Mikulov - castle and other attractions of Czech Mikulov in South Moravia

Name: Mikulov
Rating: 5

Mikulov is the most charming city we have seen in South Moravia. It lies in the south of the Czech Republic, or rather the Czech Republic, almost on the very border with Austria, and the powerful castle and sacred hill encourages you to visit tourists heading to southern Europe, Italy or Croatia. The historic centre of the town is intimate and charming. Even before we left, we read that Mikulov has a Mediterranean climate. This amused us a little, because, as we know, the Czechs do not have access to the sea. But sitting on the market unknowingly, I just thought about Italy. The sun, wine parties, people walking around with glasses and such a culture of drinking. It's really nice. Check out our guide to Mikulov and let yourself be invited to this wonderful Moravian city!

Location, access to Mikulov and parking

Mikulov na Moravě lies in the south of Moravia, close to the Czech-Austrian border, in a region known as Palava. It is a great base for both a short city break and a longer tour of the surrounding vineyards, nature reserves and small towns. It is also an ideal stop on the way to the south of Europe. Getting to Mikulov is really convenient, especially if you travel by car. From Upper Silesia, there is the A1 motorway, and then the Czech one through Ostrava. It takes about an hour to get here from Brno, and you can also get there relatively quickly from Vienna. The city is also well connected for public transport, although the car gives you more freedom if you plan to visit nearby viewpoints and vineyards. When it comes to parking, the city offers paid car parks in the center, which fill up quickly. We left the car in the free parking lot at 22.dubna Street. There are not many places and it is not easy to get there, but we managed to stop there twice, from where it is a few minutes walk to the market square. Mikulov is not big, so sightseeing on your feet is definitely the best option.

Things to do in Mikulov - what is worth seeing? Map of tourist attractions

Mikulov isn't a big city, but it has surprisingly much to offer. It is best to visit them on foot, without haste, because most attractions lie close to each other. Although the greatest treasures are the castle or temples, along the way you will find beautiful alleys, interesting monuments, viewpoints and atmospheric cafes. The aura of this city can truly enchant. Here are the best things to do in Mikulov!

Mikulov Palace - Mikulov Castle - it's worth a visit!

The Czech name is Mikulov Castle, which means palace in Polish, but I am willing to say that it is both a palace and a castle. The building dates back to the Middle Ages, it was built on a limestone hill as a stronghold, and the first mentions date back to the 11th century. Later, over the centuries, it was rebuilt many times, both in the Renaissance and later in the Baroque style. Currently, it has both forms - a beautiful residence and elements of a Gothic castle. Several hiking trails lead through the interiors, and on one of them you will see the second largest Renaissance barrel in the world - a symbol of the wine power of this place and region. It was built in 1643. It weighs 26 tons and can hold over 101,000 liters of wine, or 135,000 bottles. After several decades, it unfortunately began to leak, and the repair was not profitable, so it remained as a curiosity. The main route leads through chambers filled with art, e.g. a unique marble bust of a woman in a veil or period costumes. It is also worth entering the courtyard and terraces, because from this place there is a very nice view of the city and the surrounding hills. The same applies to the Gothic tower.

The castle in Mikulov belonged to the Liechtensteins, but in the 16th century it was bought by the Dietrichstein family, who resided there until the end of World War II. The Polish episode was also marked here, and it is the meeting of King Władysław IV Vasa with Emperor Ferdinand III. However, not everything went as our king intended, because apparently he was not received with respect worthy of majesty, so he returned to the country with offended pride.
Address: Zámek 1/4

Market Square in Mikulov - Square and Sgraffito House U Rytířů

The square in Mikulov is a charming, sloping square with colorful tenement houses and the towering baroque column of the Holy Trinity. It is here that it is best to feel the atmosphere of Mikulov, you will meet here cafes, wine, unhurried conversations and the feeling that time passes more slowly. The market is an ideal place for morning coffee, a glass of local wine or just relaxing while exploring. The corner tenement house Sgrafitový dům U Rytířů at Náměstí 24/27 with beautiful sgraffito ornaments attracts the eye.
Address: Náměstí

The Dietrichstein Tomb - Dietrichstein Tomb

The Dietrichstein tomb is a real colossus on the market. Monumental, a bit austere, like a city temple. In fact, before the fire in the 18th century, it was an active church. To this day, it is very impressive and reminds us of the importance of this family in the history of the city. This is one of the most characteristic points of Mikulov and an important element of local identity. Unfortunately, we were unable to look inside.
Address: Náměstí 193/5

Church of St. Wenceslas and observation tower - Church of St. Wenceslas and observation tower

St. Wenceslas Church towering over the market square is one of the most important sacred monuments in the city center. It has a very nice interior. The painting of the main altar depicts the murder of St. Wenceslas. Attention is also drawn to the sculpture of the Madonna and Child made of cedar wood, which is located in the northern chapel of the Virgin Mary of Loreto. The entrance to the observation tower is paid, but it allows you to see Mikulov from above.
Address: Kostelní nám. 15

