A drive of just under 60 minutes is all it takes to escape the sweltering Viennese asphalt in summer and experience crystal-clear water. You’ll find yourself right in the neighboring country of the Czech Republic, in the South Moravian border region. All you need is a car or a bus, so this change of scenery begins completely stress-free just 80 kilometers away.
Architecture and Moravian Wine
The center of this small town is visually dominated by the massive Mikulov Castle perched on a rock. The structure originally dates back to the 13th century, before being rebuilt into a sprawling Baroque residence following several fires. In addition, the noble von Dietrichstein family had a strong influence on the town and left their historical mark everywhere.
As you stroll through the narrow alleys of the historic old town, you’ll encounter well-preserved facades dating back several centuries. Afterward, numerous small taverns invite you to sample regional white wines from the Pálava region, starting at 2 euros a glass. Although the focus in South Moravia is often on wine, there are also excellent hearty Moravian delicacies to satisfy your hunger after a long day.
Viewpoints and Cool Water
Before it gets really hot in the midday sun, it’s worth taking the hike up Svatý kopeček (Holy Hill). Although the path climbs several meters uphill over rocky trails, it passes by 14 historic Baroque chapels. Once you reach the top after a walk of just under 45 minutes, you’ll be treated to a panoramic view stretching all the way to Austria.
By the way: If you want to stay up to date on exciting places, news, and activities in and around Vienna, feel free to follow us on Instagram or Facebook!
Finally, the main summer destination awaits you: the restored limestone quarry at Lom na Janičově vrchu. Because the water appears particularly clear due to the light-colored limestone bedrock, swimming here offers a refreshing and invigorating way to cool off. However, the entire site is now protected as an important natural monument, which is why access is strictly limited by the authorities.
For this reason, a maximum of 400 people are allowed on the rocky shore at any one time. As a result, on hot summer weekends, you should definitely arrive in the morning. This way, you can secure your admission ticket for about 3 euros in good time, without having to wait long in the sun outside the gate.
📍 Limestone Quarry Address: Lom na Janičově vrchu, 692 01 Mikulov, Czech Republic
🎟️ Limestone Quarry admission: approx. €3 (or 80 CZK) during peak season
⏰ Quarry hours: June through September, usually 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
