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There’s no query that Central Europe is one among my favorite areas of Europe to journey in. Central Europe is a area that has a lot potential for vacationers, whereas additionally being comparatively straightforward to discover independently. It won’t be as classically recognisable as Western Europe or the Mediterranean, however that leaves extra alternative for thrilling and surprising locations in your Central Europe itinerary.
For some cause, two weeks appears to be the commonest size of time individuals want to permit to discover the area. For an space that covers a lot house, that’s not lengthy. As such, a 2-week central Europe itinerary can solely cowl a lot. I might personally permit longer or slender my focus, however I do imagine a whirlwind tour of Central Europe is feasible. Right here’s how.
The place is Central Europe?
Earlier than we get too far forward of ourselves, let’s agree on the place we’re speaking about. Areas like Western Europe, Central Europe, and Jap Europe are often fairly loosely outlined and imply various things to completely different individuals. Some individuals solely take a look at Europe as east and west based mostly on the Iron Curtain, however I don’t suppose that displays fashionable Europe very nicely.
Once I speak about Central Europe, I imply the next six nations: Austria, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia. Different individuals might prolong the area to incorporate Germany and Switzerland, or Croatia, or the Baltic, however to me it’s these six. Arguments for the opposite nations are completely legitimate, however I are inclined to categorize them in a different way.
Moreover being really geographically central, there’s one different trait that these nations share. There’s a shared historical past, with all having ties to the Habsburg Empire within the seventeenth century. However there’s additionally similarities of their cultures, their delicacies, and their landscapes that unite these locations in an actual manner.
Planning a Central Europe Itinerary
So you’ve two weeks. Fourteen days. Six nations. That math isn’t very beneficial, particularly while you think about journey time. However assuming you need to get no less than a style of every nation, that actually solely leaves room for one or two stops in every. If that is your first time within the area and also you solely have a lot depart, that could be all you may hope for.
There are a lot of methods to go about getting a really feel for a rustic, however going to large cities which can be simply reachable is the one manner this works. In reality, that is extra like a tour of Central Europe’s capitals, as under you’ll discover 5 of the six capital cities listed (sorry Warsaw). I’m tempted to create another itinerary with smaller cities, cities, and villages, however I feel this text goes to be lengthy already.
The way to Journey Round Central Europe
Public transport on this area of Europe is kind of good. Almost all of my intensive travels right here have been by bus and prepare. Nonetheless, for the sake of time, I extremely suggest a automotive for this sort of journey.
You may anticipate to spend no less than half a day getting from one vacation spot to the following, with a number of lengthy journey days. Doing this with public transport will take longer and imply spending quite a lot of time on buses and trains. The profit to driving is that it permits you to see extra alongside the way in which and journey at occasions that go well with you.
Naturally it’s as much as you. When you’ve got the time, you would make this itinerary extra comfortably by public transport should you prolonged it by just a few days to account for journey time. It simply wouldn’t be a 2 week itinerary any extra.
14 Day Central Europe Journey
The design behind this itinerary is that you would be able to make it a circuit beginning and ending from any of the cities. That manner, flights work out simpler. As a result of you must begin someplace, I’ve made it Vienna, arguably the most important and best place to succeed in. The locations on this itinerary are:
- Vienna and Salzburg in Austria
- Bratislava in Slovakia
- Budapest in Hungary
- Ljubljana and Lake Bled in Slovenia
- Prague and Cesky Krumlov in Czechia
- Krakow in Poland
Vienna – 3 Days
Vienna is definitely one of the in style locations on this a part of Europe. The Austrian capital has no scarcity of issues to maintain guests entertained, due to its grand structure, numerous museums, and cultural touchstones. It’s a metropolis I do know very nicely at this level, so I’ve loads of recommendation for visiting Vienna.
After arriving and settling in to your Vienna lodging, start exploring the town with the First District. There within the metropolis centre you’ll discover sights like St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Graben, and the Opera Home. With time an element, contemplate taking a sightseeing tour of Vienna to cowl extra floor.
Over your first two days step by step work your manner additional and farther from the centre. Begin with shut in sights just like the City Corridor and Karlsplatz, then hit up Imperial classics just like the Belvedere Palace and Schönbrunn Palace. Break up these conventional sights with the weird Hundertwasser Haus and the family-friendly Prater amusement park.
The place to Keep: Have a look at these lodging choices in Vienna, or seek the advice of this information to the place to remain in Vienna.
