The beautiful little European city that's a 'less busy and rowdy version of Prague'
The Czech Republic's second-largest city offers an escape from the busy crowds of Prague.
The Czech Republic's second-largest city has been raved about by travellers who look to escape the hustle and bustle of Prague for a more laid-back visit.
Brno, a renowned university town with a rich history, is just two hours away from the capital Prague and is often referred to as the Moravian Manchester thanks to its similarity to the northern city.
The nickname references its industrial heritage and holding its own alongside the Czech capital that is visited by millions year-round.
While Brno is smaller than its more famous counterpart, there is still plenty to see and do while visiting this beautiful city.
Brno's architecture resembles the traditional Czech style, with an array of Baroque-period buildings, such as the Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul which houses baroque altars, and several stunning buildings in the main square which are home to modern cafes, bookshops, bars, and even a unique roleplay hotel.
Visitors headed to Prague have no shortage of choices when it comes to places to stay, with an eclectic mix of historical and contemporary accommodations to enjoy. One of which is the Almanac X Alcron Prague, which boasts a rich history as one of the city’s oldest luxury hotels, combined with a modern twist following its latest renovations.
Luxury stays are just as easy to come by in nearby Brno too. No matter the time of year, Barceló Brno Palace is the perfect central spot for visitors to lay their roots in the city. The hotel is at the heart of the city, close to a range of atmospheric bars, authentic Czech restaurants, and modern coffee spots hidden in Baroque buildings.
Situated on Silingrovo Square in a prestigious historical building known as Mestsky Dvur, the five-star Barceló Brno Palace is only a five-minute drive from the Brno International Exhibition Centre (BVV) and Villa Tugendhat, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.
Brno has an eclectic mix of modernist and Baroque architecture having been almost entirely re-built over many years. Visitors can soak up the history of South Moravia in the historical Mendel Square, which square is located in the area of Old Brno.
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Freedom Square is the contemporary city centre, surrounded by cafes, bars, shops, and restaurants and adorned with historical statues, not forgetting the unique astronomical clock.
Points of interest in the Czech Republic’s second-largest city include the Brno International Exhibition Centre (BVV) and Villa Tugendhat, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. The Villa of Greta and Fritz Tugendhat was designed by the architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and built in 1929–1930.
Unlike Prague, which is known for serving Pilsner Urquell almost everywhere, visitors in Brno can enjoy a great guided tour of the best wine and cocktail spots under the Lidi z baru umbrella. Prices start from £110 per person and include a crawl of up to 10 unique concept spots.
And it's not just the lack of crowds that makes Brno somewhat more appealing, with prices also slightly cheaper. The average cost of a pint of beer is just £1 - a staggering difference to the price of £5.90 in London.
In Prague, it's also slightly more expensive, with the average pint costing £1.60. Food is also cheaper in Brno, with a classic Czech meal costing just £5.16. In Prague, it's around £5.30.
Speaking of Bryo on Quora, one traveller wrote: "Because of its size and population it is sort of a perfect mix of big and small city. You’ll get all the good stuff - culture, nightlife, education, health care, shopping opportunities - and you’ll get to know the city really well in like three days tops. There are tourists but they are not the city’s priority, so you’ll get the feeling the city is truly for locals."
Another wrote: "Brno is a quieter, friendlier and in some ways more picturesque version of Prague. Brno is much more youthful, and this is also due to the fact that the influence of those big universities is generally greater there."