Brno
Brno (pronounced Burno) (German: Brünn, Štatl in the local dialect) is the major city of Moravia (a historical region in the Czech Republic). It is the largest city in Moravia and the second-largest city in the Czech Republic by population and area. It was founded around the year 1000; and since the 14th century, the city served as the capital of Moravia. Brno is the heart of Moravia and its cultural hub; it's home to many institutions related to Moravian history and culture. At the same time, Brno represents the administrative centre of the contemporary South Moravian region. It has a population of over 400,000 people (2024), and it's in a beautiful natural environment between South Moravian vineyards and the Moravian Karst.
Understand
[edit]
The city was founded about 1000 years ago, it received city status in the year 1243, and for centuries it served as the capital city of Moravia, until 1948 when communist government abolished Moravia's autonomy. The city flourished mainly during the 19th century. Today's Brno is a mixture of many different architectural styles, there are many beautiful places. But it remains home to significant cultural offerings, and countless beautiful buildings, the city has the third largest historic preservation zone in the country (the biggest one is in Prague, the second in Olomouc). There are three castles, Špilberk (former royal castle, and former seat of rulers of Moravia, fortress and prison), Veveří Castle (near the Brno reservoir), and Líšeň Castle.
Brno is not particularly well known by tourists so you can easily avoid crowds and overpriced services.
Brno is the cultural hub of Moravia, it's the home to several notable Moravian institutions, e.g. Moravian Gallery, Moravian Museum, National Theatre Brno, and Brno City Theatre. It's a city with a long tradition of motor racing (on the Masaryk Circuit), huge exhibitions and trade fairs (in the Central European Exhibition Center), and a vibrant university city. There are about 89,000 university students in Brno, a city with 400,000 inhabitants, which makes it the country's largest student city by percentage of population. Since 1998, there has also been an international firework competition held annually at the end of May and beginning of June – Ignis Brunensis, it attracts about 100,000–200,000 visitors every day it's being held.
The most interesting places in Brno include the Brno Underground, a labyrinth of underground cellars which includes the second biggest ossuary in Europe (after the Catacombs of Paris), the two (or three) castles in Brno, the cathedral on the Petrov hill (Pope Benedict XVI visited the cathedral in 2009), the Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady in the Old Brno District, the St. Jacob's Church, the Moravian Museum (the biggest museum in Moravia and the second biggest in the country), Lužánky Park which is the oldest public park in the country, Denis Gardens, and various historical squares, churches, palaces, and other interesting buildings.
There are also many places worth visiting outside the city centre, such as an old Jewish cemetery in Brno-Židenice (by area, the biggest one in Moravia), or the Marian Valley in Brno-Líšeň, a cascade of lakes between forested hills. From the north, Brno is surrounded by hills and very pleasant countryside, the most notable place is probably the Moravian Karst.
Brno lost its capital city status but still has the feel of a 'cosmopolitan' capital, there is a rich variety of cultural events, clubs, pubs, etc., and several excellent museums and theatres. There are also two interesting things about theatres in Brno, Reduta Theatre is the oldest theatre building in Central Europe, and Mahen Theatre (part of the National Theatre Brno) was the first theatre anywhere in Europe to be illuminated by Thomas Edison's electric light bulbs (at that time, it was only a four-year-old invention). Brno also serves as the capital of judicial authority of the Czech Republic (it's the seat of the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court, and the Supreme Administrative Court) and many other state authorities, the rest of it is located in Prague.
Tourist information
[edit]- Tourist information centre, Radnická 8, ☏ +420 542 427 150, info@ticbrno.cz. 09:00-18:00.
- Tourist information centre, Nádražní 1, ☏ +420 725 518 113. 09:00-17:00.
- This is Brno information centre, Panenská 1, ☏ +420 513 039 035, panenska@ticbrno.cz. 09:00-18:00.
- Information Centre Airport, Letiště Brno-Tuřany 904/1, ☏ +420 727 923 523, letiste@ticbrno.cz. Depending on the current flight timetable.
- City of Brno website
Get in
[edit]By train
[edit]- See also: Rail travel in the Czech Republic
Brno is on the Prague–Vienna and Prague–Bratislava–Budapest routes, and all IC, EC and Railjet trains stop here. Some trains originating in Prague terminate here.
