The Habsburg cities

Who it is for

For anyone who wants Central Europe in a week, with architecture, music, and lower prices than the west.

Not for anyone who wants a beach.

The strategy

The train connects Prague to Vienna and Vienna to Budapest in a few hours per leg. Budapest closes the trip with its thermal baths.

What you will see

• Castelo de Praga, Prague. A complex of about 70,000 m² founded around 880 and still the seat of the presidency; the cathedral was begun in 1344 by Matthias of Arras, continued by Peter Parler, and only finished in 1929.
• Stephansdom, Vienna. The Gothic cathedral at the exact point the city measures itself from; the south tower, 136.4 m tall, was completed in 1433, and the roof has about 230,000 glazed tiles in a colorful pattern.
• Parliament, Budapest. Designed by Imre Steindl, built from 1885 to 1904, 268 m long and 96 m tall, with 691 rooms.

Day by day

Prague

1. 1
   Day 1: Old Town, Josefov and the river

   1. 5Old Town Square and the OrlojWorth a visit
   2. 3Josefov: Old-New Synagogue and Old Jewish CemeteryHalf a day or moreEssential
   3. 2Charles BridgeUp to half an hourEssential
2. 2
   Day 2: The castle, Malá Strana and Petřín

   1. 2Charles BridgeUp to half an hourEssential
   2. PetřínOne to two hoursIf there is time
3. 3
   Day 3: New Town, Cubism and the neighborhoods

   1. 6Wenceslas Square and the National MuseumUp to half an hourWorth a visit
   2. 8Municipal House and the House of the Black MadonnaUp to half an hourWorth a visit
   3. 7VyšehradOne to two hoursWorth a visit

Vienna

1. 4
   Day 4: The imperial center inside the Ring

   1. 1StephansdomEssential
   2. 5HofburgWorth a visit
   3. 3Kunsthistorisches MuseumEssential
   4. 4StaatsoperEssential
2. 5
   Day 5: Baroque, Klimt, and wine on the slope

   1. 2SchönbrunnEssential
   2. 6Upper BelvedereWorth a visit
3. 6
   Day 6: 20th century, market, and the Danube

   1. 7MuseumsQuartier and LeopoldUp to half an hourWorth a visit

Budapest

1. 7
   Day 7: Pest: riverbank or Városliget

   1. 1Parliament (Országház)Essential
   2. 4Shoes on the Danube BankUp to half an hourEssential
   3. 6St. Stephen's BasilicaWorth a visit
   4. 9Heroes' Square and VárosligetUp to half an hourWorth a visit
   5. 3Széchenyi BathsEssential
2. 8
   Day 8: Buda: choose a visit and allow a break

   1. 2Fisherman's Bastion and Matthias ChurchEssential
   2. 5Chain Bridge (Széchenyi lánchíd)Up to half an hourWorth a visit
3. 9
   Day 9: Pest: choose remembrance, the market or a concert · if you have more time