Bratislava Day Journey
Vienna is a handy distance from lots of the stops on this itinerary, however none so greater than Bratislava. Permitting simply someday to go to a rustic isn’t excellent, however time is the largest limitation of this itinerary. Fortuitously, a day journey to Bratislava permits you to see many of the metropolis’s highlights and no less than provide you with a way of what Slovakia is like.
Bratislava is likely one of the smaller capitals, with most of its predominant sights comparatively shut collectively. When you arrive within the metropolis, head to its Previous City the place you may stroll its slender streets and admire its predominant sq.. From there, stroll as much as Bratislava Citadel for excellent views over the town’s rooftops.
Discover a restaurant for lunch to strive some native delicacies after which press on to see sights exterior the speedy outdated city space. The Blue Church is a well-liked alternative, as is the Presidential Palace and Slavin memorial. As you discover the town, preserve a watch out for its scattering of playful statues.
Vienna to Bratislava Transport – Choices abound for attending to Bratislava and again in about an hour every manner. Bus and prepare from Hauptbahnhof is simple and inexpensive, whereas taking the hydrofoil permits you to take pleasure in a river cruise. In fact, there’s all the time a tour from Vienna should you favor a palms off strategy.
Budapest – 2 Days
Journey to yet one more capital metropolis on the Danube River and journey to Budapest in Hungary. Of all of the cities on right here, I really feel like Budapest is the perfect capable of enchantment to any form of traveller. You’re simply as simply capable of finding cultural sights right here as you might be cool locations to get foods and drinks.
After arriving within the metropolis and eliminating your luggage, begin by exploring the jap aspect of the town known as Pest. Points of interest on this half of the town which can be near the town centre embody St. Stephen’s Basilica, the Dohány Road Synagogue, and naturally, the signature Hungarian Parliament Constructing. Perhaps end up with a cruise alongside the river to admire the view and head out to one of many metropolis’s smash bars for a drink.
Waste no time on day 2 and cross the river to see Buda Citadel. Whereas there’s the citadel museum there, extra in style sights embody the Fisherman’s Bastion and the Matthias Church. Throughout the town, don’t miss a journey on the old school M1 metro out to Heroes’ Sq. and Vajdahunyad Citadel. It’s there that you simply’ll additionally discover the Széchenyi Thermal Bathtub, one among many thermal spring baths within the nation.
Vienna to Budapest Transport – Taking the prepare to Budapest from Vienna is very easy and takes roughly 2.5 hours. Going by bus additionally works, however isn’t actually quicker or cheaper.
The place to Keep: You received’t have any hassle discovering locations to remain in Budapest.
Ljubljana – 3 Days
I feel one of the underrated and unassuming capital cities in Europe is Ljubljana. Actually, it’s one of many least iconic vacationer locations on this checklist. And but it’s a spot that I’ve grown actually keen on as a result of it’s simply such a pleasant place to go to.
Attending to Ljubljana goes to occupy quite a lot of your first day there, which is why I feel you want three nights right here. After arriving, orient yourselves with a stroll alongside the riverfront. This space is the beating coronary heart of the town and fairly each at day and night time. The enjoyable actually begins although on the following day, while you’ll need to do all of your sightseeing, presumably with a sightseeing tour to profit from your time.
Begin with Prešeren Sq. and cross into the outdated city space on the jap financial institution of the Ljubljanica river. Be certain that to go to every of the river’s bridges as you do, however particularly the town’s signature Dragon Bridge. Then it’s time to go as much as Ljubljana Citadel, both on foot or by funicular. The citadel has some museum reveals inside on Slovenian historical past, nevertheless it’s additionally an incredible place to see views of the town.
After that I’d say head to the peaceable Tivoli Park or try the Metelkova Artwork Middle. End up with a drink on the Nebotičnik rooftop bar for a pleasant view as much as the citadel.
Budapest to Ljubljana Transport – That is going to be a protracted day if completed by public transport. You’ll spend 7.5 hours on the prepare attending to Ljubljana from Budapest, whereas driving solely takes 4.5 hours.
The place to Keep: Take your decide from lodging within the centre of Ljubljana.
Bled Day Journey
It should doubtless be the busiest place you go in Slovenia, however Lake Bled actually is well worth the go to. With a day journey to Lake Bled, you’ll get an opportunity to see Slovenia’s mountains just a little nearer, and benefit from the serene lake setting. I’d say begin by strolling alongside the lakeshore spherical to Bled Citadel. There you get unimaginable views of the realm, plus a fairly, however small, citadel to discover.
