The definition of which countries constitute “Eastern Europe” is complex.
The biggest reason for the lack of a consistent definition can be found in the geopolitical fallout of the Cold War and the ever-changing Russian Soviet Union.
There are also other factors to consider such as socioeconomic classifications and historical ethnic contexts that have shaped one of the more polarizing regions of the European continent.
Debate on where Eastern Europe begins tends to start with the country formerly known as Czechoslovakia, or what are now the two separate nations of the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Many people consider these countries to be Central Europe while just as many categorize them as Eastern Europe.
Fortunately, both of them, as well as most of the rest of Eastern Europe, are members of the Schengen Zone, which means that when the Electronic Travel Information Authorization System (ETIAS) is launched in 2022, eligible travelers will be able to visit any of the countries of Eastern Europe they like.
Traveling to Eastern Europe
Perhaps more so than with the countries on any other continent, tourism in Europe tends to revolve around its largest cities.
This unofficial rule is especially true with regards to Eastern Europe where the countries are not as populous as in Western or Southern Europe and so their second cities and towns are lesser-known.
With that in mind, vacationers tend to focus more on the well-known cities of the region and less on the countries as whole entities.
And even though Eastern and Central Europe are the least visited regions in the European Union, they still boast some of the most exciting cities to see.
Visiting Eastern European Capitals
While holidaymakers may not be able to agree on a definition for Eastern Europe, they seem to agree on what the general region’s best cities and countries to visit are.
Whether from experienced travelers or study abroad students, Berlin, Prague, and Budapest are always mentioned among the best cities to visit among Eastern European countries.
Find below my thoughts on the three wonderful destinations.
Seeing Germany and Berlin
Germany is perhaps the most polarizing of the countries when it comes to its regional classification.
The western part of the country is considered Western Europe, the central part could be called Central Europe, and its capital city of Berlin was once split down the middle in such precision that the Berlin Wall was the official starting point of where Eastern Europe began.
Today, Berlin is its own entity, having established itself as one of the most unique and exciting cities in all of Europe, not just Eastern Europe thanks to its combination of history and its one-of-a-kind nightlife.
Prague: The Czech Republic’s capital city
When Czechoslovakia was split up into the Czech Republic and Slovakia, the two capital cities of the new official countries became Prague and Bratislava.
Bratislava is known for its old-world treasures like castles and fortresses, as well as its natural wonders in the surrounding areas.
Prague, on the other hand, is one of the capital cities in Europe that is known for being a wonderful destination.
The city offers exciting blends of the old and the new, with the Old Town Square, the famous Charles Bridge, and Prague Castle competing for visits from tourists with the New Town, which is a more contemporary part of the city.
First Buda then Pest
No trip to Eastern Europe would be complete without a visit to Hungary’s capital city of Budapest.
The River Danube separates the city into two sections: Buda, the hilly old part of the city where the castle is perched beautifully at the top, and Pest, which is just across the Danube and features the parliament building on the riverbank.
Pest is the more industry-focused part of town.
The city is popular today for its Ruin Bars, which are popular nightlife spots for young people in once-deserted or destroyed buildings that have been reconditioned in a minimalist fashion to be repurposed as bars.
Budapest is perhaps most famous for its enormous Turkish baths, which date back to medieval times and are extremely popular for tourists, especially during its frigid winter months.
Lesser Known Countries Worth Exploring
Although Germany, The Czech Republic, and Hungary may be the most visited countries in Eastern Europe, they certainly are not the only ones.
Countries like Poland are popular destinations for their beautiful cities of Warsaw and Krakow, and many countries in Eastern Europe offer some of the best natural escapes in the continent, especially around Romania and Bulgaria.
Author Bio:
Susan Noel is an experienced content writer. She is associated with many renowned travel blogs as a guest author where she shares her valuable travel tips with the audience.