Is Brno worth visiting? 10 Amazing reasons why visit Brno and unique things to do

We love to go off the beaten path, and visiting Brno was the right decision, besides exploring the most popular locations within the country. Is Brno worth visiting? Yes, definitely and for many factors. The second largest city in the Czech Republic is well known among locals but less among international travellers. However, thanks to low-fare flights and a fantastic airport, Brno is ready for mass tourists.

Still, in 2022, the city looks like a hidden gem within Europe and is still affordable. There are many reasons to visit Brno; every season seems reasonable to have a great time. From lively nightlife to many cultural spots and cute cafes. Brno is worth a visit, even just for a weekend.

Perhaps many visitors might get the chance to have affordable holidays in Brno and within 2 hours reaching Prague by fast train. If you are ready to explore a city in the heart of Europe, this Brno guide will show you the best things to do.

We don’t want to spoil the city, but Brno is best visited in Spring and Autumn. The chill atmosphere gives the city a different glamour in the shoulder seasons. In fact, due to the geographical position, Brno can get very hot in summer and deep cold in winter with snow everywhere.

However, we are not saying that Brno is not worth a visit in December; in fact, the city has its own charm during Christmas. Explore the best Christmas Markets in Brno, enjoy hot chocolate and join locals in the festive mood.

Autumn is when the prices for accommodation, and often flights, drop. From the end of September to early December, you can get a bargain and enjoy the best of the Czech Republic in autumn.

Chapters

Being the second largest city in the Czech Republic has its advantages. Brno is at the centre of interchanges that connect the country with its neighbours. Within a short ride by train, car and bus, you can reach Vienna, Austria and Bratislava in Slovakia.

There are multiple ways to get to Brno; every connection is within 2 to 3 hours. We took the train from Vienna airport; and also the bus with Flixbus; both ways were convenient and cheap. It’s also easy to go from Prague to Brno, thanks to the high-speed connection that will take you from one city to another in less than 2 hours and a half.

Exploring solutions to reach Brno from other European cities, you can also consider taking the bus from Germany and Poland. Also, Brno is the gateway to South Moravia, an incredible region full of natural beauty that we enjoyed exploring.

We loved it so much Brno because it’s public transport works perfectly. A mix of trams, buses and private taxis serve the city constantly and everywhere.

However, spending just a weekend you might go just walking around. The city centre is flat and totally walkable with many areas pedestrian only. You can easily explore the main sights of Brno on foot. If you want to save up on accommodation costs, you can get it further away and buy a Brno city card for the transport.

BrnoPass

If you want to visit the city on your own, we recommend purchasing the BrnoPASS. The ticket is cheap compared to what they offer, and you get many skip-the-line tickets. Because it is a compact city, you will end up getting inside places to visit more than you expect, is there that you can save money.

Purchasing the Go To Brno card online will save you time and money and allow you to discover Brno on your own terms.

Even though Brno is still an unknown destination for many travellers, it is definitely worth a visit. We didn’t find it hard to make up a list of reasons Brno is worth a visit, as it is fantastic.

If you are a traveller like us, loving to roam around and get lost, besides the well-known destinations, Brno is the city for you as well. The city has a lot to offer, and one day in Brno might not be enough. Plan a different trip to the Czech Republic, including a few days in Brno and a visit to the South Moravia Region, which is fantastic and underrated.

Less touristy than Prague

The Czech Republic is still developing in tourism, and most of the annual footprint by travellers is concentrated chiefly within Prague. 

In 2021 there were more than 10 million tourists in the Czech Republic, and Prague had  3/4 of the total amount. In the same segment of time, the city of Brno within the South Moravia Region hosted just 125K tourists, with an increment during summer.

The unspoiled Brno remains one of Europe’s most hidden gems and the perfect retreat for a weekend away. The city, the capital of South Moravia, has a lively food scene and incredible nightlife, which is perfect for every kind of traveller. It might not be Prague for exposure and several activities, but still perfect for exploring.

A small and walkable city

Brno is compact, and despite being the second-largest city in the Czech Republic, we found it easy to walk around and roam through the historic centre.

Its population is fewer than 380,000, making it around one-third the size of the population of Prague. You will find a city perfect to visit and stay a few months chasing the perfect workation in Europe. The streets of the city centre are not crowded, with interesting, stylish buildings and quirky narrow alleys.

If you have only a weekend for a quick escape in Europe, Brno is perfect. Getting accommodation in the centre, you will be able to walk around and use less transport. The only attraction that is located outside of the city skirt is Villa Tugendhat, Unesco World Heritage Site.

