Brno Landmarks – 45 Loveliest Places to See in Brno (+ Map)

Welcome to Brno – a city where you’re carried along the rails not by a tram but by a šalina, and where you go to the pub for a škopek (a pint).

At first glance it may seem that this štatl (as we proudly call our city) plays by its own, slightly crazy rules. Noon is rung here at eleven, the greatest legend is about a dragon that was actually a crocodile, and the heart of the city is Freedom Square, dominated by… well, let’s say a controversial astronomical clock that drops glass marbles.

So let’s go and look at the best Brno landmarks and some really betelný (brilliant) places!

Brno landmarks – a map of the places to see in Brno

1. Špilberk Castle

An unmissable landmark watching over the whole of Brno from its hill. Špilberk was originally a royal castle, later transformed into a mighty Baroque fortress and finally infamous as the “prison of the nations” – the harshest prison of the Habsburg monarchy. Today it’s the cultural heart of the city, home to the Brno City Museum, and a place with a unique atmosphere and beautiful views.

Practical tips: Be sure to visit the casemates – dark corridors in the belly of the fortress, where the most serious criminals were imprisoned. From the walls there’s one of the best panoramic views of the whole of Brno. The walk up through the park is a pleasant one.
Entry and opening hours: Entry to the castle grounds is free. There’s a charge for entry to the individual displays (the casemates, the permanent exhibitions, the lookout tower). Open daily except Monday (the exhibitions), the park is accessible at all times.

2. The Cathedral of St Peter and Paul (Petrov)

The silhouette of two slender towers on Petrov hill is the absolute symbol of Brno (you’ll even find it on the ten-crown coin). This magnificent Gothic cathedral is a place with incredible spiritual power. According to legend, noon is rung here as early as 11 a.m. in memory of the ruse that saved Brno from the Swedish siege in 1645.

Practical tips: Don’t miss the climb up the towers. The bird’s-eye view of the roofs of the old town is unforgettable. Entry to the crypt beneath the cathedral reveals its Romanesque and Gothic foundations.
Entry and opening hours: Entry to the main nave of the cathedral is free. Entry to the towers and the crypt is charged. Open daily, access may be limited during services.

3. Villa Tugendhat

The only monument of modern architecture in the Czech Republic on the UNESCO list and an absolute icon of functionalism. This villa for the couple Greta and Fritz Tugendhat was designed in 1929–1930 by the famous architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. It’s a revolutionary building that was ahead of its time – with enormous windows, freely flowing space, luxurious materials and technical innovations.

Practical tips: A visit to the villa is a huge experience, but capacity is extremely limited. Tickets have to be booked online months (really, months!) in advance. If you don’t get a ticket for a tour of the interior, you can at least visit the garden.
Entry and opening hours: Open daily except Monday. Entry is charged and requires an online booking. Entry to the garden alone is possible at a lower price.

4. The Old Town Hall and the Brno Dragon

The oldest secular building in Brno and the former seat of the city administration. Its most striking feature is the beautiful Gothic portal by the master Anton Pilgram with a deliberately crooked middle pinnacle. According to legend, its creator made it that way as revenge on the dishonest councillors who didn’t pay him. In the passageway hang the two most famous Brno legends – the “Brno dragon” (in fact a crocodile) and the Brno wheel.

Practical tips: In the summer season you can climb the town hall tower, from where there’s a beautiful view of the city centre and Freedom Square. From the information centre on the ground floor you can set off on guided tours.
Entry and opening hours: Entry to the passageway is free. The climb up the tower is charged and only possible in the tourist season.

5. The Cabbage Market and the Labyrinth beneath it

This square with the Parnas fountain and the Holy Trinity column is one of the oldest and liveliest in Brno. A market has operated here since the 13th century, and even today you can buy fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers. Beneath the square, though, another treasure is hidden – the Labyrinth beneath the Cabbage Market, a complex of medieval cellars and corridors that served for storing food, maturing wine and beer and as a refuge in times of danger.

