Where to Go in Eastern Europe as a Solo Traveler

While Eastern Europe is a region that may not be as familiar to travelers as other parts of Europe, it’s a gem of a location, just waiting to be discovered. If you are adventurous enough to explore this part of the world, you will be greatly rewarded with breathtaking landscapes and distinctive cuisines. Are you already wondering where to go in Eastern Europe first?

Trust us—you might be underestimating Eastern Europe.

It’s a region that’s definitely off the beaten path for most Americans who like to stick to well-known destinations in Western Europe (which is, of course, a wonderful region as well!), but if you like going to unique countries that are not very popular, you must hop on a plane to Eastern Europe.

Many destinations here are budget-friendly, and it’s unlikely you will find many of their beautiful capital cities and small villages overrun with tourists. Eastern Europe is tailor-made for the traveler who likes to immerse themselves in the local culture and meet that country’s citizens.

Is Eastern Europe safe?

Anyone who has taken a high school history class that’s covered the 20th century knows that Eastern Europe has a tumultuous history. Despite its recent history, that should not be a reason to avoid traveling to Eastern Europe.

Traveling through this region is as safe as more well-known European locales. Obviously, you should still practice a normal amount of caution that you would in any other destination when you’re traveling (like keeping track of your belongings and being aware of your surroundings), but you’ll be as safe in Eastern Europe as anywhere else.

Occasionally there’s more of a language barrier than in more popular cities like Rome, but the best way to travel through Eastern Europe is to try and reach out to the surrounding friendly locals who will go above and beyond to help you in your travels—even if they do not completely understand your language.

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Where to go in Eastern Europe

Need pro Eastern Europe travel tips? Our first one is to peruse the list of top destinations in this region!

1. Poland

There’s no shortage of cool cities to check out.

Why? Poland is probably one of the better-known Eastern European countries and for good reason: It’s very easy to get around and each corner of the country has interesting cultural facets. If you love breathtaking castles and engaging cities, Poland is a must-visit, especially for your first entrance into Eastern Europe.

Poland’s capital city Warsaw is very modern, but still has touches of its pre-war style. Despite being smaller than Warsaw, Krakow is a very popular city with travelers.

When? If you enjoy sightseeing, traveling to Poland between June and August is the perfect time of year to visit. The warm summer weather is perfect for spending hours walking along the country’s rambling, historic streets.

Recommended programs in Poland:

2. Hungary

Why? While the first thought many people might think of when they hear Hungary is its capital city Budapest, there is so much more to explore in this beautiful Eastern European country. You should definitely start out your Hungarian adventure in Budapest just to look at the city’s mesmerizing architecture.

Budapest’s parliament building is truly a major sight to behold. One of the better Eastern Europe travel tips is to go and relax in one of Hungary’s many thermal baths. You will find many throughout the country. If you like quieter locations, Pecs is a gem of a Hungarian city with beautiful ruins and gorgeous scenery.

When? Autumn is a lovely time of year to visit Hungary. The weather is brisk, but you will avoid the large summer crowds that descend on the country in July and August.

Recommended programs in Hungary:

3. Croatia

You’ll love Dubrovnik in Croatia.

Why? Croatia has exploded as a popular destination for travelers thanks to television shows like Game of Thrones. Whether or not you’re a fan of the show, Croatia is well-worth a visit. With it’s beautiful coastline, Croatia attracts tourists with their many cruise line ports and beautiful beaches for those who love nothing more than resting and getting a bit of sun.

Dubrovnik is Croatia’s most popular city for travelers, with its combination of a walled fortress and ocean views. If you like Roman architecture, Split is a wonderful Croatian city to visit. For any foodie travelers, Croatian cuisine and their local wine will quickly become your new favorite.

When? Croatia is incredibly crowded in the summer because of its beautiful beaches and islands, but if you visit in September, you will still have the warm summer temperatures, but without so many Game of Thrones-loving tourists congesting the streets of Dubrovnik.

Recommended programs in Croatia:

Human Rights and Peace Studies in the Balkans
Croatia - Bottlenose Dolphin Conservation

4. Slovenia

Why? Tiny, but mighty, Slovenia is another Eastern European country on the rise in popularity with travelers. Its capital city Ljubljana has a beautiful and charming old town that is popular year-round.

Slovenia is a particularly great destination if you’re a lover of the great outdoors. From its beautiful lakes to its mountain peaks, you will find many excellent outdoor activities. Lake Bled is an excellent destination if you want to see a beautiful blue lake and expressive snow-capped mountains.