On a budget holiday

The Czech Republic is renowned for its affordable costs. We have explored both Brno and Prague and found the first more affordable. Brno seems to have lower meal costs and everyday expenses from bars to restaurants. Because Prague is a holiday city, it is easy to understand that the main attractions cost much more than Brno.

However, when we talk about budget holidays, we mean anything, from accommodations to restaurants and attractions. You can afford to spend about £50 per day staying in Brno, having excellent local dishes and a few traditional Czech beers. However, the costs of our stay in Prague were higher, and we had to deal with staying in a hostel (Private Room – Check out what it looks like staying in a hostel as a couple.)

Delicious food

Spending a weekend in Brno, you can’t miss local markets and neither trying traditional Czech cuisine. Even though in recent years there has been an internationalisation of the city, with many chains and westernised food taking the scene, some parts of Brno still preserve their Czech style.

If you are on a budget and looking for fresh products without spending a fortune, you should go to Zlata Lod. The restaurant features a traditional atmosphere, mixing fresh products to create modern Czech cuisine. The wide selection of local beers is an add-on that you can’t miss. You know, beer is one of the main reasons why Brno is worth a visit.

Checking into Brno’s nightlife scene, you can straight away recognise that it is a lively city, made for the primarily young and fun enough. The nightlife in Brno never stops, neither in winter when the temperatures are below 0°C. Nowadays is easy to find spots that offer food and drinks, and become more interesting later at night, like Panda circus, which is one of the most interesting places to visit in Brno at night.

Perfect Czech Beers

We introduced you to the best beers, and like the rest of the Czech Republic, also Brno takes its beer seriously. Pilsner is the traditional local beer and a unique experience visiting Brno.

We have seen a Beer culture that is unquestionable, with knowledgeable bartenders always open to offer expertise to give you the beer you like, even if your taste is not for particular beers, like Alessia. There are no bars to suggest; beers in Brno are good everywhere and prices are mostly the same, with the lowest at 2€ per pint.

Gateway to South Moravia

We were like enough to experience one of the five cavers open to the public, within the five around the Moravian Karst. The region of South Moravia is wonderful and hosts some of the most incredible locations that created the Czech culture and traditions.

Touring South Moravia, you can have wellness treatment at one of the many Spas, discover the caves, and delve into beer tasting. The architecture perfectly matches the landscape and traditional cute towns with a strong identity.

Discovering South Moravia, you should also write down a blueprint workshop in Olesnice town. In fact, the Czech blueprint workshop run by Jiri Danzinger is one of the few still producing fine clothes with old techniques. The blueprint is Unesco’s intangible cultural heritage today, produced only in this area of Europe by a few workshops in Germany, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

An ideal city for a workation in Europe

We always travel through Europe in search of the perfect place to stay for a few weeks, work from there and mingle with locals in search of exciting stories. We were pretty surprised to find Brno a perfect hub in central Europe, cheap enough to host us for quite some time and be the ideal location for a few day trips to nearby cities like Prague, Budapest, Vienna and Bratislava.

Looking for the perfect workation in Europe, you want some key specs, and Brno has most of them. The city is entirely walkable, with attractive buildings, churches, squares, gathering places, good bars and restaurants, cute cafes and co-working spaces. Monogram Cafe’ was our favourite with its reliable internet, pleasant atmosphere and tasty coffee.

We also loved to work in SKØG Urban Hub, right in the city centre, with a wonderful atmosphere. Even though this place was busier than others, it is still one of the favourite spots to work from in Brno.

The Café Falk is nearby the local university, and the atmosphere is more vibrant; however, we mostly like the Skog cafe for the tasty coffee and reliable internet. All three are highly recommended co-working cafes when visiting Brno!

Vibrant at night

We loved our nights in Brno; even though some of the events were part of the conference we were attending, we had time to explore the city on our own at night. The city centre is vibrant, resulting from young generations and being a student city.

Brno is a bustling and cosmopolitan city which maintains a calm and peaceful atmosphere. Also, among locals, Brno’s nightlife is well known. The city is the alternative to Prague and is cheaper for drinks and cocktails.

The most famous club in town is the Super Panda Circus, often seen as the weirdest bar in the country. You will get that it’s not the typical bar since stepping in. Ring the bell, and the door master will welcome you, explaining how it works in this quirky bar in Brno.

The guest of the bar can also interact in a role-playing game. The character you decide to play with determines the cocktail you will drink that night. Quirky and fun things to do in Brno!

There are many reasons to visit Brno, and we select 10 perfect things that will let you fall in love whit the city. If you are still looking into why Brno is worth a visit, you will indeed find two or three quirky things that will make you book a flight.

