In the southernmost part of Moravia, Břeclav District brings together floodplain forests, white cliffs, vineyards, fields, historic monuments and folk traditions. The contrast is especially vivid around the waters below the Pálava Hills, where expansive bodies of water meet protected landscapes and paths through the floodplain forest.
Water, Floodplains and Pálava
The district’s landscape extends across the Dyje-Svratka Basin and the Lower Morava Valley, reaching into the Central Moravian Carpathians. Pálava stands out as a defining upland landscape. Below the Pálava Hills, the Nové Mlýny reservoir system covers 3,232 hectares of water. The Lednice Ponds offer a different scale: they form a national nature reserve covering more than 1,000 hectares and are also used for fish farming. At the same time, they are among the district’s important nesting sites for waterbirds.
Pálava also brings nature and human history together. The protected area is a biosphere reserve, notable for its rare plants and animals. It is also a cultural landscape shaped by the relationship between people and nature. Thus, Břeclav District is not just about individual attractions, but also about how water, landscape and human use shape the character of a place.
Educational Trails with Different Destinations
Several educational trails offer a tangible way to experience the landscape and cultural heritage. The two-kilometre Entové Trail passes through floodplain forest to Pohansko Castle. Pohansko itself is an archaeological reserve and is considered an important early medieval Slavic site. The fortified settlement, dating from the 9th century, covers 28 hectares. An exhibition in Pohansko’s Empire-style château documents the archaeological research carried out there.
Two more routes starting from Břeclav offer a useful comparison in terms of length and destination: the Lužní les Trail is 6.5 kilometres long and leads via Kančí obora to Janův hrad near Lednice. The Břeclav–Pohansko–Lány Trail is seven kilometres long and open to pedestrians and cyclists. Those who prefer cycling can follow signposted routes to tourist destinations in the Břeclav area and the Lednice-Valtice region. The trail by the Lednice Ponds starts at the embankment of Mlýnský rybník.
The Lednice-Valtice Cultural Landscape offers further perspectives on the region’s historic fabric. It was created by linking the Lednice and Valtice estates with the neighbouring Břeclav estate. A historic network of roads and scenic paths is also part of this cultural landscape. The 60-metre-high minaret offers a viewpoint over the complex. Boat trips can take visitors to the ruins of Janův hrad; operating details may vary seasonally.
Archaeology, Wine and Living Traditions
Archaeological discoveries extend beyond Pohansko: Dolní Věstonice is associated with the discovery of the figurine known as the Venus of Dolní Věstonice. In Mikulov, a historic medieval town centre defines the town’s character; it has been protected as an urban conservation area since 1952. These places offer different points of interest: early medieval settlement history in one, a historic town centre in another, and an archaeological find of international renown elsewhere.
Winegrowing, with its long tradition in the Břeclav region, is also part of everyday life and culture in the district. Folklore remains alive through ethnographic ensembles that preserve folk dance and songs, as well as through festivals. These include “Podluží v písních a tancích” in Tvrdonice and “Kraj beze stínu” in Krumvíř; event dates vary. Krojované hody, traditional costumed feasts, have a strong tradition in Velké Bílovice, Vrbice, Rakvice, Lanžhot and Moravská Nová Ves, although the dates also vary by place and year.
For practical information about the town and region, you can contact the Břeclav Tourist Information Centre. It also rents bicycles; check rental availability before your trip. This makes it easy to explore the district’s varied attractions—from floodplains and bodies of water to archaeological sites and folklore—according to your own interests.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Hlohovec, Horní Vestonice, Moravská Nová Ves, Pavlov, Strachotín, Mikulov, Němčičky U Hustopečí, Lednice, Vrbice, Hustopeče, Lundenburg, Boleradice, Borkovany, Bořetice, Brod Nad Dyjí, Bulhary, Březí U Mikulova, Diváky, Dolní Dunajovice, Dolní Věstonice, Drnholec, Horní Bojanovice, Hrušky, Klobouky U Brna, Krumvíř, Křepice, Lanžhot, Milovice U Mikulova, Moravský Žižkov, Morkůvky, Nikolčice, Novosedly Na Moravě, Podivín, Pouzdřany, Přítluky, Rakvice, Šakvice, Sedlec U Mikulova, Šitbořice, Starovice, Starovičky, Tvrdonice, Týnec, Uhercice U Hustopecí, Valtice, Velké Bílovice, Velké Hostěrádky, Velké Němčice, Velké Pavlovice, Zaječí, Bavory, Brumovice, Dobré Pole, Jevišovka, Kašnice, Klentnice, Kobylí, Kostice, Kurdějov, Nový Přerov, Perná, Popice, Pavlov U Dolních Věstonic, Ladná.
For the broader travel overview: South Moravia.
