The Complete One Day in Brno Itinerary, Czech Republic

Conveniently located between Prague, Vienna (Austria) and Bratislava (Slovakia), the second largest city of the Czech Republic often gets overlooked by visitors to central Europe. However, if youโ€™re looking for a less touristy city break compared to the surrounding capitals, then itโ€™s certainly worthwhile spending at least one day in Brno.

Some of the perks, I discovered during my trip to Brno was that itโ€™s less crowded and much more affordable than its counterparts. Despite that, when you visit Brno you’ll still find it packed with rich culture as well as an incredibly photogenic historical centre.

Whether youโ€™re planning a short city break or youโ€™re exploring more of the South Moravian Region, youโ€™ll find an abundance of things to do in Brno.

Looking up at the ihe iconic twin spire of St Peter & St Paul Cathedral in Brno with statues of st Peter and St Paul inthe forgeound
The iconic twin spire of St Peter & St Paul Cathedral

Meet Me In Departures contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you make a purchase using one of these links, we may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. Seeย our Disclosure Policyย for more information.

One Day In Brno Itinerary

This one-day Brno travel guide covers everything you need to know. Below, you’ll find a list of the best places to visit in Brno and an overview of what to do during the day.

The next section goes into more detail about what to do in Brno in one day, as well as insider tips. The final section answers any FAQs to help you plan your Brno visit as well as ideas for trips outside of the city for an extended stay.

What to See in Brno, Czech Republic

  • ล pilberk Castle
  • Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul
  • The Vegetable Market
  • Labyrinth under The Vegetable Market
  • Old Town Hall & Tower
  • The Dragon of Brno
  • Liberty Square
  • Villa Tugendhat
  • Ossuary at the church of St James Church
  • Enjoy Brnoโ€™s craft cocktail scene

Brno One Day Itinerary – Day Breakdown

๐Ÿ“ Morning: Start the day at the first of two landmarks dominating the Brno skyline. Walk up the hill to ล pilberk Castle for a stunning panoramic view. Then head towards the twin-spired Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul. Explore the historical Vegetable Market square before heading underground to the Labyrinth.

๐Ÿ“ Afternoon: Visit the Old Town Hall and climb the old tower before visiting Liberty Square to see the astronomical clock. Depending on how energetic youโ€™re feeling, either walk or catch the tram out to the exemplary UNESCO-listed Villa Tugendhat. After your visit, head back into town via the Ossuary at the church of St James.

๐Ÿ“ Evening: Brno is home to a multitude of craft cocktail establishments. After enjoying traditional Czech cuisine, end the day by checking out some of these great bars. 

Brno in One Day Itinerary – Know Before You Go

You can easily see the highlights of Brno in a day. If you’re in the planning stages of your trip, here’s some useful know-before-you-go info.

How to Get To Brno

Brno is well connected to Prague, Vienna and Bratislava and can be easily accessed via regular and affordable public transport.

I use the Omio App for comparison prices for all these options.

๐Ÿ“ For the best deals on train and bus travel, itโ€™s worth checking out Omio App ๐Ÿ“

From Prague to Brno By Bus

Several buses depart from Prague Florenc Bus Station to Brno Bus Station a day, the journey takes between 2hr 40 minutes and 3hr 30. Prices start at around 10 euros for a single journey if you book in advance.

From Prague to Brno By Train

Trains between Prague and Brno take a similar time to the bus and depart from Prague Main Station, arriving at Brno Train Station. Depending on what class ticket you purchase prices can start from about 10 euros for a one-way journey.

From Vienna to Brno By Bus

It takes around 2 hours to travel by bus between Vienna and Brno, and prices start from 8 Euro for a single journey bought in advance.

From Vienna to Brno By Train

Several trains run a day between the two cities and take around 2hr 20 minutes if you opt for a train with changes or as little as 1hr 40 for the direct train. Prices start at around 6 Euro for a one-way ticket when booked in advance.

From Braslavia to Brno By Bus

If youโ€™re travelling between Bratislava and Brno by bus, it takes between 2 and 4 hours to make the journey, depending on the service you opt for. Tickets cost around 15 euros if you book in advance.

From Braslavia to Brno By Train

To get from Brastlvia to Brno by train, it takes between 90 minutes and 2 hours and prices start from 5 Euros for a one-way ticket.

