Znojmo District – Wine, Podyjí and Cultural Heritage

Wine Landscape, River Valley and History

If you are looking for accommodation in Znojmo District, you can expect a region with an unusually diverse range of experiences: wine trails and historic cellars, a deeply cut river valley, castles, exhibitions and marked paths through a protected landscape. The Znojemská vinařská stezka is 189 kilometres long and connects 55 wine-growing villages. Its special stops include the Malovaný sklep in Šatov and military-historical sites such as Bunkr Na Hrázi and Bunker MJ–S 3 “Zahrada”.

Castles, Underground Passages and Regional History

Bítov Castle stands on a narrow rocky promontory approximately 70 metres above the Želetavka. The visitor route includes a Neo-Gothic chapel with the Bítov Madonna, dated 1334, and an animal park that also includes the restored zoo associated with Baron Jiří Haas. The visit therefore combines architecture, a specific historic work of art and an unusual history of collecting.

Below Znojmo’s historic centre, Znojemské podzemí leads through medieval passages, cellars and shelters. The different routes focus on different themes: one leads to a Jesuit aqueduct, large underground halls, smoke vents and exhibitions on archaeology and winemaking. Another includes a medieval well, passages originally carved out of the rock and an exhibition on the history of the underground. For planning your day, this is an independent alternative to visiting castles and landscapes.

The Čížov Iron Curtain Memorial also focuses on important historical periods and moments in 20th-century Czech history. At the water mill in Slup, four functioning water wheels and a millrace demonstrate the technology; the history of milling from prehistoric times to the present is also explained there.

Podyjí: Experience Nature and Choose Your Routes

Podyjí National Park lies on the Austrian border, where it adjoins Thayatal National Park. It preserves an exceptionally well-preserved river valley in a forested landscape. The Dyje winds past rocks, vineyards, flower-rich meadows and sunny orchards. The landscape also includes a deep canyon shaped by the meandering river and the surrounding plateau, extensive oak-hornbeam forests, ravine forests and thermophilous oak forests. Biogeographically, Podyjí lies at the transition between the Hercynian and Pannonian regions.

Marked hiking trails offer opportunities to observe rare plants and animals. Depending on the route chosen, these may include rare butterflies at the Fládnitzké Moor, bats at the ruins of Nový Hradek or the climb to the Vraní skála viewpoint. Podyjí has more than 20 viewpoints, including Sealsfieldův kámen above a bend in the river. These differences help you choose between nature observation, scenic views and a longer hike.

Wine, Water and Easier Excursions

Winegrowing can also be explored on a shorter, family-oriented outing. The Hroznové kozy educational trail in Vrbovec is an easy circular route considered suitable for families, introducing visitors to wine traditions and local legends. Seasonal wine tastings take place in the Šobes vineyard, located in a bend of the Dyje within Podyjí. A seasonal cellar practice also provides that at least one wine cellar is open to the public every day during the season. In Šatov, relief-like fantasy paintings by local artist Maxmillian Appeltauer in the Malovaný sklep complement the wine and cultural experience.

For a different kind of day out, Vranovská přehrada in the Znojmo area is considered one of the best swimming spots; access to the water is gradual. The surrounding area also offers cycling, water sports, visits to cultural heritage sites and excursions into nature. Those who prefer cycling can use the Znojmo–Chvalovice cycle path, which connects Znojmo with Chvalovice via Nový Šaldorf and Vrbovec. The route runs away from a busy road towards the Austrian border.

Loucký Monastery provides an additional starting point for orientation: the Znojemský tourist train starts there, connecting Louka with the historic centre of Znojmo. Znojmo Region and Podyjí thus represent a combination of a national park, Vranov Chateau and cultural heritage associated with Alfons Mucha. You can therefore focus your search on the aspect that matters most for your trip: wine villages and cellars, hiking trails and viewpoints, historic interiors, or water and nature.

More Places for Your Regional Search

For further orientation, the following places are also available: Jevisovice, Sumna, Krhovice, Znojmo, Kravsko, Chvalovice, Hodonice, Mackovice, Bítov, Bezkov, Běhařovice, Přeskače, Blížkovice, Božice, Borotice, Citonice, Dobšice U Znojma, Dolní Dubňany, Dyjákovice, Dyje, Horní Břečkov, Grešlové Mýto, Havraníky, Hevlín, Hluboké Mašůvky, Horní Dunajovice, Hostim, Hostěradice, Hrádek, Hrušovany Nad Jevišovkou, Jaroslavice, Jiřice U Miroslavi, Kuchařovice, Kyjovice, Lechovice, Lesná U Znojma, Lesonice, Litobratřice, Mašovice, Mikulovice, Miroslav, Moravský Krumlov, Nový Šaldorf-Sedlešovice, Oleksovice, Plaveč, Podmolí, Prosiměřice, Šafov, Šanov, Šatov, Strachotice, Suchohrdly, Tavíkovice, Těšetice, Tulešice, Únanov, Vémyslice, Višňové, Vítonice, Vratěnín, Vrbovec, Zálesí, Bantice, Blanné, Bohutice, Bojanovice, Boskovštejn, Břežany U Znojma, Ctidružice, Čermákovice, Černín, Damnice, Dobelice, Dobřínsko, Dolenice, Dyjákovičky, Džbánice, Hnanice, Horní Dubňany, Horní Kounice, Chvalatice, Jamolice, Starý Petřín, Jezeřany-Maršovice, Jiřice U Moravských Budějovic, Kadov, Korolupy, Křídlůvky, Lančov, Lubnice, Lukov, Medlice, Milíčovice, Miroslavské Knínice, Morašice, Našiměřice, Olbramkostel, Olbramovice, Slup, Onšov, Oslnovice, Pavlice, Plenkovice, Podhradí Nad Dyjí, Podmyče, Pravice, Prokopov, Rešice, Rozkoš, Rudlice, Rybníky, Stálky, Stošíkovice Na Louce, Suchohrdly U Miroslavi, Štítary, Tasovice Nad Dyjí, Trnové Pole, Trstěnice, Tvořihráz, Újezd, Valtrovice, Velký Karlov, Vevčice, Vracovice, Vranovská Ves, Výrovice, Zblovice, Žerotice, Žerůtky, Uhercice U Znojma, Dobronice, Hrabětice, Skalice and Vranov nad Dyjí.

To the higher-level travel overview: South Moravia.