The way you spend the remainder of the day is as much as you. A relaxed strategy is to return to Bled city to take a standard pletna boat throughout to the lake’s island church. It’s a soothing expertise and the island has a really particular feeling to it. One other enjoyable Bled exercise is to go to a restaurant on the town and take pleasure in a Bled Cream Cake.
A extra lively choice is to stroll a lap of the lake to see it from completely different sides. The circuit across the lake is usually flat, so it’s extra a matter of time than power. Issues begin to get more difficult should you go to the Mala Osojnica viewpoint, because it’s a steep and uneven stroll up.
Ljubljana to Bled Transport – Though there are each bus and prepare choices to get to Bled that take just a little over an hour, I extremely suggest going by bus. That’s as a result of the prepare station is definitely in Lesce, the following city over, so that you’ll have to get an area bus into Bled. Alternatively, you may really see extra of the realm with a tour to Lake Bled and Vintgar Gorge from Ljubljana.
Salzburg – 1 Day
Salzburg is an extremely charming metropolis in northwest Austria. However the principle cause I’ve included it on this itinerary is as a transit cease between Ljubljana and Prague. In any other case, you’d in all probability simply be stopping in at Vienna once more, which seems like a missed alternative.
When you account for journey time, you received’t have greater than half a day to discover in Salzburg. Whereas that’s a disgrace, Salzburg doesn’t want lengthy to wow you. Begin with a stroll alongside the riverfront and make your method to Mirabell Palace for the above view.
With extra time I’d recommend strolling up the Kapuzinerberg for its metropolis panoramas, however as an alternative make a beeline for the outdated city. There you’ll see the town’s cathedral, Residenzplatz sq., and possibly even the home Mozart was born in. Visiting Fortress Hohensalzburg is unquestionably value doing should you can, however I don’t recommend speeding to the purpose of simply ticking containers.
Ljubljana to Salzburg Transport – Cross the Alps by bus or prepare to succeed in Salzburg from Ljubljana. Taking the 4.5 hour prepare journey is the quickest method to get there, however going by 4 hour bus can work in a pinch too. For this journey day, it’s all about timing to permit some sightseeing time in Salzburg.
The place to Keep: Choose someplace good to remain in your one night time in Salzburg.
Prague – 3 Days
There’s one thing about Prague that even its title conjures up imagery of a grand, maybe moody metropolis. The Czech capital is rightly in style with vacationers and is bound to overwhelm you with sights to see and neighbourhoods to discover. I’ve visited the town thrice now and am certain there’s extra but to see. If that is your one likelihood to see the Czech Republic, Prague is the way in which to go.
With no matter time you’ve throughout your first day there, I’d say it’s greatest to concentrate on beginning with the Previous City. Head straight to the Previous City Sq., as a result of there you’ll see a number of of the town’s most iconic landmarks. Whereas some individuals suppose the Prague Astronomical Clock is overrated, it’s nonetheless a must-see timepiece. Then there’s the Church of Our Girl earlier than Týn and buildings like The Home on the Minute.
Your subsequent day goes to really feel like a whirlwind, so buckle up. Begin with the town’s Jewish Quarter to see the Previous Jewish Cemetery and Klausen Synagogue. Then it’s time for a stroll throughout the well-known Charles Bridge to the Malá Strana neighbourhood. There’s a lot to see on this space, such because the Lennon Wall and the neighbourhood’s predominant sq.. However it’s additionally the way in which to reaching Prague Citadel, the place you may spend hours, to not point out the gorgeous Strahov Monastery.
Salzburg to Prague Transport – Anticipate one other lengthy journey day right here. Trains through Linz take 6 to 7 hours, whereas early morning buses take round 6 hour as nicely. There’s an costly different, which is to take a non-public switch like this one with a cease in Cesky Krumlov. Nonetheless, most solely go the a technique from Prague to Salzburg, not vice versa for some cause.
The place to Keep: Prague has lodging for each funds, so take your decide of inns, hostels, and extra.
Cesky Krumlov Day Journey
Take the prospect to see extra of Czechia with a day journey to Cesky Krumlov. If you happen to’re searching for a fairytale city filled with old-world character, then Cesky Krumlov goes to please. This city in South Bohemia is just not large, so it’s greatest to mood expectations about how a lot there’s to see and do.