๐Ÿ“ For the best deals on train and bus travel, itโ€™s worth checking out Omio App ๐Ÿ“

Getting around Brno

One of the great things about Brno is that the central part of the city is very compact. Most of the time I opted to walk.

Brno has an excellent public transport system. The main forms in the city are the tram and the electric bus. They are user-friendly and work on a tap-in-and-out system with your cash card.

If you have mobility issues, (or a suitcase with wheels!) It’s worth taking note that most of the city, both the roads and pavements, are cobbled and with hills in places.

Where to Stay In Brno

Thereโ€™s no shortage of places to stay when youโ€™re visiting Brno. Because this is a jam-packed itinerary, I suggest staying centrally where everything is within walking distance to all the Brno must-see places. I stayed in the city for a week so I rented an apartment.

#1 Top Pick – Apartment
The Complete One Day in Brno Itinerary, Czech Republic 1

โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ

Apartment Biskupska

โœ… Central location

โœ… Historic building

โœ… Ideal for groups

What to Do in Brno in One Day: Morning

Start the day at the first of two landmarks dominating the Brno skyline. Walk up the hill to ล pilberk Castle for a stunning panoramic view. Then head towards the twin-spired Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul. Explore the historical Vegetable Market square before heading underground to the Labyrinth.

ล pilberk Castle

No worthy Brno sightseeing guide would be complete without a visit to the iconic ล pilberk Castle (Hrad ล pilberk) which can be seen from pretty much everywhere in the Old Town.

To get there, follow any of the paths uphill. Some routes are a slope, others steps, either way, itโ€™s a decent leg and lung workout through beautiful gardens and trees. At various points on the way up, stop, turn around and look at the city views.

The grounds of Spilberk Castle showing doorways and walls.
Courtyard to the entry of Spilberk Castle

Although Spilberk Castle dates back to the 13th century, not much of what you see today is from that time.

The style that you see is a mixture of Gothic and Baroque. However, the castle has always played an important role in the city’s history. Its uses have ranged from a royal residence to a fortress, barracks and prison. Today itโ€™s used as a museum, an exhibition space and rented out for events.

You can wander about quite a bit of the outside and courtyards for free, and depending on how long you want to spend here, join one of the guided tours to access the Casemates, Bastion, View-Tower or Water Tanks.

This is one of the best spots in the city to come up and watch the sunset from.

A wooden entry bridge at the back of Spilberk Castle in Brno going across a dry moat and into a a wooden door. The door is closed.
Entry bridge at the back of the castle

๐Ÿ‘‰ Insider Tip: If you have time, then visit the 10-Z bunker which is under the hill going up to the castle. This was originally designed as a nuclear fallout shelter, today itโ€™s a museum containing memorabilia from the Soviet times. In the gardens, look out for the secret hidden door.

โฐ Time: Approx 1-2 hours.

๐Ÿ“ Location and opening times: ล pilberk 210/1, 662 24 Brno | Castle grounds are open from 06:00 – 11 pm – exhibition times and tours all vary

Read Next:ย  Best Things To Do In Brno

Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul

From most places in the city, youโ€™ll be able to see the twin spires of St Peter and St Paul Cathedral. If you have a head for heights, this is also one of the best places to visit in Brno for stunning panoramic views (even better from the view from the castle!).

To get there, walk back down the hill through the gardens and back up the hill towards the cathedral (yeah, Brno is a moderately hilly city). The Roman Catholic cathedral is located on Petrov Hill.

Unless youโ€™re a fan of churches and cathedrals, then thereโ€™s not so much to see inside, however, head around the back of the building and youโ€™ll find the doorway up to the bell towers. These are certainly worthwhile doing.

๐Ÿ“If you’re interested in discovering more about Brno and the history of the city, join a guided city walking tour ๐Ÿ“

Streets in Brno showing a pair of church spires in the background and with old buildings in the foreground. There are statues in front of the closest building on the left.
St Peter & St Paul Cathedral

The inside starts with a winding staircase leading up to the small ticket office. From here, the stairs continue until you get to the upper level, which is directly beneath the bells. Beware here, the bells chime every 15 minutes and they are LOUD! I wasnโ€™t expecting it the first time.

From this level, there are two old wooden doors leading out to what I think are some of the best views in the city. The first one you get to features the larger of the two balconies. You could comfortably fit three people on it, and the view looks out over the south of the city.

