14-Day Budapest Vienna Salzburg and Prague Itinerary

Late Morning

After arriving in Budapest, make your way to the Great Market Hall in Belváros—ideally around 10:30 or 11:00, once you have checked in or dropped your luggage. From Keleti pályaudvar, take Metro M4 to Fővám tér; from Deák Ferenc tér, the same line takes only a few minutes. The market is open Monday–Saturday, generally from 6:00 until 18:00, though Saturday trading finishes earlier, so today is a good opportunity to visit. Allow about an hour to browse the paprika, salami, pickles, pastries, and upstairs craft stalls; prices in the tourist-facing areas can be inflated, so compare a little before buying.

Lunch and Afternoon

From Fővám tér, walk or take a short tram ride toward Central Café and Restaurant 1887 in Józsefváros. This grand historic café is a pleasant place for a first Hungarian lunch without rushing—expect roughly €15–25 per person, and allow an hour. Afterwards, walk north toward the Hungarian National Museum in the Palace District. The museum usually closes in the early evening, with last admission often about an hour before closing; check the official schedule because weekly closing days and temporary exhibitions can change. Spend around two hours with the archaeological, royal, and modern-history collections, and keep a little time for the quiet garden outside.

Late Afternoon and Evening

Continue by walking or taking Metro M3 from Kálvin tér toward Dohány Street Synagogue in Erzsébetváros. Entry is timed or ticketed on some days, and visitors should dress respectfully—shoulders and knees covered—so check the afternoon admission schedule before setting out. The synagogue complex, including its museum and memorial spaces, takes about 1–1½ hours; allow extra time for security. Finish your first Budapest day at Szimpla Kert, a short walk away in the Jewish Quarter. Arrive before 19:00 if you want to see the maze of courtyards and salvaged décor before it becomes crowded. Drinks are typically around €5–10, and it is better for atmosphere than for dinner, so have a light meal or snack beforehand and use the nearby Metro M2 at Astoria or Blaha Lujza tér when you are ready to return.

Morning

Start at Buda Castle, arriving around 9:00 when the Castle District is still pleasantly quiet. From the Pest side, take bus 16 from Deák Ferenc tér or ride the Buda Castle Funicular from Clark Ádám tér; the funicular is scenic but can develop a queue, so the bus is usually more efficient. Allow about two hours to wander the courtyards, palace terraces, and surrounding medieval lanes. The castle grounds are free, while museum interiors generally charge around HUF 3,000–5,000 (approximately €8–13) and may have separate opening hours.

Continue on foot to Fisherman’s Bastion, just a few minutes away, for the classic view over the Danube and Parliament. The lower terraces are free, while some upper turrets charge a small fee during daytime hours; early September sunrise-to-morning light is especially good for photographs. Then visit Matthias Church, directly beside the bastion. Set aside about an hour for its richly painted interior and distinctive tiled roof; admission is typically around HUF 2,500–3,000, and shoulders and knees should be covered.

Lunch and Afternoon

For a traditional break, settle into Ruszwurm Cukrászda, one of the Castle District’s historic pastry shops. Try the house cream cake with coffee or a light savory dish, budgeting roughly €8–15. It is small and popular, so a short wait is normal; if indoor seating is full, take your pastry outside and keep exploring the quiet streets around Úri utca. After lunch, descend toward Gellért Hill—bus 16 back to Clark Ádám tér, followed by tram 19 or 41 to Szent Gellért tér, is easier on the legs than walking across the hill. Allow 35–45 minutes for the transfer, including waiting time.

Sunset

Spend the late afternoon walking up Gellért Hill toward the Citadella viewpoints. The climb is steep and takes roughly 35–45 minutes from Szent Gellért tér, but the paths open onto increasingly broad views of the Danube, bridges, and both sides of the city. The Citadella area has been undergoing renovation, so access around the upper fortress may be restricted; the hillside viewpoints still provide excellent panoramas. Aim to arrive 30–45 minutes before sunset, wear proper shoes, and bring water—the cafés near the top are limited. After dark, return by the same route to Szent Gellért tér, where trams 19 and 41 provide an easy connection back toward central Budapest.

Morning

Start at Heroes’ Square, arriving around 8:30–9:00 while City Park is still quiet. The monumental Millennium statues and the surrounding Museum of Fine Arts and Kunsthalle make a good introduction to Hungary’s history; allow about 45 minutes for photographs and a short look around. From here, walk 5–10 minutes through the park to Vajdahunyad Castle, an enchanting architectural complex that mixes Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque details. Entry to the grounds is free, while the Hungarian Agricultural Museum inside has a separate ticket and opening hours that vary by exhibition. Give yourself roughly 1–1½ hours to wander the courtyards, lakeside paths, and bridges.

