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Eastern Europe Tours & Travel Packages 2025/2026
144 Eastern Europe trips. Compare tour itineraries from 21 tour companies. 749 reviews. 4.7/5 avg rating.
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Top Eastern Europe Attractions
- Walking the old city walls of Dubrovnik, Croatia, for unforgettable views overlooking the medieval heart of the city and the Adriatic Sea beyond.
- Enjoying the palaces, art works, and other splendors of St. Petersburg, Russia, at the end of a river cruise starting in Moscow.
- Gazing at the extravagant show performed by the centuries-old astronomical clock in Old Town square in Prague, Czech Republic.
- Relaxing in the variety of thermal baths in Budapest, Hungary, considered the hottest and most rejuvenating in all of Eastern Europe.
- Sailing down the Danube on a river cruise and encountering the Iron Gate cliffs of Romania, one of Europe’s most dramatic natural wonders.
- Wandering the backstreets of Old Town Krakow, Poland, a fount of striking medieval architecture.
- Discovering one of Europe’s most enchanting medieval cities, Tallinn, the capital of Estonia.
- Touring the backcountry of Albania, once one of the most-isolated nations on earth despite its location on the Adriatic coast.
- Marveling at the scenery in little Montenegro, another gem on the Adriatic Sea.
Eastern Europe Tours & Travel Guide
Eastern Europe Attractions & Landmarks Guide
“Eastern Europe” is as much a political designation as a geographic one: the 22 countries normally included in the category were almost all within the sphere of the former Soviet Union bloc, and range from the Baltic to the Balkans, with some in central Europe as well.
Many are now emerging democracies and share centuries of cultural history and other similarities. While less visited than Western Europe, Eastern Europe is a treasure trove of architecture, art, and scenic wonders waiting to be discovered.
While the term “Eastern Europe” could include, say, Finland and Greece, which lie farther east than several Eastern European countries, it’s generally applied to the 22 former Communist nations of the region, extending from the Baltics to the Balkans and east into Russia and the Caucasus Mountains. (Greece and Finland are considered part of Western Europe.)
A number were republics in the former Soviet Union (Russia, Moldova, Belarus, Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania), while several others – most notably Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria -- were Soviet satellite states. The former nations of Yugoslavia (Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Macedonia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina) as well as Albania enjoyed a bit more independence, if not freedom.
Despite sharing a good deal of political history from World War II until the fall of the Soviet Union and European communism in the early 1990s ,the countries of Eastern Europe are by no means cookie-cutter in culture. The northern Baltic countries bear little resemblance to the southern Balkan nations, while the countries of East Central Europe are quite different from the other regions.
So for travelers looking to narrow down their choices a bit, it’s helpful to group them into separate categories:
Touring the Baltics: Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania
The three Baltic nations are small and can easily be toured at one time. The Estonian capital Tallinn – a truly beautiful medieval city – and the hip Latvian capital, Riga, both enjoy settings on the Baltic coast, while Lithuania’s Baroque capital, Vilnius, lies inland.
While the cities offer a mix of castles, churches, and medieval, modern and Baroque architecture – as well as, yes, some Stalinist buildings, too; the countryside is rich in natural treasures, including forests, lakes, beaches, and national parks. It’s easy to combine a visit to the Baltic states with one to Poland to the east or Finland to the north.
Touring Central Eastern Europe
Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia
Of all the Eastern European countries, with the possible exceptions of Croatia and Russia, the Central European nations are the most “discovered” by travelers. The crowds gathering in Old Town Prague, Czech Republic, and the lovely city of Budapest, Hungary, attest to that.
As beautiful as medieval Prague is, don’t miss fairy tale Czech villages like Český Krumlov and Kroměříz. And if you’re a beer fan, you’ll love the pilsner in the land where it was invented. Slovakia – the other half of the former Czechoslovakia – is less visited but its capital, Bratislava, has its own medieval core, and the rolling hills of the countryside are well worth seeing.
Budapest, for its part, enjoys a beautiful setting on the Danube and lots of ornate bath houses to soak in thermal waters. Poland is less discovered, yet reigns as the “sleeper” destination of Eastern Europe: Krakow is magnificently medieval, while the Wieliczka Salt Mine amazes with its vast underground tunnels.
Touring the former Yugoslav Republics
Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Kosovo, and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Lying along the Adriatic Sea, Croatia has become one of Europe‘s prime destinations. Besides the medieval walled city of Dubrovnik – which serves as the setting for many Game of Thrones scenes – the cities of Split (where the city walls are built right into the ruins of Roman Emperor Diocletian’s’ Palace) and Pula (site of a huge Roman amphitheater) are can’t-miss spots.
The coast is also dotted with islands like jewel-like Trogir and Korcula and scenic Hvar. Inland, the fabulous Plitvice Lakes National Park and the old town of Zagreb are among the highlights.
Nearby, the tiny country of Montenegro is gaining fame for its coastal and inland scenery, as is Slovenia, a patch of green just east of Italy. The romance of the East begins to blossom in Serbia, which boasts not just the newly hip capital of Belgrade but a mix of Ottoman and Byzantine cultures. Bosnia is known for its mosques and Turkish features as well.
Touring Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Ukraine
Romania and Bulgaria share a border on the Danube River, and a river cruise can provide an excellent introduction lo both countries. (Look for cruises that offer shore excursions to Romania’s capital, Bucharest, and to some Bulgarian destinations).
Romania is also known for Transylvania (aka Dracula country), its Byzantine churches and mosaics, and the hiking opportunities in the Carpathian Mountains. Bulgaria has mountains with plenty of hiking as well, along with an ancient melting pot culture of Byzantine, Greek, and Persian influences.