Cross the inner bridge and through the second wooden door leading out to the other balcony. If youโ€™re uncomfortable with heights, then this is more like a pulpit, you may feel uncomfortable with how exposed it is. You can only fit a single person here. The view from here looks out over the Old Town and is a great panoramic spot to get the castle and the Old Town of Brno all in one shot.

Street view looking up at the spires of St Peter & St Paul Cathedral.
Street view of St Peter & St Paul Cathedral
A view from the balcony of a church spire looking out over Brno old town with Spilberk Castle in the background.
View of Brno Old Town from the tower

โฐ Time: Approx 30 minutes.

๐Ÿ“ Location and opening times: Petrov 9, 602 00 Brno | Cathedral opening times daily 08.15 – 18.30 (07.00 – 18.30 Sundays), Tower opening times daily 11.00 – 17.00 (12.00 -17.00 Sundays)

The Vegetable Market

Whether you call it The Vegetable Market, Zelnรฝ trh or the Cabbage Market, itโ€™s all the same thing. This historic square is home to the traditional marketplace in Brno and for centuries has been where local farmers’ produce has been sold. Expect to find fruit, vegetables and flowers here, as well as other locally-made products.

This is one of the oldest and liveliest hubs in the city, with a bustle of people selling and buying local and fresh goods. In the centre stands a large Baroque fountain, as well as a smaller statue to the side of Mozart, as a tribute to his visit and performance in Brno in 1767.

The square is surrounded by colourful and sometimes decorative buildings. Amongst others, these include the Dietrichstein Palace ( Dietrichsteinskรฝ palรกc) dating from 1614, and two Baroque palaces called the House of the Abbots and the House of the Lords of Fanal. Other buildings feature Gothic and Renaissance architectural styles.

The Vegetable Market, Brno Old Town with stalls selling fruit. There are plums in the closes stall and a green umbrella.
The Vegetable Market, Brno Old Town

โฐ Time: Approx 30 minutes.

๐Ÿ“ Location and opening times: Zelny trh, 60200, Brno | Square Open 24 hours

Labyrinth Under The Vegetable Market

For some, this might be a bit kitsch, but as cheesy as it is, I thought this was one of the most fun things to do in Brno (also, if youโ€™re travelling with kids, they will love it!). Under the vegetable market, there are dozens of cellars, caverns and passages.

The โ€˜Labyrint pod Zelnรฝm trhemโ€™ or the Labyrinth under the Vegetable Market was historically used to help keep the food, like the meats, cheese, fruit and vegetables, fresh.

They feature a network of cellars and although theyโ€™ve had numerous uses over the centuries (including a torture chamber and wartime shelters), today you can visit whatโ€™s known as the Labyrinth.

Take the 212 steps down, underground and beneath the Vegetable Market to find over 1,000 metres of passages and learn about what went on in these cellars. Guided tours are available in English.

One of the caverns inside Labyrinth Under The Vegetable Market in Brno with produce hanging from the ceiling and on shelfs.
Labyrinth Under The Vegetable Market

โฐ Time: Approx 1 hour.

๐Ÿ“ Location and opening times: Zelnรฝ trh 21, 65878, Brno | Tuesday – Sunday 09.00 – 18.00


What to Do in Brno in One Day: Afternoon

Visit the Old Town Hall and climb the old tower before visiting Liberty Square to see the astronomical clock. Depending on how energetic youโ€™re feeling, either walk or catch the tram out to the exemplary UNESCO-listed Villa Tugendhat. After your visit, head back into town via the Ossuary at the church of St James.

Old Town Hall & Tower

Just a stone’s throw from the Vegetable Market and Labyrinth is the Old Town Hall and its accompanying Tower. Also known as the Starรก radnice, this is the oldest functioning secular building in Brno and is also home to the legendary Brno Dragon under the archway.

Today it serves as an exhibition centre as well as the main Brno tourism office, this is also where a lot of the Brno city walking tours start.

Another quirky thing to look out for there is the bent turret on the facade of the tower. The Gothic-style turret was sculpted by Anton Pilgram. There are several reasons why itโ€™s a bit on the wonk, and if you read any Brno city guide, it will usually come down to one of two reasons.

