Guidebook Updates for ‘Rick Steves Central Europe’

For books printed before September 2025, the following may apply:

• Statehood Day, a public holiday across Croatia, is celebrated annually on May 30 (not June 25). June 25 is now Croatia's Independence Day (not October 8), but is no longer a public holiday, so travelers can expect businesses and sights to remain open as usual.
• Shops across Croatia are now closed on most Sundays throughout the year.

For books printed before August 2023, the following may also apply:

• As of January 2023, Croatia uses the euro and belongs to the Schengen open-borders zone.

For books printed before November 2023, the following may apply:

• Most international train tickets can now be purchased online via the Hungarian Railway.
• We now advise travelers to avoid ATMs at train stations — wait to get cash at an ATM outside a bank.

For books printed before September 2025, the following may apply:

• In Slovenia, drivers are now required to buy toll stickers online (called e-vignettes). While cars rented in Slovenia will likely be registered and loaded with the e-vignette already, it's smart to check; and if you're renting a car in another country and driving into Slovenia, you'll likely need to acquire an e-vignette in advance (go to the official e-vignette website, enter your car's license plate information and some other details, and pay by credit card). The vignettes are no longer available for purchase in gas stations, post offices, etc.

For books printed before December 2023, the following may apply:

• Minibuses from Kraków's bus station are no longer a good option for getting to Auschwitz; they are primarily for commuters.
• The camps have a new visitors center.

For books printed before January 2024, the following may apply:

• Slovakia's toll sticker for its expressways has been replaced by an electronic vignette.
• The Apponyi House no longer shows off period rooms but is now an extension of the City History Museum that features temporary exhibits. 
• Café Mondieu has closed.

• Bellevue Budapest B&B can be booked via Booking.com or other booking sites; the property's website and e-mail address no longer work.

For books printed before April 2021, the following may apply:

• You can now book ahead online for a spot on the English tour of the Krumlov Castle interior or for the Baroque theater (you can also still book ahead by phone or at the ticket office). Opening times across the complex have likely changed since your book was printed.
• The train station no longer rents bikes.
• The synagogue is now free and open May–September Tue–Sun 10:00–16:00 and closed Monday and from October through April (+420 737 378 336).
• Hostel 99 no longer rents bikes and accepts cash only.
• Restaurace Barbakán has closed.
• Rybářská Restaurace is now Restaurace Zdroj (+420 724 149 771).
• Eggenberg Brewery is now Pivovar Český Krumlov Brewery (reserve at least two days ahead by phone or email for a tour, or show up to see if you can join a reserved English tour that day; +420 720 942 010, [email protected]).

For books printed before December 2023, the following may apply:

• A handy new train zips passengers from the airport to the main train station in about 30 minutes (1–2/hour).
• Local guide Jacek Podhorski has a new email address: [email protected].
• The Amber Museum has moved to the Great Mill, a short walk from the Main Town at Wielkie Młyny 16.
• Hotels Królewski and Willa Litarion have closed.

For books printed before September 2025, the following may apply:

• The Kanin cable car near Bovec is being rebuilt and will likely not reopen until at least 2026.
• The Hiša Sonca accommodation in Kobarid has closed.
• The correct URL for Apartments Mašera (in Kobarid) is www.apartments-masera.com.

For books printed before September 2025, the following may apply:

• Advance reservations are now all but required to visit Vintgar Gorge — same-day tickets are rarely available. While the gorge is spectacular, the hassles of getting there, reserving a slot, and hiking back to your starting point make it almost not worth the effort. The gorge hike is one-way, so you must hike overland back to the entrance, taking at least an hour on often poorly maintained trails.

For books printed before December 2023, the following may apply:

