Five cities, four countries, and one great rail arc: this 11-day Central Europe itinerary moves from the Golden Age canals of Amsterdam to Prague’s storybook spires, Budapest’s thermal baths, Venice’s island maze, and Vienna’s imperial grandeur—then back to Amsterdam to fly home. It’s designed for efficient morning departures, memorable evenings, and the right balance of big sights and neighborhood gems.

These capitals didn’t rise by accident. Merchant wealth shaped Amsterdam’s UNESCO canals; Bohemian kings crowned Prague’s hilltop castle; Budapest blossomed at the Danube bend; Venice built a maritime empire from mudflats; and Vienna perfected courtly life with palaces, pastries, and music. Along the way you’ll taste regional classics—from Dutch apple pie to Hungarian goulash and Venetian cicchetti—while learning why each city looks and lives the way it does.

Practical notes: trains in this itinerary are comfortable and scenic; book advance fares for the best prices. Currencies shift: euro in the Netherlands, Italy, and Austria; Czech koruna in Czechia; Hungarian forint in Hungary—cards are widely accepted, but keep some cash for markets and small cafés. Spring brings tulips; summer means long evenings; winter rewards museum lovers and classic coffeehouses.

Amsterdam

Days 1–2: Golden Age canals, world-class art, and neighborhood cafés

Begin where trade, tolerance, and tidy gables meet water. Drift past 17th‑century canal houses, hop between the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh, then wander the Jordaan’s courtyards and indie shops. Amsterdam is compact—walkable, bikeable, and brimming with design-forward spots to eat and linger.

• Canal life: See the best views from a covered saloon boat or open sloop. Bridges, merchants’ hoists, and skinny houses tell the city’s Golden Age story.
• Museums: The Rijksmuseum’s Rembrandts and Vermeers pair well with the Van Gogh Museum’s intimate letters and brushwork.
• Neighborhoods: Browse De 9 Straatjes, sip in the Jordaan, and pause at the Anne Frank House exterior for reflection (reserve well ahead if visiting inside).

Handpicked activities (Viator):

Amsterdam All-Inclusive 90-Minutes Heated Cruise by Captain Jack

Rijksmuseum Amsterdam Small-Group Tour with Private Upgrade

Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam Exclusive Tour w/ Reserved Entry

Amsterdam Food and Cultural Tour with Tastings

Coffee, breakfast, and bites: Start at Back to Black (single-origin pours) or Scandinavian Embassy (Nordic roasts with rye toasts). Grab Dutch apple pie at Winkel 43, then snack on hot fries at Vleminckx with oorlog sauce. For lunch, wander Foodhallen—try Viet View’s banh mi or Meneer Temaki’s hand rolls. Dinner ideas: Moeders (home-style stamppot and a wall of “mom” photos), Restaurant De Kas (greenhouse-to-table tasting menu), or Bazar (colorful Middle Eastern plates in De Pijp).

Where to stay: Compare canal apartments and boutique hotels on VRBO Amsterdam and Hotels.com Amsterdam. Areas to target: Jordaan for quiet charm, De Pijp for food, or near Museumplein for art lovers.

Getting there & getting around: If you’re flying into Amsterdam or arriving by train within Europe, compare options on Omio (flights in Europe) and Omio (trains). Trams, ferries, and bikes make city travel easy—consider a day bike rental to join the locals.

Next stop: Prague (morning departure). Fly AMS–PRG in ~1h35 (from ~$60–$150) via Omio flights, or take an overnight/long‑day train in ~10–12 hours (from ~€60–€120) via Omio trains. Flying saves you a full day.

Prague

Days 3–4: Bridges, beer halls, and castle courtyards

Prague feels like a living illustration: cobbles, spires, and river views from every bend. Cross the 14th‑century Charles Bridge at dawn, trace time on the Astronomical Clock, and climb to the castle for stained-glass light in St. Vitus.

• Old Town and Malá Strana: Wander from Old Town Square to lesser‑known Kampa Island and photogenic riverside mills.
• Castle District: Explore the Cathedral, Golden Lane, and castle gardens; sunset from Letná Park frames perfect city panoramas.
• Beer culture: The home of pilsner serves it impeccably—creamy foam, crisp finish, and fast pours.

Eat & drink like a local: Breakfast at Café Savoy (butter‑rich pastries) or Eska (sourdough, smoked butter, seasonal plates). For hearty classics, book Lokál Dlouhááá (svíčková, schnitzel, tank pilsner) or Kantýna (counter-service steaks and sides). Try Kuchyň by the Castle for views and rustic Czech dishes. For coffee, head to Můj šálek kávy; for a classic pub vibe, U Zlatého Tygra pours legendary mugs.

Where to stay: Base near Old Town or across the river in Malá Strana: VRBO Prague | Hotels.com Prague

Onward to Budapest (morning departure): Direct train ~6h30 (from ~€25–€60) with scenic stretches along the Danube; book via Omio trains. Buses take ~7–8h (often cheaper) via Omio buses. A short flight (~1h10) can save time if schedules suit via Omio flights.

Budapest

Days 5–6: Thermal baths, Art Nouveau, and ruin bars

Budapest straddles the Danube with Buda’s hills and Pest’s grand boulevards. Soak at Széchenyi or Gellért, gaze at the Parliament’s neo‑Gothic silhouette, and ride the funicular up to Castle Hill for Fisherman’s Bastion views.

