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From Wikitravel

Brno[1][2] (German: Brünn) is a major city of the Moravia region in the Czech Republic. It is the largest city in South Moravia, the second largest city in the Czech Republic by population and the third largest city by area. The city celebrated 750 years of "city status". It was founded around year 1000. Brno is the cultural and administrative center of South Moravia. The Supreme Court of the Czech Republic is situated here as well as many other important authorities. Its population is around 380,000 people.

[edit] Get in

Brno is close to three major central european capitols; Vienna (Austria - 156 km), Prague (Praha - 250 km), Ostrava (172 km), Bratislava (Slovakia - 140 km).

[edit] By train

Trains come form all 3 large cities and also from number of smaller local towns as Česká Třebová and Jihlava. Brno Central Station is located close to (10min walk) the center of town, with Náměstí svobody (Square of Freedom), Petrov (old town with cathedral), Vaňkovka (large shopping center) and other attractions just within a few minutes walk. Brno the most important stop on the Prague to Vienna / Bratislava railway line; all Eurocity and Intercity trains stop here making the Brno-Prague secetion of the line very frequently served.

Tickets from Prague are set at national rates depending on the type of train. From Vienna there are specially priced tickets from €12 and also assorted offers to Vienna including a cheap ticket called the Wien Spezial.

[edit] By car

Using highways - Ostrava, Bratislava, D1 highway from Prague or using any of a national roads. For the highway you have to buy a toll sticker.

[edit] By coach

There are coach services from various European destinations including Prague where frequent buses run touting assorted amenities and stops(like Prague Airport). The timetable for all buses including international you can find on [3]. Page is in Czech, English and German.

• Bohemian Lines, [4]. Is a Brno based company. Buses roll off to Scandanavia every couple days headed for Copenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo and a slew of more exotic smaller towns. Copenhagen €57(1500 CZK), Stockholm €67(1750 CZK).  edit
• Student Agency, [5]. started by students, but offers service with free coffee, newspapers, movies to everyone. Brno is the main hub and buses travel across Europe, and are known for their high quality. Vienna €8.  edit
• Tourbus, a.s., [6]. is also based in Brno and serves many destinations and is particularly cheap to some international destinations. Vienna €5.  edit
• Eurolines CZ/Touring Bohemia, s. r. o., [7]. International and domestic routes. Some services include free newspapers, magazines and bottled water, some even have wifi. Book ahead for best price.  edit

[edit] By air

[edit] Brno-Tuřany Airport

Although it has a limited amount of destinations Brno Airport[8] is highly conviniant and boast an extremely impressive structure. Those interested in modern architecture may want to visit even if they are not lucky enough to fly into the airport.

Ryanair flies daily to London-Stansted, CSA-Czech Airlines[9] fly 4 times daily to Prague and beyond and Czech budget airline Smart Wings[10] fly to vacation destinations as well as to Moscow-Vnukovo in cooperation with that city's government airline, Atlant-Soyuz Airlines[11] a three times a week. Bus 76[12] runs every 30 minutes from about 4:30AM to 11:30PM to the bus and train stations in the city center. Fare is CZK 22, ticket buy beforehand in the information centre or ticket machine in the airport.

[edit] Bratislava Milan Rastislav Štefánik Airport

Bratislava Airport (ICAO: LZIB, IATA: BTS) [13] The airport is the largest in the Slovak Republic and the home base of Danube Wings [14], though the budget airline Ryanair [15] flies the vast majority of seat capicity (80%). Additonal carriers are Aeroflot[16] to Moscow, CSA[17] to Prague, Sun d'Or [18] to Tel Aviv (seasonal, budget flights), and LOT[19] to Warsaw.

[edit] Prague Ruzyne Airport

There are direct buses to Brno operated by Czech Airlines and Student Agency.

[edit] Vienna International Airport / Wien Schwechat

Vienna International Airport (ICAO: LOWW, IATA: VIE) [20] is located near to the town of Schwechat in Austria, after which the airport is named. The airport is the home base of the flag-carrier Austrian [21] and the budget airline Fly Niki [22].Most European airlines and a significant number of international airlines have direct connections to Vienna from their respective hubs. Direct transfer options:

• Student Agency, [23]. offers 4 direct daily coaches. It is much cheaper to take the Viennese train S7 to Praterstern and catch the same coaches from there, for some reason the trip to the airport costs double, so it is much cheaper to take the Austrian public transportation. €16.  edit
• Tourbus, a.s., [24]. offers 1-2 direct daily buses to Brno. €8.60.  edit

[edit] By boat

An unconventional, but beautiful way to get to Brno (well, from just outside town) is to take a boat from Veverská Bitýška village, which takes you (in summer season only) on a trip across Brněnská přehrada (Brno dam lake) to Brno-Bystrc.

