What to See in Brno: 26 Best Things to Do (2026)

For years Brno lived in the shadow of Prague — and honestly, that might be exactly why it feels so easy today. It is smaller, cheaper and you can cover most of the best bits on foot in a single day, all without elbowing your way through the crowds. Every time we come back, the list of things worth seeing turns out longer than we expected: a castle looming over the rooftops, the second-largest ossuary in Europe, and a crisp white functionalist villa that made it onto the UNESCO World Heritage list.In this guide we have pulled together 26 of the best things to see in Brno — landmarks, museums, viewpoints and a few spots just outside the city. This is very much an article about what to go and look at; if you are after experiences and activities instead, have a look at our separate Things to Do in Brno (2026), and for a wet afternoon we have got Brno When It Rains (2026) too. For each entry you will find the practical details, rough ticket prices and our own honest take on what is worth your time.

Getting to Brno and finding your way around

Brno sits right on the main line between Prague and Vienna, so getting here is refreshingly simple. By train from Prague the journey takes around two and a half hours, and if you book early with the low-cost operators (RegioJet, Leo Express) you can pick up a ticket for as little as €8–12. Coaches run just as often and tend to be a touch cheaper still. From Bratislava and Vienna the train takes only about an hour and a half, which makes Brno a brilliant stop-off on a wider trip.Once you are here, the best way to get around is on foot and by tram. The historic centre is compact and the tram network is dense; a single ticket costs around €1, but if you plan several rides a day pass (roughly €4) quickly pays for itself. Leave the car out of the centre — parking is pricey and paid zones are everywhere. Drop it at a park-and-ride on the edge of town and hop on a tram instead. Where should you stay? The most practical choice is around the main station and Freedom Square — everything is then within walking distance. Find places to stay in Brno here →

What to see in Brno: our 26 top picks

1. Špilberk Castle — fortress and feared prison

Start at the top. Špilberk, dating from the 13th century, lords it over the city from its hilltop and has been, in turn, a royal castle, a baroque fortress and one of the harshest jails in the Habsburg monarchy. Today it is home to the Brno City Museum, and a walk through the dark casemates is one of the most powerful things you will do in the city. The ramparts also serve up the best view over the rooftops.Entry to the grounds and park is free; the exhibitions and casemates are ticketed — a combined ticket comes to around €11 (reduced €6, family around €24). Set aside a good two to three hours.

2. Cathedral of St Peter and Paul (Petrov) — the city’s symbol

The two neo-Gothic spires of the cathedral on Petrov hill even appear on the Czech ten-crown coin. Stepping inside is free, but we would spend the small fee to climb the viewing tower and visit the crypt — it is a very reasonable €2.50 (reduced €1.60, family €5), and the view over the old-town roofs is well worth it.

3. The Cabbage Market and Parnas Fountain — a market with history

Locals fondly call it the Zelňák, and vegetables, fruit and flowers have been sold here since the Middle Ages. It is presided over by the baroque Parnas Fountain from the end of the 17th century. It is the perfect spot for a morning coffee and, at the same time, a gateway to the Brno underground — the entrance to the labyrinth is right here.

4. The Old Town Hall — a dragon, a wheel and the finest portal

The oldest secular building in the city hides two Brno legends: hanging in the passageway is the “Brno dragon” (in reality a stuffed crocodile, a gift from a Turkish delegation) and the Lednice wheel, which a wheelwright supposedly made and rolled all the way to Brno in a single day to win a bet. Look up, too, at the twisted central pinnacle above the Gothic portal — it comes with its own tale of a stonemason who was never paid. You can climb the tower for a small fee.

5. The Ossuary at St James’s — the second largest in Europe

Beneath the Church of St James lies an ossuary holding the remains of more than 50,000 people — only the one in Paris is larger in Europe. It was discovered as recently as 2001 and is now sensitively presented, with music and low lighting. A striking and surprisingly dignified place. Admission is around €6; in high season we would book ahead.

6. The Labyrinth under the Cabbage Market — almost a kilometre of tunnels

The second part of the Brno underground: medieval cellars and passages beneath the Cabbage Market, once used to store wine and grain and later for punishment. The route runs for roughly a kilometre. Admission is similar to the ossuary, and buying both together gets you a 10% discount.

