Things to do in Brno – 9 attractions, experiences and excursions

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: July 2026 | Brno is the second largest city in the Czech Republic and a destination that pleasantly surprised us. We traveled here by train from Ostrava and discovered a lively university city with beautiful architecture, historic squares, exciting underground environments and interesting sights.

Brno in the Czech Republic

We explored Brno with a local guide and visited underground passages, an old air raid shelter and the world-famous Villa Tugendhat. Brno is often overshadowed by Prague, but after our visit it was one of the biggest positive surprises of our trip to the Czech Republic. Here are our top tips for things to see and do in Brno.

1. Stroll among Brno's beautiful houses and Art Nouveau buildings

Brno is a pleasant city to explore on foot. The city center is a mix of historic buildings, colorful facades, and Art Nouveau houses, while cafes, restaurants, and shops create a lively city life.

Take your time and look up at the facades as you stroll through the city center. Many of the buildings have beautiful details that are easy to miss if you're just rushing between the sights.

One of the houses we saw with our guide had an unusual and tragic history. In the 1920s, a young couple checked into the hotel. When their families opposed their marriage, they took their own lives with a homemade bomb. The explosion destroyed part of the building, which was later rebuilt in a more modern style. The difference between the older and newer facades is still clearly visible.

Our tip: Discover the city center with a guide or follow your own walking route between the historic squares. You will see the architecture and hear the stories behind the buildings.

2. Visit the Cabbage Market and the labyrinth under the square

Zelný trh, commonly known as the Cabbage Market in English, is one of Brno's oldest and liveliest squares. Trade has been conducted here since the Middle Ages, and on market days the square is still filled with stalls selling fruit, vegetables and flowers, among other things.

Today you can take a tour through the labyrinth and see environments that show how the cellars were used. There are also exhibitions about ancient lighting, crafts, alchemy and punishment methods.

Our tip: Book an English-language tour in advance or check if there is an audio guide. The temperature is lower underground, so bring an extra layer of clothing.

3. Explore the Mintmaster's Cellar

The Mintmaster's Cellar is another of Brno's underground attractions. The cellar is located under Dominican Square, near the New Town Hall, which, despite its name, has a long history.

During your visit, you will learn more about coinage, trade, and the development of the city. On display are historical coins and objects that tell the story of Brno's economic importance over the centuries.

The basement is smaller than the labyrinth beneath the Cabbage Market but provides a different part of the city's history, so the two underground attractions complement each other well.

Our tip: Check opening hours before visiting as the cellar is not always open every day of the week.

4. Visit the ossuary under St. James' Church

Beneath the Church of St. James lies a large ossuary containing the remains of tens of thousands of people. It was rediscovered in the early 2000s after being forgotten for a long time.

As the city's cemeteries became full, older remains were moved into underground rooms to make room for new graves. During periods of plague, cholera, and other epidemics, the number of burials increased rapidly, and the aisles under the church gradually filled up.

Today, the ossuary is open to visitors. Bones and skulls have been arranged in the atmospheric hallways, where lighting and music contribute to a peaceful and respectful experience.

Our tip: Also visit the Church of St. James above the ossuary. The church is beautiful and provides a natural context for the underground attraction.

5. Go down into the nuclear shelter 10-Z

The 10-Z safe house is one of Brno's most unusual attractions. Unlike the city's medieval cellars, this underground facility was created to protect important people during wars and political crises.

The shelter was long kept secret and was equipped with air filtration, communication equipment, sleeping quarters, etc. During a tour, you will see preserved technology, telephones, gas masks, and other items from the communist era.

Today, 10-Z functions as a museum, but there is also the opportunity to eat and even spend the night in the special environment. It is an attraction that provides a concrete insight into a relatively recent and dramatic part of Czech history.

Our tip: Feel free to join us on a guided tour. We had an engaging guide who made the history both vivid and easier to understand.

 6. Visit Špilberk Castle and enjoy the view

Perched on a hill above the center of Brno, Špilberk Castle is one of the city's most prominent landmarks. The castle began as a royal castle, was later converted into a fortress, and was used for a period as a feared prison.

Today, the building houses the Brno City Museum. Here you can visit exhibitions, see parts of the old fortress, and learn more about the history of both the castle and the city.

The walk up to the castle goes through a green park, and from the height you get nice views of Brno's rooftops and church towers. It is therefore a good visit even for those who mainly want to walk and enjoy the view.

Our tip: Allow time for both the museum and the area around the castle. The walk up is part of the experience.

