The beauty of Slovenia, the opulence of Vienna, and the seemingly endless list of sights in Budapest are just a few of the highlights of this Central Europe 2 week itinerary. Over the course of 14 days, you’ll visit four countries and get a good taste of what this part of the world has to offer. Like all of my itineraries, it’s a busy two weeks, but you’ll see so much and get a decent amount of variety. This itinerary is one is definitely one of my favorite Europe itineraries that I’ve ever done.
With all that said, here’s what I recommend for a perfect two week trip to Europe.
Central Europe 2 Week Itinerary
This itinerary takes a lot of inspiration from my own trip to Europe. It’s not exactly the same as my itinerary since I spent just 12 days instead of 14 days in Central Europe. I’ve added a little time in one of my favorite stops and added an extra, short stop to break up the long bus ride, but it still follows the same spirit as my original itinerary.
So while I haven’t done this exact itinerary, this is the itinerary I recommend for anyone looking to visit Slovenia, Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary on a Central Europe 2 Week Itinerary.
Let’s get into it.
Day 1 – Hello, Ljubljana
The first stop on this Central Europe 2 Week Itinerary is the country of Slovenia. Specifically, we’ll be starting in the capital city of Ljubljana. This is also where we’ll base ourselves for the entirety of our stay in Slovenia.
There is only one airport in Slovenia (in the capital of Ljubljana) and flights are limited, so don’t be surprised if you end up on some connection from your starting location. From the airport, you’ll need to get into the city center. Buses run frequently and connect the airport with the main train/bus station in the Ljubljana city center and cost just four euros per person (as of fall 2025). Note that the bus fare must be paid in cash, so stop by an ATM before trying to board the bus.
From the main bus/train station, it’s a 10-15 minute walk to Ljubljana’s Old Town which is where I recommend you stay. Yes it’s where all of the tourists stay, but it’s the most charming part of the city and you’ll be within walking distance from everything you want to see in Ljubljana.
Like with all of my itineraries, I never plan anything for the first day of the itinerary. Delays happen and it’s less stressful to not have reservations for any sights. But, if you do have some time, take a stroll through Ljubljana’s Old Town. We’ll explore it properly tomorrow, but you can absolutely get a start on exploring today. Remember though, Ljubljana is light on sights so there’s no need to rush your sightseeing.
Sleep: Ljubljana, Slovenia
Day 2 – Exploring Ljubljana
Today is all about Ljubljana. We’ll explore the Old Town, head up to the castle for views over the city, and stroll through a park.
Start in Ljubljana’s Old Town. While I don’t have a recommended route, I do have a few sights that I recommend you to focus on. Prešen Square (Prešernov Trg) is a lively square that just seems to become more lively as the day goes on. Dragon Bridge is a favorite, but I found it a bit underwhelming. It’s not a city in Europe without a church or cathedral, so swing by the Ljubljana Cathedral. Along the river, you’ll find the Riverside Market (Tržnice) and some squares that may also be full of markets.
After your wander, head up to the Ljubljana Castle for views over the city. You can pay to enter the castle and learn more about the history of it, but I found that I was content just to take I the castle from the exterior (which is free). You can ride a funicular to the top or walk up one of two routes. Reber is longer, but less steep whereas Za ograjami is shorter, but felt steep the entire way.
When you’ve finished at Ljubljana’s Castle, head back down to the Old Town and find somewhere to stop for lunch. There are loads of restaurants and cafes lining the river, so it won’t be hard to find something. While I’m not a foodie traveler, I have no qualms about recommending Droga Violina which had delicious, cheap, and filing lunches.
After lunch, head toward Tivoli Park. Skip the pedestrian street Čopova Ulica (we’ll cover it later) and head there via Congress Square and Republic Square. You’ll eventually reach the Orthodox Church, which is worthy of a quick stop. Then head to Tivoli Park with its seemingly endless walking trails. It feels a world away from the city and is great to stroll or relax with a good book.
In the evening, head back to the Old Town along the pedestrianized Čopova Ulica and enjoy the rest of your evening. Find a restaurant and have a drink, get some ice cream and people watch, or do some shopping. The choice is yours.