The inner courtyard of the Old Town Hall looking up at the spire with a green pointed roof.
Old Town Hall Courtyard
The facade of the Old Town Hall with the crooked sculpture on the front.
The wonky facade of the Old Town hall

The first is that the designer was trying to mimic the shape of flames, so all the turrets have a slightly twisted look about them. It was a new style called โ€˜flame Gothicโ€™ where the designer tried to incorporate the shape of flames into the decoration.

The second reason is that the designer wasnโ€™t paid the full fee for his work, and so as a bit of a middle finger up to the owners, he made them crooked. Who knows, but it makes a pretty good story.

After checking out the outside of the building, climb up the 63-metre tower for another great panoramic rooftop view of the city.

๐Ÿ“If you’re interested in discovering more about Brno and the history of the city, join a guided city walking tour ๐Ÿ“

View from the top of the Old Town Hall looking down on the rooftops of old town Brno.
View from the top of the Old Town Hall

โฐ Time: Approx 30 minutes.

๐Ÿ“ Location and opening times: Radnickรก 8, 60200, Brno | Sunday to Thursday 12.00-19.00, Friday to Saturday 12.00 – 21.00

About the Dragon of Brno

You might have spotted that itโ€™s actually a crocodile. It was gifted to the town 700 years ago and is based on a legend. The legend tells of a dragon that was tormenting the city, and its people and eating its livestock.

The story goes that the dragon was slayed, by using an animal carcass filled with lime (cement) and water that caused a chemical reaction in its belly which then killed the creature freeing the citizens of its wrath.

If youโ€™ve ever wondered, โ€˜what is Brno known forโ€™, then itโ€™s this. The dragon (or crocodile) is the symbol of Brno, and youโ€™ll see motifs of it dotted on everything from sports teams to socks to cookies to trains!

The famous Brno dragon hanging from the ceiling of an arched tunnel.
The Brno Dragon

Liberty Square

From the Old Town Hall, head towards the city centre. Here you’ll find Liberty or Freedom Square (Nรกmฤ›stรญ Svobody in Czech), it also goes by the nickname Svoboฤรกk to locals. This is the main central square of Brno and throughout the year plays host to numerous pop-up markets, festivals and concerts.

Despite being called a square, itโ€™s actually shaped more like a triangle. Records of the square date back to the 13th century and were referred to as Lower Market and Big Square ( Dolnรญ trh and Velkรฉ nรกmฤ›stรญ respectively). It was once one of the main trade routes in the city.

Around the Square (ahemโ€ฆtriangle) youโ€™ll be able to see numerous impressive-looking buildings ranging from Renaissance to Functionalism in style, and everything in between.

One thing here to look out for is the black granite obelisk. This serves as the city’s astronomical clock and is supposed to resemble a bullet, although some might think it resembles something else.

The Brno Astronomical clock in Liberty Square. The clock is in black granite and shaped like a giant bullet.
The Astronomical Clock at Liberty Square

๐Ÿ‘‰ Insider Tip: At 11 am each day, the clock releases a large glass marble. There are 4 different slots at the bottom, and the marble could roll out of any of them. Youโ€™ll see residents and tourists all gathered here – sometimes from as early as 9.30 or 10 am, guarding one of the holes with the hope of being the lucky recipient of the marble.

โฐ Time: Approx 10-20 minutes

๐Ÿ“ Location and opening times: Nรกmฤ›stรญ Svobody (Liberty Square), 60200, Brno | 24 hours

The Horse and Knight Statue

From Liberty Square, take a short walk towards Moravian Square where youโ€™ll find the iconic statue of a knight on a horse. The statue is called Courage (Odvaha in Czech) and took the sculptor Jaroslav Rรณna over 30 months to complete.

The 8-metre-high bronze statue features a horse with disproportionality long legs. Youโ€™ll often see people standing under it and looking up from below – there’s a reason for that!

The Brno Horse and Knight statue in front of a church with blue skies in the background.
The Brno Horse & Knight Statue
The view looking up from under the house. Some say it's mischievous and stand here and giggle.
…and the reason why people stand under and giggle

๐Ÿ‘‰ Insider Tip: At first glance, thereโ€™s not much to see, however, if you position yourself between the front legs of the horse and look upwards towards its head, you might blush before having a knowing giggle.

