8 Best Day Trips From Brno, Czech Republic
So perhaps you’ve landed in Prague and spent some time in the nation’s capital, and then had some time to explore the second biggest city in the Czech Republic, Brno.
Now is a great time to take some day trips from Brno and explore more of South Moravia, and further afield.
Although there are loads of things to do near Brno, quite a few destinations need a car to get there. This article lists the 8 best Brno day trips that you can make, using public transport only.
If you’re visiting Brno for at least a few days, as beautiful as the city is, I highly recommend getting out and exploring the region. Read on to find out the best places to go.
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Best Day Trips From Brno – At A Glance
No time to read this Brno day trips guide right now? no worries.
Below is a glance at the top places to go on a day trip from Brno. If you only have time to do a one-day trip, then I’d highly recommend Chateau Lednice. If you have longer, then base yourself in Brno to do the rest of them.
The great thing is that they can all be done without a car! Perhaps you’re travelling around the country more, if so, then download this handy Czech Republic bucket list straight to your inbox.
Top 8 Places To Visit Near Brno
- UNESCO listed Lednice-Valtice Complex
- The Moravian Karsts
- Boating on Brno Lake
- Self-Guided Walking Wine Tour
- Region of Znojmo
….plus, although doable on a day trip, three cities close to Brno also make for a great overnight stay.
- České Budějovice, South Bohemia
- Vienna, Austria
- Bratislava, Slovakia
Easy Brno Day Trips
Although there’s a multitude of places to visit in South Moravia, not all of them are easy to get to, unless you have a car. The suggestions I’ve listed in this article are easy to get to by either public transport or by tourist shuttle transfer from Brno city.
I’ve partnered with Visit Czech Republic to bring you this travel guide. This article is based on the destinations and experiences I took part in. All views and opinions are my own.
1. The Lednice-Valtice Complex
If you only have time to do one trip from Brno, be sure this is it. The Lednice- Valtice Cultural Landscape is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most popular things to see outside Brno and certainly worthy of a place on anyone’s Czech Republic bucket list.
The whole area has a fairytale feel about it, thanks to the romantic natural landscape in the region.
Two iconic landmarks here are the Baroque Valtice Castle and the opulent Lednice Chateau set in stunning, well-manicured grounds surrounded by artificial lakes and rivers dispersed between an oriental-looking Pavillion, a Roman aqueduct, a Venetian fountain, photogenic footbridges and summer houses.
Valtice Castle dates back to the 11th century, it’s undergone numerous rebuilds and renovations. The biggest reconstruction is how the castle acquired its present appearance which was completed during the 17th and 18th centuries. The two Czech bucket list-worthy landmarks are a short distance from each other and you can use the bus to get between them.
Reconstruction of Lednice Chateau took place in the 1800s and the version of the building you’ll see today is a mix of Renaissance and neo-Gothic styles. Aside from the intricate exterior and exquisite interior, another highlight here is the enormous greenhouse, which is the second largest in the world (the one at KEW Gardens in London is the biggest).
South Moravia is a huge wine-producing destination. Dotted around the area are several wine producers and if you have the time, certainly worth calling in during your Valtice day trip.
I visited the winery at Annovino, (which is a 20-minute walk from the Lednice Chateau). You can visit and either opt for just tastings in their shop or go with a tour guide to see the winery, along with multiple tastings along the way.
📍 Getting to Lednice-Valtice Complex from Brno: There are various public transport options to get to Lednice, the shortest journey takes about an hour.
From Brno Main Station take the R13 train to Otrokovice (3 stops and takes about 30 minutes). Get off at Podovin and exit the building to the bus stop. Take the 555 service to Lednice náměstí (3 stops and takes 10 minutes), it’s just a few minutes walk to Lenice Castle from this stop.
Lednice Chateau and Valtice Castle are about 9 km apart from each other. The same 555 bus connects the two. Get back on at Lednice náměstí (6 stops and takes about 15 minutes). Get off at Valtice, železniční zastávka and walk to Valtice Castle entrance.
If you don’t want to take public transport, go with one of the organised Brno tours instead.
Related Article: 30+ Great Places To Visit In Czech Republic
2. The Moravian Karsts Show Caves
One of the best Brno day tours, if you want to get out into natural surroundings, is the Moravian Karsts.
Here you’ll find a mixture of cave systems, and depending on your travel style, you can opt to view the caves on a walking tour, on a boat, or for the active types, on an adrenalin adventure.
One of the most popular systems is the Punkva Caves and Macocha Abyss. This involves a 1.4km route inside the cave, made up of walking as well as taking a boat ride along 440 metres on the underground river Punkva. The route leads out to the naturally decorated Masaryk’s Dome.