Midday

Continue to Széchenyi Thermal Bath, only a few minutes away on foot. Book an entry slot online if available, as September weekends can be busy; a weekday full-day ticket with a locker is typically around €30–40. Plan on about 2½ hours, including time to move between the outdoor thermal pools, indoor pools, and saunas. Bring flip-flops and a towel, or rent them on-site, and keep valuables to a minimum. Afterward, take the M1 metro from Széchenyi fürdő toward Oktogon, then walk to Menza on Liszt Ferenc Square—the journey takes about 20 minutes. A late lunch here is possible, but reserving ahead for dinner is wiser; modern Hungarian dishes generally run about €20–35 per person, and the square’s café terraces are pleasant for a short break.

Evening

After dinner, take the M1 from Oktogon to Vörösmarty tér, or use a taxi if you prefer a direct 10–15-minute ride, then walk toward the Danube promenade near the Hungarian Parliament. Follow the river north from Széchenyi István tér toward the Parliament for about an hour, when the illuminated dome and bridges are especially atmospheric. The riverside is best enjoyed as an unhurried walk rather than a checklist stop; bring a light layer, since the open embankment can feel cooler after dark.

Morning

Start around 9:00 at the Museum of Fine Arts, arriving before the galleries become busy. Spend roughly two hours with the European painting collection and sculpture; the museum is especially worthwhile for its Old Masters, Egyptian collection, and calm neoclassical interiors. Check the official schedule before setting out, as opening hours and temporary exhibitions can vary; budget approximately HUF 5,000–6,000 for admission. From central Pest, take M1 to Hősök tere—but avoid lingering at City Park, Heroes’ Square, or the nearby attractions already covered earlier in the trip. Afterward, walk south along Andrássy Avenue, stopping occasionally to admire the grand villas, embassies, and cafés around Kodály körönd and Oktogon. This is an easy one-hour stroll, though you can shorten it by taking M1 if the September sun is strong.

Afternoon

Continue into Terézváros for the House of Terror Museum on Andrássy Avenue. Allow about two hours: the exhibits are powerful and emotionally demanding, tracing both the Arrow Cross and communist dictatorships, so this is best approached without rushing. It is generally open Tuesday–Sunday, with Monday usually closed; last entry is often well before closing, and tickets cost roughly HUF 4,000–5,000. Take a proper break afterward—this museum can be intense—before wandering east toward Király Street. Browse the independent design shops, vintage stores, courtyards, and small galleries rather than treating the street as a checklist; the side lanes become particularly atmospheric in the late afternoon. From the museum, the walk takes about 15–20 minutes, or you can use M1 between Vörösmarty utca and Deák Ferenc tér before continuing on foot.

Evening

Have dinner at Mazel Tov, tucked into a beautifully restored former glass courtyard in the Jewish Quarter. Reserve ahead, especially for a September evening, and ask for a table inside the courtyard if available. The menu leans Middle Eastern and Mediterranean, with hummus, salads, grilled dishes, and cocktails; allow around €20–35 per person before or depending on drinks. It is lively rather than intimate, so expect music and a social atmosphere. After dinner, you are already well placed to stroll the surrounding side streets, but keep the evening unhurried—Budapest’s Jewish Quarter is more enjoyable when you leave time to pause at a courtyard bar or simply walk back toward the center.

Late Morning

After arriving at Wien Hauptbahnhof, leave your luggage at the hotel or a station locker, then take the D Line or walk around 15 minutes toward Belvedere Palace in Landstraße. Arrive around 11:00; the Upper Palace usually opens from 9:00, though timed entry is sensible for September. Allow about two hours for Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss, the Austrian art collection, and the formal gardens between the Upper and Lower Palaces. Tickets are generally around €18–20, and the gardens are free to stroll. The palace grounds are best approached from the station side, with the grand view toward the city unfolding as you walk uphill.

Afternoon

From Belvedere Palace, walk or take tram D toward Karlsplatz—roughly 15–20 minutes depending on the connection—for Karlskirche. Spend about an hour admiring the Baroque interior and the reflecting pool; the church commonly opens from late morning into the afternoon, with admission around €9–10 and occasional access to the dome lift. A short walk brings you to Naschmarkt in Wieden, where you can have an unhurried lunch among produce stalls, cheese counters, bakeries, and small restaurants. Budget €12–25 per person; many stalls close by early evening, so this is better for lunch than a late dinner. Keep an eye on your belongings in the crowded central aisles, and wander one block beyond the market afterward for quieter side streets.