โฐ Time: Approx 10-20 minutes

๐Ÿ“ Location and opening times: Moravskรฉ nรกmฤ›stรญ (Horse & Knight Statue), 60200, Brno | 24 hours

Villa Tugendhat

If youโ€™ve asked yourself, what is Brno famous for? Well, the city showcases the epitome of functionalist design. Villa Tugendhat is one of the best places to visit in Czech Republic where you can see exceptional architecture.

Whichever Brno guide you read, I guarantee that it will mention a visit to Tugendhat Villa. This is undoubtedly one of the most popular attractions in Brno, and tickets can sell out weeks, sometimes months, in advance.

What makes this villa so special is that it’s one of the best examples of functionalist architecture that features exemplary technologies for its time. The villa is so unique that it even gained UNESCO World Heritage List status in 2001.

The villa is located in the classy ฤŒernรก Pole neighbourhood just outside of the city. This area is filled with some of the most exclusive properties in the city, so itโ€™s a pleasant walk to get here. 

Functionalist-style bedroom at Tugendhat Villa with a large window on the back wall and doors leading through to a hallway. There's a sofa, chair and bed and other furniture in the room.
Functionalist-style bedroom at Tugendhat Villa
The greenhouse at Tugendhat Villa with glass windows on two sides and a row of plants.
Greenhouse at Tugendhat Villa

The villa belonged to Greta and Fritz Tugendhat who were given an open check by Greataโ€™s father to build their home. It was designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe with construction taking place between 1929 and 1930.

At the time, this was the first private home that utilised a steel load-bearing structure which allowed for non-load-bearing walls and an open plan design. No expense was spared during its construction and materials feature onyx from Northern Morocco, and exotic woods including rosewood, zebrawood, and Makassar ebony.

The villa was technologically advanced for its time and made use of a hot-air circulating system for heating, as well as (my personal favourite) a whole wall of windows, electrically operated to open up the entire side of the house to the gardens.    

The Living Room at Villa Tugendhat with a row of white single chairs and green single chairs. There is a whole wall made of glass looking out to the garden.
The Living Room at Villa Tugendhat

๐Ÿ‘‰ Insider Tip: If you don’t manage to get hold of a ticket, then you can visit the house gardens and see the villa from the outside. However, to get the most out of your visit I recommend seeing the interior which you can only do as part of a guided tour.

โฐ Time: Approx 1.5 – 2 hours

๐Ÿ“ Location and opening times: ฤŒernopolnรญ 45, 61300, Brno | Open Tuesday to Sunday | March to October 10.00 โ€“ 18.00, November to February 09.00 – 17.00

Ossuary At The Church Of St James

Brno is home to the second-largest ossuary in Europe and is the resting place of an estimated 50 thousand people. Historically, there was a churchyard at this site that dates back to the 13th century, but as the city expanded the graveyard became insufficient. The bones are from victims of the plague, cholera, the Thirty Years’ War and the Swedish Siege.

To get around the issue of space in the city, a special system of burial was adopted. After around 10-12 years, the body had decomposed. The graves were opened and the bone remnants were removed to make room for another recently deceased body to be placed in the grave. The remnants were moved to special underground areas, called Ossuaries.

Over the years, the Ossuary at St Jamesโ€™s lay forgotten until building works happened. The Ossuary was rediscovered in 2001 by an unfortunate builder who fell inside a hole and stumbled on it. Imagine the shock of discovering the resting place of over 50,000 people!

You can visit the Ossuary during the day, however,  a few times a year, they allow visits by candlelight.

Rows of skulls lit by candlelight
The Ossuary by Candlelight

๐Ÿ‘‰ Insider Tip: If you have an interest in dark tourism and want to see more things like this in Brno, then I recommend visiting the Capuchin Crypt.

โฐ Time: Approx 30 minutes

๐Ÿ“ Location and opening times: Jakubskรฉ nรกmฤ›stรญ, 65878, Brno | Tuesday to Sunday from 09.30 – 18.00


What to Do in Brno in One Day: Evening

As your one day in Brno comes to an end, finish off by visiting some of the outstanding craft cocktail bars. Brno is home to a multitude of craft cocktail establishments. After enjoying traditional Czech cuisine, end the day by checking out some of these great bars. 

๐Ÿ‘‰ If cocktails aren’t your thing, then I also suggest trying the Czech Beer. The Czech Republic is home to some of the best breweries in the world – I also suggest tasting the original Budweiser beer – a far cry from the Americanised fizzy pop. It comes from nearby Ceske Budejovice!

