Small-Group Downtown, 2 Hours

Small-Group Downtown, 2 Hours, 2 hours, rated 4 across 358 traveller reviews.

Overview

This two-hour walk with Gray Line Brno covers the historic core of Moravia's capital, tying the main squares to the stories behind them. You start at Liberty Square, the market square since the Middle Ages, then move through Capuchin Square, where the monastery crypt holds the mummified remains of city noblemen. The route continues to the Vegetable Market, which sits above a network of underground corridors once used to store food, brew beer and mature wine.

From there the tour takes in the Parnassus Fountain with its allegorical carvings, the Renaissance facade of the Reduta Theatre where Mozart once played, and both the Old and New Town Halls. At the Old Town Hall you hear the legend of the dragon and the wheel. The Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, the House of the Noblemen of Leipa and the Church of St. James also feature, before the group heads back along Joseph Street. The guide shares history, legends and customs throughout, and during Christmas and Easter the route passes traditional markets.

Reviewers mention guides who shared recommendations for further sights and places to eat, and one traveller described the tour as a very good first impression of the city.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Grandhotel BrnoThe group gathers at Grandhotel Brno, Benesova 605/18, in central Brno. No hotel pickup or drop-off is provided.
2. Liberty SquareThe walk begins at the main market square, which has served that role since the Middle Ages.
3. Capuchin Square and monasteryYou visit Kapucinske namesti, where the crypt of the Capuchin Monastery holds the mummified remains of city noblemen.
4. Vegetable MarketThe square sits over a labyrinth of underground corridors historically used to store food, brew beer and mature wine.
5. Parnassus Fountain and Reduta TheatreYou look at the fountain's allegorical carvings and the Renaissance facade of the theatre where Mozart once played.
6. Old and New Town HallsAt the Old Town Hall the guide tells the legend of the dragon and the wheel, then shows the New Town Hall.
7. Cathedral and St. JamesYou see the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, the House of the Noblemen of Leipa and the Church of St. James.
8. Return via Joseph StreetThe tour heads back along Josefska street to finish. During Christmas and Easter the route can include traditional markets.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help you get the most out of this walk.

• Footwear. The listing recommends comfortable shoes. This is a walking tour of the old town, so expect to be on your feet for the full two hours.
• Ask questions. Multiple reviewers praised the guides for answering questions well and adapting to the group. If something interests you, ask, since several travellers said the responses added a lot.
• Save the tips. Reviewers said the guides' recommendations for further sights and places to eat were useful, and one traveller reported using all of them after the tour. Bring a note or phone to jot these down.
• Orientation first. One traveller called the tour a very good first impression of the city, and another said it helped them appreciate Brno more than exploring alone would have. Booking it early in your stay gives you time to follow up on the tips.
• Festive timing. During Christmas and Easter the walk takes in traditional markets and covers Czech customs. If you visit in those periods, expect a seasonal flavour to the commentary.
• Getting there. Make your own way to the meeting point at Grandhotel Brno. No hotel pickup or drop-off is included, so plan the route in advance.

Common issues. The tour has no hotel pickup or drop-off, so travellers need to reach the Grandhotel Brno meeting point on their own. Beyond that, nothing in the reviews points to recurring problems.

Common Questions