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
If #3 takes you by surprised, we're not surprised. Its charms remain still widely unacknowledged in mainstream tourism. This fact likely contributes to its appeal. We offer fair warning, though, don't wait too long or this lovely gem could be swamped by the time you get there.
Known as little Paris, because of its French influence, this wonderful city has survived the bleakest of the bleak Iron Curtain totalitarians much better than one could have hoped. During the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century, before the Communists got hold of it, Bucharest underwent a developmental flowering.
There were great achievements in architecture and culture. Among the most prominent were the building of Bucharest University, Grand Hotel du Boulevard, the Botanical Garden, the Atheneum, and Casa Capsa.
In general, the city's wide, tree-lined boulevards, glorious Belle Epoque buildings and a reputation for high style, has provided it its well deserved little Paris moniker. A bustling metropolis, Romania's largest city and capital is an absolute must see if you're in search of the East's best European cities.
2. PRAGUE
Admittedly, the second spot on our list is a little more obvious. Don't make the mistake though of allowing familiarity to put you off of this wonderful destination. If Prague is an obvious choice for such a list; it comes by the reputation honestly.
It is replete with impressive bridges, cathedrals, gold-tipped towers and church domes: a true visual treat at every moment. Its miraculous achievement is to successfully mix the old, medieval center characterized by cobbled lanes, walled courtyards, cathedrals and countless church spires, with the modern city full of fine dining restaurants, music, and art.
Of course, when visiting Prague one must see the iconic sights: the Charles Bridge, the Prague Castle/St. Vitus Cathedral, and the Old Town Square, with its well-known Astronomical Clock. Don't stop there, though. The city has many other intriguing secrets.
Take the ubiquitous cafe; Prague is rightfully famed for its grand cafes. Check out this hot tip though. When you go in search of your coffee break, turn your gaze upward. Little known to the average tourist, Prague's best and most refined, atmospheric downtown cafes are up on what they call the first floor.
These are amazingly overlooked by most tourists. And I'll tell you, you will be left speechless at the beauty of the period interiors. The coffee is always perfect and you'll find them well appointed with a smart clientele oozing old school European sophistication. Among the great choices, check out the Grand Cafe Orient above the Cubist Museum and Cafe Louvre, in their day, a favorite of both Kafka and Einstein.
1. Krakow
Anyone who thought Prague a bit too obvious might be more intrigued by our number one choice. Krakow has some of Europe's best kept secrets of Europe, in its elegant architecture and old world charm. The eateries of Krakow possess a well deserved reputation for their quaint ambiance and excellent cuisine, all offered at very reasonable prices.
Despite all this, Krakow is no longer the undiscovered hideaway of even recent years. Steven Spielberg's much decorated movie, Shindler's List, filmed and based on events that took place in Krakow, has brought the city to the attention of tourists in a renew way. It is still possible and relatively easy, though, to get a taste of the real Krakow - of the feel of the city prior to its Hollywood generated tourist industry. Here is our suggestion: get over to Podgrze.
It is a working-class area slowly being revitalized by bohos fleeing the touristy center and Jewish district. The Laetus Bernatek footbridge has opened up this area for easy access. It's just that most tourists don't venture across it. The area has plenty of bars and cafes, for all tastes, that give you some sense of life in Krakow before the movie buffs started to arrive.
One venue we'd highly recommend is Klub Drukarnia. This happening jazz club offers spectacular sunset views over the Wisla River. The club's basement is the local for frequent concerts and DJ nights. Its features include a saloon-style smoking room and a smarter side with velvet seats and a long bar with expansive windows issuing out over the river. Hang with the cool kids of Krakow.
The coolest thing on this side of the river, though, and in fact, an experience so surreal, it was what tipped the balance to making Krakow our number one pick is Liban Quarry. You've got to check this out! It was a working quarry of a 19th century Jewish owned limestone company. Nazis made it into a forced labor camp. When serious about forced labor, as were the Nazis, it means worked-to-death.
Following the war this area was turned into a memorial to the victims of Nazi atrocities. However, it seems that irony was yet to have the last laugh. For, as the decades have gone by, the city has turned its back on the quarry. As a consequence, gradually, nature reclaimed it. Once a thriving business reflecting Jewish acumen, then a blight of Nazi barbarism, it now is a spontaneous wildlife sanctuary. Home to waterfowl, birds of prey, pheasants and various other animals, the Liban Quarry seems to have found its own peace. Still, when looking over the rusting refinery equipment and memorial gravestones surrounded by ponds and draped in dense vegetation, ever surveyed by the sentinels of limestone cliffs, symbolism endlessly forces itself upon the imagination. I'll leave you to your own interpretations.
It is quite possible that your visit to Liban Quarry leaves you a tad spooked. If so, I'd suggest a warming evening nightcap. On the journey back across the bridge from Podgrze two delightful cafes options sit just on the city side of the bridge. Mostowy Art Cafe is the larger one: an elegant gallery cafe. For those preferring a more subdued option, right next door is Po Drodze: a cosy old kitchen cafe. Spicing up your coffee with a vodka shot may be just the thing.
