Prague, Krakow, Amsterdam or Porto?

[Toomuch44]

If you've visited one of these cities, what did you think? What did you enjoy most?

We like visiting old buildings, pottering around character streets (not compulsory though), watching world go by over a coffee or something stronger and for me, eating out, nice to see some water. Maybe a bit of shopping. Plan to go for four nights. Just the two of us, enjoying walking.

Been to Prague, Amsterdam and very recently Porto. Loved them all. Very impressed with Porto, although four days may be a bit much. Lovely food and very reasonably priced. Quite hilly so a decent pair of trainers required.
Porto definitely fits your criteria with regard to old buildings, character streets, food etc. But so does Prague and Amsterdam.

My favourite of these is Krakow.
A beautiful city, in a range of architectural styles from the medieval royal buildings, university buildings and the market hall onwards, so there is plenty to see as you wander around.
Lots of opportunity for shopping, a huge choice of restaurants and bars, fantastic art in museums and churches throughout the city, if you're interested in WWII there is lots to see and do.

One thing I especially like about Krakow is the sense of continuing history, the daily bugle calls from the church tower in the main square warning of a Tartar attack, the chance to see where Copernicus worked. Also, although it's a city, you still get a real feel of summer with the outdoor restaurants, and the Planty park which encircles the medieval city following the line of the demolished walls.

I've been to all of them. My favourite is probably Prague, but in recent years it's got a bit over-run. I was last there last April and it was heaving. And lots of stag parties. I second PP that Krakow is wonderful - and still relatively cheap. The Salt Mines are incredible.

My order of preference is: Krakow, Porto, Prague, Amsterdam but think 4 nights possibly a bit long for any of them unless you do a trip somewhere e.g. salt mines from Krakow, Douro Valley from Porto.

Been to all. krakow without a shadow of a doubt. It's beautiful and such a great sense of history. Corn market and wawel castle really lovely and near Xmas some great markets. I particularly liked the artwork on sale. There's the salt mines outside of Krakow too.

Why these cities, would you consider others. For instance Den Hague offers so much that you want and is much cleaner than Amsterdam.

Not done Porto but of the others I loved Krakow the most, all are lovely though.

When do you plan to go?

I loved Prague and Amsterdam but they are really busy in the main tourist season and even more in the school holidays. So if you can avoid April and June-August at least.

They would fit your requirements no doubt. There is quite a lot of hidden areas in Amsterdam away from the main hussle to have a really relaxing and more quite time.

I've been to Prague and Amsterdam.

Prague is really lovely - I never worry about tourists as I always find it easy to slip away into the side streets. We found a fantastic and cheap hotel slightly outside the city centre so that might have helped to. Teenage daughter also liked it.

Amsterdam for some reason I didn't take to at all. I found it sleazy and felt like I was constantly looking over my shoulder. But as you can see most people love it so must be just me.

Would love to go to Porto but at the moment it's virtually impossible to get to by train and I don't fly.

I'm taking note of what people are saying about Krakow as Poland is accessible by train!

Thanks for your replies. We're going early October. I think we're leaning to Krakow and Prague now.

Have to admit I have to any of them, but I've read a few times Prague is overwhelmed with tourists, so that's worth checking out if it'd bother you.

I find that most cities are nowadays full of tourists.
i live in London and work near St Paul‘s cathedral and it’s hard to avoid bumping into them .

the more people say they love a city, post online, see it on TikTok ext the more they are getting busier.

DD has been to Amsterdam and Porto. Nothing wrong with Amsterdam, but she really enjoyed Porto, said we'd love it there (we're in our 50s). We had lots of photos sent to us at the time which showed mountain and sea views, lots of colourful flowers and architecture.

Amsterdam is really expensive and smells of dope. Almost any other Dutch city is preferable and you'll still see plenty of windmills, canals and pretty houses.

I loved Porto. Really wonderful city. I think we stayed 4 or 5 nights and it didn’t feel too much for us. Lots of places to potter around, great bakeries and cafes, loads of great restaurants and loads of places to sit and watch the world go by with a glass of port or vinho verde.

Of the 4, I have been to Amsterdam and Krakow.

Amsterdam is super expensive for accommodation, polluted (worst asthma I have ever had) and would rather never go there again. Did a day trip last year for the Vermeer exhibition and remembered as soon as I got off the train why I didn't like it.

Krakow is lovely. Loads to do, great for mooching about - Castle, Basilica - time it to see the altarpiece opening, Cathedral. Plus in 4 days you have time for a day trip to the Salt Mines.

This would be my order also. Love Porto, it is the place I've been to most recently of these four, and in the sunshine it's just beautiful. But Krakow offers the option of trips to Auschwitz and Wieliczka salt mines which are both great. You can't go too far wrong with any of them!

Just to echo @Bondia23 Den Haag has lots to do, several fab museums, my favourite art gallery in the Mauritshuis (every painting world class, not so big your feet hurt), and a vast number of nice restaurants.

And you can get the tram to the beach.

Checkout the GoCity attraction pass for Prague. I've been looking at the attractions offered to help plan our next trip. We have use their passes in other cities and saved loads, so more than happy to recommend and use them again. Super helpful planning multiple day itinerary too.