Visiting South Moravia: Europe’s Best Kept Secret for Wine Lovers

If you are surprised to hear that Czech Republic is home to its very own thriving wine producing region, you aren’t alone. This may very well be the best kept secret yet, but I’m here to let the world know. South Moravia is a dreamland for both wine lovers, romantics, and fairy-tale castle seekers. If it’s beautiful castles and rolling hills of vineyards that you’re after, then South Moravia needs to be on your bucket list right now! Here is a complete guide to visiting South Moravia.

Introduction

South Moravia is the 4th largest region in the Czech Republic. As the name suggests, it lies on the southern edge of Moravia, one of three main cultural regions that form the modern day Czech Republic. This area is known locally for its wine production, which largely remains un-imported. That means, if you want to indulge in Czech wine, you’ll have to visit the country itself. For this reason, this wine region may just be Europe’s best kept secret for wine lovers. On top of fabulous wine, this area is made up of charming historic villages, fairytale worthy castles, and stunning countryside scenery.

When to Go

Your experience when visiting South Moravia is only slightly varied by when you go. As long as you don’t visit in winter, you can freely enjoy the best this region has to offer.

Summer

The weather in South Moravia is slightly warmer than other parts of the Czech Republic. Summers here are best, for viewing the vineyards at the peak of their glory, before they are harvested. If you are visiting South Moravia in summer, plan for very hot weather and some crowds. Luckily, the crowds here will never reach Paris or Rome levels. Incidentally, Czech Republic (apart from the ultra popular Prague) is still largely less visited than other European destinations.

Summer is also the liveliest time of year to visit, as it is when the street markets are in full effect, and you have a chance of partaking in some of the festivals that take place in summer only.

Spring and Autumn

As an alternative, visiting South Moravia in the shoulder seasons will offer better weather and thinner crowds. This means planning a visit in late spring, or in autumn. If you choose to visit in Autumn, instead of rolling green hills of vineyards, you’ll be treated to warm hues and blazing colors as the leaves change for the season.

How Long to Visit

When planning on visiting South Moravia, you’ll be happy to find many points of interest. Due to the small size of the Czech Republic, these points of interest are all somewhat close together, making it easy to get from place to place. However, there’s a lot to see here, so I would not advise a visit of less than 3 days to see the absolute highlights, and save some time for wine tasting. To fully explore this region and indulge in all the wine, I’d even suggest a stay of about 5 to 7 days.

Where to Go

And now the fun part! There is a lot to see when visiting South Moravia for any type of traveler. Here I’ll disclose the major highlights and hidden gems you should not miss.

Mikulov

Mikulov is a beautifully preserved historic town, and arguably one of the most beautiful in the region. It also conveniently lies in the middle of a large wine producing area. You’ll find wineries and vineyards just a stones throw from the town center. Upon arriving here, you will undoubtably be impressed by the towering castle, which sits up on a hill.

While in Mikulov, you should plan to visit Mikulov Castle and the castle grounds, which are both spectacular in beauty. A visit to the interior of the castle will also provide insight into the fascinating history of this castle, and this region. The castle itself was built as early as 1249, and has changed hands several times throughout history.

Apart from the castle, you’ll fall in love with Mikulov by wandering it’s beautiful old town, which is characterized by colorful historic buildings and cute cafes. During the summer months, there is also an outdoor market occupying the main square, which runs late into the night. Here, you’ll find regional delicacies such as locally produced cheese, sweets and other goods. It’s a great place to get a taste of the region (pun intended). Before sunset, head up the hill to the Svatý Kopeček. From here, you’ll have the best view of the sunset and Mikulov from above.

In the evenings, most people will head to the local pub, for live music and Czech beers of course. For something more calm, head to Mikulov Vinotek, which during the day offers beautiful views from the terrace.

Znojmo

This little town lies on the very edge of the country, not far from the Austrian border. It’s popular among German speaking visitors, likely due to the historic Saxon settlement in this area. You can see the evidence and influence of this settlement today, as the town is well preserved and many of the Saxonic structures are still in tact.

