There are so many reasons why everyone should visit Brno and South Moravia at least once in their lifetime. Here are a few to get you inspired to visit the Czech Republic’s second city and the surrounding region.
Brno is the kind of city that, once you visit, you will want to go back over and over again. And the same can be said for the region of South Moravia.
Here we have a city full of contrasts and a region with a great variety of things to do. This is reflected in the history, the magical landscapes, the charming towns and a wine growing heritage that goes back to Roman times.
There are so many things to do in Brno and South Moravia! But if this is not enough to convince you, here are a few or the many reasons you need to visit this little known part of the world.
Table of Contents
- 1 9 Reasons to visit Brno and South Moravia
- 1.1 Brno and South Moravia are enshrouded in mysterious legends
- 1.2 You can find some of the coolest cocktail bars in Czechia
- 1.3 Brno and South Moravia are a Mecca for architecture lovers
- 1.4 South Moravia is full of charming historic towns
- 1.5 It has the largest (and UNESCO listed) artificial landscape in the world
- 1.6 It is home to unique traditions that have survived the test of times
- 1.7 The locally grown wine is delicious (and not many people know about it)
- 1.8 There is some fantastic historic accommodation
- 1.9 South Moravia is a magnet for active travelers and adventure seekers
9 Reasons to visit Brno and South Moravia
Brno and South Moravia are enshrouded in mysterious legends
I love places that are enveloped in local myths and legends, like Iceland. And surprisingly, Brno is a city full of legends and mystery too.
One of the most famous legends is about a dragon that used to attack the people of the city and their livestock. Walk through the archway under the Old Town Hall tower and you will see the Brno Dragon.
Another famous legend is the one about the crooked spire in the Old Town Hall, a deliberate act of a disgruntled sculptor, who received less payment for his work than he was promised.
There are many more legends that enshroud the city of Brno, and the best way to learn about them is by booking a walking tour with a local expert.
But these legends are not just found in Brno. The Moravian Karst region, just north of the city, is peppered with more than 1,100, some of which were thought to be gateways to Hell.
And legend has it that the Macocha Abyss has no bottom. You can visit this mysterious Abyss independently or as a day trip from Brno.
You can find some of the coolest cocktail bars in Czechia
Brno’s nightlife is famous for a reason and it’s likely because it has some of the coolest bars in the Czech Republic. So you’re in for a treat!
My favorite is Super Panda Circus, a multi award winning and so-called weirdest bar in the Czech Republic.
Ring the bell and someone wearing a ringmaster’s uniform will open the door, will offer you a cup of green tea, and will explain how it all works. This is no regular cocktail bar!
They have an incredible selection of signature cocktails (I tried most of them!) that you can order directly from their menu.
Or, you can play an RPG (Role Playing Game) where you choose a character and the decisions you make on this game will determine which cocktail you’ll try next. It’s seriously fun!
Bar ktery neexistuje (bar that doesn’t exist) is really sophisticated without being pretentious.
This New York inspired cocktail lounge has an impressive collection of drinks displayed on backlit shelves. Every signature cocktail comes with a story and those I tried were absolutely stunning.
At the near-24/7 cocktail bar 4pokoje you can have breakfast for dinner, dinner for breakfast and cocktails throughout the day and night. It’s a bar with multiple personalities.
Brno and South Moravia are a Mecca for architecture lovers
The city of Brno has been described as a Mecca of modern architecture. It is home to some fantastic examples of functionalist buildings, such as Villa Tugendhat, Villa Stiassni, and Avion Hotel.
For lovers of Art Nouveau, Brno has some great examples too, with Jurkovic Villa and Löw-Beer Villa as the top two.
And for those interested in more classical and historical buildings, you only have to look around Freedom Square (náměstí Svobody), which is surrounded by beautiful historic buildings.
Renaissance Dům pánů z Lipé (House of the Lords of Lipá) decorated with biblical scenes, and Dům U Čtyř mamlasů (The House of Four Giants), with four giants carrying the weight of the building are two of the best examples.
Looking beyond the city, you can find Lednice Castle, one of the most beautiful complexes in the English Neo-Gothic style in the whole of Europe, and Valtice Castle, in the most opulent Baroque style.
And for those looking for something a bit more unique, look no further than the traditional Plže wine cellar architecture in Petrov.
South Moravia is full of charming historic towns
South Moravia is at the crossroads of ancient trading routes such as the Amber Road, a trading road connecting Europe with Asia. One of the towns that benefited from these trade routes was Mikulov, located very close to the Austrian border.
The town has a very charming feel with very well preserved historic architecture. The highlight is Mikulov Castle (or Chateau), built on a rocky cliff overlooking the town and the surrounding area.
Another historic town that should be added to everyone’s South Moravian itinerary is Znojmo.
Znojmo is a beautiful historic town that dates back to the 7th century. It is famous for being the capital of an important wine growing region and also for pickles.
The historic town center has numerous churches and former monasteries, all surrounded by medieval city walls. The town has preserved its Renaissance look and getting lost in its narrow alleyways, is the best way to explore it.
It has the largest (and UNESCO listed) artificial landscape in the world
The Lednice-Valtice Cultural Landscape Complex is an absolute dream for historians, architecture lovers, photographers… anyone really. It is often called the Garden of Europe.
