Prague, Munich or Budapest?
 

Two senior citizens who don't walk long distances too well, don't like museums too much, and prefer (but don't demand) smaller cities to large, busy, crowded cities. Quaint is better than metropolitan. We don't run around like crazy to see every tourist site - we pick a few and leave the rest. We don't do much shopping unless it's local artsty-farsty stuff to take home. Short boat rides are always appreciated.

We enjoy small restaurants where locals go, bars/pubs where locals go. We enjoy sitting outside and having coffee while people watching. In Europe, we typically stay a bit off the tourist grid with good public transport in small hotels or B&B's, and Airbnb is definitely an option. (for example, in Rome we stayed in Travestere. In London, we stay near Russel Square.) Uber a bonus. Sidewalk artists/performers are always an added pleasure.

I have some interest in seeing Auchwitz or another CC, but not sure I can get DH to go. Even if I could, he's the type that would hate that visit. So, that's kinda up in the air.

Anywhoo, given the preferences above, which would you choose for 3 days? Prague, Munich or Budapest and why?

I loved Prague - it is quaint, a compact walking town. Charming. Although there are museums, I think Prague's charm and architecture is the reason people visit. Unfortunately, a LOT of people visit now - it's very crowded with tourists in season. It's not impossible to get off the main tourist track but it's not simple.

Budapest is much less quaint, much bigger and spread out, but also intriguing and interesting in its way.

Munich just didn't do it for me personally for some reason - I had only a few hours there and was glad I hadn't booked a night. But some people like it. I much preferred nearby Salzburg instead.

I would say for quaintness in city center Prague - also seems smaller than other two (but not sure!) but why chose large cities if you like smaller gems?

Or maybe two of those - Prague to Munich by bus is cheap and easy - if looking for day trips seems Munich has more easily done, including to Dachau Camp in the suburbs.

Trains are great for day trips - check www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com for lots about trains. Auschwitz is too far from any for day trips but Krakow may be just the type of place you're looking for?

....but Krakow may be just the type of place you're looking for?
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Thanks Pal for going there first! To answer your first question - between Prague and Budapest I think Prague is a better fit (including Uber access). But Krakow could really be quite perfect and you could easily do a day trip to Auschwitz. We visited in May - my husband really didn't want to go but knew it was important to me and he is probably even more enthusiastic (if that's the right word) now in encouraging people to go.

I'd say no on Munich; it feels neither small nor quaint. Great beer, wonderful museums, but neither on your list. I enjoyed it, but it was probably my least favorite German city. Nuremberg or Regensburg were more what you are looking for. Nuremberg has the nazi documentation center- if your interest in the regime extends past CCs, that's an immersive, well done museum.

Thanks for all the speedy and helpful answers.

I should have been a bit clearer, I think. We would be doing a danube river cruise either before or after our time in one of these cities. The cruise goes from Budapest to Volshofien, which is about 2 hours from Munich. The cruise then reverses and goes in the other direction.

Hence, the ease of seeing either Munich or Budapest. Prague would require another plane trip (or bus or train maybe???) from either Munich or Budapest. That adds some financial cost and time spent traveling. I WAS most interested in Prague, but I'm trying to justify the extra cost and travel time.

Prague is a long but easy train ride from Budapest.

If you were going to Prague, could you fly home from there? Then to me, that is the easy choice. The train would be easy. (Personally, I love trains so the train might actually be a bonus for me.)

No concentration camps near Budapest. Terezin wasn't a technical concentration camp but it's worth a visit from Prague.

I thoroughly enjoyed each of these cities, but when are you going? That would make a difference to me….

If in high season, Prauge can get VERY crowded and so might not suit.

If during OctoberFest, Munich can get VERY crowded and so might not suit.

I would not attempt Auschwitz from any of these cities – too far! Dachau is within what I would consider day-trip distance of Munich.

I would NOT try for more than one of these cities in just 3 days. I would NOT try for Krakow with only 3 days. But these are all very personal decisions.

Good luck!

We loved Prague - great city for walking, and lots to see. There's also public transportation for getting up to the Castle, if you don't want to climb the hill.

Highly recommended - the Lokowicz Palace https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lobkowicz_Palace

While we were in Prague, we visited Terezin concentration camp - not far from the city, and there are lots of local tour guides available. We hired a private guide, and were very glad we had someone to put it in perspective for us. This is a link to the guide we hired (Pavel Batel), but there are others you can find online. http://terezin-private-tours.com/?pa...article&page=3

There is also a Jewish museum in the Jewish quarter of the city, very informative and has the well-known children's art work that was saved from destruction at Terezin. The cemetery is beautifully haunting. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_Museum_in_Prague

Prague is a long but easy train ride from Budapest.>

And there is an overnight Budapest-Prague I believe.