I am used to traveling for long periods of time. Yet once in a while, I only have a week or so to escape, and still want to visit unique places. Of course, it is impossible to grasp a culture in a matter of a few days, but still, I always try to visit as much as I can, to eat local food, wander around, meet people, and so on. One of my most satisfying short trips was the one where I visited Prague (Czech Republic), Vienna (Austria), and Budapest (Hungary). I spent 3 days in every city, and took the bus between each destination, which is the cheapest way to travel when you’re on a tight budget like me. Since I was traveling by myself, I slept in hostel dorms, but I know there are a lot of cheap hotel rooms around, especially off season.
I am a woman who mostly travels alone, and those three cities were really safe. No one bothered me, and I felt more than comfortable walking down the streets by myself. If you want to visit those places and don’t have a lot of time to do so, here are my recommendations!
Prague
Every single street is a must-see. That place looks like pages from a fairy-tale book. I kept walking, searching for Cinderella! I got lost in the spirit and beauty of the city. There is so much to see in Prague, but fortunately, every sights that are worth it are pretty close to one another which allows tourists to walk and feel the city’s vibe. The most iconic attractions and monuments are Charles Bridge, the Old Town (especially its Square), the Astronomical Clock, the Jewish Ghetto, the cemeteries, the cathedrals, Prague Castle, Lennon Wall, the countless green parks to have a cozy picnic, the swans swimming on the river, the Dancing House, the Grand Hotel Europa, and much more!
Prague is famous for its strong beers, its nightlife and its cheese. The vibe is completely different if you wander around during the day versus the night: do both! I had the chance to watch fireworks in the Old Town at night, which felt quite magical. The city is, overall, cheap too, which was a big plus for me. They use Crowns, and 1 Euro is approximately 25 CZK.
Vienna
This city was the least interesting in my opinion, but still a must-see. It feels a little colder. Everything is so clean, so white. I appreciated Vienna for its history and its art. It is famously known for its classical music, its great balls, Sigmund Freud, Empress Sissi!, and its WWII heritage. My favourite place to visit was, without a doubt, Schönbrunn Palace. The castle is glorious, all yellow, surrounded by gardens; there’s even a maze! Vienna has so many castles, so you really need to choose wisely which ones seem the most interesting to you according to your tastes in architecture and history.
Other attractions include St Stephen’s Cathedral, the Town Hall, the green parks where I loved to sit and read surrounded by birds, and countless museums, markets, and statues as well. You also have to taste every single pastry they offer, they are way too delicious! I must say though that Vienna is a far more expensive city than Prague and Budapest. They use Euros, and the cost of life is quite high.
Budapest
This city was the last one I visited, and by far my favourite. The architecture is so motley, eclectic and interesting. Sometimes you feel like you are in France, then Russia, then Turkey, then Greece… There’s something for everyone! The local currency is the Forint, and 1 Euro is equivalent to 315 HUF. Budapest is a wild city. It is quite classical i style, but is also famous for its underground scene. I went to a rave in a cave, and I must say that they have some of the craziest nightclubs I have ever been in! Therefore, if you are into those types of experiences (and adventures!), explore the nightlife, you’ll certainly have a memorable experience. Another must-do in Budapest (and Hungary in general) is to relax in thermal baths. Some are more touristic (which means more expensive), and some are only for women or men too, so ask around to find the baths that best suit your needs.
As for sightseeing, you should visit Heroes’ Square, see the STUNNING parliament, walk near the Danube at night, take a picture of any of the lovely churches and centennial buildings, hike on the mountains surrounding the city to get the best of views, walk on the famous Chain Bridge, and visit the citadel. The subway in Budapest is quite useful to get around and visit as much attractions and monuments as possible, but the way the tickets work is a little complicated, so don’t be afraid to ask people who work in the subway. If I remember correctly, every time you transfer between lines, you need a new ticket, and you also have to punch the tickets every time.
If you do have more time, you can always explore other cities in Czech Republic: Brno, Olomouc, Plzen… in Austria: Innsbruck, Salzburg, Graz… and in Hungary: Pécs, Debrecen, Eger… But whatever you choose, have fun and enjoy 🙂
Bittersweet Travel Memories 