- Prague: 2½ hr, IC/EC/RailJet trains every hour: Standard tickets are expensive (the regular fare is 360 Kč), but there are cheaper ways: You can either get the SuperAkční fare for 119 Kč or a Včasná ticket for 205 Kč. The SuperAkční ticket can be used for a particular train only. There are limited numbers of SuperAkční and Včasná tickets for a particular train or day and they are generally only available when you buy the tickets in advance. You can buy all types of tickets both online and at the ticket office at the train station. For regular journeys, it is good to buy a ČD loyalty card (In Karta), see Czech_Republic#Train_tickets. A private operator RegioJet provides train service ten times a day. Tickets are sold online and at the station. €11-16.
- Olomouc: 1½ hr, every 2 hours: Be careful that you get into the proper train, because another train to Brno via Břeclav departs at around the same time which will add 40 minutes more to your trip. 150 Kč.
- Ostrava: 2¼ hr, hourly. Operated by Regiojet, €9.
- Bratislava: 1½ hr, EC trains every 2 hours, 290 Kč. Regiojet trains four times a day, €7-9.
- Plzeň: 6½ hr, every 2 hours, 500 Kč. (it's faster to take a train to Prague, 1⅓ hr, 219 Kč; and transit there)
- Vienna: 1½ hr, Railjet trains every 2 hours (depart from Wien HbF station, though you can also depart from other stations further from the city center), €30. Regiojet trains five times a day, €15.
- Rijeka: the overnight Regiojet calls here on its way to Prague. (no longer running as of Oct 2024)
1 Brno hlavní nádraží (Brno Main railway station). Close to the city centre, almost all attractions are just within a few minutes walk. These attractions are to the north of the station, to the left coming out; follow the sign marked "Centrum," not the one marked "Centra." 
By car
[edit]Using highways - D1 highway from Prague and Ostrava or using any of the national roads, D2 from Bratislava or D52 from the south (it runs towards Vienna, but ends about 25 km ahead of borders). For the highway, you have to buy a toll sticker.
By bus
[edit]There are coach services from various European destinations including Prague where frequent buses run touting assorted amenities and stops (such as Prague Airport). A timetable of all buses (including international) can be found on IDOS.
Two main bus stations are used. A few hundred meters north of the train station is 2 Benešova street, at hotel Grand, used e.g. by RegioJet (formerly Student Agency) and Flixbus. A much bigger but also much more remote station 3 Central bus station Zvonařka is used by local and international buses. Usually buses only stop at one of the stations, check your ticket which one it is upfront.
- Flixbus. Vienna €12 (in advance)/€18 (day of departure). Prague €10..
- Regiojet. Offers service with free coffee, newspapers, and movies to everyone. Brno is the main hub and buses travel across Europe, and are known for their high quality. Vienna €10 (in advance)/€15 (day of departure). Prague €11..
- Tourbus, a.s.. Also based in Brno and serves many destinations and is particularly cheap to some international destinations. Vienna €5.
- Eurolines CZ/Touring Bohemia, s. r. o.. International and domestic routes. Some services include free newspapers, magazines and bottled water, some even have Wi-Fi. Book ahead for the best price.
Taxi
[edit]Try to avoid getting a taxi on the street (public transportation is always the better option in Brno) and if you have to, try to negotiate the price in advance. For taxis hailed on the street, the maximum price set by the city council is 30 Kč/km. It's advisable to call one of the major Brno Taxi services:
- Lido Taxi, +420 542 214 221 . (30 Kč/km)
- City Taxi Brno, +420 542 321 321 . (30 Kč/km)
By plane
[edit]- 4 Brno-Tuřany Airport (BRQ IATA). Although it has few destinations, it is highly convenient and boasts an extremely impressive structure. Those interested in modern architecture may want to visit even if they are not lucky enough to fly into the airport.
Ryanair flies up to 6 times a week a week to London-Stansted (year-round), and 4 times a week to Milan-Bergamo (seasonal). Smartwings operates seasonal flights to Egypt and Canary Islands. Bus E76 runs every 30 minutes from about 04:30–23:30 to the bus and train stations in the city center. The fare is 25 Kč (12 Kč for children <15yo), and you must buy a discounted ticket for bulky luggage (12Kč). You can buy a ticket from a validator on the bus (contactless Visa/Mastercard), or from the ticket machine in the arrivals hall. At night there is a connection by night bus line N89.
Other airports in the major cities "nearby", accessible within 1-2½ hours, include:
- Bratislava (Milan Rastislav Štefánik Airport; BTS IATA). The largest airport of Slovakia.
- Václav Havel Airport (PRG IATA) (Prague).
- Vienna International Airport (Wien Schwechat; VIE IATA) (Wien).
- Student Agency. 9 direct daily coaches from this airport. It is much cheaper to use local public transport in Vienna to Stadion (station of metro line U2) and catch the same coaches from there, for some reason the trip to the airport costs double, so it is much cheaper to take the Austrian public transportation. €16.
