When it comes to road tripping and exploring the Czech Republic, Cesky Krumlov or Prague often steal the attention with charming streets and pictoresque outlooks. Nevertheless, Brno is a city that should definitely be part of your travel itinerary through the Czech Republic. Nestled in the heart of Moravia, you’ll find Brno. One of the only places in the Czech Republic where wine might be as important as beer, due to the vinyards in Moravia. In this Brno Travel Guide I’ll take you on a journey through this vibrant city and show you the best things to do and see as well as the best bars and restaurants in this lovely town. Spoiler alert: there are plenty of amazing hotspots in Brno to spend your time. The cafe culture is in my opinion also the main reason to visit Brno, as it might lack some famous landmarks. Nevertheless, there is plenty to do.
Curious how much time to spend in Brno? I would advise to stay here for 2 nights to be able to complete all items in this Brno Travel Guide. You might be able to tick of all sights in a single day, but you can easily combine it with a trip to the surrounding vinyards and a relaxed day at a terrace.
The first thing to see in this Brno Travel Guide is the city’s castle. Spilberk Castle is a fortress that has a rich history in the Czech Republic, known for its role as a prison for political dissenters. The castle can be found on top of a hill in Brno, and rewards you with great views over the city and the St. Peter and Paul Cathedral. Nowadays, the castle houses the Brno City Museum, where you can deep dive into the city’s history. Even though we decided to not enter the castle or the museum, the Spilberk Castle is still a must-visit when in Brno. It is just an easy walk away from the old town.
Zelny Trh is one of the main squares in Brno and a great place to hang out and enjoy the day. I loved the vibe with little beach chairs all over the square and little bars to pick up your drink. Therewith, Zelny Trh is one of the squares that fit every part of the day during your travels. Whether it is an early morning coffee and visit to the market, an afternoon drink or an evening session. From the square, you can also enter the labyrinth underneath the square where you can take a 60-minute tour to explore the cellars at 6 to 8 meters below the Cabbage market. The cheapest ticket is around €5.
The opening hours of the cabbage market are as follows: Everyday (except Sundays) from 06:00 – 18:00, and on Saturdays from 06:00 – 14:00.
The Saint Peter and Paul Cathedral is one of the famous religious landmarks in Brno and is one of the most prominent Gothic-style cathedrals in the Czech Republic. The landmark can be seen from for example the Spilberk Castle as well as from the Old Town Tower. Furthermore, you can visit the beautiful church from the inside, famous for its dragon shaped chandelier on the ceiling. Also the area around the cathedral is beautiful to stroll around.
If you like some good city views, this is the place to be in Brno. From the Tower part of the Old Town Hall you can oversee most of Brno’s city centre. The town hall tower is part of the larger complex. You can ascend the tower by a winding staircase to oversee the city’s skyline from a height of 63 meters. The enter the tower you will have to pay an entree fee of ~€4.
If you have to cut your trip to Brno short, then this would be the first place to skip. I was slightly underwhelmed by the astronomical clock on the Namesti Svobody, which is the central square of Brno. However, if you are ticking of some of the main tourist sights, the central square can’t miss.
Unfortunately, we missed out on visiting the 10 Z Nuclear Fallout Bunker due to its opening times and only learning about its existence later on. However, if you have the chance, I would prioritize a visit.
10Z can be found at the bottom of the Spilberk castle, so a visit to the bunker and the castle can easily be combined. The bunker is open every day from 11:30 – 19:00 but is closed on Mondays.
An excursion through 10Z takes about 40 to 60 minutes and costs ~€10. Due to the colder temperature of the bunker, you can borrow an army field jacket when visiting. It is also possible to solely visit the exposition for ~€6,50 where you can explore the bunkers by yourself, including some QR codes you can scan for more information.
Last but not least, in the shelter you can also find a little bar/restaurant.
Skog Urban Hub is a great all day round cafe/bar/restaurant in Brno. Settle down for a piece of cake, breakfast, lunch or a glass of wine and cocktails in the evening. With an industrial vibe, this is really a place you will probably visit once during your stay in Brno.
