Two UNESCO sites, Baťa functionalist architecture and the charming wine cellars of Slovácko in a single region sound like the perfect combination for a varied holiday. This part of Moravia in the Czech Republic offers an incredibly diverse mix of experiences that will satisfy history lovers, admirers of modern architecture, and families with young children alike. You’ll find everything here, from deep caves to flat cycle paths tracing lazily flowing rivers.
The last time Lukáš and I tested the Olomouc Advent markets, we were completely enchanted by that genuine festive calm without the usual rush. The rest of the region, though, invites exploring during the warmer months, when the baroque gardens light up in full colour and the gates of majestic castles swing open. If you’re looking for a destination where you won’t be bored for a single moment, head out to discover the secrets of Haná and Wallachia.
In this comprehensive guide we’ll take a look together at the fifteen most beautiful places in Central Moravia that truly deserve your attention. I’ll show you where to find the best accommodation, how to plan a programme with kids, and which local treats you definitely shouldn’t miss.
TL;DR
- Historic gem of the region: Olomouc hides the largest baroque sculptural group in Central Europe and a unique astronomical clock in the spirit of socialist realism.
- Castle splendour: The Archbishop’s Château in Kroměříž boasts the country’s second most valuable picture gallery and gorgeous gardens on the UNESCO list.
- Architectural marvel: Zlín will amaze you with Baťa functionalism and the famous skyscraper with a director’s office built right inside the lift.
- Fairy-tale castles: Bouzov Castle is familiar from many beloved Czech fairy tales, while Helfštýn draws visitors with its modern glass roofing.
- Natural beauty: Litovelské Pomoraví offers flat cycle paths and the town of Litovel rightfully carries the nickname the Venice of Haná.
- Family fun: Kids will love the huge zoo at Svatý Kopeček or the interactive Fortress of Knowledge.
- Culinary experiences: You simply have to taste the genuine Olomouc cheese (tvarůžky) from Loštice and the sweet Haná pastries on your travels.
When to visit Central Moravia
Central Moravia is beautiful all year round, but you’ll enjoy it most from late spring to early autumn. During this time all the castles and châteaux are open in full operation, the château gardens in Kroměříž glow in every colour, and the weather practically begs you to take long bike rides along the Morava River. The summer months bring the warmest weather, but you’ll have to expect larger crowds of tourists at the most famous spots. If you long for more peace on a summer weekend, avoid the crowded gardens in Kroměříž and head instead to the quiet forests of the Chřiby hills or the picturesque Litovelské Pomoraví.
September is an absolutely ideal time to visit Slovácko, because the whole region comes alive with grand wine festivals and folklore celebrations. Uherské Hradiště hosts the renowned Slovácko Wine Festival, when the streets fill with people in colourful traditional costumes and everyone tastes burčák (young fermenting wine). At the end of August, Helfštýn Castle comes alive with a huge event called Hefaiston, an international gathering of artistic blacksmiths from all over Europe. Fans of heavy music should meanwhile mark the summer months in Vizovice on their calendars, home to the big international Masters of Rock festival.
If, on the other hand, you long for a romantic winter atmosphere, head to Olomouc in December for the famous Advent markets, which many travellers consider the loveliest in the whole country. To explore the best of the region I recommend setting aside at least a long weekend. Ideally, plan for a full five to seven days, so you can visit the architectural gems and natural wonders without needless rushing. The towns of Olomouc, Kroměříž and Zlín form a handy triangle on the map that can be comfortably driven around in just a few days.
Where to stay in South Moravia and the Central region
The choice of accommodation in Central Moravia is genuinely varied and depends mainly on which part of the region you primarily want to explore. Olomouc, Kroměříž and Zlín form a handy imaginary triangle that can be comfortably driven around in three to four days. Explore these specific hotel tips broken down by area — they consistently earn great guest reviews and offer the perfect base for your trips.
In the Haná capital I recommend the stylish Long Story Short, which offers a unique combination of a premium hostel and hotel with gorgeous rooms and a fantastic courtyard. Also very popular is Miss Sophie’s Olomouc, an incredibly cosy boutique hotel right in a historic building with a very friendly, family atmosphere. If you’re after a more luxurious rest after a long day of sightseeing, you’ll surely love Hotel Theresian. This exceptionally elegant hotel boasts a wellness centre right on the roof, from where you have the historic city centre laid out below you.
