2-Week Central Europe Itinerary | 4 Unique Routes

Europe may be the smallest continent, but it has no shortage of fascinating places to visit. From incredible castles to famous churches and some of the finest museums in the world, there is so much to see and do in Europe. 

While all parts of Europe are equally impressive, in our opinion, if you are planning a trip to Central Europe and looking for an itinerary to follow, we have created several options – each with their own appealing interests. 

This guide includes 4 different itineraries for Central Europe – covering the countries of Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Czech Republic and Poland.

Central Europe Itineraries

While many define Central Europe as including everything from Germany all the way to Slovenia and Hungary, we consider Slovenia to be part of the Balkans rather than Central Europe and Hungary to be more in line with Eastern Europe in its culture.

Central Europe Itinerary 1 – Romantic Villages, Castles, and Cities

This first itinerary begins in Frankfurt, Germany and takes you through some of the best German cities and then down into Austria. This itinerary would be my first choice if visiting this part of Europe for the first time. It is filled with charm and medieval history and beauty.

• Day 1: Frankfurt
• Day 2: Burg Eltz Day Trip
• Day 3-4: Rothenburg ob Der Tauber
• Day 5-7: Munich
• Day 8: Day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle
• Day 9-10: Salzburg 
• Day 11-14: Vienna with Day Trip to Bratislava

Day 1 – Frankfurt, Germany

Begin your 2 weeks in Central Europe by flying into one of the busiest airports on the continent. Frankfurt, Germany is the financial capital of Europe. While it lacks a lot of the fairytale beauty that you’ll find throughout the rest of this itinerary, Frankfurt is definitely worth visiting.  

When you arrive on day 1, you and your family will likely need some time to recover from jet lag. Take the train from the airport to the central train station, and check into your hotel or at least drop your luggage off at the hotel. Once you are free of luggage, take a walk to the historic Römer square. Although you can take the metro there, the fresh air and sunlight is a great way to help you adjust to the time difference.

Römerburg is the heart of the Old Town Frankfurt. It is the only place in Frankfurt where you’ll find restored half-timbered, colorful buildings that Germany is famous for. 

At the center of the square, Frankfurt’s historic town hall, or Römer, has served as the seat of the city government for over 600 years.

From the square, you’ll be able to see the bell tower of Frankfurt Cathedral soaring above the other buildings. Head to the cathedral and climb to the top of the 312-foot tower for excellent views of the city and a little exercise to keep you awake. 

Walk along the River Main back toward your hotel and grab a late lunch or early dinner. You’ll be tired, so call it an early night and get a good night’s rest so you’ll be ready for your day trip on day 2.

Day 2: Burg Eltz

Your second day in Europe will take you to one of the most beautiful castles in Europe – Burg Eltz. The easiest way to get there is by taking a guided tour.

Located about 2 hours from Frankfurt, the 12th century castle has eight half-timbered towers and multiple rooms you can tour – each containing antique furniture, tapestries, and painting from the Middle Ages.

One of the most fascinating things about the castle is that it has been in the ownership of the same family, the Eltz family, for 34 generations and 900 years!

During the 8-hour day trip, your guide will drive you from a meeting place near the main railway station and drive you to the castle. You’ll get to tour the castle and enjoy a dinner, which is included in the price of the day trip before heading back to Frankfurt for the night. 

If you rent a car and plan to road trip across Central Europe, you can easily do this as a self-guided day trip. 

Day 3-4: Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

On day 3, check out of your hotel and catch an early morning train to Rothenburg ob der Tauber. The 3-hour journey will require you to change trains in Wurzburg before boarding a regional train to take you the rest of the way. If you are driving, the drive will take roughly 2 hours instead of 3 by train.

Once in Rothenburg, again drop off your belongings at your hotel and head out to explore the storybook village. 

While Rothenburg is a popular day trip for many, give yourself two days here to take in the beauty of one of Europe’s best-preserved walled villages. Begin at Marktplatz, where you can climb the Town Hall Tower and watch the animated clock come to life upon each hour. You’ll likely want to grab lunch near the square before you continue to sightsee.

