A perfect 10 days Central Europe itinerary

This is my humble experiment to prepare a perfect 10 days itinerary to experience Prague, Cesky Krumlov, Vienna and Budapest on your own. This was prepared based on my own travel experiences, a lot of research and talking to people who have taken that trip.

Prague — 3 days

Cesky Krumlov — 1 day

Vienna — 3 days

Budapest — 3 days

Short plan:

Day 1: Reach Prague. Go to Charles Bridge, City tour with Old Town, Astronomical Clock, Church of Our Lady, Letna Park.

Day 2: Explore Prague: Jewish Quarter, Wenceslas Square, head of Franz Kafka and enjoy panoramic vistas from Petřín Hill. In the evening, try traditional Czech cuisine at a local tavern.

Day 3: Visit Prague Castle, Vrtba Garden, John Lennon Wall, Kampa Island, end the day walking around Charles Bridge.

Day 4: Cesky Krumlov: Castle Complex, Castle Tower, Old Town, Cloak Bridge, Seminární zahrada.

Day 5: Exploring Vienna: St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Albertina, Hofburg Palace, Justizpalast, Museums Quartier, Naschmarkt, catch a music performance at the Vienna State Opera.

Day 6: Vienna: Schönbrunn Palace, St. Charles Church, Stadtpark.

Day 7: Vienna: Belvedere Palace, St. Francis of Assisi Church, Burgtheater, Rathausplatz, Votivkirche.

Day 8: Budapest: St Stephen’s Basilica, Central Market Hall, Liberty Bridge, Gellert Hill.

Day 9: Discovering Budapest: Fisherman’s Bastion, Matthias Church, Buda Castle, a leisurely cruise along the Danube River.

Day 10: Visit the magnificent Hungarian Parliament Building, Heroes Square and Vajdahunyad Castle, Costes Downtown. Revisit your favourite sights, shop for souvenirs in the bustling markets, and savour local food.

Departure from Budapest

Detailed plan:

Day 1: Arrive in Prague

• Charles Bridge: Start your journey with a walk across the iconic Charles Bridge, soaking in the stunning views of Prague.
• Old Town: Join a city tour that includes the Old Town Square, the Astronomical Clock, and the Church of Our Lady before Týn.
• Letna Park: End the day with a relaxing stroll through Letna Park, offering panoramic views of the city.

Day 2: Explore More of Prague

• Jewish Quarter: Discover the rich history and heritage of Prague’s Jewish Quarter.
• Wenceslas Square: Visit this historic square, a focal point for many of Prague’s events and celebrations.
• Head of Franz Kafka: See the mesmerizing rotating sculpture of Franz Kafka’s head.
• Petřín Hill: Enjoy a funicular ride up Petřín Hill for panoramic vistas of the city. In the evening, dine on traditional Czech cuisine at a local tavern.

Day 3: Prague’s Iconic Sights

• Prague Castle: Spend the morning exploring the largest ancient castle in the world.
• Vrtba Garden: Wander through this beautiful Baroque garden.
• John Lennon Wall: Visit this colourful tribute to John Lennon and the ideals he stood for.
• Kampa Island: Stroll around this serene island, ending the day back at Charles Bridge to experience its nighttime charm.

Day 4: Day Trip to Cesky Krumlov

• Castle Complex and Tower: Explore the majestic Cesky Krumlov Castle and climb the tower for breathtaking views.
• Old Town: Wander the winding streets of the UNESCO-listed Old Town.
• Cloak Bridge and Seminární zahrada: Visit the unique Cloak Bridge and relax in the Seminární zahrada.

Day 5: Arrive in Vienna

• St. Stephen’s Cathedral: Begin your Vienna visit with a tour of this Gothic masterpiece.
• Albertina and Hofburg Palace: Explore the Albertina Museum and the Hofburg Imperial Palace.
• Justizpalast and Museums Quartier: Marvel at the architecture and visit the MuseumsQuartier.
• Naschmarkt: Enjoy the bustling Naschmarkt and in the evening, catch a performance at the Vienna State Opera.

Day 6: Vienna’s Grandeur

• Schönbrunn Palace: Tour the opulent summer residence of the Habsburgs.
• St. Charles Church and Stadtpark: Visit the beautiful St. Charles Church and relax in Stadtpark.

Day 7: More of Vienna

• Belvedere Palace: Explore this historic palace and its art collections.
• St. Francis of Assisi Church, Burgtheater, Rathausplatz, and Votivkirche: Visit these iconic landmarks, each showcasing Vienna’s rich architectural heritage.

Day 8: Arrive in Budapest

• St Stephen’s Basilica: Start your Budapest exploration with a visit to this grand basilica.
• Central Market Hall and Liberty Bridge: Wander through the bustling Central Market Hall and cross the Liberty Bridge.
• Gellert Hill: Climb Gellert Hill for panoramic views of the city.

Day 9: Discovering Budapest

• Fisherman’s Bastion and Matthias Church: Enjoy the fairy-tale architecture and stunning views.
• Buda Castle: Explore the historic Buda Castle district.
• Danube River Cruise: End the day with a leisurely cruise along the Danube River.

Day 10: Last Day in Budapest

• Hungarian Parliament Building: Visit this architectural marvel.
• Heroes’ Square and Vajdahunyad Castle: Explore these iconic landmarks in City Park.
• Costes Downtown: Enjoy a meal at this renowned restaurant. Spend your final hours revisiting favourite sights, shopping for souvenirs, and savouring local delicacies.

Depart from Budapest/ Vienna airport with cherished memories of Prague, Cesky Krumlov, Vienna, Budapest and knowing that you’ve experienced the best that this captivating region has to offer.

Travel tips:

• Book trains and buses earlier through OBB, Flixbus, etc.
• If going as a group, booking Airbnb would be very convenient and cheaper at all these places.
• Plan to use public transport at all these places — metro, tram and buses cover the entire city and it can be used conveniently by purchasing a travel card which is easy to purchase and budget-friendly.
• Book walking tours at all places!

Wishing you a happy and responsible travelling!