If you’ve surfed around Treksplorer at all, you’ll already know: I love Central Europe.
From the first moment I set foot into Germany on my first trip to the European mainland, Central Europe captured my heart and refused to let go. I’ve since visited every country in the region (except Liechtenstein), some multiple times. On every new journey, I discover a new side to Central Europe, something that managed to escape me the first time around.
It doesn’t take much digging to uncover the diversity of Central Europe. Within a single day of traveling, you could thumb through five or more phrasebooks to make yourself understood in the local language. (Although I wouldn’t recommend moving that fast.)
Germany is undoubtedly the most popular destination in Central Europe. From beer-soaked evenings in Munich or a jaunt through history in the capital of Berlin to the dense backwoods and medieval towns of Bavaria, I’ve found something for every taste here.
Today, nearly every major destination in Central Europe seems to be on the rise. The likes of Prague, Budapest, Vienna, and Krakow have long been spoken for. These days, I’m seeing even smaller, less famous cities like Ljubljana, Zagreb, Gdańsk, and Bratislava slowly gaining the attention they deserve among travelers. (And, honestly, with how much I love these places, I couldn’t be happier!)
Looking for other regions in Europe? Check out our Europe Travel Guide!
When to visit Central Europe
Like much of continental Europe, figuring out the best time to visit Central Europe isn’t always simple. Truthfully, I could make a case for visiting Central Europe at any time of year. There’s no single season where the weather is so miserable that you should completely write off a trip here.
That’s not to say some times aren’t more optimal than others.
The tourism high season in Central Europe peaks during the summer months, coinciding with the start of school holidays in Europe and North America. While the weather is generally warm and sunny, the higher tourist numbers significantly drive up the prices for airfares and accommodations.
As such, I prefer visiting Central Europe during the spring and fall shoulder seasons, particularly late May and September. During both of these months, temperatures are warm, and rainfall is relatively low. (Although in Central Europe, rain is always a possibility!). During these shoulder months, crowds are also smaller, and prices are lower than during peak seasons.
Another pleasant time to visit, if you can tough out the cooler temperatures, is in November and December. Central Europe is magical at this time of year, especially as snow begins to dust the ground and rooftops lightly. At this time, the Christmas markets are also out in full force, showcasing the European holiday spirit at its finest.
Not sure when to go to Central Europe? Here are a few weather guides to help you plan your trip:
Where to go in Central Europe
In a region as widespread as Central Europe, it’s hard to pin down exactly what you’ll discover. Even with some common threads running between Central European countries, there’s no single thing that binds the entire region together.
From classic European city breaks like Vienna and Budapest to relaxing pebble beaches along the Dalmatian coast in Croatia, Central Europe is a place that’s bound to capture your heart instantly. (As it did mine.)
Austria
It’s possible that no country captures the spirit of Central Europe better than Austria. And that shouldn’t come as a huge surprise, considering it was once the heart of an empire that covered much of the region.
(Then again, with its small stature, it’s hard to imagine that Austria was, in its heyday, the second-largest country in Europe, dwarfed only by Russia.)
Centuries of Habsburg imperial power left Austria with an architectural legacy that’s among the finest in the region. Cities like Vienna and Salzburg are veritable open-air galleries of Art Nouveau, Baroque, and Gothic European styles.
Even if you instantly fall in love with the cities here, you’ll quickly realize that Austria’s main draw is in its quieter moments. Whether you’re strapping on a pair of skis to carve its world-famous pistes or a pair of hiking boots to meander through quaint villages buried in alpine valleys, there’s hardly a better place to experience the Central European outdoors than Austria.
Croatia
As much as I love plying through the continental heart of Central Europe, I’ve hardly found a more meaningful travel experience than ripping down the outstretched fringes of the region in Croatia.
In many ways, Croatia is the ultimate destination in Central Europe. From the classic Habsburgian grace of Zagreb to stunning coastal towns like Hvar and Trogir, diversity like this is rare elsewhere in the region. (Although its neighbour and former Yugoslavian brethren, Slovenia, also makes a good case.)