In Kroměříž you can stay right on the Great Square at the hotel U Zlatého kohouta, which, besides its own patisserie, offers a rooftop wellness with a bar. If you stay three or more nights, entry to this relaxation centre is completely free. A great alternative is Hotel Octárna, which offers total peace in beautiful surroundings, boasts an excellent restaurant, and has the big advantage of convenient, hassle-free guest parking.
When you move south to Zlín, definitely consider the historic Interhotel Zlín, housed in the original Baťa Community House right on Labour Square. For lovers of peace and quiet, Hotel Tomášov Zlín is ideal, set in a quiet part of the city on a hill with beautiful views over the broad valley. In Slovácko, choose Hotel Mariánský Dvůr in Uherské Hradiště — but remember that during the September wine festival it’s hopelessly booked out many months in advance.
Central Moravia, Czech Republic: the 15 most beautiful places
Let’s take a look together at a complete overview of the absolute most interesting places you shouldn’t miss when visiting Haná and Wallachia. I’ve included iconic landmarks, architectural wonders and mysterious underground spaces here, so you can build an itinerary exactly to your taste.
1. Olomouc
Olomouc is, without exaggeration, one of the most charming cities in the country, and its historic centre can boldly compete with the lanes of Prague. The heart of the city is the Upper Square, dominated by the Holy Trinity Column, the largest baroque sculptural group in Central Europe, listed by UNESCO since 2000. Inside this majestic monument there’s even a small chapel, which makes it a genuine world-class rarity. Just a short walk away stands the town hall with its unique heliocentric astronomical clock, which took its current form in the 1950s in the style of socialist realism — so instead of the traditional saints, figures of workers and scientists rotate on it. The chimes play every day at exactly noon, so it’s worth planning your stroll through the centre for that time.
As you explore the city you’ll come across six baroque fountains, including for example the Caesar, Hercules, Mercury and Jupiter fountains. The local councillors once had them built rather than replacing them with a single large reservoir after the water supply was constructed, creating an utterly unique set of works of art. You definitely shouldn’t overlook the Cathedral of St Wenceslas either, which boasts the tallest church tower in Moravia, reaching an impressive height of one hundred metres.
If you’re looking for shelter from bad weather, head to the interactive Fortress of Knowledge museum, housed in a former military warehouse and run by the local university. For lunch or a snack, try one of the local pubs serving specialities made from genuine Olomouc cheese (tvarůžky). This cheese with protected designation of origin is completely vegetarian, and local cooks can conjure up excellent savoury pies and meat-free soups that will warm you up nicely in cooler weather.
💡 Tip: Interested in this city in more detail? Read our article What to see in Olomouc: the complete guide, where you’ll find plenty more inspiration.
2. Kroměříž
Kroměříž boasts the Archbishop’s Château with its breathtaking gardens, and the whole complex was rightfully inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1998. The château interiors are incredibly richly decorated, and this is exactly where Miloš Forman’s famous film Amadeus was shot, along with the acclaimed film The Unbearable Lightness of Being. The greatest jewel, however, is the château picture gallery, which holds the second most valuable art collection in the whole country after Prague’s National Gallery. Its greatest pride is Titian’s original painting Apollo and Marsyas, which draws art lovers from all over the world.
It’s best to check the exact entrance fee information before your trip directly on the website of the Archbishop’s Château. The château gardens are divided into two entirely different parts, both worth exploring thoroughly, which can easily take a whole afternoon. The Flower Garden is a rare, well-preserved Italian garden from the seventeenth century with a dominant octagonal rotunda and an incredibly long colonnade full of statues.
By contrast, the Château Garden is a sprawling English park full of mature trees and romantic ponds, where peacocks roam freely across the lawns. If you want to escape the crowds of tourists that pour in on summer weekends, I recommend heading out early in the morning or choosing a quieter weekday mid-week.
💡 Tip: Plan your trip in detail and find out what other attractions the town offers in our guide What to see in Kroměříž: 12 tips.
3. Bouzov Castle
Bouzov Castle looks exactly the way you’d imagine a perfect residence from classic fairy tales, mainly thanks to its extensive reconstruction at the turn of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Back then it acquired its typical romantic look with many turrets, battlements and drawbridges, making it one of the most photogenic places in the country. It’s no wonder, then, that filmmakers absolutely fell in love with it and choose it for shoots very often.
