The Villa Tugendhat is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed masterpiece in Brno, Czechia. This 2026 guide details essential booking procedures, tour options, and prices for seeing the famous functionalist structure.
The Villa Tugendhat in Brno, Moravia, is not merely a house. It is a philosophy built from glass, steel, and stone. Designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, the architect rejected unnecessary ornamentation, focusing on an open, “free-flowing” space. The result is a structure that feels both minimal and immensely luxurious. Walking through the main living area, with its massive retractable window and famous onyx wall, one feels immediately connected to the unique history and revolutionary design principles. This is a must-see for anyone interested in 20th-century architecture.
Notable features, expectations & history: Villa Tugendhat
The villa is recognized globally as a pioneering example of Modernist architecture. It was commissioned by Fritz and Greta Tugendhat, a wealthy Jewish couple, and completed in 1930. Mies van der Rohe was given an almost limitless budget, allowing him to use rare materials, including Macassar ebony and the translucent Moroccan onyx wall. The house featured radical technology for its time. These innovations included a built-in air-conditioning system and three windows that lowered completely into the floor via electric motors.
The family enjoyed the villa for only eight years, fleeing Czechoslovakia in 1938 before the Nazi occupation. The house fell into disrepair and was used by the Gestapo and the Soviet Army. Its historical importance extends beyond architecture, as it was the location where the leaders of the Czech and Slovak Federal Republics signed the documents dissolving Czechoslovakia in 1992, an event known as the Velvet Divorce. After a meticulous restoration completed in 2012, the villa was returned to its original 1930s appearance. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2001.
Quick overview: Visiting Villa Tugendhat
The villa offers a choice between a 60-minute Basic Tour and a 90-minute Extended Tour. Booking is mandatory and reservations often sell out months in advance due to limited capacity.
| Tour required | Opening hours | Address | Capacity | Booking |
| Yes for interior | Tuesday–Sunday: 9:00–17:00 | Černopolní 45, Brno | Max. 16 persons per tour | Essential, months ahead |
Villa Tugendhat ticket prices & tour options
All tickets are for a guided tour, which must be purchased in advance via the official e-shop. All prices listed here are the 2026 rates.
| Tour type | Duration | Full Admission (CZK) | Family Admission (CZK) | Included |
| Extended Tour | 90 minutes | 500 CZK | 1200 CZK | All three floors, main living space, garden, and the technical floor (engine room, air-conditioning). |
| Basic Tour | 60 minutes | 450 CZK | 1050 CZK | Residential floors (2nd & 3rd), garden, and the exhibition on the technical floor. |
| Outside Tour | 40 minutes | 200 CZK | 400 CZK | Terraces, garden, and urban context presentation. |
| Garden & Exposition | No guide | Free | Free | Access to the garden and the exhibition space in the basement. |
Important: The Extended Tour is the only way to see the historic technical facilities, such as the air-conditioning machinery and the electric window mechanisms.
Booking and purchasing Villa Tugendhat tickets
Interest in the villa is high. You must purchase your ticket online immediately upon their sale opening date. You cannot cancel or change the date of already purchased tickets.
- Foreign Language Tours: Tours are offered in Czech and English.
- Photography: Interior photography for personal use requires a special 300 CZK photo ticket, which must be bought at the ticket office before the tour begins.
- Payment: Payment at the ticket office is by CZK or credit card only. Euros are not accepted.
These Villa Tugendhat entry prices and opening hours were checked and verified in January 2026.
Nearby attractions: Architecture & history
The villa is located in the Černá Pole district, known for its historic villas and offering excellent views of the city.
Villa Löw-Beer (200m, 3 min walk)
Located adjacent to Villa Tugendhat. This grand Art Nouveau villa was the home of Greta Tugendhat’s father, Alfred Löw-Beer. The gardens of the two villas are interconnected. The Löw-Beer Villa features an exhibition titled “The World of the Brno Bourgeoisie around the Löw-Beers.”
Lužánky Park (350m, 5 min walk)
A large, historical city park that provides a pleasant walking route towards the city center. It is an ideal spot for a picnic.
Špilberk Castle (1.9 km, 15 min drive)
This massive 13th-century hilltop castle offers a commanding view of the city. It has served as a royal seat, a military fortress, and a notoriously harsh prison. It now houses the Brno City Museum.
10-Z Bunker (2.5 km, 20 min walk)
A former secret nuclear fallout shelter built during the Nazi occupation and later used by the Communist elite. It now functions as a museum and hostel.
I’d also recommend the Mendel Museum at St Thomas’ Abbey for anyone with the vaguest interest in genetic science.
Practical tips
- Entry: Visitors should arrive at the main entrance on Černopolní Street 10 to 15 minutes before the start time.
- Luggage: You are not allowed to enter the villa with bulky luggage or stiletto heels, as the latter can damage the original flooring.
- Accessibility: The villa is fully accessible via lifts. Haptic models are available for visually impaired visitors upon prior arrangement.
- Getting there: Take tram no. 3, 5, or 9 to the Dětská nemocnice stop. It is a 10-minute uphill walk from there. Parking is difficult in the immediate vicinity due to a resident parking system.
FAQs
| Question | Answer |
| Is it possible to visit without a tour? | Yes, you can visit the garden and the permanent exhibition in the basement for free without booking. |
| Can I buy tickets on the day? | No, tickets are almost never available for purchase on the day due to demand. |
| How long does the visit take? | The tours last either 60 or 90 minutes. Allow an extra 30 minutes for the garden and basement exhibition. |
| Can I pay in Euros? | No. Only Czech Koruna (CZK) or credit/debit card payments are accepted at the ticket office. |
| Can I take a pram or wheelchair? | The villa is accessible, but the entrance from the adjacent Villa Löw-Beer is not suitable for prams or wheelchairs. Use the main street entrance. |
More Czechia travel
Other Czechia travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Why Lednice is Moravia’s best detour.
- Prague to Olomouc train times and prices.
- Karlovy Vary city guide.
- City guide to Cesky Krumlov.
- What to see and do in Olomouc.