There a plenty of great craft beer bars in Brno to discover!

Super Panda Circus

Behind an unassuming door, youโ€™ll find one of the most playful cocktail bars. When you enter, youโ€™ll be greeted by one of the hosts who will invite you to play a game by following the story of a character.

You can of course just go for a drink and not follow along with the game if youโ€™re more pushed for time. The cocktails are beautifully presented, handcrafted and strong.

โฐ Time: Approx 1 – 2 hours

๐Ÿ“ Location and opening times: ล ilingrovo nรกm. 3, Brno | Thursday 20.00 – 02.00, Friday and Saturday 18.00 – 02.00

Slast

Hidden in one of the underground Labyrinths, from street level, this cocktail bar doesn’t look like much. Inside, youโ€™ll find a myriad of cellars leading off in every direction, decorated with trendy lighting, and quirky art with the sweet smell of shisha smoke wafting about. The word Slast (in Czech), translates to pleasure, which sums this place up nicely.

I loved the artwork on the menu here, and the drinks are handcrafted with unusual mixes of flavours that strangely work. Like Super Panda Circus, this is a unique place to drink in Brno.

โฐ Time: Approx 1 – 2 hours

๐Ÿ“ Location and opening times: Zelnรฝ trh 10, Brno | Sunday to Thursday 17.00 – 01.00, Friday and Saturday 17.00 – 02.00

A bar decorated in red velvet with a gigantic red swirl on the ceiling. There are people stood at a table in the back
Super Panda Circus Cocktail Bar

Easy Day Trips From Brno

If you were wondering what to do in Brno, and youโ€™re lucky enough to have 2 days (or longer) youโ€™ll find an abundance of easily accessible attractions. The city is well connected via public transport, so even if you donโ€™t have use of a car, you can enjoy some great Brno day trips.

Here are my top three suggestions of things to do near Brno. You can find out more details about these great day trips from Brno here.

Chateau Lednice

The region of Lednice-Valtice Cultural Landscape is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. It can be visited as an easy trip from Brno. Chateau Lednice is one of the most popular monuments in the Czech Republic, and a definite must-see if youโ€™re a fan of fairytale castles.

This absolute stunner of a palace was built in the 1800s in a Renaissance and neo-Gothic style. Both the exterior and interior feature opulent decor. It sits in beautifully manicured gardens. You can visit all year round with daily guided tours of the interior in English.

Insider Tips: Whilst youโ€™re visiting this picturesque region, itโ€™s also worthwhile calling in at one of the numerous vineyards.

If youโ€™re interested in visiting one of them, Annovino is just a 20-minute walk from the Chateau and offers guided tours and tastings at their vineyard and winery.

Also, if you’re a fan of gorgeous chateaus like the one at Ledince, then I highly recommend exploring South Bohemia and visiting Hlubokรก Chateau.

An opulent room at Chateau Lednice with a table in the middle surrounded by six chairs. The walls and ceilings, windows and doors are decorated with detailed wood work, There is blue matching fabric on the chairs and wallpaper.  Two large chandeliers are hanging from the ceiling.
Inside Chateau Lednice

Moravian Karsts

If adventure and natural scenery are more your thing, then head to the nearby Moravian Karsts. There are several options here. If youโ€™re feeling energetic, opt for one of the adrenalin tours inside the caves.

If youโ€™re not sure about crawling and scrambling about on your hands and knees then alternatively you can opt for the walking karst tour and boat ride in one of the caves.

๐Ÿ“Discover the Moravian karsts and see the Punkva Caves and the stunning Macocha Abyss ๐Ÿ“

A person in a red overall and green helmet with a flashlight on the front crouching inside a karst
Moravian Kart

Boating on Brno Lake

If youโ€™re looking to escape the city, then head to Brno Reservoir. This is an easy 30-minute journey by tram. The reservoir is surrounded by cafes, restaurants and leisure facilities, so you can make a full day out of it.

Take the boat that meanders its way through the picturesque countryside and woodland. It stops off at Veveล™รญ Castle where you can idle away some time exploring the ruins.

