52 days in Central Europe Itinerary

Although its history goes back a thousand years, Gdansk represents one of Poland's most modern urban centers, its thriving economy boosted by a lively tourism sector.

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Town Square - Old Town and Gallery of horror. Explore Gdansk's surroundings by going to Malbork (Brama Garncarska & Muzeum Zamkowe w Malborku), Tczew Bridges - Mosty w Tczewie (in Tczew) and Żywe Muzeum Piernika (in Torun). There's lots more to do: enjoy the sand and surf at Sopot Beach, take a stroll through Mariacka Street (ulica Mariacka), enjoy breathtaking views from Sopot Pier, and get the lay of the land with Walking tours.

Plan trip to Gdansk with our itinerary maker to find out where to go and what to do.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands to Gdansk is an approximately 5.5-hour flight. You can also drive; or take a train. In July, daily temperatures in Gdansk can reach 25°C, while at night they dip to 15°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 8th (Sat) to allow enough time to fly to Krakow.

One of Poland's oldest cities, Krakow sits at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains, its historical town center nestled on the left bank of the Vistula River.

Explore hidden gems such as Jagiellonian University Museum Collegium Maius and Polish Aviation Museum. Step out of Krakow to go to Zator and see Energylandia, which is approximately 1h 5 min away. There's lots more to do: contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, see the interesting displays at Lost Souls Alley, make a trip to The Ghetto Heroes Square, and test your team's savvy at popular escape rooms.

To find ratings, photos, where to stay, and other tourist information, read Krakow trip planner.

Traveling by flight from Gdansk to Krakow takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. Traveling from Gdansk in July, you will find days in Krakow are a bit warmer (30°C), and nights are about the same (15°C). Wrap up your sightseeing on the 12th (Wed) to allow time to drive to Wroclaw.

Known for its relaxed and liberal atmosphere, the energetic city of Wroclaw lures visitors with its rich cultural heritage and pedestrian-friendly old town.

You'll discover tucked-away gems like Old Town- Historic Center and Croissant Museum. Change things up with these side-trips from Wroclaw: Poznan (Church of St Martin & Stary Rynek). Spend the 13th (Thu) among pleasant surroundings at Rynek of Wroclaw. There's still lots to do: make a trip to Multimedia Fountain at Pergola, get to know the resident critters at Wroclaw Zoo & Afrykarium, get the lay of the land with Walking tours, and see the interesting displays at Panorama Raclawicka.

Quickly create a custom-made itinerary for Wroclaw using our trip planner.

You can drive from Krakow to Wroclaw in 2.5 hours. Other options are to take a train; or take a bus. In July, plan for daily highs up to 30°C, and evening lows to 17°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 16th (Sun) so you can drive to Prague.

Prague lures millions of tourists each year with its World Heritage-listed medieval city center--a labyrinth of narrow lanes, bridges, cathedrals, and palaces overlooked by a thousand-year-old castle.

Eschew the tourist crowds and head to St Cyril and St Methodius Cathedral and Wallenstein garden. Venture out of the city with trips to Památník Terezín - Malá pevnost (in Terezin), Cesky Grand Canyon (in Morina) and Kutna Hora (St Barbara's Church & Sedlec Ossuary). There's much more to do: learn about all things military at National Memorial to the Heroes of the Heydrich Terror, explore the world behind art at Narodni Galerie Praha, take in the spiritual surroundings of Pinkas Synagogue Pinkasova synagoga, and make a trip to Staroměstská mostecká věž.

For ratings, where to stay, photos, and more tourist information, go to the Prague online attractions planner.

You can drive from Wroclaw to Prague in 4 hours. Other options are to take a train; or take a bus. In July, daytime highs in Prague are 30°C, while nighttime lows are 17°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 21st (Fri) so you can catch the flight to Vienna.

The cultural, economic, and political center of the country, Vienna has developed from its early Celtic and Roman roots into a medieval and Baroque city, with an old town that was designated a World Heritage Site in 2001.

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Volksgarten and Osterreichisches Parlament. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Vienna: Schallaburg (in Schallaburg), Melk Abbey (in Melk) and Katholic Pfarrkirche Hl. Nikolaus (in Krems an der Donau). There's lots more to do: learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at Haus des Meeres - Aqua Terra Zoo, indulge your senses at some of the top wineries in the area, pause for some serene contemplation at Peterskirche, and walk around Stadtpark.

For photos, ratings, and other tourist information, go to the Vienna online tour itinerary planner.

Getting from Prague to Vienna by flight takes about 3 hours. Other options: drive; or take a shuttle. July in Vienna sees daily highs of 32°C and lows of 19°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 27th (Thu) early enough to travel to Postojna.

With its friendly atmosphere, breathtaking landscapes, natural phenomena, and historical monuments, Postojna offers everything you need for a peaceful vacation or a quick getaway from the city.

On the 28th (Fri), explore the fascinating underground world of Postojna Cave, then explore the historical opulence of Predjama Castle, and then examine the collection at Francis's Shaft. Keep things going the next day: Head underground at Škocjan Caves, then examine the collection at Lipizzan Museum Lipikum, and then see the interesting displays at Hunting Collection and Dormouse Museum.

To see maps, traveler tips, more things to do, and other tourist information, you can read our Postojna trip planning app.

You can do a combination of flight and shuttle from Vienna to Postojna in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of shuttle and bus. In July in Postojna, expect temperatures between 32°C during the day and 17°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 29th (Sat) to allow enough time to drive to Bovec.

In the north-west part of Slovenia, Bovec sits in an area known for its rich and colorful culture and history.