Practical tips: A visit to the underground is a great experience, especially on a hot summer day, because it’s pleasantly cool down there. The tour takes you into an alchemist’s workshop, a wine cellar and a medieval tavern.
Entry and opening hours: The market is open daily (liveliest in the morning). Entry to the Labyrinth is charged and has its own opening hours.

6. The Church of St James and the Brno Ossuary

This late Gothic church is one of the most valuable monuments in Brno. It boasts a 92-metre-high tower and beautiful net vaulting. The church is most famous, though, for what is hidden beneath it. The Brno ossuary is the second largest in Europe (after the one in Paris), with the remains of more than 50,000 people from an abolished cemetery. It’s a reverent but immensely powerful place.

Practical tips: On the outer wall of the church (towards Rašínova street), look for the small stone figure of the “immodest little man” by a window, who supposedly bares his backside towards Petrov. A tour of the ossuary is a very powerful experience, so please behave respectfully.
Entry and opening hours: Entry to the church is free. Entry to the ossuary is charged and has its own opening hours.

7. Freedom Square and the Brno “astronomical clock”

The central and largest square in Brno, the heart of social life. Here you’ll find historic palaces (the House of the Lords of Lipá), a plague column and modern features such as the Skácel fountain with its verses. The greatest controversy and attention, though, is drawn by the black granite monument that the people of Brno nickname the “astronomical clock”. In fact it’s a chronometer that releases a glass marble every day at 11:00.

Practical tips: Catching a marble from the “clock” is a big challenge; you have to put your hand into the right opening and be lucky. The square is the venue for Christmas and Easter markets and many other events.
Entry and opening hours: The square is freely accessible.

8. The Capuchin Crypt

This place offers a unique and slightly chilling look into the past. Thanks to an ingenious ventilation system, the bodies of the monks and benefactors of the order, buried in the crypt beneath the Church of the Finding of the Holy Cross, mummified naturally. The tour takes you among dozens of bodies resting in open coffins.

Practical tips: It’s a very reverent place and photography is forbidden. The best known is probably the body of Baroness Františka von Echer and of Trenck.
Entry and opening hours: Entry is charged. Open daily except Sunday morning.

9. Moravian Square and the statue of Jobst

This large square is lined with important buildings such as the Church of St Thomas and the former governor’s residence (today the Moravian Gallery). In recent years it has become famous above all for the controversial eight-metre equestrian statue of Margrave Jobst of Luxembourg by Jaroslav Róna.

Practical tips: Try standing between the statue’s legs and looking up – the view that reveals “the whole truth” has become a Brno phenomenon.
Entry and opening hours: The square is freely accessible.

10. The Mahen Theatre

A beautiful neo-Renaissance building that is an architectural gem. Its significance is above all technical, though – in 1882 it became the first fully electrically lit theatre on the European continent. Assistants of T. A. Edison also worked on the lighting project.

Practical tips: If you like theatre, attending a performance is a great experience. Guided tours of the building are held occasionally too.
Entry and opening hours: Entry requires the purchase of a ticket for a performance or a tour.

11. Villa Löw-Beer and its garden

Just a few steps from Villa Tugendhat stands another architectural gem. Greta Tugendhat’s parents lived in this Art Nouveau villa and today it houses a museum presenting the life of the bourgeoisie at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries and the history of the Löw-Beer and Tugendhat families.

Practical tips: A ticket for Villa Tugendhat can be bought in combination with entry here. From the garden of Villa Löw-Beer there’s a beautiful view of Villa Tugendhat, which stands on the plot Greta received from her parents as a dowry.
Entry and opening hours: Open daily except Monday. Entry is charged.

12. The Brno House of Arts

The main Brno gallery focused on modern and contemporary art. It’s housed in a functionalist building on Malinovského Square. It holds short-term exhibitions by Czech and international artists.

Practical tips: The House of Arts also includes the adjoining House of the Lords of Kunštát, which focuses on the youngest generation of artists. Check the exhibition programme on the website.
Entry and opening hours: Open daily except Monday. Entry is charged.