Late Afternoon and Evening

Continue west along Lehárgasse and Linke Wienzeile—about a 15-minute walk—to Café Sperl in Mariahilf. Settle in for the classic Viennese coffeehouse ritual: a Melange, Einspänner, or slice of cake, usually €6–15, and stay as long as you like with a newspaper or a little people-watching. It generally opens from morning until late evening, but check the day’s hours because traditional cafés sometimes close one weekday. From there, U-Bahn station Kettenbrückengasse is nearby for an easy return to your hotel; use a Wiener Linien single ticket or a 24-hour pass if you expect another ride or two.

Morning

Start early at Schönbrunn Palace in Hietzing, arriving around 9:00 to 9:30. From central Vienna, take the U4 to Schönbrunn; the ride from Karlsplatz takes about 15 minutes, followed by a short walk through the palace grounds. Allow roughly 2½ hours for the palace tour and arrival formalities. The Imperial Tour is usually the practical choice for a first visit, while the longer Grand Tour adds more apartments; timed tickets are strongly recommended, especially in September, with admission generally around €22–32 depending on the route. Security queues can be slow, so avoid bringing a large backpack.

After the interiors, spend about 1½ hours in the Schönbrunn Palace Gardens. Walk through the formal parterre toward the Gloriette, stopping to look back over the palace and Vienna from the hilltop. The gardens are free to enter and typically open from early morning until around sunset, though some special garden attractions charge separately. Wear comfortable shoes—the climb is gentle but longer than it first appears—and buy water before heading uphill.

Afternoon

For lunch, take the U4 east to Karlsplatz, change to the U1 toward Praterstern, and walk to Meierei Diglas im Prater in Leopoldstadt; allow about 35–40 minutes from Schönbrunn. This relaxed restaurant beside the park is a good place for classic Austrian dishes such as schnitzel, goulash, or seasonal salads, with lunch usually around €18–30 per person. Afterward, give yourself two unhurried hours in Prater. Ride the historic Giant Ferris Wheel for the city views—tickets are generally about €14—or simply wander among the old-fashioned rides and shady paths. The amusement area is liveliest from late morning into the evening, but individual attractions keep their own hours and prices.

Evening

Finish in Döbling at Heuriger Mayer am Pfarrplatz, one of Vienna’s more atmospheric traditional wine taverns. From Praterstern, take the U2 toward Seestadt, change at Schottentor for tram 37, and continue toward Hohe Warte; the journey takes roughly 30 minutes. Arrive around 18:30–19:00 for a table outdoors if the weather is pleasant. Order a flight or glass of Viennese wine with rustic cold plates, bread, and warm seasonal dishes—expect about €20–35 per person. It is wise to reserve ahead for dinner, particularly on Friday or Saturday evenings; after eating, trams and the U-Bahn return you to the center in around 25–35 minutes.

Morning

Begin at the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna when it opens, ideally around 10:00. From central Vienna, take the U3 to Volkstheater or walk along the Ringstrasse; the museum is directly opposite Maria-Theresien-Platz. Allow about 2½ hours for the Habsburg collections, especially the Bruegel paintings, Renaissance galleries, Kunstkammer, and grand staircase. Admission is roughly €21–24, and buying a timed ticket online is wise on a Friday. The building itself is part of the experience, so do not rush between galleries.

Midday

Walk about 10 minutes through Innere Stadt to Café Central on Herrengasse for coffee and pastry around 12:30–13:00. This is a popular stop, and a short queue is normal; arriving slightly before the lunch rush helps. Allow an hour and expect around €8–18 for coffee, cake, or a light meal. Afterward, continue toward the Hofburg and visit the Imperial Treasury Vienna, where the crown jewels, imperial regalia, and the famous Holy Roman Empire crown are displayed. Set aside about 1½ hours; admission is approximately €19, with opening hours commonly from 9:00 to 17:30, though check the official schedule for the date.

Afternoon and Evening

From the Hofburg, walk west along Burggasse or take the U2/U3 to Volkstheater for the MuseumsQuartier. Spend the late afternoon wandering its courtyards and choosing a contemporary gallery or museum such as mumok or Leopold Museum; individual admission is generally around €15–17, while the courtyards are free. This is a good point to slow down with a drink outside rather than trying to see everything. For dinner, stay beside the complex at Glacis Beisl, tucked behind the Kunsthalle Wien near Breite Gasse. Reserve if possible, and try Austrian staples such as schnitzel, goulash, or seasonal vegetables; budget about €20–35 per person. It is a relaxed, leafy finish after a day of imperial interiors and art museums.

