Europe Travel Tips

Part 2: Learn tips on things to see, what to do, as well as what to avoid in these 5 large European cities

Prague

Do’s
Do see Charles Bridge, John Lennon Wall, Astronomical Clock and accompanying Old Town Square (including the Gothic Church of Our Lady before Tyn), St. Vitus Cathedral, the Prague Castle, and the Clementinum.
Do hike down the hill from St. Vitus Cathedral; there you will see a beautiful view of the city. Do understand that Charles Bridge will be very crowded, so try to avoid it in the middle of the day during summer months. Do try authentic Czech cuisine, just do not eat too much as the goulash and dumplings are very filling!

Don’ts
Don’t forget about Prague’s beer gardens. Don’t go to Wenceslas Square at night as it is a breeding ground for illegal activities. Don’t purchase Russian Matrioshka dolls as they aren’t Czech and therefore not truly authentic. Don’t wait until the afternoon to visit Prague Castle – get there early in the morning in order to see it in addition to St. Vitus Cathedral before it closes at 4 pm.

Munich

Do’s

Do visit Marienplatz (with the Rathaus-Glockenspiel within the plaza), Hofgarten, Englischer Garten, Nymphenburg Palace, Viktualienmarkt, Asamkirche, Karlsplatz, and the Deutsches Museum.
Do take the time to go see the nearby southwest Bavaria region with the Linderhof Palace and renowned “fairytale” Neuschwanstein Castle. They are both beautiful and come with fascinating histories surrounding Germany’s famous ruler King Ludwig II.  Do explore the numerous beer gardens, and walk throughout the English garden (Englischer Garten) and try the Bavarian food with your authentic German beer there. Do understand that if you are visiting for Oktoberfest, it will be a boisterous and rowdy experience. Other Europeans and Americans come to visit and generally create more of a ruckus than the German citizens. Have fun and be safe!

Don’ts
Don’t settle for any Bavarian food in Munich – you need to have the real thing if you’re staying in the heart of Bavaria. Don’t take a horse-drawn carriage up the hill to Neuschwanstein Castle; the line is horrendously long and you can hike the hill in far less time (plus you’ll be time-constrained if on a tour). Don’t take Munich’s public transportation system for granted! Their subway system is easy to learn and a great way to get to the local train station and airport.

Budapest

Do’s
Do see the Szechenyi thermal bath, Chain Bridge, Hungarian Parliament building, St. Stephen’s Basilica, Buda Castle, Hosok tere, Matthius Church, City Park, Castle Hill and Dohany Street Synagogue.
Do go Hungarian wine tasting and see the Buda Labyrinth beneath Buda Castle. Do hike up Gellert Hill to the Citadella to see a breaktaking view of the city. Do spend a few hours exploring the Castle District as it is home to the Royal Palace and other landmarks and also close to numerous other attractions.

Don’ts
Don’t assume that a Danube cruise is overrated: you will see a lot of the city that way, especially the beautiful bridges. Don’t forget to visit the ruin pubs throughout District 7, mainly on Kazinczy Street and Kiraly Street. Don’t become victim to the well-known bar and restaurant scams around Budapest aimed at taking financial advantage of male travelers.

Vienna

Do’s
Do see the Schonbrunn Palace, Hofburg/Imperial Palace & the Spanish Riding School, Belvedere Palace, Karlskirche, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, and Museumsquartier (including the Naturhistorisches and Kunsthistorisches Museums).
Do also see Vienna’s Ringstrasse which houses the State Opera and Museum of Fine Arts. If you are an avid equestrian or horse lover, Do book well in advance to see a Spanish Riding School show with the Lipizzaner horses at Hofburg Palace. If you can’t get tickets for a show, try for a morning practice, which is inexpensive. Do take time to stop by at the Vienna City Hall, Austrian Parliament building, and Vienna State Opera House. You cannot go wrong in this architecturally-inspiring city!

Don’ts
Don’t forget to explore the Viennese vineyards. Vienna is the largest wine-growing capital city so don’t miss a chance to taste their very local wines. Don’t overlook the under-the-radar attractions because you’re spending all of your time at the Museum Quarter (Museumsquartier). Vienna is rich in art and culture and museums are rightfully must-sees, but be sure to see everything else too!

Amsterdam

For Amsterdam do’s and don’ts, check out our other blog article dedicated to it:

https://blog.tours4fun.com/amsterdam-the-dos-and-donts.html

While these are some of the largest European cities (some of which are the big European capital cities), there are countless other cities to explore and appreciate. Europe is above and beyond its main hubs, and you always find hidden gems once you venture out beyond the touristy and crowded areas.

We hope these travel tip do’s and don’ts were helpful for your next trip to Europe or any trip you have planned. Be a smart and savvy traveler but most importantly — have fun!

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