I wanted to see a bit more of Czechia (it's one of my favorite countries already!) outside of Prague. This thought process led me to Brno.
Learn more about my trip to Brno
Travel Guide Budget and Itinerary for Brno
Brno is one of the biggest cities in Czechia (second after Prague). The city used to be the former capital of Moravia. German colonization spurred growth in the 13th century. Sieges and wars ravaged the city but it has managed to bring itself back up. I spent a few days here wanting to Czech out (pun here!) another place outside of Prague and Cesky Krumlov.
How to Get a Schengen Visa
Filipino passport holders like myself need to get a Schengen visa to enter Czechia. You'll have to provide requirements such as bank statements, bank certificate, passport, proof of rootedness and other documents.
You can read more about getting a visa here: how to get a Schengen visa for Filipinos
How to Get to Brno
Brno is a major city in Czechia, which makes it convenient and easy to reach. Here are some of the options you have on how to get to Brno.
By Air
- Via Brno Airport (BRQ): If you're flying from abroad, check if there are direct flights to Brno (typically limited but growing). Brno's airport is about 20 minutes from the city center by taxi or bus.
- Via Prague Airport (PRG): If there are no direct flights to Brno from your location, you can fly into Prague's Václav Havel Airport (PRG) and then travel by train or bus to Brno (about 2.5 to 3 hours).
By Train
- From Prague: Trains run regularly from Prague to Brno, with the journey taking around 2.5 to 3 hours. The main station in Brno is Brno hlavní nádraží.
- From Vienna (Austria): If you're coming from Vienna, there's a direct train that takes around 1.5 hours.
You can check schedules and book tickets on Czech Railways' website or use apps like Trainline or Omio.
By Bus
- From Prague: Buses are another affordable option. They usually take around 3 to 3.5 hours. Flixbus and RegioJet are two major operators that run services between Prague and Brno.
- From Vienna: If you're coming from Vienna, buses also run directly to Brno, taking about 2.5 hours.
Things to Do in Brno
Brno may not get as much attention as Prague, but it's a noteworthy destination in its own right. I spent a few days here and loved its vibe. It's also a possible base for day trips to other famous destinations in Czechia. These are some of the attractions you can visit when planning your budget and itinerary for Brno.
Spilberk Castle
Whenever you visit a city in Europe, chances are one of the attractions you can visit is a castle, Brno is no exception. The castle's history dates to the 13th century. King Pøemysl Otakar II had this castle built on a hill during his reign. Throughout its history, Spilberk Castle served as a military barracks, fort and jail. Fast forward to today, it's now the Brno City Museum's home. During your visit, you'll find exhibits and displays about the city's history and the castle's architecture and history.
Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul
This cathedral sitting atop Petrov Hill is an important cultural monument. Its spires and beautiful architecture makes it stand out in Brno's skyline. It has a Baroque-inspired interior and twin towers that are around 84m high. Its history dates all the way back to the 11th century when it was initially just a small chapel. Architect Mořic Grimm designed the cathedral's Baroque interior.
Brno Ossuary
One of the strangest things to do in Brno is to check out the ossuary. An archeological survey in the early 2000s led to the discovery of thousands of bones beneath the city.
St. Thomas' Abbey
Greg Mendel was one of the most renowned residents of Brno. Mendel was an Augustinian prelate and a botanist that conducted various experiments and research that laid the foundation for the study of genetics. You can find memorials that commemorate Mendel's activities in the abbey.
Old Town Hall
This historic landmark dates to the 13th century and is a National Cultural Monument. It's one of the oldest buildings within the city. It's home to a tourist center and a couple of permanent exhibitions. The city council used it as an office until the mid-1930s. They then moved to a new building. Today, the old town hall is used as a venue for cultural activities.
Freedom Square
This square in the city's historic center dates to the 13th century. Beautiful buildings flank it such as the House of the Lords of Lipá, Klein Palace, and the House of Four Giants just to name a few.
Astronomical Clock
This odd structure that resembles a bullet commemorates the successful defense against the Swedes during the Thirty Years' War. The Swedish general announced their army would withdraw if the city didn't fall by noon. Brno's residents played a trick on him by turning the clocks an hour early so the Swedes would think it was noon even if it was only 11 AM. The general kept his word and the Swedish army left, sparing the city.
Vegetable Market
Minorite Church of Saints John and Loreto
Brno is home to quite a number of centuries old and beautiful churches, you can the include the Minorite Church of Saints John and Loreto on your list. Architect Moritz Grimm led the reconstruction of the Church of Saint John and the building of the Loreto Chapel.
Grandhotel Brno
This place might just look like any other hotel, but it is significant to Filipinos like myself. Jose Rizal spent years in Europe. Brno was one of his stops. Visitors can find a painting of Rizal in the hotel's lobby.
Church of St. James
Day Trip to Telc
When planning your budget and itinerary for Brno, you can include a day trip to Telc. This quaint town's historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can spend a few hours here just hanging out and soaking in the small town charm. Telc is easily accessible by bus from Brno.
There are plenty of others things to do and see in Brno, I merely scratched the surface of this beautiful and vibrant Czech city.
Getting around Brno
Brno is an easy city to navigate, it's not a huge concrete jungle. You can easily visit many attractions on foot. If you don't feel like walking, you can use the trams and buses following a particular route around the city. You can buy tickets from the yellow machines.
Where to Stay in Brno
You can find accommodation within your budget during your stay in Brno. There are hotels and hostels in different parts of the city. I often browse www.booking.com for accommodations.
Budget for Brno
Much like most of Czechia, Brno is an affordable city to visit. It has accommodations across the budget spectrum and budget-friendly restaurants. It's still a busy city but not as hectic as Prague. A budget of roughly CZK 1,200 a day covers a bed in a hostel dorm, food and drinks, a few paid attractions, and transportation. You can spend more or less than that depending on your travel style, where you stay, and where you eat.
You might want to read my other posts about Czechia:
Itinerary for Brno
Here's a sample itinerary for Brno:
Day 1
Spilberk Castle
Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul
Church of St. James
Brno Ossuary
Freedom Square
Astronomical Clock
Vegetable Market
St. Thomas' Abbey
Old Town Hall
Day 2
Day trip to Telc
Day 3
Chill day or check out a few museums
It's possible to see a lot in one day, but you can also go at a slow pace and just relax in the city. Brno is a nice base for day trips to Lednice and Valtice, Trebic, and Olomouc just to name a few places.
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