Some of the most underrated travel destinations in the world can be found in Eastern Europe, that were only brought in the spotlight in the last few decades. Featuring exceptional and authentic cultural heritage, as well as beautifully preserved natural diversity, the countries of Eastern Europe offer fascinating experience and are usually a lot cheaper than other places. Each one of these destinations has something to offer, from beautiful medieval towns to ancient castles and fortresses, from pristine beaches to picturesque mountains and from traditional villages to old monasteries. Here are the top countries to visit in Eastern Europe for an unforgettable experience.
Croatia
One of the most popular destinations in the whole of Europe, Croatia is mostly known for is stunning coast and islands along the Adriatic Sea, featuring magnificent medieval towns and excellent beaches. From the southern famous city of Dubrovnik to the northern coast of Istria close to Italy, there many places to see, including the cities of Split, Zadar, Rijeka, Pula, Porec or the islands of Krk, Hvar, Korcula, Vis and others. Nevertheless, the interior of Croatia is equally interesting and beautiful, like the national parks of Plitvice or Krka, the capital of Zagreb and many more.
Poland
One of the biggest countries in Europe by surface and population, Poland is a truly amazing destination, featuring a variety of landscapes and sights. While most travelers choose to see the cultural and historical attractions in the cities of Warsaw, Krakow, Wroclaw, Lodz or Gdansk, the rest of the country is almost unknown. Poland features everything from tall mountains and primeval forests to traditional villages and medieval fortresses. Some of the most interesting destinations of the country include Wieliczka Salt Mine, Auschwitz, Bialowieza National Park, Malbork, Slowinski National Park, Bedzin, the Tatra Mountains and many others.
Romania
One of the most diverse and inspiring destinations that many people still don’t know is Romania, featuring a staggering variety of sights. Romania offers a multitude of destinations, including superb cities like Bucharest, Brasov, Sibiu, Timisoara or Iasi, medieval towns, castles and fortresses, the enchanting monasteries of Bucovina, the fortified churches of Transylvania and many more. The natural environment is equally enticing, with the tall peaks of the Carpathians, the charming Danube Delta and the coast of the Black Sea.
Hungary
Mostly overshadowed by the fame and popularity of its capital Budapest, the whole of Hungary offers a very insightful experience, with some very unique and beautiful destinations. Neverhteless, it’s no wonder so many travelers visit Budapest, as it is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, divided by the Danube River and blessed with an imposing castle, splendid churches and the iconic Parliament Building to name only a few. Some of the other highlights of Hungary include fascinating places like the cities of Debrecen, Szeget or Eger, the huge Lake Balaton, the endless Hungarian Plains, the caves of Aggtelek and so on.
Bulgaria
Another underrated destination of Eastern Europe is Bulgaria and it’s truly enchanting for those that get to visit. It is also an extremely diverse place, with the mountains occupying a large part of the country and offering excellent conditions for hiking or winter sports, on top of the superb landscapes they create. In the east, the wonderful coast of the Black Sea is dotted with seaside resort and old towns like Varna, Nessebar and Sunny Beach, Burgas or Balchik. Apart from the beautiful capital of Sofia and its cultural sights, other places that are worth exploring include the cities of Plovdiv or Veliko Tarnovo, the monastery of Rila, the Rose Valley and many more.