And while the average person may not have yet dreamed of traveling here, Croatia is no longer off the beaten path in Europe. Long before Dubrovnik stood in as King’s Landing in Game of Thrones, this country was well on its way to becoming a regional travel powerhouse. Try to secure yourself a room nearly anywhere in Croatia during the summer months, and you’ll know that you’re not likely to be alone around here.
Not sure where to start planning your trip? Here are some resources from our Croatia Travel Guide:
Czech Republic
Visit the Czech Republic, and it’s hard to imagine a time when this country wasn’t on the radar of travelers. Once sleeping behind an Iron Curtain, beyond the reach of all the most intrepid adventurers, the Czech Republic has now become one of Central Europe’s most popular places to visit. It’s fame is driven in large part by its magical capital, Prague.
As incredible as Prague is, it’s just the tip of the iceberg. Throughout the Czech Republic, also known as Czechia these days, you’ll encounter everything from small riverside towns frozen in time like Cesky Krumlov to ancient spa towns like Karlovy Vary that once relaxed kings and queens.
Not sure how to start planning your Czech Republic trip? Here are a few resources from our Czech Republic Travel Guide:
Germany
Let’s just get this out of the way: I absolutely love Germany. Ever since I first laid eyes on the country, I knew it would be a lifelong love affair. Germany was the first non-English-speaking country I visited. It sparked an interest in European culture and foreign languages that keeps me smiling to this day.
As European destinations go, I’m hard pressed to think of one more appealing than good ol’ Deutschland. Berlin is one of Europe’s—nay, the world’s—most interesting cities, less for its outward appearance than for its unrelenting attitude.
Traveling to other German cities, such as Munich, Hamburg, Nuremberg, or Dresden, presents a far different experience. These destinations are all perhaps more pleasing to the average traveler while still maintaining an edge that keeps things interesting.
And, of course, who could forget what lies outside the major cities of Germany? Whether you’re watching dark legends come to life in the Black Forest, fairytales playing out in front of your eyes at Neuschwanstein Castle, or carving up the slopes in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, the experiences you’ll encounter while visiting Germany are varied, blissful, and not to be missed.
Want to start planning out your Germany adventure? Here’s a handful of helpful resources from our Germany Travel Guide:
Hungary
Long a favourite imperial crossroads between East and West, Hungary looks and feels the part of Central Europe’s most fringe state. Lacking the dramatic alpine scenery of its neighbors, Hungary won’t immediately knock you out of your train seat while rolling in, but it’ll quickly make a strong impression—whether good or bad.
As much as it caught me off guard (not necessarily in a good way), Budapest is admittedly among Europe’s most striking cities. The architectural palette is varied, swinging seamlessly between Gothic and Baroque with some old Ottoman and Roman anomalies thrown in for good measure.
Throughout much of Hungary, it’s much of the same. Smaller and lesser-known cities and towns like Szeged. Kecskemét, Győr & Pécs offer similarly appealing visuals that stack up with some of Central Europe’s most unexpected experiences.
Poland
The true heart of Central Europe lies in Poland. While it’s often been overshadowed by its neighbors or passed through on a whim, slowing down and digging into Poland is, in my opinion, one of the region’s most satisfying experiences.
The country’s cultural centerpiece, Krakow, is hardly a stranger to fame. With the rising fortunes of the neighbouring Czech capital of Prague, the Old Town of Krakow has benefited from the overflow. To many travelers, Krakow is the finer of the two options. It’s slightly more intimate than the Czech capital and no less appealing.
Other Polish destinations, such as the gritty capital of Warsaw, the graceful Hanseatic cities of Gdansk and Wroclaw, and the Tatra mountain escape of Zakopane, round out just some of what awaits you in this fascinating country.
Getting jazzed to launch a Poland trip? Here are a few planning resources from our Poland Travel Guide to help you out:
Slovakia
Easily one of Central Europe’s most underrated countries, Slovakia often enters most European itineraries unintentionally, rather than purposefully. Most visitors treat Slovakia as little more than a quick stopover on a typical Prague/Budapest/Vienna/Krakow run.
