The Czech Republic’s second city, Brno may not create the same fanfare as Prague when it comes to tourist appeal, but with its modernist architecture and youthful energy, it creeps under the radar with understated charm.
Skulls and bones line the walls at the Brno Ossuary (Photo: Dage – Looking For Europe via Flickr / CC BY 2.0)
Situated at the confluence of the Svitava and Svratka rivers, around 200 kilometres southeast of the country’s more famous capital, Brno has more than enough to keep visitors entertained to merit a long weekend break. If you’re thinking of visiting the city and would like some inspiration for how to spend your time, we’ve delved deep and picked out 10 of the most unique things to see and do while here.
Discover a labyrinth of human remains
A macabre experience it may be, but there’s no denying the morbid fascination that comes with entering a real-life ossuary. The second largest in Europe after the famous Paris catacombs, more than 50,000 people are thought to be buried at Brno Ossuary, which serves as both a popular tourist attraction and a place of reverence for the large numbers who visit each year. Situated beneath St James’ Church, there are regular tours of the site which take you deep underground to explore its maudlin confines against a backdrop of atmospheric music.
Jakubské nám., 658 78 Brno-stře / Tues-Sun 9.30am-6pm Closed Mon
Visit a 13th-century castle
As with most of Europe, the Czech Republic has endured a tumultuous past, with invasion from outside forces a perennial risk. Built in the 13th century to protect Brno from such a fate, today Špilberk Castle is a vibrant cultural venue that plays host to regular theatre and food festivals, an outdoor cinema programme and classical music concerts. Nonetheless, the castle still features many remnants of its past that can be explored during guided tours, including a large interior courtyard holding a fifteen-bell carillon, a lookout in the corner tower, and – most evocative of all – casemates with dark dungeons and a torture chamber.
Špilberk 210/1 / Mon-Sun 6am-11pm
A recreation of a gruesome scene at Špilberk Castle (Photo: Morgan Davis via Flickr / CC BY 2.0)
Book a city walking tour
One of the best ways to get to know a city is simply by walking its streets, taking in the sights and sounds as you go. Brno’s charming Old Town is at the centre of a popular two-hour guided walking tour that takes in architectural highlights such as the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, medieval Liberty Square and the Capuchin Monastery, the latter being where the crypt of the Capuchin Monastery holds the mummified remains of city noblemen. Along the way, your expert guide will add colour to the experience by delivering fascinating facts and tales about the city’s evolution. Tours run during the daytime and evening.
You can book a guided walking tour of Brno at GetYourGuide
Spend a day at the zoo
For a family attraction, there are few more guaranteed winners than a trip to the zoo. Located on Monk’s Hill in the city’s Brno-Bystrc district, Brno Zoo is best known for its breeding of endangered species such as the Sumatran tiger, giant Hispaniolan Galliwasp and Przewalski’s horse. As well as its breeding programme, the zoo also houses local species such as the Czech owl (little owl), the barn owl, the European ground squirrel and the Eurasian beaver, as well as a family of Kamchatka brown bears, an aviary of bald eagles, a herd of reticulated giraffes, and both male and female lions. For kids, there’s also a petting area, along with swings, slides and monkey bars for them to let off steam.
U Zoologické zahrady 46 / Mon-Sun 9am-6pm
Arctic wolves at Brno Zoo (Photo: Rengyr via Flickr / CC BY 2.0)
Explore a subterranean cave
A short drive northeast of Brno brings you to the Moravian Karst Caves, part of a protected landscape area in the country’s South Moravian Region. This vast limestone cave system consists of several hundred caves packed into a densely wooded area with canyons, underground rivulets and deep cliffs. Five of the caves are open to the public, with the most popular being Punkevní Cave, which offers guided tours to the bottom of the Macocha Abyss at a depth of 138 metres, where boats sit ready and waiting to take intrepid arrivals on atmospheric cruises along an underground river.
You can book a Moravian Karst Cave guided tour at Viator
Inside the Moravian Karst Caves (Photo: Brno Day Trips / Courtesy Viator)
Visit a local winery
Surrounding Brno are vast swaths of idyllic countryside that offer an antidote to the hustle and bustle of the city. In recent years, these rural environs have gained attention for their burgeoning white wine scene, with a number of renowned vineyards now dotted across the region. Among them is the Sonberk winery, where visitors can explore the vineyard in the company of a local winemaker who will regale you with insights on what makes white wines from this part of the country so unique. There’ll also be an obligatory wine-sampling session to send you away with a spring in your step.
You can book an E-Bike & Wine Day Trip From Brno at Viator
Immerse yourselves in the wonders of science
Observe the starry sky through state-of-the-art telescopes, discover the secrets of life, and become immersed in the realm of fantasy at the awe-inspiring Brno Observatory and Planetarium. This acclaimed institute quickly grew to become one of the city’s top attractions after opening back in the 1950s and today it continues to attract a steady stream of visitors with its interactive displays on astronomy as well as other science-based disciplines, plus audiovisual programs and experimental shows. The venue also hosts regular exhibitions, seminars and concerts.
Kraví hora 522/2, 616 00 Brno-střed / Mon-Fri 9am-10pm Sat 3pm-10pm Closed Sun
An exterior view of Brno Observatory and Planetarium (Photo: Jaroslav A. Polák via Flickr / CC0 1.0)
Take in some world-class art
Fine art enthusiasts are in for a treat in Brno thanks to the presence of the Moravian Gallery, one of the Czech Republic’s most prestigious cultural venues. Housed in the remarkable baroque Pražák Palace, the gallery’s collection spans the Middle Ages to the present day, with a vast range of artistic disciplines, including paintings, drawings, graphic art, photography and sculpture, represented. Both permanent and temporary exhibitions focus on art from within the Czech Republic but are showcased in a European context.
1A, Moravské nám. 680, Brno-město, 662 26 Brno-střed / Weds & Fri-Sun 10am-6pm Thurs 10am-7pm Closed Mon-Tues
A street shot from outside Pražák Palace (Photo: larsjuh via Flickr / CC BY 2.0)
Step back in to a time of war
Scattered across Brno are a number of reminders of the city’s long history of conflict, most recently its role during World War II. Among them is the 10-Z Bunker, an air-raid shelter built during the war for citizens of the city. In later years, after a brief stint as a wine store, the space was converted into a nuclear fallout shelter for the protection of select individuals in the event of the worst taking place. Today it remains fully usable, able to house around 500 people and complete with a hostel where guests can stay, with the original sign still on the door reading “free in case of a nuclear attack”.
Husova, 602 00 Brno-střed / Tues-Sun 11.30am-7pm Closed Mon
Catch a thrilling hockey game
The Czech Republic has a rich sporting heritage and nowhere more so than in the realm of hockey. A veritable way of life for many Czech natives, attending a hockey game in Brno also offers the chance for visitors to take in a national tradition, with the roar of the crowd, the clashing of sticks, and the puck zipping across the ice all generating an electrifying atmosphere. Located close to the city centre, the Winning Group Arena stages regular matches featuring both the local HC Kometa Brno ice hockey team and the national side, with tickets often available for purchase by the general public.