A Week in the Moravian Karst: The Complete 7-Day Itinerary (2026)

You can comfortably explore the Moravian Karst in 5–7 days: four show caves (Punkva Cave, with its boat trip along the Punkva river, Kateřinská Cave, Balcarka Cave, and the Sloup-Šošůvka Caves), the Macocha Abyss free of charge from both viewing platforms, a former military bunker inside Výpustek Cave, plus the Pustý žleb gorge and Josefov Valley on foot or by bike. Base yourself in Blansko, Sloup or Jedovnice. Admission to the individual caves ranges from 150 to 490 CZK (approx. €6–€19.60 — this is a rough guide only, and exchange rates fluctuate), and in high season (April–October) it’s worth booking tickets in advance through the ÚIS Skalní Mlýn visitor centre or online.

QUICK LINKS 📅 How many days to allow · 🚗 Getting there and where to stay · 🗺️ Day-by-day itinerary · ℹ️ Practical info · ❓ FAQ

The Moravian Karst wins you over on day one — just stand on the upper platform above the Macocha Abyss and watch a forest-clad chasm 138 metres deep drop away beneath your feet. But it quickly becomes clear that the abyss is only the tip of the iceberg: below ground, over a thousand caves stretch out, threaded by the Punkva river, while above ground there are kilometres of gorges, rock formations and cycle trails that would normally take you a month to cover.

In this itinerary, we’ve mapped out seven days so you can take in the highlights along with a few spots the average visitor tends to miss. Naturally, you can shorten or reshuffle each day — think of this as a framework to adapt to the weather and your mood.

Contents

1. How many days to allow, and when to go
2. Getting to the Moravian Karst and where to stay
3. 7-day itinerary
4. Practical info: tickets, bookings, discounts
5. Frequently asked questions

How many days to allow, and when to go

For a quick taster (Macocha plus one cave), a single day trip from Brno will do. To see all four show caves, walk both Pustý žleb and Josefov Valley, and still fit in a cycle ride, allow 5 to 7 days — hence the title of this article.

The most pleasant times to explore the karst are spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October): the caves are already, or still, open at full capacity, but the queues for Punkva Cave aren’t as endless as in July and August. In winter (January–March), many caves are closed or operating on reduced hours, so if you want to see all four, it’s best to avoid this period.

Getting to the Moravian Karst and where to stay

By car, the easiest route is via Blansko, from where it’s around 15 minutes to the heart of the karst (Skalní Mlýn, Punkva Cave). Without a car, take the train to Blansko and then bus route 232 straight to the Skalní Mlýn stop.

We’d recommend basing yourself for the week in one of three spots:

• Blansko — the widest choice of accommodation and restaurants, plus the best transport links, though it sits on the edge of the karst. → Check availability and book accommodation in Blansko
• Sloup — right in the thick of it, just minutes from the Sloup-Šošůvka Caves and Pustý žleb. → Check availability and book accommodation in Sloup
• Jedovnice — beside the Olšovec pond, ideal if you fancy combining caves with a swim, and handier for Josefov Valley. → Check availability and book accommodation in Jedovnice

There’s plenty of accommodation across the region, from cottages and apartments to guesthouses. In high season (July–August), though, book ahead, as capacity fills up fast.

Map of accommodation around Blansko (Stay22 — shows listings from Booking.com, Airbnb and others all in one place):

<iframe id="stay22-widget" width="100%" height="428" src="https://www.stay22.com/embed/6a8b5fbc96bf215f33aeb061" frameborder="0"></iframe>

7-day itinerary

Day 1: Punkva Cave, a boat trip along the Punkva, and the Macocha Abyss

The most iconic day in the karst. In the morning, head to Punkva Cave (Punkevní jeskyně) — the tour includes a boat ride along the underground Punkva river and leads right beneath the floor of the Macocha Abyss. In high season (April–October), admission costs 450 CZK (adults) / 350 CZK (concessions) / 200 CZK (children); outside high season, 350/270/160 CZK. It’s worth booking ahead in high season — tickets often sell out by midday.

In the afternoon, walk over (or take the cable car, in operation since 1995) to the Macocha Abyss. Entry to both the Upper and Lower viewing platforms is free year-round and needs no booking — the Upper Platform is a 5-minute walk from the car park, while the Lower Platform is reached via a further 13 minutes along the yellow-marked trail.

