Prague may not have a seacoast or great beaches, but the great thing is that it's completely central in Europe! This makes it really easy to take short trips or weekend trips from Prague. With Germany, Austria, Poland and Hungary (to name a few) bordering the Czech Republic, there's a lot to see. With flexible transport available from the main bus station (
Florenc) and the central train station (
Hlavni Nadrazi), travelling is affordable and easy. Bus tickets range from 8 - 30 euros and a train ticket starts from 20 euros, so there's no need to go through the hassle of renting a car or paying for a flight! Without further adieu, here are the top 10 weekend trips from Prague.
Discover Germany cities from Prague
Berlin
via Flickr
Distance: 4-hour drive
Ticket prices: around 25 Euros/USD
Suggested time: 2-3 days
Ah, Berlin! Metropolitan, cosmopolitan, booming city, and heart of Germany. Take in the culture and sights, because Berlin has a rich programme for any history buff with a love for beer! Worth visiting: The Reichstag Building, Berlin Memorial Wall, Altes National Gallery (shown above), The Holocaust Memorial Musem, Museum Island, Gesundbrunnen Bunker, and so much more! If you're into WWII history and art, it may be worth getting the city pass, which gives you access to practically all the museums for free or a discounted price. Don't miss a great opportunity to book one of our
Berlin walking tours.
Dresden
via Jiuguang Wang, jw.nebulis.org
Distance: 2-hour drive
Ticket Prices: 10-15 Euro/USD
Suggested time: 1-2 days
Dresden is a small but beautiful city that has truly overcome the enormous damage caused by World War II. Since then, it has been completely restored to its former glory. A weekend or day is the perfect amount of time to spend in this beautiful city. Worth a visit: Furstenzug, the
World's largest Porcelain Mural. It's absolutely gorgeous. And the Zwinger: don't be thrown off by the funky name, this is actually a Rococo courtyard that now serves as a gallery of art.
Nuremberg
Distance: 3-hour drive
Ticket Prices: 18 Euros/USD
Suggested time: 1-2 days
Nuremberg is famous for the preservation of its Medieval architecture and the historical events of WWII (Nuremberg trials). It's in the province of Bavaria, and very close to the Czech border. Worth visiting: Nazi rally grounds, Nuremberg Castle, The Germanisches National Museum. Staatstheater Nürnberg is the most wicked-looking theatre! Nuremberg Toy Museum: it's more like toy land for any age group.
Weekend trips in Austria
Vienna
Stephanplatz, Vienna
Distance: 3-hour drive
Ticket prices: 45-60 Euros/USD by train, 12-20 Euros/USD by bus
Suggested time: 2-3 days
Vienna is like a Prague's close, refined, snobby cousin. We like her, we have a lot in common, but she's a little obnoxious. This city is unbelievably beautiful and offers so much history and architecture, especially for classical music fans. However, it's much more expensive when it comes to food and finding accommodations. There's plenty to see, but the city is fairly compact - so you only need 2 or 3 days to see the highlights and more. Worth visiting: take advantage of the beautiful gardens and parks that are free to wander. They're luscious and well taken care of. Then head to Stephanplatz, the city centre where you should see Stephansdom and consider treating yourself to a local dessert or beer! And finally, walk alongside the Danube river or hop on a cruise so you can truly see old and new Wien.
Salzburg
via pixabay
Distance: 4-5-hour drive
Ticket prices: Around 20 Euros/USD
Suggested time: 1- 2 days
Salzburg is great for a quick side trip. The city is easily accessible by walking, it's filled with cafes, and offers a great musical and theatrical programme, whether a classical concert in a church or live jazz at a theatre. The mountainous landscape offers a great bike path for those who love to keep active and is rated the most biker friendly city in Austria! And of course get some great shots of the old town and the mountains, because guess what? You're right in the Alps!