Morning

Take the planned early ÖBB Railjet from Wien Hauptbahnhof to Salzburg Hauptbahnhof, departing around 08:00 and arriving shortly after 10:30. Keep your ticket handy for inspection, and either leave luggage at your hotel or use the station lockers. From the station, Mirabell Palace and Gardens is about a 15-minute walk through Neustadt; buses 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 25, and several others also connect the station with the area. Spend about an hour in the gardens, especially around the Pegasus Fountain and the grand staircase, where the view aligns beautifully toward Hohensalzburg Fortress. The gardens are generally open from early morning and are free, making this a good first stop even if your room is not ready.

Midday and Afternoon

Cross the Makartsteg footbridge into the Old Town, allowing roughly 15 minutes on foot, then continue to Mozart’s Birthplace at Getreidegasse 9. The museum is usually open daily from around 9:00 to 17:30, with last admission before closing; allow an hour for the preserved rooms and Mozart family exhibits. Afterward, stay on Getreidegasse rather than rushing onward: its wrought-iron shop signs, narrow passageways, and historic facades are best enjoyed at an unhurried pace. Look into the small courtyards branching off the lane, and consider a coffee and pastry at Café Tomaselli on Alter Markt—a classic Salzburg stop, though service can be slower than at modern cafés.

Evening

For dinner, walk a few minutes through the Old Town to St. Peter Stiftskulinarium, tucked beside St. Peter’s Abbey. The restaurant’s historic setting is the attraction as much as the food, with candlelit rooms and a long connection to Salzburg’s monastic history. Reserve ahead, particularly for a Friday or Saturday evening, and budget approximately €30–50 per person before drinks. A table around 18:30 or 19:00 leaves you time afterward for a quiet walk through the lanes around St. Peter’s Cemetery and Kapitelplatz, when the daytime crowds have eased.

Morning

Start around 9:00 at Hohensalzburg Fortress, taking the funicular from Festungsgasse rather than walking uphill; the ride takes only a minute or two, and the fortress usually opens from 9:00. Allow about 2½ hours for the State Rooms, museums, chapel, and especially the viewing platforms over the rooftops and Salzach Valley. A return funicular ticket with fortress admission is generally around €15–18, depending on which areas are included. Buy ahead if visiting on a busy weekend, and bring a light layer—the ramparts can be windy even in September. Descend into the Old Town and walk roughly 10 minutes to Salzburg Cathedral, where the vast baroque nave and pale marble decoration are best appreciated before midday services or larger tour groups; admission is usually around €5–7, with hours varying around worship.

Early Afternoon

Continue on foot to St. Peter’s Abbey, just a few minutes away. Visit the church and wander through St. Peter’s Cemetery, one of Salzburg’s most atmospheric corners, with ornate wrought-iron grave markers and cliffside burial chapels; allow about an hour, noting that parts of the complex may close temporarily for religious services. For lunch, walk back toward the Mönchsberg lift and take the elevator up to M32, the modern restaurant above the Museum der Moderne. A main course typically runs about €20–35, and the terrace is the real reason to come: it gives you a clean, elevated view of the cathedral, fortress, and Old Town. The elevator ride is normally a few euros, and reserving a window or terrace table is sensible.

Afternoon

After lunch, return to Salzburg Hauptbahnhof or your hotel to collect anything you do not want to carry, then take bus 25 toward Grödig for the Untersberg Cable Car—allow around 35–45 minutes from central Salzburg, depending on traffic. The cable car station is at St. Leonhard; buses generally accept the city’s local fare, but check the current zone ticket and last return service before boarding. The round trip up Untersberg takes only a few minutes, but allow 2–3 hours at the summit for viewpoints and a short, sensible walk; paths can be rocky and exposed, and cloud can arrive quickly, so sturdy shoes and a jacket are worthwhile. The cable car costs roughly €30–35 return, with reduced fares sometimes available through regional or Salzburg cards. Return to Salzburg before dusk and keep the evening easy—Getreidegasse and the lanes around Universitätsplatz are pleasant for an unhurried stroll, but avoid adding another major attraction after the mountain excursion.