Its courtyards and grand chambers hosted the shooting of legendary fairy tales such as Arabela, The Tale of Princess Jasněnka and the Flying Cobbler, and the popular Italian fantasy series Fantaghirò. During the interior tour you’ll see beautifully carved furniture and rich collections of historic weapons that are sure to captivate not only adults but also little explorers. You can easily check the entrance fee and current opening hours on the castle’s official website.
I recommend combining your visit with a walk through the surrounding wooded hills, from where absolutely breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape open up onto the castle. Since it’s a very popular destination, it pays to arrive for the very first morning tour to avoid the long queues at the ticket office and enjoy the tour in a smaller group.
💡 Tip: A short walk below the castle there’s a historic area with a giant wooden replica of the Trojan horse, which the kids will be absolutely thrilled with.
4. The Javoříčko and Mladeč Caves
If you’re drawn to exploring mysterious underground worlds, Central Moravia certainly won’t disappoint you in this respect. The Javoříčko Caves hide exceptionally rich dripstone decoration, among the most beautiful and best preserved in the entire Czech Republic. You can look forward to huge chambers full of quirky limestone formations, stalactites and stalagmites glowing in every shade of colour. Exploring these cool underground passages is an absolutely ideal activity for scorching summer days when you’re after some pleasant refreshment.
A little further on lie the Mladeč Caves, a globally significant archaeological site, as numerous remains from the era of mammoth hunters have been found here. A walk through these spaces suddenly transports you deep into prehistory and makes you reflect on the lives of our ancient ancestors. You’ll best find the current opening hours and tour prices for both cave systems on the Cave Administration portal, where you can also check the length of the individual routes.
The caves maintain a stable temperature of around eight degrees Celsius all year round, so don’t forget to bring a warm hoodie or light jacket even in the middle of summer. For families with children it’s a great experience — just bear in mind that the tours require at least sturdy footwear.
💡 Tip: After visiting the Javoříčko Caves, you can set off on a pleasant, easy walk through the surrounding forests, which hide plenty of smaller karst formations.
5. Zlín
Zlín is an absolute architectural revelation and works as a living open-air textbook of functionalism that you simply won’t find anywhere else in the world. The entire city, built from its characteristic red brick, was commissioned by the famous Baťa company, which created a fascinating urban concept combining industry with living in greenery. A walk through the city centre and its sprawling parks is like a journey back in time to the era of the greatest industrial boom of the First Republic, when a small town grew into an enormous global shoe-making empire.
The biggest draw is the legendary Baťa skyscraper, also known as Building 21, which in its day was the very tallest structure in all of Czechoslovakia. Its greatest curiosity and absolute technological marvel is the movable director’s office set right inside a spacious lift. This office was even fitted with its own air conditioning and a washbasin, which for the time represented unheard-of luxury and a showcase of technical progress.
Today you can go up to the roof of the skyscraper, from where a stunning view opens up over the precisely arranged colonies of typical Baťa houses and the sprawling factory complex. If you’re interested in the history of shoe-making in greater depth, be sure to also visit the cultural centre 14|15 Baťa Institute, created by a generous conversion of two old factory buildings.
💡 Tip: Want to know how to plan a route around the best architectural gems? Get inspired in our piece What to see in Zlín: Baťa functionalism.
6. Luhačovice
Luhačovice is without a doubt the largest and best-known spa town in Moravia, and it will win you over instantly with its unmistakable, laid-back atmosphere. The little town is set in a picturesque valley and tempts you with long colonnades full of fragrant spa wafers and healing springs. The most famous spring of all is the celebrated Vincentka, which you can taste right in the newly renovated hall on the main square — its salty taste is absolutely characteristic of the whole spa experience.
The spa is famous above all for the fairy-tale wooden buildings by architect Dušan Jurkovič, which create an unrepeatable genius loci. This gifted architect masterfully combined Art Nouveau with traditional elements of Wallachian folk architecture. The most photographed building is undoubtedly the colourful Jurkovič House, which looks as though it fell out of an illustration in some old book, and to this day serves as a popular luxury spa hotel.
Besides sipping the spring waters and admiring the architecture, you can also enjoy pleasant walks through the spa parks, which are full of carefully tended flower beds. If you’re looking for more active relaxation, head to the nearby Luhačovice Reservoir, around which runs a flat trail ideal for inline skating or easy cycling.