7. Villa Tugendhat — a functionalist gem on the UNESCO list

The white villa built in 1930 by architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe is the only piece of modern architecture in the country on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The famous “onyx wall” and the entire glass-walled main floor will win you over even if architecture is not usually your thing. The catch: entry is by pre-booked guided tour only, and slots vanish weeks in advance. The standard tour starts at €18 (reduced €11), and the garden and terrace at around €8.

8. Freedom Square and the Brno astronomical clock — can you catch the marble?

Brno’s main square is the beating heart of the city. On it stands a dark granite astronomical clock shaped like a bullet, which every day at 11:00 releases a glass marble through one of four openings — and whoever catches it takes home a souvenir. Picking the right opening to stand by is a bit of a lottery, but the fun is guaranteed.

9. The Moravian Museum and the Anthropos Pavilion

The oldest and second-largest museum in the country has collections running from prehistory to the present day. For families and the curious alike, the big draw is the Anthropos Pavilion, with its life-size model mammoth and an exhibition on the earliest history of humankind. Entry to the individual buildings is usually around €4–6.

10. The Moravian Gallery — art across three buildings

The country’s second-largest gallery is spread across three buildings (the Pražák Palace, the Governor’s Palace and the Museum of Applied Arts) and covers fine art, design and photography. A great refuge when it is raining outside — and part of the permanent collection is free.

11. Denis Gardens — terraces with a view below Petrov

Just below the cathedral spread the oldest public gardens in the city, with romantic terraces, an obelisk and views over southern Brno. A lovely place to pause for a few minutes of calm in the middle of your city walk — and entry is free.

12. Brno Reservoir and Veveří Castle — water on the city’s doorstep

On the edge of the city lies the Brno Reservoir (locals call it the Prýgl), with grassy beaches, boat hire and a pleasure-boat service. By boat (or on foot along the shore) you can reach Veveří Castle, one of the oldest and largest castle complexes in the country. In summer this is the place to swim and barbecue. A tram takes you straight to the water’s edge.

13. The observatory and planetarium on Kraví hora

On Kraví hora hill sit an observatory and planetarium with digital projections and stargazing sessions. Right next door is a popular outdoor pool with a view over the city. Tickets for a programme run in the region of €5–7.

14. VIDA! Science Centre — science you can get your hands on

A hands-on science park with more than 170 interactive exhibits across four themed sections. Children happily lose half a day here and the grown-ups have just as much fun — a tornado, an earthquake simulator, a science show. You will find it at the Brno Exhibition Centre. Admission is roughly €10–12 for an adult.

15. Brno Zoo — animals on the slopes of Mniší hora

Opened in 1953, the zoo lies on the wooded slopes above the reservoir and keeps hundreds of species, including Kamchatka brown bears and polar bears. Thanks to the hilly terrain it doubles as a pleasant walk in nature. An ideal outing for families with children.

16. The Capuchin Crypt — mummies beneath the monastery

Beneath the Church of the Holy Cross, the Capuchin Crypt holds the naturally mummified bodies of monks and Brno nobles — preserved by a unique flow of air rather than by embalming. You will also find the tomb of the adventurer Baron von der Trenck here. A powerful, faintly chilling place, with a low admission of around €4.

17. The Basilica of the Assumption in Old Brno

The red-brick Gothic basilica on Mendel Square ranks among the finest Gothic buildings in Moravia and safeguards a copy of Brno’s oldest painting of the Madonna. Next door stands the Augustinian abbey where Gregor Mendel worked out the laws of heredity.

18. The Mendel Museum and the monastery garden

It was here, in the Augustinian abbey in Old Brno, that Gregor Mendel grew his peas and founded modern genetics. The Mendel Museum and the reconstructed garden with his experiments make an engaging stop for anyone who enjoys a mix of science and history.

19. Brno’s villas — Löw-Beer, Stiassni and the Jurkovič House

Tugendhat is not the only one. A short walk away stand the Löw-Beer Villa (you can wander into its garden for free) and the sumptuous Stiassni Villa, home to statesmen after the war. At the other end of the city sits the Jurkovič House, in a folk Art Nouveau style. Together they form a unique parade of Brno’s interwar architecture.

20. The water reservoirs on Žlutý kopec — underground cathedrals

One of the newest discoveries: three historic water reservoirs built between 1874 and 1917, one of which resembles an underground brick cathedral with dozens of columns and a sheet of water. Tours are done by torchlight and fill up fast — book ahead.