- Tourbus, a.s.. 1–2 direct daily buses from the airport. €8.60.
By boat
[edit]An unconventional, but beautiful way to get to Brno (well, from just outside town) is to take a boat from the village of Veverská Bitýška, which takes you (in the summer season only) on a trip across Brněnská přehrada (Brno dam lake) to Brno-Bystrc. From there you can continue to the city centre by tram.
Get around
[edit]
The Integrated Transport System of the Southern Moravia Region (IDS JMK) covers public transport over Brno and the whole Southern Moravia Region; it includes local trains, trams (called "šalina" in local dialect), buses and trolleybuses. Daytime transport ends up at 23:00, the night buses go hourly and have a central transfer node at Main Station. Some night buses have a connection to night buses in the region, so you can get from Brno at night to surrounding villages.
For journeys within the city, a short transfer ticket (valid 15 min, 20 Kč) and long transfer ticket (60 min, 25 Kč) are available. Tickets are available at yellow ticket vending machines at bus and tram stops, and also at railway station counters. People aged 70 and over travel for free, show your passport, if there is a ticket inspection.
Brno has a system called Beep&Go, where every bus, trolleybus and tram in the city has a terminal for contactless ticket purchases using your credit card, smartphone or smart watch. This has since replaced purchasing tickets from the bus driver. It costs the same and the ticket is then stored virtually on your card/phone. You can also purchase tickets for people travelling with you or tickets for more zones. When a ticket controller comes, you have to use your device on a special reader that they will present to you. You need to use the same device you used to purchase the ticket, because services like Google Pay or Apple Pay create virtual credit cards when paying.
South Moravia Region is divided into tariff zones. Brno consists of two zones. IDS JMK tickets are valid in all buses and local trains (category Os, Sp and R), the price varies on number of zones you travel over.
One-day network ticket costs 90 Kč for Brno and 190 Kč for the whole region. On weekends up two adults and three children can travel on a single network ticket.
If you decided to bring your bicycle with you, there is a map of bike paths available on Brnonakole.cz. Even though the city centre is flat and easily accessible by bike, it is forbidden to ride a bike in the pedestrian zone (mainly Freedom Square (náměstí Svobody) and surrounding streets) during workdays from 09:00 to 17:00. There is also bike sharing service Rekola (minimum fee is 400 Kč/bike for 2 months). Bike and e-bike rental RentBike.cz is in the city centre opposite St. Michael's Church but after reservation via web form they can delivery bike or bikes to you (price is 280 Kč one way as of Nov 2018). They also do guided bike tours.
See
[edit]
.jpg)
_(portal).jpg)
The city centre is full of historical buildings, old churches, theatres, fountains, sculptures, clubs, restaurants, etc. It is very compact, so one can just walk around most of the places of interest.
Architecture
[edit]- 1 Old Town Hall, Radnická 8 (between Náměstí Svobody and main station). See beloved Brno symbols the Brno Dragon (Brněnský drak) and the Wheel. Also notice the lopsided tower above the entrance. Legend has it that the city council stiffed the mason who built it and he made the crooked ornament in a fit of pique. The town hall's tower is accessible, but cathedral towers offer much better views for significantly lower price.
- 2 Capuchin Monastery (Kapucínský klášter), Kapucínské náměstí 5, ☏ +420 539 002 163. Nov–Mar: M–Sa 10:00–16:00, Su 11:00–16:30; Apr–Oct: M–Sa 09:00–18:00 (closed 12:00-13:00), Su 11:00–17:00. The 17th-century monastery lies right in the city centre. It has Baroque statues and a mummified monks exhibition in an underground tomb. 120 Kč; photography fee 30 Kč.
- 3 Church of St. James, Jakubské náměstí. Tu–Su 09:30–18:00, M closed. This church is doubtlessly one of the most notable churches in Brno. It's a big gothic church founded in the 13th century. It has remained unchanged since the 17th century which is quite rare. Beneath the church is the Brno Ossuary, the second biggest ossuary in Europe (after the Catacombs of Paris) that is open since 2012. Note that the catacomb is closed for maintenance as of Nov 2024. 140 Kč.
- 4 Petrov Cathedral, Petrov Street. Cathedral: 08:15–18:30; tower: May–Sep 12:00–18:30, Oct–Apr 12:00–17:00; crypt: Tu–Su 11:00–17:00. St. Peter and Paul Cathedral, known as Petrov forms a dominant silhouette of Brno skyline. (Petrov is the name of the hill which the cathedral is built upon, not the cathedral.) Pictured on 10 Kč coin.
