Brno

Day 1: Old town, legends and hilltop views

Ease into Brno’s unpretentious rhythm and Moravian pohoda. Today centres on the historic core: markets, medieval legends, functionalist corners and a castle-park with city-wide views.

• Morning: Start with specialty coffee at Skøg Urban Hub or Monogram Espresso Bar, then wander Zelný trh to sample seasonal fruit, cheese and koláče. Pop into the Old Town Hall to see the Brno Dragon and the crooked pinnacle, then climb to the Cathedral of St Peter and Paul; at 11:00 you’ll hear “noon” ring early, a nod to the 1645 siege legend.
• Midday: Grab a traditional lunch at Stopkova Plzeňská Pivnice or graze from market stalls; order a 0.5 l lager by saying “jedno pivo, prosím” (eye contact for “Na zdraví!” is polite). Ride the šalina (tram) up to Moravské náměstí and browse the Moravian Gallery’s Governor’s Palace if you favour Old Masters.
• Afternoon: Walk up through Špilberk Park to the fortress; do the casemates for the “Dungeon of the Nations” past, then circle the bastions for the best panoramas. Wear sturdy shoes for cobbles and slopes; note most museums close on Mondays (the park is always open).
• Evening: Join locals at Jakubské náměstí with a stand-up beer at Výčep Na Stojáka (try a šnyt if you want “half” without ordering a small). Dine at Lokál U Caipla, then book ahead for Bar, který neexistuje (or 4pokoje for late-night bites and cocktails). Night “rozjezdy” buses depart hourly from Hlavní nádraží, so getting home is easy.

Day 2: Design Brno, café culture and a cultured night out

Today leans into Brno’s interwar modernism and its student-driven café scene. Pace yourself—lingering with a book in a café is part of the local ritual.

• Morning: Tour Villa Tugendhat (book online months ahead; if sold out, buy a garden ticket for the views and glass façade). Pair it with the nearby Jurkovič House for an Arts & Crafts contrast; both have limited Monday access, so plan accordingly.
• Midday: Slide into the Veveří district: café-hop between Skøg and a neighbourhood bistro, and browse independent bookshops. Embrace the local tempo—nobody minds if you nurse one coffee for ages.
• Afternoon: Dive into the Moravian Gallery’s Museum of Applied Arts and its ART–DESIGN–FASHION displays (open-depot style is a highlight). If you prefer contemporary art, head to the Brno House of Arts (or Fait Gallery in a former mill) for rotating exhibitions.
• Evening: Choose your lane: a glass at Petit Cru (excellent Moravian wines) followed by the Brno Philharmonic at Besední dům or an opera at Janáček Theatre; smart-casual is fine, and don’t clap between movements. Alternatively, go indie at Kabinet Múz or Fléda—tickets often on GoOut; finish with a night šalina home.

Day 3: Reservoir escape, castle daytrip and last sips

Balance the urban buzz with nature and a royal fortress, then close with Brno’s famed drinks culture. Summer leans outdoors; winter pivots to cosy museums and pubs.

• Morning: Take tram 1 or 3 to Přístaviště and hop the seasonal boat (Apr–Oct) up the Brno Reservoir to Veveří Castle; off-season, bus 303 runs from the zoo. Tour the castle courtyards and walk a forest trail for reservoir vistas—bring proper footwear.
• Midday: Lunch by the water or at the castle tavern; in hot weather, join locals on the reservoir embankments. If it’s cold or wet, swap in the Museum of Romani Culture (powerful, unique in Europe) or the Technical Museum.
• Afternoon: Return to town via šalina and explore the Brno City Gallery murals in Zábrdovice (Cejl/Bratislavská) or head to Industra for coffee and art in a former factory. Another option nearby is the Old Brno Abbey: visit the Mendel Museum and the Starobrno brewery tap for a local pint.
• Evening: Book Super Panda Circus (ring the bell—no sign outside) for a playful cocktail finale; whisky lovers can opt for Whiskey Bar, který neexistuje. Beer fans should try Ochutnávková pivnice or Malt Worm; remember the creamy head is intentional, and placing a coaster on your glass signals “no refill”. In Advent, swap bars for the Christmas markets on Náměstí Svobody with a Turbomošt; in late spring, Ignis Brunensis fireworks over the reservoir make a fitting farewell.

By Air

• Brno–Tuřany Airport (BRQ): Small regional airport with limited scheduled flights (more charters/seasonal). Bus E76 to the main station (hlavní nádraží) every 15–30 min, about 20 min. Night bus N89. Taxi ~20 min to the centre.
• Vienna International Airport (VIE): Easiest major gateway. Railjet/ÖBB trains VIE → Wien Hbf (15–20 min), then Wien Hbf → Brno hl.n. 1 h 30–1 h 45; total journey typically ~2 h. Direct buses (FlixBus) 2–2 h 30. Driving ~1 h 30 (≈130 km).
• Prague Václav Havel Airport (PRG): Airport express/bus to Praha hl.n. or Nádraží Veleslavín (30–40 min), then train to Brno 2 h 30–2 h 45; total ~3–3 h 30. Direct airport–Brno buses are occasional; most services start/finish in the city.
• Bratislava Airport (BTS): Bus 61 to Bratislava hlavná stanica or Nivy bus station (15–25 min), then train/bus to Brno 1 h 20–1 h 40; total ~2–2 h 30. Driving ~1 h 30 (≈130 km).
• Ostrava Airport (OSR): Limited flights. Train via Ostrava-Svinov to Brno 2–2 h 30; driving ~1 h 45.

By Train

• Main station: Brno hlavní nádraží (hl.n.) in the centre; some works may occasionally route services via Brno dolní nádraží (check your ticket).
• Frequency and typical times:
  • Prague (Praha hl.n.): ČD/RegioJet fast trains every 30–60 min; 2 h 30–2 h 45.
  • Vienna (Wien Hbf): ÖBB/ČD Railjet about every 1–2 h; 1 h 30–1 h 45.
  • Bratislava (hl. st.): EC/RJ about hourly; 1 h 20–1 h 35.
  • Budapest (Keleti): Direct EC/RJ or with 1 change; ~4–4 h 30.
  • Olomouc: ~1 h; Ostrava: ~2 h.
• Operators: České dráhy (ČD), ÖBB (Railjet), RegioJet. Seat reservations advised at peak times.

By Bus

• Main bus station: Brno-Zvonařka (ÚAN Zvonařka), a short walk/tram from the centre; some services also use the “Hotel Grand” stop (Benešova) near the main train station.
• Key routes and times:
  • Prague (Florenc/Černý Most/Hlavní nádraží): 2 h 20–2 h 45.
  • Vienna (Erdberg/VIE airport): 1 h 45–2 h 30.
  • Bratislava (Nivy): 1 h 30–2 h.
  • Kraków: 4–5 h; Budapest: 4–5 h.
• Major operators: RegioJet, FlixBus.

By Car

• Motorways:
  • D1 to/from Prague (≈210 km): 2–2 h 45 depending on traffic/roadworks.
  • D2 to/from Bratislava (via border at Lanžhot): ~1 h 20–1 h 40.
  • D52/A5 to/from Vienna via Mikulov/Poysbrunn: ~1 h 30.
• Vignettes: Motorway e‑vignette required in Czechia; Austria and Slovakia also require vignettes (digital/sticker). Observe local speed limits.
• Parking: Central streets are in paid zones; use car parks (e.g., Vaňkovka, Domini Park, Janáček Theatre) or signed park-and-ride on the outskirts. Public transport is efficient for city access.