In the afternoon, make your way up the street from Marktplatz toward the south gate to the most photographed spot in the village. Known as Plönlein, the landmark yellow, half-timbered building stands in the center of a fork in the road. After pausing for photos, take a stroll along the town walls before heading to the Medieval Crime and Justice Museum. 

Have dinner at an outdoor cafe or biergarten, then meet back up at Marktplatz to join the popular Night Watchman’s tour. 

On your second day in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, you’ll want to visit the Christmas Museum, shop for some German souvenirs, tour St. James Church, and enjoy some more delicious German cuisine, including a schneeballe, a dessert that is hard to find outside of this small village. 

Day 5-7: Munich, Germany

You’ll finish out your first week in Central Europe with a visit to the Bavarian capital of Munich, Germany. While you could easily see many of the highlights of Munich in one day, it is worth taking your time to explore the city slowly. And if you’re lucky enough to visit Munich during Oktoberfest, you’ll want to give yourself at least a full day at the festival.

If you arrive in Munich by train, you’ll want to drop off your belongings at your hotel. If you stay at the hotel we recommend below, it is directly next to the Central Train Station. 

From there spend the rest of the day exploring Old Town Munich. There are several stunning cathedrals and churches worth visiting in this walkable area, including St. Michael’s Cathedral, Frauenkirche, St. Peter’s Cathedral, and Asam Church. Make it a point to stop into each of them, especially if you love the intricate elegance of European churches. You’ll also want to spend some time relaxing in Marienplatz and watching the Rathaus Glockenspiel come to life at 11, noon, or 5pm. 

Grab a light lunch at Viktualienmarkt while you’re out exploring and plan to have dinner at Munich’s most famous beer hall, Hofbrauhaus.

On day 6, head to Nymphenburg Palace after breakfast, to see one of the most visited tourist sites in the city. The palace is a huge complex that could take a full day to explore. The 200-acre estate includes a Baroque palace and royal gardens complete with lakes, waterfalls, and even gondola rides.

A great place to visit in Munich with kids, Nymphenburg once served as the summer residence of the Bavarian rulers of the House of Wittelsbach. The English-style gardens give kids an opportunity to burn some energy. Inside, there are several museums that adults and children alike will find interesting, including a natural history museum and one dedicated to royal coaches.

After exploring the palace, take a cab or public transportation to the English Garden, which is one of the largest inner-city parks in the world. Let the kids take a ride on the carousel and climb up to the Greek temple. Grab a casual dinner at a beer garden inside the park before calling it a night and either walking or taking the metro back to your hotel.

One your seventh day you can either continue to explore some of Munich’s other sites like the Munich Residenz and Maximilianstrasse, or you could venture slightly out of the city to Therme Erding – the largest thermal spa in Europe. The facility has both relaxing steam baths, saunas, and pools, as well as a full indoor/outdoor waterpark and wave pool. 

Day 8: Neuschwanstein Castle

On the eighth day, you’ll take a day trip from Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle. It will take about 2 hours each way to get to Neuschwanstein Castle, but it will be well worth the trip to tour the palace which was commissioned by ‘Mad King Ludwig” as his personal retreat to try to withdraw from public life.

Known as the “castle of the fairy-tale king”, 1.4 million people visit the castle which looks like the actual setting of a Disney movie.

Because of its picturesque beauty, Neuschwanstein Castle is perhaps one of the most famous castles in all of Europe, if not the entire world. The 19th-century castle situated on a hill near Fussen is said to have been the inspiration for Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty castle. 

Day 9-10: Salzburg, Austria

On day 9, wake up and take the train to Salzburg, Austria where you’ll spend the next two days exploring. From your hotel (where you will once again store your bags until it’s time to check in), you’ll head toward Old Town Salzburg – where you can wander the streets, stop inside the Salzburg Cathedral, and visit the Toy Museum before heading up to Hohensalzburg Fortress which towers over the city’s skyline.