- 5 Špilberk Castle (Hrad Špilberk), ☏ +420 542 123 615, muzeum.brno@spilberk.cz. May–Sep 09:00–18:00, Oct–Apr 10:00–17:00. Formerly the major royal castle in Moravia, the seat of Margraves (rulers) of Moravia, and once the seat of the King of the Holy Roman Empire (King Jobst of Moravia). Later it became a famous fortress which was for a long time used as one of the most feared prisons in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Many people have been tortured here from all around Europe, mostly during the time of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It's the city museum with restaurant and there's a nice park around it, open for walks and beautiful sightseeing, the castle and the park are parts of the national cultural heritage of Czech Republic. Permanent exhibitions 120 Kč, casemates 70 Kč.
- 6 Tugendhat Villa, Černopolní 45 (tram stop „Dětská nemocnice”), ☏ +420 545 212 118. The villa is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Designed by Mies van der Rohe, it is seen to be a classic example of functionalist architecture, and was also the location of the meeting which decided upon the Velvet Divorce that separated Czechia and Slovakia in 1992. It is possible to visit the Villa by guided tour; tours are led hourly and must be booked in advance (see the Villa website). The building reopened in March 2012 after an extensive restoration.
- 7 Veveri street (Ulice Veveří). This street is a group of outstanding Art Nouveau buildings called Tivoli (tram stop Konečného náměstí), and a number of baroque and other beautiful historical buildings. Nearby, is one of three botanical gardens in Brno. The street goes from the historical centre and leads to the north.
- 8 Villa Stiassni, Hroznová 14, ☏ +420 778 545 993. It was built between 1927-1929 for the family textile factory owner Alfred Stiassni. It was later a government villa that hosted many important state visits, such as President Edvard Beneš or Cuban dictator Fidel Castro.
Culture
[edit]- 9 The Mendel Museum of Genetics, Mendlovo náměstí (tram stop „Mendlovo náměstí”), ☏ +420 549 496 669, info@mendelmuseum.muni.cz. Tu–Su 10:00–17:00. The most famous biologist in the history of genetics worked and died in Brno. This interesting museum commemorates his revolutionary research. Information in English available. 60 Kč, admission free every last Wednesday in a month.
- 10 The Moravian Gallery, ☏ +420 532 169 111, info@moravska-galerie.cz. W–Su 10:00–18:00. The second largest art museum in the Czech Republic. Mainly exhibits Moravian art and applied art throughout history. Most recommended is its exhibition of modern Moravian art. The gallery consists of three buildings: Admission to all three buildings 300 Kč.
- 11 Governor Palace (Místodržitelský palác), Moravské náměstí. 140 Kč.
- 12 Museum of Decorative Arts (Uměleckoprůmyslové muzeum), Husova 14. 150 Kč.
- 13 Pražák's Palace (Pražákův palác), Husova 18. 120 Kč.
- 11 Governor Palace (Místodržitelský palác), Moravské náměstí. 140 Kč.
- 14 The Moravian Museum (Moravské zemské muzeum), Zelný trh 8, ☏ +420 533 435 220, mzm@mzm.cz. Tu–Sa 09:00–17:00. It's the second largest and oldest museum in the Czech Republic. It was founded in 1817 by Emperor Francis I and, today, has collections with millions of objects from different fields of human history. Apart from the main building in Dietrichstein Palace at Zelný trh the museum has various branches: 130 Kč.
- Anthropos Pavilion, Pisárecká 5 (bus stop „Anthropos”), ☏ +420 543 248 391. Tu-F 09:00-18:00, Sa Su 10:00-18:00. Exhibition on the oldest history of the settlement in Moravia and on the whole European continent. Permanent exhibitions: adult 80 Kč, reduced 40 Kč, family 190 Kč. All exhibitions: adult 150 Kč, reduced 75 Kč, family 375 Kč..
- Bishop Courtyard (Biskupský dvůr), Muzejní 1, ☏ +420 533 435 282. Numismatic exhibition and Moravian fauna exhibition.
- 15 Museum of Gypsy Culture (Muzeum romské kultury), Bratislavská 67 (tram stop „Tkalcovská”), ☏ +420 545 571 798, sekretariat@rommuz.cz. Tu–F Sa 10:00–18:00. A museum dedicated to the Gypsy minority in Moravia. 40 Kč.
- 16 Brno Central Cemetery, Jihlavská 756/1. Gregor Mendel's burial site.
