Imagine wandering through cavernous underground chambers that resemble a cathedral, discovering centuries-old crypts hidden beneath city streets, collecting a glass marble from a quirky astronomical clock and ending the day with a glass of local wine before heading out to vineyard-covered landscapes and charming wine towns. Add to that a thriving café culture, creative energy and a refreshingly local atmosphere free from the crowds that define many European destinations. It sounds like the kind of place travellers spend years searching for.

That place is Brno. Czechia’s second-largest city is quickly emerging as one of the country’s most exciting hidden gems. Brno is not the kind of city that demands attention. It does not compete with Prague’s postcard-perfect charm or ask to be checked off a list. Instead, it rewards travellers who enjoy discovering places with character. The city is youthful, creative and refreshingly local. Its streets are lined with cafés, wine bars and hidden corners that feel genuinely discovered. For Indian travellers looking to experience Czechia beyond the usual highlights, Brno offers a different perspective.

One of the city’s most surprising attractions lies underground. Beneath Brno are vast historic water reservoirs built between the late 19th and early 20th centuries to supply drinking water to the growing city. Today, these restored chambers are among Brno’s most atmospheric spaces. With vaulted ceilings, dramatic corridors and a cathedral-like scale, they feel equally suited to an art installation, a film set or an unforgettable underground techno event.

Another of Brno’s standout attractions is Villa Tugendhat, a UNESCO-listed masterpiece that has become a pilgrimage site for architecture and design enthusiasts from around the world. Its pioneering use of space, materials and technology was decades ahead of its time, making it one of the most important examples of modern architecture in Europe.

Brno’s fascination with the unusual continues above ground. The Capuchin Crypt offers a glimpse into the city’s past through naturally mummified monks preserved beneath the monastery, while Brno’s famous astronomical clock releases a glass marble every day at 11 am — a quirky local tradition that visitors love.

The city is also the perfect gateway to South Moravia, Czechia’s renowned wine region. From vineyard-covered landscapes to underground wine cellars and charming towns like Mikulov, the region offers a slower and more sensory side of the country. Curious without being crowded, stylish without being obvious and local without being inaccessible, Brno is the city to add next for travellers seeking a more unexpected side of Czechia!