13. The Red Church

This neo-Gothic church of bare red brick is an unmissable landmark on the edge of the centre. It originally belonged to the German Evangelical Church and today serves the congregation of the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren. It’s a beautiful example of North German Gothic in the middle of Brno.

Practical tips: The church stands on a busy avenue and is a beautiful photogenic spot. The interior is fairly austere and accessible mainly during services.
Entry and opening hours: Entry is free, limited by services and other events.

14. The Moravian Gallery in Brno

It isn’t one building, but a complex of three main buildings: the Governor’s Palace on Moravian Square (art from the Middle Ages to the 19th century), the Pražák Palace (modern and contemporary art) and the Museum of Applied Arts on Husova street (design and applied art). It’s the second largest art museum in the Czech Republic.

Practical tips: If you like design, be sure to visit the recently renovated Museum of Applied Arts, whose display is world-class. Entry to the permanent displays is free!
Entry and opening hours: Open daily except Monday. Entry to the permanent displays is free, temporary exhibitions are charged.

15. The Brno Observatory and Planetarium

A modern science centre on Kraví hora hill that takes you on a journey through space. It offers stunning projections of the starry sky and films on the giant dome of the digitarium, sky observation through telescopes and an interactive display in the foyer.

Practical tips: The programme is very rich, so choose the show that appeals to you most and buy tickets online. From the park around the observatory there’s a beautiful view of the city.
Entry and opening hours: Entry is charged. You’ll find the programme and opening hours on the website.

16. VIDA! science centre

A modern entertaining science park for the whole family, located in a former pavilion of the Brno exhibition centre. Across an enormous area you’ll find over 180 interactive exhibits that let you try out and understand various natural and physical phenomena in a playful way.

Practical tips: Set aside at least 3–4 hours, there really is a lot to discover here. An ideal programme for a rainy day or if you’re travelling with children.
Entry and opening hours: Open daily. Entry is charged.

17. The Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (the Jesuit Church)

This early Baroque church not far from the main railway station is one of the most artistically valuable in Brno. Its magnificent interior is full of works of art and illusionistic paintings. Beneath the church there are extensive underground spaces, which aren’t normally accessible.

Practical tips: Notice the richly decorated pulpit and altars. It’s a calm place to pause in the middle of a busy city.
Entry and opening hours: Entry free. Open daily, limited by services.

18. Lužánky Park

The oldest and largest public city park in the Czech Republic, founded as early as 1786. It’s an enormous green oasis of calm, ideal for walks, running, picnics or simply relaxing. In the centre of the park stands the neo-Renaissance Casino, today a leisure centre.

Practical tips: Various cultural and social events, festivals and markets are often held in the park. It’s the heart of Brno’s community life.
Entry and opening hours: Entry to the park is free and it’s open around the clock.

19. Denis Gardens and the park below Špilberk

These two parks flow into each other and wrap around the Petrov and Špilberk hills. The Denis Gardens below Petrov offer beautiful views of the southern part of the city and are known for their classicist colonnaded obelisk commemorating the victory over Napoleon. The park below Špilberk is larger and wilder.

Practical tips: It’s an ideal place for a romantic walk at sunset with a view of the illuminated cathedral.
Entry and opening hours: The parks are freely accessible around the clock.

20. Veveří Castle

A mighty, extensive castle rising picturesquely on a rocky promontory above the Brno reservoir. Its history goes back to the 11th century. During its existence it was a royal castle and an aristocratic residence and it also went through a period of decay. Today it’s being gradually restored and comes alive with cultural events.

Practical tips: You can reach the castle by car or bus, but the most beautiful way is by boat across the reservoir in the summer season. The tour routes take you through various parts of the castle.
Entry and opening hours: Entry to the grounds and the tour routes is charged. Open seasonally (usually from April to October).

