Eastern Europe is rich in history, culture, and natural beauty, providing travellers with an unforgettable experience frequently neglected by conventional tourism. From mediaeval towns to breathtaking scenery, here are some of the Best Places to Visit in Eastern Europe:

With its patchwork of charming, pastel-coloured old towns, incredible historical history, bustling nightlife, and beauty ranging from wide lakes to swooping mountains, Eastern Europe is a surprising treat. History, culture, environment, and ethnicity all combine to create an exciting swirl that is making this region of Europe a more attractive vacation destination.

Whether you are interested in history, culture, or natural beauty, Eastern Europe has something for everyone.

Best Places to Visit in Eastern Europe to Enjoy Holidays

1. Vilnius

Vilnius is Lithuania’s capital, and it boasts a particularly lovely old town. The city’s cobblestone streets are lined with Baroque buildings. But there’s more to see than the Baroque: the Gothic Saint Anne’s Church, the 16th-century Gate of Dawn, and the Neo-Classical Vilnius Cathedral.

Aside from being home to Europe’s largest Baroque old town, Vilnius has a plethora of taverns and cafes nestled down picturesque alleyways and around dramatic courtyards. With a huge student population (over 20,000), Vilnius transforms into a dynamic destination at night, complete with flowing beer and live music.

2. Minsk

Minsk, one of the Best Places to Visit in Eastern Europe is the Belarusian capital. The city was completely devastated during World War II, hence there are few historical monuments or structures left. With that in mind, most of Minsk’s architecture is Stalinist, including Independence Square, a large former KGB headquarters, as well as more recent, very magnificent churches.

Minsk is becoming a modern metropolis with fashionable cafes for coffee breaks, restaurants serving international cuisine, and attractive art galleries. It’s a cosmopolitan capital that appears to be keeping up with the times, with plenty of nightclubs and pubs to explore in the nights.

3. High Tatras

This steep mountain range on the border with northern Slovakia is the tallest in the Carpathian Mountains. Mount Krivan is the highest mountain and a symbol of Slovak pride, attracting many of its citizens to climb to the top.

This picturesque region is characterised by over a hundred emerald lakes, flowing waterfalls, and Alpine meadows, making it an ideal hiking destination; in the winter, skiers flock to the snow-covered slopes of the High Tatras. Fortunately, you can remain in this natural wonder, as accommodations range from lakefront lodges to more rustic mountaintop retreats.

4. Sofia

Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital, is located in the west of the country. As a crossroads for Europe, it has attracted both invaders and settlers throughout the previous 2,000 years. Its architecture and landmarks reflect the region’s history, including Ottoman mosques, Greek temples, Roman ruins, and Soviet monuments.

Despite its antiquity, Sofia is a surprisingly young city with a laid-back atmosphere, with citizens enjoying lounging in green parks and meandering down the street. There are various museums and galleries to visit, but there is also a vibrant nightlife scene with many restaurants and nightclubs.

5. Golden Ring

This is a huge territory northeast of Moscow, Russia, that includes a few old Russian cities. The mediaeval towns form a ‘Golden Ring,’ and have been designated as open-air museums due to their importance in Russia’s early history and the Rus tribe who created it.

The major towns are Sergiyev Posad, Kostroma, Ivanovo, Vladimir, Suzdal, Yarislavl, Perislavl-Zalessky, and Rostov Veliky. Significant religious sites include the 14th-century monastery of Troitse-Sergieva Lavra, huge structures like Yarislavl, and numerous churches that depict the story of a millennium of Russian Orthodox history.

6. Warsaw

Warsaw, Poland’s capital, has a long and complicated history, punctuated by wars and conflicts. It suffered significant damage during World War II, with the ancient town obliterated. However, it has been painstakingly restored to its previous mediaeval magnificence, with vividly coloured townhouses providing a charming – if little artificial – area to roam.
The city boasts a diverse range of buildings, as well as contemporary cafes and restaurants. There are plenty of outdoor spaces to enjoy, and with so many restaurants and culinary brilliance going on, it’s an ideal location for foodies.

7. Lake Balaton

Lake Balaton, located in western Hungary, is a popular holiday destination with magnificent beaches and resort villages. It is Eastern Europe’s largest lake, surrounded by volcanic hills and known as the ‘Hungarian Inner Sea.’ Surely one of the Best Places to Visit in Eastern Europe.
On the northern coasts, you’ll find Szigliget, which has a mediaeval stronghold, and Tihany, the area’s oldest mediaeval town. The centrepiece of this mediaeval town is a beautiful Baroque abbey.

If you enjoy wine, you’ll be pleased to learn that Lake Balaton is known for its vineyards, which dot the surrounding hills. Windsurfing and sailing are popular summer activities.

