Is Brno worth visiting? Reasons to visit + things to do

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UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2020 – Czech Republic is a popular European destination. Perhaps not as popular as many western European countries like France or Italy, but it is still popular in its own right. Yet, most visitors to the country don’t stray too far from the capital city of Prague. Although Prague is a stunning city with so much to see and do, there is definitely more to the Czech Republic than Prague. In the southern part of the country, in the region known as Moravia you’ll find the Czech Republic’s second largest city, Brno, which is definitely worth a visit, as well. So if you’re wondering “Is Brno worth visiting?” the short answer is an emphatic YES!

How to get to Brno, Czech Republic

During one of our European road trips, we rented a car and explored parts of Central and Eastern Europe including the countries of Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Poland, and Czech Republic. Since we were traveling with a toddler, which makes any trip exponentially more challenging, we decided not to spend more than a couple of hours in the car at a time. For this reason, we decided to spend one night in Brno, a lesser-known town in southern Czech Republic.

The second largest city in Czech Republic, Brno is just a short drive or train ride from the cities of Vienna, Austria and Bratislava, Slovakia. You can get there from either city in less than 2 hours, making it an easy day trip or a weekend getaway. It is roughly 2 1/2-hours from Czech Republic’s capital city of Prague, as well. If you choose to drive, like we did, the Zeliv Monastery is a great stop between the two cities.

Why Brno, Czech Republic is worth visiting

Brno isn’t on the radar for many travelers, and we didn’t know what to expect when we booked our stay. But it turns out there are several intriguing points of interest in Brno, Czech Republic and quite a few things to do in and around the city that make Brno worth visiting. We were pleasantly surprised by all Brno had to offer. Although we spent only one day in Brno, you could easily spend a few more days exploring Brno and the surrounding area known as Moravia.

Here are our top reasons why you should visit Brno, Czech Republic. Keep reading or scroll down for the best things to do in Brno, as well!

Brno is much smaller and less crowded than nearby tourist cities

Brno is much smaller than Prague, and because it isn’t really a tourist town yet, it is significantly less crowded. Don’t get me wrong, you will still find plenty of tourists visiting Brno. In fact, it is becoming an increasingly more popular destination among Eastern Europeans, specifically. Many of the people who visit Brno come in for a weekend from some of the smaller surrounding towns or from neighboring countries. As with most destinations, weekdays are obviously less busy as are the off-season months of the year. Still, in comparison, the streets of Brno are much less crowded than the streets of Prague.

Charm and beauty await visitors to Brno

Even though it may not be a tourist destination, the city has done a really great job of beautifying the old town area. From the architecture to the cobblestone streets and street cars, the town is dripping with charm. One of my favorite things to do in Brno, Czech Republic is simply roam the streets and shop.

The area surrounding Brno is just as picturesque as the city

Just outside of Brno, Czech Republic there is quite a bit to do for adventure and nature lovers. This region of the country has beautiful fields and rolling hills. In spring and summer the fields are vibrant shades of green. And in fall, the rolling landscape changes to bright gold and yellow. These perfectly manicured Moravian fields are hypnotizing to see. A drive through the countryside to see the beautiful agricultural fields is a must if visiting this region of Czech Republic.

Brno is very affordable to visit

It is safe to say businesses in cities that cater to tourists mark up prices significantly to make a profit. That is why cities like Paris and London are outrageously overpriced. Many people spare no expense on their vacations, so tourists will pay high dollar for lodging, dining out in restaurants, and visiting attractions while on a holiday. In contrast, places that haven’t been pegged as tourist attractions tend to offer better rates on hotels, food, and basically everything else. In Brno, we splurged and stayed in the most expensive hotel in the town. It was luxurious! They even served complimentary champagne when we walked in. But you know what? It was still the cheapest hotel in which we stayed during that European trip.

If you don’t want to splurge for a fancy hotel, you’ll also find plenty of budget-friendly hostels in Brno averaging around $15 a night.