21. The Brno reservoir (“Prýgl”)

A favourite recreation area for the people of Brno. In summer this reservoir on the river Svratka offers swimming, water sports, fishing and walks or cycling trips along its shores. A big draw is the regular boat service and the Ignis Brunensis international fireworks display, held at the turn of May and June.

Practical tips: Hire a paddleboard or a pedalo, or simply take a walk along the shore. You can take a boat all the way to Veveří Castle.
Entry and opening hours: Access to the reservoir is free. The boat service and the rental places are charged.

22. The Technical Museum

This museum in the Královo Pole district is a paradise for all lovers of technology and history. Its extensive collections cover everything from steam engines through historic vehicles (cars, motorcycles, aircraft) to computing technology and old craft workshops.

Practical tips: The museum is fairly large, so set aside several hours for it. The “Street of Crafts” display with workshops from the First Republic era is very popular.
Entry and opening hours: Open daily except Monday. Entry is charged.

23. The water reservoirs on Žlutý kopec

This is the newest and biggest Brno sensation, hidden underground for more than 120 years. Three enormous brick underground water tanks resemble a mysterious, flooded cathedral. A walk along the walkways in this magical space with its perfect acoustics and play of light is an absolutely absorbing and unforgettable experience with no equal in the Czech Republic.

Practical tips: Interest is enormous, so tickets have to be booked online well in advance! The temperature underground is a constant 12 °C, so a light sweatshirt comes in handy even in summer.
Entry and opening hours: Entry is charged and only possible as part of a guided tour based on an online booking.

24. Shelter 10-Z

A unique and authentic experience that takes you back to the Cold War. This former nuclear shelter for Brno officials, built inside the rock beneath Špilberk, is open to the public today. You can walk through the original technical facilities and the communications centre and even visit a retro milk bar or stay overnight here.

Practical tips: It’s cold in the shelter all year round. It’s a great place for fans of history, technology and dark tourism.
Entry and opening hours: Entry is charged. Open daily; you can take a self-guided tour with a printed guide or a guided one.

25. The Church of St Thomas

This mighty Baroque church on Moravian Square was originally part of the Augustinian monastery founded by John Henry, the brother of Charles IV. It’s the final resting place of Margrave Jobst, whose statue stands nearby.

Practical tips: The interior of the church is very impressive. Notice the copy of the famous painting of the Black Madonna.
Entry and opening hours: Entry free. Open daily, limited by services.

26. Jurkovič Villa

A pearl of Art Nouveau architecture and the absolute opposite of the functionalist villas. This fairy-tale villa, inspired by folk architecture and the British Arts and Crafts style, was designed and built by the architect Dušan Jurkovič for himself. It’s a beautiful building full of colour, wood and folk motifs.

Practical tips: The villa is in a beautiful setting above the river Svratka in Žabovřesky. Visiting it is a great contrast to Villa Tugendhat.
Entry and opening hours: Open from Thursday to Sunday. Entry is charged, booking is recommended.

27. The Moravian Museum – the Dietrichstein Palace

The oldest and largest museum in Moravia is housed in this mighty Baroque palace on the Cabbage Market. Its displays take you through the history of Moravia from prehistory to the 20th century. The biggest draw is the Anthropos pavilion, but this main building is worth a visit too.

Practical tips: After your visit, rest in the Bishop’s Courtyard behind the palace, where theatre performances and concerts are held in summer.
Entry and opening hours: Open daily except Monday. Entry is charged.

28. The Anthropos Pavilion

This pavilion, part of the Moravian Museum, takes you on a journey to the origins of humankind. Its biggest star is a life-size model of a mammoth, but you’ll also find displays about prehistoric hunters, the emergence of the first civilisations and genetics.

Practical tips: The pavilion is in the calm setting of Pisárky park, a little further from the centre. It’s a great destination for families with children.
Entry and opening hours: Open daily except Monday. Entry is charged.

29. The New Town Hall and Dominican Square

A complex of historic buildings on Dominican Square, which today serves as the seat of the mayor and the city authority. You can walk freely into the courtyard and admire the cloister and the historic halls. The square itself is calm and picturesque, dominated by the Church of St Michael.

