- Brno operates on a unique 'double-time' clock tradition where the bells of the Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul ring noon at 11:00 AM to commemorate a tactical deception during the Thirty Years' War.
- The city is home to a specific local dialect known as Hantec, a unique sociolect that blends Czech with German, Yiddish, and Romani influences.
- Brno hosts the Brno Dragon, a preserved crocodile hanging in the Old Town Hall passage, which has been a local icon since the 17th century.
- The city features one of the largest underground ossuaries in Europe, rediscovered beneath the Church of St. James in 2001.
- Brno is a major hub for electron microscopy, producing approximately one-third of the world's electron microscopes.
About Brno
Brno is the second-largest city in the Czech Republic and serves as the historical capital of Moravia, distinguished by its functionalist architecture and underground ossuaries. Visitors can explore the UNESCO-listed Villa Tugendhat, a landmark of modern architectural design, or visit the hilltop Špilberk Castle that once served as a notorious fortress prison. The city is defined by a dense urban core where the Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul dominates the skyline. Cultural life is anchored by institutions like the Janáček Theatre, while family-focused activity is centered at the VIDA! science center.
Highlights of Brno
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Historical places
Explore the historical prison cells and casemates within this former royal castle.
Museums
Tour this UNESCO World Heritage site, a masterpiece of modern functionalist residential architecture.
Temples
Climb the tower of this gothic cathedral for a panoramic view of the city landscape.
Amusement parks
Engage with interactive physics and technology exhibits suitable for all ages.
Parks
Relax in the oldest public park in Brno, featuring expansive greenery and neo-Renaissance garden architecture.
Venues
Experience world-class opera and ballet in this modern venue dedicated to composer Leoš Janáček.
Zoos
Visit the zoo located on Mniší hora hill, known for its naturalistic enclosures and extensive grounds.
Museums
Discover the technological history of the region through exhibits on transportation, computing, and industrial engineering.
Top things to do in Brno
The 392 highest-rated places in Brno, ranked by travellers.
1
Historical places
Špilberk Castle is a medieval fortress founded in the 13th century by the Přemyslid dynasty, which functioned as a royal...
2
Places of interest
The Punkva Caves are the most visited cave system in the Moravian Karst, notable for featuring an underground boat trip...
3
Parks
Špilberk Park surrounds a 13th-century royal castle perched on a hill overlooking Brno's city center. The green space fo...
4
Zoos
Brno Zoo is situated on the wooded slopes of Mniší hora hill, spanning approximately 65 hectares of natural terrain. The...
5
Parks
Lužánky Park is the oldest public park in the Czech Republic, established in the late 18th century as a Baroque garden....
6
Temples
The Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul is a Gothic-revival landmark dominating the Brno skyline from its position on Petrov...
7
Places of interest
The Macocha Abyss is a 138.5-meter deep limestone sinkhole located in the Moravian Karst region of the Czech Republic. I...
8
Amusement parks
VIDA! science center is a 6,200-square-meter interactive museum located in the former D pavilion of the Brno Exhibition...
9
Parks
The Moravian Karst is a protected landscape area north of Brno featuring over 1,100 caverns and gorges carved into Devon...
10
Museums
Villa Tugendhat is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a landmark of modern architecture designed by Ludwig Mies van der Ro...
11
Historical places
Veveří Castle is a strategic hilltop fortification overlooking the Svratka River and Brno Reservoir, with origins dating...
12
Historical places
Slavkov Castle, also known as Austerlitz Castle, is a notable Baroque residence situated in Slavkov u Brna, Czechia. The...
13
Parks
Kraví hora, translated as Cow Hill, is a prominent urban hill and public park located in Brno's Masaryk Quarter. The sit...
14
Zoos
Papouščí zoo in Bošovice is a specialized zoological garden focused exclusively on the breeding and conservation of parr...
15
Temples
Rosa Coeli is a roofless Gothic convent located in Dolní Kounice, founded in 1181 as the first women's Premonstratensian...
16
Museums
The Technical Museum in Brno (Technické muzeum v Brně) preserves the industrial and technological heritage of Moravia th...
17
Venues
The Mahen Theatre in Brno, opened in 1882, holds the distinction of being the first public building in the world to be f...
18
Places of interest
SingleTrail Moravský Kras is a purpose-built mountain biking trail network located near the Olšovec pond in Jedovnice, C...
19
Historical places
State Chateau Lysice is a Baroque residence featuring an extensive, restored collection of historical interiors, includi...
20
Venues
The Janáček Theatre is the largest stage of the National Theatre Brno and serves as the primary venue for opera and ball...
21
Places of interest
Brno Dam is a reservoir on the Svratka River located on the northwestern outskirts of Brno, serving as both a primary re...
22
Parks
Obora Holedná is a 330-hectare game preserve located in the western part of Brno, Czechia, managed by the Lesy města Brn...
23
Parks
Moravian Square Park serves as a central green lung in Brno, redesigned in 2023 to prioritize urban cooling and sustaina...
24
Venues
Bolek Polívka's Theater is a prominent Brno performance venue founded in 1993 by the renowned Czech actor and mime Bolek...
25
Parks
Denis Gardens (Denisovy sady) is the oldest public park in Brno, established in 1818 on the site of former city fortific...
26
Parks
Aquapark Kohoutovice is a recreational water facility featuring a 25-meter swimming pool and a separate leisure pool equ...
27
Temples
Kostel sv. Jakuba is a Gothic parish church located in the historic center of Brno, widely recognized for the massive un...
28
Places of interest
Mariánské údolí is a scenic valley located in the Brno-Líšeň district, characterized by a series of five interconnected...
29
Historical places
Zámek Rájec nad Svitavou is an 18th-century Rococo château built between 1763 and 1769 for the Salm-Reifferscheidt famil...
30
Places of interest
The Light Fountain, known locally as Světelná fontána, is a kinetic water installation located on the plaza in front of...
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Brno on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Brno
May to September, when the city's extensive parks like Lužánky Park are in full bloom and outdoor cultural festivals are active.
2-3 days, allowing enough time to balance city-center historical sites with suburban architectural gems and parks.
The city features an extensive and efficient integrated public transport network consisting of trams, buses, and trolleybuses.
Stay in the Brno-střed district to remain within walking distance of the historical center and main dining areas.
Brno is generally a mid-range destination, offering significantly lower costs for food and accommodation compared to Prague.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 392 curated attractions in and around Brno, ranked by traveller ratings.
Špilberk Castle is the highest-rated place to visit in Brno right now.
The largest category is temples, with 85 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Prague, Karlovy Vary, České Budějovice.
Explore more of Czech Republic
Other cities ranked by number of curated places.