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
If #3 takes you by surprised, we're not surprised. Its charms remain still widely unacknowledged in mainstream tourism. This fact likely contributes to its appeal. We offer fair warning, though, don't wait too long or this lovely gem could be swamped by the time you get there.
Known as little Paris, because of its French influence, this wonderful city has survived the bleakest of the bleak Iron Curtain totalitarians much better than one could have hoped. During the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century, before the Communists got hold of it, Bucharest underwent a developmental flowering.
There were great achievements in architecture and culture. Among the most prominent were the building of Bucharest University, Grand Hotel du Boulevard, the Botanical Garden, the Atheneum, and Casa Capsa.
In general, the city's wide, tree-lined boulevards, glorious Belle Epoque buildings and a reputation for high style, has provided it its well deserved little Paris moniker. A bustling metropolis, Romania's largest city and capital is an absolute must see if you're in search of the East's best European cities.
2. PRAGUE
Admittedly, the second spot on our list is a little more obvious. Don't make the mistake though of allowing familiarity to put you off of this wonderful destination. If Prague is an obvious choice for such a list; it comes by the reputation honestly.
It is replete with impressive bridges, cathedrals, gold-tipped towers and church domes: a true visual treat at every moment. Its miraculous achievement is to successfully mix the old, medieval center characterized by cobbled lanes, walled courtyards, cathedrals and countless church spires, with the modern city full of fine dining restaurants, music, and art.
Of course, when visiting Prague one must see the iconic sights: the Charles Bridge, the Prague Castle/St. Vitus Cathedral, and the Old Town Square, with its well-known Astronomical Clock. Don't stop there, though. The city has many other intriguing secrets.
Take the ubiquitous cafe; Prague is rightfully famed for its grand cafes. Check out this hot tip though. When you go in search of your coffee break, turn your gaze upward. Little known to the average tourist, Prague's best and most refined, atmospheric downtown cafes are up on what they call the first floor.
These are amazingly overlooked by most tourists. And I'll tell you, you will be left speechless at the beauty of the period interiors. The coffee is always perfect and you'll find them well appointed with a smart clientele oozing old school European sophistication. Among the great choices, check out the Grand Cafe Orient above the Cubist Museum and Cafe Louvre, in their day, a favorite of both Kafka and Einstein.
1. Krakow
Anyone who thought Prague a bit too obvious might be more intrigued by our number one choice. Krakow has some of Europe's best kept secrets of Europe, in its elegant architecture and old world charm. The eateries of Krakow possess a well deserved reputation for their quaint ambiance and excellent cuisine, all offered at very reasonable prices.
Despite all this, Krakow is no longer the undiscovered hideaway of even recent years. Steven Spielberg's much decorated movie, Shindler's List, filmed and based on events that took place in Krakow, has brought the city to the attention of tourists in a renew way. It is still possible and relatively easy, though, to get a taste of the real Krakow - of the feel of the city prior to its Hollywood generated tourist industry. Here is our suggestion: get over to Podgrze.
It is a working-class area slowly being revitalized by bohos fleeing the touristy center and Jewish district. The Laetus Bernatek footbridge has opened up this area for easy access. It's just that most tourists don't venture across it. The area has plenty of bars and cafes, for all tastes, that give you some sense of life in Krakow before the movie buffs started to arrive.
One venue we'd highly recommend is Klub Drukarnia. This happening jazz club offers spectacular sunset views over the Wisla River. The club's basement is the local for frequent concerts and DJ nights. Its features include a saloon-style smoking room and a smarter side with velvet seats and a long bar with expansive windows issuing out over the river. Hang with the cool kids of Krakow.
The coolest thing on this side of the river, though, and in fact, an experience so surreal, it was what tipped the balance to making Krakow our number one pick is Liban Quarry. You've got to check this out! It was a working quarry of a 19th century Jewish owned limestone company. Nazis made it into a forced labor camp. When serious about forced labor, as were the Nazis, it means worked-to-death.
Following the war this area was turned into a memorial to the victims of Nazi atrocities. However, it seems that irony was yet to have the last laugh. For, as the decades have gone by, the city has turned its back on the quarry. As a consequence, gradually, nature reclaimed it. Once a thriving business reflecting Jewish acumen, then a blight of Nazi barbarism, it now is a spontaneous wildlife sanctuary. Home to waterfowl, birds of prey, pheasants and various other animals, the Liban Quarry seems to have found its own peace. Still, when looking over the rusting refinery equipment and memorial gravestones surrounded by ponds and draped in dense vegetation, ever surveyed by the sentinels of limestone cliffs, symbolism endlessly forces itself upon the imagination. I'll leave you to your own interpretations.
It is quite possible that your visit to Liban Quarry leaves you a tad spooked. If so, I'd suggest a warming evening nightcap. On the journey back across the bridge from Podgrze two delightful cafes options sit just on the city side of the bridge. Mostowy Art Cafe is the larger one: an elegant gallery cafe. For those preferring a more subdued option, right next door is Po Drodze: a cosy old kitchen cafe. Spicing up your coffee with a vodka shot may be just the thing.
About the Author:
Travel enthusiasts need to follow 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 article on the wellness travel industry in India.
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