This story was created in partnership with: Trafalgar
Pick up any list of must-see destinations in Europe, and you’ll find these countries from Eastern Europe have made their way onto those coveted round-ups! With fascinating countries such as Poland, Hungary, and Romania, the Eastern Europe region has often been overlooked by most travelers in favor of more traditional places like Italy, Paris, and Spain. The shift in traveler trends towards moving away from destinations that are overtouristed is making for an exciting change and paving the way for exploring alternate destinations in Europe.
We’ve partnered with Trafalgar to show you how to make the most of your first trip to Eastern Europe. If you haven’t visited these countries before and are hoping to plan an Eastern European vacation in 2021, then read on for the 101!
The best countries to visit in Eastern Europe
As defined by the United Nations, the following countries are considered to be part of Eastern Europe: Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Russian Federation, and Slovakia, as well as the republics of Belarus, Moldova, and Ukraine. Some sources consider the Baltics and the southwestern Balkan region also to be part of Eastern Europe. Here we are focusing on the highlights that are; Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia.
There are many destinations contending for the best countries to visit in Eastern Europe, each one packed with its own charms. While you might not be able to see all of them in one go, thanks to how close they are to each other – if you’re visiting for a week to ten days – you could easily plan a trip around two to three different countries. This table gives you a very quick overview of what not-to-miss!
| Country | Highlight | Famous for | Capital |
| Bulgaria | Beaches | Black Sea beaches | Sofia |
| Czech Republic | Beer culture | Medieval architecture | Prague |
| Hungary | Nightlife | Thermal baths | Budapest |
| Poland | City culture | Fascinating history | Warsaw |
| Romania | Transylvanian towns | Dracula’s castle | Bucharest |
| Slovakia | Nature | High Tatras Mountains | Bratislava |
The must-see cities in Eastern Europe
Character, immaculately-preserved architecture, and modern-day culture mixed with heritage – you’ll find incredible experiences in each one of these cities, and you can visit many of them with Trafalgar. Should you choose one of their carefully curated itineraries, you’ll enjoy unique activities that rival any old bucket list. Trafalgar’s Be My Guest experiences will give you the chance to dine with locals, learn about traditions first-hand and immerse yourself entirely in Eastern Europe.
Budapest, Hungary
Eastern Europe’s darling, Budapest, has plenty of romance and atmosphere. Packed with all the attributes of an enchanting European city: stunning views along the Danube river, beautiful buildings, art, delicious food, and the thermal baths to top it off – don’t leave Budapest off your itinerary.
Bratislava, Slovakia
Located in between several wine-producing regions, Bratislava’s nearby vineyards are a playground for people that love to drink and be merry. With nature on its doorstep and a penchant for bars and cafe culture, there’s more to this city than meets the eye. This cozy gem is easily combined with Vienna, Austria, but trumps its ‘big Imperial sister’ when it comes to affordability, so don’t let it slip you by!
Kraków, Poland
The city has a long and fascinating history, from its Medieval Wavel Castle right up to the famous Schindler factory and its WWII heritage. Don’t be fooled; however, today, Krakow is a bright and living city with cozy streets to wander from Asian fusion restaurants to craft beer bars, and the Polish know how to party if you’re keen.
Warsaw, Poland
Easily one of Eastern Europe’s most dynamic capitals, Warsaw will grab your attention in a trice. After World War II, the entire Old Town had been bombed beyond repair but was meticulously rebuilt following pre-war paintings. This is a city where you go from exploring old-world neighborhoods and Soviet-era relics one minute and modern skyscrapers with hip restaurants and bars the next!
Brasov, Romania
This city will make you want to run free through cobbled streets – and there’s no better place to do it than in Brasov. Caught somewhere between fantasy and reality, the truth of this colorful medieval throwback-of-a-city is that, for the most part, it is a living legend.
Prague, Czech Republic
Unusual, quirky, and packed with interesting things to do – you’ll find everything from bizarre attractions to the downright macabre, and that’s what makes Prague both weird and wonderful. Let your inner child run loose at museums that deal in magic and astronomy, and use exploring the rich history and art as a carrot for nightly discoveries of the many Czech beers loved around the globe.
Eastern Europe vacation ideas
By now, we’ve established just how rich Eastern Europe is, and while exploring this sprawling region, it helps to have a local expert by your side. Trafalgar has plenty of itineraries and choices that will enable you to find a vacation that speaks to the traveler in you. Here are some itineraries you can consider while planning your trip.
- Introduction to Eastern Europe: For your first time traveling to Eastern Europe, we suggest spending two weeks visiting the Czech Republic, Poland, and Hungary and focusing on the capital and an additional city. This will give you a chance to explore some of the essential places and attractions without feeling rushed.
Recommended trip: Highlights of Eastern Europe
- A crash course in Eastern Europe: Pack your trip with history, culture, and nightlife. In two weeks, you could cover a lot of ground by bouncing from major cities in Poland to Prague and visiting underrated places such as Győr and Tábor along the way.
