Copenhagen, Prague, and Vienna Itinerary

Morning & Arrival

Take the earliest practical direct flight from Copenhagen Airport to Václav Havel Airport Prague—the flight itself is about 1 hour 20 minutes, but allow 2–3 hours at Copenhagen Airport for check-in and security. After landing, the simplest budget option is the public bus connection toward central Prague; a pre-booked taxi is easier if you have luggage and arrive tired. The ride to the center usually takes 30–45 minutes depending on traffic. Leave your bags at your hotel, then head toward Old Town Square in Staré Město.

Late Afternoon

Spend about an hour around Old Town Square, where the Astronomical Clock performs its hourly show and the Týn Church rises dramatically above the surrounding lanes. In late November, the Christmas market atmosphere should be getting underway, though exact market hours and opening dates can vary—expect stalls into the evening and typical snacks such as trdelník, sausages, and mulled wine. From here, walk west through the narrow streets toward Charles Bridge; it is roughly 15 minutes on foot, and the route is much more enjoyable than taking transport.

Evening

Cross Charles Bridge around dusk, when the statues, river, and castle views become especially atmospheric. Allow 45 minutes, but pause along the railings for views toward Prague Castle and the Vltava; the bridge can be crowded, so keep valuables secure. Continue into Malá Strana for dinner at Lokál U Bílé kuželky, a lively Czech beer hall near the bridge. Expect around CZK 500–900 per person for a filling meal with beer; traditional choices include schnitzel, goulash, or roast meats, and reservations are sensible for a Saturday evening. After dinner, finish with a gentle 30–45-minute walk on Kampa Island beside the Vltava. It is quiet and atmospheric at night, but stay on the lit paths and return to your hotel by tram or taxi if the evening is cold.

Morning

Start at Prague Castle when the complex opens—typically around 6:00 AM for the grounds, while the historic interiors generally open at 9:00 AM (hours can vary in winter). Arrive around 8:45 AM to beat school groups and allow roughly three hours for St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, and Golden Lane. The castle grounds are free, but the main circuit ticket is usually around CZK 450–500. From central Prague, take tram 22 or 23 to Pražský hrad; wear shoes with good grip, as the courtyards and lanes can be slick in late November.

Walk downhill afterward toward Strahov Monastery, about 15–20 minutes through Hradčany. The historic library halls are the highlight, with entry commonly around CZK 180–300; arrive before early-afternoon closing, as the library rooms may have shorter hours than the monastery itself. Afterward, continue into Petrín Hill for an easy park walk and broad views across the red roofs and river. The funicular may be out of service during maintenance, so plan on walking the hillside or taking tram 22 closer to the lower edge of the park.

Lunch & Afternoon

Come down toward Malá Strana and settle into Café Savoy, a short walk from the lower end of Petrín Hill. The grand interior and ornate ceiling make it a good cold-weather stop, whether you choose a Czech lunch or simply one of the excellent cakes; budget approximately CZK 400–800 per person. Reservations are sensible, especially on a Sunday, and the café commonly serves from morning into the evening. Leave a little unplanned time afterward to wander Vlašská and the quieter lanes around Kampa before heading onward.

Evening

For the evening, make your way to the National Theatre in Nové Město. From Malá Strana, tram 12 or 20 across the river is usually easiest, taking roughly 10–15 minutes depending on traffic. Check the performance calendar and dress comfortably smart; doors commonly open about 30 minutes before curtain, and performances run roughly two to three hours. If you have time before the show, the riverfront around Národní is pleasant after dark, but keep dinner light or eat earlier so you are not rushing into the theatre.

Morning

Begin in Josefov, Prague’s Jewish Quarter, around 9:00 AM while the streets are still relatively quiet. Allow about 2½ hours for the Jewish Museum in Prague, including the Old Jewish Cemetery, Pinkas Synagogue, Maisel Synagogue, and Spanish Synagogue. The sites are spread through Staré Město, so expect a little walking between them; the combined ticket is usually around CZK 600–700, with reduced winter hours and closures on Saturdays or Jewish holidays worth checking in advance. Wear comfortable shoes—the cemetery paths can be uneven, and the former Jewish quarter is best explored slowly rather than rushed.

Walk south toward Café Louvre on Národní třída, roughly 15 minutes from the final museum site. This grand, first-floor café has been serving coffee since 1902 and is a good place to warm up over coffee, hot chocolate, and a pastry or light lunch. Allow an hour and expect approximately CZK 150–350 per person; seating is extensive, though a short wait is possible around midday.

Afternoon & Evening

From Café Louvre, continue about 10 minutes east to Wenceslas Square (Václavské náměstí). Spend 45 minutes walking the long boulevard toward the National Museum, taking in the grand architecture and the memorial area near the upper end. The square is more urban and commercial than the medieval center, but it is one of Prague’s most important modern historical spaces. Then enter the National Museum for roughly two hours; focus on the main historical and natural-history galleries rather than trying to cover the entire complex. Tickets are generally around CZK 300–400, and the building is usually open into the early evening, but check the official schedule for the winter date.

In the late afternoon, take tram 7 or 14 from the National Museum area toward Náplavka Farmers’ Market on Rašínovo nábřeží—about 15–20 minutes, depending on the connection. Market activity is seasonal and November stalls may be limited, so treat this as a relaxed riverside wander with food if vendors are operating, not a guaranteed full market visit. For dinner, take a tram or taxi back toward Staré Město for Field Restaurant. Reserve well ahead for its modern Czech tasting menu, typically around CZK 2,000–4,000 per person before drinks; allow about two hours. It is a polished finish to the day, so dress smart-casual and use a taxi or Bolt afterward if the cold or evening crowds make walking back inconvenient.