💡 Tip: Bring home an original souvenir from the spa in the form of a special drinking cup with a long spout, from which the local mineral waters taste noticeably better.
7. Uherské Hradiště and Slovácko
Uherské Hradiště proudly fills the role of the cultural and historic capital of the whole Slovácko region, an area known for its immensely rich folklore and hospitality. The heart of the town is the sprawling Masaryk Square, adorned with a beautiful baroque fountain, around which you’ll find plenty of pleasant cafés and excellent restaurants. The extensive Slovácko Museum is definitely worth a visit, where you’ll learn everything essential about traditional costumes, folk customs and local crafts that are still lovingly kept alive in the area.
The whole area around the town is literally dotted with picturesque wine cellars, which complete the unmistakable character of the local rolling landscape and invite you to an evening spent over a glass. In September the whole town comes alive during the grand Slovácko Wine Festival, when the streets fill with people in colourful traditional costumes, cimbalom music plays everywhere, and everyone tastes burčák in abundance. If you’re planning a visit during this period, book your accommodation well in advance — easily even half a year ahead.
Not far from here is also the village of Vlčnov, world-famous for its traditional Ride of the Kings, which was inscribed on the prestigious UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage. This unique custom full of colour and tradition attracts the attention of visitors from all over the world and represents the very best of Slovácko culture.
💡 Tip: If you’re heading to this region, be sure to read our detailed article Uherské Hradiště: the capital of Slovácko.
8. Velehrad and Modrá
Velehrad is the most important place of pilgrimage in Moravia, whose strong spiritual atmosphere washes over you the moment you arrive. The whole complex is dominated by the gorgeous Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and Saints Cyril and Methodius, which amazes with its richly decorated interiors and majestic towers. The place is closely linked to the arrival of the Slavic missionaries, and every July thousands of pilgrims come here for the grand traditional celebrations full of emotion.
Just a short walk from Velehrad is the fascinating Modrá Archaeological Open-Air Museum, which offers a perfect reconstruction of a Great Moravian fortified settlement. You can walk among the reed-thatched huts, watch ancient craftsmen at work, and see with your own eyes what everyday life was like for our ancestors in the ninth century. It’s a fantastic experience especially for families with children, as the site feels immensely lively and authentic.
Both of these places are easy to combine into one packed full-day trip, as both lie just a few minutes’ walk from each other. While the basilica offers space for quiet contemplation and admiring grand historic architecture, the open-air museum instantly pulls you — and especially your children — into the action. You can easily check the archaeological site’s entrance fee and the basilica’s opening hours on their websites before your trip, as prices sometimes change with the current tourist season.
💡 Tip: In Modrá, definitely don’t miss the nearby and very popular Living Water exhibition, where you walk through a unique glass tunnel right beneath the surface of a pond full of giant beluga sturgeon and carp.
9. Buchlov and Buchlovice
This pair of landmarks forms an absolutely perfect architectural contrast and represents one of the best full-day trips in Central Moravia, sure to please lovers of history and romance alike. The medieval Buchlov Castle rises proudly on a high wooded ridge of the Chřiby mountains and, even from afar, looks like an impregnable stone fortress from the days of ancient knights. From its mighty walls and lookout towers you get fantastic panoramic views over the whole surrounding landscape, especially in autumn, when the surrounding deciduous forests turn incredible shades of red and gold.
A completely different experience is offered by the baroque Buchlovice château, which lies just a few kilometres lower down in the picturesque foothills. This château was built in the style of Italian country villas and is surrounded by a gorgeous English park full of rare trees and freely roaming peacocks that lend the whole place a stately atmosphere. So in a single day you can experience both the harsh medieval reality and the polished elegance of a château. You’ll best find the exact information about the tour routes of both landmarks on their official websites, where you can also secure tickets in advance.
💡 Tip: The route between the rugged castle and the romantic château leads through the beautiful wooded nature of the Chřiby hills and offers plenty of stops for short hikes or an afternoon picnic.
10. Helfštýn
Helfštýn Castle is among the very largest castle complexes in the whole Czech Republic, and its huge size and the sheer scale of its fortifications are sure to amaze you the moment you arrive. It’s unique above all in that you have to pass through an incredible seven gates in succession before you reach the very heart of the castle on the highest courtyard. A walk through the whole complex is quite a decent sporting feat, but it rewards you with the sight of precise medieval building craft that protected the important trade route through the Moravian Gate for centuries.
