There is no doubt that Europe is arguably the best travel destination in the world. The region has it all – economic prosperity, rich culture, overall ambiance, and breathtaking environment. However, a certain area in Europe seems to stand out – Central Europe. It has been a point of curiosity among numerous travelers, so the guide below details all you need to know about the region and three Central Europe sample itineraries you can use for your trip.
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What is considered Central Europe and what special about this part of Europe?
Unsurprisingly, the Central region of the European land is termed Central Europe. Typically, Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Liechtenstein, Poland, Slovakia, and Switzerland are grouped when defining states of Central Europe. Similar historical, socio-political, and cultural identities mark these countries quite similar, which is fascinating to witness. Plus, the region offers excellent value for money by providing its visitors an unending variety in terms of experiences and attractions. From food to art and architecture to strong traditions to breathtaking landscapes – the region has it all and flaunts all!
What is the best way to get around Central Europe?
It is no hidden fact that European countries are extremely well-connected. You can travel between them by whatever means you find best, may it be road, air, or rail. However, if you want to restrict yourself to the Central European region, the best way to commute between countries is via trains. The rail network here serves to be the most reliable, cost-effective, efficient, and convenient source of traveling and should, therefore, be opted for.
Three Central Europe Sample Itineraries
1. Prague – Vienna – Budapest
Perhaps the most iconic Central Europe itinerary, the Prague–Vienna–Budapest trio, will introduce you to the classic best offerings of the Central European region. Your 2-week Central Europe itinerary begins in Prague, a city you should dedicate the first five days of your trip. Prague is famous for being phenomenal, especially in terms of its well-preserved history, traditions, art, and architecture. The city is very easy to navigate through and is extremely walkable, meaning that it is the perfect place for you to ditch your maps and lose yourself in.
Put on a comfortable pair of shoes and visit all top destinations in the city, including Prague Castle, the Lennon Wall, the Astronomical Clock, and the Charles Bridge. Indulge in savory delights and hop from café to café, restaurant to restaurant tasting delicious local cuisines. You will lick your fingers to the bone!
The next stop in your 2-week Central Europe itinerary is Vienna, another great city worth your time and dedication. Plan to spend about three days in this wonderful city, where you spend your days commuting between the countless attractions it has to offer to its visitors. You will fall in love with its distinct café culture and its grandiose architecture.
You should make arrangements to visit its top sites like Vienna State Opera, the Spanish Riding School, and the Schonbrun Palace. When you are tired from all these explorations, consider taking a delightful break in its lovely cafes that offer excellent ambiance.
Your Central Europe itinerary cum trip to heaven on earth ends in Budapest. Arguably one of the most beautiful and glamorous cities in all Europe (and the world!), Budapest will captivate you with its exquisite offerings and green surroundings. Since it is listed as one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites, you can expect it to offer remarkable things. Being one of the most historic cities on the planet, with settlements dating to the Stone Age, the city has some fantastic historical displays that will leave you in awe.
Visit its iconic bathhouses, its St Stephen’s Basilica, and Matthias Church to experience Europe as you have never experienced before. When the sun sets, head towards its famous ruin bars and party like there is no tomorrow!
Travel Guide & Resources for This Central Europe Itinerary:
Enjoy this two-week Central Europe itinerary? Here you can find the best flights, train tickets, or rent a car for your trip to Prague, Vienna, and Budapest. Also, you can browse for the best hotels in Prague, Vienna, and Budapest to stay in.
Need more ideas to add to your 2-week or 14-day Central Europe itinerary? Find top attractions & things to do in Prague, Vienna, and Budapest in addition to what already mentioned here.
2. Bern – Munich – Bratislava – Krakow
This Central Europe 2-weeks itinerary idea combines the classic countries Poland, Germany, Slovakia, and Switzerland into one fun-filled and exciting journey. Starting from Bern, the capital of Switzerland and the city to which you will be dedicating the first four days of your trip.
There are a countless number of things you can and should do in the city. For instance, you must take advantage of the city’s status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and explore its cobbled streets, arcade sidewalks, and a preserved Old Town. You should also visit its many art galleries and museums like Kunstmuseum, the Einstein Museum, and the Historical Museum of Bern.
Following Bern, you should head to Munich, a classic destination in its own right and home to some of the most fantastic attractions one could hope for. Take a walk through its gorgeous English Garden or wow at its glorious Nymphenburg Palace, or be amazed at the grandeur of the Munich Residenz. No matter where you go, you will be amazed at the sites’ sheer capacity to fascinate. You will need four days to explore your surroundings comfortably, so don’t rush through the attractions and experiences!
The next step in your Central Europe itinerary is the lesser-known (but remarkable regardless) Slovakian city. While the city may not be as popular as other Central European destinations, it is a stop you must make on your way to Krakow. Bratislava is a compact, little city with charmingly narrow cobblestone streets, stunning historic architecture, and a very pleasant culture. The people are delightful and indulge in an outdoor café culture that you must experience while you are here. Some of the popular destinations include the Bratislava Castle, Michael’s Gate, and Slovak National Gallery.
Your Central Europe itinerary of 2-weeks ends in Krakow. Relax a little, and then buckle yourself up, for the sheer number and scale of attractions in the city are going to blow you away. There are so many things you must not miss in Krakow, including the incredible Kazimierz Neighborhood and the St Francis’s Basilica.
Travel Guide & Resources for This Central Europe Itinerary:
Enjoy this two-week Central Europe itinerary? Here you can find the best flights, train tickets, or rent a car for your trip to Bern, Munich, Bratislava, and Krakow. Also, here you can browse our list of the best hotels in Bern, Munich, Bratislava, and Krakow to stay in.