Scenery
[edit]- 17 Denis gardens (Denisovy sady). It's one of the most beautiful parks in Brno, with an obelisk and a colonnade, and it offers a nice view of the city, including the Špilberk castle and the cathedral, also it is the oldest public park in the country which was founded by public administration authorities. It's located in the historical center, between the Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul and the Špilberk Castle.
- 18 The Open Garden (Otevřená Zahrada). An NGO project to bring city gardening and nature to the city centre. You can walk there for free, have a picnic or join some of their periodic activities.
- 19 Freedom Square (Náměstí Svobody). It forms the heart of the city. It's shaped into big reversed "A". Many cultural events take place here and there are always a lot of people here. It is closed for most cars, but trams run through the middle. Also most of the interesting places in the city center are within 10 minutes walk from the Square.
- 20 Lužánky park (Park Lužánky) (north to the historical centre, about 15 minutes by walk, or 2–3 minutes by tram). The oldest public park in the country and the biggest park in Brno. There is an artificial brook with living fishes and a number of similar nice things. Perfect for picnic, but can get crowded in nice weather.
- 21 Moravian square (Moravské náměstí) (in the historical centre near the Freedom Square). The biggest square in Brno, it's dominated by the Church of Saint Thomas, which is the last resting place of Jobs of Moravia, German King and Margrave of Moravia. The nearby former Governor's Palace offers permanent exhibitions of the Moravian Gallery.
Undergound
[edit]- Bunker 10-Z (Kryt 10-Z), Husova ulice (opposite house no. 12), ☏ +420 542 210 622, husova10Z@gmail.com. Tu-Su 11:30-18:00, closed M. World War II bunker. The exhibition offers self-guided 500 m of tunnels. The guide shows different areas that is not covered by the exhibition, but mainly conducted in Czech language. Look out for the English tour on select days. No audio guide. Exhibition 150 Kč; excursion/guide 240 Kč.
- Denis Shelter for Atomic Bomb (Kryt Denis), corner Husova - Nádražní. only on Sunday. Different tours are offered on different week: the classic tour of the Shelter, ‘Finding Shelter in Wartime Brno’ tour, and 'Tour in the Dark'. 180 Kč.
- Brno Water Tanks (Žlutý kopec), Tvrdého 15, 602 00 Brno, ☏ +420 770 156 148, vodojemy@ticbrno.cz. Three huge underground tanks are a unique architectural monument 350 Kč.
- Labyrinth Under the Vegetable Market (Labyrint pod Zelným trhem), Zelný trh 21, 658 78 Brno, ☏ +420 542 212 892; +420 778 454 379, labyrint@ticbrno.cz. Tu-Su 09:00-18:00, M closed. An underground maze through the passages and cellars, located up to 8 metres. 180 Kč.
- Capuchin Crypt, to be visited with the Capuchin Monastery (see above)
- Ossuary at the Church of St James, to be visited with the Church of St. James (see above). The Ossuary is closed in Nov 2024, until further notice.
Do
[edit]- 1 Brno Zoo, U zoologické zahrady 147/46, ☏ +420 546 432 311. Daily 09:00-16:00. A great zoo set in a nice area with hundreds of animals such as polar bears, seals, tigers, chimpanzees and more. 100 Kč.
- ExploreBrno — easy walking, treasure hunt game in the city centre. Min. 2–3 hours
- Wine-Tours.cz — South Moravia Highlights by minibus (Mikulov, Lednice, Valtice, and big degustation in Wine Center of Czech Republic) or halfday trip to Moravian Karst (boat trip in punkva caves)
- 2 Ignis Brunensis. There are four firework competitions on the dam lake and at least two in the town centre. The fireworks begin every evening at 22:30 and last about 22 minutes. Public transport runs longer and more frequently at these times. During the festival there are nights of theatres and museums. Entrance is free, but expect crowds.
- 3 Brno Racing Circuit. Moto GP Grand Prix every year takes place here in August.
- 4 Brno Trade and Fair Centre (BVV), Výstaviště 1 (tram stop „Výstaviště”). The largest trade centre in the Central European region with many important fairs. The largest are Autosalon, MSV (International Engineering Fair), Invex (International Fair of Information and Communication Technologies), IDET (International Exhibition of Defence and Security Technologies and Special Information Systems), a Vinex (International Wine Fair) and Pivex (International Beer Fair). Notable for its functionalist interwar architecture, it is mostly unused and fairs are held in newer halls. Guided tours are sometimes organized.
- One World Brno. Documentary film festival on human rights held every [ the background]].
- Treasure Hunt Brno, Čechyňská 8, ☏ +420 542 211 935, info@z-agency.cz. Treasure Hunt Brno is a dynamic team competition that makes use of modern technology and GPS-enabled tablets and lets you visit a wide range of Brno's historical monuments in a record time. Suitable for larger groups and companies.
