A ferry boat approaching Veveří castle
The weather is too beautiful to spend Saturdays and Sundays at home. One of my favorite trips is to ride a tram #1 to stop Přístaviště (30 minutes from the main station), hike to Veveří castle along the banks of Brno dam lake (2 hours), and then to take a ferry boat back to Brno (1 hour for the castle, 1 hour for the cruise).
The hiking is quite easy, as there are almost no uphills and you can have a beer or a lemonade in several beer gardens along the way.
Veveří castle is surprisingly huge
Veveří castle is almost unknown to foreign visitors of the town, although it is one of the most popular “beauty-spots” for locals. A century ago, the situation was opposite. Until 1925, it had been owned by British nobleman Arnold De Forest-Bischofsheim – and it also had been visited by Winston Churchill for several times, including during his honeymoon. (Learn more about the history of the castle.)
The castle has been decaying for a very long time after the World War II. In recent years, thanks to castellan Petr Fedor, the situation is getting better – place after place, the huge complex is getting repaired.
Sadly, there are no tours with English-speaking guide. However, for only CZK 20, you can walk through all the courtyards and even to some ambits and towers.
Boat Brno
Ferry boats have been a popular tourist attraction for 65 years – which is being celebrated this month. However, prepare to pay CZK 110 for a cruise from Veveří castle back to Bystrc quarter. It is worth of the money anyway. Learn more about the ferry boats, prices and timetable.
If you want to do this trip, print out this tourist map. Přístaviště tram station is at its bottom, Veveří castle at its top. Follow the red trail all the way and you can not get lost.