21. The Mahen and Janáček theatres — worth a look from outside too

The Mahen Theatre was, in 1882, one of the first theatre buildings in the world to be lit entirely by electric bulbs. The modern Janáček Theatre, meanwhile, is one of the largest opera stages in the country. Even if you are not going to a performance, both buildings and the surrounding parks are worth a stroll.

22. Mariánské údolí and Líšeň — nature within sight of the centre

When you fancy escaping the pavements, head for the Mariánské údolí valley in the Líšeň district: a chain of little ponds, forest paths and quiet just a few tram stops from the bustle. A perfect afternoon walk — and completely free.

23. The Technical Museum in Brno — from steam engines to vintage cars

In the north of the city, in Královo Pole, sits the largest museum of its kind in Moravia. You will see vintage cars and motorcycles, aero engines, a street of trades and the unique Kroužek panmetron. There is a technical play area for children, so it is easy to while away a whole morning here. Standard admission to the main building is a very reasonable €4 (reduced €2, family up to €10), and every second Sunday of the month entry is free. It is usually open Wednesday to Sunday, closed Monday and Tuesday.

24. Lužánky Park — the oldest public park in the country

A little to the north of the centre spreads Lužánky, the very oldest public park on the territory of today’s Czech Republic, open to all since 1786. Mature trees, a stream, playgrounds and a café make it a local favourite for a bit of downtime. A great stop when you need a break from the sights among some greenery — and entry is free.

25. The Fait Gallery — contemporary art for free

If modern work is your thing, make for the Fait Gallery, one of the leading private galleries of contemporary art in the country. Exhibitions by Czech and international artists rotate through its generous industrial spaces and entry is free. A pleasant contrast to all the Gothic and baroque, and another good bolt-hole when it rains.

26. The Mint Master’s Cellar — the third leg of the Brno underground

Alongside the labyrinth under the Cabbage Market and the ossuary at St James’s, the third part of the underground is the Mint Master’s Cellar near Dominican Square (entrance from Panenská street). A mint once stood here, and today the cellars — linked to those beneath the New Town Hall — host a multimedia exhibition on coin minting and Brno’s legends. Buy all three underground sites together and you will save.

What to eat and where to go for a beer

Brno is the wine capital of South Moravia — and, at the same time, a beer city with a legend of its own. That legend is the Starobrno brewery, right in Old Brno, where you can enjoy a freshly poured “eleven-degree” lager in the original brewery pub. But Brno is above all a city of cafés and wine: settle in at one of the wine bars around the Cabbage Market and order a glass of Grüner Veltliner or Riesling from the nearby vineyards of Pálava.For food, try the traditional Moravian “sparrow” (roast pork) with dumplings and sauerkraut, or a local classic in one of the bistros around Freedom Square. A lunch menu will usually set you back €6–9. And do not leave without something sweet — a strudel or a poppy-seed cake; Moravian bakeries know what they are doing.

Day trips nearby (Macocha, Lednice)

Brno makes a great base for day trips:

• The Macocha Abyss and the Punkva Caves (Moravian Karst) — roughly 30–40 minutes by car to the north. A chasm 138 m deep and a boat ride along the underground Punkva river. Book cave tickets in advance; they sell out in season.
• The Lednice–Valtice estate — about an hour to the south. The fairy-tale Lednice chateau with the largest greenhouse in the country, a vast park and a landscape dotted with romantic follies, all on the UNESCO list.
• Slavkov u Brna (Austerlitz) — the battlefield of the “Battle of the Three Emperors” and a baroque chateau, just outside the city.
• Mikulov and Pálava — a wine town beneath limestone hills, ideal to pair with a tasting.

How much it costs (budget)

Brno is noticeably cheaper than Prague. Here is a rough daily budget for one person who wants to see the main sights:

Item	Roughly per day (1 person)
Accommodation (hostel / guesthouse per person)	€20–40
Food (lunch menu, café, dinner)	€12–20
Public transport (day pass)	~€4
Entrance fees (2–3 attractions)	€8–20
Total	approx. €45–85 / day

It is easy to save: plenty of places (the centre, Denis Gardens, the parks, Mariánské údolí, entry to the churches) are free, and the lunch menu is far cheaper than dinner. The one real splurge is Villa Tugendhat — but it is worth it.

Where to next

• Things to Do in Brno (2026)
• Brno When It Rains (2026)
• What to See in Olomouc (2026)
• What to See in Ostrava (2026)

Frequently asked questions