Practical tips: Look for the stone councillor with a “bent leg” in the cloister, another example of Brno humour and mischief.
Entry and opening hours: Entry to the courtyard and some parts is free. Open during office hours.

30. The Church of St Michael

Another beautiful Baroque church, rising on a raised terrace on Dominican Square. It’s known for its steep steps and the terrace with statues, from where there’s an interesting view of the New Town Hall.

Practical tips: Try to find the entrance to the underground chapel located beneath the church.
Entry and opening hours: Entry free, open at service times.

31. The Janáček Theatre

This monumental, architecturally austere building from the 1960s is home to the opera and ballet companies of the National Theatre Brno. It forms an interesting contrast to the historicist buildings of the Mahen Theatre and is an important example of post-war modern architecture.

Practical tips: Even if you’re not going to a performance, it’s worth looking at the space in front of the theatre with its water features and modern sculptures.
Entry and opening hours: Entry requires the purchase of a ticket for a performance.

32. The House of the Lords of Lipá

One of the most beautiful and most important Renaissance houses in Brno, standing on Freedom Square. Its façade is richly decorated with reliefs. Today it serves as a shopping and cultural centre.

Practical tips: Take the lift up to the café and bar on the top floor. From the terrace there’s an absolutely great and unusual view of the whole of Freedom Square.
Entry and opening hours: The house is freely accessible during the shops’ opening hours.

33. The Palace of Noblewomen

This beautiful Baroque building on Kobližná street once served as a foundation for the education of orphaned noble daughters. Today it’s part of the Moravian Gallery and hosts interactive displays intended mainly for children, introducing them to art and traditions in a playful way.

Practical tips: If you’re travelling with children, it’s a great and entertaining stop.
Entry and opening hours: Open daily except Monday. Entry to the permanent displays is free.

34. The Mitrovský Summer Palace

An elegant Baroque-classicist summer palace standing not far from the Brno exhibition centre. Short-term exhibitions, concerts and social events are held here. The interior is decorated with a beautiful fresco covering the entire ceiling of the main hall.

Practical tips: It’s a beautiful place for a wedding ceremony. Check the current exhibition programme on the website.
Entry and opening hours: Entry is charged according to the current exhibition.

35. St James’s Square

The square with the Church of St James has in recent years become one of the liveliest centres of Brno’s social life. It’s full of popular bars, cafés and restaurants. On warm evenings the whole square and the adjoining park are full of people enjoying a drink and the easy-going atmosphere.

Practical tips: This is the place to go for a pint in Brno. Buy a drink in one of the bars and sit down on the kerb like the locals.
Entry and opening hours: The square is freely accessible.

36. The Cejl prison (Káznice)

A place with a powerful, dark atmosphere. This former prison served its purpose under Austria-Hungary, the Nazi occupation and the Communist regime. Today it’s gradually being transformed into a creative centre and it’s possible to take a guided tour that reveals the turbulent history of this place.

Practical tips: A visit is a powerful experience that makes you think. Ideal for anyone interested in modern history.
Entry and opening hours: Tours take place on announced dates, which you need to check online.

37. The Stone Colony (Kamenná čtvrť)

A unique, bohemian quarter that feels like a small village lost in time in the middle of the city. The houses, often stuck to the rock of a former quarry, were built by workers in the 1920s. Today it’s a picturesque place with an artistic soul, narrow lanes and a great little pub.

Practical tips: The best thing is simply to wander here without a goal and soak up the atmosphere. Respect the privacy of the local residents.
Entry and opening hours: The quarter is freely accessible.

38. The Brno Exhibition Centre and Pavilion A

The grounds of the Brno Exhibition Centre are a gallery of First Republic functionalist architecture in themselves. Its greatest gem is the monumental Pavilion A, built for the Exhibition of Contemporary Culture in 1928.

Practical tips: Outside trade fairs the grounds are usually closed, but running races and other events are often held here, when you can take a look around.
Entry and opening hours: Entry is possible during trade fairs and other events.