What makes Znojmo unique is its location atop a hill, with vineyards surrounding it. There’s a lot to see here, and you’ll likely start your adventure in the old town. There are lot’s of beautiful streets to meander down, and you’ll pass historic churches and Saxon towers all the while. Be sure to stop by Degustační altán Rajská vinice, a winery with a vineyard located within the old town itself. It boasts a humble tasting terrace, which offers one of the best views of the valley below.

After that, you should head to the St. Nicholas’ Deanery Church, a few minutes walk away. This is easily the most striking landmark in Znojmo, and is an icon of this small town. For the best view of the church, visit Enotéka znojemských vín. This will be the second winery you must visit in Znojmo, but it’s truly worth it. They have a huge selection of regional wine, that you can try on tap. This is a fun self serve wine bar, and at an average of $2 per glass, it can’t be missed. You can easily spend your entire afternoon here admiring the views and sipping Czech wine.

Other points of interest in Znojmo are the Louka Monastery, or Eliáška if you are up for a bit of hiking. You can also walk down to the river and go for a walk to admire the natural beauty of this place.

Valtice Castle

Valtice Castle is one of two castles in the Valtice-Lednice Valley, that is now considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This entire area is comprised of historically significant towns and the estates of very wealthy figures in Europe’s past.

Valtice Castle itself, dates back to the 12th century, where it was once built in Gothic styles. Today, it has been reconstructed and now features stunning baroque architectural styles. Just one look at this castle from the exteriors shows off what once was at the forefront of grand opulence. A tour of the interiors of the castle will take you through lavish rooms with painted ceilings and rooms gilded in gold, to give you an idea. If you visit in the summer, you may be lucky enough to visit during one of the many festivals that take place here, one of which is a wine festival.

Lednice Castle

This is the second castle located in the Lednice-Valtice Valley, and commonly visited in the same day as Valtice Castle. It is considered one of the most visited castles in the country. It is built in an English Neo-Gothic style, which sets it apart from the styles of other castles found within the country. Less than two centuries ago, it was used as a summer palace for Austrian royalty. It was designed in the utmost luxury and lavishly decorated to cater to Europe’s most prominent aristocrats.

This castle is truly stunning from the exteriors as well as inside. You can easily spend an hour just wandering through the gardens and admiring the architecture of the castle from the outside. In the summer months, the gardens will be covered in colorful flowers, adding to it’s charm.

If you choose to visit the castle inside, you can opt for a tour. They do offer English tours, but at limited times per day.

To check tour times in English click here.

Macocha Gorge

The story of this natural formation is truly grim, but on appearances this places looks absolutely magical. Macocha Gorge is actually not a gorge at all, but the largest sinkhole in Central Europe. It’s uniqueness can be attributed to it’s strange shape. The sinkhole looks more like a large moss covered cave, with a turquoise blue lake inside it. This lake is actually an underground river, and this is the only point where this particular river breaks through the ground.

The Macocha Gorge has a well a maintained walkway, allowing visitors to walk all along the inside of the cavern. It has a local nickname as “The Step Mother Abyss”. According to local legends, a woman tried to kill her stepson in this sinkhole, by telling him to pick berries nearby and ultimately luring him to his death. He survived the ordeal, and eventually she was the one to die in the sinkhole. Whether this story is true or not, it’s an interesting thing to think about as you explore this unique place.

Brno

Brno is the main city of this region and likely your gateway to visiting South Moravia. It’s also the second largest city in the Czech Republic. There is a lot to see here, and although it receives far less visitors, it can easily rival Prague. Brno is a modern yet historically intriguing city. You’ll find all the conveniences of a major city here from shopping, to hip cafes to a thriving nightlife. But you’ll also find places of historic interest as well.

A visit to Brno isn’t complete without a visit to Spilberk Castle. This castle was built in the 13th century and can be seen from far away, due to its location high up on a hilltop. This castle may not be as large or sprawled out as Prague Castle, but well worth a visit. The history of this castle is truly turbulent. What started off as a castle built to overlook Brno, it later became one of the harshest prisons under rule of the Austrian Empire. Despite its grueling past, today it’s a major tourist attraction and offers beautiful views of the city of Brno.

Other things to do in Brno include visiting the city center and Liberty Square, which is a busy part of town. The main square is where the Christmas market is held, and if you’re visiting in this season it must not be missed. You should also pay a visit to the Cathedral of Peter and Paul, which is also where you can get the best view of Brno by climbing the tower.

