Planning the perfect Berlin, Prague, Vienna and Budapest Itinerary
When you treat yourself to a multi-centre city break covering Berlin, Prague, Vienna and Budapest, it pays to plan your itinerary in advance. With two nights in each destination, there’s plenty of time to pack in a wealth of sightseeing.
Iconic castles, cathedrals and palaces are just some of the many highlights, but there are also plenty of quirky places and great things to see and do off the beaten tourist track. Getting from city to city is a relaxing and hassle-free experience, with scenic train journeys included in your holiday package.
If you’ve never been to any of these fantastic European cities before, keep reading to get a head start on planning each day of your trip, whether you’re seeking a romantic break or an exciting family adventure.
It all begins in Berlin
Your eight-night holiday starts here. There’s so much to take in, from the story of the Berlin Wall and the East Side Gallery to Brandenburg Gate, art galleries and a pulsating nightlife.
As you’d expect from a major city, there are lots of different tours available on land and water. These can be a good way to see and learn as much as you can with the help of a local expert. Other Berlin must-sees include:
● The Reichstag Building (Germany’s parliament)
● Berliner Fernsehturm (a TV tower with a bar, restaurant and viewing deck)
● The magnificent 17th-century Charlottenburg Palace
The city’s Holocaust Memorial was officially opened in 2005. Designed by New York architect Peter Eisenman, it’s a unique place for remembrance, learning and reflection.
Germany’s capital city has something for all ages and interests, whether you’re keen to discover more about its past or want to sample as many renowned restaurants, bars and nightclubs as you can before you board the train to the next stop on your European tour.
Ever-popular Prague
Prague is the Czech Republic’s (also known as Czechia) capital city and boasts an Old Town full of incredible attractions. One of the many great things about Prague is its walkability and how many of its most stunning sights are close together.
There’s a great variety on offer, too. For example, you can admire the world’s oldest astronomical clock one minute and grab a selfie in front of the vibrant John Lennon Wall the next.
Prague Castle is popular year-round with visitors. As well as being the world's largest ancient castle complex, incredible views over the city and the River Vltava make for perfect photo opportunities.
The most famous way to cross the river is by foot over Charles Bridge, with its 30 fascinating statues. It’s a tradition to touch the Statue of St. John of Nepomuk to benefit from good luck. You can also admire the views and pick up souvenirs as you make your way across to or from the Old Town.
Part of what makes Prague such a special holiday destination is the variety of outstanding architecture from mediaeval to modern. While you’re there, you might want to sample one or two local pilsners for which the country is so famous.
Oh, Vienna
It’s difficult to know where to start when describing Vienna, such is the array of attractions and things it’s known for worldwide. While we can only cover a small part of its appeal here, these suggestions will give you a great place to start.
Arriving relaxed and refreshed after another smooth train ride, you’ll want to immerse yourself in the city’s culture immediately. With well over 100 coffee houses to choose from in the city centre alone, grabbing a local brew and pastry will fuel your sightseeing.
Our recommendations for Vienna include:
● The Gothic St. Stephen’s Cathedral
● 13th-century Hofburg Palace
● Schönbrunn Palace
● The Viennese giant Ferris Wheel
● Volksgarten (a blissfully relaxing garden that’s part of Hofburg Palace)
If none of those things are up your street, Vienna also has over 100 museums and dozens of art galleries. There’s also the world’s oldest zoo, an opera house and fantastic places to eat and shop.
You’ll only have two days and nights to get a snapshot of this cultured city, so it’s best to have a clear itinerary in mind before you go.
Beautifully crafted Budapest
Hungary’s capital city is split into two parts by the beautiful River Danube - Buda and Pest. It’s a stunning way to end your time touring Europe, and again, you’ll get from Vienna via train, so you’ll arrive raring to go for the last leg of your stay.
Like Berlin, one of Budapest’s big attractions is its parliament building, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Budapest is also famous for its thermal baths, so make sure you pack your swimming costume. If you’ve got an appetite after having a relaxing dip, head to Great Market Hall to find a mouthwatering selection of local foods.
No night out in Budapest is complete without sampling some local craft beers or wines in the famous ‘ruin bars’. These pubs are housed in formerly abandoned buildings, so each has a unique character and atmosphere to savour.
In terms of other sights, Fisherman’s Bastion on Castle Hill has spectacular views over the city below. You’ll also find Buda Castle here, which makes for a great day trip. When you’re looking to do something a little bit different, Hospital in the Rock is an old underground hospital with many wax figures that also served as a nuclear bunker. Other places we’d recommend visiting if you have time include Gellért Hill, Heroes’ Square and Liberty Bridge.
We hope you enjoyed our whistle-stop tour of Berlin, Prague, Vienna and Budapest with suggested itineraries. It’s safe to say we’ve barely scratched the surface, so book your four city breaks in one today and look forward to exploring them in real life.