• Wellness ritual: Alternate hot pools and cold plunges, then book a 20‑minute massage on site for a classic spa day.
• Night vibe: Szimpla Kert sparked the city’s “ruin bar” scene—eclectic rooms, creative cocktails, and live music.
• Danube after dark: An evening riverside stroll or cruise shows bridges and landmarks glowing gold.

Food & coffee stops: Warm up with goulash at Gettó Gulyás and langos at Retro Langos (sour cream and cheese is the move). For contemporary Hungarian with serious wine, try Borkonyha Winekitchen (reserve). Menza near Liszt Ferenc tér is lively and reliable. Sweets at Ruszwurm (Buda institution) and coffee at Kontakt (no milk foam, just excellent brews). Wine bar tip: Kadarka for a tour of Hungarian varietals.

Where to stay: Pest’s District V–VII puts you near cafés, the river, and nightlife: VRBO Budapest | Hotels.com Budapest

Next stop: Venice (morning departure). Fastest rail route via Vienna is ~7.5–9h; look for Budapest–Vienna Railjet (~2h40) then Vienna–Venice via Villach (from ~€40–€110) on Omio trains. A flight (~1h20) can be time‑efficient if you’re near the airport; compare on Omio flights.

Venice

Days 7–8: Palaces, piazzas, and a cicchetti crawl

Built on timber piles and stubborn will, Venice is a floating museum that rewards early mornings and late nights. Visit St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace, then lose yourself in Cannaregio’s backstreets where laundry lines and quiet canals outshine the crowds.

• Classic trio: St. Mark’s Square, Basilica mosaics, and Doge’s Palace (don’t miss the Bridge of Sighs). Time-slot tickets save queues.
• Rialto life: Browse the fish market, then cross to San Polo for artisans and tiny bacari.
• On the water: Gondolas are romantic; traghetti (standing gondola ferries) are a local, inexpensive thrill.

Eat & drink: Start at Torrefazione Cannaregio (fresh-roasted espresso). Snack your way through a cicchetti crawl: Cantina Do Mori (since 1462), All’Arco (market-fresh bites), and Osteria Al Squero (watch gondolas glide by). For dinner, book Antiche Carampane (seafood pasta and lagoon fish) or Trattoria alla Madonna (classic, bustling). Gelato at Suso or Gelatoteca Suso, and finish with a Select Spritz (the Venetian original) in Dorsoduro.

Where to stay: Consider Cannaregio or Dorsoduro for calmer nights and quick vaporetto access: VRBO Venice | Hotels.com Venice

Next stop: Vienna (morning departure). Direct/one‑change daytime trains Venice–Vienna take ~7–8h via the Alps (Arsenal of window views) from ~€40–€120 on Omio trains. Flights are ~1h10 plus airport transfers on Omio flights.

Vienna

Days 9–10: Palaces, coffeehouses, and the waltz of everyday life

Vienna refines the good life: Habsburg palaces, museum miles, and a coffeehouse culture where time slows. Start with Schönbrunn’s gardens, step into the Hofburg’s imperial apartments, and admire Klimt’s “The Kiss” at the Belvedere.

• Ringstrasse circuit: Tram the grand boulevard to see the Opera, Parliament, and Burgtheater in one elegant loop.
• Art & music: Kunsthistorisches Museum glitters with Bruegels; consider a standing-ticket evening at the Staatsoper for an affordable opera fix.
• Heuriger evening: Take a tram to Grinzing for a rustic wine tavern and young local vintages.

Eat & sip: Coffee and cake at Café Central or Demel (history in marble halls). For lunch, try Plachutta (tafelspitz) or Figlmüller (famously thin schnitzel—arrive early). Sample cheeses, pickles, and quick bites at the Naschmarkt. Later, toast in Loos American Bar (tiny, iconic, and handsome since 1908).

Where to stay: Innere Stadt for walkability, or Leopoldstadt for leafy calm near the Prater: VRBO Vienna | Hotels.com Vienna

Return to Amsterdam (Day 11, morning departure): Fly VIE–AMS in ~1h55 (from ~$60–$170) via Omio flights. Rail options include a daytime Vienna–Amsterdam journey in ~10–11h or an overnight sleeper (~13–14h) on Omio trains—a cozy finale if you love train travel.

Day 11: Back in Amsterdam—last tastes and takeoff

If time allows before your flight, circle De 9 Straatjes for unique boutiques and grab a final stroopwafel from a street stand or brunch at Bakers & Roasters. A short stroll along Brouwersgracht is a gentle goodbye to the canals.

Optional tulip add‑on (seasonal, March–May): If your dates align, consider a Keukenhof shuttle + entry on a free morning from Viator to see millions of blooms.

How the 11 days break down

• Days 1–2: Amsterdam
• Days 3–4: Prague
• Days 5–6: Budapest
• Days 7–8: Venice
• Days 9–10: Vienna
• Day 11: Return to Amsterdam & depart

This fast-but-focused route strings together Europe’s greatest hits with efficient connections and neighborhood flavor. You’ll move city to city with purpose, yet still have time for the unplanned: a café that calls your name, a view that delays your next tram, and a dinner that turns into a memory.