[edit] Get around

The Integrated Transport System of the Southern Moravia Region (IDS JMK) operates all over the city and in the major part of the Southern Moravia Region; it includes trains, trams, buses and trolley-buses. You can travel around the city using a single ticket, the price differing depending on the number of zones you cross and time of expiration (10, 60, 90 minutes tickets are most common, starting at €0,40 for 10 mins, 0,60 for 60 mins [25]). In most places you can get transportation within 15 minutes (daytime). A number of taxi companies are operating in Brno city too. After 11pm the trams stop and the night buses start. Catch any of night buses at the main station on the hour.

There are yellow ticket vending machines at the larger bus and tram stations. All kinds of tickets you can buy at the railway station offices too. You can buy short-term tickets, but also 1, 3, 7 and 30 days passes. The price for a 3 day pass in January 2008 is CZK 130 (approx. €5). The vending machines accept coins only (some of them do not accept 50 CZK coin). In the non-working days the 1 day pass is valid together for 2 adults and 3 children up to 15 years.

If you experience any difficulties, visit one of the Tourist Information Centres located in city center, i.e. at Radnická street or Nádražní street. The Public Transport Information Centre is located near the Main Train Station at 18, Novobranska street (open Mo - Fr 6 am - 8 pm).

[edit][add listing] See

• The City center is full of historical buildings, old churches, theaters, fountains, sculptures, clubs, restaurants, etc. It is very compact, so one can just walk around most of the places of interest.

• Špilberk Castle, the famous fortress used as a prison. Many people have been tortured here from all around Europe, mostly during Austro-Hungarian Empire times. Currently, it's a museum with restaurant and nice park around, open for walks and beautiful sightseeings.

• Petrov Cathedral, 10 minutes walk from city center. Its silhouette is the defining feature of the Brno skyline.

• Old Town Hall, between the Cathedral, nám. Svobody, and the main station. See beloved Brno symbols the Drak (dragon) and the Wheel. Also notice the lopsided tower above the entrance. Legend has it that the city council stiffed the mason who built it and he made the crooked ornament in a fit of pique.

• Náměstí svobody (Freedom Square) forms the heart of the city. It's shaped into big reversed "A". Many cultural events take place here and there are always a lot of people here. This place is closed for most cars and trams run through the middle. Also most of the interesting places at city center are within 10 minutes walk from Freedom Square.

• The Tugendhat Villa, Černopolní 45, 613 00 Brno, +420 545 212 118, [26]. 20min walk from the town center, is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is seen to be a classic example of Bauhaus architecture, and was also the location of the meeting which decided upon the Velvet Divorce that separated the Czech and Slovak republics in 1992. It is possible to visit the Villa by guided tour; tours are led hourly and can be booked by arriving at the gate.

• Vaňkovka Gallery, a very large shopping centre converted from an old industrial center dating to the beginning of 19th century. Many of the historical industrial buildings were saved and integrated into the new shopping center.

• Capuchin Church is a monastery from 17th Century right in the city center. Tourists love to visit the church, because of its Baroque statues and an exhibition of mummified monks.

• Baroque Parnas fountain from 16th century, located at "Zelný trh" a square with a fruit and vegetable market above Masaryk street (central street leading into Freedom Square).

• At the top of the square you can find The Moravian Museum [27] - second largest and oldest museum in the Czech Republic. It was founded in 1817 by Emperor Francis I and, today, has collections with millions of objects from different fields of human history.

• The Moravian Gallery, [28]. The second largest art museum in the Czech Republic. Mainly exhibits Moravian art and applied art thoughout history. Most recommended is its exhibition of modern Moravian art.

• The Mendel Museum of Genetics, [29]. The most famous biologist in the history of genetics worked and died in Brno. This interesting museum commemorates his revolutionary research. Information in English available.

• Museum of Gypsy Culture, [30]. A museum dedicated to the gypsy minority in Moravia.

• Tourist Information Centres are located in the city center, i.e. at Radnická street or Nádražní street.

[edit][add listing] Do

Visit the city celebration [31], held annually, which includes many family activities, including known as "Brno, the city in the center of Europe" .

