gothic entrance of the Old Town Hall, are related to several fascinating legends of the city.
Climb to the top of the Old Town Hall Tower to enjoy stunning city views from its viewing platform.
5. Pay a Visit To The Cathedral of Saints Peter & Paul
Dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul, Brno’s Cathedral overlooks the city from atop Petrov Hill. Diverse as the city of Brno itself, this imposing structure’s exterior is Gothic while its interior is Baroque.
The Cathedral’s bells ring every day at noon. Yet noon in Brno is at 11 AM instead of, well, noon in remembrance of an instance of utter ingenuity on behalf of the locals.
In the 17th century, the Swedish Army was conquering one European city after another. Brno was resisting, but for how much longer?
One August morning, the Swedish commander boasted that if his army didn’t take Brno by noon that day, they would stop the siege.
As the Swedish army advanced, the locals made sure the bells of all Brno churches rang at 11 AM that day, tricking the Swedes into thinking that they had lost the bet and, thus, saving the city of Brno.
6. Claim Your Gift From The Astronomical Clock
Brno’s main square is Freedom Square – or Namesti Svobody. This is where the heart of the city beats all year round. The most fascinating thing to see on Freedom Square is Brno’s Astronomical Clock.
If you don’t know what you’re looking for, you probably won’t realise that this controversially shaped black construction is a clock.
You most probably won’t be able to tell the time either. But Brno’s Astronomical Clock holds an exciting surprise.
Every day at noon – remember Brno’s noon is at 11 AM – the clock releases a glass marble from one of its four holes.
If you’re lucky enough to find it, you can keep it as a souvenir. But bear in mind that you might have to fight for it, as there are plenty of people claiming it.
7. Mingle With Locals at The Vegetable Market
Another great place to visit in Brno is the city’s open-air Vegetable Market, or Cabbage Market as locals call it. This market has been in the exact same location since the 13th century.
It’s the best place to buy fresh produce and mingle with locals. The market is open every day except Sunday.
At the Cabbage Market, you can also taste delicacies from the on-site food trucks and admire the famous Parnas Fountain, designed by the artist who built the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna.
8. Get Lost in an Underground Labyrinth
Under the Vegetable Market, you can visit an underground labyrinth of medieval cellars and dark corridors with many tales to tell.
This network of underground rooms gradually expanded throughout the centuries, as local farmers and merchants needed more space to store their goods.
The total underground area is vast, and you can visit only part of it on a guided tour. Otherwise, you’d risk getting lost. For good.
The Labyrinth Under the Vegetable Market isn’t the only underground attraction in Brno, though. Brno Underground is huge and it’s estimated that about 20% of it is yet to be discovered.
9. Get Into The Depths of Brno Ossuary
Brno is home to the second-largest ossuary in Europe after the Catacombs in Paris. The Brno Ossuary is the final resting place of over 50,000 people.
Founded in the 17th century and expanded in the 18th century, the underground ossuary lies beneath the beautiful Church of St. James in the heart of Brno.
What’s almost impossible to believe is that the ossuary’s existence was unknown until very recently, when it was discovered by chance during a land survey in 2001. The Brno Ossuary can be visited only on a guided tour.
10. Explore 10-Z Bunker
When it comes to Brno Underground, 10-Z Bunker needs a special mention. 10-Z Bunker was an air-raid shelter during the Second World War.
The bunker was turned into a profitable wine store after 1946, when two guys saw an opportunity and grabbed it.
However, their successful business was short-lived. A couple of years later, the Communists confiscated the business and transformed the bunker into a nuclear fallout shelter.
Nowadays, a visit to 10-Z Bunker is one of the most exciting things to do in Brno. A walk along the bunker’s narrow corridors is enough to transport you back to darker times and relive significant moments in world history.
However, for an even more immersive experience, you can spend the night in one of the bunker’s cell-like rooms.
Yes, that’s right. The bunker is not only a museum but also a hostel that offers rooms for a unique experience.
11. Have Fun With Science
Brno has always been a city with strong ties to science and high technology.
It’s home to dozens of universities and other educational institutions, while it’s estimated that 30% of the world’s electron microscopes are manufactured in Brno.
Yet science isn’t just for the selected few in Brno. Science is made easy and fun for everyone.
This is evident at the VIDA! Science Centre, an impressive space where adults and children alike come into touch with science via interactive exhibits and simplified scientific experiments.
