Tips for self-guided trips
This article is for tourists who are coming to Brno for a couple of nights and wonder what they can do in Brno on their own, without a guide and private transfers. These tips take into account language barrier and effectivness of using public transport. I have avoided trips where you would have to change bus or train and where you would have to travel more than 1.5 hour from Brno.
Brno walking tour
You have arrived in Brno. Now, what should be your next step if you have decided to discover the downtown on your own? The biggest advantage of Brno is its size. All main tourists attractions in the historical centre are within walking distance, no need to use a public transport. Isn`t this convenient?
I recommend you to visit tourist information centre first. You find there many useful brochures which are for free and where you will learn what are main attractions in Brno you should not miss out. My hot tip for you is to purchase Brnopas, which is a tourist card that provides you with many benefits such us admission discounts, free entrances and especially the availability of Vila Tugendhat which is usually fully booked 3-6 months in advance.
Although Brno is a beautiful city with rich history and convenient location it is not Europe TOP destination for foreigners, and that brings another advantage of not standing in long queues before entering the attraction you have chosen.
More about Brno main tourist attractions you can read here.
Brno on boat with the castle visiting
The Brno Reservoir located at the northwest edge of the city of Brno is today a popular recreational area. It was built on Svratka river in 1940. Today, in summer time it is a place for swimming and water sports, cycling and hiking. Above Svratka river stands the Veveří castle from the 13th century that was recently reconstructed and happen to be another popular destination for tourists who are coming to the reservoir.
The Brno reservoir is easily reached from Brno city centre Česká stop by tram 3 or 10 (20 min) to Přístavište stop. Then you walk only few minutes when you get to Bystrc port. From April to October the Brno Transportation Office operates boat rides starting from Bystrc port to Veveřská Bytíška. The boats run every 45min and it takes 70min when you reach the last stop. To visit the Veveří castle you need to get off the boat at Veveří stop (54 min). Then to the castle, it is only few minutes walking. For lunch break I highly recommend Stara Pradelna restaurant that has very nice atmosphere and delicious meals.
You can purchase tickets for tram ride directly on tram by using your payment card on the yellow terminal inside. Tickets for boat rides you purchase at the port. With Brnopas you have free ride on boat. Boats in spring run only in weekends. From second half of May until first half of September boats ride every day.
Bike tours
Brno lies in the wine region which is equiped with 1 175 km long network of marked bike routes. For physically active tourists who want to save money and explore area on their own we have launched self-guided bike trips which combine visiting most popular spots in the region with stops at wineries. Our self-guided bike trips include bike rental, information materials and maps, and meeting with our representative who will answer your questions. The route will be recomended according to your personal preferences.
By bus (Znojmo, Kroměříž and Olomouc)
Znojmo, Kroměříž and Olomouc are three towns easily accessed by bus (1.5 hour) from Brno. Each town has something different to offer.
Znojmo located near the border with Austria on the left bank of the river of Dyje, is the entrance gate to the National park of Podyjí and the center of Znojmo wine sub-region. If you are wine and history lover then Znojmo is the right place for you.
Znojmo historical centre with all main monuments is located only few minutes walking from bus station. Your firts stop is at Vlkova vez tower which is the largest squared tower of the Gothic fortifications of Znojmo. Todays it hosts a VOC Znojmo information centre which introduce you with the wines of original certification. You continue through historical centre passing by Znojmo underground and Znojmo town hall and then you reach Znojmo castle area. This place offers breathtaking view over Dyje river, St Nicholas church and small houses and tiny vineyards placed on steep rocky hill. While taking picture of Znojmo panorama you can visit Vinotrh Znojmo enoteque, Znojmo brewery or Znojmo rotunda.
If you still have energy and want have more local wine you can visit Louka klášter monastery– the most imposing building in Znojmo founded in 1190. Today it houses the visitor`s centre of Znovin Znojmo winery, the most recognized popular winery in Czech Republic. You will be invited to visit unique Premonstratensians cellars where almost 1.000.000 bottles have been archived in ideal temperature conditions. There is an excellent wine shop, an art gallery and an interesting exhibition of wine-making and coopery.
In summer season Znojmo runs a tourist train which takes you around Znojmo downtown and then directly to the monastery. For more information about tourist train ask staff of Znojmo tourist information centre which is located next to Znojmo town hall.
Kroměříž is known for its beautiful Baroque Archbishop`s Chateau and 2 gardens which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Best time to visit this town is in spring and autumn. The castle is open to public through organized tours with Czech speaking guides, however, for foreigners they have prepared texts in English, German and other world languages. After visiting the chateau premises I recommend you to have a walk in the castle park established in the 19th century. From the chateau park to the Flower garden it takes 15 min walk. The Flower garden a masterpiece of European garden art of the 17th century and is the main reason why Kroměříž is inscribed on the UNESCO list.
Olomouc, the ecclesiastical metropolis and a historical capital city of Moravia, is today a seat of the Regional Authority of the Olomouc Region, the Olomouc Archdiocese and Palacky University. The area was inhabited already in the 7th and 8th century and it is assumed that Olomouc was a seat of Bishops already during the Great Moravia time (9th-10th cenury). The historical centre of the town is full of ecclesiastical monuments and churches of diferent styles, historical military and secular buildings.
I usually start my walking tour at St Wenceslas Cathedral and then I continue through Before the castle area , Lower square until Upper square where stands the Holy Trinity Column (UNESCO) and the Town Hall with the Astronomical Clock.
