HOW-TO DO BUDAPEST, PRAGUE, & VIENNA IN 3 DAYS

If you're anything like us, you're working a 9-5 job and have limited PTO. So when you ARE on vacation, you're trying to fit as much in as physically possible. This European trip was actually part of a 6 country trip we did in less than 2 weeks in addition to London, Morocco, and Barcelona, but this blog will focus on the Budapest, Prague, and Vienna 3-day leg of the trip.

Be ready for long, jam packed days, but it'll be well worth it as you'll be seeing all the main sites in a limited amount of time. And if you do have the chance to stay longer in any of the below cities, DEFINITELY choose Budapest, it's our favorite city in the world an we are looking forward to the time when we get to return.

Day 1 - Budapest, Hungary

Travel here: We got in late the night before, but you can definitely do Budapest in 1 day as long as you arrive by 8AM

Where to stay: we stayed in a super cute AirBNB in Pest right next to the Budapest Eye

What food to try: Kürtőskalács & Goulash

• If you're staying in the same area as we were, St. Stephen’s Basilica is a good place to start off - you can go inside for free!

• Next, walk across the Chain Bridge and snap a few shots with the beautiful scenery on all sides.

• Keep walking across the bridge and you'll arrive in Buda, and right in front of you will be the Buda Castle District. There is an "official" tour, but we recommend booking a tour with the little trolleys that take you everywhere. You'll find these people standing outside the castle offering and it's a great buy and is much cheaper than the official one. Be sure to check out Fisherman’s Bastion, Matthias Church, and Hospital in the Rock.

• And end your day relaxing at the Thermal Baths - we recommend that you check out the Széchenyi baths, and be sure to book a massage. And don't forget to bring a towel!

• The nightlife was one of our favorite parts of Budapest, so if you're up for it, check out the Ruin Bars. Our favorite was Szimpla Kert. If you're not familiar with the Ruin Bars, they were built in the the old Jewish quarter in buildings that were abandoned after World War II. These bars are like nothing you've ever seen before, they're filled with weird furniture, crazy art, and a TON of people.

Day 2 - Vienna, Austria

Travel here: Take the earliest train from Budapest to Vienna, it'll take about 2.5 hours

Where to stay: We stayed at the Starlight Suiten Hotel Salzgries, right in the city centre in the 1st district

What food to try: CHOCOLATE & Wiener Schnitzel

• Since this is a city with a LOT of sites to see and you only have 1 day, we recommend getting a day pass for the Big Bus Vienna Hop-On Hop-Off Tour. Most of the city's sites listed below will be along the route.

• Schonbrunn Palace

• St. Stephen’s Cathedral

• Mozart’s House

• Walk around (or scooter like we did) the famous Belvedere Palace

• Hofburg Palace

• Rathaus

• Walk around Ring Road and check out the Opera House, the Parliament, the State Theater, the Town Hall, and the University

• Karlskirche

• Hundertwasserhaus & KunstHausWien

Day 3 - Prague, Czech Republic

Travel here: Take the earliest train out from Vienna to Prague, it'll take about 3 hours

Where to stay: We stayed at Gorgeous Prague Rooms, which is in the heart of Old Town

What food to try: Just drink their beer

• Since this is another city with tons of sites, we recommend getting a day pass for the City Sightseeing Prague Hop-On Hop-Off Tour. All of the city's main sites will be along the route, including most of the ones below.

• Don't miss the Prague Castle which encompasses great sites such as St. George’s Basilica, St. Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace, Golden Lane

• Our Lady of Victorious Church - Infant Jesus

• Charles Bridge

• Watch the Head of Franz Kafka turn

• Jewish Quarter

• Jewish Museum

• Go check out the Statue of King Wenceslas Riding an Upside-Down Dead Horse

• Petrin Tower

• St. Lawrence Cathedral

• End your trip exploring Old Town Square and take some photos in front of the Astronomical Clock. It has been around since 1410 and does a show that consists of the twelve apostles and a skeleton at every hour since then! If you go across the street to the Starbucks, you can go up to the 3rd floor and will have a great view of the clock and the Square.

XOXO, Cam