The next day, book The Sound of Music tour, which picks you up and drops you off at the beautiful Mirabell Gardens. You’ll visit several filming locations for the beloved movie, including Schloss Hellbrunn – famous for its trick fountains and the enchanting, lakeside town of Mondsee. 

If you’re visiting Salzburg with kids, Mirabell Gardens is a wonderful place to let them explore among the colorful flowers, shade trees, and fountains.

Day 11-14 Vienna, Austria

On day 11, you’ll wake up and board the train for your final stop of this 2-week Central Europe itinerary – Vienna – the posh yet gritty capital city of Austria. Although you’ll find some of the best places to stay in Vienna near the train station, I particularly enjoyed staying closer to the Museum Quarter and Naschmarkt, which is where the recommended hotel below is located.

Begin your day by heading into the tourist heart of the city to tour St. Stephan’s Cathedral – one of Europe’s most famous churches. Follow that up with a quick visit to Mozart’s House, which is now a museum, before heading up to Hofburg Imperial Palace. Plan to spend a couple hours exploring the palace before taking a stroll through Volksgarten and grabbing dinner at Rathausplatz. 

The next day, you’ll want to start your morning at Schönbrunn Palace, which can take at least half a day to tour. Afterwards, book a tour of the State Opera House, or if visiting with kids, spend the afternoon at the Prater, one of the oldest theme parks in Europe. While you can see some of Vienna’s highlights in a day, you’ll need three full days at least to truly appreciate it.

On your third day plan to explore the Museum Quarter where you have your pick of interesting museums to visit. The nearby Naschmarkt is a great place to grab lunch or dinner.

Your last and final day of your trip, book a day trip to Bratislava, Slovakia – where you’ll explore its charming Old Town and see one of the quirkiest bridges in Europe – affectionately known as the UFO Bridge.

Central Europe Itinerary 2 – World War History

If you love studying the history of the two World Wars that plagued this part of Europe in the early 20th century and are looking for an educational trip, our second itinerary is definitely for you. You’ll explore Berlin and learn about the Cold War Era and what life was like before the Berlin Wall came down, and then journey into Poland, where the atrocities of World War II are retold through museums, walking tours, and at the concentration camps. 

It’s important to note that this itinerary is probably not the best for families traveling with young children. There are a lot of fun things to do in Poland with kids, but this itinerary involves a lot of sobering WWII sites. While this itinerary would be fine for teens or even grade school kids who are a little older, a lot of the places you visit on this 2-week Central Europe itinerary are heavy and possibly a bit too somber for young kids. 

• Day 1-3: Berlin
• Day 4-5: Poznan
• Day 6-9: Warsaw
• Day 10-14: Krakow with a Day Trip to Auschwitz 

Day 1-3 – Berlin, Germany

The capital city of Berlin is a wonderful starting place for anyone interested in World War II history. You will not only be able to tour museums dedicated to the atrocities of the war, but also learn about the decades following the war, and what life was like in Berlin, a city divided by a wall. You will want at least 2 days in Berlin – but we recommend three if you love history.

Start your first day in Berlin by walking from your hotel to Checkpoint Charlie – one of Germany’s most famous landmarks. We always recommend getting outdoors and walking on your first day in any city to help combat jet lag. After a photo at Checkpoint Charlie, you can grab lunch in the area and visit THE WALL – asisi Panorama Museum which is across the street from the former checkpoint.  

From the popular tourist area, walk to the Topography of Terror Museum, which is located in the former SS headquarters. It details the rise of the Nazis and the brutalities they carried out during WWII. 

After visiting the museum, continue walking toward Brandenburg Gate. Be sure to stop at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews – which is a sprawling urban monument dedicated to the millions of Jews killed during the war. After walking between the thousands of maze-like concrete slabs, continue through Brandenburg Gate, pause for a photo and then visit the Reichstag. The government building is known for its spiraling walkway inside its glass dome. You’ll need to purchase a timed ticket in advance if you want to walk inside the dome.

After touring the Reichstag dome, grab some dinner and head back to your hotel for a welcomed night of rest.

