Dates are flexible. This day-by-day plan is provisional until you choose exact travel dates.
Start at Brandenburg Gate and take in Pariser Platz before the crowds build; about 30 minutes is plenty. From there, walk roughly 10 minutes to the Reichstag Building. Entry to the dome is free, but you must register in advance with the Bundestag and bring photo ID; allow 1–1.5 hours for security and the visit. Check the official booking site for available slots and possible closures before setting out.
Walk about 10 minutes to the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. Spend time among the concrete stelae, then visit the underground information center if it is open; it is generally open Tuesday–Sunday, with seasonal hours, and admission is free. Afterward, take the U-Bahn from Brandenburger Tor toward Mehringdamm for Curry 36 in Kreuzberg. A currywurst meal usually costs around €8–15; it’s a casual counter-service stop, so check current hours and expect a queue at busy lunchtime.
Head east to the East Side Gallery in Friedrichshain, about a 20–30-minute U-Bahn journey from Mehringdamm, depending on connections. This open-air stretch of painted Berlin Wall is free and runs for about 1.3 km; allow 1–1.5 hours to wander and pause at the murals. It’s a good place to slow down after a busy morning, and you can continue on foot toward the Spree or nearby cafés if you have time.
Allow roughly 9–10 hours door to door for the train from Berlin: getting to the station, the rail journey, and continuing from Vienna’s station to your accommodation. Check current ÖBB or DB timetables and reserve seats ahead; after checking in, keep the sightseeing light and confirm that the cathedral and café timings work with your arrival.
If there’s still time, visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral in the Innere Stadt for a brief look inside—allow 30–45 minutes, and be prepared for restricted visitor access during services or special events. Then settle in at Café Frauenhuber for Viennese café fare; budget about €15–30 per person, and check its current hours before setting out, as a late arrival may leave little time. Finish with an easy 30–45-minute stroll along Graben, where the grand façades and evening lights make a lovely first impression of Vienna. The cathedral, café, and boulevard are close together, so you can explore them on foot without adding another transit leg.
Allow 9–10 hours door to door from Vienna to your accommodation in Venice, so this is a tight sightseeing day. Check the current ÖBB timetable and book ahead; after the train, allow time to reach your lodging and drop your bags. If you arrive with enough daylight, head to Rialto Bridge for about 30 minutes of canal views and a first orientation through the historic center. It’s a busy crossing, so take your photos, then move on rather than lingering in the crowds.
Continue to Osteria al Squero in Dorsoduro for cicchetti and a drink—budget around €10–20 per person. Check its current opening hours before setting out; if your train gets in late, it may be closed by the time you arrive. Finish with an unhurried Zattere waterfront walk, around 45–60 minutes, toward sunset. The full sequence works only if your arrival leaves time before closing and dusk; with a typical morning train and evening arrival, plan to save the cicchetti stop and walk for an extra night in Venice, or choose just the Rialto Bridge on arrival day.
Allow 4–5 hours door to door for the bus from Venice to Ljubljana, including reaching the departure stop and getting from Ljubljana’s bus station to your accommodation. Check the current FlixBus schedule and aim for a morning departure; traffic or border checks can add time. After dropping your bags, walk toward Prešeren Square for a first look at the Old Town and the Triple Bridge. Give yourself 30–45 minutes here, then follow the riverfront lanes toward the castle.
Head up Castle Hill for Ljubljana Castle—the walk is a pleasant climb, or you can use the funicular if you’d rather save your legs. Allow 1.5–2 hours for the grounds, exhibits and views across the city. Check current opening hours and ticket details before setting off; entry to the castle’s paid areas is typically around €12, and booking ahead can be useful in busy periods. From the castle, descend back into the Old Town at an unhurried pace.
For dinner, settle in at Gostilna Sokol in the Old Town, where Slovenian-style comfort dishes make a good introduction to local cooking; budget about €20–35 per person. It’s a popular spot, so consider reserving, especially at peak dinner times. Afterward, take a relaxed stroll along the Ljubljanica River—the riverside cafés and bridges are lovely once the day-trippers thin out.
Allow 3–4 hours door to door from Ljubljana to central Zagreb, including getting to the departure station and transferring from Zagreb’s bus or train station to the center. Take an early service if you can: Dolac Market is liveliest in the morning, and its produce stalls may be winding down by early afternoon. Check the day’s bus or train schedule before you travel, and leave a little slack for traffic or border delays.
Begin at Ban Jelačić Square, Zagreb’s central meeting point, then wander the nearby pedestrian streets before heading uphill to Dolac Market. Give the market 45–60 minutes to browse the fruit and vegetable stalls and soak up the everyday bustle; it’s generally busiest in the morning, so a later arrival may mean fewer vendors. When you’re ready for lunch, walk back down to Vinodol, a long-established central restaurant serving Croatian dishes. Budget about €20–40 per person; check its current hours and reserve if you’re visiting at a busy mealtime.
Take an early bus or train from Zagreb to Budapest; allow about 6–8 hours door to door, including getting to the departure station and onward travel from Budapest’s arrival station. Check current FlixBus, HŽPP or MÁV schedules and reserve ahead. Even with an early departure, delays or a less convenient arrival can leave only a short window for sightseeing, so keep the plan flexible.
Head to St. Stephen’s Basilica in central Pest for a 45–60-minute visit if you arrive with enough time. Check the current visitor hours and entry arrangements before setting out; access can be affected by services or events, and the interior visit may require a ticket. If time is tight, admire the exterior and square rather than rushing through.
Have your final Hungarian meal at Menza, near Andrássy Avenue; budget roughly €15–30 per person and check its current hours, especially if your bus or train arrives late. Returning to Berlin the same day makes this itinerary impractical after the journey from Zagreb: flying still takes roughly 5–7 hours door to door once airport access, check-in and arrival transfers are included, while rail can take 12 hours or more. To keep both Budapest sightseeing and the return, stay overnight in Budapest and travel to Berlin the next day; otherwise, skip the Budapest stop or revise the route.
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