Bulgaria also offers a coastline on the Black Sea, as does huge Ukraine. Albania may be best known as the land that only recently opened to visitors, but that comes with the benefit of visiting an Adriatic coast country that hasn’t changed much in decades.
Touring Russia
European, as opposed to Asian, Russia, is dominated by its two main cities, Moscow and St. Petersburg, and by the Volga River and connecting waterways. Fortunately you can take them all in on a river cruise between Moscow and St. Petersburg, which includes views of the rustic countryside, historic villages, traditional wooden architecture, and vast lakes. Tours of Moscow and St. Petersburg are included on either end, so you won’t miss the architectural and artistic highlights of Red Square, the Kremlin, and the Hermitage.
Top Cities in Eastern Europe
1. Budapest, Hungary - Budapest is known for its world-class art scene, from classical music to fine art museums. Visitors can see the famous Budapest Opera House, the Palace of Arts, and the beautiful Gellért Baths in this historic city.
2. Prague, Czech Republic - The charming city of Prague boasts stunning architecture, rich history, and fine dining. The city is also home to the oldest university in Eastern Europe as well as many museums.
3. Moscow, Russia - Moscow is the capital of Russia and home to the famous St. Basil’s Cathedral, whose brightly colored walls and massive size dominates many images of the city.
4. Dubrovnik, Croatia - Croatia has grown exponentially in tourism over the past decade, bringing millions of tourists to this seaside city. Dubrovnik is known for its well-preserved Old Town and seafood-centric cuisine.
5. Krakow, Poland - The city of Krakow is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is known as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Tourists can visit the Jewish Quarter and Schindler's Factory (now the location of two major museums) to learn about Krakow’s history during the Nazi occupation.
6. Tallinn, Estonia -The capital of Estonia is famous for its medieval architecture, exciting nightlife, and proximity to Estonia’s stunning national parks.
7. Ljubljana, Slovenia - An underrated Eastern European location, Slovenia is filled with natural beauty and friendly locals. The capital city of Ljubljana is clean and quiet, with cobblestoned streets, beautiful architecture, and plenty of green spaces.
Cuisine in Eastern Europe
From the Baltic to the Adriatic to the Black Sea, fish and seafood dominate the Eastern European food scene. Popular seafood dishes include herring and potatoes in the Baltics, spotted brown octopus in Croatia, and mussels in Bulgaria.
Eastern European cuisine also has a focus on hearty stews with meat, vegetables, and potatoes. Some Eastern European countries eat meat that can be unusual to Western travelers, such as reindeer, sheep’s head, and deep-fried brains. Vegetarian and vegan food is also relatively easy to find, though you may have to hunt around a bit outside the bigger cities, with vegetables as the center of many dishes.
Despite similarities amongst countries in Eastern Europe, each country has its own unique cuisine. The Baltics produce high-quality milk, cheese, and curd. Croatia boasts world-famous seafood. You can’t leave Austria without trying the national dish, wiener schnitzel (breaded and fried veal). Wherever you travel in Eastern Europe, you can expect a wide array of local and international dishes.
River Cruises in Eastern Europe
The Danube River runs through Eastern Europe and is a very popular option for river cruises in Europe. The Danube’s waterways once connected the Roman Empire, so the cities along its banks are filled with history and art.
River cruises allow travelers to see many cities without the added stress and discomfort of traveling by plane, train, or bus. Cruises range from luxury to budget and vary in length. Popular stops along the Danube include Budapest, Vienna, Nuremberg, Belgrade, and Bratislava.
River Cruises in Russia
Russia is a huge country with an abundance of beautiful cities and scenic countryside. Seeing Russia aboard a river cruise allows travelers to experience many different areas of Russia without the added time and cost of transportation and accommodation.
The Volga River is the most popular river for cruises in Russia. The Volga passes through cities such as Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kazan, and Volgograd. Russia can be a difficult country to navigate due to the language barrier and decreased tourism. If you are looking to visit Russia, but know little about the language, culture, and must-see attractions, a river cruise on the Volga will provide you with an itinerary and knowledgeable guides.
Active Travel in Eastern Europe
Not all Eastern Europe tours are about history - there are some wonderful places for hiking and getting out in nature as well. Popular summer destinations for active travelers include the Tatra Mountains in Poland and Lahemaa National Park in Estonia, where visitors can hike, bike, and kayak. Slovakia and Belarus are great destinations for wildlife spotting, as both countries boast dense and untouched wilderness.
Eastern Europe is especially popular for downhill and cross-country skiing; Jasna Resort in Slovakia boasts some of the most challenging and renowned slopes in Europe, and Jizerska in the Czech Republic is famous for its cross-country skiing marathons. These resorts also offer other winter sports such as snowshoeing and rifle shooting.
Eastern Europe Reviews & Ratings
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Breathtaking scenery and super smooth cycling!
It really was as described on the label - fabulously clear seas teeming with fish, gorgeous vistas of islands, vines and historic villages, with hidden gems of fre...
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Wonderful way to see a beautiful country
This Croatian trip was a wonderful mix of unspoilt countryside, sparkling clear seas and historical walled towns and cities. It was also a good mix of fairly chall...
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stunning coastline
Excellent leader Alan. Great balance between towns and countryside. Difficult to find anything I would change, perhaps better hotel coffee. not having been before, D...
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Cycling
The brochure tells you about the scenery etc but until you get there whow! It's a trip you must do the scenery ,roads and great guide will bring you to places you...
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Wonderful trip
What a fab trip. Great weather, wonderful company, and the gorgeous Dalmatian coast. The ride exceeded our expectations, it was a little tougher than we expected, ...
Traveling to Eastern Europe, an FAQ
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