Hi,

I will be traveling to Prague for a business trip in March. I will have three days (3/20-3/23) to explore one city before the business trip.

Budapest is top on my list. However, because I am flying from the US to Prague (I need to book it this way :/), the connecting flight from Prague to Budapest is limited and I will have to wait 6 hours at the airport to go to Budapest and that will leave me only 2.5 days to explore the city. I did a google search on direct flights and these are the cities that caught my attention and fit my schedules: Riga, Paris, Amsterdam, Munich, and Stockholm (not a big fan of Vienna).

My personal interests are castles, museums, cultures, and bars (night life). Good weather will also be a plus

Thanks,
Chris

How about Dresden? About 2:15 by train.

I've considered Dresden but my friend suggested Munich instead, which seems to fit 3 days pretty well. Thanks!

Either Dresden or Munich would work. I preferred more time in Munich though. We just got back from Dresden and Prague this week. I really liked Dresden as there were so few people, FWIW.

Is Prague off the table?

Museums etc Berlin. No castles I guess. It's March I wouldn't expect summery weather.

kja--good catch. At first I figured they were staying in Prague for work, but rereading it I am not sure. If they are not spending any time there, I would suggest to rethink that.

There is no need to go to Germany in order to see castles. There are tons of castles and fortresses in the Czech Republic. 130 of them can be found here:
https://www.czechtourism.com/a/castles-chateaux/
Many scenic cities are less than 3 hrs by train or bus from Prague, among them
Cesky Krumlow
Budejovice
Olomouc
Brno
Plzen
Decin
Dresden
Bautzen
Cieszin

Sorry that I didn't mention earlier. I will have a few days to explore Prague during the second week as well.

Rough estimates, to be adjusted base on personal preferences and fit to opening hours:
Prague -- 3 to 4 full days
Budapest -- 4 full days
Riga -- don't know
Paris -- at least 5 full days for a first visit
Amsterdam -- 3 to 4 full days
Munich -- 3 full days
Stockholm -- 5 full days
Dresden -- 2 days

Hope that helps!

Thank you for all the helpful comments. What's your opinion between Vienna vs. Munich for 3 days? Thanks

IMO, Munich is a better fit for 3 days. I felt rushed with 5 full days in Vienna. But as already stated, it depends on what YOU want to see and experience, and only you can decide that.

For 3 days, we loved Amsterdam. I really, really love Paris (we have been 4 times and sometimes just for a long weekend) but for your first visit it will be rushed. Now if you just want to see the highlights, it’s still great. Amsterdam is my #2. Our first visit was for 3 days and we loved it so much we are headed back. Anne Frank House (need tickets WEEKS in advance), museums, food, night life...it’s all great. Rent a bike to really explore the city. We stayed in the Jordaan district and it was perfect. As far as castles, I can’t really help you there.

I think Berlin is the nicest city for all you are looking for.

Thanks! I've heard good things about Berlin but unfortunately there isn't a direct flight from Prague. How's the weather in Amsterdam in late March? I think Stockholm will be winter weather so I will cross that one out. These are the ones that I am considering now: Amsterdam, Munich, and Istanbul (always wanted to visit but is 3 days enough?).

Impossible to predict weather in Amsterdam late March. Could be lovely, sunny and spring-like. Could be freezing/raining/snowing.

Why would you fly? You have train, and even bus, options.