Late Morning

After arriving at Wien Hauptbahnhof around 10:30–11:00, leave your luggage at the hotel or in the station lockers, then take the U1 to Karlsplatz. Use the extra time for a relaxed coffee nearby before your first planned stop at the Vienna State Opera. A guided tour generally takes about an hour and covers the grand staircase, foyers, and historic auditorium; check the day’s tour schedule in advance, as performance preparations can affect access. Tours are usually around €13–15. If you prefer an evening performance, skip the daytime tour and reserve a seat well ahead—standing tickets can be an inexpensive last-minute option, but arrive early for the queue.

Afternoon and Early Evening

From the opera, walk a few minutes along Kärntner Straße to St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Vienna’s Gothic centerpiece. Allow about an hour to see the nave and chapels; the cathedral is generally open from morning until early evening, although service times may restrict access. If your luggage drop-off or train arrival ran late, keep this visit focused rather than adding the towers—the interior is the most atmospheric part today. Afterwards, wander north through Graben and Kohlmarkt, where elegant façades, flagship shops, and small side passages make this one of the best areas for unhurried people-watching. Pause at Trzesniewski on Dorotheergasse for an inexpensive open-faced sandwich, or simply save your appetite for dinner.

Dinner

Finish at Plachutta Wollzeile, a short walk east of St. Stephen’s Cathedral, for classic Viennese Tafelspitz served with the traditional accompaniments. Expect roughly €30–50 per person before drinks; reservations are strongly recommended, especially on a Monday evening. The restaurant is polished but not overly formal, and this is a good night to settle into Vienna rather than chase another sight. After dinner, walk back through the softly lit Innere Stadt toward your accommodation, or return to Karlsplatz by U-Bahn if you are staying farther out.

Morning

Start around 9:00 at the Austrian National Library – State Hall, inside the Hofburg. Enter via Josefsplatz; the State Hall generally opens at 10:00, so check the official schedule and shift this slightly later if necessary. Allow about an hour for the immense Baroque hall, ceiling frescoes, globes, and tightly packed historic bookshelves. Admission is usually around €10–12. From here, walk five minutes along Augustinerstraße to the Albertina Museum. Give yourself roughly two hours for its changing modern-art and Old Master exhibitions; timed tickets are sensible, particularly for popular temporary shows.

Lunch and Afternoon

Walk a few minutes to Demel on Kohlmarkt for your planned cake-and-coffee stop. The historic pastry shop can be busy, but the queue moves steadily; choose a table upstairs if available and expect about €10–20 for coffee and a dessert or light meal. Afterward, take tram 1 from Schottentor toward Hetzgasse, or use the U4/U3 combination, to reach the Hundertwasser House in Landstraße. The exterior is the main attraction and takes around 45 minutes; remember that the residential building itself is not open for general touring. For a quieter look at the architect’s work, you can also browse the nearby Hundertwasser Village courtyard before continuing.

Late Afternoon and Evening

Return toward the center by tram 1, then walk to Mölker Steig, the narrow, atmospheric lane descending near the University of Vienna and the Schottentor area. Set aside 45 minutes to wander slowly, photograph the old façades, and pause at the small corners that most visitors miss. This is a good unhurried end to the day: from Mölker Steig, you are only about 10–15 minutes on foot from the central dining streets around Servitengasse or Bermudadreieck. Vienna’s city transport is easiest with a 24-hour ticket, usually around €9–10; validate paper tickets before boarding, while digital tickets must be activated in the app.

Morning

Take the planned ČD/ÖBB Railjet from Wien Hauptbahnhof around 08:00, arriving at Praha hlavní nádraží close to noon. A reserved seat is worthwhile for the four-hour ride; keep some Czech koruna or a card ready for small station purchases, and use the luggage lockers at the station if your hotel cannot take bags yet. From the station, walk about 10 minutes along Vrchlického sady and Wilsonova toward Wenceslas Square. Spend roughly 45 minutes following the long boulevard from the National Museum end toward Můstek, taking in its 19th-century façades and the layered history of Prague’s New Town. For a quick coffee or light lunch nearby, Kavárna Muzeum is convenient, though the square itself is best treated as an orientation stop rather than a destination for a full meal.

Afternoon and Evening

Continue north toward Municipal House, an easy 15-minute walk via Na Příkopě and Celetná. Join a guided visit—usually about an hour—to see the lavish Art Nouveau interiors, especially the painted salons, mosaics, and Smetana Hall; tours run at set times and commonly cost around 320–400 Kč, so check the official schedule before leaving Vienna. From there, walk five minutes through Celetná to Old Town Square. Allow an hour to circle the Astronomical Clock, Týn Church, and the surrounding historic façades; the square is busiest later in the day, so stay near the edges for better photographs and watch your belongings. Finish with dinner at Lokál Dlouhá, a lively Czech beer hall on Dlouhá. Reserve if possible, and order tankové pivo (tank beer) with svíčková, schnitzel, or a daily special; expect roughly €15–25 per person, excluding extensive drinks.

