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Prague & Budapest: A Tale of Two Timeless Cities

Embark on a journey through the heart of Europe, where Prague's fairy-tale charm meets Budapest's grandeur. Discover iconic landmarks, rich histories, and unforgettable experiences in these captivating capitals.

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Itinerary

Welcome to Prague and Budapest, two of Europe’s most enchanting capitals, each offering a unique blend of history, culture, and unforgettable charm. Begin your journey in Prague, the “City of a Hundred Spires,” where Gothic cathedrals, historic bridges, and cobblestone streets create a fairy-tale atmosphere. Then, continue to Budapest, the “Pearl of the Danube,” a city where grand architecture, vibrant thermal baths, and the majestic Danube River come together to captivate the senses. Whether exploring Prague’s medieval Old Town or soaking in Budapest’s world-famous spas, this itinerary promises an incredible experience through the heart of Europe.

Day 1 - Arrival in Prague & Old Town Exploration

Morning:
Arrive in Prague and check in to your hotel. Take some time to relax and prepare for a day of exploration.

Clarion Hotel Prague Old Town

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The Clarion Hotel is just a 5-minute walk from Old Town Square in the historic center of Prague. It offers elegant, air conditioned rooms with free internet access. Each room here includes a flat-screen cable TV, a laptop safe, a suit press, and tea and coffee-making facilities. Some rooms enjoy views of Vltava River and Prague Castle. Czech and international dishes are served at Restaurant Benada. Free Wi-Fi is available in the Clarion Hotel’s public areas. Namesti Republiky Metro Station, on the B line, is just 650 ft from Clarion Hotel Prague Old Town. A pick-up service from Prague Airport or Prague’s Main Train Station is available for a fee upon request.

Afternoon: Old Town Square & Jewish Quarter
Start your adventure at the heart of the city, Prague’s Old Town Square. Marvel at the Gothic Church of Our Lady before Týn, the Baroque Church of St. Nicholas, and the iconic Old Town Hall. Stroll through the Jewish Quarter, exploring its rich history and significant landmarks.

Evening:
Dine at a local restaurant offering traditional Czech dishes, such as svíčková or goulash.

Day 2 - Prague Highlights

Morning: Prague Castle & St. Vitus Cathedral
Spend the morning exploring Prague Castle, the largest ancient castle in the world. Visit St. Vitus Cathedral to admire its stunning stained glass windows and intricate architecture.

Afternoon: Charles Bridge & John Lennon Wall
Walk across the historic Charles Bridge, lined with beautiful statues, and stop by the vibrant John Lennon Wall nearby for a unique photo opportunity.

Evening:
End your day with a stroll through Letna Park, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the Vltava River and the city’s many bridges.

Day 3 - Train Transfer to Budapest & Evening Exploration

Morning:
Board a train from Prague to Budapest, enjoying scenic views along the way. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel in Budapest and rest.

Barcelo Budapest

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Fabulous hotel in the historic heart of the Hungarian capital

Barceló Budapest connects visitors with the vibrant Hungarian capital thanks to its unparalleled location in District VI – Terézváros, in the heart of the historic centre of the city. The hotel is surrounded by museums, art galleries, cafés and restaurants, and is close to the city’s nightlife area.

Its exclusive design and modern facilities make it the best choice for enjoying a few days of relaxation in one of the most surprising cities in the world, which is bursting with history and iconic buildings, and surrounded by the magic of the majestic Danube River, dividing the city into two totally different areas. 

Afternoon: Chain Bridge & Central Market Hall
Start your Budapest journey with a walk across the iconic Chain Bridge, which connects Buda and Pest. Then, visit the Great Market Hall to explore local foods, crafts, and the vibrant atmosphere.

Evening:
Dine at a riverside restaurant while admiring the illuminated cityscape along the Danube River.

Day 4 - Budapest Highlights

Morning: Buda Castle & Castle Museum
Begin your day at Buda Castle, exploring its grand halls and courtyards. Visit the Budapest History Museum (Castle Museum) to delve into the city’s fascinating past.

Afternoon: Hungarian Parliament & National Gallery
Visit the stunning Hungarian Parliament, one of the largest in the world. Then, explore the National Gallery housed within the Royal Palace, showcasing Hungarian fine art from the medieval to the modern era.