Even though you will have a short time to explore the second-largest city in the Czech Republic is still worth roaming around the old city centre. Through our 10 things to do in Brno, you can find enough to create a perfect Brno itinerary. With all that said, it’s now time to give you more reasons why visit Brno!

Step inside the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul

The Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul is one of our favourite attractions. Brno’s Cathedral is located atop Petrov Hill. Surrounded by nice gardens and a peaceful atmosphere, you can enjoy a lovely view of Brno’s Old town.

The Cathedral’s original building is dated back to the 11th century, and its current shape is only 3 centuries later. Before becoming a national monument back in time, this Cathedral was only a small church in a perfect location. The outer part is wonderful, with statues and crypts taking you to the entrance, and you should definitely watch our video to discover the inside.

Fun facts about Brno’s Cathedral | There is a tradition to ring the noon bell at 11 a.m. instead of the regular time. The reason behind this quirky thing is that during the 1600s thirty years’ war, Brno was under siege.

The locals rang the bell one hour early, as the attackers promised to withdraw the siege if the city wasn’t conquered within noon.

Seems that the strategy of local defenders worked, and today that event is still celebrated.

Brno Ossuary and Capuchin Monastery

You will be surprised to learn that Brno hosts Europe’s second-largest ossuary. Beneath Saint Jacob’s Square rest more than 50,000 skeletons, bones and skulls.

You can access the underground ossuary from the Church of St. James. It is a relatively recent discovery, found just in 2001. It holds centuries-old bones of plague, cholera and war victims. The visit takes about 30-40 minutes, and the cost is high for such an amount of time. However, the Ossuary is one of the most unusual things to do in Brno.

The Capuchin Monastery is another unique thing to do in Brno. The monastery also hosts a crypt, which hosts mummified remains. However, it is a quirky experience not far from all. We didn’t feel that much to get into, but still worth including in a Brno itinerary.

You can still enjoy a tour inside the Capuchin Monastery without getting deep into the crypt.

Like a local in Náměstí Svobody Square

One of our favourite places to mingle in Brno is Náměstí Svobody Square. Surrounded by pastel-coloured neo-Renaissance buildings, it is the place where locals hang out, especially on Sundays. If you are visiting the Czech Republic in summer, you should visit this place to take advantage of the outdoor cafe and lively atmosphere.

Enjoy people walking around, the trams going in different directions, and roaming around the stands at the markets.

Namesti Svobody Square is the location to enjoy the typical Czech Christmas market from the end of November to January. On the side of the square, check out the smooth, black-stone rotating tall monument. It is a quirky clock, which releases a glass marble every day at 11 a.m. that you can catch and keep as a souvenir through one of four holes.

Enjoy the Openair Art through Brno streets

Remaining on the walking topic, you should spend an entire morning just admiring the fine decor of the city. Starting fromMoravské nám, the Moravian Square you can enjoy statues that will walk you through different periods of the city. The main attraction in this square is Jaroslav Róna’s Courage (Odvaha), the Equestrian Statue of Margrave Jobst of Luxembourg.

The statue depicts a knight mounting a horse, totally in black. The piece sparks discussion, not just for the size, not proportionate legs, but for the saucy figure that you might make up in your mind standing beneath the statue.

If you have more time on your Brno itinerary, consider walking into the Moravian Gallery – Governor’s Palace. We loved the architecture and the cafe; perfect for grabbing a hot chocolate if it’s cold or ice cream in the garden when is warm.

Roam around Brno markets

Brno Markets are the true highlights of a trip to the Czech Republic. The most famous is definitely the Brno Cabbage Market. Meet locals and roam through the fruit, vegetable and flower stand in Zelný trh.

However, this market today is a tourist spot more than where locals hang out. All around the market, you can sip a drink and watch the local life going slower. If visiting Brno in autumn, at the margin of the market, in the evening, there is a traditional Oktober Fest taking place since early September.

The huge square hosts the biggest Christmas Market in the region, with wonderful attractions, themed stands and an ice rink. For a Brno off the beaten path itinerary, consider visiting Bleší trhy Brno, a wonderful flea market in Brno.

Hangout in Brno at night

is a city built for the young, hosting many students (the university counts more than 90,000 people). You can clearly relate to these stats at night when the city becomes lively with many pubs, cocktail bars and nightclubs open.

We loved the time in Brno, following friends that were there for longer, taking us around the most popular clubs and bars. We highly suggest enjoying two spots, the speakeasy “Bar that does not exist”, what a wonderful secret, with reasonable prices and nice cocktails.

The second bar is the Super Panda circus, but this needs a paragraph on its own.

