MORAVIA
This region is the Czech Republic’s welcoming, wine-soaked other half—a land of rolling, picturesque “Moravian Tuscany” hills, vibrant folk culture, and historic royal cities. This guide will help you discover a distinctly warm, relaxed, and deeply traditional side of Central Europe.
Why Visit Moravia?
World-Class Wine: South Moravia is the Czech Republic’s premier wine region, offering excellent local whites and reds, with beautiful vineyards and wine cellars to explore.
Unique Folklore and Tradition: Experience a thriving, colorful folk culture, especially in the Slovácko region, with traditional costumes, music, and festivals.
Historic Cities and Caves: Explore the lively university city of Brno, the Baroque gem of Olomouc, and the dramatic underground world of the Moravian Karst.
Smart Travel
Shoulder Season (May-June, September-October): This is the ideal time to visit for cycling the wine trails, hiking the hills, and enjoying the cities with pleasant weather and fewer crowds than high summer. The autumn wine harvest (Burčák season) in September/October is especially festive.
Deep Off-Season (November-March): You will find the best value on accommodation and enjoy the famous Christmas Markets in Olomouc and Brno. It is also the season for skiing in the Jeseníky Mountains in the north.
Peak Season (July-August): The weather is warm, perfect for outdoor activities, and there are many folk festivals. Be prepared for crowds, especially at major UNESCO sites, and higher prices.
Main Areas & Places to Explore
South Moravia & the Wine Region
South Moravia is a region of rolling hills and endless vineyards, famous for its white wines like Pálava and Müller Thurgau. It’s home to the Lednice-Valtice Cultural Landscape (a UNESCO-listed complex of chateaux and parks) and the charming, folklore-rich region of Slovácko.
Your Smart Tip: To get off the main tourist path and truly appreciate the region’s beauty, rent a bike and follow the marked Moravian Wine Trails for an unforgettable experience.
Brno
Brno is Moravia’s vibrant, energetic capital and the Czech Republic’s second-largest city. It boasts a beautiful historic center, a massive student population that keeps the nightlife thriving, and striking Modernist architecture, including the famous UNESCO-listed Villa Tugendhat. The commanding Špilberk Castle dominates the skyline.
Your Smart Tip: Don’t miss the city’s unique underground world, including the Ossuary at the Church of St. James and the labyrinth beneath the Cabbage Market (Zelný trh).
Olomouc & Central Moravia
Olomouc, an ancient religious and military hub, often feels like a mini-Prague without the crowds. Its vast main square features the spectacular Holy Trinity Column (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and a unique Communist-era Astronomical Clock. The city is a major university center, ensuring a lively, welcoming atmosphere.
Your Smart Tip: Olomouc is the birthplace of Olomoucké tvarůžky, a famously pungent local cheese. Seek out a traditional pub to try it—it’s much better than it smells!
Handy Tips
Weather & Climate
Moravia has a varied continental climate. South Moravia is the warmest and sunniest part of the country, with warm to hot summers (highs around 75-80ºF or 24-27ºC) and cold, snowy winters. Northern Moravia and the mountains have an alpine climate with colder, longer winters and mild summers.
Local Customs And Etiquette
Language: Czech is the official language. Moravians sometimes use a softer dialect of Czech. English is widely spoken in tourist areas and by younger people in Brno and Olomouc.
Politeness: Politeness and respect are highly valued. Always greet people with a handshake and a polite “Dobrý den” (Good day). It’s considered polite to allow a host to begin eating before you start.
Beer Culture: Czechs are the world’s highest per capita consumers of beer (pivo). Clink glasses while making eye contact and saying “Na zdraví!” (To your health!). Never toast with water.
Budgeting For Your Trip
Accommodation: Hostels ($20–$45), mid-range hotels/guesthouses ($60–$110), luxury ($140+). Prices are generally lower than in Prague.
Food: Fixed-price lunch menu ($8–$15), dinner at a mid-range restaurant ($15–$30 per person), fine dining ($50+).
Transport: Train ticket (regional, varies), tram/bus ticket (local, typically a few dollars for a day pass), car rental ($35/day).
Activities: Castle/chateau entrance ($10–$20), Moravian Karst tour ($15–$25), wine tasting ($15+).
Daily Budget:
- Budget: $55–$85 (hostels, market food, public transport).
- Mid-range: $95–$150 (hotels/guesthouses, restaurants, attractions).
- Luxury: $170+ (boutique hotels, gourmet meals, private tours).
Getting Around
By Car: A car is excellent for exploring the wine regions and rural areas of South Moravia, where public transport links between small villages are sparse.
By Train: The Czech train network is efficient. Major cities like Brno and Olomouc are well-connected by fast intercity lines.
By Bus: The regional bus network is reliable for travel between larger towns.
Must-Try Food
Moravský vrabec (Moravian Sparrow): Despite the name, this is a hearty dish of slow-roasted pork (not sparrow) served with rich gravy, white dumplings (knedlíky), and sauerkraut.
Svíčková na smetaně: Tender beef sirloin in a sweet, creamy root vegetable sauce, served with cranberry compote and bread dumplings.
Kyselo/Zelňačka: A thick, sour soup, either rye sourdough-based (Kyselo) or sauerkraut-based (Zelňačka), often with mushrooms, potatoes, and sausage.
Smažený sýr: Deep-fried breaded cheese (usually Edam or Hermelín), a very popular pub classic, served with tartar sauce and french fries.
Nakládaný Hermelín: Marinated, soft, white-rind cheese (similar to Camembert) cured in oil with spices and chili. A classic beer snack.
Olomoucké tvarůžky: A famous, small, pungent, yellow cheese from Olomouc, made from skim milk. It’s best when enjoyed with a beer and a little onion.
Valašské frgále: A huge, sweet, round flat cake from the Moravian Wallachia region, traditionally filled with sweet cheese, poppy seeds, or pears.
Moravské koláče: Small, circular sweet pastries, often filled with poppy seeds, plum jam (povidla), or sweet farmer’s cheese.
Štramberské uši (Štramberk Ears): A sweet, crunchy gingerbread pastry cone baked in the town of Štramberk, protected as a local specialty.
Ovocné knedlíky: Sweet dumplings filled with seasonal fruit (often plums or apricots), boiled, and topped with melted butter, sweet cheese, and powdered sugar.
Must-Try Drinks
Moravian Wine: The region is known for its white wines, particularly aromatic varieties like Pálava and Moravian Muscat, as well as excellent Welschriesling and Grüner Veltliner. Red wines are also produced, mainly St. Laurent and Frankovka.
Slivovice (Plum Brandy): A potent, clear fruit brandy, often homemade in the region from plums. A cultural staple and strong digestif.
Pivo (Czech Beer): Moravia has many excellent local breweries. You’ll find superb light lagers (like Pilsner Urquell) and darker varieties everywhere.
Burčák (Young Wine): A seasonal, partially fermented grape juice available from late August to November. It’s sweet, cloudy, and slightly fizzy, with a low alcohol content—a quintessential autumn Moravian experience.
Becherovka: A herbal liqueur from nearby Karlovy Vary, often served as a digestif or mixed with tonic water (“Beton”).
Kofola: The Czech/Slovak answer to Coca-Cola. It’s less sweet and slightly more herbal, widely available and very popular.
Hruškovica/Meruňkovica (Fruit Brandies): Other potent fruit brandies made from pears (Hruškovica) or apricots (Meruňkovica).
Vaječný Koňak (Egg Liqueur): A creamy, sweet egg yolk and rum-based liqueur, very popular during the Christmas season.