Eastern Europe rewards the curious: medieval market squares, Habsburg boulevards, Ottoman echoes, and communist-era landmarks all share the same stage. In two weeks you’ll thread through Krakow’s cobblestoned Old Town, soak in Budapest’s legendary baths, and dive into Bucharest’s Belle Époque streets and the castles of Transylvania.

Expect layered history with a modern pulse. Krakow’s Renaissance core survived World War II almost intact, Budapest spans the Danube with storybook hills and stately Parliament, and Bucharest balances grand socialist architecture with creative neighborhoods and third-wave coffee. Each city pairs big-ticket sights with intimate courtyards, traditional markets, and late-night cafes.

Practical notes: You’ll travel within the Schengen Area in Poland and Hungary, then to non-Schengen Romania—carry your passport. Currencies differ: PLN (Poland), HUF (Hungary), RON (Romania). Trains and buses are reliable; budget flights save time on long stretches. Book intercity transport on Omio (flights), Omio (trains), and Omio (buses). For stays, compare VRBO and Hotels.com for location and value.

Krakow

Krakow wears its history lightly: the trumpeter’s call from St. Mary’s Basilica, Gothic foundations, and elegant cafe culture all orbit Europe’s largest medieval square, Rynek Główny. The city’s soul also lives in Kazimierz, the historic Jewish Quarter, where synagogues, indie galleries, and candlelit bars share narrow lanes.

Use Krakow as a base for two essential excursions: the UNESCO-listed Wieliczka Salt Mine, an underground cathedral carved from salt, and the solemn Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum. Pace yourself—the best moments often happen at a street-side table with pierogi and a carafe of compote.

Days 1–4: Old Town, Kazimierz, and day trips

• Old Town essentials: Climb the Town Hall Tower for skyline views; step into St. Mary’s Basilica to admire the Veit Stoss altarpiece; browse the Cloth Hall for crafts. Walk the Planty, a leafy ring-park tracing the old city walls. Tour Wawel Castle (State Rooms, Cathedral, and the Dragon’s Den). Combined tickets typically 50–90 PLN; allow 2–3 hours.
• Kazimierz & WWII history: In Kazimierz, visit the Old Synagogue and Remuh Cemetery. Cross to Podgórze for the Schindler Factory Museum—a vivid, well-curated narrative of wartime Krakow (book timed tickets; ~32 PLN). Pop into MOCAK next door for contemporary art.
• Wieliczka Salt Mine (half day): 30–40 minutes by train or bus from Krakow Główny; tours descend 135 m through chapels and saline lakes (2–3 hours; ~149–179 PLN). Dress for 17°C underground.
• Auschwitz-Birkenau (half to full day, optional): About 1.5 hours by bus from MDA station. Entry is free but guided tours are standard (~100–200 PLN) and must be reserved. Visit respectfully; no flash photography.
• Local gems: Socialist-realist Nowa Huta for a different urban story; the riverside hangout Forum Przestrzenie for sunset drinks and Vistula views.

• Where to stay: For first-time visitors, base near the Old Town or Kazimierz for walkability. Browse stays on VRBO Krakow and Hotels.com Krakow. Consider boutique stays in historic townhouses or modern apartments with kitchenettes.
• How to arrive: Fly into KRK (John Paul II Airport) and ride the airport train (17 PLN; ~25 minutes) to Kraków Główny. Compare flights on Omio.

• Coffee & breakfast: Wesola Cafe for bright, seasonal plates and excellent flat whites; Karma Coffee Roasters for single-origin pourovers roasted in-house; Ranny Ptaszek for shakshuka and challah French toast; Cafe Camelot for a cozy, artsy morning with cheesecake.
• Lunch: Pierogarnia Krakowiacy (traditional dumplings; try ruskie and wild mushroom); Hummus Amamamusi (tiny spot, big flavors) or Hamsa in Kazimierz for Israeli mezze; Miod Malina for soups and game dishes in a rustic setting.
• Dinner: Starka (Kazimierz; duck leg with cranberries, house-infused vodkas); Pod Aniołami (13th‑century cellar, grilled oscypek cheese and meats); Szara Gęś (Old Town fine dining; goose specialties) when you want something refined.
• After-hours: Alchemia (candlelit ruin‑bar mood, occasional live sets); Singer (tables made from vintage sewing machines); Wódka Cafe Bar (vodka tasting flights; go for quince and bison grass).