View from the front of a boat looking out over a river. On each side of the river banks there is a forest.  There are greyish clouds in the sky.
Boating on Brno Lake

Take A Wine Tour

The Czech Republic is home to over 1200 wineries and they are pretty much all found in two regions: Bohemia and Moravia. Of the two, Moravia is where 90% of the wine is produced. Itโ€™s no surprise then that youโ€™ll find vineyards close to Brno.

If you’re a wine drinker, then you’d be mad to miss out trying the local offerings and visiting the wineries.

Take the train to the little village of Popice. This does feel like the middle of nowhere. From here you can easily visit three fantastic vineyards on a self-guided walking wine tour. This loop walk is best done over a full day to allow you to enjoy each of the three vineyards at a comfortable pace before catching the train back to Brno.

๐Ÿ“Although you could do your own self-guided walking wine tour, you might prefer to let someone else do the driving ๐Ÿ“

A table laid out with a wine glass with white wine in it, a jug of water with mint and lemon inside and a plate of black grapes and a plate of green grapes.
South Moravian winemakers

Brno 1 Day Itinerary – Travel Tips and FAQs

If you’re thinking of adding Brno to your Czech Republic itinerary, below you’ll find answers to frequently asked questions.

What currency do they use in Brno?

Even though the Czech Republic is part of the European Union, it hasnโ€™t adopted the Euro. The currency used is the Czech Koruna, although lots of places will accept Euros (you probably wonโ€™t get a favourable exchange rate). Cards are widely used and there are loads of ATMs around the city.

Where Is Brno?

Brno is located in the southeastern part of the Czech Republic, at the confluence of the Svitava and Svratka rivers. It’s in the eastern foothills of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands, close to the country’s borders with Austria and Slovakia

Is Brno expensive?

Compared to other European major cities, Brno is very reasonable. Typically a meal costs around 120-300 CZK (Czech Koruna) which is equivalent to about $6 – $12. A beer is equivalent to about $3. Public transport is also very good value for money. Accommodation ranges in price, with a bed in a shared dorm costing from $15 a night equivalent, right up to high-end 5*hotels.

So, is Brno cheap? Yes, compared to lots of Europe. If youโ€™re being frugal with your money, you can get by on less than $40 a day.

When is the best time to visit Brno?

Late Spring, Summer and early Autumn are the best times to visit Brno. Winters get cold, so unless youโ€™re a fan of chilly weather, or youโ€™re visiting specifically for the Christmas markets.

If youโ€™re after good weather, then visit in May through to September. The warmest months are July and August when the weather averages in the mid-20s. The coldest month is January, with temperatures barely getting above freezing.

ย Weirdly the wettest month is supposed to be June, however – I visited in September and we had a lot of rain which we were told is uncommon. So whenever you visit, remember to pack a raincoat or umbrella.

Do they speak English in Brno?

In the cities and tourist destinations, the level of English was superb, I had no issues speaking with people. The one time that it was slightly more challenging was when I did the walking wine tour, which was in a small village.

So as a generalisation, there is no problem speaking with people in the cities, but in the villages, it was a little more tricky. Google Translate became my best friend.

One thing I did find everywhere I visited in the Czech Republic, was that the people were very friendly and helpful, even when there was a language barrier.

How Many Days In Brno Is Enough?

You can see the highlights in a couple of days, however, there are plenty of other things to see in Brno as well as being a great city to base yourself in to explore more of the southern Czech Republic.

What To Do In Brno In One Day?

Start your day at the Spilberk Castle for panoramic views of Brno. Explore the old town, including the iconic Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul. Visit the Capuchin Crypt, and end your day at the buzzing Zelnรฝ trh (Cabbage Market) for local food and crafts

What can I see in 2 days in Brno?

If you don’t want to take a day trip outside of the city, then other great things I highly recommend visiting in the city are the Nuclear Shelter 10-Z, Luลพรกnky Park, Vila Stiassni or Museum of Applied Arts.

Howโ€™s Your Trip to Brno Shaping Up?

So howโ€™s your one day in Brno looking, are you ready? I absolutely adored my time in Brno, it was a city I hadnโ€™t heard much about, since Prague always steals the glory when it comes to the Czech Republic.

Thereโ€™s a lot to see in Brno, and although you could just stick around the city, itโ€™s also a great hub to base yourself in for more exploration of the southern area of the country.

If youโ€™re planning a trip to Brno, or other parts of the Czech Republic, check out these useful guides.