Perhaps that’s what makes this small Central European country such a gem: Going in with near-zero expectations, there’s no way Slovakia won’t surprise you.
Even if its namesake castle looks more like a toppled-over bed than a regal royal residence, Bratislava is as charming as any small capital I’ve visited in the region. Whiling away a day or two here, wandering through its warren of cobblestoned alleys in Old Town, is as perfect an introduction to Slovakia as you’ll find.
Anyone with a bit of adventure in their blood, however, will tell you that Slovakia is best experienced outdoors. Home to the southern half of the High Tatras, central Slovakia is a hiker’s dream. The area teems with brilliant alpine trails, hiding waterfalls and lakes among its forested slopes that’ll take your breath away, while, in winter, the Tatras become one of Central Europe’s top skiing destinations.
Getting ready to plan a trip to Slovakia? Here are a few planning resources from our Slovakia Travel Guide to help you out:
Slovenia
Not long ago, the diminutive Central European nation of Slovenia was among Europe’s best-kept secrets. I’m sad to announce that the days of having this little nirvana all to ourselves might officially be over.
No country in Central Europe has surged in popularity more in recent years than Slovenia. (And, no, it’s not because of Melania Trump. At least I hope not.)
Whereas much of Central Europe lures with its cities, Slovenia flashes its natural assets to grasp travelers’ attention. Mind-blowing alpine scenery, deep gorges carved out by mighty rivers, and emerald glacial lakes await the outdoors adventurer on any visit to Slovenia.
And if that’s not enough, simply glance at the graceful streets and bridges of Ljubljana under the summer sun or watch Lake Bled wake with a light mist hanging above. If that doesn’t convince you that Slovenia’s a place you can’t miss, nothing will.
Want to plan a trip to Slovenia? Here are a few resources from our Slovenia Travel Guide to help you out:
Switzerland
Mountains aren’t exactly uncommon throughout the continent, but if there’s any country that captures the European alpine spirit better than Switzerland, I’ve yet to imagine it. And like their namesake, nutty cheese, it’s best you leave a few holes in your Central European itinerary to throw in at least a couple of days to dazzle at the breathtaking scenery of this lovely landlocked country.
Although Switzerland is understandably famous for its natural attractions and small alpine villages soaked in folklore, its urban charms are perhaps most shocking. Switzerland’s largest city, Zurich, is as cool as European cities come, sprinkled with a Germanic flair that provides a striking counter-balance to the French influences of the country’s western half.
To the south, many visitors are surprised when the harsher tones of German morph into the suave sounds of Italian. Elsewhere in the country, you may find yourself scratching your head as Romansh, a lesser-known Romance language descended from Latin, makes its way into your ears.
All in all, visiting Switzerland puts some of Europe’s most stimulating scenes front and centre—all within a compact package where mere hours can transport you across the entire country.
Transportation in Central Europe
Getting there
By air
There are a ton of options to travel to Central Europe by air from international destinations. For flights originating outside of Europe, some of the most popular gateways include Berlin, Warsaw, Prague, Vienna, and Zurich.
Getting around
As with most of Europe, getting around Central Europe is hardly a problem. Throughout the region, public transportation is plentiful and efficient, letting you get from point A to point B relatively quickly.
By train
The best way to travel around Central Europe is undoubtedly by train. Express services between major cities are often both quick and comfortable. For the convenience and comfort, however, you’ll often pay more.
If you’re planning to spend the bulk of your time in countries like Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, consider getting a European rail pass like the Eurail Select Pass or Central Europe Triangle Pass.
By bus
In some Central European countries, such as Croatia, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Poland, buses can sometimes be quicker and more convenient than trains.
It’s impossible to create a hard-and-fast rule here. In general, however, the further east and the further south you venture in Central Europe, the more likely it is that buses will provide the better transportation alternative.