On your second day in Berlin, you’ll want to head east from your hotel after breakfast. Your first stop is the magnificent Berliner Dom. After admiring the ornate interior, climb the bell tower to look out over the city and take in the sites of the Spree River and Museum Island.

Afterwards, cross the river and tour the DDR Museum. This immersive museum is all about life in East Germany before the Berlin Wall came down. It has rooms set up to look like an East German home, office, and even garage. 

Outside the museum board a Spree River Cruise. The one-hour cruise takes you past different landmarks, buildings and historical sites while your guide provides context to keep you entertained and informed.

Grab some lunch after your cruise then spend your afternoon at one of Berlin’s other museums near Museum Island, like Bode Museum or the Berlin Dungeon – or head to the East Side Gallery and Berlin Wall Museum. 

On your third day in Berlin, head to the Berlin Wall Memorial, which includes original segments of the Wall, a watchtower and a preserved section of the no-man’s land where some of the Wall’s most dramatic events occurred. 

After visiting the memorial, head across the street to Mount Mitte Beach Mitte, where you can spend the rest of the day lounging on the largest inner-city “beach” in Europe, watching or playing sand volleyball or climbing the massive ropes course that is sure to get your adrenaline pumping.

Day 4-5: Poznan, Poland

On day four following this two-week Central Europe itinerary, take the train east from Berlin to Poznan, Poland. This lovely city is one of the best places to visit in Poland.

As with most European cities, begin your exploration in the heart of Old Town Poznan, where the colorful facades and charming Market Square set a picturesque backdrop. Be sure to be at Poznań Town Hall at noon to see its two mechanical goats butt heads.  Spend your afternoon wandering through the historic streets and shopping for Polish souvenirs. 

The next day, visit landmarks like the Poznan Cathedral, the Imperial Castle, and Citadel Park before boarding an evening train to Warsaw.

Day 6-9: Warsaw, Poland

If you choose this itinerary, you’ll round out your first week and begin your second one in the capital city of Poland. You’ll want to give yourself 3 days in Warsaw to not only learn about the city’s famous uprising during WWII but also understand the history of Jewish people in Poland and appreciate the culture.

Begin your time in the Polish capital by making your way up the Royal Route to Old Town, which was completely rebuilt after the war. With charming squares, colorful buildings, and cobblestone streets, it is a beautiful area to start your exploration. Tour the Royal Castle Museum and stop inside St Anne’s Church and the Church of the Holy Cross. You can also climb the Old Town Observation Tower for a beautiful look out over the restored area.

In the evening, take a stroll along the Vistula River and stop for a light show at the Multimedia Fountain Park. 

On your second day, head to Wilanow Palace on the south side of Warsaw then head to the former Warsaw Ghetto where you can take a walking tour and then learn about Jewish History at the POLIN Museum. End your second day with a fun pierogi cooking class to learn how to make one of the most popular Polish foods.

On day nine of this itinerary – which is your last day in Warsaw – head to the Warsaw Uprising Museum, Lazienki Park, and finally, be sure to visit the Palace of Culture and Science, where you can see the city from the 30th floor observation deck.

Day 10-14 Krakow, Poland and Auschwitz

Krakow is our favorite city in Poland, and it is definitely worth visiting for the history, culture, and beauty you’ll find throughout it.

Plan to spend at least 3 days in Krakow, although we’ve allotted 4 days, as you’ll leave the city twice to visit nearby attractions and places of interest.

When you arrive in Krakow by train, drop off your bags at your hotel to begin exploring. If you book the hotel recommended below, it is about a 10–15-minute walk through Planty Park and Old Town to the hotel. After leaving your bags behind, head to Market Square and explore the Cloth Hall and the beautiful Basilica of St. Mary, with its twin towers that dominate the square. 

The beautiful square is a great place to have lunch and dinner, as there is always something exciting going on, like a market or street performances. 

On day 11, make your way up to Wawel Castle where you can meander through castle chambers, chapels, and museums filled with art, tapestries, and even Turkish tents. 

The next day, you’ll want to start your day by exploring the Jewish Ghetto and visiting Schindler’s Factory, an incredible museum set in Oskar Schindler’s former enamelware factory where more than 1,200 Jewish people were saved during the Nazi occupation.