Morning

Start early at Charles Bridge, ideally around 7:30–8:00, before tour groups and daytime crowds fill the crossing. Walk from the Old Town side toward Malá Strana, taking time to look back toward the Old Town Bridge Tower and the riverfront. The bridge itself is free and takes about 45 minutes at an unhurried pace; the statue railings and distant castle views are particularly atmospheric in the softer morning light. Continue through Kampa to the Lennon Wall, a five- to ten-minute walk away. Allow roughly 30 minutes for the constantly changing murals, which remain a living piece of Prague’s artistic and political culture.

Late Morning and Afternoon

From Lennon Wall, walk uphill through Malá Strana toward Prague Castle; allow 25–35 minutes, with some steep cobbled stretches. Enter through the ceremonial courtyards late in the morning and allow around 2½ hours for the complex. Security screening can create a queue, so avoid carrying large bags and keep your passport or ID accessible. The basic castle grounds are free, while the main visitor circuit—including St. Vitus Cathedral—usually costs roughly 450 CZK; check the official schedule because individual buildings often have seasonal hours. Spend about an hour inside St. Vitus Cathedral, looking for the stained glass, royal tombs, and St. Wenceslas Chapel. For lunch, use one of the small cafés around Nerudova or Hradčanské náměstí, then wander back downhill rather than rushing—the views across Prague are part of the experience.

Evening

Return toward the Old Town via Malostranské náměstí and the Vltava embankment, using tram 22 or 18 if your legs need a break. Reserve or arrive early at U Zlatého Tygra on Husova, a famously old-fashioned Czech beer hall where seating is limited and the atmosphere is brisk rather than leisurely. Go around 17:00–18:00 for the best chance of finding a table; dinner and several beers generally run about €15–25 per person, with cash in Czech koruna useful for a quick transaction. Expect tank-style Czech lager and hearty traditional food, and avoid treating it like a quiet restaurant—the charm is the convivial, no-frills beer-hall rhythm.

Morning

Start around 8:30 at Vyšehrad, one of Prague’s most rewarding quieter corners. Take Metro C to Vyšehrad and walk about 10 minutes through the park; allow roughly two hours to explore the fortress ramparts, Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, and Vyšehrad Cemetery, where many Czech writers, composers, and artists are buried. The riverside viewpoints are particularly good in the morning, looking across toward Podolí and the Vltava. The grounds are free, while the basilica and cemetery interiors may charge a small fee; wear comfortable shoes because the paths are uneven in places.

Brunch and Afternoon

From Vyšehrad, take tram 7 or 14 toward Anděl, then change for Malostranské náměstí, or use a taxi for the simplest connection. Settle in at Café Savoy for a leisurely late breakfast or brunch—its ornate First Republic interior and glass ceiling are as much part of the experience as the food. Expect about €15–30 per person, and reserve if possible, especially on a Friday; otherwise arrive before the main lunch rush. Afterward, walk five minutes to Kampa Park for an unhurried riverside stroll among the outdoor sculptures and mature trees. This is a good final Prague walk without adding another major sight, and you can pause by the Vltava or browse the small lanes of Malá Strana.

Continue by tram 1, 2, or 25 from Újezd toward Holešovice, or take a taxi in roughly 15–20 minutes, depending on traffic. Spend the mid- to late afternoon at the DOX Centre for Contemporary Art, Prague’s leading contemporary-art venue, known for ambitious temporary exhibitions and its distinctive wooden airship on the roof. Plan about two hours; opening is generally from late morning into the evening, but check the exhibition calendar before setting out because Mondays and special installations can affect hours. The café is useful for a final coffee, and the surrounding Holešovice streets have a more local, post-industrial feel than the historic center.

Departure

For Prague Airport in Ruzyně, leave central Prague about three hours before an international flight. A pre-booked taxi or ride-hailing car is easiest with luggage and normally takes 35–45 minutes, though allow extra time during weekday traffic. Public transport is cheaper: take Metro C or tram toward Nádraží Veleslavín, then bus 119 to the terminals; the journey usually takes around 40–50 minutes. Keep some time in hand for the terminal transfer and security, and avoid relying on an unreserved street taxi.