The Best Of Eastern Europe

A place of staggering culture, fairy tale castles and hilly medieval cityscapes, the cities and towns of Eastern Europe can offer some of the most diverse and rewarding holiday experiences of anywhere in the world. From the russet rooftops and azure bays of chilly Tallinn through the cosmopolitan cities of the Czech Republic down to the palmy boulevards and dusty ruins of Cyprus, we have a glance at five destinations which will whet any intrepid traveller’s appetite to know more!

Best for Culture: Tallinn: Voted the 2011 capital of culture and capital city of the country of Estonia, Tallinn is located to the north-west of the country, on a 46km stretch of coastline delineating the Gulf of Finland. Tallinn is most well-known as an IT hub, with Skype and Ericsson bases in the city, but has so much more to offer visitors. You can wander the parks, palaces and churches of its old town for hours, and its open air museum has lovingly recreated Estonian traditional buildings. No trip would be complete without a visit to Kadriorg, a former palace of Peter the Great!

Image of Tallinn by Huzhead 

Best for History: Brno Located in the south-eastern area of the Czech Republic, in Moravia, and surrounded by lush hills and two rivers, Brno is second only in size to Prague, with a population of 730,000 people.  Known for its university, exhibition centre and museums, there has been significant investment in its cultural restoration in the last 20 years. Visit the Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul, for some reason the bells ring noon at 11 every day, and always have. Don’t forget to check the sites of the underground city – Brno has an ossuary, crypt and labyrinth just waiting to be explored…

Best for Nightlife: Ayia Napa: Located to the far south-east of the island of Cyprus, Ayia Napa is one of its most famous resorts, due to its stunning blue flag beaches, sparkling waters perfect for water sports and party vibe. With a population of 2,600, it’s been building international recognition for its music scene. After the beach parties, boat trips and bar crawls, don’t miss its monastery, a relic of quieter times!

Larnaca: Best for Beaches:  With a population of 72,000, Larnaca is Cyprus’s third largest city, and served by its own airport. Located on the south-eastern coastline of Cyprus, it’s renowned for its stunning beachfront, and the remnants of Ancient Kitium, forming one of many important historical sites. There’s also a salt lake nearby, beside the beautiful Hala Tekke Mosque, where certain lucky visitors have spotted flamingos! Don’t miss Kataklysmos, as flood festival which gets underway every summer, and it would be grossly negligent not to learn to dive, with crystal waters and shipwrecks just waiting to be explored!

Image of Prague by Moyan_Brenn 

Prague: Best All-Rounder With a population of 1.3 million people, the capital of the Czech Republic is cradled by the Bohemian basin, on the Vltava River. Prague is famous for its giant castle site, cathedral and astronomical clock, the city is a perfect mix of cosmopolitan culture and cherished heritage. The Charles Bridge kindles colour in summer months with artists, vendors and musicians, the perfect place to get a sense of Prague’s infectious cultural atmosphere – and as you walk the streets, prepare to spot a range of quirky and beautiful sculptures dripping from the quaint city buildings.  Don’t forget to visit its modern architectural wonders, including the Museum of Decorative Arts and Dancing House, or have one of the wildest nights of your life in a Prague club in Stare Mesto.