Here are plenty of reasons why Brno is the better option if you’re visiting the Czech Republic

Brno Old Town including church and old buildings — Brno almost always sits behind Prague when it comes to tourism in the Czech Republic | **kingawo / Shutterstock**

Ok, don’t get us wrong, Prague is an amazing city and we love it to pieces. However, like much of Europe since we all started travelling again post-pandemic, there’s a constant stream of tour buses and crowds of selfie-stick waving visitors making it difficult to walk in a straight line.

So what if we told you there’s another city just a couple of hours south-east on the Czech Republic’s fast, modern and affordable train network?

Brno, the capital of the historic region of Moravia, is a true unsung hero of Central Europe, one of those places that could be the perfect backdrop for a particularly quirky Wes Anderson movie. Like Prague, medieval spires and wooden-framed buildings squeeze next to each other around cobbled streets and squares, and it’s got all the Czech staples: hearty food, friendly locals and incredible beer that is scarily cheap.

So, no disrespect to Prague, but we’re going to make the argument that you should switch to Brno instead. So here goes!

Why Swap Prague for Brno?

A spired old building behind a courtyard — The pace in Brno is a lot slower than Prague | **Karasev Viktor / Shutterstock**

Breathing Room and Authenticity

Prague is epic in scale, but the key attractions still clump together around the historic core. And when the tourists are in town (which is becoming every day of the year), a stroll along Charles Bridge or trip up to the castle takes the character of a rugby match. In Brno, you can wind your way through the medieval centre fairly easily even on a busy Saturday. Plus, you can get pretty much everywhere you need to be in 10 minutes or so.

You’ll also skip the street hawkers, pestering waiters begging you to eat their restaurants and the tour operators trying to shove you onto a boat or bus. Here, the sightseeing happens at your pace and it’s all very civilized. For example, Villa Tugendhat, a superb piece of modernist architecture from Mies van der Rohe, hands out a handful of timed tickets each day to preserve the building and prevent flocks of visitors. The more intriguing part is that you’ll easily get one, even at the last minute.

More palatable prices

The Grand Palace Brno is equal parts opulence and elegance | **Image credit: Grand Palace Brno**

Prague used to be revered for its low prices compared to the rest of Europe, which when paired with a bargain flight via Ryanair or whoever else, made it a cheap and cheerful spot for a weekend break. Fast forward to 2025 and you’re paying room rates and restaurant prices similar to everywhere else. Even the beer prices are catching up.

In Brno, things still feel very good value for your koruna. Hotel prices are at least 30% lower than in the capital, but you’ll still land the same levels of style and design in Brno’s grand old buildings. Check out HotelPassage for modern and airy rooms or really push the boat out at the glamorous, sophisticated and historic Grand Palace. The lobby alone is reason to stay.

Culture by the Bucketload

Piles of bones line a crypt in the ossuary at St james church, Brno, Czech Republic — The bones inside St James church | **Matyas Rehak / Shutterstock**

Where our argument for Brno could fall down is the fact that Prague certainly packs a punch in terms of overall offering. Quirky cafes, famous restaurants and of course major attractions like the castle, riverside and medieval centre mean you’ll have plenty to keep you occupied. But, perhaps not quite on the same level, Brno also packs a punch in terms of local sights, sounds and tastes to check out.

If history is your thing, then Brnos’s cathedral and churches tell the real tale of the town. Save time for a trip to St. James church, home to a particularly spooky ossuary home to the bones of over 50,000 people.

The 10-Z Bunker is Brno’s other essential piece of living history to check out. This sprawling underground bunker system was reserved for Czechoslovakia’s top brass in the event of a Cold War nuclear duke-out. Explore the dingy subterranean ‘city’ before grabbing a ‘Chernobyl’ malt coffee in the kitschy on-site milkbar that harks back to a forgotten era.

With 70,000 students in the city during term time, you’ll be swamped with coffee, nightlife and food options. Kick off your day at SKØG Urban Hub, serving top-tier V60s to give you the oomph you need for a day of sightseeing. After hours, wander into TheBarThatDoesn’tExist for unique cocktails and a very quirky interior.

Equally Unique Drinking and Dining

Beer being poured from a tap in a beer hall — Locally-sourced produce is important in Brno | **Emanuel B / Shutterstock**

Prague’s size helps its food scene to deliver, but Brno doesn’t disappoint either despite its comparative size.