Travel to Budapest (morning of Day 5)

• Train: Krakow to Budapest typically 7–8.5 hours with 1 change (often Katowice or Bratislava). From ~$35–60. Search and book on Omio (trains).
• Bus: 6.5–8 hours, from ~$25–40. Check Omio (buses).
• Flight: Usually via Warsaw or Vienna, total travel 3–5 hours. Compare on Omio. Aim to arrive by early afternoon to settle in on the Pest side near the river.

Budapest

Budapest is two cities in one: hilly Buda with turreted lookouts and royal ramparts, and flat Pest with grand cafés, ruin bars, and Neo-Renaissance swagger. The thermal waters are its heartbeat—locals have soaked here since Roman times.

Pack your swimsuit and appetite. Between the Parliament’s Gothic Revival spires and the Danube’s bridges, you’ll find rich stews, pastry windows stacked with chimney cakes, and wine bars pouring Tokaji and Bikavér.

Days 5–9: Castles, baths, markets, and the Danube

• Castle District & panoramas: Ride the funicular or walk up to Buda Castle, then promenade to Fisherman’s Bastion for sunrise or sunset photos. Step into Matthias Church to admire the patterned roof tiles and frescoed interior.
• Parliament & riverfront: Tour the Hungarian Parliament (book ahead; crown jewels viewing). Stroll the Shoes on the Danube Bank memorial. At dusk, take a Danube cruise to watch bridges and facades glow.
• Thermal baths: Széchenyi (outdoor steaming pools, 18+ baths), Gellért (Art Nouveau tiles and indoor waves), or Rudas (16th‑century domed pool, rooftop hot tub with river views; night bathing on select days). Bring flip-flops and a cap for lap lanes.
• Markets & neighborhoods: Browse the Great Market Hall for paprika and salami; snack on lángos (fried dough with sour cream and cheese). Wander Jewish Quarter murals and courtyards; if you like modern Israeli plates amid fairy lights, book Mazel Tov.
• Local gems: Margaret Island for bike loops and musical fountains; Memento Park for Cold War-era statuary; Római-part (warm months) for riverside food stalls and a low-key, local vibe.

• Where to stay: Base in Pest District V–VII for easy dining and tram access; Buda’s riverside is quieter with postcard views. Start your search on VRBO Budapest or Hotels.com Budapest.
• Transit tips: Trams 4/6 and M1 metro (continental Europe’s oldest) cover most sights. Buy a 72-hour pass if you’ll ride often.

• Coffee & breakfast: Espresso Embassy (benchmark third-wave espresso); Fekete (courtyard café with shakshuka and granola); My Little Melbourne (specialty coffee pioneer). For Old World opulence, reserve a table at the New York Café.
• Lunch: Retro Lángos (classic lángos or try the garlic-sour cream-cheese trifecta); Karaván Street Food (food-truck court with goulash-in-bread bowls); Dobrumba (Levant-to-Caucasus share plates—don’t skip the hummus and roasted carrots).
• Dinner: Paprika Vendéglő (hearty goulash and chicken paprikash); Rosenstein (family-run Jewish‑Hungarian recipes near Keleti, famed for goose liver and schnitzel); Borkonyha Winekitchen (Michelin-starred, 200+ Hungarian wines); or Stand25 Bistro (updated Hungarian classics by a top chef).
• After-hours: Szimpla Kert (the original ruin bar—rambling rooms, weekend farmers’ market); Doblo Wine Bar (intimate tastings); High Note SkyBar (rooftop cocktails with Basilica views).

Travel to Bucharest (morning of Day 10)

• Flight: Nonstop Budapest (BUD) to Bucharest (OTP) ~1h25; from ~$50–120 with a personal item. Compare on Omio. Ideal for maximizing time in Romania.
• Train: 15–16 hours (overnight options with couchettes) if you prefer a slower journey; from ~$35–70. Book via Omio (trains).
• Bus: 10–12 hours with daytime departures; check Omio (buses).