In 2020 the dilapidated ruin of the castle palace underwent a fascinating and very bold reconstruction, during which it gained a modern glass roof and an ingenious system of steel walkways. This architectural solution sensitively links the historic masonry with modern design and has rightfully won a number of prestigious international awards, so before your visit be sure to check the details on the Helfštýn Castle website. Every year at the end of August the castle comes alive with a huge event called Hefaiston, an international gathering of artistic blacksmiths from all over Europe, whose stunning works adorn many of the castle courtyards and form a permanent exhibition.
💡 Tip: From the highest castle tower there’s an absolutely superb 360° view over the whole vast Moravian Gate area, and on a clear day you can see incredibly far.
11. Litovel and Litovelské Pomoraví
The town of Litovel is quite rightly and with great pride nicknamed the Venice of Haná, because an incredible six branches of the Morava River flow through its historic centre. The water romantically runs right beneath the main square here, lines the ancient walls, and lends the whole little town a very unusual and incredibly calm atmosphere that you’ll fall in love with at first sight. Sitting in one of the local cafés with a view of the lazily flowing water is the best way to recharge in this town before heading out to explore again.
Right beyond the town gates begins the Litovelské Pomoraví Protected Landscape Area, a true paradise for all lovers of pristine nature and active relaxation. You’ll find vast floodplain forests here, oxbow lakes full of rare water birds, and wetlands that in appearance resemble a small jungle wilderness in the middle of civilisation. The whole area is absolutely ideal for easy cycling, as it’s completely flat with plenty of perfectly maintained cycle paths. If you’re looking to escape the tourist crowds, this is exactly the right direction for your trip.
💡 Tip: In Litovel you can rent a boat or paddleboard in the summer months and see the town from a completely different perspective, right from the water surface of one of the river branches.
12. Svatý Kopeček
Svatý Kopeček rises right above Olomouc, forming an unmissable landmark of the whole wide surroundings that you can see from a great distance. Its main attraction is the monumental baroque pilgrimage Basilica of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary, reached from the city by a long historic avenue, which amazes with its richly decorated interiors and gorgeous frescoes. A walk across the sprawling square in front of the basilica is wonderful in any season, and it offers one of the loveliest panoramic views over the entire Haná capital.
Besides the spiritual dimension, though, most visitors come here for another huge draw — the sprawling Olomouc Zoo. It spreads across gorgeous wooded terrain and offers plenty of open enclosures where you can watch the animals up close in their natural environment; you’ll find more practical information on the zoo’s website. Svatý Kopeček can be reached very comfortably by regular public transport straight from the centre of Olomouc, so you don’t have to worry about the tricky parking that can be quite a problem on holiday weekends.
💡 Tip: Right in the zoo grounds there’s a tall steel lookout tower, from which, on a nice sunny day, you have the entire flat Haná region laid out below you.
13. Svatý Hostýn
Svatý Hostýn is, right after Velehrad, the second most important place of pilgrimage in Moravia, and a visit here carries an incredibly strong charge regardless of whether you’re a believer or simply admire sacred architecture. On the very summit of the wooded hill above the town of Bystřice pod Hostýnem stands the beautiful Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. A long monumental staircase leads up to the basilica from the foot of the hill, lined with little stalls where traditional gingerbread, holy pictures and all sorts of souvenirs have been sold for generations.
Special and very detailed attention is also deserved by the original Way of the Cross from the early twentieth century, designed by the famous Slovak architect Dušan Jurkovič. This path with colourful mosaics fits beautifully into the surrounding forest landscape and makes a magical spot for a quiet walk. There’s no entrance fee here, but bear in mind that you can’t drive up the hill in an ordinary car without a special permit, so you’ll have to use the regular bus service from Bystřice. At the top there’s also a modern wind turbine with a lookout tower, which creates an incredibly interesting contrast between deep history and the present day.
💡 Tip: A short walk below the summit you’ll find a healing spring called the Water Chapel, where people from all around come to fill their bottles with the cool and supposedly miraculous water.