Locally-sourced produce is a big deal here, with Czech dishes featuring heavily in the city’s restaurants, even if the name on the door doesn’t sound particularly Czech. Take Borgo Agnese, a typically Mediterranean dining room that blends dishes like wine-braised veal with local truffled potatoes without breaking a sweat. The equally continental-sounding Bistro Franz pairs its confit duck with strong-enough Pilsner from the Lucky Bastard Brewery just across town (also worth checking out).

If you take your quality beers seriously, then get a grown-ups drink at Výčep Na Stojáka, a local’s hangout that serves both guest and regular beers, wines, spirits and more.

Arguably More Unique Shopping

Fruit and vegetable stalls in a market held on a cobblestone square — The Zelny Trh Market | **Diego Grandi / Shutterstock**

Where Prague opts for globalisation, Brno still retains a much stronger preference to go local. Wander in Wolfgang on Radnická Street for one-off garments that are still hand-sewen in Brno, using Czech materials. Expect super-high quality timeless items like super-durable jeans and ultra-sustainable t-shirts and sweats.

If you’re in luck, then the Zelný Trh Market will be running and it’s well worth visiting. Vendors sell everything from local honey sold in recycled glass jars to spices, nuts, cheese and Moravian Kolach, a type of sweet pastry cake that is fruity and doughy in equal measure, and unsurprisingly, a great hangover cure.

Even the city’s mall, home to brands you’ll recognise, is housed in an old ironworks and isn’t in the same vein as the sprawling Palladium and Westfield malls in Prague.

Forty Eight Hours of Brno’s Best

A white castle with orange roof and a cannon in the foreground — Brno’s castle was also at one time and infamous prison | **olgalngs / Shutterstock**

If Brno is sounding like the perfect weekend, then here’s a quick and simple itinerary to get you started:

Day One

Start your morning on Špilberk Castle’s ramparts (after a kick-starter and pastry at Industra Coffee of course) and enjoy your first superb view of the city’s umber roofs. Take your time to tour the castle, dating back to the 13th century and once one of Europe’s harshest prisons, before descending down to the Cabbage Market. Market—Zelný trh, as the locals call it, has been going as long as the castle has existed and hosts the best local produce. Piles of asparagus and olomoucké cheese, a smoked local delicacy will catch your attention. Grab a plum koláče for a bite of sticky wonderment.

After you’ve browsed and bought head over the Ossuary at St James (which we’ve covered already) then switch back to ground level for a ride on the lipstick-red trams that provide that comforting rumble synonymous with old European cities. The destination is the 10-Z bunker. Just remember to grab your tickets for this one in advance for both the best prices and to avoid waiting in line.

Your final call of the day is Villa Tugendhat, a UNESCO-recognized gorgeous hunk of glass and steel that looks just as futuristic today as it did when it was erected in the 30s. Again, remember to grab your limited-entry ticket for this, as there may not be availability if you turn up on the day.

Finish off with dinner at Pavillion Steakhouse, serving Czech beef any way you like it; the perfect belly-filler after a day of strolling and exploring.

Day Two

Stalactites and stalagmites inside a waterlogged cave — The Punkevni Cave, Moravian Karst | **Kayo / Shutterstock**

You can finish off soaking up Brno on your last day, but if you have the time, hop on the train north for around 40 minutes to reach the famous Moravian Karst. This otherworldly landscape is filled with spires, cliffs and caverns that can be hiked and explored. Hop on a punting boat that carries visitors into the vaulted Punkva Caves and the Macocha Abyss, an underground moss-draped cathedral-esque natural carving that lives up to its name.

After returning to the city, spend your final few hours in Brno strolling around Lužánky Park if the weather permits, or you could just head to the Pivárium for your last ‘few’ glasses of strong Czech beer to make the flight home more tolerable.

The Bottom Line

Essentially, Brno is Prague minus one or two mega-attractions and endless crowds, and that’s a good thing. You can get to the meat and bones of the city without the tourist fluff in a matter of hours. You’re also more likely to have a conversation with a local in a bar rather than encountering just another visitor looking for an Instagram-worthy cocktail shot.

You can go from underground nuclear bunkers to ossuaries within a few minutes on the tram and still access the high-end shopping and dining of a much bigger city.

So before anyone else sees this and the tickets start selling out and the rooms become more expensive, ditch your Prague plans and visit its little cousin instead.