5 tips for a one-day trip from Brno

1.  Mikulov: The oldest pilgrimage site in Czechia, with the country’s biggest wine-making exhibition

South Moravia is famous for its tradition as a wine region. And Mikulov is no exception. This picturesque town nestled amidst fertile vineyards boasts the largest viticulture exhibition in the whole of Czechia. Its dominant landmark is Holly Hill, formerly known as Dancing Mountain. Legend has it that on Walpurgis Night, witches cavorted the night away and held pagan dance ceremonies there.

And so it’s no wonder that it became a pilgrimage site during the Catholicisation period, and is actually the oldest in the whole of Czechia. Leading up to the top of this hill, which offers spectacular views of the surrounding area, there are Stations of the Cross, which end at the pilgrimage church of St. Sebestian.

It’s also worth visiting the local château, the Dietrichstein tomb and the historical Jewish Quarter. Not far from the town lies Pálava, a protected landscape area where you can admire the stunning scenery. And if you fancy relaxing a bit on your travels, check out the Nové Mlýny resort.

How to get here

It’s a 50-minute drive from Brno along the E461 highway. There are direct buses that run several times an hour from Brno, always from the Zvonařka bus station in the city centre. The journey takes around 90 minutes.

2.  Znojmo: Mysterious catacombs and well-stocked wine cellars

This royal town, whose history dates back to the 13th century, has lots of heritage sites to offer. The biggest tourist attraction is the Znojmo Catacombs. This system of passageways, stretching 30 km, is one of the largest in Central Europe. Back in mediaeval times, Znojmo was considered the most heavily fortified place between Prague and Vienna. The fortifications included Znojmo Castle, which you can explore on one of the regular tours.

Not far from the castle you’ll find the Enotéka, the largest wine tasting room in Czechia. There are 120 samples from local winemakers to choose from. After all, wine and Znojmo are inseparably linked with one another. Every September the town holds the traditional Znojmo Wine Festival with a lavish range of cultural events, attracting thousands of visitors from Czechia and abroad to celebrate the grape harvest. Will you be there too?

How to get there

It takes 50 minutes by car from Brno; the bus journey takes around an hour, with buses departing from the Zvonařka station.

3.  Vranov nad Dyjí:A jewel of the European Baroque nestled amidst unspoilt countryside

When exploring the surroundings of Brno, you definitely shouldn’t miss out on one of the most stunning places in South Moravia – Vranov nad Dyjí! This one little town boasts a monumental Baroque château, which stands on a rock 80 m high, a pilgrimage church and a natural beach.

After you’ve checked out all the sights, we recommend hopping on the little tourist train and heading out of the town to see the nearby Vranov Dam. This recreation area is hugely popular for its outstanding facilities and great atmosphere. While you're there you can try your hand at pedal boating, the water slide, zorbing, bungee jumping or water football, whatever you fancy. And don’t miss the cruises!

How to get here

It takes about an hour to get from Brno to Vranov nad Dyjí by car. The bus journey from the Zvonařka bus station takes approximately 2 hours, you need to change buses in Znojmo.

4.  Kroměříž: Enjoy a touch of romance amidst UNESCO gardens 

You won’t find a more romantic trip in Czechia than a tour of the Archbishop's Palace with a stroll through the Château Garden and Flower Garden. The gorgeous interiors of the palace house a collection of artworks that is one of the finest in Europe. It includes works by some of Europe’s most famous painters, such as Titian and van Dyck.

And the Château Garden coupled with the Flower Garden? You can’t get more romantic than that! You can enjoy a stroll through a garden inspired by Versailles or an English-style park rendered even more beautiful by a colonnade, sculptures, fountains, mazes and greenhouses. Dominating these is a rotunda-style pavilion, while peacocks and swans roaming the grounds add to the fairy-tale ambience. This makes Kroměříž the perfect place for anyone who loves romance and history!

How to get there

It takes less than an hour to drive to Kroměříž along the D1 motorway towards Olomouc. The best alternative to the car is to take the bus, boarding at the Zvonařka bus station or outside the Hotel Grand.

5.  Slavkov u Brna: The site of Napoleon’s triumphant battle at which he wiped the Holy Roman Empire off the map

Stroll through one of Czechia’s largest château parks and cast your mind back to the historical Battle of the Three Emperors, which heralded the downfall of the Holy Roman Empire. A visit to Slavkov u Brna (Austerlitz) is an absolute must for any history and battle buff! The famous Battle of the Three Emperors took place nearby in 1805, where Napoleon Bonaparte celebrated his most glorious victory. His triumph over the emperors of Austria and Russia is commemorated by the Cairn of Peace. At the local château you can see the famous balcony from which Napoleon gave his victorious speech.

How to get there

It’s a 20-kilometre drive from Brno heading east along the D1 motorway. If you want to get from Brno to Slavkov by public transport, you can go by train or bus. By train, from Brno Central Station, you’ll be in Slavkov in just half an hour. The bus ride from the Zvonařka bus station will be similarly long.

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