Recommended trip: Bohemian Highlights
- Poland deep-dive: Another great choice if you’ve got limited time is opting for a more thorough exploration of Poland. This country’s roots go back to the 10th century, and with thousands of years worth of history, architecture, and culture to explore, there’s more than enough to keep you busy.
Recommended trip: Pilgrimage to Poland
Best time to visit Eastern Europe
Because Eastern Europe is somewhat off the radar, there’s really no wrong time to visit – and it’s a lot cheaper! Weather-wise, thanks to the geographic span of this region, you’ll find numerous climates. They range from Mediterranean temperatures to cool mountain conditions.
During the summer, Eastern Europe is gloriously hot. While winters can be pretty chilly, the ambiance of the festive season more than makes up for it – so don’t let that hold you back from experiencing the holidays in this beautiful part of the world. In some countries, from November onwards, you’ll find that Christmas markets and mulled drinks are already being served. Of course, the charm of spring and fall is universal; whether flowers are blooming or leaves are falling, both these seasons are a great time to visit any destination.
Generally speaking, as with most destinations in Europe, peak tourist season falls from May to September, with July and August as the busiest months. If you want to enjoy mild weather and avoid spending top dollar, the best months to visit Eastern Europe are March to May and from mid-September to November. Be mindful, however, that some countries in this part of the continent are colder across the board. If mild weather is what you’re after, then destinations like the Baltics could be a better choice.
- Low season (November-March): Flight and hotel prices drop significantly, but ski resorts will be busy and a little more expensive. Despite the cold weather and shorter days, it’s still a great time to be out on the slopes or in charming cities.
- Shoulder (March-May and September-November): This is probably one of the best times to visit Eastern Europe. The crowds and prices drop off, but the weather is pleasant enough for you to enjoy a host of outdoor activities.
- High season (July-August): As the temperatures soar, hotels hike up their prices, flights can be expensive, and travelers flock to the cities and summer resorts. Don’t be put off, though! Summer breathes life into Europe – the atmosphere is intoxicating.
Must-see attractions in the Eastern Europe region
You might feel like you have to see everything while visiting a destination, but making the most of your time and cutting right to all the best parts is essential – and that’s where Trafalgar can help. Use this list to help you pick and choose things to do when traveling to Eastern Europe – during your free time or as part of your activities while on tour. Each one of these sites is rated above a 4.5 on Google.
- Poland: Wieliczka Salt Mines – located just outside Krakow, these mines are an underground network of chapels, chambers, and lakes like you’ve never seen before.
- Poland: Auschwitz – located just outside Krakow, millions of people visit this site to pay their respects to the people who were murdered during the Holocaust.
- Warsaw, Poland: Old Town – entirely reconstructed after WWII after paintings from before the war. Visit the royal castle and grab lunch at one of the trendy restaurants
- Budapest, Hungary: Parliament Building – one of the largest parliament buildings in the world; even just from the outside it’s beautifully located right by the river.
- Hungary: Lake Balaton – a famous lakeside resort that’s popular with the locals and offers plenty of summer activities.
- Hungary: Thermal baths – don’t leave without taking a dip at one of their thermal baths, especially the beautiful Széchenyi Baths in Budapest, but the country has plenty of them.
- Prague, Czech Republic: Old Town Square – a historic square at the heart of the city that’s a prime stop for its architecture and atmosphere, as well as people-watching.
- Romania: Bran Castle – located close to Brasov in the country’s interior, you have to stop by Dracula’s home when visiting Romania.
- Bulgaria: 7 Rila Lakes – a series of glacial lakes in the northwestern Rila Mountains, best visited in Spring and Summer.
- Bulgaria: Rila Monastery – the iconic must-see Monastery of Saint Ivan of Rila, located in the same region as above mentioned lakes.
- Bratislava, Slovakia: Bratislava Castle – located in the Little Carpathians overlooking the Danube River; visit for the history and views
- Cricova, Moldova: Cricova – a famous underground winery just 11 kilometers from the Moldovan capital of Chișinău.
And don’t forget – as part of your adventure with Trafalgar – you’ll get a chance to experience some exclusive local experiences on top of exploring these famous attractions.
What to eat on your Eastern European vacation
Food is always a great way to connect with the local culture. Along with vodka, beer, pierogies, and sausage, fuel your Eastern European adventure with these local dishes and traditional treats.
- Palačinky (thin crepe-like pancakes) – Czech Republic, Slovakia
- Goulash (traditional beef and pepper stew) – Hungary
- Langos (deep-fried flatbread with various toppings) – Hungary
- Borscht (red beet soup) – Poland (barszcz)
- Banitsa (oven-baked pastry with cheese filling) – Bulgaria
- Papanaşi (curd cheese and jam doughnuts) – Romania
- Bryndzové halušky (cheese and bacon dumplings) – Slovakia
- Bigos (spicy sausage and cabbage stew) – Poland
Is your mouth watering for Eastern Europe? This region is prime for travelers looking to get a taste of amazing food, culture, history, and more. If you’re planning to visit for the first time, you couldn’t be in better hands than with Trafalgar.
