South Moravia Tour 02

Written by Valerie Kotulová, Viktorie Šrůtková, Markéta Jurečková, Simona Grycmanová, Sarah Kovaříková, Sabrina Pěgřimočová

Category: Czech Trip

Explore Brno, Lednice, Valtice, Mikulov, Pavlov, Znojmo, Vranov nad Dyji

: Old Town Hall

: Veveri Castle

: Spilberk Castle

: Villa Stiassni

Below are some tips on where to travel in South Moravia each day

2:00 p.m. – Arrival and check-in in Brno

This day is entirely reserved for your arrival. You will take a direct international train connection (in cooperation with the national rail operators ÖBB and Ceske drahy) from Vienna International Airport to the main train station in Brno. Upon arrival, a short walk will take you to your comfortable hotel in the historic city center. In the afternoon, you’ll have time to unpack, rest after your long journey, and explore the immediate surroundings of your accommodation.

Travel time from the airport: 1 hr 30 min
Travel time from the train station to your accommodation: 10 min

6:30 p.m. – Welcome dinner

We recommend spending your first evening at a quiet, traditional-style restaurant near your hotel. It’s the perfect opportunity to get your first taste of Czech hospitality. You can treat yourself to a glass of fine Moravian wine or a local beer.

Walking time from the hotel to the restaurant: 5 min

DAY 1: Brno

8:30 a.m. – Breakfast at the hotel

Start your morning with a hearty breakfast buffet right in the hotel restaurant. You can leisurely enjoy your coffee and fresh pastries, recharge your energy, and get ready for your first day of exploration in the Moravian capital. There’s no need to rush in the morning.

Time spent on breakfast: 1 hour

10:00 a.m. – Walk through the historic center

Your program begins with a leisurely stroll through the historic streets of Brno’s city center, during which you’ll soak up the city’s atmosphere and view its main architectural landmarks from the outside.

Walking time from the hotel: 5 minutes
Time spent on the walk: 55 minutes

11:00 a.m. – The Labyrinth under Zelny trh

From the historic streets, you’ll head underground to visit the Labyrinth under Zelny trh, a fascinating system of medieval underground passages. During this easy tour, you’ll learn how food and wine were stored in the past and how the market operated back then.

Walking time from the previous attraction: 5 minutes
Time spent at the attraction: 55 minutes

12:00 p.m. – Moravian Museum

Right on Zelny trh, just a few steps from the exit of the underground, you’ll visit the Dietrichstein Palace, which serves as the main headquarters of the Moravian Museum. The museum offers fascinating exhibits dedicated to Moravian history, such as a faithful replica of the world-famous Venus of Vestonice.

Walking time from the Labyrinth to the museum: 5 minutes
Time spent at the attraction: 1 hour 25 minutes

1:30 p.m. – Lunch break

We recommend having lunch in the historic city center near the museum, where you can enjoy Czech specialties or international cuisine at traditional restaurants. This break gives you plenty of time to enjoy a leisurely meal, relax, and soak up the city’s everyday atmosphere.

Walking time from the museum to the restaurant: 10 minutes
Time spent at the restaurant: 1 hour 20 minutes

3:30 p.m. – Visit to the Functionalist Villa Stiassni

In the afternoon, take public transportation (DPMB) to the Pisarky residential district. Here, you’ll visit the monumental Villa Stiassni. The villa’s architecture and its rich and eventful history are sure to impress you.

Travel time to the attraction (public transit – DPMB): 20 minutes
Walking time from the stop to the attraction: 10 minutes
Time spent at the attraction: 1 hour 30 minutes

5:30 p.m. – Return to accommodation and rest

After touring the villa, take public transportation (DPMB) back to the hotel. Use the early evening for some personal time, to freshen up in your room, or for a short walk through the pedestrian zone.

Travel time to the hotel (public transport – DPMB): 20 minutes
Walking time from the stop to the hotel: 10 minutes
Time spent at the hotel (rest): 1 hour

7:00 p.m. – Dinner in the city center

For dinner, we recommend a modern gourmet restaurant in Brno that brilliantly combines traditional ingredients with modern trends.

Walking time from the hotel to the restaurant: 10 minutes
Time spent at the restaurant: 1 hour 20 minutes

DAY 2: Brno

8:00 a.m. – Breakfast at the hotel

A hearty hotel breakfast to fuel up for a day that will offer a bit more activity and fresh air.

Time spent at breakfast: 1 hour

9:30 a.m. – Trip and boat cruise on the Brno Dam

In the morning, you’ll take the tram (DPMB) to the Brno Dam. From there, a beautiful and peaceful cruise on a tour boat (also operated by DPMB) awaits you across the dam, offering breathtaking views of the wooded surroundings.