Evening:
Enjoy a performance at the Budapest Opera House or relax with a traditional Hungarian dinner, featuring dishes like goulash and chimney cake.

Your accomodation options

Clarion Hotel Prague Old Town​

⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Clarion Hotel is just a 5-minute walk from Old Town Square in the historic center of Prague. It offers elegant, air conditioned rooms with free internet access. Each room here includes a flat-screen cable TV, a laptop safe, a suit press, and tea and coffee-making facilities. Some rooms enjoy views of Vltava River and Prague Castle. Czech and international dishes are served at Restaurant Benada. Free Wi-Fi is available in the Clarion Hotel’s public areas. Namesti Republiky Metro Station, on the B line, is just 650 ft from Clarion Hotel Prague Old Town. A pick-up service from Prague Airport or Prague’s Main Train Station is available for a fee upon request.

Barcelo Budapest

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Fabulous hotel in the historic heart of the Hungarian capital

Barceló Budapest connects visitors with the vibrant Hungarian capital thanks to its unparalleled location in District VI – Terézváros, in the heart of the historic centre of the city. The hotel is surrounded by museums, art galleries, cafés and restaurants, and is close to the city’s nightlife area.

Its exclusive design and modern facilities make it the best choice for enjoying a few days of relaxation in one of the most surprising cities in the world, which is bursting with history and iconic buildings, and surrounded by the magic of the majestic Danube River, dividing the city into two totally different areas. 

Things to do in Prague

Charles Bridge1

As the only means of crossing the river Vltava until 1841, Charles Bridge was the most important connection between Prague Castle and the city's Old Town and adjacent areas. This land connection made Prague important as a trade route between Eastern and Western Europe.

The bridge is 516 metres (1,693 ft) long and nearly 10 metres (33 ft) wide. Following the example of the Stone Bridge in Regensburg, it was built as a bow bridge with 16 arches shielded by ice guards. It is protected by three bridge towers, two on the Lesser Quarter side (including the Malá Strana Bridge Tower) and one on the Old Town side, the Old Town Bridge Tower. The bridge is decorated by a continuous alley of 30 statues and statuaries, most of them baroque-style, originally erected around 1700, but now all have been replaced by replicas.

The Prague Castle1

According to the Guinness Book of Records, Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle in the world, occupying an area of almost 70,000 square meters (750,000 square feet), at about 570 meters (1,870 feet) in length and an average of about 130 metres (430 feet) wide. The castle is among the most visited tourist attractions in Prague, attracting over 1.8 million visitors annually.

Baroque Church of St Nicholas2

Old Town Square may be one of the most touristy spots in town, but it’s totally worth the visit for a quick walk through and it’s a must on the list of the best places to visit in Prague. This 12th-century square is home to Old Town Hall, the Church of Our Lady before Týn, the Baroque Church of St Nicholas, the Rococo Kinský Palace, the Gothic House at the Stone Bell and the monument to Jan Hus. 

Petřín sits2

Petřín Lookout Tower, one of the most prominent landmarks of Prague, was built as part of the Jubilee Exhibition in 1891 as a loose copy inspired by the Eiffel Tower (at a ratio of 1:5). It is 58.70 meters high, and 299 steps lead to its peak, which is at the same altitude as the real Eiffel Tower. The view from its top overlooks not only the whole city, but on a clear day you can see nearly all of Bohemia.

Vyšehrad1

Historic fort in Prague, Czech Republic, just over 3 km southeast of Prague Castle, on the east bank of the Vltava River. It was probably built in the 10th century. Inside the fort is the Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul and the Vyšehrad Cemetery, containing the remains of many famous Czechs, such as Antonín Dvořák, Bedřich Smetana, Karel Čapek, and Alphonse Mucha. It also contains Prague's oldest Rotunda of St. Martin, from the 11th century.

Letna Park2

Letná Park (Czech: Letenské sady) is a large park on Letná hill, built on a plateau above steep embankments along the Vltava River in Prague, Czech Republic.

"Leten", originally called "summer camp" or "place to sunbathe" gained its importance in the Middle Ages, when the first military camps were located there due to their strategic location.  The areas were mainly vineyards and gardens. It was not until the end of the 19th century that it began to be systematically colonized. Over time, the plains of this area of the city became a place of meeting, entertainment and recreation.

