Less than a hundred kilometers from major cities such as Olomouc and Brno, Zlín is an industrial town in the heart of Moravia. If you’re planning a visit, allow one to two days at the most.
It’s a small town with some interesting monuments to visit. Want to find out more? Take a look at our handy guide for travelers who want to get there.
Where is Zlín?
Zlín is one of the largest towns in the Czech Republic, in Moravia. It’s about 50 kilometers from Olomouc, 77 kilometers from Brno and almost 250 kilometers from the capital, Prague. A truly surprising, formerly industrial town with a rather special history.
How do I get to Zlín?
Getting to Zlín isn’t complicated. Far from it. In fact, you can opt to travel by car. It takes approximately 4 hours. Alternatively, you can drive yourself!
You’ll need just over 3 hours to complete the journey. Finally, you can reach the city by train! It may take a little patience to get there. But once you’re there, you’ll have no trouble at all.
What is there to do in Zlín
Would you like to visit Zlín? Here, we tell you absolutely everything you need to know about the must-see and must-do activities in this small town in the south-east of the Czech Republic.
Soak up the environment
Initially small, the city of Zlín became very large after Tomáš Baťa (Tomas Bâta) decided to set up his shoe factory here. The population soon grew from 3,000 to 35,000.
As the economy boomed, so did the town’s architecture. Today, for example, you can visit the Bata building, one of the city’s most important.
In fact, it’s the very place where the little hands worked before the factory closed its doors. Proof of the company founder’s relative importance, the local university bears his name and a memorial has been erected in his honour.
Support local teams
For sports fans, the city boasts a number of sports clubs, including PSG Zlín (ice hockey) and FC Fastav Zlín (soccer). As you can see, you won’t have time to get bored when you visit Zlín, as the city and its surroundings have so much to offer. So don’t hesitate for a second!
Zlín Zoo
Open every day of the year, Zlín Zoo is one of the most interesting zoos in the country. It’s a magnificent place to enjoy a large exhibition in a rather impressive setting: streams, waterfalls, a tropical hall, an aviary walk… In short, there’s plenty to do.
The Shoe Museum
At the Shoe Museum, you’ll find thousands of examples and shoes produced by the Baťa company (1884-1945). The oldest originals date back to the 16th century. You’ll also find old shoes from all over the world, with a history and history that’s sure to amaze you.
Discover Zlín-Lesna Castle
Zlín-Lesna Castle was built in the 14th century. Today, it serves the public interest. It is used as an art gallery. An impressive place, clearly worth discovering. Lovers of contemporary art, in beautiful buildings, you won’t be disappointed!
The Baťa building
Also known as building n°21, the Baťa building has 16 floors. It is 77.5 meters high. At the time, it was used as an administrative building. Today, it is the headquarters of the Zlín region.
It was one of the first high-rise buildings in Europe. Here you can take a Paternoster ride. It’s a rather special elevator that’s sure to surprise you.
Where to stay in Zlín?
If you decide to visit Zlín, you’ll probably need to think about where to spend the night. Luckily, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a list of the best hotels in Zlín. Quality establishments, located right in the city center, for an exceptional quality experience.
Where to go out in Zlín?
Once you’re here, you’ll need to eat well. That’s why we invite you to discover our honest selection of the city’s best restaurants. Restaurants in Zlín that will help you discover, or rediscover, the joys of good food. But that’s not all. There’s also a list of some of the nicest bars, so you can enjoy a good cocktail.
Our top tips for visiting Zlín
If you’re visiting or living in the Czech Republic, the idea of visiting Zlín may not have crossed your mind. Yet it’s one of the country’s most important cities, with a real history.
So it would be a shame not to visit, even for a day. The train journey is fairly straightforward and the experience is bound to be a pleasant one. So why not make the most of the time you have to visit Zlín?