Travel time to the attraction (DPMB tram): 30 minutes
Walking time from the stop to the pier: 10 minutes
Time spent at the attraction (DPMB boat cruise): 45 minutes

10:55 a.m. – Veveri State Castle

From the pier below the castle, you’ll head to the destination of your cruise—Veveri State Castle, one of the largest and oldest castle complexes in the Czech Republic. This monumental castle rises majestically on a rock above the water.

Walking time from the pier to the castle: 15 minutes
Time spent at the attraction: 1 hour 50 minutes

1:00 p.m. – Lunch break at the dam

After touring the castle and returning by DPMB boat to the main pier, enjoy lunch at one of the renowned restaurants right on the shore of the Brno Dam. It’s the perfect place to relax with a view of the water.

Return travel time (DPMB boat ride): 40 minutes
Walking time from the pier to the restaurant: 5 minutes
Time spent at the restaurant: 45 minutes

3:30 p.m. – Visit to Spilberk Castle

After returning by DPMB tram from the dam to the city center, you’ll take a leisurely walk up the hill to Spilberk Castle, which dominates the Brno skyline. You’ll explore the historic courtyard and the famous dark casemates.

Travel time from the dam to the attraction (DPMB tram): 30 minutes
Walking time from the stop to the castle: 15 minutes
Time spent at the attraction: 1 hour 15 minutes

5:30 p.m. – St. James’s Ossuary

On your way back down to the historic center, visit the St. James Ossuary, the second-largest ossuary in Europe. This mysterious underground space offers a deeply moving historical experience and is easily accessible from the castle.

Walking time from the castle to the ossuary: 15 minutes
Time spent at the attraction: 45 minutes

7:00 p.m. – Dinner

You can round off a day full of experiences with a relaxed dinner, for example at one of Brno’s renowned bistros in the very heart of the city.

Walking time from the ossuary to the restaurant: 10 minutes
Time spent at the restaurant: 1 hour 20 minutes

DAY 3: The Lednice-Valtice Cultural Landscape and Mikulov

8:00 a.m. – Breakfast and hotel check-out

Final breakfast at the hotel in Brno. Afterward, we’ll check out and head to the train station with our luggage.

Time spent on breakfast and packing: 1 hour 30 minutes

9:30 a.m. – Departure to the Lednice-Valtice Cultural Landscape

A comfortable train ride on the Czech Railways (Ceske drahy) with a connecting bus on the IDS JMK regional system to the town of Lednice.

Travel time to the attraction (Train + Bus): 45 minutes
Walking time from the stop to the castle: 15 minutes

10:30 a.m. – Lednice Castle

You will spend the morning touring the state rooms of the romantic Neo-Gothic Lednice Castle, which served as the summer residence of the Liechtenstein princely family.

Walking time to the attraction within the complex: 5 minutes
Time spent at the attraction: 1 hour 10 minutes

11:45 a.m. – Castle Greenhouse

After touring the castle’s interior, you’ll walk through the adjacent historic palm greenhouse, which is filled with rare exotic flora from around the world.

Walking time from the castle to the greenhouse: 5 minutes
Time spent at the attraction: 55 minutes

12:45 p.m. – Lunch break

Lunch will be served at a selected restaurant right in the village of Lednice. Here you can enjoy traditional dishes or other local specialties.

Walking time from the grounds to the restaurant: 10 minutes
Time spent at the restaurant: 1 hour 20 minutes

2:15 p.m. – Castle Park and Boat Ride

The afternoon is set aside for relaxation in the vast English-style park. To save yourself a walk, take advantage of the public boat service operating on the castle canals. During the peaceful cruise, you’ll enjoy views of the Minaret and the surrounding countryside.

Walking time from the restaurant to the pier: 10 minutes
Time spent on the boat ride: 50 minutes

3:15 p.m. – Jan’s Castle Ruins

The boat will take you to the romantic artificial ruins of Jan’s Castle. You’ll then return to the town center via a pleasant walk through the forest.

Walking time from the pier to the castle: 5 minutes
Time spent at the attraction: 35 minutes (plus a 20-minute walk back to the bus)

4:15 p.m. – Transfer and Valtice State Castle

From Lednice, take a short ride on a local bus to neighboring Valtice. Here, you will visit the magnificent Valtice State Chateau.

Travel time to the attraction (IDS JMK bus): 20 minutes
Walking time from the bus stop to the chateau: 10 minutes
Time spent at the attraction: 1 hour 30 minutes

6:15 p.m. – Transfer to Mikulov and check-in

From Valtice, take a direct IDS JMK bus to the picturesque wine-growing town of Mikulov. This is followed by a short walk and check-in at a comfortable hotel.

Travel time to the hotel (IDS JMK bus): 30 minutes
Walking time from the bus stop to the hotel: 15 minutes
Time spent at the hotel (check-in, rest): 30 minutes

7:30 p.m. – Dinner with a view

Dinner at a restaurant with a charming view of Mikulov Castle. Tasting of regional Moravian cuisine.