In the afternoon, you’ll journey about 14 minutes outside of the city center to Poland’s impressive underground museum, the Wieliczka Salt Mine. Inside the salt mine, everything, including an entire chapel, is carved from salt. 

On your final day (or at least one of your days in Krakow) you’ll want to journey even farther from the city to visit the Auschwitz and Birkenau Concentration Camps. Although, admittedly not enjoyable, you would be remiss to skip the concentration and extermination camps, as they are an essential part of understanding the history of Poland and World War II. Be sure to book a guided tour, because a guide will be able to provide context to the camps, which while horrific and hard to fathom, is important to learn.

Central Europe Itinerary 3 – Eastern European feel

Our third itinerary begins in one of our favorite cities in Central Europe and takes you south from the Czech Republic into Slovakia and Austria. This particular itinerary takes you to cities that, in our opinion, feel more like Eastern Europe. You also get to travel a bit slower, giving yourself more time in each place to truly take in the atmosphere and not feel rushed.

• Day1-4: Prague
• Day 5-6: Brno
• Day 7-9: Bratislava with a day trip deeper into Slovakia
• Day 10-14: Vienna

Day 1-4: Prague, Czech Republic

Your first stop on this itinerary is Europe’s dreamy city of Prague, Czech Republic. The city is famous for its cultural attractions, Gothic cathedrals and Baroque architecture. 

If you follow this itinerary and arrive at the Prague Airport, we recommend taking public transportation or a taxi to a Hotel in Mala Strana, which takes roughly 30 minutes. 

After leaving your bags at your hotel, on day one head out to explore the Mala Strana area. Spend the day wandering the streets, finding the John Lennon Wall, the Piss Statue and the narrowest street in Prague. 

Have lunch or an early dinner in Mala Strana and plan to be at the Charles Bridge around sunset to see the famous landmark when it is at its liveliest. You’ll likely be tired since this is your first day in Europe, so call it an early night so you can be well rested for your next day.

On day two, head across the Charles Bridge and make your way into Old Town. Make your way through the busy streets until you get to the beautiful Old Town Square. There, you can tour the Tyne Church, watch the Astronomical Clock come to life, climb the Town Hall Tower, and enjoy the atmosphere in this lively area. 

Grab lunch and a trdelnik for dessert before making your way toward the Old Jewish Cemetery, the largest of its kind in Europe. You can also take an evening carriage ride through Old Town before stopping for dinner on the way back to your hotel. 

On day 3, have breakfast and then make your way up the steep walkway to Prague Castle. Plan to spend at least half the day exploring the castle complex which includes the Old Royal Palace, the Basilica of St. George, the Golden Lane and the majestic St. Vitus Cathedral. If you are up for a rewarding challenge, be sure to buy a ticket to climb the cathedral’s spiraling bell tower. 

Afterwards, head to the Lobkowicz Palace Museum, which is the only privately owned building in the castle complex.

In the evening, head back toward the Charles Bridge and rent a peddleboat for a unique perspective of Prague.

Day 4, you’ll want to make your way toward Wenceslas Square. Stopping along the way at Kampa Island and the Dancing House. Once you arrive at Wenceslas Square, grab some lunch and then plan to spend the afternoon touring the National Museum. The museum complex includes lots of different exhibits as well as a Children’s Museum. 

Day 5-6: Brno, Czech Republic

Lesser known and much less popular when compared to Prague, the Czech Republic’s second largest city, Brno, is also worth visiting. Spend a couple of days exploring the city and the surrounding area. The city is home to Europe’s second largest ossuary, as well as a crypt with fully mummified remains of 24 monks and nobles laid out in rows on the floor. 

Additionally, the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul is not only a fascinating landmark that towers over Brno, but it is also unique in that its bell tolls at 11a.m. instead of noon – a tradition that dates back to the 1600s. 

On your second day in Brno, take a day trip to the Moravian Karst, known for its beautiful sinkhole inside an underground cave system.