39. The ERA café

Another icon of Brno functionalism. This café, designed by Josef Kranz, is famous for connecting its floors with a staircase and gallery and for its play with colours. After years of decay it was sensitively renovated and today it again serves its original purpose.

Practical tips: Have a coffee and cake here and soak up the atmosphere of the First Republic. It’s a great example of how architecture can influence the mood of a space.
Entry and opening hours: Open as an ordinary café, entry free.

40. The Alfa passage

The best-known and most beautiful of Brno’s functionalist passages. It connects Freedom Square with Jánská street. At its centre stands a beautiful glass palace with shops. The legendary HaDivadlo theatre is based in the passage too.

Practical tips: Walk through the passage and admire the details – the original shop windows, the lighting and the elegant curves.
Entry and opening hours: The passage is freely walkable during the day.

41. Hotel Avion

The narrowest hotel in Central Europe and another functionalist gem by the architect Bohuslav Fuchs. Its façade, just 8 metres wide, hides an ingeniously designed interior. After a long renovation it’s in operation again and its rooftop bar offers an interesting view.

Practical tips: Even if you’re not staying here, go and look at its unique façade on Česká street.
Entry and opening hours: The hotel and its venues have their own opening hours.

42. Capuchin Square

A calm, picturesque little square between Petrov and the Cabbage Market. Besides the entrance to the Capuchin Crypt, you’ll also find terraces with cafés here and a beautiful view of the rear wing of the Dietrichstein Palace.

Practical tips: It’s a great place for a calm coffee away from the biggest bustle.
Entry and opening hours: The square is freely accessible.

43. The Leoš Janáček Memorial

A small but impressive museum devoted to the life and work of the famous composer who is inseparably linked with Brno. It’s in the garden house behind the Janáček Academy of Performing Arts, where the composer spent the last years of his life.

Practical tips: Ideal for lovers of classical music and history. The visit won’t take you much time.
Entry and opening hours: Open Monday to Friday. Entry is charged.

44. Brno Zoo (Mniší hora)

Brno Zoo spreads across the beautiful, undulating setting of Mniší hora hill in the Bystrc district, right next to the reservoir. Its great advantage is precisely this woodland setting, so a walk around the zoo is also a pleasant trip into nature. The zoo focuses on keeping animals from all over the world, but the biggest draws are displays such as “Beringia” with Kamchatka brown bears and polar bears, “Tiger Rocks” with Sumatran tigers or the African village with the giraffe and zebra enclosure.

Practical tips: Because of its position on a slope the terrain is fairly hilly – comfortable shoes come in handy. It’s ideal to combine a visit to the zoo with a walk or some relaxation by the nearby Brno reservoir. For families with smaller children there’s a “safari train” that makes getting around the grounds easier.
Entry and opening hours:  The opening hours differ by season – longer in summer, closing earlier in winter.

45. Papilonia – the Butterfly House

A piece of tropical rainforest right in the centre of Brno. In this specially air-conditioned glasshouse, hundreds of exotic butterflies from all over the world flutter around. You can watch them from up close as they sip nectar from the flowers or hatch from their chrysalises.

Practical tips: Wear something colourful (ideally yellow or red), there’s a better chance a butterfly will land on you. It’s warm and humid inside.
Entry and opening hours: Open daily. Entry is charged.

Where to stay in Brno?

Internesto Apartments Downtown offers an exceptional experience thanks to its unique design. They have great reviews and a perfect location.

A pleasant hostel in the city centre is Hostel John Galt. A perfect location and good prices.

If you need to stay near the Exhibition Centre, a popular choice is Orea Hotel Voro Brno.

The best accommodation by the Brno reservoir is the legendary Maximus Resort, which has wonderful wellness and spa facilities! A cheaper option is a stay right nearby at Beach Pub Sokolák. And in your own interest, try to avoid Cejl (there are a lot of tempting offers there, but we want you to have good memories of Brno!) 😊

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