Adventure lovers should head to Výpustek Cave. Unlike the caves you’ll see in the Punkva Cave system, the ones here show how humans have impacted the caves. During wartime, they were used for phosphate collection.
During prehistoric times, large numbers of bears lived in these caves (you can still see bones from them, and even a tooth embedded into the cave wall! – you can see this on the walking tour visit to Výpustek Cave).
Over time, excrement from the bears built up. Basically, their poop was mixed with the natural clay and sediment floor of the cave. During the war, there was a shortage of fertiliser, so this phosphate-filled clay was extracted from the cave and used instead.
If you book the adventure tour, you’ll get to see another fascinating part of the cave. The secret bunker! In the ’60s a top-secret fallout shelter and headquarters for the military. A whole community was built inside the caves, complete with dehumidifiers and heating systems to allow people to live and work there.
Even the locals didn’t know it existed, thanks to a cover-up story of it being a storage facility for medical supplies. In reality, inside was in part a workshop for weapons and strategic planning.
📍 Getting to the Moravian Karsts from Brno: Getting to the Moravian Karst from Brno is doable by public transport. The caves are fairly spread out, so these instructions get you to a central area near the different cave systems.
In less than 90 minutes, you can be transported to the show caves. There are a few options for public transport, this is the quickest one. From the Brno Královo Pole Train Station (in the north of the city), catch the number 233 train to Blansko (non-stop and takes about 27 minutes). Exit Blansko train station.
From here, there are two options, either catch a taxi directly to the cave system you want to visit or if you’re into walking, then catch the 226 bus from Blansko, aut. St. to Blansko to Skalní Mlýn (7 stops, and takes 10 minutes).
This drops off outside the tourist information centre in the middle of the Moravian Karst, from here, there are numerous walking trails. As a heads up, it’s a scenic 30-minute walk to the Punkva cave from here, there are other caves and attractions closer.
If you want the easy option, book a tour of the Moravian Karsts. If you want to do it by yourself, then you’ll be able to find out more about getting to the caves by visiting the Brno Tourism Information Centre.
Related Article: Discover These Quirky Underground Attractions In Brno City
3. Boating on Brno Lake & Veveří Castle
One of the closest attractions near Brno for a day trip is Brno Reservoir. Located a 30-minute tram ride to the northwest of the city, you could even enjoy a visit to Brno Lake as a half-day trip if you’re pushed for time.
Surrounding the reservoir you’ll find cafes, restaurants and most importantly, leisure activities, it’s a popular destination with tourists and Brno’s residents, looking to do water sports, or simply relax.
Around the lake are woodlands with trails, making it a perfect sport for hiking and cycling. If you don’t mind the cold, then the water is also safe to swim in. In winter the lake freezes over and can be ice skated on.
A popular activity to do here, and to enjoy the scenery, is to sail on Brno Lake. The boat meanders its way through the picturesque countryside and woodlands eventually stopping at Veveří Castle perched on top of a rock, overlooking the river. Here you’ll have some time to walk up the hill and explore the ruins before catching the boat back.
Veveří Castle dates as far back as the 11th century and was first built just as a hunting lodge. The move from a hunting lodge to a castle happened between the years 1213 and 1222 and was developed into a fortified castle and prison. It wasn’t until the earlier part of the 13th century that it began to resemble a functioning castle.
Of that original structure, the keep is the only part that remains and is the oldest part of the ruins. Over the centuries, the castle changed, and bits were added to it. Today you can wander about the ruins, there are great views across the valley from the lookout tower.
📍 Getting to Brno Lake from Brno: Two trams go from Brno Centre to the Reservoir, Numbers 3 and 10. They both depart from Česká Street in the centre, it’s 16 stops and takes about 30 minutes. Get off the tram at Přístaviště.
From there it’s just a few minutes’ walk to the reservoir. You’ll know you’re in the right place when you see the giant white anchor – called the Anchor of Hope.
Related Article: 14 Ideas For Your Brno Bucket List
4. Self-Guided Walking Wine Tour
I had a whole day spare at the end of my trip and was looking for an easy day trip around Brno. I decided to do my own wine tour from Brno and make the most of being in the Czech Republic’s biggest wine-producing region.
The Czech Republic is known for great wine and is home to no less than 1200 wineries. The majority of the wine is produced in the south of the country, in the regions of Bohemia and Moravia, out of the two, Moravia is where 90% of the wine is produced. That means that there are numerous vineyards near Brno. However, it can be tricky to find a cluster of a few of them within walking distance of each other and accessible by public transport.
