Last summer I set off on an adventure around Europe with my boyfriend. We found so many hidden gems and delicious places to eat, I needed to share them! We flew from Edinburgh to Oslo and 14 days later found ourselves in beautiful Vienna after a busy fortnight.
Oslo
I always wanted to go to Norway and now I am desperate to go back. I would LOVE to go up the West coast to discover all the fjords and insane scenery. Oslo was such a nice place to visit. It felt so clean and fresh. Of course it was expensive compared to our other destinations but that was expected from a Scandinavian country. I really wish we had more time (and money) for a longer visit!
Must sees:
- Oslo Opera House – such a cool design with the angles and reflection of the water.
- The Olympic Ski Jump – so scary how people went down something so steep! And there are insane views of Oslo from the top.
Abandoned building materials outside Oslo Opera House 
Fresh seafood in Oslo 
Oslo Olympic Ski Jump
Copenhagen
I must admit that Copenhagen was probably my favourite destination on this trip. I loved the atmosphere of this city. I would 100% recommend it for anyone who is looking for a weekend away in Europe. Probably because I am a sucker for food markets…
Must sees:
- Papirøen (Paper Island) – The street food and vibes here are amazing, there are so many choices and the food is delicious!
- Freetown Christina – located centrally there is cannabis market which has lots of street art and a really interesting place to walk around that isn’t in the guide books.
- Tivoli Gardens – sadly I didn’t get to visit this but thats an excuse to go back again!
- Nyhavn – the classic place to get your Instagram next to the colourful houses.
- The Little Mermaid – another place we never visited but I’ve heard it’s a must see!
- Trovehallerne – also a delicious food market with a massive selection of treats.
Berlin
We took the train on a ferry across to Germany from Copenhagen which was a new experience. Berlin was a very modern, trendy city with reminders of its sad past. If you re interested in history, this is the place for you. There are many museums – more than we had time to visit.
Must sees:
- Berlin Wall, East Side Gallery – obviously!
- Brandenburg Gate – another iconic Berlin landmark.
- The Holocaust Memorial – no place quite like it, very emotional.
- Reichstag Building – nice architecture with a great view.
- Museum Island – a whole island dedicated to museums.
- Topography of Terror – free entry museum about the World Wars.
- Cookies and Cream – the BEST vegetarian food I have EVER eaten. Cookies and Cream is a restaurant hidden away in a back alley in Berlin… the directions are on their website!
Prague
This city was so so beautiful but the number of tourists shocked me. You might find yourself surrounded by Asian guided tours. The city is soooooo cheap and there are lots so cute cafes and restaurants about that you won’t get a hefty bill at the end!
Must see:
- Prague Castle
- Charles Bridge – like walking into a less Americanised Disneyland, magical and busy.
- Old Town Square – if you’re lucky the clock will perform for you!
- The John Lennon Wall – a colourful spot to take photos, slightly hidden away from the main tourist track.
- Prague Metronome – offers an amazing view point across the city.
Budapest
Like Prague, Budapest is also super cheap. Luckily, for my boyfriend, the Red Bull Air Race was on in Budapest which we watched one rainy day as the planes zoomed over the river.
Must see:
- Hummus Bar – They are everywhere and they are AMAZING and CHEAP! What more could a 20 year old want?? They NEED these in the UK.
- Szechenyi Baths – maybe not so hygienic but when in Budapest…
- Castle Hill
- Parliament – crazy architecture.
Vienna
Must see:
- Rathus – when we visited there was a film festival on with a food market surrounding this lovely area.
- City Centre – Vienna is filled with beautiful architecture and gardens, just go for a wonder and you can stumble upon something pretty.
I could not recommend inter railing enough to any young adults. I got to tick off so many beautiful places on my Wishlist in only two weeks. It is an investment but I would do it again in a heartbeat. One day soon I hope to do a train journey from Moscow to St. Petersburg, then onto Helsinki. But for now that is stuck in my Air Bnb Wishlist until I find the time…
