3 weeks in one city: Prague, Vienna, or Budapest?

Talk yourself into Budapest.
It's a very special place.

Even though I loved Prague - and preferred it to Budapest when I visited both on the same trip - I might be inclined to take a three week stay in Budapest anyway, partly for the reasons you mention. I can tolerate tourists for a few days, but after three weeks I think they would wear me down.

Budapest is an interesting, intriguing city for sure, even if it lacks much of the charm of Prague and compactness. It's also huge and takes longer to get your arms around than Prague - but you'll have three weeks. I haven't been to Budapest since 2005, but I personally wouldn't give the "party reputation" a second thought. I've heard the same thing about plenty of other European cities (e.g. Riga, Latvia) but never really encountered it. Budapest is a huge city - it's not like the whole metropolis is party central.

I also wouldn't worry about getting around Budapest if you have a smart phone with Google Maps and a working SIM card. It should make walking directions and public transit routing on the fly a snap.

Consider this alternative: two weeks in one city, spend the other week split between the other two, just to sample them for next time!

Still...if I had to choose a city in Europe to spend three weeks in the summer, it would probably be Ljubljana, Slovenia, one of my very favorite cities in Europe. It's lovely and charming but not yet quite discovered (but certainly more so now than ten years ago). And there are terrific day trip opportunities near by - Lake Bled, Lake Bohinj, huge Triglav National Park, little towns, caves, etc.

I've been to Vienna but not Prague. Vienna is interesting and nice but not as "different" as Budapest. Budapest is very interesting and not what I would call a party vibe. It is easy to get around via public transportation. I wasn't into that. Consider renting via AirBnB or a room in a flat.It is pretty easy to take day trips via train.

We spend a month near Prague and didn't run out of things to do in the city and in the surrounding area. There are many little places to discover both in the city and the surrounding villages. The countryside is simply beautiful!

Tough to decide. Personally I would go for Budapest because I know Vienna and especially Prague much better. But if I should advise somebody who hasn't been to any of them I would hesitate between Prague and Budapest. There is a lot of information, pictures, etc. on google so look at it and decide what would you like better. Or - if you are a beer drinker then Prague. Wine drinker - Budapest. Budapest and especially Prague are eye candies. Vienna - little bit less - IMHO. And as the last resort toss the coin.

Several years ago I spent a few days in each on a single trip. 4 days in Prague was lovely but I've never had a desire to go back. I stopped in Vienna on that trip just because it was between the others, and felt I'd short-changed it. So I went back for a few days a couple years ago and it was great, but I doubt I'd find enough to enjoy for 3 weeks without getting antsy. This year I went back to Budapest (6.5 days total) and explored a few of the nearby towns as well. You can get a very reasonably priced apartment in the center, there are lots of quiet streets, lots of interesting museums and parks, and Hungarian food and wine are excellent. I found the locals very approachable and there are plenty of wine bars that attract the over-30 and way-over-30 folks - and yes, have wifi. I returned to Budapest mostly to see more of the sights and museums I'd missed on my first visit. Every day there I found more to like about the city. I'm sure I'll go back again. If you want more convincing read some of Christa's posts on the Hungary forum.

Hi,

Three weeks in only one city, which one of the three listed? Given your choices I choose Vienna as I know Vienna the best of the three. Last May/June I spent just about two full weeks in Vienna, booked 13 consecutive nights. There are lots of places to see and wander about, just get out of the tourist areas, see the rest of the city. I find getting out of the Ring area very interesting sociologically and culturally.

The locals will know right way you are a tourist. They spot me out as a tourists in numerous ways in Vienna, couldn't care less. The difference is they are used to seeing tourists in the Ring area, tourist sites, etc. In the other areas they might see the rare tourist. Staying put for three weeks is fine. It gives you time for doing chores, having down time, visiting shops, getting away from the usually tourist activity, etc.

If your choices included Berlin (including Potsdam), then that's a totally different story. Three weeks could easily occupy my time there in seeing the various areas....Spandau, Grunewald, Moabit, Pankow, Mitte, Treptow, Köpenick, Zehlendorf, Kreuzberg, Wannsee, etc, etc.