• Visit Ignis Brunensis, fireworks competition. There are four on the dam lake and at least two in the town centre. The fireworks begin everytime at 22:30. The show takes about 22 minutes. The public transport runs at those times longer and more frequently. During the festival there are nights of theatres and museums. The entrance is free, but expect crowds.
• Visit Grand Prix Brno, the Moto GP event.
• Brno Racing Circuit - Masaryk Curcuit [32]
• Visit an exhibition by your choice at BVV (Brno Trade and Fair Centre), the largest trade center in Central European region with many important fairs. The largest are Autosalon, MSV (International Engineering Fair), Invex (International Fair of Information and Communication Technologies), IDET (International Exhibition of Defence and Security Technologies and Special Information Systems) and of course a Vinex (International Wine Fair) and Pivex (International Beer Fair).
• Visit one of many theaters in the city. They are well known even by many tourists, who comes even just to visit them.

[edit][add listing] Buy

Try city center or Vaňkovka Gallery for pleasure and general-purpose shopping. If you want more variety, try one of the many hyper-sized shopping centers typically located at on the edge of the city.

[edit][add listing] Eat

Czech food is mostly based around pork and potatoes. A Czech favorite is smažený sýr, fried cheese, which is available at many restaurants and fast food stands. A good option is to visit one of the many pubs or restaurants that usually offer traditional Czech food all day long. You could easily find a restaurant where you get a meal and a drink for around €5, even in the city center. Many of these places also offer cheaper special (limited, already prepared) menus at mid-day. Cafés offer a nice selection of rolls and pastries if you're looking for breakfast food. Visit the cukrárna near the House of the Four Idiots on nam. Svobody and try a rakvička ("little coffin", small pastry covered with cream). This is the only place in the Czech Republic to find the chocolate ones. You can find other tips for restaurants and pubs on Brno101, [33].

[edit][add listing] Drink

The traditional Brno beer is Starobrno, traditional non-alcoholic drink is kofola (a very different but captivating kind of cola). Both must be tasted in draught form! Dark beer (pivo cerny) is sweet and not very common here. There is a small private brewery named Pegas[34], a block west from the steeple of St James Church (sv. Jakub). The pub is equipped with modern brewing technologies, beer is made right in front of the guests' eyes. For night life try Charlie's (Hat), east on Koblizna street from the north end of Freedom Square. See a list of clubs and pubs recommended by a local guy [35].

[edit][add listing] Sleep

There are many hotels all around Brno city. You can compare and choose hotels on *Brno Hotels Directory [36].

• Hotel Santander. Offers a luxurious accommodation in 13 double rooms, 1 single room and 1 suite with a fireplace in a comfortable environment of a new restored stylish villa dating from the beginning of the 20th century. The villa is in the vicinity of the exhibition area BVV (10 minutes walk) and has an enclosed parking lot on the hotel premises.

• Hotel Continental [37]. Offers some value at ~ CZK 1550 per night.

• Hotel Slavia is very good for city centre.

• Holiday Inn is good if you are visiting the exhibition centre, otherwise you will need a taxi to centre.

• Hotel Royal Ricc is a very nice romantic hotel.

• Hotel Garni Vinařská [38], the student dormitory annex hotel on the premises of Masaryk University, Vinařská 5. Tel. +420 549 492 713 or hotel@skm.muni.cz.

[edit] Get out

Moravia has a dense cluster of nearby sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List

• Olomouc: a fine historic university town, with an impressive Plague Column (1,5 hour trip)
• Telč is one of the prettiest towns in the Czech Republic (2 hours trip)
• Lednice-Valtice is one of the largest artificial landscapes in Europe dotted with Palaces and Follies (1 hour trip)
• Třebíč has one of Europe's best preserved Jewish areas (1,5 hour trip)
• Žďár nad Sázavou contains a fine pilgrimage church (1,5 hour trip)
• Kroměříž: an impressive baroque chateau and formal flower gardens (2 hours trip)
• Beautiful caves near Blansko [39]with boat trip inside the cave (45 minute trip)

Places near Brno - trips less than one hour

• Battlefield Austerlitz (City Slavkov u Brna)
• Castles: Pernstejn, Bucovice, Slavkov u Brna

Other places

• Vienna is easily accessible as a day trip by train or bus (return ticket by train 33 €, by bus 14 €)
• Bratislava is less than an hour away

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[edit] Staying Safe

Avoid the main train station after dark as it attracts a number of unsavory characters, the usual caution applies. Also keep a keen eye out when using Automated Teller Machines in the immediate area for similar reasons.