Sleep: Ljubljana, Slovenia
Day 3 – Day Trip to Bled
Ljubljana was nice but so much of the beauty of Slovenia, lays outside of the capital. One of the most popular places to visit Lake Bled. This can be visited on your own or with a guided tour.
For those wanting an independent experience, look for the Arriva buses from Ljubljana to Bled (which will likely continue on to Bohinj). In Bled, you can walk the three mile loop around the lake, hike to a viewpoint or two, or take a boat out to the island in the middle of Lake Bled. The highlight of the day is the views along the lake. It’s just beautiful.
If you’re not interested in traveling yourself, consider booking with a tour. Normally, I’m all about traveling independently, but I found a tour on GetYourGuide that took us from Ljubljana to Triglav National Park, Bohinj, and Bled.
So not only did we get to see the gorgeous Lake Bled, we also got to hike out to the Savica Waterfall at Triglav National Park, see the beautiful Lake Bohinj (which was delightfully uncrowded), and finish at Bled (where we still had enough time to walk the entire loop around the lake). It was a fantastic day and I was able to see way more than I would have on my own. It helped to make this one of my favorite days of the entire trip.
Whether you take a guided day trip or venture off on your own, don’t skip a day trip to Bled.
Sleep: Ljubljana, Slovenia
Day 4 – Day Trip to Postonja Caves
Remember when I said that this Central Europe 2 week itinerary was based on my own trip, but wouldn’t follow it exactly? This is where we deviate slightly from my itinerary. Spend today in Slovenia by taking a second day trip from Ljubljana. Since we visited Bled yesterday, today is about the Postonja Caves and Predjama Castle. For those traveling solo, it’s easiest to do this with a guided tour, but it may still be possible with public transportation. Be sure to check schedules for the season you are traveling.
The Postonja Caves is the biggest cave system in Slovenia. On a tour (which you’ll have to take to see the inside of the caves), you’ll visit three of the caves. Then, head on to your next stop.
Nearby the Postonja Caves, you’ll find the Predjama Castle, which is built into the side of a mountain. The scenery is great and the castle exterior is stunning because of it. It’s debatable if the interior of the castle is actually worth it, so you’ll have to decide if you want to spend the extra money, but even stopping for the exterior can be worth it for some visitors.
Return to Ljubljana and pack your bags. Tomorrow we head off to our next destination.
Sleep: Ljubljana, Slovenia
Day 5 – Ljubljana to Graz
Today we say goodbye to Slovenia and move on to the next country on this Central Europe 2 week itinerary. We’ll enter Austria and stop in Graz. This is another deviation from my original itinerary. Rather than stopping in Graz, I went straight through to Vienna, but because you have the time, stop off in Graz. It breaks up the drive and allows you to see more than just Austria’s capital city (which we’ll visit tomorrow).
To reach Graz, catch a bus from Ljubljana. It should take just over three hours, so board a bus in the morning so you’ll have most of the day to explore Graz. So what do you see and do in Graz?
Well, like most cities, you’ll want to spend some time in its historic Old Town. Explore the Main Square and find its unique clocktower (notice how the minute hand is the shorter than the hour hand). Tour museums like Mausoleum of Emperor Ferdinand II, the Graz Museum, the Natural History Museum, and the world’s largest historical armory. Climb to the top of Schlossberg for great views of the city or visit Schloss Eggenberg to visit the city’s castle. How you spend your time is entirely up to you.
Sleep: Graz, Austria
Day 6 – Graz to Vienna
By the end of the day, you need to reach Vienna. The journey is about two and a half hours by bus or train. I’d recommend taking a train just after lunch. That gives you the morning to spend a little more time in Graz before you head to Vienna.
If you have extra time when you arrive in Vienna, take a stroll through the Old Town. We’ll have more time tomorrow, but it’s worth taking a peak today.
Sleep: Vienna, Austria
Day 7 – Exploring Vienna
We have one full day in Vienna. We’ll spend a bit more time here tomorrow, but today, we’ll pack in several of Vienna’s top sights.
Start your day at the Sisi Museum and the Imperial Apartments of the Hofburg Palace. You’ll need one ticket, but it will get you into both sights at the Hofburg Palace. The Sisi Museum tells the story of the famed Empress Elisabeth, also known as “Sisi”. The Imperial Apartments show where her and her husband, Emperor Franz Josef, lived while in Vienna. Your ticket comes with an audioguide that tries to bring the story to life.