Research all three and determine which one you are most desperate to visit, track down the sights, etc and stay for that duration.

Vienna has by far the most to do and see of the three. If I wanted to fill my schedule, Vienna would be my choice.

If I were looking to just relax for three weeks, it would be Vienna or Budapest. Both are livable cities.

Prague only appeals to me as a short stay, and then out of season to avoid the crowds of tourists.

If saving money is an issue, go to Poland. Spain is cheap too but not the place to be mid-summer.

As Chani points out, I post a lot on the Hungary page because it is absolutely my most favorite country. I've visited 3 times in the past 3 years, with my 4th trip booked for next May. I'm even learning Hungarian, all the better to haggle at the Ecseri flea market and because it's a great way to stay connected to my Hungarian roots. It quickly worked a strange magic on me and resistance was futile, though I do love Vienna and have been twice (very easy trip from Budapest) and Prague once, for 3 weeks I wouldn't hesitate to spend that in Budapest. All the things you mention you love are very do-able in Budapest--hanging out and people watching, going to the park (City park and Margit sziget are must-sees), excellent food and wine, lots of places to be amongst the locals. It is very easy to get around with a transit pass, and I love exploring it on foot. The ruin pubs/nightlife area is fun but there's plenty to do at night if that's not your thing.

I agree with Poland if expenses might be a problem, much cheaper, relatively in Poland, but be advised that Poland in mid-summer is pretty warm and can be oppressively hot. Go anyway !

I did not mention Poland because you wanted just one city P,V,B and neither of them is in Poland. If you would decide for Poland to save money, you would do significant saving only comparing to Austria. Czech Republic and Hungary have very similar prices with Poland. In Poland I would hesitate between Krakow, Warsaw and Gdansk. In the middle of summer Gdansk would win. Poland could be hot in summer but Prague, Vienna and Budapest are quite more south especially Vienna and Budapest so they are even hotter.

I’m also going to have to spend some days working so it would make my
life easier if I can easily find cafes with good WiFi where I can park
myself for the day.

Vienna it is! You'll be joining the tradition of great artists, writers, and philosophers who sat in the coffee houses all day because they had no money to heat their attic rooms. The Viennese coffee house tradition has even achieved UNESCO world heritage status.

BUDAPEST!!!!! My husband has great things to say about Prague as well, but I personally haven't been there yet. My husband and I were in Budapest for 9 nights at end of September and it was AMAZING - we did NOT want to leave. We cannot recommend it enough (or stop talking about it). There are so many affordable accommodations like AirBnB in really great locations such as the old Jewish Quarter where we stayed (would highly recommend Pest side, that's where everything is besides the Castle District). Budapest and Eastern Europe in general is very budget friendly but you're not compromising anything - so Prague or Budapest would both be good options. Food in Budapest was terrific, the sites/history you see all over the city was incredible and the wine is SO GOOD. There are limitless options for things to do/see, and getting around is quite easy as well. We used Taxify when we were there which is like Uber if you're in the States, but bus line is easy as well - we had no trouble navigating our way around (we did rely on phone data sometimes though but just out of habit). They have a lot of great restaurants and spots to get to experience more of the local culture. Also just a note if you want to avoid touristy spots, don't stay around Andrassy Avenue in District VI. There are some cool sites like the Opera House and theatre, and they had an amazing food truck festival when we were there, but the lodging prices are much higher there and I would recommend just a day visit around that area.

If you choose Budapest, be sure to continue using this forum as myself and a few others whom I actually relied on for info...have a WEALTH of suggestions for you!! :)

Forgot to add, my husband and I are in our early 30s and while we personally like a mix of nightlife in addition to everything you mentioned (mainly because I love to dance), there is so much more that Budapest has to offer then just the unique nightlife. Even if you aren't into that scene, you should check out a few of the famous Ruin Pubs - you could go earlier in the evening before they get super busy. They are worth the trip just to experience them for an hour or two - usually have good food and drinks as well.