Car Hire Brno - Mini guide to Brno

Even though Brno is widely known as an industrial city, it is a vibrant and historic city with a character all its own. Only a two-hour drive from Prague, it’s worth spending some time here to see the city’s abundance of empire and neo-classical buildings.

On a tour of the city don’t miss Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, on Petrská Street. Sittng atop a hill overlooking the city, the cathedral was built in the late 11th and early 13th centuries. Further afield, and further up the hill is probably Brno’s greatest treasure, Spilberk Castle. Built in the 13th century, it has been both a Prussian fortress and Nazi dungeon.

There are plenty of interesting sights in the pedestrian-friendly old town. Noteworthy are the Brno Dragon and the Wagon Wheel. The ’dragon’ hanging from the ceiling is in actuality an alligator given to the city by Archprince Matayás in 1608. The giant Wagon Wheel reflects Brno’s industrial strength.

The old town is filled with eateries that serve good Eastern European food. Modrá Hvezda (Blue Star), on Silingrovo nám 7, offers delicious grilled steaks. There is no shortage of pubs and discos in Brno; for a night on the town, start out at the Stopková Pivnice, just off the main square.

Almost ritualistically, hordes of locals head 20 minutes north of the main square to the Brno Stadium to see the soccer team, Boby Brno, play its home games every Sunday. Beer and sausages are on the menu, and it’s a lot of raucous fun.

In close proximity to Prague, Brno is easy to reach. Driving, take the E 50 (also known as the D1) from the south of Prague all the way to Brno. Trains from Prague run hourly, from Hlavní nádrazí (Main Station). Buses run non-stop from Florenc bus station at the underpass behind the McDonald's.