In the quaint village of Popice, there are three fabulous vineyards. They do feel like they are in the middle of nowhere, and I’d only recommend doing this walking wine tour if you enjoy walking, (I love walking, so it was perfect for me).
This 7km (approx 4.5 mile) loop trail, undulates through the countryside, and visits three vineyards; Sonberk, Gotberg and Zidek.
Aim to leave Brno mid-morning to enjoy this day at a comfortable pace and to also give you decent time to stop off and enjoy each of the vineyards. You can book tours and guided tastings at each of the vineyards.
One thing you’ll notice here is the number of cyclists stopping at each vineyard. If you’re an avid cyclist, then it’s good to know that there is a whole cycle route dedicated to touring the wine regions.
📍 Getting to Popice from Brno: This easy journey departs from the main train station in Brno. Take the S3 south to Popice. The journey takes around 45 minutes and makes 9 stops along the way.
Related Article: Easy Self-Guided Wine Tour From Brno
5. Region of Znojmo
When deciding what to see around Brno, the Region of Znojmo should definitely be on your list. It’s a beautiful historic town that dates back to the 7th century. Visiting the region of Znojmo is a fantastic day trip idea from Brno.
Known for its well-preserved historical sites and picturesque landscapes, Znojmo offers a variety of attractions. The town sits next to the Thaya River and Podyjí National Park, which is perfect if you’re looking for hiking opportunities or to simply enjoy nature.
Znojmo is also a vibrant and historical town in the Moravian wine region, making it a must-visit for wine lovers. From exploring mysterious catacombs to touring castles, there is plenty to do in this charming city in a day.
📍 Getting to Znojmo from Brno: Getting to Znojmo is quite straightforward. You can take a direct train from Brno’s main station, which takes about an hour. Alternatively, you could opt for a private car transfer, and take the opportunity to visit amazing places along the way.
Three Cities Close To Brno (That Aren’t Prague)
The first city pretty much everyone heads to in the Czech Republic is Prague, and yes, I know it’s a phenomenal city with a ton of great things to do there, BUT there are also other great places to see besides the capital.
These three cities here are doable as day trips, but honestly, it would be very too rushed, and not do them justice. If you have the time, plan for at least an overnight stay.
6. Ceske Budejovice
If you want to stick with exploring more of the Czech Republic, then head to České Budějovice in South Bohemia. The city has a thriving beer scene; it’s the home of the original and best Budweiser beer and there are numerous microbreweries in the pretty, cobblestoned city centre. This is also a great place to base yourself if you want to visit the UNESCO city of Český Krumlov or explore the southern Czech Republic.
Related Article: 12 Things To Do In České Budějovice, Czech Republic
7. Vienna, Austria
The Austrian capital is just over 69 miles (111 km) away from Brno, and with up to 29 trains a day with a travel time of less than 2 hours, it seems crazy to not visit. This is a great destination if you want to see palaces, listen to classical music and visit some of the best museums in Central Europe.
8. Bratislava, Slovakia
If you’re after a different capital, then the Slovakian capital of Bratislava is another great option to visit. Up to 21 trains a day travel 75 miles (120 km) journey. It takes around 2 hours to get to this city, which boasts a photogenic old town. Other highlights are the striking Blue Church (St Elizabeth’s Church) and castle.
Easy Day Trips from Brno – FAQs
Now you’ve discovered what to see around Brno, here are some useful planning tips.
How far is Brno from Prague?
The distance between Brno and Prague varies depending on the method of travel. If you travel to Brno by train, it’s around 252 km (or approximately 156 miles), and the journey usually takes around 2 and a half hours.
However, if you’re driving, the distance is slightly less at around 208 kilometres (or roughly 130 miles). The air travel distance between the two cities is 187 kilometres (or about 116 miles).
What To See Around Brno?
Popular attractions in Brno, Czech Republic include the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul, Villa Tugendhat, and Špilberk Castle. I also recommend visiting the 10-Z bunker, and the Lednice-Valtice Landscape Area. Day trips to nearby UNESCO sites like Trebic and Lednice-Valtice palaces are also recommended
What’s the best day trip from Brno?
The best day trip from Brno is arguably to the Lednice-Valtice Cultural Landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This expansive area includes two stunning chateaus, beautiful gardens, and a minaret. It’s a perfect blend of nature and architecture, offering a glimpse into the region’s historical grandeur.
Which Brno Day Trip Are You Going To Do?
Decided which things to see near Brno yet? If you’re sticking in Brno for a few days and you’re looking to get out of the city and explore the area, I hope this article has given you some great ideas.
If you’re thinking of exploring the region more, then take a look at these other inspirational travel guides for more Czech Republic inspiration.