Many Americans, when presented with the prospect of visiting the best European cities, conjure images of the Eiffel Tower, the Spanish Steps, the Ramblas or St. Paul's Cathedral. This western orientation, though, may be a consequence of so much of Eastern Europe being closed off by the Iron Curtain for so many years.
Those days are happily behind us, now. And, though their virtues don't shine like they did back in the 90s, when suddenly the doors flew open, the cities of Eastern Europe remain remarkable opportunities. Combining architectural beauty, great cuisine, rich culture, low costs and people still not yet jaded by tourism, the best European cities of the east offer wonderful value and a great experience
Check out our top three must-see East European cities:
BUCHAREST
It may not jump to mind for most people, but that is no doubt part of its appeal. However, don't wait too long. This little gem is attracting more and more tourist attention all the time.
Dubbed little Paris as a result of its distinctive French influence, Bucharest is a great city that survived the bleakest of the bleak Iron Curtain totalitarians in far better shape than might have been anticipated. Back in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, before the Communists got hold of it, Bucharest experienced a developmental flourishing.
This included great achievements in architecture and culture. Noteworthy among these were construction of Bucharest University, Grand Hotel du Boulevard, the Botanical Garden, the Atheneum, and the iconic Casa Capsa.
Among the city's other little Paris legacies are its wide, tree-lined boulevards, glorious Belle Epoque buildings and a reputation for the high style. All this makes the bustling metropolis that is Romania's largest city and capital a must see among aficionados of the best European cities of the east. Oh, and Dracula himself lived here. So, really.
2. PRAGUE
True, our second on the list isn't quite the surprise as the #3 spot. Don't though make the mistake of letting its predictability put you off a truly remarkable experience. This may be among the best-known East European cities, but, make no mistake; it comes by its reputation honestly.
Replete with wondrous bridges, cathedrals, gold-tipped towers and church domes, this historic city is pure eye-candy. Somehow it manages to blend the old, medieval, with its cobbled lanes, walled courtyards, cathedrals and countless church spires, with the modern, replete with contemporary fine dining, music, and art.
It goes without saying, when you're visiting Prague there are certain venues you simply have to experience. At the top of that list are the Charles Bridge, the Prague Castle/St. Vitus Cathedral, and the Old Town Square, with its well-known Astronomical Clock. Goodness, though, don't stop there. There are too many other marvelous secrets to discover.
Top on our list are the cafes of Prague. Well, sure, you may say, the city is famous for its grand cafes. True, but did you know that the real gems, which most tourists never even see, are tucked away up on what they call the first floor? That's where you look to find the city's most refined and atmospheric downtown cafes.
It is amazingly that these are overlooked by most tourists. All the better for you. You'll be left speechless by the elegance and refinement of the period interiors. The coffee is dependably exquisite and the clientele always well appointed in the old European way. Top recommendations are the Grand Cafe Orient above the Cubist Museum and Cafe Louvre. The latter, I'm told, was once of haunt of both Kafka and Einstein.
KRAKOW
If you found the second place on our list a bit predictable, you probably won't think the same of our position of honor. Krakow though is indeed a precious find; it hides away some of the best kept secrets of Europe: beautiful architecture and old world charm are everywhere. Krakow's restaurants enjoy a deserved reputation for being quaint, atmospheric eateries with excellent food, for very affordable prices.
Don't, though, let its relative freshness on the tourist trail mislead you. Krakow is no longer undiscovered. Steven Spielberg's awarding film, Shindler's List, both shot and based on events that took place here, has changed all that. The tourism at this point, though, remains located in very specific parts of town. If you want to get away and see the real Krakow, it still can be done. The best tip we can offer is this: get over to Podgrze.
Podgrze is described as a working-class area. It is gradually gentrifying due to an influx of bohos looking to escape the increasingly touristy town center and Jewish district. The recently completed Laetus Bernatek footbridge offers up this intriguing part of the city to easy access. Most tourists don't venture across it, but you should. Like most such transitional areas, there are a wide range of bars and cafes to choose from. You have to determine what best suits your taste.
To mention just one, see Klub Drukarnia. It is a happening jazz club providing glorious sunset views over the Wisla River. Its basement hosts concerts and DJ nights. Among its features are a saloon-style smoking room and a smarter side with velvet seats and a long bar with huge windows looking out over the river. Come hang with the hip set of Krakow.
For our money, though, the real attraction on this side of the river is Liban Quarry. Without exaggeration, it is one of the most surreal places you'll ever see. Originally the quarry of a 19th century Jewish owned limestone company, during the Nazi occupation it was converted to a forced labor camp. As with such places, forced labor often meant worked to death.
After the war Liban Quarry was made a memorial to the victims of Nazi atrocities. Strange sense of memorial, though: the subsequent decades have seen the city essentially turn its back on the place. Consequently, it has been reclaimed by nature, transforming into a spontaneous wildlife sanctuary. It is now home to waterfowl, birds of prey, pheasants and various other animals - including the occasional apparently wild horse. Rusting refinery equipment and memorial gravestones have been swallowed up by intermittent ponds and increasingly dense vegetation, all solemnly overseen by the looming limestone cliffs that started it all. Interpretation of the rather pressing symbolism is left to you.
If a visit to Liban Quarry has left you a little spooked, on your way back across the bridge from Podgrze stop off for a pick me up. There are two delightful cafes just on the city side of the bridge: Mostowy Art Cafe is a large and elegant gallery cafe. And if seeking something more subdued, Po Drodze, just next door, is a cosy old kitchen cafe where you can spice up your coffee with a vodka shot.