7. Experience the world-famous Villa Tugendhat

Villa Tugendhat is one of Brno's most important sights and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The villa was designed by architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe for Greta and Fritz Tugendhat and was built around 1930.

The house was groundbreaking for its time, with large open spaces, exclusive materials, modern technology and window sections that created a close connection between the home and the garden. Despite its age, the architecture still feels surprisingly modern.

The villa also has a dramatic history. The Tugendhat family was forced to leave the house, and the building was later used for several different purposes. An important meeting was also held here before the division of Czechoslovakia.

Our tip: Tickets can sell out well in advance, so book your walking tour early if Villa Tugendhat is one of your most important attractions.

8. Take a trip to Lednice, Valtice or Mikulov

South of Brno, one of South Moravia's most interesting excursion areas awaits. Here you can visit the magnificent Lednice and Valtice castles, stroll through large parks and discover the charming town of Mikulov.

The area is also known for its vineyards and long wine tradition. During an excursion you can combine castles, historical environments and wine tasting at one of the local producers.

We have visited both the castles and Mikulov and find the area an excellent complement to a city trip in Brno. If you have access to a car, it is easier to combine several places in the same day, but it is also possible to book organized excursions.

Our tip: If you are short on time, you can choose either Lednice and Valtice or Mikulov. With a full day and your own car, you can experience more of the area.

READ MORE: Castles and vineyards in the Czech Republic

9. Discover Punkva caves and Moravian Karst

North of Brno lies the Moravian Karst, a large natural area with caves, ravines and hiking trails. The most famous attraction is Punkva Caves, where you can join a tour through an underground world of stalactites and stalagmites.

Part of the visit is on foot and part by boat on an underground river. The combination of the large cave chambers, the boat trip and the deep Macocha Gorge makes this one of the most special excursions from Brno.

We found the underground boat ride to be one of the highlights of the area. The experience is suitable for both adults and families who want to combine nature with something different.

Our tip: Book tickets in advance, especially during the summer and on weekends. The number of seats on the tours is limited.

Swedish history in Brno – that's why the church bells ring at 11 am

Brno has an unexpected historical connection to Sweden. During the Thirty Years' War, the city was besieged in 1645 by Swedish troops led by General Lennart Torstensson.

According to local legend, the Swedish general announced that the troops would break off the siege if Brno had not been taken by noon. The city's residents heard about the plan and therefore had the church bells ring as early as eleven o'clock.

The Swedish troops thought time had run out and retreated. Brno thus managed to withstand a significantly larger army, and the event has become an important part of the city's identity.

To this day, the church bells in central Brno ring at eleven in the morning instead of twelve, as a reminder of the siege in 1645.

Our tip: Look for memorials and symbols from the siege as you stroll through the city center. The history becomes even more vivid if you join a guided city walk.

Best areas to stay and explore in Brno

Brno is a relatively compact city with most attractions within easy walking distance of the city center. Here are some areas that suit different types of travelers.

Brno-střed – live right in the center

Brno-střed is the city's historic center and the best choice for those who want to be close to most attractions. Here, you will find Freedom Square, the Cabbage Market, restaurants, cafes and several of the city's most famous buildings within a few minutes' walk.

If you are visiting Brno for the first time, this is the area we recommend.

Veveří – quiet but central

West of the city center is the Veveří district. Here you can live a little more peacefully while still being within walking distance of both Špilberk Castle and the city center. The area has plenty of nice restaurants, cafes and parks.

Černá Pole – for those who want to visit Villa Tugenhat

Černá Pole is a quiet residential area north of the city center. Here you will find the world-famous Villa Tugendhat and several beautiful villas from the beginning of the 20th century. You can easily get to the city center by tram or a short walk.

Královo Pole – Local feel and good communications

Královo Pole is located a few kilometers north of the city center and is suitable for those who want to experience everyday life in Brno. There is shopping, restaurants and good transport links by both tram and bus, while hotel prices are often slightly lower than in the city center.

Visiting Brno by campervan

Brno is also easy to visit with a camper van, but just like in many larger European cities, we recommend leaving the camper van at a campsite or parking lot and using public transport into the city center.

There are several campsites on the outskirts of the city with bus and tram connections to the main attractions, so you can avoid driving in the dense city traffic and explore Brno on foot.

If you are planning a longer trip through the Czech Republic, Brno is also a good base for day trips to Lednice, Valtice, Mikulov and the Moravian Karst with the Punkva Caves.

READ MORE: Things to do in Prague – 13 tips for attractions and experiences