Things to Do in Moravian Karst

A massive sinkhole 138 meters deep marks the centerpiece of Moravian Karst, where over 1,100 caves and gorges carved through limestone create one of Central Europe's most impressive underground landscapes. This protected area stretches across rolling countryside north of Brno. Only a handful open to the public. The region centers around the dramatic Macocha Abyss, serving as the finale to the underground Punkva River system that flows beneath your feet. Above ground, gentle hiking trails wind through beech and oak forests, while below lies a world of stalactites, underground rivers, and cathedral-sized chambers. Genuinely otherworldly stuff. What makes this place work isn't just the caves themselves—it's how accessible they've made this underground world. The combination of boat rides through flooded caverns and funicular rides to viewpoints creates an adventure that works for families while maintaining that sense of genuine discovery. The small town of Blansko is the main gateway, though the caves sit in pristine countryside. Remarkably untouched for somewhere so well-developed for tourism.

The dining scene here focuses on hearty Czech countryside cooking rather than tourist fare, and that is refreshingly honest for a major attraction. The restaurant at Skalní mlýn serves solid traditional dishes like goulash and schnitzel—perfect after a morning underground. Several pensions in the area offer home-style cooking. feels homemade. Blansko has more dining options, including places that take local ingredients seriously, particularly game and forest mushrooms in season. Many visitors pack lunch and eat at the scenic picnic areas scattered throughout the karst landscape. Might be the best option given how pleasant the outdoor settings are.

Late spring through early fall offers the most comfortable conditions for combining cave tours with surface hiking, though the caves remain accessible year-round. May and September tend to be ideal—warm enough for hiking but not so busy that you're queuing for cave tours. Peak conditions. Summer brings the most tour departures and longest opening hours, but also the biggest crowds, particularly on weekends. Winter has its own appeal if you don't mind shorter days and potentially icy trails—the caves feel even more dramatic when you emerge into a snowy landscape. You'll have the underground world largely to yourself.