Yes, for those who are not familiar with Central Europe, it sounds like a nightmare, but it is not! With proper planning, it is possible to visit these 4 beautiful cities, squeezing in most of the “Must Haves” in each of the Capitals without rushing.
To cover Central Europe cheaply, you can land in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, and from there visit Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, departing from Budapest on the 8th. Or start from Budapest and visit Bratislava, Vienna, Prague, flying from Prague. These capitals of the Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary have a rich history of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and offer some of the best heritage, culture and nightlife experiences.
Here is the itinerary to visit Prague, Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest in 8 days!
Day 1:
After landing in Prague, head to Prague Castle and visit the St. Vitus Cathedral situated on the hill. Soak in the beautiful view of the city from the top of the hill. Walk to Mala Strana from there and cross the Charles Bridge on foot. Climbing the stairs of the bridge tower is highly recommended to enjoy the panorama of the old town from a vantage point. The night is a good time to walk around the area having a drink and dinner.
Day 2:
Start with the Old Town Square and visit the Church of Our Lady of Tyn, the Church of St. Nicholas and the Old Town Hall. The square is unique with the presence of Baroque, Gothic and Renaissance buildings side by side. You can spend an hour there, looking at the Astronomical Clock, this also gives you time to relax and watch the tourist activities around the square. From there, head to the old Jewish quarter, which is home to one of the oldest synagogues in Europe. It is the first gothic building in Prague. Wenceslas Square is a shopper’s paradise and should only be considered if shopping is one of the “Must Do” things on the list. Enjoy the evening in one of the Czech restaurants and try the variety of local beers along with the local cuisine.
Day 3:
Take a 4-hour bus ride to Vienna; arrive in Vienna at noon and after a snack head to the old city for a walk. Many of the sights are within walking distance, from the Vienna State Opera, Burggarten, St. Stephen’s Church, Kärntner Strasse, Graben, St. Peter’s Church, ancient Roman ruins, and the Hofburg Palace. Relax in the extensive gardens of Heroes’ Square, soaking up the sun and the beauty of Vienna. After a little rest head to the Museum Quartier. Relax and end the day with a Viennese dinner, with local wine.
Day 4:
Start the day with a visit to Schönbrunn Palace, spend the day exploring the palace and museums, marveling at the Neptune Fountain in the flower-filled courtyard! At noon head to Belvedere Palace, a must-see for art lovers. The museum houses one of the most famous paintings ‘The Kiss’ by Gustav Klimt and other Renaissance artists. Head to the beer garden at night, popularly known as Rathaus Platz. It’s a great place to relax, watch outdoor movies or operas with a few beers! The neo-Gothic towers of the Town Hall dominate the square. Check out the Austrian Parliament building on the way back.
Day 5:
Take an hour-long train to Bratislava. Walk through the Old Town Square and climb the hill to enjoy the panoramic view of the city from the Bratislava Castle. Visit the Cathedral of San Martin, walk along the street of San Miguel that leads to the door of San Miguel. This street is lined with many restaurants and pubs. Eat Slovak food in one of the restaurants and enjoy drinks in an Irish pub while watching the tourist activities on the square.
Day 6:
Take a train to Budapest in the morning. Head straight to Gellért Hill and from there to the Castle District for views of the Danube River and the city of Pest on the other side. Visit the famous Buda Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion and Matthias Church, on the Buda side. Take a funicolare back down the hill and walk across the Chain Bridge. Visit the Jewish quarter after that and spend the night in some of the best bars in Budapest.
Day 7:
Spend the day on the Pest side of the city, visiting St. Stephen’s Basilica and Parliament House. Visit Andrássy Avenue and Hero’s Square, stroll along the Danube Promenade, and sunbathe in the gardens outside Gresham Palace. Enjoy sumptuous Hungarian goulash and sample Hungarian wines in one of the local restaurants, with a view of the glittering Buda Castle across the Danube.
Day 8:
Spend the day at leisure in one of the many thermal baths. Széchenyi Bath is a beautiful palatial yellow building, and is a great gathering place during the summer for tourists and locals alike. Relax for a few hours and soak up good memories of the trip. An evening Danube river cruise is a great option if time permits!
Tips:
- Stay in hotels/hostels in the city center or within walking distance of the city center, to avoid wasting time traveling to most attractions.
- Choose hotels/hostels that provide breakfast, again to avoid wasting time visiting separate places.
- Buying travel passes for Vienna, Prague and Budapest helps to get on subways and buses to travel to places of interest far from the city center or outside the city.
- Make sure the hotel/hostel provides free wifi, it helps to plan the next few days at no extra cost.
- Plan an Itinerary/Route the night before, so that you set aside a specific amount of time that can be spent on each of the sights, to get as much out of it as possible.