After, head to the nearby Kunsthisorisches Museum. This art museum was built to show off the Hapsburg’s art collection and the building itself is a work of art. Tour Renaissance paints, Remembrant self portraits, the largest collection of Pieter Bruegel in the world, and a large collection of antiquities from Greece and Egypt.
Now it’s time to head to Vienna’s Old Town. Like with Ljubljana, I don’t have a direct route, but I have a few sights that you should keep an eye out for. St. Stephen’s Cathedral is a symbol of Vienna and the Column of Pest, which is Vienna’s Plague Monument. Don’t miss the Vienna’s State Opera which can be toured, visited for a performance, or just viewed from the outside.
Vienna is famous for its opera and classical music and you should try to enjoy some while you’re here. For those not wanting to spend a lot of money on concert tickets, consider a visit to St. Peter’s Church which offers a free (by donation) organ concert every day at 3:00.
The rest of the day is yours to explore Vienna’s Old Town.
Sleep: Vienna, Austria
Day 8 – Vienna to Bratislava
We’re officially halfway through this Central Europe 2 week itinerary. We’ll be moving at the end of the day, but we’re going to spend the first part of the day exploring more of Vienna.
Start your day with a visit to Schönbrunn Palace. Pick up a ticket in advance so you can in the first group of people to enter the palace right when it opens. Schönbrunn Palace was the summer residence of the Hapsburgs and I’d argue it’s even more outlandish than the Hofburg Palace (some say that it’s second only to Versailles, just outside Paris). Tour the interior of the palace before taking your time and exploring the grounds. It’s up to you if you do any of the additional activities at Schönbrunn or if you just stroll through the gardens and walk out to Gloriette for a view back to the palace.
When you’re done, head back into Vienna. Schönbrunn sits just outside of central Vienna, so you’ll need to catch the metro to reach the palace. Luckily, there’s a convenient stop right near the palace.
Back in central Vienna, the choice is yours. You’ll be catching a bus to Bratislava, Slovakia around 4:00 pm, so it’s your choice what you want to do until that bus departs. Here’s some of my top recommendations. Personally, I’d choose the Vienna Opera House, but again, the choice is yours. Pick what interests you the most.
Vienna Opera House – You’ll likely have passed this during your walk of Vienna’s Old Town, but I’m mentioning it again. Look into a tour if you have more time.
Spanish Riding School – Part of the Hofburg Palace, the Spanish Riding School is the place to go to see horse performances. Learn more at the official website.
Belvedere Palace – Originally built by Prince Eugene of Savoy, this former palace became Vienna’s first public art gallery after his death. It continues to function as an art gallery and is home to Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss. Learn more at the official website.
Austrian National Library – If you haven’t gotten your fill of gorgeous Viennese interiors, set your sights on the Austrian National Library.
St. Charles’ Church – If you aren’t burnt out from churches yet, St. Charles’ Church is another great one. While you can tour it during the day, consider enhancing your visit by taking in a chamber music performance at night. Learn more at the official website.
Around 4:00, you’ll catch a bus from Vienna to Bratislava. The journey only takes an hour, so it’s no big deal if you grab a later bus. Once in Bratislava, you can check into your hotel, grab some dinner, and relax after a busy day.
Sleep: Bratislava, Slovakia
Day 9 – Exploring Bratislava
Compared to some of the other cities on this itinerary, Bratislava is light on sights. Like with Ljubljana, Slovenia, the highlight of Bratislava is wandering the Old Town. As usual, I don’t have a dedicated route, but there’s a few things that you should keep your eye out for.
St. Michael’s Gate (Michalaská Brána) was a watchtower and the last remanent of the original city walls. The Main Square (Hlavné Námestie) is full of colorful buildings, though you can also check out Primate’s Square (Primaciálne Námestie) and Promenade Square (Hviezdoslavovo Námestie). For churches, don’t miss St. Martin’s Cathedral.