Walking time from the hotel to the restaurant: 10 minutes
Time spent at the restaurant: 1 hour 20 minutes

DAY 4: Mikulov and Palava

8:30 a.m. – Breakfast at the hotel

A peaceful morning with hotel breakfast, coffee, and preparation for a day dedicated to wine and beautiful nature.

Time spent at breakfast: 1 hour 30 minutes (including morning preparations)

10:00 a.m. – Mikulov Castle

Right after breakfast, you’ll head to the majestic Mikulov Castle, which dominates the entire region. You’ll visit the castle’s exhibitions and see the giant historic wine barrel, one of the largest in Europe.

Walking time from the hotel to the castle: 10 minutes
Time spent at the attraction: 50 minutes

11:00 a.m. – Castle Gardens

After touring the interior, you’ll enjoy a peaceful stroll through the beautifully landscaped terraced gardens surrounding the castle, with a unique view stretching all the way to neighboring Austria.

Walking time from the castle to the gardens: 5 minutes
Time spent at the attraction: 55 minutes

12:00 p.m. – Lunch break

Time for lunch right in the historic center of Mikulov. We recommend trying a light lunch at one of the local cafés.

Walking time from the gardens to the restaurant: 5 minutes
Time spent at the restaurant: 1 hour 25 minutes

2:00 p.m. – Hike to Svaty kopecek

The path to Svaty kopecek is rocky and involves walking uphill, but we have intentionally set aside plenty of time to allow for a very slow pace, resting at the chapels, and taking photos.

Walking time from the center to the base of the hill: 15 minutes
Time spent at the attraction (hike and views): 1 hour 15 minutes

4:15 p.m. – Devicky Ruins or Relaxing by the Lake

After a short ride on the IDS JMK public bus to the nearby wine-growing village of Pavlov, you can take a hike through the woods to the Divci hrady (Devicky) ruins, which offer views of the Nove Mlyny Reservoir, or simply relax at a wine bar by the water.

Travel time to the attraction (IDS JMK bus): 20 minutes
Walking time from the bus stop to the ruins: 25 minutes
Time spent at the attraction: 45 minutes

6:30 p.m. – Dinner and guided wine tasting in a wine cellar

After returning by IDS JMK bus to Mikulov, spend the evening in an authentic wine cellar with a guided tasting and a hearty cold dinner featuring platters of cold cuts and appetizers.

Travel time to the restaurant (IDS JMK bus from Pavlov): 20 minutes
Walking time from the bus stop to the cellar: 10 minutes
Time spent at the restaurant/tasting: 2 hours 30 minutes

DAY 5: Znojmo and Vranov nad Dyji

8:00 a.m. – Breakfast and check-out from the hotel

Last morning coffee, hearty breakfast, and packing before heading to the train station.

Time spent at the attraction (breakfast and packing): 1 hour

9:30 a.m. – Departure from Mikulov to Znojmo

Farewell to Mikulov and a journey by direct IDS JMK regional bus through the fertile wine-growing region to Znojmo.

Travel time to the attraction (IDS JMK bus): 50 minutes
Walking time from the bus stop in Znojmo to the first landmark: 10 minutes

10:30 a.m. – Znojmo Underground

Start your morning in Znojmo with a tour of the Znojmo Underground, a breathtaking and extensive historical labyrinth beneath the entire city

Walking time within the city center: 5 minutes
Time spent at the attraction: 1 hour 10 minutes

11:45 a.m. – St. Catherine’s Rotunda

Then, take a short walk to St. Catherine’s Rotunda, an incredibly rare medieval monument from the 11th century, offering beautiful views of the Podyjí National Park valley.

Walking time from the underground to the rotunda: 15 minutes
Time spent at the attraction: 45 minutes

12:45 p.m. – Lunch break

You’ll enjoy a final group lunch at a trusted restaurant in Znojmo and bid farewell to traditional Moravian cuisine.

Walking time from the rotunda to the restaurant: 10 minutes
Time spent at the restaurant: 1 hour 20 minutes

2:45 p.m. – Visit to Vranov nad Dyji Castle

Your very last stop will be Vranov nad Dyji Castle, just a short ride away from Znojmo on the IDS JMK public bus. This magnificent Baroque gem sits atop a massive rock face towering steeply above the river.

Travel time to the attraction (IDS JMK bus): 45 minutes
Walking time from the bus stop to the castle: 15 minutes
Time spent at the attraction: 30 minutes

4:45 p.m. – Departure for Vienna International Airport

After the tour, you will walk down to the bus stop, board the IDS JMK regional bus back to the train station in Znojmo, and from there, a comfortable journey awaits you on an international train (operated by the state-owned carriers Ceske drahy and ÖBB) back to Vienna International Airport.

Travel time to the airport (IDS JMK bus + CD/ÖBB train): 1 hour 45 minutes
Walking time from the castle to the bus stop and transfers: 15 minutes

Locations