We ordered street food from a local vendor in Brno and enjoyed a great yet inexpensive dinner for approximately $8 US for our family of three. We also ordered three gelatos for dessert, which cost us the equivalent of $3 US. Your money will go fairly far in Brno, Czech Republic which makes it all that much more appealing!

The top things to do in Brno

Brno is the second largest city in Czech Republic, but its Old Town is somewhat small. Surprisingly, even within the historic city center there is a lot to do and see. Here are a few things to do in Brno, Czech Republic.

Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul

One of the main highlights of Brno is the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul. It sits perched atop Petrov Hill, prominently overlooking Brno. It is a national monument in the country and is featured on Czech Republic’s 10 crown coin. This lovely church is surrounded by beautiful statues and features a crypt which dates back to the 11th century. One of the most unique things about the church is that the noon bell tolls at 11 am instead of noon. The reason for this dates back to the 1600s when Brno was under siege during the 30 Years War. Those attacking the city pledged to retreat if they did not conquer the city by the time the church bells rang at noon. Those defending Brno rang the bell an hour earlier, possibly saving the city from being conquered. The tradition has rang true for 400 years!

Brno Ossuary

Walking through Saint Jacob’s square, you would never know that directly beneath you is Europe’s second largest ossuary. Second in size only to the Catacombs in Paris, the Brno Ossuary is believed to hold the bones and skulls of 50,000 skeletons! For a small fee, you can access the ossuary through the Church of St. James. There is something creepy, yet strangely fascinating about walking through a hallway and into a room or chapel made entirely from bones.

Capuchin Monastery

Another one of the great things to do in Brno is a tour of the Capuchin Monastery. If the Brno Ossuary isn’t too morbid for you, then add the Capuchin Monastery to your Brno itinerary, as well. The Capuchin Monastery houses the complete mummified remains of 24 monks and nobles. The mummified bodies lie perfectly preserved in rows on the floor in the main vault.

Roam the streets of Old Town

Even if bones and mummified remains aren’t your thing, there are still a lot things to do in Brno that are much more, let’s say “lively”. The picturesque streets of Old Town Brno are a great place to simply wander, shop, and grab something to eat or drink. There are no shortage of great restaurants and shops to duck into as you roam the beautiful cobblestone streets surrounded by colorful buildings.

Brno Vegetable Market

For years, the Brno Vegetable Market has been the central place for locals to buy fresh produce and flowers. But this daily market is also a great place for visitors to the city to simply hang out, enjoy the atmosphere, and support local vendors. Interestingly, directly under the vegetable market is a labyrinth of passageways that date back to the Middle Ages. You can even book a tour of these underground passages to escape the sun on a hot day and see Brno beneath the ground.

Macocha Karst

An amazing attraction just outside of Brno is the Macocha Karst. It is known mostly for the beautiful Macocha Abyss, a sinkhole inside the underground cave system. Although the attraction is family friendly, there is a bit of hiking and a boat ride, so if visiting with kids, they need to be old enough to sit still while on the underground river boat ride. The Macocha Karst is just a short drive north from Brno near the town of Blansko, and worth the trip to see the beautiful, natural area.

Spilberk Castle

One of the city’s most important landmarks, Spilberk Castle rounds out our list of the top things to do in Brno. The fortress has served as a home, a prison, and now a museum. Inside the museum you’ll find both permanent and temporary exhibits. The sweeping views from Spilberk Castle make the hike up to it worth the trip!

Our conclusion: Is Brno, Czech Republic worth visiting?

In our experience, Brno is definitely worth spending a day or two. There is enough to do in and around the city for a great weekend trip. Since it’s relatively close to Prague, Vienna, and Bratislava, you can easily include a visit to Brno while on a trip to any of those other wonderful cities.

Still wondering “is Brno worth visiting?” We’d love to hear from you and answer any questions you may have about any of these things to do in Brno. Leave your questions or thoughts in the comments below.

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