Take a break from the Old Town and hike up to the Bratislava Castle. While you can pay to enter the castle, it’s also worth visiting just for the views of the Old Town. While you’re at the castle, also look out to Most SNP, the UFO shaped bridge along the river.
After lunch, head to the Blue Church, which is a beautiful small church. It’s unlikely to be open, but it’s worth stopping by just to appreciate the building exterior. Then for the rest of the afternoon, stroll along the river or head back to the Old Town. The choice is yours.
Sleep: Bratislava, Slovakia
Day 10 – Day Trip from Bratislava
As you likely noticed yesterday, there’s not a lot in Bratislava to justify for multiple days in the city. So, I recommend getting out of the capital city to see something different. There’s a few day trips you could do, but I recommend heading to Trenčin and Trnava. If you’re looking for something a little more leisurely, you can pick just one of the two cities, but it’s totally possible to visit both Trenčin and Trnava.
In Trenčin, you can enjoy a little bit of the Old Town. Visit some churches and stroll along the buildings. The Old Town is smaller than Bratislava, so it doesn’t take a lot of time to see everything. Beyond the Old Town, you can visit the Trenčin Castle. The castle towers over the town, but unlike the other castles we’ve visited on this itinerary, you have to pay to enter the Castle to get the best views. It’s up to you if you choose to pay to enter the Trenčin Castle. The views from Matthais Tower are fantastic, but the rest of the castle is just average.
In Trnava, you’ll visit a lot of churches. It’s a fun little town to walk around, but unless you like checking out various churches, you may not find Trnava as exciting as I did. My favorite was the Church of the Holy Trinity, but St. Anne’s Church was also nice.
If you’re visiting both cities, you’ll need three train tickets: Bratislava to Trenčin (which takes about an hour), Trenčin to Trnava (about 30 minutes), and Trnava to Trenčin (about 30 minutes). I purchased my tickets online, but you can also use the IDeme vlakom app. Ticket inspectors will be checking your tickets on the train, so make sure you pick up your tickets and have them ready to be checked.
Sleep: Bratislava, Slovakia
Day 11 – Bratislava to Budapest
Today we move to the last stop on this Central Europe 2 week itinerary. Catch a morning train from Bratislava to Budapest. If everything runs on time (it didn’t for me), it will take about two and a half hours. By taking a morning train, you drop your bags at your hotel and then head out to start exploring in the afternoon.
Normally, I choose to skip major sightseeing on a travel day, but in Budapest, there is so much to see, so in the afternoon we’ll start our sightseeing immediately. There’s a lot to see over the next few days, so don’t worry if we don’t start with some of the most iconic sights. We’ll get to everything eventually.
I recommend starting at Andrássy Út. While Paris has the Champs Elleys, Budapest has Andrássy Út. This large street goes all the way from Deák Ferenc Tér to Hero’s Square. Along the way, you’ll pass fancy shops, the Hungarian Opera House (whose exterior is just as impressive as Vienna’s in my opinion), and even more.
As you walk along, you’ll eventually pass the House of Terror Museum, which is worthy of a stop. This museum tells the story of Nazi Occupation in Hungary and how it transitioned into Soviet Occupation. It’s not a light sightseeing stop but it gives a lot of insight into the history of Hungary. Note that in order to get the most out of the museum, you’ll need some kind of guide. The museum offers an audioguide, but I saved the money and used on in my guidebook. Without a guide, I think the museum lacks context, so take that into account while budgeting your trip.
After the House of Terror Museum, continue working your way up Andrássy Út until you reach Hero’s Square. This square is flanked on both sides by museums (the Hall of Art and the Museum of Fine Art) but also surrounded by statues of 12 historical figures of Hungary.
Beyond the square is City Park where you’ll find nice walking paths, games of chess, and the picturesque Vajdahunyad Castle. Keep walking beyond and visit Széchenyi Baths. You’ll find several thermal baths all over Budapest, but these are the most famous. Enjoy a soak in the hot water after a busy day.
Sleep: Budapest, Hungary
Day 12 – Exploring Budapest
Today is a full day in Budapest and we’ll be trying to cover some of the most iconic sights of the city. It’s going to be a very busy day, so we’ll get started early.
