Brno, located in South Moravia, is the second largest city in the Czech Republic. Its name is pronounced more like ‘Brun-o’ than ‘Brewno.’ With a population just shy of 400,000, the city is quite expansive, but some of the most vibrant areas can be found in the Old Town. During my visit, I gathered extensive information that I am excited to share, helping you make the most of a day or weekend in Brno.
During my September visit for the Traverse travel blogging conference, I stayed at Hotel Passage, which is conveniently located about a seven-minute walk from Old Town. It proved to be the perfect venue for the conference.
Over the few days, I explored Brno, indulging in local beers, delightful cuisine, and unique attractions. Here’s a roundup of the key places to visit in Brno in one day. I hope this gives you a good sense of why Brno is one of the must-visit destinations in the Czech Republic and how to best spend your day there.
Getting to and Around Brno, Czech Republic
To effectively enjoy your day in Brno, you’ll first need to understand how to navigate the city. You can reach Brno by train in about three hours from Prague, or just a two-hour ride from Vienna, Austria. Once in the city, the Old Town and its surrounding areas are very pedestrian-friendly, with most attractions within a 15-20 minute walk. Other options for getting around include trams, taxis, Uber, and Liftago.
Visit the Brno Dragon
When exploring Brno, your first stop should be the famous Brno Dragon. This unique attraction serves as a common meeting point and is located at the Old Town Hall tourist information center, making it an excellent place to pick up a map, tourist information, and souvenirs.
Don’t be alarmed by the sight of the dragon casually hanging from the ceiling in the alleyway; it’s not as intimidating as it sounds. Interestingly, it’s actually a crocodile, not a dragon! Historically, locals believed this creature was terrorizing the city and its livestock until they managed to capture it. They subsequently put it on display for all to see.
See the Astronomical Clock
Installed in 2010 in Liberty Square, at the heart of Old Town Brno, is the renowned Astronomical Clock. While it may be tricky to decipher the time on it, the clock acts as a tribute to a historic victory. Shaped like a large black bullet, it chimes at 11 AM each day, releasing a glass ball from one of four openings. Anyone can catch the ball to keep as a souvenir (though it’s worth noting that sometimes homeless individuals claim the balls first to sell them to tourists).
Why is it a monument? In 1645, Brno was under threat from Swedish forces, who vowed to attack again one final time. The locals intercepted this information and, at 11 AM, rang church bells 12 times, tricking the Swedish into retreating an hour earlier than planned, saving the city. This clock commemorates that clever strategy, which is why the ball drops at 11 AM instead of 12.
Look Under the Equestrian Statue
Another iconic landmark in Brno is the Equestrian Statue of Margrave Jobst of Luxembourg, which was unveiled in Moravian Square in 2015. This striking sculpture features a knight in armor riding an exceptionally tall horse with long legs, symbolizing bravery. Visitors can walk underneath the statue to discover a unique view of the horse’s chest and head.
Explore the Ossuary Under the Church of St. James
Situated just a block away from the equestrian statue is the Church of St. James (Kirche St. Jakob). In 2001, an ossuary was rediscovered beneath the church, which was opened to the public in 2012. This burial site holds the remains of at least 50,000 individuals, making it the second largest ossuary in Europe, after the catacombs in Paris, which are said to contain around 5 million remains. The ossuary was established when the church graveyards became overfilled, leading to the periodic relocation of remains every 10–12 years to make room for new burials.
Buy Fresh Produce at the Cabbage Market
Europeans excel at farmers’ markets, and Brno’s Cabbage Market (Zelňák) is the perfect example. Operating six days a week, this vibrant market is the best place to find fresh and affordable produce, with a history dating back to the 1300s. You can find a wide variety of seasonal products, including fresh berries, peppers, flowers, cabbage, nuts, and oils.
The market temporarily closes during the colder winter months when Christmas markets take over from late November through December. It reopens in spring with the new growing season, showcasing fresh asparagus and more.
Taste Delicious Ajahla Chocolate
Interestingly, Brno is home to a local chocolate company that produces delectable chocolate from bean to bar. They source cacao beans from around the world to create their chocolate from scratch, with various flavors including orange, rose, and even a 100% cacao bar for those who love dark chocolate. While it may be quite bitter for some, it’s immensely satisfying for others. You can also find flavors that incorporate smoky whiskey, hazelnuts, sea salt, and coconut milk.
Make sure to visit Ajahla Chocolate or keep an eye out for their products in stores around the city.
Visit the Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul
The Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul is one of the most prominent churches in South Moravia, partly because it appears on the 10kc coin. Visitors can explore this national monument, built in 1777, which is still active today. Designed in both Baroque and Gothic styles, the cathedral is a beautiful site to behold while wandering around the city.
Tour Špilberk Castle
Positioned on the western edge of Brno’s Old Town is Špilberk Castle, which has a rich history dating back to the early 13th century. Once a Baroque citadel, it served as the harshest prison in Europe and now houses part of the Brno City Museum since 1960. While it has a complex past, the castle also offers stunning panoramic views of the city.
The castle is open year-round and has an entrance fee of approximately $10 CAD.
Make Yourself at Home in Brno’s Villas
Brno is home to several villas that you can tour and even enjoy a picnic at. These villas were once single-family homes designed in various architectural styles including modernism, art nouveau, and avant-garde—primarily built by Jewish textile industrialists.
Notable villas include Villa Low-Beer, Villa Štiassni, Villa Jurkovic, and the most famous, Villa Tugendhat, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Both Villa Štiassni and Villa Tugendhat have storied histories, with the former being confiscated by the government when the family fled from the Nazis, and the latter having been occupied at one point by the Gestapo. Most of the villas have undergone extensive renovations and now appear much as they did during the time of their original owners.
Salina Pub Beer Tram Tour
One of the most enjoyable ways to explore Brno is aboard the Salina Pub Beer Tram. You can book a private tour for groups, corporate events, bachelor parties, or birthday celebrations. It’s also worth checking for hop-on-hop-off rides to experience this unique activity. During our tour, we were treated to appetizers, coffee, water, and of course, fresh beer from taps on the tram. We spent two hours riding around the city, all while enjoying unlimited beer, making it a memorable way to take in the sights of Brno.
Visit the Bar that Doesn’t Exist
When in Brno, you’ll find plenty of great drinking spots, but one of the most intriguing is a place known as the Bar that Doesn’t Exist (Bar Ktery Neexistuje). While the name may sound confusing since it does exist, you can find it at Dvořákova 1, 602 00 Brno-střed, right in the heart of Old Town. This multi-level bar is a fantastic venue for enjoying a beer or a fancy cocktail.
How to Spend the Day in Brno? EAT!
There are numerous excellent restaurants and eateries in Brno, and although I didn’t manage to visit many of them during my stay, here are a few I particularly enjoyed:
Bageterie Boulevard is a popular chain across the Czech Republic, akin to their version of Subway but significantly better. They offer sandwiches made on fresh baguettes, accompanied by salads or some of the best French fries, all for around $8.
Lokal is part of a smaller chain of restaurants that originated in Prague. It’s an excellent spot for enjoying local Czech beer along with delicious burgers, schnitzels, and more.
If you’re in search of a café with great drinks, desserts, and reliable Wi-Fi for some work, be sure to check out SKØG Urban Hub.
Coming from the east coast of Canada, I wasn’t particularly eager to dine at a seafood restaurant in a landlocked European city. However, Ocean 48 received excellent reviews, and they even had Canadian lobsters in their tank! They offer the option to dine in or purchase fresh fish to take home. I opted for the fish and chips and was pleasantly surprised.
