Quick Picks for Your Brno Architecture Tour

Brno has many cultural attractions in Brno that focus on design. If you have limited time, use these quick picks to plan your day. These selections cover the most important sites for every type of traveler. Be sure to check the specific requirements for tours before you arrive.

• Best Overall: Villa Tugendhat (UNESCO site)
• Best for History: Villa Löw-Beer
• Best for Families: Villa Stiassni (Large garden)
• Best Free View: Brno Exhibition Centre grounds

Top 10 Famous Functionalist Villas in Brno to Visit

Brno became a center for the Functionalist movement between the World Wars. Architects here wanted to make buildings that were useful and simple. You can see this style in private homes and public spaces. Here are the top ten famous functionalist villas in Brno to visit on your next trip.

1. Name: Villa Tugendhat Type: Iconic sight Why go: This is a UNESCO World Heritage site designed by Mies van der Rohe. It features an onyx wall and massive retractable windows. Best for: Architecture purists. Where: Černá Pole. Time: 2 hours. Cost: High (tours sell out months in advance). Getting there: Tram 9 or 11 to Tomanova. Tip: Read a Villa Tugendhat visiting guide before booking.
2. Name: Villa Stiassni Type: Architecture tour Why go: Known as the "Government Villa," it features a mix of luxury and functionalism. It was designed by Ernst Wiesner for a Jewish textile merchant. Best for: History buffs. Where: Pisárky. Time: 1.5 hours. Cost: Moderate. Getting there: Trolleybus 25 or 26 to Hroznová. Tip: Check the Villa Stiassni weekend opening hours and admission before your visit.
3. Name: Villa Löw-Beer Type: Museum/Indoor Why go: This villa belonged to the parents of Greta Tugendhat. It bridges the gap between Art Nouveau and Functionalism. Best for: Families and garden lovers. Where: Černá Pole. Time: 1 hour. Cost: Low to moderate. Getting there: Short walk from Villa Tugendhat. Tip: The garden connects directly to the Tugendhat grounds.
4. Name: Villa Jurkovič Type: Unique local experience Why go: This home blends folk art with early modernism. It looks like a colorful fairy-tale house made of wood and stone. Best for: Fans of unique, colorful design. Where: Žabovřesky. Time: 1 hour. Cost: Moderate. Getting there: Tram 1 to Bráfova. Tip: The interior woodwork is stunning and very well-preserved.
5. Name: Era Café Type: Museum/Indoor Why go: This is a functionalist café designed by Josef Kranz. It features a famous winding staircase and bright blue floors. Best for: A coffee break in a historic setting. Where: Černá Pole. Time: 45 minutes. Cost: Price of a coffee. Getting there: Tram 9 or 11 to Zemědělská. Tip: Try the local desserts while admiring the architecture.
6. Name: Brno Exhibition Centre (BVV) Type: Viewpoint/Nature Why go: While not a single villa, this complex is a masterpiece of functionalism. It features pavilions with glass domes and steel frames. Best for: Seeing large-scale modern design. Where: Pisárky. Time: 2-3 hours. Cost: Free to walk the grounds during some events. Getting there: Tram 1 to Výstaviště. Tip: Look for the Pavilion A for the best photos.
7. Name: Münz Villa Type: Sight Why go: Another Ernst Wiesner masterpiece. It has a very sleek, white exterior that looks modern even today. Best for: Seeing private residential architecture. Where: Pisárky. Time: 15 minutes (exterior only). Cost: Free. Getting there: Walk from Villa Stiassni. Tip: You can only view this one from the street, so bring a zoom lens.
8. Name: Villa Haas Type: Sight Why go: This villa shows the vertical style of Brno functionalism. It uses space efficiently on a sloping lot. Best for: Photography. Where: Pisárky. Time: 15 minutes (exterior only). Cost: Free. Getting there: Near the Lipová trolleybus stop. Tip: Visit in the late afternoon for the best light on the facade.
9. Name: Brno Crematorium Type: Day trip Why go: Located at the Brno Central Cemetery, this is a world-class functionalist building. It was designed by Ernst Wiesner. Best for: Serious architecture students. Where: Vídeňská. Time: 1 hour. Cost: Free to view the exterior. Getting there: Tram 2 or 5 to Ústřední hřbitov. Tip: Be respectful as this is a quiet, active cemetery.
10. Name: Hotel Avion Type: Unique local experience Why go: It is one of the narrowest functionalist hotels in Europe. The design uses light wells to brighten a very tight space. Best for: Seeing how architects solved urban problems. Where: City Center. Time: 30 minutes. Cost: Free to view the lobby. Getting there: Walk from the main square (Náměstí Svobody). Tip: The rooftop terrace offers a great view of the city.

Planning Your Functionalist Route in Brno

Planning a Villa Stiassni architecture tour and other visits requires timing. Many of these villas are located in the Černá Pole or Pisárky districts. You can easily use the Brno Public Transport (DPMB) to get around. Trams and trolleybuses are very reliable and affordable in Brno.

Always book your tickets for Villa Tugendhat at least four months in advance. If you cannot get a ticket, Villa Löw-Beer is a great alternative nearby. Most other villas allow you to book tours just a few days before. Some sites only offer tours in Czech, so ask for an English text guide at the desk.

Wear comfortable walking shoes for your tour. Many villas are located in hilly neighborhoods with cobblestone streets. Visiting in the spring or autumn is best for photography. The gardens are beautiful during these seasons and the crowds are smaller. You can find more info on the Go To Brno portal.