Morning — Prague to Vienna

Take a direct Railjet from Praha hlavní nádraží around 8:00–9:00 AM, allowing time to reach the station, find the correct platform, and grab breakfast for the roughly four-hour ride. Reserve seats in advance through ČD or ÖBB; fares are often about €28–60 when booked early. On arrival at Wien Hauptbahnhof, leave luggage at your accommodation or use the station’s lockers, then take the U1 toward Südtiroler Platz–Hauptbahnhof and onward to Südtiroler Platz or Karlsplatz, depending on your hotel. A Vienna 24-hour ticket is useful for today and costs roughly €9–10; taxis are convenient if you have larger bags.

Afternoon — Belvedere and Wieden

Head first to Belvedere Palace, ideally booking a timed entry for the Upper Belvedere around 1:00 PM. Allow about two hours for the palace interiors—including Klimt’s The Kiss—and the formal gardens, which are especially atmospheric in winter. The Upper Belvedere is generally open until early evening, but check the exact December hours when booking; the gardens are free to enter. From there, walk or take tram D/U-Bahn one stop toward Karlsplatz and spend about 45 minutes at Karlskirche, whose dramatic dome and interior are among Vienna’s finest Baroque sights. Entry is usually around €9–10, with the last admission often in the late afternoon.

Late Afternoon & Evening

Walk west along Wiedner Hauptstraße toward Naschmarkt, roughly 15 minutes from Karlskirche. Browse the stalls and settle in for a casual late lunch or early dinner at one of the market’s restaurants; allow 1½ hours and budget approximately €15–30 per person. In December, some stalls close earlier than in summer, so arriving by 4:00 PM is sensible. Finish with the Vienna State Opera, reached from Naschmarkt by a short walk along Linke Wienzeile and Kärntner Straße. If you have tickets, arrive 30–45 minutes before the performance; otherwise, enjoy the illuminated exterior and the grand boulevard stroll around Opernring. Performance tickets vary widely, while standing-room tickets can be inexpensive but may require lining up.

Morning

Begin at Schönbrunn Palace in Hietzing, arriving close to opening time—ideally around 8:30–9:00 AM—to avoid the heaviest tour groups. Take the U4 from central Vienna to Schönbrunn station; the ride usually takes 20–25 minutes, and the palace is then a short walk. Allow about three hours for the imperial rooms and grounds. In early December, the gardens can be cold and muddy, so wear shoes with good grip; the palace interior is heated, but timed-entry tickets are strongly recommended. Expect roughly €22–26 for the main palace tour, with grounds access generally free.

Early Afternoon

Ride the U4 back toward the center and continue to Café Central on Herrengasse, about a 10-minute walk from Karlsplatz or a short connection via the U3 to Herrengasse. Set aside an hour for coffee and cake—this is a famous stop, so a queue is normal, especially between noon and 2:00 PM. Order a Melange with an Esterházy cake or apple strudel; €10–20 per person is realistic. From there, walk a few minutes to the Hofburg, where the Imperial Apartments, Sisi Museum, and Silver Collection make a compact, absorbing two-hour visit. The complex usually closes around 5:30 PM, and combined admission is commonly about €20–22.

Late Afternoon & Evening

Continue on foot through the Innere Stadt to St. Stephen’s Cathedral, roughly 15 minutes from the Hofburg. The nave is generally open into the early evening, though access can pause during services; admission to the main church is often free or available through a modest visitor ticket, while tower visits cost extra. If the weather is clear and your legs are willing, climb the south tower for the classic rooftop-and-city view—otherwise enjoy the patterned roof and dim Gothic interior. Walk east along Graben and Kohlmarkt as the lights come on, then have dinner at Plachutta Wollzeile, a dependable address for tafelspitz, clear beef broth, and Viennese sides. Reserve ahead for a 7:00–7:30 PM table; allow €35–60 per person. After dinner, return to Graben and Kohlmarkt for an easy 45-minute stroll beneath the seasonal decorations, when the streets are liveliest but still convenient for reaching nearby U-Bahn stations.

Morning

Make Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna your final cultural stop, arriving near opening time—normally 10:00 AM, though winter schedules and special exhibitions can vary. From central Vienna, take the U3 to Volkstheater or walk through the MuseumsQuartier to Maria-Theresien-Platz. Give yourself about two hours for Bruegel, Rubens, Velázquez, and the imperial collections; the museum is large, so choose a few galleries rather than trying to see everything. General admission is roughly €21–22, with reduced tickets sometimes available online. Check your flight time before lingering, as this is a day when a little extra buffer matters.

Late Morning

Walk toward Demel on Kohlmarkt, about 10–15 minutes from the museum via the Hofburg area. Settle in for a final Viennese coffee and pastry—an Esterházy slice, apple strudel, or the house’s famous candied violets—allowing around 45 minutes and approximately €10–20 per person. It is worth going before the lunchtime rush; seating can involve a short wait, and the café’s historic interior is part of the experience. If you have luggage, arrange hotel storage or use a station locker before sightseeing rather than carrying bags through the museum.

Departure

For Vienna International Airport, collect your luggage and leave central Vienna about three hours before the flight. The most predictable public-transport route is the City Airport Train from Wien Mitte, taking 16 minutes; the S7 is cheaper but slower, while a taxi generally takes 30–45 minutes depending on traffic. From Wien Hauptbahnhof, allow roughly 25–35 minutes by rail connection, plus time to reach the airport platforms. At the airport, leave room for check-in, security, and passport control if required for your Copenhagen flight—especially during the busy Christmas-market season.