Things to do in Brno

Špilberk Castle

Old town, 10 minutes' walk uphill from the centre

The castle on the hill above the old town has watched over Brno for more than 700 years. Beyond the views, the casemates tell the darker story of what later became one of Europe's harshest prisons.

Local tip: Take the hour-long casemates tour on a grey day, then walk down through Špilberk Park. From 13 November 2026 to 10 January 2027 the castle hosts an evening light park, daily 17:30–22:00.

Official site Photo: Hilarmont, CC BY-SA 3.0 de

Villa Tugendhat

Černá Pole, a short tram ride north of the centre

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's villa, built in 1929–1930 for Greta and Fritz Tugendhat, is one of the landmarks of modern architecture and has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2001.

Local tip: Interior tours are only possible with a ticket bought in advance, so book early. If you miss out, the garden and exposition are free to visit during opening hours, and a 40-minute outdoor tour of the terraces is also offered.

Official site Photo: Karelj, CC BY-SA 3.0

Cathedral of Sts Peter and Paul (Petrov)

Old town, Petrov Hill

The twin-spired cathedral on Petrov Hill is the outline you see on every Brno skyline. Its bells ring noon at 11 am, a nod to the legend of how the city outwitted a besieging Swedish army.

Local tip: Climb the tower for a view over the whole historic centre; on a clear day you can see as far as the Pálava Hills. Be there just before 11 am to hear the 'early noon' bells.

Official site Photo: Henta, CC BY-SA 3.0

Old Town Hall and its tower

Old town, Radnická street

Brno's oldest civic building dates to the 13th century and holds the props of three city legends: the dragon and the cart wheel in the passageway, and the crooked pinnacle above the Gothic portal, said to be Anton Pilgram's revenge for unpaid fees.

Local tip: Climb the 173 steps of the 63-metre tower for views in every direction. In November it is open Sunday–Thursday 12:00–19:00 and until 21:00 on Fridays and Saturdays; the city tourist information centre is in the same building.

Official site Photo: Jorge Franganillo, CC BY 4.0

Ossuary at St James

Old town, Jakubské náměstí

Rediscovered during archaeological digs in 2001 and opened in 2012, this is the second-largest ossuary in Europe after Paris, with the remains of an estimated 50,000-plus people.

Local tip: Open Tuesday to Sunday, 9:30–18:00, closed on Mondays. Tours run every 30 minutes for up to 20 people, so it is worth arriving early at weekends.

Official site Photo: Sick System, CC BY-SA 3.0

Labyrinth under the Cabbage Market

Old town, entrance at Zelný trh 21

212 steps take you down to around a kilometre of medieval cellars and passages beneath Zelný trh, once used for storing food, wine and beer. On the way you pass an alchemist's laboratory, a period tavern and a replica pillory.

Local tip: Good for a rainy afternoon and for showing visitors around. Open Tuesday–Sunday 9:00–18:00; combine it with the market above.

Official site Illustrative image, made with AI.

Lednice Chateau (UNESCO)

South Moravia, near Břeclav

The Liechtensteins' summer palace, rebuilt in 1846–1858 in the spirit of English Gothic, sits at the heart of the Lednice–Valtice Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996 and one of the largest designed landscapes in Europe.

Local tip: Leave time for the park, where the greenhouse, the minaret and other small romantic buildings are scattered among the trees. Check the chateau's opening hours before going in winter.

Official site Photo: Pudelek (Marcin Szala), CC BY-SA 3.0

Valtice Chateau (UNESCO)

South Moravia, near the Austrian border

The Baroque partner to Lednice, and the other anchor of the UNESCO-listed Lednice–Valtice Area. Around it are follies such as the Colonnade on Reisten, Diana's Temple and the Belveder.

Local tip: Valtice is wine country, so make a day of it: chateau tour in the morning, a walk out to the colonnade, then a glass in town.

Official site Photo: VitVit, CC BY-SA 4.0

Mikulov Chateau

South Moravia, wine region by the Austrian border

The chateau towering over Mikulov is home to the Regional Museum and to a giant wine barrel from 1643 holding 1,010 hectolitres, which survived both the 1719 and 1945 fires.

Local tip: In November it is open Friday to Sunday, 9:00–16:00. Pair it with a walk up Holy Hill or onto the Pálava ridge.

Official site Photo: VitVit, CC BY-SA 4.0

Kroměříž Archbishop's Chateau and gardens (UNESCO)

Central Moravia, east of Brno

The archbishops' chateau and its gardens were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1998. The Chateau Garden is free to walk in, with water channels, ponds, a small zoo and peacocks wandering about.