Those days are happily behind us, now. And, though their virtues don't shine like they did back in the 90s, when suddenly the doors flew open, the cities of Eastern Europe remain remarkable opportunities. Combining architectural beauty, great cuisine, rich culture, low costs and people still not yet jaded by tourism, the best European cities of the east offer wonderful value and a great experience
Check out our top three must-see East European cities:
BUCHAREST
It may not jump to mind for most people, but that is no doubt part of its appeal. However, don't wait too long. This little gem is attracting more and more tourist attention all the time.
Dubbed little Paris as a result of its distinctive French influence, Bucharest is a great city that survived the bleakest of the bleak Iron Curtain totalitarians in far better shape than might have been anticipated. Back in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, before the Communists got hold of it, Bucharest experienced a developmental flourishing.
This included great achievements in architecture and culture. Noteworthy among these were construction of Bucharest University, Grand Hotel du Boulevard, the Botanical Garden, the Atheneum, and the iconic Casa Capsa.
Among the city's other little Paris legacies are its wide, tree-lined boulevards, glorious Belle Epoque buildings and a reputation for the high style. All this makes the bustling metropolis that is Romania's largest city and capital a must see among aficionados of the best European cities of the east. Oh, and Dracula himself lived here. So, really.
2. PRAGUE
True, our second on the list isn't quite the surprise as the #3 spot. Don't though make the mistake of letting its predictability put you off a truly remarkable experience. This may be among the best-known East European cities, but, make no mistake; it comes by its reputation honestly.
Replete with wondrous bridges, cathedrals, gold-tipped towers and church domes, this historic city is pure eye-candy. Somehow it manages to blend the old, medieval, with its cobbled lanes, walled courtyards, cathedrals and countless church spires, with the modern, replete with contemporary fine dining, music, and art.
It goes without saying, when you're visiting Prague there are certain venues you simply have to experience. At the top of that list are the Charles Bridge, the Prague Castle/St. Vitus Cathedral, and the Old Town Square, with its well-known Astronomical Clock. Goodness, though, don't stop there. There are too many other marvelous secrets to discover.
Top on our list are the cafes of Prague. Well, sure, you may say, the city is famous for its grand cafes. True, but did you know that the real gems, which most tourists never even see, are tucked away up on what they call the first floor? That's where you look to find the city's most refined and atmospheric downtown cafes.
It is amazingly that these are overlooked by most tourists. All the better for you. You'll be left speechless by the elegance and refinement of the period interiors. The coffee is dependably exquisite and the clientele always well appointed in the old European way. Top recommendations are the Grand Cafe Orient above the Cubist Museum and Cafe Louvre. The latter, I'm told, was once of haunt of both Kafka and Einstein.
KRAKOW
If you found the second place on our list a bit predictable, you probably won't think the same of our position of honor. Krakow though is indeed a precious find; it hides away some of the best kept secrets of Europe: beautiful architecture and old world charm are everywhere. Krakow's restaurants enjoy a deserved reputation for being quaint, atmospheric eateries with excellent food, for very affordable prices.
Don't, though, let its relative freshness on the tourist trail mislead you. Krakow is no longer undiscovered. Steven Spielberg's awarding film, Shindler's List, both shot and based on events that took place here, has changed all that. The tourism at this point, though, remains located in very specific parts of town. If you want to get away and see the real Krakow, it still can be done. The best tip we can offer is this: get over to Podgrze.
Podgrze is described as a working-class area. It is gradually gentrifying due to an influx of bohos looking to escape the increasingly touristy town center and Jewish district. The recently completed Laetus Bernatek footbridge offers up this intriguing part of the city to easy access. Most tourists don't venture across it, but you should. Like most such transitional areas, there are a wide range of bars and cafes to choose from. You have to determine what best suits your taste.
To mention just one, see Klub Drukarnia. It is a happening jazz club providing glorious sunset views over the Wisla River. Its basement hosts concerts and DJ nights. Among its features are a saloon-style smoking room and a smarter side with velvet seats and a long bar with huge windows looking out over the river. Come hang with the hip set of Krakow.
For our money, though, the real attraction on this side of the river is Liban Quarry. Without exaggeration, it is one of the most surreal places you'll ever see. Originally the quarry of a 19th century Jewish owned limestone company, during the Nazi occupation it was converted to a forced labor camp. As with such places, forced labor often meant worked to death.
After the war Liban Quarry was made a memorial to the victims of Nazi atrocities. Strange sense of memorial, though: the subsequent decades have seen the city essentially turn its back on the place. Consequently, it has been reclaimed by nature, transforming into a spontaneous wildlife sanctuary. It is now home to waterfowl, birds of prey, pheasants and various other animals - including the occasional apparently wild horse. Rusting refinery equipment and memorial gravestones have been swallowed up by intermittent ponds and increasingly dense vegetation, all solemnly overseen by the looming limestone cliffs that started it all. Interpretation of the rather pressing symbolism is left to you.
If a visit to Liban Quarry has left you a little spooked, on your way back across the bridge from Podgrze stop off for a pick me up. There are two delightful cafes just on the city side of the bridge: Mostowy Art Cafe is a large and elegant gallery cafe. And if seeking something more subdued, Po Drodze, just next door, is a cosy old kitchen cafe where you can spice up your coffee with a vodka shot.
About the Author:
Travel fans and aficionados should be following the breaking news on European travel opportunities at our Best European Cities blog. Mitchell Jones is a widely published travel writer, who provides the lowdown on the breaking travel trends. See his fascinating piece on the wellness travel industry in India.