8. Mostar

Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina are notable for its Old Bridge across the Neretva River; in fact, the name Mostar is derived from Mostari, which means ‘bridge keeper.’ The bridge was built in 1556 on instructions from the invading Ottomans but was demolished 427 years later, in 1993, by Croat forces during the Balkan Wars.

Though it is easily accessible by day trip from neighbouring Croatia, the best way to make the most of your visit to Mostar is to stay overnight. The hordes of daytrippers disperse, and the restaurants high above the river on cobblestone streets light up.

9. Riga

Latvia’s capital, which sits on the Baltic Sea, combines modern and traditional ways of life. It’s a vibrant city where cobblestone streets and culture blend to create a thrilling environment.

Intricate Art Nouveau architecture and Gothic spires coexist in the city’s lovely old town. There’s also a bustling central market where you can sample the local cuisine, which includes everything from cheese and sausage to black bread, which is ideal for a picnic in one of Riga’s lovely parks. When night falls and the fun starts, enjoy a refreshing beverage or a regional beer at one of the many pubs.

10. Moscow

The capital of Russia is a must-see location. It is the location of Lenin’s Mausoleum, where you can see the former Communist leader lying in place, Red Square, a representation of Russia’s might, and the Kremlin, a historic castle that is now a presidential complex.

Of course, one should also not overlook Saint Basil’s Cathedral’s striking and vibrant onion domes. You may also learn more about Moscow by visiting museums like the State Tretyakov Gallery and the Pushkin State Museum.

The equally legendary Bolshoi Theatre is the venue for iconic ballet. Moscow’s youthful vibrancy can be found in the Garden Ring District, which is the place to go for nightlife and bars.

11. Lake Ohrid

Lake Ohrid, which spans the borders of Albania and Macedonia, is regarded as one of the oldest and deepest lakes in Europe, earning it two honours from the natural world. The ideal area to base oneself to witness the show is Macedonia, where the majority of the lake falls.

For instance, Ohrid’s old town itself has family-run hotels, historic buildings, and a tangle of winding cobblestone streets that are easy to get lost in. Sveti Naum Monastery, which was built in 905 AD and is a spectacular structure with equally breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and lake, is located further south around the lake. For travelers Lake Ohrid is one of the Best Places to Visit in Eastern Europe.

12. Belgrade

The city of Belgrade is ancient. The capital of Serbia has a lengthy history that includes Ottoman and Habsburg kings, as well as Roman and Slavic tribes. More recently, it served as Yugoslavia’s capital.

Although not always attractive, Belgrade is a proud, daring city with a unique eclectic energy that is reminiscent of its patchwork past, with Art Nouveau buildings from the golden age coexisting with Soviet blocks. It’s also one of the trendiest capitals in Eastern Europe and a vibrant place to be. Enjoy coffee at oddball cafés, take a walk down Knez Mihailova, a pedestrianised street, and visit one of the crowded bars in the Savamala neighbourhood by the river.

13. Bay of Kotor

The Bay of Kotor, often called Boka, is broad in the eastern Adriatic Sea and is located in southwest Montenegro. It’s a stunning location surrounded by mediaeval towns and rocky green slopes, with red-roofed homes tumbling down to the sea. The area is rich in amazing views, from ancient citadels to islands crowned with monasteries, and is best explored by automobile along its meandering roads.

There are many opportunities to enjoy seafood and delectable meals by the sea to go along with the picturesque, stunning Bay of Kotor, which is unlike any other place in the area. A Venetian marvel, Kotor’s old town is encircled by walls and has a mountain backdrop that makes it an excellent starting point.

14. Tallinn

Tallinn, Estonia’s capital, is alluring. You can immediately sense the town’s history as soon as you enter via the magnificent mediaeval Viru Gates, which were constructed as a defence system in the fourteenth century.
The Kohtuotsa Viewing Platform on Toompea Hill offers expansive views of the city skyline, and parts of Tallinn’s city wall are still walking, replete with windows that allow you to see the picturesque city below.

There are also old churches that date back to the 1200s, such as Saint Olaf’s Church. There is also a hipster side to Tallinn: Telliskivi Creative City, which is made up of old warehouses and features chic eateries, pubs, and stores.

15. Transylvania

Stories of Dracula and ruthless vampires are commonly associated with Transylvania, a region in central Romania. Although not accurate, the region is legendary for its breathtaking natural beauty; travelling through Transylvania, which is bounded by the Carpathian Mountains, is like travelling back in time to a leisurely mediaeval era. The region is full of charming villages and local life nestled between tree-covered hills and grasslands.

The imposing spires that makeup what is commonly referred to as Dracula’s Castle are among the numerous historic fortifications constructed by German settlers in the Middle Ages, including the well-known Bran Castle. Don’t miss Sighisoara, a vibrant city filled with Saxon mediaeval buildings. Try some of the many thermal springs in the area as well.