Synagogue in Mikulov - Upper Synagogue

The Upper Synagogue is a very interesting place that reminds you of the multicultural history of the city. Mikulov has been an important center of the Jewish community for centuries, so the synagogue and its associated heritage are an important part of the tour. If you like places with history, it's worth a look here. The synagogue is nicely maintained from the outside, but its interior is also surprising, with an exceptionally beautiful bimah. It also houses an exhibition on the history of Moravian Jews. Interestingly, there used to be as many as 12 synagogues in the city.
Address: Husova 13

Holy Hill with the Chapel of St. Sebastian - Svatý Kopeček

The Holy Hill, or Svatý Kopeček, is an impressive hill visible from afar thanks to the Chapel of St. Sebastian. The blue trail leads to the top. This is the Jurassic landscape of Palava and a wonderful vantage point for the sunset, and at the same time one of the oldest Stations of the Cross in Moravia and in the whole Czech Republic. It was founded in the 17th century and initially consisted of only 7 chapels, because this was the tradition in Europe at that time. Only later, in the next century, the rest of the chapels were added, which look slightly different. The construction of the Way of the Cross and the chapel dedicated to St. Sebastian was an expression of gratitude for stopping the plague epidemic of 1622. The entrance is not very difficult, and the view from above rewards the effort with extra effort.

The ruins of the Kozi Gródek castle with a panorama of the city - Kozí hrádek

Goat Castle in Mikulov is the ruins of a late Gothic artillery tower from the 15th century, which was built on the initiative of the Liechtenstein family. The ruins stand on a limestone hill, which to this day is a fantastic vantage point for the city and the surrounding area. Formerly, the tower served as an observation point and a defensive element of the city. It also guarded an important trade route connecting Brno with Vienna.
Address: Na Jámě

Other attractions in Mikulov and South Moravia worth visiting

If you have a little more time in Mikulov, I would add a few more places:

Regional Museum in Mikulov - a good place to better understand the history of the city, the region and local wine culture
Turold Cave - Na Turoldu Cave, U Lomu 696 - a small cave open to the public
Růžový kopec - a limestone hill that is part of the Palava River and the nature protection area
Gate of Freedom - Gate to Freedom - a characteristic monument south of the city, near the Včelínek reservoir
Cihlový most - a historic bridge on the Rybničný potok stream also south of the city
Lednice Palace
Valtice Palace
The reservoir and the surroundings of Palava - ideal for people who like nature, walks and peaceful landscapes, on the hills you can find the ruins of castles, e.g. Sirotčí Hrádek Castle
Nearby vineyards - Mikulov is a great starting point for wine tasting and short trips around South Moravia
Aqualand Moravia, Pasohlávky - one of the largest water parks in the country, was built on the former Roman baths and uses geothermal wells and water at a temperature of over 40 C
Pavlov Archaeological Museum - Pavlov Archaeopark, April 23, 264 Pavlov-Mikulov - a multimedia exhibition about archaeological discoveries from this area, including the oldest known ceramic figurine made by man. It is about 30,000 years old and it is Venus - a symbol of fertility and life. There is a more than 2-meter reconstruction at the site of the find, but in fact it was only 11 centimeters long

Where to eat in Czech Mikulov?

In the heart of Mikulov, we found a cool pub in the style of games and the Fallout series. To Pedro's Streetfood Bistro (Brněnská 8/3). It's not exactly my vibe, but Łukasz liked it. These types of places are quite characteristic in Mikulov: loose, unpretentious and often geared towards tourists, but still with a climate. There is also a restaurant with Czech and Moravian cuisine, where you can try the classics in a good, local version. If you like wine, be sure to look for places that offer tastings and seasonal menus. We recommend ice cream and lemonade from the window on the corner, next to the tomb (Náměstí 199/11). You will also find wine here, because Mikulov lives by wine. It is also worth trying local wine snacks, cheeses or dishes inspired by the cuisine of the region. There are also, of course, wine shops, e.g. Vinotéka Radosti (Náměstí 199/11).

Accommodation in Mikulov

We slept in the very center, in the Radosti Hotel (Česká 156/2). These are comfortable apartments, conveniently located and with breakfast, we recommend the place. For people who want to explore on foot and at the same time have everything at hand, such a location is really the best. In Mikulov, it is worth looking for accommodation in the center or next door, because in the evening you can still go to the market without having to return by car.

Here you will find a wide selection of accommodations. By booking your stay on Booking.com through our link, you support the development of our blog — and we thank you in advance! It helps us reach many interesting places that we later love to show you and share our experiences and information with you.

Our South Moravian video

At the very end, we invite you to our video from exploring South Moravia. Mikulov is also obese😉

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What's worth seeing in the area?

If you have already visited this attraction, it is also worth visiting several other interesting ones places nearby. Within a radius of 100 kilometers you will find many interesting places places that can diversify your stay in this part of Poland.

Brno, distance: 42.9 km
Znojmo in the Czech Republic, distance: 43.8 km
Moravian Karst, distance: 63.1 km
Vienna, distance: 69.3 km
Vienna Fairgrounds, distance: 69.4 km
Olomouc, distance: 98.2 km