Bucharest & Transylvania

Bucharest blends Belle Époque mansions, ornate Orthodox churches, and bold socialist architecture. Sidewalk terraces hum late into the night, and the city’s coffee scene rivals its cocktail culture. From here, the castles and forests of Transylvania sit temptingly close.

Plan on three days in the capital and two in the mountains around Brașov, Bran, and Sinaia. Trains are straightforward, food is satisfyingly rustic, and views swing from medieval citadels to Carpathian peaks.

Days 10–14: Bucharest highlights plus a 2‑day Transylvania escape

• Capital highlights (2–3 days): Tour the colossal Palace of Parliament (passport required; guided tours only). Wander Lipscani (Old Town), stepping into the jewel-box Stavropoleos Monastery and Cărturești Carusel bookstore. Stroll Calea Victoriei past the Romanian Athenaeum; explore the open-air Village Museum for vernacular architecture from every region.
• Transylvania (2 days, with optional overnight in Brașov): Take a morning train Bucharest Nord → Brașov (2.5–3 hours; from ~50–90 RON). In Brașov, circle the Council Square and visit the Black Church. Day trip to Bran Castle (45–60 minutes by bus/taxi) for the “Dracula” lore, and the hilltop Râșnov Fortress. On the second day, detour to Sinaia for Peleș Castle—a Neo-Renaissance stunner with carved wood interiors (closed Mondays). Return to Bucharest by evening. Book trains with Omio (trains).
• Local gems: Herăstrău (King Michael I) Park for lakeside walks and boat rentals; Cartierul Creativ for galleries and design shops; summer-only Grădina Eden garden bar for tree-shaded lounging.

• Where to stay: In Bucharest, base near University, Piata Romana, or Old Town for walkability and dining. Browse VRBO Bucharest and Hotels.com Bucharest. For the Brașov overnight, look inside the Old Town walls for postcard views of Tampa Hill.
• Getting around: Bucharest’s metro is fast for cross-town hops; rideshares fill the gaps. In Transylvania, trains connect towns; short links to castles are easiest by taxi or local bus.

• Coffee & breakfast: Origo (specialty coffee benchmark; try the hand-brews), M60 (Scandi-leaning brunch), Beans & Dots (at Palatul Universul; creative pastries), and Papila (hearty breakfasts, seasonal soups).
• Lunch: Hanu’ lui Manuc (historic inn courtyard; sarmale and ciorbă soups), La Mama (casual traditional plates across the city), Energiea (gastropub fare and local craft beers).
• Dinner: Lacrimi și Sfinți (modern Romanian—zacuscă, polenta with pork, plum brandy), Kane (contemporary tasting menus celebrating Romanian terroir), Simbio (creative comfort food in a restored house). For dessert, French Revolution éclairs or Mara Mura cakes.
• After-hours: Control Club (live music, DJs), Linea / Closer to the Moon (rooftop skyline views), and Fix Me A Drink (foraged-ingredient cocktails—ask about the fir‑tip specials).

Estimated Timing & Budget Notes

• Transport: Intercity train/bus segments in this itinerary run ~6.5–8.5 hours (Krakow→Budapest) and 1.5 hours by air or 15–16 by train (Budapest→Bucharest). Use Omio (trains), Omio (buses), and Omio (flights) to compare schedules and fares.
• Typical costs (as of 2025): Museum entries 25–60 PLN in Krakow; baths in Budapest ~7,000–12,000 HUF depending on day and locker/cabin; Bucharest palace tour ~60–80 RON; Transylvania castles ~45–80 RON.
• Good to know: Many sights are closed Mondays (notably museums and Peleș); reserve popular entries and Parliament tours ahead; pack modest attire for churches; bring a swimsuit and sandals for baths.

Two weeks in Eastern Europe delivers contrast and continuity: Gothic spires to Art Nouveau domes, underground salt chapels to mountaintop fortresses. With smart train and flight hops, rich food stops, and time for serendipity, this itinerary gives you the big icons and the small, indelible moments in between.