Telc

Telc (pronounced Telch) is easily one of the best places in South Moravia. It’s a perfectly preserved baroque town, that earned itself the title as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its beauty. Granted it’s small size, it’s charm and beauty will definitely leave a lasting impression.

The main attraction of visiting Telc is to view the town square, which is lined by colorfully painted baroque style buildings. These buildings are perfectly in tact, and each are unique in structure and color. It’s seriously one of the prettiest town squares around, and is regarded as one of the most beautiful places in all of the Czech Republic.

While here, you must also visit Telc Chateau, which is more of a historic manor, than an actual castle but worth a visit nonetheless.

Some visit Telc as a short trip. However, you can fully enjoy this place by exploring and walking around the town, visiting the ponds, and taking a leisurely row boat out on the pond. Be sure to visit the church tower of Věž kostela sv. Jakuba. A climb up here offers the best view of the little town below, as well as the beautiful countryside surrounding it. For those who want an even better view, they do offer hot air balloon rides which take off early in the morning from the main square. For a bite to eat, head to Švejk Restaurant Telč. This restaurant is located right off the main square and offers authentic Czech cuisine and beers on tap. The restaurant itself is small, so it may be hard to get a seat but it’s worth the effort.

Trebic

This town is close to Telc, and easily visited in the same day, or as a one day trip. Trebic, like Telc, is home to some UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Jewish Quarter of Trebic, became a UNESCO site due to it’s significance in the historic Jewish community in The Czech Republic. Here, you can explore a wonderfully charming neighborhood, while also learning about it’s tragic past.

It was the largest Jewish community in the country, until WWII. Today, the inhabitants aren’t exclusively Jewish, but mixed. A walk through here will take you through narrow, winding alleyways, and rather small, but historic homes. In the Jewish Quarter, you can visit the Old Synagogue and the New Synagogue. As the names suggest, the Old Synagogue is older, and is now used as a church. The New Synagogue was built in the 17th century, and features beautifully painted floral motifs along the interiors.

The second UNESCO site here is the St. Procopius Basilica, which dominates the skyline of Trebic, with its two tall towers. The basilica is best viewed from the river, which is where you have the best view of Trebic in general.

Other points of interest include Trebic Castle, which used to be a monastery, and Charles Square, the main square of the city. Although it’s not as picturesque as Telc nearby, you’ll still be impressed by the beauty of this town.

Pernštejn Castle

Pernštejn is a lesser known gem, that will definitely impress those who make it here. This fortress can be found towering above on a hill top, between two rivers. It was constructed in Medieval times, by Lord Pernštejn, who the castle is named after. Originally built in Gothic styles and with the intention to serve as a fortress, it was later reconstructed to be a Renaissance palace. You can see the juxtaposition of the two styles today, since both parts of the castles remain in tact.

The story of the castle is also an interesting one. One legend tells of Eliska, who lived in the castle during the 17th century. She was said to have died in the castle after putting a curse on a monk. A mirror in that room is allegedly haunted by her, and any woman who looks directly into it will reap the consequences.

For something less creepy and more wholesome, you can opt to go hiking. There are 3 major walking trails leading from and around the areas surrounding the castle. These trails will take you through beautiful nature, as well as exposing you more to historic aspects of this area, including other settlements around the castle.

Svajanov Castle

For the more quirky travelers, this castle hold an interesting story. According to local legends and hearsay, this castle is extremely haunted. Its reputation has become so well known, that it even has been featured on some ghost hunting channels and shows.

From appearances, this castle is beautiful and surrounded by a stunning natural scenery of mountains and forests. Even if you don’t believe in ghosts, this castle is worth the visit for other reasons. It’s home to a wonderful onsite restaurant, and you can even stay here overnight to say you’ve slept in a castle.

However, if dark tourism is your thing this is a must visit. The most famous ghost story is of a painting in one of the bedrooms, which features an old woman. Some time in the last few years, the woman in the photo closed her eyes and has remained that way since. Unsurprisingly, this had thoroughly baffled all the staff and visitors, and spiked interest with certain types of travelers. Then there’s the story of the girl who died a tragic death here, or of the many unnamed people that were stuffed alive into the castle walls in the past. Seriously, the stories are absolutely terrifying but somehow so enticing for those of us interested in creepy things.