The complex includes the two spectacular chateaus of Lednice and Valtice, as well as large parks, a system of lakes, and historical buildings in the countryside (hunter’s lodges, temples, and chapels).
Lednice Castle is considered the most beautiful building in the Czech Republic, and it’s the crown jewel of the Lednice-Valtice Complex, rivaling the famous castles of South Bohemia.
Dating back to the 13th century, it belonged to the Liechtenstein family until 1945, when the Czechoslovak State took over the castle and opened it to the public.
Valtice Castle is the former residence of the Liechtenstein family and it was built in stages over time by thirteen princes. In the 18th century, its collection of furnishings and art pieces was so grand that it competed with the Imperial court in Vienna.
The Lednice-Valtice Cultural Landscape Complex has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1996.
It is home to unique traditions that have survived the test of times
One of the things that I love about traveling is learning about customs and traditions from all over the world. And South Moravia is home to unique traditions that you will not find anywhere else.
A great example is blueprint (modrotisk), the practice of printing a dye-resistant paste onto a piece of cloth before dyeing it over with indigo dye. To apply the paste, hand-crafted blocks, which can be up to 300 years old, are used.
This tradition is listed in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
I visited the workshop of Strážnický modrotisk in the village of Strážnice, one of only two blueprint factories left in the Czech Republic.
It’s a small workshop that has been in the same family for 5 generations now, and it has been integral in the process of getting blueprint recognised by UNESCO as an important tradition to be protected.
It was great fun to learn about the lengthy and intricate process of blueprint, and to also have a go at it myself!
If you, like me, enjoy learning about traditions that are part of everyday life, don’t miss the Strážnice Museum of the Villages of South-East Moravia. It’s an open air folk museum that displays buildings from villages all across South East Moravia.
It’s a great insight into the traditional way of life of South Moravia. I would recommend taking a guided tour that talks you through folk crafts, folk traditions, and customs throughout the year.
You’ll also learn about the wine growing culture, the traditional costumes of the region, and about daily rituals and beliefs that people used to follow.
The locally grown wine is delicious (and not many people know about it)
South Moravia is an important wine growing region and the wine here is some of the best I’ve ever tried. And I’m not exaggerating. There are a lot of award winning wines grown throughout South Moravia.
South Moravia has four wine growing regions, Znojmo, Mikulov, Velké Pavlovice, and Slovácko. And throughout these regions you can find open cellars where you can taste some delicious wine varieties.
In the Znojmo region, I visited the Lahofer Winery, with its striking building in the shape of a wave. This modern piece of architecture is nestled in the middle of the vineyards which can be appreciated from the rooftop.
In the Slovácko region, I visited the more traditional Pežl wine cellars in Petrov. Not only are these cellars the most beautiful in Moravia, they come with a lot of history, with some of them dating back to the 15th century.
In the Mikulov region, you can visit the Wine Salon of the Czech Republic, within the Valtice Castle, where you can taste more than 100 different wines from across the country.
There is some fantastic historic accommodation
Being such a historic area in Europe, the choices of accommodation are often in traditional, historic and, sometimes, even quirky settings. Here is a selection of some that stand out:
Barcelo Brno Palace, Brno
Barcelo Brno Palace is housed in a prestigious historic building in the heart of the city. If you are looking to stay in the height of luxury, this is the hotel for you.
Book Barcelo Brno Palace here
Avion Hotel, Brno
Avion Hotel is one of the best examples of a functionalist building in the city. Located in the heart of the city, its interior has been inspired by the work of Mondrian.
Book Avion Hotel here
10-Z Bunker, Brno
10-Z Bunker is a hostel located in a communist era nuclear bunker under Spielberk Castle. Not only is it a great choice of accommodation if you’re on a budget, it’s also an experience!
Book 10-Z Bunker here
Stára Pekárna (Old Bakery), Znojmo
Stára Pekárna was an old bakery that dates back to the 13th century. It has been sympathetically renovated and it retains its old charm without compromising on comfort. Check out the vaulted ceiling as soon as you enter through the gate.
Boutique Hotel Tanzberg, Mikulov
Boutique Hotel Tanzberg is a historic inn in the heart of the charming town of Mikulov, which used to have a big Jewish community. This cozy hotel still has the ancient Jewish baths in the cellar.
Book Boutique Hotel Tanzberg here
South Moravia is a magnet for active travelers and adventure seekers
Whether you’re into adrenaline-inducing adventure or something a bit more gentle like cycling, South Moravia has something for you.
The Moravian Karst is one of the most significant karst regions in Central Europe, with more than 1,100 caves. Five of these caves are open to the public and offer walking tours inside the cave for all types of travelers.
I did the ‘In the Footsteps of Nagel’ tour inside Sloupsko-Šošůvské Caves, which took me 110 meters underground going through huge passageways and underground gorges. It was exhilarating!
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But if you prefer something a bit easier, there are more accessible tours you can do.
In addition, South Moravia is ideal if you enjoy cycling. There is a huge network of cycling routes criss-crossing the region, and it’s a very popular activity in the spring and summer.
Which of these reasons to visit Brno and South Moravia has caught your eye the most?
Let me know in the comments!
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Disclosure: This post has been created as a partnership with Czech Tourism. As always, all views are my own.