Budapest, Istanbul, Krakow

Those places aren't really close together, so are you taking a flight from Greece to one of those 3 places there and back? Where is your cruise ending and where is your flight out?

Personally I hate flying in the middle of my trip. So I much prefer to stay close to my airport or train/ car around.

I’ve done both Istanbul and Budapest in the past two years.

Istanbul is a colorful, vibrant and bustling city. Obviously; you have the mosques which are something to see. Hearing the call to prayer is honestly pretty cool to witness. The palace was not available when I went; but, it’s surely worth a visit. The underground cistern is too. The people are very friendly, the local food is also great. Finding English speakers is a breeze. A quick ferry across the Bosphorous and you are officially in Asia. You can hit two continents in one city.

I stayed at the Blue House Hotel. It’s a modest 3 star type affair; but, puts you within easy walking distance of the major mosques, Roman relics and the bizarre. The staff is super friendly and there’s some great eateries nearby. What you may lack in amenities is more than made up for in access.

Budapest is much more quiet. There are some cool landmarks to see. The Parliament building, Fishermen’s Bastion and the bridges. The nuclear bunker built into the mountain. Food wise; it’s Eastern Europe. Schnitzel, Goulash, Chimney Cakes and a pizza/flatbread like item called Langos. Sort of boring and bland. Not exactly thriving culinary scene. I found that two days in Budapest was plenty, I do worry that if you’re a busy body you might find that 3 days is a bit too much.

I will also point out that Budapest is the only city in Europe that I visited recently where I found pockets of strong anti-American sentiment. Hungary has State controlled media and a pro-Russian leader. Certainly not a major problem; but, it’s always best to be prepared.

Of the two; I’d probably steer you towards Istanbul. Simply because you can come back and do Budapest paired with Prague and/or Vienna very easily. Istanbul is sort of a cool standalone.

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We encountered way fewer drunk Brits than in Budapest.

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The "British Stag Do". The bain of major European cities. You see them coming you run.

"Best Locations"

We sat in mid-plane seats on a flight from Luton Airport to Budapest which had at least one Stag Do Party and Hen Do Party group on the flight.

The beverage service carts (which started at each end of the cabin) were out of alcohol after moving only about 10-15 feet down the aisle.

Many of the partiers were grown men wearing diapers and baby bonnets in 30F weather.

The English are the kind of trashy I like.

Budapest was awesome, Hitler didn't bomb it because he loved the city. So much history.

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Personally I hate flying in the middle of my trip. So I much prefer to stay close to my airport or train/ car around.

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Generally I agree but if I do have to fly mid-trip, I make it an early morning flight if possible so I can get wherever I’m going and get checked-in.

Sometimes is unavoidable (the only alternative being a long ferry ride, for example).

Can't recommend Istanbul enough

Only place like Rome that I've been to where I feel like a week plus is not only justified by should be the minimum goal

We are already going back in early 2026 after going this past fall