Brandenburg Gate, Museum Island, Berlin Wall Memorial
Money
Euro (€), since 1999 (notes and coins since 2002); before that, the Deutsche Mark, introduced in 1948
Good to know
Shops close on Sundays. Most shops, including supermarkets, are closed on Sundays and public holidays. Bakeries often open for a few hours, and shops in large railway stations and airports stay open, so plan your shopping for Saturday.
Schönbrunn Palace, St. Stephen's Cathedral, Hofburg
Money
Euro (€), since 1999 (notes and coins since 2002); before that, the Austrian schilling
Good to know
Buy a vignette before the motorway. Cars need a vignette (toll sticker or digital vignette) to use Austria's motorways and expressways, with options from 1 day to a year. As of 2026 the sticker is sold for the last time, and from 2027 there will only be the digital vignette. A 2-month or annual digital vignette bought online by a private buyer is valid only from the 18th day after purchase, so buy early, or choose a 1-day or 10-day one.
Bratislava Castle, St Martin's Cathedral, Devín Castle
Money
Euro (€), since 1 January 2009
Good to know
Euros and tips. Slovakia has used the euro since 1 January 2009. In restaurants and bars people usually round up the bill or leave around 5 to 10%, but tipping is not compulsory.
The Hungarian Parliament Building, Buda Castle, Széchenyi Thermal Bath
Money
Hungarian forint (Ft, HUF)
Good to know
Forints, not euros. As of September 2026 Hungary uses the forint, not the euro. Where euros are accepted, change usually comes back in forints. Cards work in larger shops and restaurants, but small places may take cash only, so carry some forints. Cash machines are easy to find.
The Old City and Walls of Dubrovnik, Diocletian's Palace, Plitvice Lakes National Park
Money
Euro (€), since 1 January 2023
Good to know
Euros, cards and a little cash. Croatia has used the euro since 1 January 2023, so old kuna prices in guidebooks are out of date. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, but carry some small notes and coins for markets, tips and small cafés.
Belgrade Fortress and Kalemegdan Park, Church of Saint Sava, Petrovaradin Fortress
Money
Serbian dinar (RSD)
Good to know
Pay in dinars. Serbia uses the dinar, not the euro. Change money at banks or official exchange offices, called menjačnica, never with street dealers. Euros are sometimes accepted, but usually at a worse price. Cards work in most shops and restaurants, and change your leftover dinars before you leave, as they are hard to exchange abroad.
Palace of the Parliament, Bran Castle, Peleș Castle
Money
Romanian leu (RON), plural lei
Good to know
Pay in lei. As of September 2026 Romania still uses its own currency, the leu (plural lei), not the euro. Paying in euros usually means a poor rate or a refusal. Cards work in cities, hotels and big shops, but carry some cash for markets, villages and small cafés.
The Rila Monastery, Boyana Church, The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
Money
Euro (€), since 1 January 2026. It replaced the Bulgarian lev
Good to know
Euros now, not leva. As of September 2026, Bulgaria uses the euro, which replaced the lev on 1 January 2026, so lev prices in older guidebooks are out of date. Old lev notes and coins can still be changed for euros free of charge at the Bulgarian National Bank, with no end date.
Germany
Austria
Slovakia
Hungary
Croatia
Serbia
Romania
Bulgaria