12. Go Stargazing
Speaking of science, who’s not fond of astronomy? We know we are and this is why we visited the Brno Observatory & Planetarium during our trip to Brno.
We’d advise you to do the same on a clear night to watch the stars light up the glorious Czech sky.
However, if the weather doesn’t allow a night-sky observation, you can always watch a 3D show at the cosy and high-end planetarium. Have a look at the programme here.
13. Wander Around Spilberk Castle
Stars and castles are for dreamers and Spilberk Castle is indeed a dreamy place to visit in Brno.
Dominating Brno’s skyline for over seven centuries, Spilberk Castle has been a royal residence, a military fortress and a prison throughout its long and troubled history.
Nowadays, it’s one of the best viewpoints in Brno, and together with the royal castle grounds and the surrounding park, one of the best places in Brno to enjoy an afternoon stroll, not far from the city centre.
14. Uncover The Magic of Moravian Tuscany
For an easy day trip, nothing can compare to a day spent surrounded by the utter beauty of the countryside that stretches south of Brno. This area is called Moravian Tuscany and for good reason.
Think rolling hills and vineyards for as far as the eye can see. Add to that the absolute peace and quiet you enjoy as you walk through a dreamy scenery of unfathomable beauty. That’s Moravian Tuscany.
This area is quite large and it would take more than just a day trip to explore it in depth and visit the multitude of its picturesque villages.
However, you can get a good taste by walking between Sardice and Stavesice, two of the area’s quaintest villages.
As you walk from Sardice to Stavesice – or vice versa – your eyes are constantly filled with the magic of a Tuscan-like landscape, dominated by rolling hills and perfect rows of vineyards.
The walk takes about an hour without stops, but you’ll probably want to stop to take in the beauty at every turn.
Almost halfway between the two villages, the Vyhlidka Observation Tower is a quirky viewpoint that allows you to enjoy panoramic views of this breathtaking natural landscape.
There are buses to Sardice and Stavesice from Brno, but not all of them are direct, nor do they run frequently. Check on Google Maps and plan your excursion in advance.
Make sure you don’t miss your bus back to Brno, though, as the next one might take a while to arrive and there’s not much in the way of coffee shops or other similar establishments in the area.
A hassle-free way to get to the South Moravian region and explore the Moravian hills is to rent a car for one day.
15. Taste South Moravian Wine
Where there are vineyards, there is wine. South Moravia is famed for its top-quality wine production.
When wondering what to do in Brno, don’t miss the chance to try local wine at any given chance. South Moravian wine has a very delicate flavour and you’ll definitely love it.
16. Experience Brno’s Coffee & Nightlife Scenes
Brno is renowned for its amazing coffee scene. Coffee lovers swear by the quality of coffee at the city’s cafés.
Similarly, Brno is abundant in fantastic bars that serve classic drinks but also imaginative cocktails.
Some of the best bars in Brno are Super Panda Circus, The Bar That Doesn’t Exist, Air Café and Rotor Bar.
FAQs About Visiting Brno
When is the best time to visit Brno?
The best time to visit Brno is in the warmer months of May to September, when the weather is mild and the highest temperatures range from 20 to 26 degrees Celsius.
Is Brno walkable?
Brno is a very compact and walkable city. However, some of the places to visit in Brno mentioned in this article, such as the VIDA! Science Centre, Villa Tugendhat and the Observatory, are a bit far from the city centre.
In that case, you might want to save some energy and time by taking the tram instead of walking.
How do I pay for public transport in Brno?
The city’s trams and buses have an integrated pay-as-you-go system. Once you get on board the tram or bus, tap your credit or debit card on the reader and that’s it.
There’s even a hack to save a few Czech Koruna. If your ride lasts less than 15 minutes, tap your card on the reader again upon exiting the tram or bus to get a cheaper fare.
Is Brno vegetarian- and vegan-friendly?
Yes, Brno features numerous restaurants with vegetarian and vegan options.
Now that you know what to do in Brno, we’re sure you’re eager for a trip to the Czech Republic’s second-largest city, this underrated gem that patiently awaits to be discovered.
If you’ve been to Brno before, let us know how you liked it in the comments. If you’re planning to visit Brno soon, we’re here to answer all your questions.
For more off-the-beaten-path destinations to add to your Czech Republic itinerary, make sure you read our Liberec and West Bohemia Spa Triangle travel guides.
WORDS & EDITING: Maria
IMAGES: Katerina