• The Stanisław Wyspiański Museum has reopened at Plac Sikorskiego 6 (west of the Old Town, not far from the Planty); it's open Tue and Fri–Sun 10:00–17:00.
• The Schindler's Factory Museum is now closed on the first Tuesday of each month.
• The information office and ticket desk where you can prebook tickets in person for the Schindler's Factory Museum and Rynek Underground Museum has moved from the Cloth Hall to the new Museum of Kraków (Muzeum Krakowa), facing the Main Market Square.
• The former tourist information office in the Wyspiański Pavilion is now more of a gift shop, though its staff can answer some sightseeing questions.
• The Czartoryski Museum has reopened.
• Wawel Cathedral now charges admission (22 zł); tickets also covers the tower climb, crypt, royal tombs, the John Paul II Wawel Cathedral Museum, and the nearby Archdiocesan Museum.
• Isaac Synagogue is undergoing renovation and may be closed to visitors during your visit.
• Visitors can now explore the John Paul II Family Home Museum in Wadowice at their own pace, without a guide (though guided tours are still offered).
• Folk shows are no longer offered at Pod Złotym Karpiem or Tradycyja Restaurant on the Main Market Square, and Skansen Smaków no longer offers shuttle service.
• The Tytano Dolne Młyny Cultural Complex has closed.
• Bunkier Sztuki art gallery (on Plac Szczepanski) is closed for renovation.
• At the previous location of Frania Café is now Café Pub & Laundry (daily 11:00–20:00; entrance may now be a few doors down at Dietla 91). The original Frania Café has moved to a new location in Kazimierz, at Stradomska 19.
• Several recommended restaurants have closed: Ed Red, Café Bunkier, Restauracja Samoobsługowa Polakowski, Sisi, Pod Norenami, Truckarnia, Nova Krova, and Pod Ursa Maior.
• Tango House hotel has closed.

For books printed before September 2025, the following may apply:

• You can now prebook a slot for tours of the Jože Plečnik House online; it's no longer possible to book via email (booking over the phone is still ok in a pinch).
• The Kavalirs shuttle is now only for people with limited mobility, and you must call to reserve a ride.
• Cubo Hotel has a new website and email address: www.cubogroup.si, [email protected].

For books printed before December 2023, the following may apply:

• In some printings of Rick Steves Eastern Europe and Rick Steves Snapshot: Kraków, Warsaw & Gdansk, the map of Toruń has swapped labels for the Gingerbread Museum (which is actually on Ulica Rabiańska) and Copernicus House (which is, fittingly, on Ulica Mikołaja Kopernika).
• Toruń's tourist information office has moved to Ulica Szeroka 43.
• The Gothic Café at Malbork Castle has closed.

• The Spanish Synagogue has reopened after renovations.

For books printed before August 2023, the following may apply:

• The City Museum's permanent exhibit remains closed for renovations, likely not reopening until 2026 at the earliest.
• Swimming is no longer allowed in the waterfalls at Krka National Park.

For books printed before September 2025, the following may also apply:

• We no longer recommend visiting Schönbrunn Palace late in the day without a reservation, as same-day tickets often sell out as early as 11:00.
• The Wien Museum Karlsplatz has reopened after a three-year renovation, nearly doubling its previous size. It's now open Tue–Fri 9:00–18:00, Thu until 21:00, and Sat–Sun 10:00–18:00 (closed Mon). It's free to see the permanent exhibition "Vienna. My History"; special exhibits range from €8 to €12. Admission to all exhibits is free on the first Sunday of each month.
• The tourist information office has a new phone number: +43 1 24 555.
• The Wochenkarte transit ticket and the 8-day Climate Ticket have both been discontinued, replaced by the 7 Tage Wien (which lets you choose your start date).
• Standing room tickets for the Vienna State Opera are now available online and at the box office at 10:00 on the day of the show (line up at least 30 minutes prior). If you're unable to secure a ticket in the morning, return to the box office at least 80 minutes before curtain time, as more standing tickets may be released then (one ticket per person).
• The Vienna State Opera no longer shows live performances on a screen outside the venue. 
• The Virgil Chapel in St. Stephen's Cathedral is closed for restoration.
• The Imperial Porcelain and Silver Collection at the Hofburg Imperial Apartments has closed indefinitely.
• The Dorotheum Auction House now conducts auctions almost exclusively online, but you can still visit to look at the displays of items for auction (think of it more like a museum).
• Bushplanet has closed.
• Boutique Hotel Nossek has a new phone number: +43 1 5337 04111.
• Hotel Astoria has new contact info: +43 1 515 770, [email protected].
• Café Central has a new phone number: +43 1 533 376 324.
• Mayer am Pfarrplatz wine tavern has a new phone number: +43 1 370 1287.
• Venuss Vegan Bistro has closed.

For books printed before December 2023, the following may apply:

• The new Polish History Museum has opened.
• The Warsaw House of Music has closed.
• Jazz Club Akwarium has closed.
• Restaurant Odette has moved and we no longer recommend it.
• Restaurants Wilcza 50 and Atelier Amaro have closed.
• Hotels Zgoda by DeSilva and Autor Rooms have closed.