14. Holešov
The little town of Holešov often quite unfairly stays in the shadow of the far better-known Kroměříž, yet it offers exceptionally interesting historic landmarks that deserve your full attention. The biggest landmark is the early baroque château with a gorgeous sprawling park, whose water channels form, from a bird’s-eye view, a unique layout in the shape of Neptune’s trident. The château park is freely accessible to the general public and makes an absolutely perfect spot for an afternoon picnic beneath the crowns of centuries-old trees, or for a romantic walk at sunset.
A genuine world-class rarity, though, is the unassuming Šach Synagogue, which rightfully ranks among the very best-preserved and most important Jewish monuments in the whole Czech Republic. Its inconspicuous exterior hides richly decorated wooden ceilings and ancient texts, and you’ll find the current guided tour options on the town’s information portals. Inseparable from the synagogue is the nearby mysterious Jewish cemetery with the tomb of the famous Rabbi Šach, to which pilgrims from all over the world travel every year. Holešov is simply an ideal stop if you want to avoid the biggest crowds.
💡 Tip: Definitely take the synagogue tour with a local guide, as the stories connected with the local Jewish community are immensely fascinating and full of emotion.
15. Vizovice
Say Wallachia and lots of people immediately and quite automatically think of Vizovice, which throughout the country is literally synonymous with quality fruit spirits. The main tourist draw here is the famous Rudolf Jelínek distillery, where you can go on a very popular tour and follow, with a guide, the whole fascinating process of making genuine Moravian slivovitz (plum brandy). At the end of the tour there’s of course the much-anticipated tasting, after which you can buy special editions of the spirits in the company shop that you certainly won’t find in ordinary supermarkets.
The town also boasts a beautiful baroque Vizovice château, which offers richly furnished interiors with extensive collections of period paintings and rare porcelain. It’s always best to check the château’s opening hours and the exact distillery tour times on their official websites, as the capacity often fills up quickly. In the summer months Vizovice also transforms into the capital of heavy music, as it hosts the huge international Masters of Rock festival. The area around the town is threaded with hiking trails that reliably lead you up to the ridges of the Vizovice Hills with stunning views.
💡 Tip: If you’re heading to Vizovice in summer for the festival, secure your accommodation well in advance, as the whole wider area tends to be booked out months ahead.
Central Moravia with kids: the best family tips
Travelling with children requires a slightly different approach and more careful planning, so that no one is bored for a single moment and everyone enjoys the holiday in complete comfort. Fortunately, Central Moravia is full of great attractions that will thrill both little explorers and their tired parents. I’ve prepared four self-contained themed circuits for you that will save your daily programme in absolutely any weather.
Olomouc Zoo and Zlín-Lešná Zoo
A visit to the zoo is an absolute safe bet that’s guaranteed to light up every child’s eyes. Olomouc Zoo at Svatý Kopeček tempts with the vast expanses of its wooded enclosures, where the animals move in a very natural environment. In high season from March to October, adults pay around €7.40 (180 Kč) for entry, and children from three years along with students and seniors pay around €4.90 (120 Kč), while the youngest children under three enter completely free. A family ticket for two adults and two children costs a favourable €21 or so (520 Kč), but watch out for the parking fee. It’s paid separately and in the summer season comes to an extra €4 or so (100 Kč) per day, which surprises many unprepared families right at the barriers.
The second fantastic choice is Zlín-Lešná Zoo, which has long been among the most visited zoos in the country and is uniquely built right around a romantic historic château. The animals here are logically arranged by continent, and you can wander with the children through spacious walk-through aviaries full of colourful exotic birds, or take a close look at rays in a special touch pool. Always check the current entrance fees and opening hours on the official website of Zlín Zoo, as they may change slightly depending on the season.
To the caves and the archaeological open-air museum
When you’re looking for a thrilling adventure with the kids or a quick escape from the unpleasant summer heat, a descent underground is always a great idea. The Javoříčko Caves, with their absolutely fantastic dripstone decoration, feel to children like a journey into a real fairy-tale realm full of petrified giants and quirky shapes. But be sure to bring a warm hoodie for everyone, including yourself, because even in the hottest August summer it stays quite chilly here, and the tour of the whole complex takes just under an hour.
For a proper dose of history in the fresh air, head to the Modrá Archaeological Open-Air Museum near Velehrad, which is sure to pull children into the action and not let go. It’s no boring museum with dusty display cases, but a living and very authentic recreation of a Great Moravian settlement. Here children can see the dark semi-sunken dwellings first-hand, try archery under supervision, or enthusiastically pet the freely roaming farm animals that give the whole site just the right historic atmosphere.