Slavkov Castle

The castle and small town of Slavkov can easily be reached as a day trip from Brno. This castle is large, holding over 115 rooms overall. A visit here is a cultural mix, with the castle itself being built by Bohemians, later designed in Italian Renaissance style, and the gardens designed in a French style, modeled after the Chateau of Versailles. Today, it is regarded as a true baroque masterpiece, which visitors can appreciate by touring the interiors, as well as wandering the expansive castle grounds.

It’s most famous as being the location for the Battle of Austerlitz, a history defining battle during the Napoleonic era. Once a year, there is a dramatic reenactment of this battle that takes place right here on the castle grounds.

Where to Drink

If you are eager to get a taste of the regional wine when visiting South Moravia, you’re in luck, because you don’t need to look very hard to come across a winery in or on the way to any of the locations above. But for some insider tips (my boyfriend is from this region) on the best of the best places to get your wine on, check out the places below!

Vinařství U Kapličky

For the ultimate in wine indulgent activities, look no further than this. This winery offers more than just a place to taste some wine, but a fully immersive experience in the culture and heritage of the area. This winery offers tours and tasting in traditional wine cellars, and is set in one of the most beautiful parts of the region. You have views of the Palava Hills nearby, and the Lednice-Valtice Valley closeby.

The grapes are produced onsite, and there are many options on offer to try here. Unlike in western Europe, a glass of wine in the Czech Republic typically costs between $2 – $3. You can drink to your hearts content without ever breaking the bank. If you want the full experience, you can even opt to stay in one of their guesthouses, which are built and designed in traditional South Moravian styles.

Vinarsti Svoboda, Petrov

In the little village of Petrov, you’ll find this unique winery built in a very traditional style. Vinarsti Svoboda is somewhat of a hidden gem, and I’ll admit that navigating the wine tasting here without someone who speaks Czech may be a challenge. But a visit here is surely a unique experience, taking you to a winery painted traditionally, in white with colorful floral motifs. By local standards, it’s known in the region as one of the best wineries.

Mikulov Region

You don’t need to look hard to find wineries in South Moravia. Even in the tourist hotspot town of Mikulov, you are literally situated in the middle of several wineries, which you can see from the hilltop. Head to the tourism center on arrival and ask about best wineries to visit at that time of year, and you’ll surely have a few great options closeby to choose from.

Znojmo Region

My personal favorite place for wine tasting is Znojmo, and it’s surroundings. You can literally find vineyards and wine cellars even within this historic cities walls. They even produce wine at the Louka Monastery! From the top of the town hill, you can see vineyards all around you, and even down into the valley. You can honestly stay here a couple nights and drink your way through the area.

Other Tips

Language Barrier

When visiting South Moravia, it’s worth noting that this area may prove to be more challenging than in Prague or any other major city in Europe. There are little English translations anywhere, and if you’re like me, you’ll find Czech hard to read.

Have google translate ready, as it will come in very useful. Also, if you can learn some basic phrases and words, it will make your trip easier.

Attend Hody

Hody is a traditional annual festival, that each town and city hosts at different times of the year. It’s a very traditional event, which is sadly decreasing in popularity especially for city folk. However, a deeper insight into Moravian culture can be observed if you are lucky enough to attend.

Hody translates to “The Feasts” as a fun-filled event of eating, drinking and music. You’ll find people dressed in the traditional clothing here, and often playing traditional folk music. If you are able to make it to a Hody celebration, you’ll likely be offered lots of drinks and have access to regional food.

For more information about Hody, click here.

Wine Festivals

If you are of the wine worshipping type, you can opt to plan on visiting South Moravia around the harvest season. This is when the annual wine festivals are held, which are generally a very lively and fun time to visit the region. One of the bigger wine festivals to visit during is the Znojmo Wine Festival, held in the second week of September. Another option is the Mikulov Vintage Festival, held in the first week of September.

And that wraps up this guide on visiting South Moravia! Have you been to the Czech Republic? What’s your favorite place here? Let me know below!

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