Local tip: Come for the gardens even if you skip the interiors, and add the Flower Garden if you have time.

Official site Photo: Txllxt TxllxT, CC BY-SA 4.0

Pernštejn Castle

Svratka valley, north-west of Brno

A High Gothic castle preserved as a whole, perched above the forest and often called 'a castle to beat all castles'. It is one of the largest castle complexes in the country.

Local tip: It closes for the winter (roughly from early November to early April), so plan this one for spring or autumn.

Official site Photo: Pudelek, CC BY-SA 4.0

Veveří Castle

Edge of Brno, on the Brno Reservoir

One of the largest castle grounds in the Czech Republic, first recorded in 1213 as a small hunting castle and built up over almost 800 years, on a wooded rock above the Brno Reservoir.

Local tip: In season (2026: 11 April to 31 October) take the city boat from Bystrc to the castle; the trip takes about 70 minutes. Out of season there is a bus to the U Matky Boží stop.

Official site Photo: Jan Sapák, CC BY-SA 4.0

Zelný trh (Cabbage Market)

Old town

For centuries Brno has bought its vegetables and flowers on this square, nicknamed Zelňák, under the Baroque Parnas fountain by Fischer von Erlach. A covered market in the former Dům potravin building now adds bistros for the colder months.

Local tip: Come in the morning for seasonal produce from local growers, then head down into the labyrinth beneath the square.

Official site Photo: MrPanyGoff, CC BY-SA 4.0

Pegas brewery pub

Old town, Jakubská 4

Founded in 1992 as the first microbrewery in Moravia, Pegas brews its beer in the basement and serves it in a 14th-century house in the old town.

Local tip: A safe bet for taking visiting friends or colleagues out for Czech food and house beer. Open daily from 10:00 (Sunday from 11:00).

Official site Photo: Jiří Sedláček (Frettie), CC BY 3.0

Výčep Na stojáka

Old town, Jakubské náměstí

A standing-only tap room (no indoor seating) inspired by the old brewery taprooms of the First Republic, pouring beers from small and medium Czech breweries since 2012.

Local tip: Order a 'šnyt', the small half-pint pour, if you want to try a few. On warm evenings the crowd spills out on to Jakubské náměstí.

Official site Photo: Roman Mifek, CC BY-SA 4.0

Hauskrecht steam brewery

Near the centre, Porážka 3

Brewmaster Petr Hauskrecht's brewery in a historic building on Porážka street, with brewery tours, tastings and even a 'brewer for a day' experience.

Local tip: Tours with tasting need booking in advance; check the website for dates.

Official site Illustrative image, made with AI.

Starobrno Brewery

Staré Brno, near Mendlovo náměstí

Brno's own big brewery, the largest in Moravia, which runs guided brewery tours from its site on Hlinky.

Local tip: Book a tour through the website, or just sit in the big beer garden of the Pivovarská Starobrno restaurant at Mendlovo náměstí 20.

Official site Photo: HylgeriaK, CC BY-SA 3.0

Café Podnebí

Old town edge, Údolní 5

A neighbourhood café below Špilberk known for daily brunch-style breakfasts and one of the nicest café gardens in Brno.

Local tip: In summer, ask for a table in the garden; it stays pleasant even on hot days. Open until midnight every day.

Official site Illustrative image, made with AI.

Moravian Karst: Punkva Caves and Macocha Abyss

North of Brno, near Blansko

The most visited caves in the Czech Republic. A 50-minute walk through the caves takes you to the bottom of the Macocha Abyss and ends with a boat ride along the underground Punkva river.

Local tip: Book ahead for summer and any weekend. The cable car does not run in winter, so plan to start from Skalní mlýn.

Official site Photo: 7oanna, CC BY-SA 4.0

Brno Reservoir (Prýgl)

Bystrc, end of the tram line

A 250-hectare lake on the city's edge with wooded banks for walking and cycling, beaches for swimming, and boat and paddleboard hire in summer.

Local tip: The city boats (April to October) let you go up the lake to Veveří Castle and walk back along the shore.

Official site Photo: Dezidor, Public domain

Pálava hills

South Moravia, around Mikulov

Limestone hills above the vineyards near Mikulov, where the famous red trail follows the ridge past the Děvín reserve and the castle ruins of Dívčí hrady and Sirotčí hrádek.

Local tip: Walk the ridge and finish in Mikulov for a glass of local wine before the train home.

