Things to Do in Brno in May
May weather, activities, events & insider tips
May Weather in Brno
Is May Right for You?
Advantages
- Spring weather hits its stride in May - you'll get those genuinely pleasant 18-20°C (64-68°F) afternoons that make walking around the old town actually enjoyable, not the sweaty slog of summer or the finger-numbing cold of winter
- Tourist crowds haven't really materialized yet - Špilberk Castle and Villa Tugendhat still feel like they're yours to explore, without the July bus tour groups. Locals are out enjoying the weather too, which gives the city a lived-in authenticity
- The wine regions around Brno wake up in May - Pálava hills are green, vineyard tours start running their full schedules, and the spring wine festivals in villages like Pavlov and Mikulov typically happen late May. You're catching the wine culture at its most optimistic moment
- Outdoor cafe culture is in full swing - Zelný trh (the cabbage market square) and the courtyards along Veveří street fill with tables, and locals linger over coffee for hours. This is when Brno feels most Mediterranean, before the summer heat drives everyone indoors for air conditioning
Considerations
- Weather is genuinely unpredictable - you might get a gorgeous 22°C (72°F) day followed by a 12°C (54°F) drizzle. Those 10 rainy days are scattered randomly throughout the month, so you can't really plan around them. Pack layers, basically
- Some attractions still run reduced spring hours - a few smaller museums and the outlying castles might close Mondays and Tuesdays, or shut at 4pm instead of 6pm. Worth checking specific opening times before you trek out to Veveří Castle or Pernštejn
- It's not quite warm enough for the outdoor swimming pools yet - Kraví hora and Riviéra typically open late May or early June depending on temperatures. If you're hoping to swim, you'll likely be stuck with indoor pools or waiting until your last few days
Best Activities in May
Moravian Karst cave system exploration
May is actually ideal for the Macocha Abyss and Punkva Caves - the spring snowmelt makes the underground river more dramatic, and the 8-10°C (46-50°F) cave temperature feels refreshing rather than bone-chilling like it does in winter. The forest trails connecting the caves are green and muddy in that spring way, so you'll want proper shoes. Crowds are manageable on weekdays - weekends see more Czech families, but nothing like summer chaos. The 138-meter (453-foot) Macocha gorge viewpoint is genuinely spectacular in May light.
Brno cycling routes through wine country
The Brno-Vienna Greenway and the trails through Lednice-Valtice UNESCO area are perfect in May - not too hot, mostly dry paths, and the countryside is that intense spring green. You'll cover 40-60 km (25-37 miles) in a day comfortably. The route from Brno to Mikulov takes about 4 hours of actual riding, mostly flat with a few gentle hills. Locals do this constantly in May before summer heat makes it less appealing.
Špilberk Castle and Petrov Cathedral walking tours
May weather makes the uphill walks to these landmarks actually pleasant - you'll work up a light sweat but not arrive drenched like in July. The views from Špilberk over the city are clearest in spring before summer haze settles in. The castle casemates stay cool year-round, which feels good after the climb. Petrov's towers offer 360-degree views from 84 meters (276 feet) up, and in May you can actually see the Pálava hills in the distance.
Villa Tugendhat modernist architecture visits
This UNESCO-listed Mies van der Rohe masterpiece requires advance booking, and May is easier to secure spots than summer peak season. The guided tour takes 90 minutes and covers the revolutionary 1930s design - the onyx wall, the chrome columns, the way the building integrates with the garden. In May, the garden terrace is accessible and lovely, showing what the original owners experienced. The 3°C (37°F) temperature-controlled interior feels comfortable after walking around outside.
Traditional Czech beer hall and brewery experiences
Brno's beer culture is year-round, but May is when the seasonal spring lagers and marzens appear. Starobrno brewery tours show the full brewing process and end with tastings - the industrial scale is impressive. Smaller brewpubs in the center like those around Jakubské náměstí pour experimental batches alongside classic pilsners. A half-liter runs 45-65 CZK, cheaper than most European cities. Locals pack these places after work, especially Thursday and Friday evenings.
Lednice-Valtice Cultural Landscape day trips
This UNESCO area 50 km (31 miles) south of Brno comes alive in May - the palace gardens open fully, the greenhouse with exotic plants is accessible, and the 60-meter (197-foot) Minaret tower offers views over the fishponds and forests. The Liechtenstein family's summer palace at Lednice is absurdly ornate, and the connecting trails through the landscape park are walkable or bikeable. May weather makes the outdoor exploring comfortable before summer crowds and heat arrive.
May Events & Festivals
Brno Museum Night
Typically happens mid-May, when 40-plus museums, galleries, and historical buildings open their doors from 6pm to 1am with free or heavily discounted entry. Special exhibitions, performances, and workshops run throughout the night. Locals treat it like a cultural festival - you'll see families, students, and elderly couples all wandering between venues. The tram system runs extended hours. Gets crowded at popular spots like the Brno Ossuary around 8-10pm, but thins out after midnight.
Ignis Brunensis Fireworks Festival
International fireworks competition held over Brno Dam, usually late May into early June. Teams from different countries launch synchronized displays set to music over four evenings. The lakeside fills with blankets and picnics - arrive by 7pm for decent viewing spots. The finale night draws 100,000-plus people. Free to watch from the dam area, or you can pay 200-400 CZK for reserved seating with better sightlines.