The John Lennon Wall1

The Lennon Wall (Czech: Lennonova zeď) or John Lennon Wall (Czech: Zeď Johna Lennona), located at Velkopřevorské náměstí (Grand Priory Square), Malá Strana, is a historic legal graffiti wall in Prague, Czechia. After the 1980 murder of John Lennon a mural of Lennon was painted by an unknown artist onto the wall and as more people expanded upon it, the wall slowly became a place for free expression of then communist Czechoslovakia. It has historically been used for demonstrations and carries a central theme of John Lennon, but it also features designs relating to local and global causes such as global warming. The wall has also inspired other walls across the globe, such as the Hong Kong Lennon wall.

The wall is owned by the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, which until 2019 allowed all graffiti. As of the latest reconstruction, the wall exists as a semi-legal graffiti wall; spray painting has been banned and only some areas of the wall are allowed to be used by the public.

josefov1

Jews are believed to have settled in Prague as early as the 10th century. The first pogrom was in 1096 (the first crusade) and eventually they were concentrated within a walled Ghetto. In 1262, Přemysl Otakar II issued a Statuta Judaeorum which granted the community a degree of self-administration. The ghetto was most prosperous towards the end of the 16th century when the Jewish Mayor, Mordecai Maisel, became the Minister of Finance and a very wealthy man. His money helped develop the ghetto.

Things to do in Budapest

The Central or Great Market Hall in Budapest3

This market hall, also known as the Great Market Hall, is one of the largest indoor markets in Budapest and boasts beautiful neo-Gothic architecture. Here, you'll find lots of fresh produce, fish, meat, spices, cured meats, and dairy products. And on the upper floors, you can taste authentic Hungarian cuisine (like goulash with dumplings) at the food stalls and eateries. Locals come here for their groceries and lunch so it's best to visit in the late morning or early afternoon for fewer crowds. Don't miss the market's best highlights on a private food tour of Budapest.

The ornate Opera House3

The Neo-Renaissance palace designed by Miklós Ybl has been open to opera and ballet lovers for more than one hundred thirty years. Thousands of tourists visit the building each year to admire one of Budapest’s most important historical monuments.

Chain bridge 2

A chain bridge is a historic form of suspension bridge for which chains or eyebars were used instead of wire ropes to carry the bridge deck. A famous example is the Széchenyi Chain Bridge in Budapest.

Construction types are, as for other suspension bridges, a stressed ribbon bridge, a true suspension bridge, and special forms, such as the Tower Bridge and the Albert Bridge, London.

Chain bridges were the first bridges able to cross wider spans than the previous wooden and stone bridges, combined with shorter building times and at lower costs.

The Buda Castle2

Sitting atop Castle Hill and overlooking the river Danube is Buda Castle, a sprawling castle and palatial complex that dates back to the 1700s. Here, you'll find art and history museums, massive courtyards, churches and chapels, restaurants, and iconic attractions like the Fisherman’s Bastion, famous for its fairytale-like exteriors. Explore all this and more on a tour—there's even a night tour that gives you a glimpse into the dark side of Buda Castle. To get to the castle, you can walk up the hill starting from the iconic Chain Bridge. Otherwise, you can also ride the funicular—there's usually a line though, so get there early.

The Buda Castle3

There are three branches to the Budapest History Museum each in a different location – the Roman Antiquities Museum (Aquincum Museum); the Fine Art Museum (Kiscelli Museum) and the Castle Museum. The museum was established in 1887 and the main branch (Castle Museum) moved to its present location in building E of Buda Castle in 1967

The National Gallery_Finaart2

The Hungarian National Gallery moved to the Buda Palace in 1975. It is the largest public collection to present the history of Hungarian fine art and currently includes 110,000 artworks. Permanent exhibitions show outstanding pieces, such as the medieval wooden sculptures and paintings of the Old Hungarian Collection, a selection of 19th-century Hungarian art, or the works of Mihály Munkácsy. Other permanent exhibitions are Modern Times, presenting the art of the period between the Millennium (1896) and World War II, Shifts – Hungarian Art after 1945, and the collection of International Art after 1800, which was previously on display at the Museum of Fine Arts.