Role Play games at the Panda Circus

Among the many things to do in Brno at night, the Super Panda Circus is one of the weirdest bars we have been to so far. The atmosphere is incredible and gets you into the mood as soon you step in. It is not the traditional bar. Arrive at the entrance, ring the bell, and the door master will welcome you and introduce you to how it works.

The quirky bar in Brno is perfect for mingling and interacting with locals through a role-playing game. The beverage you will sip that evening depends on the role you choose to play. Intriguing and enjoyable things to do in Brno!

Visit Brno city Museum at Spilberk Castle

You can’t miss Spilberk Castle while in Brno. The 13th-century fortress guard the entire city. Throughout the century, the castle was used for multiple purposes; at the beginning was only a residence, hosting then the prison and today an excellent museum showing the history of the city and its development. Occasionally you can visit exhibitions or just roam around the permanent gallery.

Spilberk Castle offers one of the most sweeping views of Brno. The position of the fortress is at the margin of the Old Town, offering a complete view of the area.

Modern architecture at Villa Tugendhat

Among all the best things to do in Brno, Villa Tugendhat is one of the most important. The three-story house, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is finally open to the public after a lengthy restoration.

The residence designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe was erected between 1929 and 1930 and is one of the first examples of modern architecture. The building is outside the city centre and offers some of the finest and most informative tours about Czech culture.

Get out of the city and discover Veveří Castle

Talking about Castles, we can’t miss introducing you to Veveri Castle. Even though the residence is outside Brno, located about 7 miles north, it is still worth the journey. The former royal residence sits on the banks of the Svratka River and is one of the country’s oldest castles. The building is dated back to the 1100s and was reopened to the public only in 2002.

Surrounded by a thick forest and a wonderful lake, the residence is the largest and oldest castle in the Czech Republic. Formerly used as a hunting lodge in the Moravian margraves, for centuries was under the Bohemian Crown. We suggest a day trip from Brno to Veveri Castle, stopping at one of the many wineries on the way to sip fine local wine.

Instead, you can tour the restored rooms inside the castle and admire the frescoes and the century-old features. The most important sight is for sure, the 15th-century wine cellar beneath the castle.

Get Your Travel Insurance for Brno

Nowadays, booking travel insurance is becoming part of the travelling plan. It’s just a precaution, and you should consider it even if you are an experienced traveller. Planning an Itinerary through Moravia, the Czech Republic and Brno, which includes activities like hiking and some other sports, it’s essential to have travel insurance.

However, this is not just indicated because medical problems might occur, but also the connection between train and flight if your luggage gets lost. Many Rental car agencies will lower the cost of car insurance if you have your Travel insurance, or this might cover the costs of car accidents or damage to the car entirely. Also, carrying expensive items like phones, laptops and cameras, you should definitely insure yourself and your belongings for peace of mind.

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Q&A About Brno

How long staying in Brno?

We suggest planning at least two or three days in Brno as the city has a lot to offer. A weekend will let you live fully in the city, which becomes buzzing at night. Even though Brno is a small city, you need a few days to properly explore all the sights. If you want to walk around and make a quick visit to Brno, you should plan at least five to six hours. The city is often a layover or cheap airport to fly into for then transfer to Vienna, Prague, Budapest or Bratislava.

Is Brno cheaper than Prague?

Yes. We found Brno extremely cheap, and the stats wants that cost of living in Brno is about 14% cheaper than in Prague. You can spend way under your budget staying in Brno, from accommodations to drinks.

Our hostel staying in Brno was about $25, while in Prague was $35 for a double room in a hostel. However, we were in Brno city centre, and in Prague outside. You can find beers in Brno for 0,80 €, while in Prague, it might cost about € 1,50 in a non-touristy spot.

What is Brno known for?

Brno is a popular young destination, the second-largest city in the Czech Republic. Brno is known for traditional gastronomy, modern architecture and its cultural scene. The city is also the gateway to Moravian Karst, and wonderful to explore the surroundings and the popular Villa Tugendhat.

Do people speak English in Brno?

Yes, we found no problems visiting Brno as many people in Brno speak English.

Is Brno a party city?

Brno has a buzzing nightlife scene. If you would like to experience the best of trendy clubs, discos and bars, Brno is the city to visit in the Czech Republic. The second-largest city in the Czech Republic has it all, with a wide selection of styles and options that will give you the best time while exploring. Brno is worth visiting, even for just a weekend of partying.

Is Brno close to Prague?

Yes, Brno is close enough to Prague to be listed as a day trip from the Czech Capital. A wide range of options well connects the two main cities in the country. From bus to train you can take about two hours and a half to go from Brno to Prague. The fast service is very affordable, with tickets for a first class starting at about € 20 one way.

WHERE TO GO NEXT?

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