Brno in One Day

Brno is a city of culture and great tasting experiences, you won’t get bored here. The city is very much alive every day, which is clearly reflected in its overall atmosphere. This, of course, is greatly facilitated by the sheer number of students who attend the country’s second-largest university. The city center is smaller than downtown Prague, which turns out great for visiting a number of interesting places within walking distance. Here are our picks for what to do in Brno in a single day.

The classic tourist attractions are actually a solid start: just don’t feel obliged to spend too much time on them. Instead, start off at Špilas (as locals call the Špilberk Castle) or take a look at Freedom Square (Náměstí Svobody) with its fairly recent artistic clock. See if you can guess why it still provokes such conflicting reactions.

And since you’re here, let’s go on to a less well-known, yet equally noteworthy underground sight: the Labyrinth under the nearby Cabbage Market (Zelný trh). This space offers an adventurous walk underneath the old streets while absorbing the city’s history. Careful though, it’s really easy to get lost here, so don’t lose sight of your guide.

Do you like architecture? If so, it might be tricky to pick just one neighborhood to visit. See, many prominent architects were involved in the development of Brno, turning it into the Central European hub of functionalist design. The most notable architectural gem, included on UNESCO World Heritage List, is Vila Tugendhat. It was built in 1930 by the architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohen and can be found at Černopolní 45. Don’t expect to just walk in, though: you will absolutely have to book your place in a tour well beforehand, as tours are regularly sold out weeks in advance. If you’re content with not seeing the interiors, though, you can enter its beautiful garden and enjoy the city view for free.

After walking through the city, hunger will definitely set in. And since you’re on a tight schedule, try simple yet original dishes in a local bistro. I’d recommend the cozy Soul Bistro that instantly gives you a warm feeling on the inside. The decor is simple, it offers pleasant music, good service and the best fish & chips far and wide. If you’re in a serious hurry, try to stop by Bücheck, the original food truck at the Cabbage Market. Not only do they prepare meat delicacies, but also offer various desserts. Vegetarians need not despair, of course. A solid offer of meat-free dishes can be found in the underground dining rooms of the Vegalité restaurant.

If you’re feeling like a cup of coffee after lunch, you’re not alone – and you’re in luck. Brno has become increasingly progressive in the development of its coffee culture. Industra Coffee offers a unique space located in the former industrial zone of the city. It combines an art exhibition area with a café, and even holds regular coffee seminars.

Speaking of exhibits, you can always choose from a variety of museums on a rainy day. A sure bet will be the Moravian Gallery, consisting of several exhibition buildings across the city. When you visit Husova 18, you can even slide from one floor to the other. Yes, even adults are welcome to return to their childhood years for a moment.

Time flies, so let’s talk evening plans. Not a difficult task, really: in Brno, interesting nightlife spots have emerged at a remarkable pace in recent years, even taking on some foreign competition. Don’t miss out on famous bars, many of which rank among the best-rated within the Czech Republic.

You can choose from the Bar That Does Not Exist, Super Panda Circus and Four Rooms. The latter is my personal favorite, being a design place that operates almost non-stop. Its opening hours are 7am to 5am – that’s right, 22/7. On top of that, the menu changes every four hours, as it adapts to the time of day. On my last visit, this included homemade hot dogs and Martini Coffee. The space is divided into two distinct parts – upper space with the bar, and a lower one with a dance floor, featuring local DJs from Wednesday through Saturday. The bar is dominated by the luminous neon “Love” sign and truly, this place was love at first sight. Adding greatly to the experience is the people who work here, making you feel like the most important person in the whole place.

Even if you don’t last until last call at 5am, you’re covered: Brno public transportation offers the legendary ‘night drive’, wherein all nighttime bus lines converge at the central railway station for a spectacular simultaneous launch in every direction. No matter where you’re staying, it’ll get you home, and is quite an experience.

Enjoy Brno!