Need more ideas to add to your 2-week or 14-day Central Europe itinerary? Find top attractions & things to do in Bern, Munich, Bratislava, and Krakow in addition to what already mentioned here.
3. Berlin – Brno – Salzburg – Liechtenstein
Another exciting Central Europe itinerary of 2-weeks, the Berlin-Brno-Salzburg- Liechtenstein route, will keep you completely engrossed, entertained, and on your toes. Starting from Berlin, the heart of Germany and home to some of the most fantastic attractions in Europe, you should spend five days roaming around the city, doing justice to it. Remember that you have ample time on your hands, so no need to rush through anything. Some of the must-visit destinations include The Brandenburg Gate, Museum Island, and the Berlin Wall.
Following Berlin, make your way to Brno, a fantastic Czech city usually put to the backseat by Prague. Dating back to the prehistoric era and having seen several ruling powers come and go, the city serves as a cradle for countless cultures, traditions, and historical sites. If you are into architecture, the Cathedral of St Peter and Paul will leave you in awe of its architect’s ingenious. Other than this, Moravian Karst and Caves, Dietrichstein Palace, and the Veveri Castle will interest you too.
The next step in your Central Europe itinerary is Salzburg. Being a city lying on the Austrian-German border, it presents a fascinating blend of cultures and civilizations that will amaze you.
Although all destinations here are worth your time, a few claim the limelight owing to their splendor and attractiveness. The Fortress of Hohensalzburg is one of them. Other than this, you would also love visits to St Peter’s Abbey, St Peter’s Church, and the Salzburg Cathedral. These may be odes to the city’s religious roots, but they offer extraordinary insight into its early people’s architectural and artistic minds.
Liechtenstein marks the end of your Central Europe itinerary of 2-weeks. While you may be sad that this is coming to an end, you can rest assured that you will be doing this in the best possible way – by visiting Vaduz. Visit its state-of-the-art Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein Art Gallery, its fantastic Gutenberg Castle situated in the heart of lush green mountains, and the Liechtenstein National Museum. These are a few trips you will cherish and hold dear in your memories!
Travel Guide & Resources for This Central Europe Itinerary:
Enjoy this two-week Central Europe itinerary? Here you can find the best flights, train tickets, or rent a car for your trip to Berlin, Brno, Salzburg, and Liechtenstein. Also, here you can also browse our list of the best hotels in Berlin, Brno, Salzburg, and Vaduz to stay in.
Need more ideas to add to your 2-week or 14-day Central Europe itinerary? Find top attractions & things to do in Berlin, Brno, Salzburg, and Liechtenstein in addition to what already mentioned here.
Video Guide: 2 Weeks in Central Europe. 3 Amazing Central Europe Itineraries!
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Travel resources for planning a multi-city two-week trip to Central Europe
To make planning a trip to Central Europe easier, we included some of our recommended travel resources below. You can search and find the best flights, transportation options, hotels to stay in, tours/activities, and things you can do in each destination during your trip to Central Europe.
Flights:
Agoda: Search thousands of destinations around the world & quickly compare prices to find amazing deals on the best flights.
CheapOAir: You can find airline tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, and vacation packages all on one site!
Kiwi.com: What we like about Kiwi is the fact that they are able to create combinations of flight, train, and bus tickets and offer them in a single itinerary. Also, Kiwi has what they called “Nomad” which helps you find the best way of visiting multiple destinations, saving you time and money.
JetRadar: You can search and compare airfares from 726 airlines and dozens of travel agencies and systems.
Hotels:
Agoda: Agoda is one of the world’s largest online travel accommodation platforms with a network of over 2,000,000 vacation rentals and hotels worldwide.
Hotellook: They have more than 250,000 hotels in 205 countries, working with data from more than 10 online booking systems, such as Booking.com, Agoda.com, Hotels.com, Expedia, and others.
Transportations:
Airport Transfers: KiwiTaxi, Viator
Train: EuRail, Trainline or RailEurope
Bus: Flixbus: Very affordable (as low as $6) and convenient way to transfer between cities in Europe.
Car Rentals: AutoEurope, EconomyBookings, or GetTransfer (transfers & car rentals with a personal driver)
Bike Rental: BikesBooking (Bikes & scooter rentals)
Transportation Comparison: Omio (search, compare, and book tickets for buses, trains, and flights all in one site)
Tours & Activities:
TakeWalks (WalkofItaly): This is our favorite site for walking tours & day trips.
Tiqets: Great site for entrance tickets. It offers directly bookable, instantly available, and completely mobile tickets for museums, shows, and attractions all over the world.
Musement: They have good activities and tours in Italy and Spain, also many great day trips you can choose from.
GetYourGuide: A large number of tours, excursions, and other travel activities
Viator: The largest one. It has everything from tours, attractions, shore excursions, and private guides in over 2,700 destinations worldwide. It also has many transportations and transfers options and some unique experiences we didn’t find anywhere else.
Need help planning a trip to Central Europe?
Want to plan a trip to Central Europe but don’t know where to begin? If you find this type of trip planning to be too complicated to plan on your own, we’re here to help!
At MultiCityTrips, multi-destination travel and complicated itineraries such as a multi-city trip to Central Europe are our specialties. Contact us today to learn more about how one of our experienced travel experts/destination specialists can personalize your multi-city vacations at the best price.
Don’t want to start from scratch and need some trip inspiration? Check out our marketplace for customizable pre-designed packages available right now for many amazing destinations.
To learn more about how our process of trip planning works in detail, please see our “How It Works” page or check out our video on “How to Plan a Multi-City Trip to Europe in 5 Easy Steps” here.
Have questions for us? Schedule a FREE Call with us here or contact one of the travel experts/destination specialists at [email protected], call/text us at (888)223-2316 today.