- 5 Jakubské náměstí. Grab a few friends and go have a drink at Jakubské náměstí during summer. After work or school, lot of people came here to have a drink. The area behind the St. James church has become a living part of Brno. Many pubs, wine cellars and cafés make a unique atmosphere. If you are lucky, you can run into a concert or screening. Almost every day there are dancing lessons at Café Savoy (salsa, tango, swing....) If you are talented, you can use a free-to-play piano on the square.
- 6 VIDA! Science Centre, Křižkovského 554/12, ☏ +420 515 201 000, info@vida.cz. Launch a hydrogen rocket, star in the TV weather report, freeze your own shadow, experience an earthquake, set free a tornado, and get to the bottom of the Bermuda Triangle. Near the Brno trade fair complex, playful explorers of all ages will find more than 170 interactive exhibits over an area of nearly 5,000 m² that will give them a better understanding of the world around us.
Buy
[edit]The ATMs of these banks in the city centre do not charge a fee for withdrawing money:
- fio banka
- KB (Komerční banka)
- Raiffeisenbank
- 1 Vaňkovka Gallery, Ve Vaňkovce 1 (between train station and central bus station). A large shopping centre converted from an old industrial centre dating to the beginning of the 19th century. Many of the historical industrial buildings were saved and integrated into the new shopping centre.
- 2 Avion Shopping Park, Skandinávká (Brno-jih district, Ikea bus stop or Avion Shopping). South of the centre in the metropolitan area of Brno-jih, Avion Shopping Park is a huge shopping mall with dozens of shops, from small boutiques to large Ikea.
Eat
[edit]Czech food is mostly based on pork, dumplings and potatoes. Another Czech favourite is smažený sýr, fried cheese, which is available at many restaurants and fast food stands. Soups plays an important part in Czech cuisine as it is almost always part of lunch (chicken, beef or vegetable broth, garlic soup, cabbage soup, goulash soup, vegetable soup or mushroom soup).
A good option is to visit one of the many pubs or restaurants that usually offer traditional Czech food all day long. You could easily find a restaurant where you get a meal and a drink for around €5, even in the city center. Many of these places also offer cheaper special (limited, pre-prepared) menus at mid-day. Cafés offer a nice selection of rolls and pastries if you're looking for breakfast. Visit the cukrárna (confectionery) near the House of the Four Idiots on nám. Svobody and try a rakvička ("little coffin", small pastry covered with cream). This is the only place in the Czech Republic to find the chocolate ones.
Budget
[edit]City centre
[edit]Lužánky Park
[edit]- 3 Bistro Bastardo, Štefánikova 91/20 (just north of the park), ☏ +420 605 454 040. Authentic, delicious, decently-priced Mexican food (tacos, pozole soup).
North-west of the centre around the Grohova tram station
[edit]Mid-range
[edit]There are plenty of restaurants in the city centre, where you can have a decent dinner. Czech and international cuisine can be found. A very incomplete list of the good restaurants may include:
- 8 Na Švábce, Údolní 4. (tram stop „Komenského náměstí”). Czech cuisine, good Pilsner beer and daily menu even during weekend.
- 9 Cattani, Josefská 2 and Veveří 6. (tram stops „Zelný trh and Česká”). Fresh pasta, good wine selection. Has two branches, both close to city centre.
- 10 Pegas brewery, Jakubská 4. (tram stop „Česká or Náměstí svobody”). Goulash, roasted ribs, pickled cheese and many other "go-with-beer" courses. Self made beer.
Splurge
[edit]Drink
[edit]The traditional Brno beer is Starobrno, and a traditional non-alcoholic soft drink is Kofola (a very different but captivating kind of cola). Both must be tasted in draught form! Although Czechs are famous for their love of beer that love is mostly focused on pale beer, dark beer (černé pivo) is sweet and not very often drunk here. There's quite a few small breweries in the city, among them a small private brewery named Pegas, a block west from the steeple of St James Church (sv. Jakub). The pub is equipped with modern brewing technology, beer is made right in front of the guests' eyes. For a list of other breweries look at this list.
The go-to bar is the cramped and smoky Charlie's Hat (known to most locals simply as Charlie's), east on Koblizna street from the north end of Freedom Square (50 Kč entry, includes drink voucher). A cluster of more down-tempo bars frequented by students can be found along Dominikánská (Kavárna Trojka - students caffee and bar) and Starobrněnská just west of the Zelný trh (cabbage market square). Around the main square, you can find a lot of clubs, pubs, restaurants, coffee houses and lounge bars.