Start at St. Stephen’s Basilica. The exterior of the basilica is nice, but the interior is one of Budapest’s best. Buy your ticket and step inside for the gold and marble interior. Then, start making your way to Hungarian Parliament. This is one of most, if not the most iconic, buildings of Budapest.
You can just take in the building from the exterior (though note that the view from the other side of the river is better), you can also take a tour to visit the interior. The only way to see inside is on a guided tour, and I recommend booking a tour in advance (at least more than two weeks in advance) to learn more.
Following the Hungarian Parliament, walk along the river. The Promenade will take you directly along the river to the Chain Bridge. As you walk, look out for the Shoes on the River Memorial and then out to Castle Hill. You’ll cross the Chain Bridge which was the first bridge to connect Buda with Pest and helped to unite the two cities as you make your way toward Castle Hill.
Near the castle gardens (Várkert Bazár) look for some stairs heading up to the castle. From the top of the stairs, head right and look for an escalator that will take you up most of the way. Then at the top of the escalator, continue straight toward a rust covered canopy and take the elevator the rest of the way up.
We’ll spend the next few hours exploring Buda Castle Complex. This area houses several museums, but we’re going to skip most of them (though you’re free to rearrange this itinerary if one of the museums really catches your eye). Instead, we’re going to focus on Matthias Church and Fisherman’s Bastian.
Matthias Church is one of the most important churches here in Budapest. While I think that St. Stephen’s Basilica had a more impressive interior, Matthias Church has a more fascinating history. Here’s where Franz Josef was crowned King of the then Austrian-Hungarian Empire. The banners hanging in the church are still from his coronation.
Nearby is Fisherman’s Bastian which has a great view, including a great view of the Hungarian Parliament, but I don’t think it’s worth it. You can pay to go up the steps, but why pay when you could go just a bit to the side and get a near identical view for free? I think the fee for Fisherman’s Bastian exists just to make extra money for the city. Sure you might get a few less tourists in your photos, but is that alone really worth it?
Before you leave Buda, head down to the river for a great view of the Hungarian Parliament. The rest of our itinerary will focus on the Pest side of the river, so make sure to take any views before we say goodbye.
We still have a little bit of time to explore this evening so head over to the Great Market Hall. This is a one stop shop for fresh produce, meats, and so many other goodies. While many locals still come here for their fruits and vegetables, it’s now also a big tourist attraction, so stop over and get a glimpse of local life (and plenty of tourists also shopping for souvenirs).
Sleep: Budapest, Hungary
Day 13 – Traveler’s Choice – Budapest or Day Trip
It’s the last day on this Central Europe 2 week itinerary and you have two options. The first option is to spend the day in Budapest visiting more museums and any sights you didn’t get to over the last two days. The second option is to take a day trip. With both of my day trip options, you really only need a half day (though its ever so slightly longer once you account for transportation), so you’ll still have some time in Budapest to visit a few more sights. First, I’ll talk about the day trips and then we’ll get into what else you could see and do in Budapest.
The first day trip is the most popular. You can spend one hour on the suburban HEV train to reach Szentendre which is a small, artsy town. There’s a few churches, but much of the town is about shopping and dining. Despite having a lot of tourists, it’s still a fun way to spend a half day.
For those who haven’t got their fill of the Hapsburgs, you can take a train to tour Gödölló. This was the Hungarian Palace for the Austrian-Hungarian empire and it’s the palace that Sisi preferred. So, if you haven’t gotten your fill of palaces, take the suburban HEV train to visit this palace.
If you want to stay in Budapest, there’s still more sights that we haven’t covered. The most notable area we’ve skipped is Budapest’s Jewish Quarter, which includes the Great Synagogue. This is the largest synagogue in Europe and the second largest synagogue in the world. Additionally, we skipped several museums along the way. Notably there are additional museums in Castle Hill and the museums along Hero’s Square.
It’s the last day of your trip, so it’s up to you how you spend it. Savor the final day of this itinerary.
Sleep: Budapest, Hungary
Day 14 – Goodbye, Europe
This Central Europe 2 week itinerary has come to an end. It’s time to head home or on to your next destination.