Generally, when on holiday I’m not the biggest fan of a chain. Forky’s can be found at multiple locations in the Czech Republic, but we have heard positive stories about their vegan kebab and decided to try a piece for lunch. Especially if you are vegan and looking for a quick bite, Forky’s is a great choice.
Another great place for coffe, brunch or drinks in Brno is Podnik Cafe Bar. We had a lovely avocado toast (after first getting an Affogato next to our flat whites) and a coffee. They have a lovely terrace in front of the building as the perfect place to enjoy your breakfast. Next to breakfast and lunch, they are also open for an afternoon glass of wine or a cocktail in the evening, as their opening hours are from 08:00 – 22:00.
We ran into this bar without knowing it and it was great. A theater, bar, chill area all in one. There is a huge outdoor / indoor bar area where you can also order some bites. There is a theater next to the place. Don’t expect the best service, but do expect an amazing place to have your beers!
Another gem in Brno is the bar that doesn’t exists (or Bar Ktery Neexistuje) – but it does. The place is known especially for its great cocktails and the ability to make cocktails fitting your taste and preferences. next to cocktails, they also serve great burgers.
Super Panda Circus in Brno might have been the most amazing bar I’ve ever been. It was on our list to visit and fortunately we did on our final night in Brno (and the last day of our roadtrip through the Czech Republic). Super Panda Circus is a speak easy style cocktail bar, where you can ring the bell behind the curtain. You will be sat down in the lobby and receive an explanation of the concept. During your cocktail experience, you will receive a tablet to follow a certain story that will lead you to the next cocktail. They serve the best cocktail and the quirky experience makes it one to remember.
Just Wine was one of the wine bars that was high on our list to visit when in Brno. By now, Just Wine has opened multiple wine bars around town, however, we visited Jungle by Just Wine which is located right next to the ‘Bar that doesn’t exist’. The staff was more than friendly and have advised us on the best wines matching our preferences all afternoon. They also offer a great charcuterie plate as you can see.
Maybe Coffee isn’t too centrally located in Brno but was closely located to the apartment we stayed in Brno. On our final morning, we decided to go out for one last brunch but didn’t want to go to the city centre. After some research, we stumbled into Maybe Coffee & Bistro and they had the most lovely brunch dishes!
As Brno is located in Moravia, you will see plenty of wine bars around. After spending 8 days in the Czech Republic and indulging in plenty of beers, we decided to head to several wine bars in Brno. Vicino Divino Vinobar was one of the first places we visited. Expect a great italian wine menu, but also matching prices.
Other bars, restaurants and cafes that were on my list but I haven’t been able to visit are: Ochutnavkova Pivnice (beer bar), Klara Bara Bar (Winebar & Vinoteka), Cafe Momenta, and Soul Bistro (popular restaurant that was closed for holiday season). Can’t hold them back from you in this Brno Travel Guide.
Grandezza Hotel Luxury Palace is a great luxury hotel in the center of Brno, where you can splurge without paying an exceptional price. The rooms here are stunning and you’ll pay ~€135 a night.
If you are looking for a luxury apartment in Brno, Coco Chanel Boutique Apartments might be the place you are looking for. Especially if you are travelling with a larger crowd, this might be the perfect option for you, as the place can host up to 6 persons for ~€320 a night.
A great mid-range option in the city centre of Brno is Bed and Breakfast Placzek. For ~€100 a night, you will have a stunning location in town including a to-die for breakfast.
Another option is Atrium Apartments, within walking distance from Brno city centre you can get a fully equipped apartment for 3 persons for only ~€80 a night.
Value for money tip! During our time in Brno, we stayed at Boutique Expo Apartments #5 – Brno Living CZ. The apartment was slightly further out of the city centre and had a shared bathroom. However, the rooms were nice and the apartment had good value for money. Bear in mind, you have to pick up your keys at a different location than the apartment, which was perfectly fine by car. We paid ~€50 a night with 2 persons in high season, which I believe is a great deal if you are on a budget. If the apartment is fully booked, don’t forget to check-out apartment #11 or #47.