Bars in and around Dvořákova street in the city centre include:
- 1 Pivovarská, Mendelovo náměstí 20. It is a big pub & restaurant owned by Starobrno brewery.
- 2 Bar, který neexistuje, Dvořákova 1. Cocktail bar featuring a huge menu of rums and whiskies.
- 3 Lokál U Caipla, Kozí 3. Traditional pub, featuring lots of typically Czech dishes and beer served from big metal tanks.
- 4 Zelená Kočka Pivárium, Dvořákova 3. Beer speciality pub - serving Dalešice beer (made in a brewery 60 km away famous for appearing in the film Postriziny) as well as a selection of beers from around the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Austria which changes every day.
- 5 Pegas, Jakubská 4. Already above mentioned pub with self-made beer.
- 6 Rotor, Dvořákova 12. Cosy little bar with good wine, spirits and coffee.
- 7 Výčep Na Stojáka, Běhounská 6. Probably the most popular bar in Brno during summer, where locals and foreigners alike drink cold Chotěboř (lager type beer) soak in the evening sun in the square.
- 8 Lucky Bastard Beerhouse, Bratří Čapků 8. M–Sa 17:00–00:00. The Lucky Bastard Beerhouse takes you to the world of ales where you can play a few songs on the piano and taste some quality gin.
- 9 Hostinec U Bláhovky, Gorkého 54. Daily 12:00–24:00. Relaxed atmosphere of the 1930s. Excellent Pilsner and pork knee.
- 10 Ochutnávková pivnice, Lidická 1860/10. M–F 15:00–24:00, Sa Su 16:00–24:00. The place where the beer connoisseurs gather. 8 types of draft beer and at least 20 bottled in the fridge.
- 11 Super Panda Circus, Šilingrovo náměstí 3. M–Sa 18:00–02:00. Great light show
- 12 Cubana, Jezuitská 3. M–Th 16:00–02:00, F 16:00–03:00, Sa 18:00–03:00. Move your hips to Latin American music and have fun with your friends over a glass of Cuba Libre.
Cafés
[edit]- 13 Coffee Fusion, Jánská 25. M–F 09:00–20:00. Choose your beans from two coffee grinders of different flavors and enjoy a slice of the local, divine cake quickly brought to you by the smiling barista.
- 14 SKØG, Dominikánské náměstí 5. M–Th 08:00–01:00, F 08:00–02:00, Sa 10:00–02:00, Su 12:00–22:00. Cordial service, latte art cappuccino, delicious homemade cakes, and innovative cocktails.
- 15 Kafec, Veveří 10. M–F 08:00–20:00, Sa Su 09:00–20:00. Besides the excellent locally roasted coffee that you can read about in Kávové listy magazine, you can also try thick cocoa from Tanzania or homemade lemonades made from fresh juices and aromatic herbs.
- 16 Punkt, Bayerova 7. M–F 08:00–22:00, Sa Su 14:00–20:00. Popular also among people on gluten-free and vegan diets. Come have breakfast and a cup of cappuccino.
- 17 Cafe Mitte, Panská 11. M–Sa 08:00–22:00, Su 09:00–20:00. No generic coffee here in Café Mitte; behind every cup, you can see the farmer who grew and harvested the beans himself. Tip – filtered coffee!
- 18 Café Placzek, Minoritská 470/4. M–F 07:30–22:00, Sa Su 08:30–21:00. Luxurious desserts, delicious breakfasts, and homemade pastries in various original shapes.
- 19 Kavárna Era, Zemědělská 30. M–Sa 10:00–22:00, Su 10:00–20:00. Are you a fan of functionalism? So when you leave Villa Tugendhat go straight to Café Era. Top-quality service and traditionally prepared Italian coffee.
- 20 Cafe Spolek. M–F 09:00–22:00, Sa Su 10:00–22:00. This place used to be a bookshop, but now instead of books you can smell excellent coffee, cocoa with rum, and homemade desserts.
Sleep
[edit]There are many hotels all around Brno city. You can compare and choose hotels on Brno Hotels Directory.
Budget
[edit]- Hostel Fléda, Štefánikova 24 (tram stop „Hrnčířská”), ☏ +420 731 651 005, info@hostelfleda.com. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 13:00. Low-budget hostel, 10 minutes walking from the centre, possible discounts in the nearby club Fleda. Dormitory from 300 Kč/person, double from 800 Kč/room..
- Hostel Mitte, Panská 11 (tram stop „Hlavní nádraží”), ☏ +420 734 622 340, info@hostelmitte.com. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. Nice little hostel in the very centre. Dormitory from 490 Kč/person, double from 1100 Kč/room. Price includes breakfast..