When it rains: the Fortress of Knowledge and the Baťa Institute
Sadly you can’t order the weather on holiday, so it’s always good to have a solid plan B for rainy days. In Olomouc, the interactive Fortress of Knowledge museum will reliably save you — it’s housed in a beautiful historic former military warehouse and run with huge enthusiasm by the local university itself. Here children can safely try out all sorts of physics experiments first-hand, walk through a giant model of the human brain, or solve tricky logic puzzles. You’ll find more useful information about the programmes on the Fortress of Knowledge website.
In Zlín, head with your little ones to the wonderful cultural centre called 14|15 Baťa Institute, created by a very generous conversion of two old brick factory buildings in the city centre. Inside you’ll find a modern museum of southeastern Moravia with an exceptionally engaging exhibition on the history of shoe-making and the famous Baťa family era. Thanks to plenty of historic sewing machines, flashing buttons and period objects, this excursion into the past unexpectedly entertains even the youngest visitors, who would otherwise be bored stiff in a classic museum.
With a pushchair around the château gardens
Travelling with the very youngest children in a pushchair calls for terrain without needless steps, roots and awkward obstacles. Absolutely ideal in this respect is the Château Garden in Kroměříž, which is perfectly flat with very wide, firm sandy paths. You can wander here for hours in the pleasant shade of mature trees, watch the wild peacocks while your child sleeps peacefully, and on top of that, entry to this sprawling part of the gardens is completely free all year round.
Great and very safe pushchair routes are also offered by the Smetana Gardens in Olomouc, where you’ll find endlessly long asphalt avenues, plenty of benches to rest on, and beautifully maintained flower beds. If you prefer wilder nature to city parks on your walks, set off on the smooth cycle path running along the Morava River in the Litovelské Pomoraví Protected Landscape Area. This terrain is absolutely safe and comfortable for smooth pushchair travel, and the whole way you breathe wonderfully clean forest air.
Where to eat in Central Moravia
The food scene in Central Moravia is incredibly varied, blending honest historic traditions with modern culinary trends. The absolute most famous local product is of course the famous Olomouc cheese (tvarůžky), the only original Czech cheese with protected designation of origin, and one that’s also completely vegetarian. It’s characterised by a strongly pungent flavour and a very unmistakable, distinctive aroma that may put some people off at first — but once you taste it, you’ll probably become a fan. It’s made in the nearby town of Loštice, where, besides the factory itself, you’ll also find a great cheese museum and local restaurants that prepare excellent meat-free soups, savoury pies and incredibly original sweet desserts from it.
The Haná region is also famous far and wide for its sweets, so on your travels you simply must taste the traditional Haná pastries (koláče), which are generously filled with soft quark and topped with a sweet crumble. In Wallachia, meanwhile, every good bakery will have huge round frgály cakes with pear, poppy-seed or plum-jam fillings, which reliably satisfy a sweet tooth after a long, demanding trip. The regional cuisine also offers a range of heartier meat dishes that will please lovers of the classics; in Haná a typical speciality is the rich Haná svíčková (marinated beef in cream sauce), while Slovácko is famous for its honest Slovácko sausages, which waft from every stall at the autumn festivals.
When you wander through sunny Slovácko, it would be a huge mistake not to taste the excellent Moravia wines, which are an inseparable part of the local culture and folklore. The passionate local winemakers grow wonderful varieties of both white and red wine, and an evening spent in a cool wine cellar with a glass in hand is the best possible way to end a day of sightseeing. If you prefer something stronger to warm up in cooler weather, then in Wallachia every lover of honest, quality fruit slivovitz will get their fix.
Practical tips: transport, festivals and reservations
- Excellent rail access: Olomouc lies right on the main railway corridor, so it’s very well connected across the country and easy to reach by fast train. If you’re heading to Baťa’s Zlín, most train services require a quick, hassle-free change in nearby Otrokovice.
- Strategic route planning: The towns of Olomouc, Kroměříž and Zlín form an absolutely ideal triangle on the map, which can be comfortably driven around without much rush in three to four days — a great basis for your long weekend. Remember that a motorway vignette (toll sticker, as in Austria or Switzerland) is required to use Czech motorways.