Day 7-9 Bratislava, Slovakia

After visiting Brno, make the short drive or train ride to Bratislava, the capital city of Slovakia. While many people do Bratislava as a day trip from Vienna, this itinerary option gives you three full days to explore the town. 

On your first day, center your exploration in Old Town. Go on a self-guided discovery of the beautiful district and find its many interesting statues. While in Old Town be sure to step inside St. Martin’s Cathedral, the Old Town Hall and climb to the top of St. Michael’s Gate.

After lunch, head up to Bratislava Castle, which now houses the Slovak National Museum. 

On day 8, take a guided day tour to see some of Slovakia’s incredible castles. This tour takes you to 4 different castles, plus includes wine tasting and takes you to the Cicmany Heritage Village. 

On day nine, head to Devin Castle on the outskirts of Bratislava to see the ruins of a 5th century B.C. castle overlooking the waterway where the Danube and Morava Rivers meet. In the evening head up to the restaurant inside the saucer-shaped structure on top of the Bridge of the Slovak National Uprising, which is also known as the UFO Bridge.

Day 10-14: Vienna, Austria

Similar to our first itinerary, this route also ends in the remarkable city of Vienna. Begin your time in the Austrian capital by heading to Stephansplatz and visiting St. Stephan’s Cathedral. Be sure to climb the tower for exceptional views of the city.

Around the corner from the cathedral, you’ll find the former home of Austrian composer, Mozart, which is now a museum. Take your time learning about the life and works of the famous composer before heading up the Graben Street to Hofburg Imperial Palace. Along the way, be sure to stop and admire the Plague Column – one of the most interesting sculptures in Europe. 

Because this itinerary gives you four full days in Vienna, take your time exploring the Hofburg Palace and the Austrian National Library. If time allows, you can also buy tickets to watch the Spanish Riding School train at the palace. 

Spend the rest of the evening taking a leisure stroll through Volksgarten and Rathausplatz, which plays host to festivals and events throughout the year. 

The next day, you’ll want to start your morning at Schönbrunn Palace. There are 45 rooms in the palace that are open for tour, as well as a children’s museum and a Baroque Garden with an amazing labyrinth maze. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is also home to the oldest zoo in the world, which is a wonderful place to spend the afternoon.

On your third day, visit the Belvedere Palace, which is one of the oldest museums in the world. Afterwards, head to the Prater and take a spin on its impressive Ferris Wheel. If traveling with kids or if you love theme parks, you can spend the rest of the afternoon at the park or take a river cruise along the Danube Canal.

On your final day in Vienna, book a tour of the State Opera House, grab lunch at Naschmarkt, and spend the rest of the day in the Museum Quarter where you have your pick of interesting museums to visit. 

Central Europe Itinerary 4 – Little Bit of Everything

Our final itinerary gives you a small taste of everything. You’ll see both quirky cities and old-world architecture. You’ll see three of the most famous cities in Europe, as well as two places we consider to be among Europe’s most underrated. 

• Day 1-3: Berlin
• Day 4-5: Dresden
• Day 6-9: Prague
• Day 10: Brno
• Day 11-14: Vienna with a day trip to Bratislava

Day 1-3 – Berlin, Germany

Similar to our second itinerary, our final one starts in Germany’s capital city of Berlin. 

Follow the same 3-day Berlin itinerary above, which takes you to Checkpoint Charlie, THE WALL – asisi Panorama Museum, the Topography of Terror Museum, Brandenburg Gate, the Memorial to the Murdered Jews and the Reichstag dome – all on day one.

Your second day in Berlin, take a self-guided tour of the magnificent Berliner Dom and its bell tower, then tour the DDR Museum and take a relaxing Spree River Cruise. In the afternoon, head to the East Side Gallery – an outdoor gallery of murals painted on the largest section of the Berlin Wall that is still standing.  

On your third day in Berlin, head north from your hotel to the Berlin Wall Memorial and then spend the rest of your day at the ropes course known as Mount Mitte and lounging on the largest inner-city “beach” in Europe, watching or playing sand volleyball at Mount Mitte.

