Traveler's Choice: 7 can't-miss sightseeing stops

lakeside village of Hallstatt, Austria, with colorful alpine houses and mountains reflected in the water.

One of the best parts of traveling with Daytrip is being able to experience hidden gems along the way. With the help of our past travelers, we've put together a list of some sightseeing favorites. Read on to see which ones made the cut!

1. Lednice Castle

Lednice Castle in the Czech Republic, with manicured gardens and a large glass conservatory under a blue sky.

Lednice Castle even has a palm house filled with exotic plants from around the world.

Lednice Castle is a gorgeous Neo-Gothic building located on the border of the Czech Republic and Austria. This reconstructed Baroque castle features balconies, small towers, and spiral staircases, all adding to its grandeur. Once the summer home for the Liechtenstein family. The castle feels calm, but still impressive. Outside the gardens stretch on for ages. There’s even a minaret in the park. You can walk for hours and still find something new. It’s a quiet place with a lot of history.

"We had 2 stops at Lednice and Kutna Hora and were able to admire the lovely scenery." -325susan, TripAdvisor 

2. Bratislava

Devín Castle in Slovakia, perched on a cliff above the Danube River, with a village and forested hills surrounding it.

Devín Castle is one of the oldest castles in Slovakia, its ruins date back to the 9th century and overlook the exact spot where the Danube and Morava rivers meet.

Bratislava the capital of Slovakia. Feels like that underrated stop you almost skipped. It’s a city where pastel buildings lean into centuries-old stone. Where modern cafés spill onto cobbled squares and where the rhythm is slower but never dull. It’s got charm, grit, and an amazing view over the Danube. If you’re passing through Central Europe, this is one place worth lingering.

"The ancient fortress of Devin (in Bratislava) was a beautiful ruin full of fascinating history and an unbeatable view of the Danube" -TooAmigos, TripAdvisor

3. Esztergom

Esztergom, Hungary at sunset, showing the town's historic buildings along the Danube River and the iconic Mária Valéria Bridge connecting Hungary and Slovakia.

Esztergom was once the capital of Hungary and is still the seat of the Hungarian Catholic Church.

Esztergom is one of Hungary’s oldest towns, and honestly, it wears its history well. Sitting right along the Danube since before Hungary was even, well… Hungary. The big draw is the Esztergom Basilica. A massive hilltop church. It’s the largest church in the country, and the view from up there? Worth every step. But there’s more to Esztergom than just its famous dome. Take a stroll and you’ll find cobbled streets, old royal quarters, and riverside paths.

"We chose a stop at the Basilica of Esztergom, what a wonderful sight, so pleased we went there."-Gwen H, TripAdvisor 

4. Hluboka Castle

Hluboká Castle in the Czech Republic, with white stone walls, rounded towers, and manicured rose gardens under a clear blue sky.

Hluboká Castle was inspired by England’s Windsor Castle. So don’t be surprised if it feels like you’ve stepped into a royal British drama.

Hluboká Castle was deemed "the most beautiful castle in the Czech Republic". You can tell why!. With its bright white towers. Manicured green gardens. Built in the Neo-Gothic style and inspired by England’s Windsor Castle. Hluboká has a romantic, regal feel. You can tour the grand halls inside or even just stroll through the surrounding park and gardens for free. Even if you’re just passing through South Bohemia it’s the kind of stop that makes the journey feel special. It definitely worth taking your time for.

"We did tour the Hluboka castle, which is magnificent, highly suggested!" -Joyce H, TripAdvisor 

5. Hallstatt

lakeside village of Hallstatt, Austria, with colorful alpine houses and mountains reflected in the water.

Hallstatt is so picturesque that China built a full-scale replica of the village in Guangdong province.

Hallstatt is one of Austria’s oldest villages, and it shows. In the best way of course. Set between a quiet lake and steep Alpine peaks this tiny town feels like you've gone back in time. Wooden houses lean gently over narrow lanes. Every corner showcases the village’s long history. It’s peaceful, a little mysterious and almost too beautiful to be real.

"Hallstatt was amazing...truly sublime...even in the light rain!"-mrraber, TripAdvisor 

6. Moritzburg

Baroque-style Moritzburg Castle with red domes reflected  lake below.

Moritzburg Castle starred as the royal palace in the 1973 fairytale film Three Wishes for Cinderella.

Moritzburg Castle calls an island home just outside Dresden. With four towers and a wide moat. It’s one of Germany’s most picturesque Baroque landmarks. Once it was a royal hunting lodge, but it now draws visitors for its peaceful gardens and fairytale charm. In winter, the castle looks especially magical. Surrounded by frozen water and misty woods, like something from a storybook. Explore its grand halls. Feel the sense of old-world luxury that still lingers. It’s quiet, romantic, and almost too pretty to be real.

"They kindly recomended to stop on the way at Bastei (a national park) and Moritzburg (a castle). Both stops were amazing."-heee74, TripAdvisor 

7. Melk

Melk Abbey a yellow baroque monastery, perched high on a rocky hill above the Danube River.

Melk Abbey has been a working Benedictine monastery since 1089.

The town of Melk is situated along the Danube in Austria’s Wachau Valley. Small but striking. At its heart stands Melk Abbey. A former palace turned Benedictine monastery that practically glows in the sun. Its golden towers and hilltop location make it hard to miss. And honestly you wouldn’t want to. Inside, it’s just as grand, with frescoed ceilings. A huge library and river views that stretch for miles. It stands crowned by towers and is deemed as one of Europe's great sights.

"He (the guide) also took us to Melk Abbey along the way and gave us time to explore the tiny village my grandfather was born in." -jrbrandeis1221, TripAdvisor

So, tell us, which spot would you most like to visit? 

Anastasia Marysheva

Originally from Russia, over the last 13 years Anastasia has lived in several different places, including Málaga, Madrid, Edinburgh, and Prague. As part of the Content team at Daytrip, she researches destinations and picks out the most compelling attractions for the website. While working on Colombia, she discovered Minca, a lovely town up in the Sierra Nevada; it became her favorite destination when she visited it a few years later.

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