Visit more cities in Czech Republic
Český Krumlov
public-domain-image.com
Distance: 2-hour drive
Ticket Prices: (via Student Agency buses) around 6-7 Euros/USD
Suggested time: 1-2 days
The old town is particularly romantic in a fairytale novel and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Vltava river runs through Cesky Krumlov, where one can enjoy a cup of coffee or a meal. Also, Český Krumlov Castle is definitely worth a look, it was established by the very prominent and powerful Rosenberg family in the 13th Century. If you like country living, nature and history, this charming little town is where you'll find it in the Czech Republic!
Kutná Hora
via Audrey Scott, Flickr
Distance: 1-hour drive
Ticket prices: 5 Euro/USD, for more info, click
here.
Suggested time: 12 - 24 hours (roughly, an afternoon will do)
Worth visiting: The Ossuary (or the bone church) is the main attraction of this charming little Czech town. The beautiful church is decorated with human bones from roughly 40,000 people who died in a plague. If you're into morbid and dark architecture, this is definitely a change from the Baroque and mainstream Gothic architecture. Truly one of a kind!
Krakow: discover the cultural capital of Poland
via pixabay
Distance: 6-hour drive
Ticket prices: 40 Euros/USD
Suggested time: 1-3 days
Krakow is considered to be the cultural capital of Poland. With beautiful markets, historical castles and a Jewish quarter, there's something for everyone. Don't forget to try pierogi and Polish vodka (not recommend together!). Worth visiting: Main Market, Old Town, Wawel Royal Castle, Ghetto Heroes Square, and the Jewish Quarter. If you are a history buff or just want to learn more about the Holocaust, consider a half-day trip to the
Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum for a bone-chilling and eye-opening tour around the largest German Nazi concentration camp. It's really something you can't believe until you see the post-war relics with your own eyes.
Discover ruins in Roman Trieste
via pixabay
Distance: 8-hour drive or 3 hours by plane
Ticket prices: depending on the season!
Suggested time: 2-4 days
Trieste is located in the Northern part of Italy and offers fantastic views of the Adriatic sea. It's not as touristy as Rome or Venice, so it's a great environment to explore and roam without waiting in countless lines. It's unique for its cultural diversity, a wonderful mix of Italian, and Eastern European culture. Worth visiting: The Grand Canale is the main canal that runs through the city and is very centrally located. If you want to stay downtown to grab some food or a drink while surveying the city's architecture, this is the place to explore. Castello di Miramare is Trieste's main castle conveniently located 7 kilometres outside the city. The architecture screams Austro-Hungarian empire-meets-Italian seacoast and offers over 22 acres of beautiful gardens. And finally, the Roman Trieste is possibly the oldest attraction the city.where the ruins date back to the 2nd century AD.
Weekend trip from Prague to Budapest
Via Maurice, flickr
Distance: around 8-hour drive
Ticket Prices: around 30 Euros/USD
Suggested time: 2-4 days
Probably the most popular weekend destination from Prague, Budapest is a very affordable option for those looking for a bang-for-your-buck option! Worth visiting: Széchenyi Baths (Thermal baths and pools) is one of the most popular attractions this city has to offer. It has fifteen pools and is popular with both its tourists and locals (who love to play a good game of chess while soaking in the 38-degree bath). If you want the ultimate relaxation experience, this is one of the places to be. And don't forget to check out the Royal Palace, built in the 13th century. It contains the National Library and the National Gallery, which traces back Hungarian history to the 11th century. For an amazing - and different - the perspective of the city, consider taking a night or dinner cruise where you can enjoy a meal or glass of champagne along the Danube while enjoying the views of the main sights. If your tummy starts grumbling from all the sightseeing you've accomplished, try goulash, langos, and chicken paprikas, a few typical Hungarian dishes perfect for a meal or snack. They're inexpensive, yummy, and ideal for anyone looking to round out their cultural experience.
Have you made any of these trips from Prague? Comment and share your insider tips and tricks to help future tourists get the most out of their travels!
Aleksandra Koplik
