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Amsterdam, Netherlands
This ultra liberal city is the perfect place to start any euro-trip and is a
popular stop for most travellers on a Central Europe backpacking route.
Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport is a major hub in Europe with flights to and from
cities all around the world and the train station offers excellent info and
advice in English on Europe rail passes, a luxury that is less common as you
head east, so it is a good place to start backpacking in Europe. It is a compact
city, full of lively squares and built around a network of canals. The fantastic
Anne Frank Museum is its number one attraction and while it is a pretty
expensive destination, there are also a host of free things to do in Amsterdam
which should help you stick to a shoestring budget. There is also a darker side
to Amsterdam with its notorious red light district an eye-opening experience.
The ability to walk into a cafe and legally buy weed also appeals to many
travellers and if that’s your scene, you could easily stay a bit longer here
before embarking on your rail adventure.
- Dam
- Rijksmuseum
- Museumplein
- Red Light Secrets - Museum of Prostitution (Red Light Secrets – Prostitution Museum)
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Berlin, Germany
Germany and its capital especially has very much got its cool back. Berlin has
been practically rebuilt since the wall which used to divide this city came down
in 1989 and it has been done with great style and planning that is rarely seen
in big cities across the world. Berlin has many interesting sights and points of
interest relating to the Cold War era and you can still visit the last remaining
sections of the Berlin Wall today. However it also has a modern, rebellious
streak and there are some unique districts to visit while you attempt to
understand the city’s immense history. Its nightlife scene is also not to be
missed with some incredible warehouse clubs serving up some of the best
electronic music in the world. For more on the nation as a whole, check out our
countdown of the best places to visit in Germany this summer.
- Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe (Denkmal für die ermordeten Juden Europas)
- Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor)
- East Side Gallery
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Prague, Czech Republic
It is true that Prague has become very touristy over the past decade or two but
there’s good reason for it and it’s still a lot cheaper than its Western
European counterparts. The city is perhaps the most beautiful in Europe with
stunning churches and bridges as well as a picturesque riverside setting.
There’s also excellent and ridiculously cheap beer, available in some areas for
the equivalent of well under €1 for a pint which helps add to its reputation as
one of the best places to backpack in Europe. The nightlife is also a big draw
for visitors and is best on weekends when the clubs are packed with a mixed
crowd of Czechs and mostly European tourists. There are also literally hundreds
of youth hostels and budget hotels of varying quality, most of which are very
reasonably priced while Prague Castle is perhaps the main highlight in terms of
things to see.
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Kraków, Poland
If you liked Prague, you’ll most likely enjoy Krakow and if you’re on a tight
budget, you may want to look at taking a night train between the two to save on
accommodation. It’s another city with a fascinating history with a lively old
quarter and a once thriving Jewish district which still intrigues and charts the
troubled history of Jews in the city. A visit to the Auschwitz Concentration
Camp is a harrowing day trip that can also be done by using your rail pass. At
night, the city has some excellent cellar bars and cozy restaurants which are
great places to beat the cold Polish winters.
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Budapest, Hungary
The night train from Krakow to Budapest also rolls through Vienna, so you could
easily alter the order of this 3 week Europe backpacking route should you wish,
but it probably makes sense to do one big night journey to Budapest and then
work your way back west afterwards. The Hungarian capital on the Danube River
has a distinctly different feel to it from most other European cities. There is
a definite Turkish influence and with such a vast history, the city has
certainly stuck to its traditions. Famous for its thermal baths and stylish
architecture, there is plenty to entertain visitors here. Cross over the river
between Buda and Pest, the two ancient cities which combined to make the modern
city, and then climb to the top of the hills near the castle in Buda to get some
stunning views across the whole of Budapest.
- Buda Castle (Budavári Palota)
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Bratislava, Slovakia
The smallest city on this Europe backpacking route, Bratislava provides a taster
into the East of the continent and what life before the fall of Communism might
have been like. Just an hour or so from Vienna it may be, but it feels a world
away with much lower prices and a very different atmosphere. The capital of
Slovakia has a small but pretty old town and castle (although less impressive
than the ones in Prague & Budapest) and it is perhaps at its best in December
when the Christmas market comes to town but you won’t need much more than a day
to see the best of the city.
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Vienna, Austria
Vienna is a stylish city, known for its Baroque architecture, giant museums and
grand palaces. The historic Austrian capital has been home to many of the
world’s great historical figures, particularly in terms of classical music with
Mozart and Beethoven among those to reside here. You will notice a shift upwards
in prices on the previous few stops but Vienna is a great city to wander around
and explore on foot with plenty of things to do that don’t cost an extortionate
amount.
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Munich, Germany
Back in Germany and the southern city of Munich in Bavaria. This is the
country’s cultural centre with an outrageous number of museums on everything
from motors, theatre and art to Bavarian history. This is also of course home of
the 200 year old Oktoberfest which sees millions of litres of beer drunk by the
huge numbers of visitors who flock to Munich every autumn, as well as Bayern
Munich, one of the most successful football clubs in the world who play at the
stunning Allianz Arena, which features in our Bavaria backpacking guide.
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Zürich, Switzerland
A trip to Zurich is worth it just to see some of the stunning Swiss scenery you
pass on the train in and it’s certainly worth looking to book a train during
daylight hours either side of your visit. It is the largest city in Switzerland
but still has some small town charm to it. It is a city of churches, lakes and
gardens but there are also plenty of lively shopping streets and a larger
concentration of nightclubs than any other city in Europe (although don’t forget
your wallet as Zurich is seriously pricey!). The city is known as a gateway to
the Alps and it’s a short hop on the train to nearby ski resorts.
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Paris, France
Paris is one of the most visited cities on the planet and although its
reputation as a romantic getaway and high prices make it more popular with
couples and wealthy tourists than backpackers, there can hardly be a better
place to end a trip around Europe. From the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe
to the Louvre and the Champs Elysées, Paris is a city full of world famous
landmarks that keeps tourists snapping away for the duration of their stay in
the French capital. Aside from the essential places to visit, there are plenty
of interesting and more wallet-friendly districts to eat, sleep and enjoy this
beautifully artistic city, one of the best places to live in France.