When? Slovenia is best for travelers during the summer months when the weather is more consistent than throughout the rest of the year. Despite the summer holidays, it is still relatively uncrowded, even compared to some other destinations in Eastern Europe.

Recommended programs in Slovenia:

5. Bulgaria

Why? While Bulgaria is not a very popular country with travelers yet, that will change—and soon. The country is full of natural beauty and outstanding landmarks. Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital city, is a great place to start your Bulgarian adventure.

If you want to branch out and see more of the country, definitely take a few days to explore its Black Sea coastline. If you’re a big fan of architecture, another great historic city to investigate is Plovdiv.

When? Summer is a wonderful time to visit Bulgaria. However, if you love to ski, Bulgaria’s winter ski resorts are gorgeous and more than worth the trip, particularly between December and March.

Recommended programs in Bulgaria:

Join the Fresco-Hunting Expedition in Bulgaria
Isla - Live Learn Intern in Bulgaria

6. Ukraine

Never considered Ukraine? Head to Kyiv!

Why? While Ukraine is still feeling the effects from its Soviet-era past, the country is trying to move forward with its independence and assert itself as a major, budget-friendly destination. It still has a long way to go, but if you’re a traveler who likes to visit destinations before they are popular, Ukraine should be the next Eastern European country you visit.

In some ways, visiting Ukraine feels like traveling back to the past, particularly when you look at the country’s architecture and ancient churches.

When? Winters are very cold in Ukraine, so if you want the warmest weather all day and night, traveling to Ukraine in the summer is the best. Spring and autumn are also very nice, but it can be cold at night.

Recommended programs in Ukraine:

7. Czech Republic

Why? While the Czech Republic might be best known to travelers for its capital city Prague, anyone who ventures outside of the city can attest that there is much more to the Czech Republic than solely Prague.

Prague is definitely still worth a visit, especially if you love experimenting with different types of beer and soaking up a beautiful culture. Throughout the country, you will find a large vast of beautiful castles. For those who do not mind skeletons, visiting Kutna Hora is a must-see: Its gothic church is decorated with thousands of skeletons.

When? Visiting the Czech Republic in the spring is best, particularly because of the absence of large crowds; plus, the weather is quite mild.

Recommended programs in the Czech Republic:

8. Macedonia

Why? Macedonia is a beautiful Eastern European country, but is also one of the least-visited countries in Eastern Europe. There are only two airports in the whole country (located in the capital Skopje, and Ohrid) so it can be difficult to get to, but once you do, the best way to explore the country is by bus.

The country is small enough that you can get around to different local destinations in relatively little time. The country’s landscape is largely covered by mountains and offers plenty of breathtaking views, especially for those who love to practice their photography skills while they’re traveling.

When? Macedonia has a very pleasant climate so it’s wonderful to visit during the less crowded summer months.

Recommended programs in Macedonia:

6 best ways to travel Eastern Europe

You can’t go wrong with how you choose to travel Eastern Europe.

Ready to dive in and make your Eastern European adventure happen? Check out the best experiences to make your travels abroad as meaningful as they are fun!

Study. Trying to fill a summer or semester with unique experiences and new memories? Or maybe you just want to try something new? Head to Eastern Europe to gain college credit or cool skills.
Intern. Whether you’re a student, recent grad, or looking for a career change, you can find competitive and valuable internships throughout Eastern Europe, across a wide array of fields and specializations.
Gap Year. Find yourself! Everyone dreams of a gap year in Europe—until they see the price tag. Head to Eastern Europe to have once-in-a-lifetime adventure without breaking the bank.
TEFL Certification. Eastern Europe has become a beacon for travelers who want to gain hard skills in TEFL. Prague has become especially popular, but you can find dozens of amazing courses across the region.
Adventure. Do something you can tell your grandkids about. Eastern Europe may not scream adventure right off the bat, but when you consider the relatively unknown and unexplored beaches and mountains, it begins to make a lot of sense.
Language Schools. Polish, Croatian, Russian...there are a ton of nuanced languages in Eastern Europe. And where better to learn them than where they grew?

Grab these Eastern Europe travel tips and have a great time!

When you next find yourself daydreaming about an upcoming international trip, absolutely consider checking out Eastern Europe. The beautiful scenery, unique cuisines, and lower travel costs will surely entice you to return to this part of the world over and over again.