Official site Photo: Tadeáš Bednarz, CC BY-SA 4.0

Podyjí National Park

South-west Moravia, near Znojmo

A thickly wooded valley along the River Dyje by the Austrian border, with big views from the Hardegg viewpoint and the Šobes vineyard on a rocky meander of the river.

Local tip: A 27 km walking and cycling trail starts at Louka Monastery in Znojmo, so you can do as much or as little as you like.

Official site Photo: Pudelek (Marcin Szala), CC BY-SA 3.0

Lužánky Park

Černá Pole, 10 minutes' walk from the centre

Brno's largest park and the oldest public park in the Czech lands, open to the public since the late 1700s. It was Leoš Janáček's favourite place to walk.

Local tip: Close to the centre, flat and good for a run, a picnic or an hour off with the kids.

Official site Photo: Roman Mifek, CC BY-SA 4.0

Hády

North-east edge of Brno

The hill with the TV tower you can see from almost anywhere in Brno. Former limestone quarries form terraces with wide views over the city, and a nature trail of over 2 km runs through them.

Local tip: Go for sunset, and look for the small ponds in Růžena Quarry.

Official site Photo: Matej Grochal, CC BY-SA 4.0

National Theatre Brno

City centre

Opera, ballet and drama across three stages: the Janáček Theatre, the Mahen Theatre and Theatre Reduta. It also runs the Janáček Brno festival.

Local tip: Look for drama performances marked 'EN SUB' in the programme if your Czech is not there yet; opera and ballet work in any language.

Official site Photo: Radler59, CC BY-SA 4.0

Brno Philharmonic

City centre, Besední dům

The city orchestra, now in its 71st season (2026/2027), based at Besední dům.

Local tip: The box office is downstairs from the Besední dům courtyard on Besední street.

Official site Photo: VitVit, CC BY-SA 4.0

Moravian Gallery

City centre, Husova street and around

The second-largest art institution of its kind in the country, with over 200,000 works spread across venues such as the Pražák Palace, the Museum of Applied Arts, the Governor's Palace and the Jurkovič Villa.

Local tip: Several exhibitions have voluntary admission, so it is easy to drop in for an hour.

Official site Photo: Tibor Kádek (Kandy Talbot), CC BY 2.5

Husa na provázku theatre

Old town, Zelný trh 9

A long-running Brno theatre with two stages, provázek.sál and provázek.sklep, right on Zelný trh.

Local tip: Most shows are in Czech, so check the programme before booking; popular titles sell out.

Official site Photo: Ben Skála, Benfoto, CC BY-SA 4.0

Kino Art

Brno, run by the city's tourist information centre

Brno's last city-owned cinema, established in 1919, with its own selection of films, film cycles, festivals and quizzes.

Local tip: Check the programme for screenings with English subtitles.

Official site Photo: Kristyna.malikova, CC BY-SA 4.0

Bar, který neexistuje

City centre, Dvořákova 1

'The Bar That Doesn't Exist' is a New York-style cocktail bar that has been a Brno institution since 2012, with signature cocktails and hundreds of bottles behind the bar.

Local tip: Open from 17:00 every day and until 3:30 on Fridays and Saturdays; book ahead for a weekend table.

Official site Photo: RomanM82, CC BY-SA 4.0

VIDA! science centre

Výstaviště (Fairgrounds), Křížkovského 12

A science theme park at the Brno Fairgrounds with more than 180 hands-on exhibits across six sections, built for children and parents alike.

Local tip: Temporary exhibitions change twice a year, so it is worth coming back.

Official site Photo: Martin Strachoň, CC BY-SA 4.0

Brno Zoo

Bystrc

Around 2,200 animals of 400 species, on the way out to the Brno Reservoir.

Local tip: November to February it is open 9:00–16:00, and pavilions close an hour earlier, so go in the morning.

Official site Photo: Czech Wikipedia user Packa, CC BY-SA 2.5

Brno Observatory and Planetarium

Kraví hora, near the centre

The observatory on Kraví hora with a digitarium: each show starts with a live night-sky presentation and ends with a film.

Local tip: Some films have English audio through headphones (100 CZK cash deposit at the desk); the live part is always in Czech.

Official site Photo: Hvězdárna a planetárium Brno, CC BY-SA 3.0 cz

Technical Museum in Brno

Královo Pole, Purkyňova 105

A big museum of technology with 17 + 1 permanent displays in its main building in Královo Pole.

Local tip: Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Tram 12 stops right outside at 'Technické muzeum'.