Start off your visit on the 30th (Sun): examine the collection at Cheese Museum of Kobarid, then get a new perspective on things with Boat Tours & Water Sports, and then head outdoors with Outdoor Activities. On the next day, pause for some serene contemplation at St Mary of the Assumption church, then tee off at Golf Club Bovec, then cool off at Aqua Larix, and finally appreciate the history behind Statue of Kekec.

To find where to stay, reviews, photos, and more tourist information, read our Bovec trip itinerary maker website.

Traveling by car from Postojna to Bovec takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of train and taxi. In July, daytime highs in Bovec are 29°C, while nighttime lows are 15°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 31st (Mon) to allow time to fly to Lucerne.

In north-central Switzerland, Lucerne represents a small city boasting a well-preserved old town.

Start off your visit on the 1st (Tue): look and learn at Verkehrshaus der Schweiz, explore the activities along Lake Lucerne, pause for some photo ops at Lion Monument, then admire the landmark architecture of Lucerne Station, and finally take in the views from Chapel Bridge. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: hit the slopes at Titlis and then tour the pleasant surroundings at Mt Pilatus.

To see photos, ratings, more things to do, and other tourist information, read Lucerne trip itinerary builder website.

You can fly from Bovec to Lucerne in 4.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or do a combination of car and train. In July, daytime highs in Lucerne are 29°C, while nighttime lows are 17°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 2nd (Wed) to allow enough time to drive to Zermatt.

Best known as home the Matterhorn mountain, Zermatt serves as a chic ski resort town of the Swiss Alps.

Kick off your visit on the 3rd (Thu): enjoy breathtaking views from Sunnegga, pause for some photo ops at Mountain guides’ memorial, then take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at The Matterhorn, and finally don't miss a visit to Kapelle Mutt. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 4th (Fri): tour the pleasant surroundings at Gornergrat, then stop by Metzgerei Bayard, then make a trip to Walk of Climb, and finally examine the collection at Matterhorn Museum - Zermatlantis.

To find where to stay, traveler tips, maps, and other tourist information, you can read our Zermatt day trip planner.

Getting from Lucerne to Zermatt by car takes about 3.5 hours. Other options: take a train; or do a combination of train and bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 4th (Fri) so you can drive to Lausanne.

Lausanne contains several distinct neighborhoods, each offering a different side of the French-speaking Swiss town.

Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Le Port d'Ouchy and Alpenwildpark. Venture out of the city with trips to Lake Geneva (in Geneva), Freddie Mercury Statue (in Montreux) and Chateau de Chillon (in Veytaux). Next up on the itinerary: contemplate the long history of Cathedrale de Lausanne, see the interesting displays at Chaplin's World, fly like a bird with a parasailing or paragliding tour, and enjoy breathtaking views from Clock Tower - Zytglogge.

To see more things to do, reviews, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read Lausanne trip app.

Drive from Zermatt to Lausanne in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or do a combination of train and bus. Cap off your sightseeing on the 9th (Wed) early enough to go by car to Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

Nestled within the Bavarian Alps, Garmisch-Partenkirchen offers a classic mountain feel along with world-class winter sports.

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Eibsee and Breitachklamm. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Garmisch-Partenkirchen: Fussen (Krippkirche St. Nikolaus & Altstadt von Fuessen), Schloss Hohenschwangau (in Hohenschwangau) and Starnberger See (in Starnberg). Next up on the itinerary: take in the spiritual surroundings of Ettal Abbey, trek along Ettal Wintersport: Wildfutterung im Grasswangtal, pause for some serene contemplation at Pilgrimage Church of Wies, and identify plant and animal life at Partnachklamm.

For maps, traveler tips, where to stay, and more tourist information, refer to the Garmisch-Partenkirchen trip planner.

Traveling by car from Lausanne to Garmisch-Partenkirchen takes 6 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of flight and train; or take a train. In August in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, expect temperatures between 29°C during the day and 15°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 13th (Sun) to allow enough time to travel to Berlin.

The country's capital and largest city, Berlin is a diverse urban center boasting a lively nightlife and countless things to do.

Step off the beaten path and head to Market Square (Markt) and Bruehlsche Terrasse. Venture out of the city with trips to Leipzig (St. Thomas Church & Zoo Leipzig), Dresden (The Dresden Zwinger, Neues Grünes Gewölbe, &more) and Potsdam (Sanssouci Palace, Potsdam's Gardens, &more). The adventure continues: take an in-depth tour of Palace of Tears, admire the landmark architecture of Deutsches Historisches Museum, don't miss a visit to Gendarmenmarkt, and walk around Treptower Park.

To find reviews, where to stay, other places to visit, and tourist information, refer to the Berlin journey planning website.

Do a combination of train and flight from Garmisch-Partenkirchen to Berlin in 5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. Finish your sightseeing early on the 19th (Sat) to allow enough time to take a train to Hamburg.

As the country's biggest port and one of the busiest in all of Europe, Hamburg has a well-deserved reputation as Germany's Gateway to the World.

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at International Maritime Museum and Chocoversum. Explore Hamburg's surroundings by going to Bremen (Bremer Rathaus, Historische Altstadt, &more), Schwerin (Skulptur "Der Junge mit der Taube" & Schwerin Castle (Schweriner Schloss)) and Seeschlosschenbrucke (in Timmendorfer Strand). There's much more to do: wander the streets of Alster, visit Lubeck Altstadt (Lubeck Oldtown), examine the collection at Holstentor, and take in the local highlights with Walking tours.

For reviews, more things to do, ratings, and other tourist information, use the Hamburg travel planner.

Traveling by train from Berlin to Hamburg takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In August, plan for daily highs up to 26°C, and evening lows to 14°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 25th (Fri) early enough to catch the flight back home.