If your next destination involves a flight, you can catch an airport bus to Budapest’s airport. Look for bus 100E which costs more because it is an express bus. It costs 2500 HUF but reaches the airport in about 20 minutes. The bus runs 24 hours (though departures are less frequent overnight) and depart conveniently from Deák Ferenc Tér.
Recap & What’s Needed
Let’s recap this Central Europe 2 week itinerary. Here’s what you’ll need to book for hotels, transportation (excluding day trips), and activities (that should be pre-booked in advance).
Hotels
Days 1 – 4 (4 nights) – Ljubljana, Slovenia
Day 5 (1 night) – Graz, Austria
Days 6 – 7 (2 nights) – Vienna, Austria
Days 8 – 10 (3 nights) – Bratislava, Slovakia
Days 11 – 13 (3 nights) – Budapest, Hungary
Transportation
Day 4 – Ljubljana, Slovenia to Graz, Austria
Day 5 – Graz, Austria to Vienna, Austria
Day 8 – Vienna, Austria to Bratislava, Slovakia
Day 11 – Bratislava, Slovakia to Budapest, Hungary
Activities
Day 7 – Hofburg Palace – Book the earliest time slot available
Day 8 – Schönbrunn Palace – Book the earliest time slot available
Day 12 – Hungarian Parliament – Book the earliest time slot available
Modifications to This Itinerary
Let’s say you don’t have exactly 14 days for this Central Europe 2 week itinerary. How can you modify it?
With More Time
If you have more time, the world is your oyster. Personally, I would start by adding an extra day to Budapest. There’s so much to see in Budapest and even with two and a half days, you’ll likely find yourself feeling like you’ve just scratched the surface of everything to see and do here. And that doesn’t even account for any day trips.
If you have two extra days, I’d still give an extra day to Budapest, but I don’t think you could go wrong adding it to any other destination. Personally, I’d add it to either Vienna or Graz.
With Less Time
Let’s start with only having 13 days. If it were me, I’d cut the stop in Graz. Instead, on day 5, take the bus straight from Ljubljana to Vienna and start exploring. You’ll skip one city, and while I may be biased because I didn’t visit Graz on my itinerary, this is where I’d skip.
If you have 12 days, you’ll have to cut two days of this itinerary, which brings you to the itinerary that I used for my Central Europe Itinerary. I skipped both Graz and one day trip from Ljubljana. It’s up to you if you skip Bled or the Postojna Caves, but I loved Bled, so I’d argue hard to keep that in the itinerary (sorry to the Postojna Caves).
When to Do This Central Europe Itinerary
This itinerary can be done all year round, but some seasons are better than others.
Summers can be hot and busy with plenty of tourists wanting to visit the top sights of the big cities of Europe. This is the season I’d avoid if you can. The heat and the crowds and make the experience more miserable.
In the winter months, there can be less tourists, but it is colder. That said, if you visit in December, you’d be able to add stops at the Christmas markets in each city. Be prepared for larger crowds during this month, though it will likely be less than in summer.
Spring and fall can be great shoulder seasons and an ideal time to visit.
I visited in mid October and had a great time. Mornings were a bit chilly, but it eventually warmed up into a comfortable weather for exploring. The leaves were also turning colors which made for great scenery at Bled, Slovenia and the Hapsburg Palaces.
Final Thoughts
For those looking for an introduction to this region, you can’t go wrong with this Central Europe 2 week itinerary. The variety and the top sights make it a great route for most travelers.
Continue Your Adventure
Slovenia: Ljubljana is the capital of Slovenia and is a great place to spend one day. Budget travelers can check out my Slovenia travel budget.
Austria: Vienna is full of incredible sights. With one busy day, you’ll see a lot, but two days is even better. My Vienna Travel Budget has a realistic example and budget tips.
Slovakia: Whether you’re visiting on a day trip or spending the night, here’s how I recommend spending one day in Bratislava. Learn my best budget tips in my Bratislava Travel Budget.
Hungary: Two days in Budapest gives you a great overview of the city. If you only have one day, you’ll have to pick and choose. Here’s how I recommend visiting Budapest on a budget.
More Itineraries: Try my 10 day itinerary for Paris, Belgium, and Amsterdam. If you’re heading to Spain, try this ten day itinerary. In the very north of Europe, I have a 10 day Scandinavia itinerary.