Official site Photo: Martin Strachoň, CC BY-SA 4.0

Holedná forest enclosure

Jundrov / Kohoutovice, under half an hour from the centre

A forest park on the edge of the city with wild boar, fallow deer and mouflons, and a lookout tower near Holedná peak.

Local tip: The paved nature trail is suitable for young children as well as seniors, and dogs on a lead are allowed.

Official site Photo: Ben Skála, CC BY-SA 4.0

Badminton People Brno

A social badminton group for adults who want regular games with other players. The Brno Expat Centre describes it as a very active sports group that welcomes new members.

How to join: Send the group a message on Instagram and ask when the next session is.

Instagram

Badminton Sharks Brno

A city-supported badminton club for children, adults and para-badminton players, with beginner groups, adult teams, tournaments and summer camps. Its 2026 news includes August camps and a new recruitment round.

How to join: Email the club in English and ask which adult group suits your level; the website also has a 'join us' (Přidej se k nám) page.

Website · Facebook · Instagram

Vaše Liga (Brno leagues)

An amateur league that matches you with players of a similar level each month, so you arrange your own games. Brno has leagues in squash, badminton, tennis and doubles badminton.

How to join: Register on the website, pick your sport and the Brno league, and you will be paired with opponents for the next round.

Website

Sports Brno International

A Facebook group for internationals in Brno looking for people to play sport with. Members post games and look for partners and teammates.

How to join: Ask to join the Facebook group, then post which sport you play and your level.

Facebook

Padel Powers Brno

A padel operator with two Brno venues, including a large indoor centre with 10 courts and a bar in Černovice. It offers court hire, lessons, tournaments and social events, and accepts the Multisport card.

How to join: Book a court or a beginner lesson online; if you have no one to play with, watch their Facebook page for open tournaments and social events.

Facebook

Brno Cricket Club

The largest cricket club in the Czech Republic, with over 100 players across several men's teams, a women's team and junior teams. It plays in the Czech leagues and the European Cricket League, and was playing league fixtures in May 2026.

How to join: Email the club or message its Facebook page; in 2024 it said training for juniors and the women's section was free.

Facebook

Hangar Brno

A large bouldering centre created with climber Adam Ondra, suitable for complete beginners and experienced climbers. You can rent equipment on site, and there is a café-restaurant, so it is easy to come alone and chat to people.

How to join: Just turn up, rent shoes at reception and start on the easiest problems; no booking is needed for a normal visit.

Website

FF RUNclub Brno (Form Factory)

A weekly group run of usually 5–6 km for everyone from complete beginners to experienced runners, with a warm-up, technique drills and a cool-down. The pace is adjusted to the group.

How to join: Book a place through the Brno Campus timetable on the website or in the My Form Factory app.

Website

Brnowalkers

A community that runs hikes, walking tours and trips around Brno and Moravia, plus board-game evenings (Avalon, Scythe, Brass and similar), table tennis, cycling and canoeing.

How to join: Use the hike sign-up link on their website or message them on Instagram.

Website · Instagram

Czexploring

A Facebook-based walking group that organises walks and outings around Brno; an easy, low-pressure way to get outdoors and meet people.

How to join: Follow their Facebook page and sign up for the next walk that is posted.

Facebook

Call of the Woods

A walking group that organises nature walks in and around Brno, posted on its Facebook page.

How to join: Follow the Facebook page and join the next walk that is announced.

Facebook

Brno Expat Centre walks and outings

Free guided walks through Brno's districts led by expat residents, plus excursions and newcomers' evenings. A good first step for meeting other internationals in your first weeks.

How to join: Register for a walk on the Brno Expat Centre events page; places are limited.

Website

Družina Moravy (Moravian Retinue)

A historical combat club covering HEMA, sparring and group battles with techniques from the 8th to the 18th century. Beginners can try it at free introductory workshops.

How to join: Message the club on Instagram or use the 'Join us' link on its website, or sign up for a beginner workshop via the Brno Expat Centre events page.

Website · Instagram

Studio Stolárna

A Latin and partner dance studio running eight-week courses in salsa, bachata, kizomba, zouk, West Coast swing and other styles. You do not need to bring a partner.

How to join: Book a course through the studio's online reservation system and email first to ask which courses are taught in English.

Website

Draci Brno (Brno Dragons)

One of the strongest baseball clubs in the country, with an adult A-team, a C-team and many youth teams, and active through the 2026 season. It has hosted beginner-friendly games for newcomers.

How to join: Use the recruitment (Nábor) and contacts pages on the club website to ask about adult or recreational training.

Website