Day 4-5: Dresden, Germany

Dresden is the closest thing to a hidden gem in Germany that you could get to in this extremely popular country to visit. The city in the eastern part of the country is incredible with its Baroque architecture, royal palaces, and historic attractions. 

Plan to spend two days in Dresden making sure to visit the Dresden Zwinger, the Royal Palace, its Green Vault, admire the Furstenzug and the views from the Bruhlsche Terrasse, and visit Old Town. In Old Town, you’ll want to climb the tower at Frauenkirche and stop inside Kreuzkirche, where you can also climb the bell tower, if you want to.

You can do much of this in one full day in Dresden but give yourself two to truly appreciate everything. And if time allows, visit the Grosser Garden, and take a paddle boat ride along one of the lakes. 

Day 6-9: Prague, Czech Republic

Halfway through this itinerary, you’ll spend a few days in one of Europe’s dreamiest, albeit most crowded, cities. There are a lot of family-friendly things to do in Prague, Czech Republic. The city, which is known for its Astronomical Clock, famous bridge, striking architecture, and quirky statues is well worth spending at least three days. 

During the winter, it is one of the best places to spend Christmas in Europe, as its famous Old Town Square hosts an incredible Christmas market. You’ll want to start your first day in Prague by heading straight there. If you arrive by train at the Central Train Station, the hotel linked below is one of the best places to stay in Prague. 

Drop off your bags and make your way to Old Town. There, you can tour the Tyne Church, watch the Astronomical Clock come to life, climb the Town Hall Tower, and enjoy the atmosphere in this lively area. 

Roam the streets, stopping for trdelnik at one of the many stalls selling the sweet pastry, and make your way toward the Old Jewish Cemetery, the largest of its kind in Europe. On your way back toward your hotel, shop for souvenirs from Prague and keep an eye out for some of the unique statues. You can also take an evening carriage ride through Old Town before stopping for dinner on the way to your hotel. 

On day 7, have breakfast and then head toward Prague Castle. The easiest way to get there from your hotel is to take the metro. Plan to spend at least half the day at the castle complex – which is the largest in Europe. After exploring the castle complex, grab lunch in Mala Strana and spend the afternoon wandering the streets, finding the John Lennon Wall, the Piss Statue, and the narrowest street. 

In the evening, cross the Charles Bridge, climb one of the bridge’s gate towers for a unique perspective and take in the atmosphere as you slowly make your way back through Old Town.

Day 8, you’ll want to start your exploration in Wenceslas Square. At the heart of the square is the National Museum, an incredible museum complex that includes lots of different exhibits, as well as a Children’s Museum.  From there, take a self-guided walking tour to find landmarks like the Head of Franz Kafka, and the Dancing House. 

On your final day in Prague, you’ll want to relax and explore more of the off-the-beaten path attractions. If you have kids, you can stop at the playground at Slavonic Island or let the kids roam and run free in the beautiful green space on Kampa Island. Rent a peddleboat and navigate the Vltava River for awesome views of the Charles Bridge. For another amazing view of Prague, make your way up Petrin Hill to look out at the skyline.

Day 10: Brno, Czech Republic

Just as it is laid out on our third itinerary, this itinerary also takes you to Brno after leaving the Czech Republic’s capital city.

You’ll only have one day in Brno on this itinerary, so spend it exploring Old Town and its many attractions, including the continent’s second largest ossuary, the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul and Spilberk Castle. 

Day 11-14: Vienna, Austria

Our final itinerary also ends in the same city that two of the other itineraries above conclude – Vienna, Austria. Just as in the itineraries above, you’ll visit Stephansplatz and its famous church, tour the former home of Mozart, and visit the Hofburg Imperial Palace, Volksgarten and Rauthusplatz on day one. 

The next day should be spent at Schonbrunn Palace, exploring its 45 rooms, museums and Baroque Garden. 

On your third day, you could visit the Belvedere Palace, State Opera House, and Museum Quarter or take a day trip to Bratislava, Slovakia. 

Do you have a question or comment about any of these itineraries for Central Europe? We’d love to hear from you! Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

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