That stated, you actually received’t be bored right here. Begin with a stroll into the historic centre previous the regional museum to go to the principle sq. and stroll round just a little. Stroll right down to the southern bridge to see its view of the Church of St. Vitus, then head north throughout the opposite bridge. There you’ll see Cesky Krumlov Citadel looming above you.
A stroll by way of Cesky Krumlov Citadel is unquestionably going to make an impression, particularly should you take time to go to inside and go up the tower for its statement deck. However for me, it’s when you proceed climbing up previous the Cloak Bridge that you simply get the basic city view. A stroll within the beautiful Citadel Backyard received’t damage both, earlier than returning to the city centre for meals, museums, or extra wandering.
Prague to Cesky Krumlov Transport – A part of the explanation it’s so widespread to do a day journey to Cesky Krumlov, is how straightforward it’s. Bus is the quickest strategy, taking lower than 3 hours every manner. Going by prepare is slower, no matter whether or not you switch to bus in Ceske Budejovice. However the best choice is unquestionably going with a tour to Cesky Krumlov, as a result of then it’s all dealt with for you.
Krakow – 2 Days
Whereas it’s a little bit of a trek so as to add Krakow to this itinerary, belief me it’s nicely well worth the effort. This metropolis in southern Poland is stuffed with historical past, each harrowing associated to the Holocaust, but in addition earlier stuff. And it’s historic centre, residence to lots of the highlights of Krakow, is strictly what you image an old school European metropolis trying like. You received’t all the time discover that in Poland, which makes Krakow all of the extra particular.
Once more, take no matter time you’ve after arriving to see the historic centre. Go to the Rynek Główny sq. to see the Material Corridor, the St. Mary’s Basilica, and the remaining. The following day you may discover extra totally, from seeing the Barbican and the park the place the town partitions as soon as have been, to strolling down the picturesque Kanonicza road.
However there’s extra to Krakow than what was behind its metropolis partitions. Wawel Royal Citadel is to not be missed, with its mish-mash structure and historical past. Down under the citadel you’ll discover the cave the place the town’s legendary dragon was stated to reside. Heading away from the centre, you’ll discover the Jewish Quarter of Kazimierz, and sights corresponding to Oskar Schindler’s Manufacturing facility and Plac Bohaterów Getta associated to the Holocaust.
Prague to Krakow Transport – Sadly this can be a lengthy day once more. Going by prepare takes 6.5 hours, however there’s just one each day service. Buses take even longer at roughly 8 hours. Whereas it’s not very eco-friendly, I’d nearly contemplate flying this leg to save lots of time. This journey is the place I’d add an additional day if I had extra time to cease someplace like Wroclaw or Olomouc to interrupt it up.
The place to Keep: Stroll proper into the Previous City with these locations to remain in Krakow.
Getting Again to Vienna
If you happen to’re planning on finishing the loop, then you definitely’ll need to find out about Krakow to Vienna transport choices. Unusually there are solely in a single day buses between the 2, so I’d say taking the prepare is the best choice. Whether or not direct to Vienna or transferring in Katowice, the journey goes to take 6 or so hours. That will not sound nice, however return flights are usually less expensive and simpler to arrange than multi-city ones.
Central Europe Itinerary Alterations and Inclusions
There actually are numerous methods you would change this itinerary to satisfy your wants. You may add additional days to it, drop day journeys, change particular person stops, or regulate the form of it completely.
One choice is to make this Central Europe itinerary a one-way journey and have just a little extra time within the course of. For that, I’d recommend beginning in Krakow, then touring within the following order: Krakow, Prague, Vienna, Ljubljana, and Budapest. Or do the alternative and go from Budapest to Krakow. This manner you don’t must return to your start line. Plus, it permits you to take away Salzburg and liberate one other day.
Now, should you’ve already spent a while in Central Europe, it’s possible you’ll need to change out locations you’ve visited. Been to Krakow earlier than? Attempt Wroclaw as an alternative. Seen the sights of Vienna? Substitute it with Graz and keep in Bratislava for a few nights. You possibly can mainly do that with any vacation spot and simply fine-tune the itinerary in consequence. You’ll discover loads of concepts for different Central Europe locations on my weblog.
Have you ever ever tried to do your personal 2 week Central Europe journey itinerary? Did you are feeling rushed or have been you glad to see what you would in that period of time? Please share your ideas within the feedback under.