Day 2: Kateřinská Cave and Pustý žleb on foot

In the morning, visit Kateřinská Cave — a shorter, more family-friendly tour (60 minutes, 1,250 m), with admission ranging from 90–250 CZK depending on the route chosen. In the afternoon, walk the whole length of Pustý žleb: an easy 8 km paved path from Sloup to Skalní Mlýn, passing the Čertova branka rock gate and the entrances to Amateur Cave. Buggy-friendly.

Day 3: The Sloup-Šošůvka Caves and the village of Sloup

The Sloup-Šošůvka Caves offer both a long route (350/300/180 CZK) and a short route (250/210/120 CZK), or a mini circuit through Kůlna Cave alone for 150/125/80 CZK. Money-saving tip: show a ticket from another Moravian Karst cave, no more than a month old, and you’ll get a 20% discount at the ticket office — so it pays to buy your cave tickets gradually and hang on to them. Spend the rest of the day exploring the village of Sloup and its surroundings.

Day 4: Balcarka Cave and a rest day

Balcarka Cave is smaller but more richly decorated (720 m, 60 minutes, 330 steps, admission from 150 CZK for adults). After four days underground, treat yourself to a free afternoon — swimming at Jedovnice’s Olšovec pond is just a short hop from Balcarka.

Day 5: Výpustek Cave and Křtiny

Výpustek offers a different kind of experience altogether — during the Cold War it served as an underground command post, and traces of its military past remain to this day. Flat-rate admission is 490 CZK, with family tickets from 1,700–2,150 CZK. In the afternoon, head to Křtiny to see the Baroque Church of the Name of the Virgin Mary, designed by Jan Blažej Santini.

Day 6: Josefov Valley and Býčí skála

Josefov Valley, between Adamov and Křtiny, is quieter and less touristy. Býčí skála Cave itself is not normally open to the public (it’s only unveiled on a few open-house weekends in June), but the Jáchymka and Kostelík cave labyrinths are freely accessible, along with the nature trail running alongside the Jedovnický Brook.

Day 7: A cycling trip, or a spare day

Save your last day for cycling, or keep it as a buffer. The region has over 700 km of signposted cycle routes — a lovely loop follows route no. 5081 (23 km, Blansko–Habrůvka–Křtiny–Bukovina–Jedovnice), or there’s the shorter route no. 5077 (14 km, Adamov–Josefov–Křtiny Arboretum–Jedovnice). If the weather threw a spanner in the works earlier in the week, this day makes the perfect cushion.

Practical info: tickets, bookings, discounts

• Bookings: Punkva Cave tends to sell out in high season — book as early as possible through the ÚIS Skalní Mlýn visitor centre or online. For the other caves, only some time slots are sold online; the rest are available at the ticket office on the day of your visit.
• 20% discount at the ticket office when you present a ticket from another Moravian Karst cave that’s no more than a month old.
• Parking at Macocha and Skalní Mlýn is paid; the viewing platforms themselves are free to access.
• What to bring: even in summer, the caves stay at 7–9°C, so bring a jumper; sturdy footwear is essential anywhere with steps or uneven ground.

Frequently asked questions

How many days are enough for the Moravian Karst? A quick visit (Macocha plus one cave) can be done in a day trip from Brno. For all four caves, plus Pustý žleb and Josefov Valley, allow 5–7 days.

Do I need to book the caves in advance? For Punkva Cave in high season (April–October), definitely yes. For the smaller caves (Balcarka, Kateřinská), it’s usually not necessary outside peak times.

Is it suitable for young children? Yes — both Pustý žleb and the paths to the two Macocha viewing platforms are easy going. Inside the caves, though, expect steps and cooler temperatures, so bear this in mind with buggies and younger children.

How much does it all cost? Admission to the four caves, including Výpustek, comes to just under 1,500 CZK per person, plus parking and the optional Macocha cable car.

Sources: Caves Administration of the Czech Republic, official websites of the individual caves (punkevni.caves.cz, katerinska.caves.cz, balcarka.caves.cz, sloupskososuvske.caves.cz, vypustek.caves.cz), propast-macocha.cz. Prices and opening hours are subject to change — we recommend checking the official websites before you travel.