- Where to escape the crowds: If you long for more peace on a summer holiday weekend, avoid the crowded gardens in Kroměříž and head instead to the quiet forests of the Chřiby hills or the picturesque Litovelské Pomoraví.
- Book early in Slovácko: If you want to experience the grand September Slovácko Wine Festival in Uherské Hradiště first-hand, secure your accommodation easily half a year in advance — otherwise you don’t stand the slightest chance of finding a free room.
Where to go next
If you enjoy travelling around this country and are looking for more inspiration, be sure to check out our other guides full of personal tips and recommendations from different corners of the Czech Republic:
- 20 tips for a holiday in the Czech Republic
- What to see in Olomouc: the complete guide
- What to see in Zlín: Baťa functionalism
Frequently asked questions
Before every trip to a new region, plenty of small practical questions come up. I’ve prepared an overview of the most common queries that travellers usually have about Central Moravia, so you’ll be perfectly prepared for your holiday and nothing will catch you off guard.
How much does a ticket to Zoo Olomouc cost and what are the other fees?
In the high season (from March to October), adults pay €7 (180 Kč) and children from three years old, students and seniors pay €5 (120 Kč). A family ticket for two adults and two children costs a great-value €21 (520 Kč). Don’t forget, however, that parking is not included in the admission price and in the summer season will set you back an additional €4 (100 Kč) per day.
Which UNESCO sites can I find in central Moravia?
This historically rich region boasts several prestigious listings. They include the monumental Baroque Holy Trinity Column in Olomouc, the magnificent Archbishop’s Chateau with the Flower and Castle Gardens in Kroměříž, and the colourful traditional Ride of the Kings in Vlčnov, which is protected on the list of intangible cultural heritage.
Why does the astronomical clock in Olomouc have such unusual decoration?
The Olomouc astronomical clock was unfortunately heavily damaged at the end of World War II and got its current appearance in the 1950s. It was therefore created in the spirit of socialist realism of the time, so instead of the traditional holy apostles, it features rotating figurines of working labourers, athletes and scientists.
Which accommodation in Olomouc has the best reviews?
Among the long-time favourites is the stylish Long Story Short, which very originally combines a premium hostel with a classic hotel. Also very popular with couples is the cosy boutique hotel Miss Sophie’s or the exceptionally elegant Hotel Theresian, which boasts a luxury wellness centre located right on the rooftop with views over the city.
Are olomoucké tvarůžky suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, authentic olomoucké tvarůžky from Loštice are completely vegetarian. They are a unique ripened cheese with a very low fat content and a typical strong aromatic smell. Local restaurants love to prepare wonderful meat-free soups, delicious savoury pastries and various fried versions from them, which are definitely worth trying.
Where can I find the best activities for young children?
An absolute hit is the extensive Zoo Lešná near Zlín and the wooded Zoo on Svatý Kopeček above Olomouc. For rainy days, the interactive museum Pevnost poznání in Olomouc is absolutely ideal. Little adventurers will also be thrilled by Archeoskanzen Modrá near Velehrad with live animals, archery and authentic semi-subterranean dwellings.
Can central Moravia be comfortably explored without a car?
Major cities like Olomouc, Kroměříž and Zlín are very well connected to each other by trains or regular buses. Olomouc also lies directly on the main railway corridor from Prague. However, getting to more remote castles like Bouzov or Buchlov by public transport is considerably more difficult and a car is a huge advantage there.
Tips and Tricks for Your Vacation
Don’t Overpay for Flights
Search for flights on Kayak. It’s our favorite search engine because it scans the websites of all airlines and always finds the cheapest connection.
Book Your Accommodation Smartly
The best experiences we’ve had when looking for accommodation (from Alaska to Morocco) are with Booking.com, where hotels, apartments, and entire houses are usually the cheapest and most widely available.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Good travel insurance will protect you against illness, accidents, theft, or flight cancellations. We’ve had a few hospital visits abroad, so we know how important it is to have proper insurance arranged.
Where we insure ourselves: SafetyWing (best for everyone) and TrueTraveller (for extra-long trips).
Why don’t we recommend any Czech insurance company? Because they have too many restrictions. They set limits on the number of days abroad, travel insurance via a credit card often requires you to pay medical expenses only with that card, and they frequently limit the number of returns to the Czech Republic.
Find the Best Experiences
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can book guided walks, trips, skip-the-line tickets, tours, and much more. We always find some extra fun there!