- Hotel Garni Vinařská, Vinařská 5 (At the Masaryk University student dormitory area, tram stop „Lipová”), ☏ +420 549 492 713, fax: +420 549 492 702, hotel@skm.muni.cz. Hotel Garni: double from 980 Kč, triple from 1620 Kč, quad from 2060 Kč/room. Student dormitory (15 Jun–9 Sep): double from 500 Kč.
- Bunker 10-Z (Kryt 10-Z), Husova ulice (opposite house no. 12), husova10Z@gmail.com. This bunker offers overnight accommodation. CZK 550 dorm bed.
Mid-range
[edit]- Hotel Barceló Brno Palace, Šilingrovo náměstí 2/265 (Brno-střed), ☏ +420 532 156 777, brnopalace@barcelo.com. Lovely boutique hotel in romantic style located in the centre of Brno.
- Penzion Brno, Preslova 90 (trolleybus stop „Marie Pujmanové”), ☏ +420 543 211 953, info@penzionbrno.eu. Double from 800 Kč, triple from 1200 Kč/room.
- 1 Penzion Luna, Štefánikova 12 (Around the corner from Park Lužánky.), ☏ +420 541 235 781, luna@penzion-luna.cz. Basic pension. Call to book a room. Double from 1100 Kč.
Splurge
[edit]- Hotel Santander, Pisárecká 6 (bus stop „Pisárecká”, 10 minutes walk from the fairground BVV), ☏ +420 547 220 233, fax: +420 547 220 375, info@hotelsantander.cz. Offers a luxurious accommodation in 13 double rooms, 1 single room and 1 suite with a fireplace in a comfortable environment of a new restored stylish villa dating from the beginning of the 20th century. The villa has an enclosed parking lot on the hotel premises. Single 1590 Kč, double 1990 Kč/room. The price can rise during important trade fairs..
- Hotel Continental Brno, Kounicova 6, ☏ +420 541 519 111, fax: +420 541 211 203, info@continentalbrno.cz. Single 1700 Kč, double 2300 Kč/room. 10% discount if booked online. The price can rise during important trade fairs.
- Hotel Slavia, Solniční 15, ☏ +420 542 215 080, fax: +420 542 211 769, recepce@slaviabrno.cz. Single 1750 Kč, double 2100 Kč, triple 2600 Kč/room.
- Hotel Royal Ricc, Starobrněnská 10, ☏ +420 542 219 262, royalricc@romantichotels.cz. Very nice romantic hotel. Single from €80, double from €90.
- Holiday Inn, Křížkovského 20, ☏ +420-543 246 693, fax: +420 543 246 990, reservations@hibrno.cz. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 13:00. Good if you are visiting the exhibition centre, otherwise you will need a taxi to centre.
Stay safe
[edit]Avoid the main train station after dusk as it attracts a number of unsavory characters, the usual caution applies. Also keep a keen eye out when using Automated Teller Machines in the immediate area for similar reasons. The area is also known be actively visited by pick-pockets. Also avoid the Cejl street during dark hours for the same reasons. Take the tram or a bus between the stops Malinovského náměstí and Tkalcovská.
Connect
[edit]Brno has 4G from all Czech carriers. As of Sept 2021, you might even get 5G but coverage is patchy.
Go next
[edit]Moravia has a dense cluster of nearby sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List
- Olomouc: a fine historic university town, with an impressive Plague Column (1½ hour trip)
- Telč is one of the prettiest towns in the Czech Republic (2 hours trip)
- Lednice-Valtice is one of the largest artificial landscapes in Europe dotted with palaces and follies (1 hour trip)
- Třebíč has one of Europe's best preserved Jewish areas (1½ hour trip)
- Žďár nad Sázavou contains a fine pilgrimage church (1½ hour trip)
- Kroměříž: an impressive baroque chateau and formal flower gardens (2 hours trip)
- Beautiful caves of Moravian Karst, with a boat trip inside the cave (45 minute trip)
Places near Brno - trips less than one hour
- Battlefield Austerlitz (town Slavkov u Brna)
- Castles: Veveří, Pernštejn, Bučovice, Slavkov u Brna
Hostels are available in these towns that can be easily reached by bus/train from Brno:
- Olomouc (80 km)
- Kroměříž (70 km)
- Humpolec (100 km) on the way to Prague
- Tábor (170 km)
- Prague (210 km)
Other places
- Vienna is easily accessible as a day trip by train or bus (return ticket by train €33, by bus €14)
- Bratislava is less than an hour away