When asked about the best European cities, does your mind fill with images of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Spanish Steps in Rome, the Ramblas in Barcelona or St. Paul's Cathedral in London? That seems to be the case for most of us, but I suspect this is just a kind of hangover of the imagination lingering from the years of the Cold War, when Eastern Europe was simply inaccessible to most of us.
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:
3. 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.
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.
The city's wide, tree-lined boulevards, glorious Belle Epoque buildings and a reputation for the high style, makes the bustling metropolis that is Romania's largest city and capital a must see for those seeking the best European cities of the east. Oh, and Dracula himself lived here. So, really.
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.
A city awash in dazzling architecture, it is replete with unending eye-candy vistas of bridges, cathedrals, gold-tipped towers and church domes. Perhaps most impressively it somehow is able to beautifully blend the old, medieval center characterized by cobbled lanes, walled courtyards, cathedrals and countless church spires, with the modern city, packed with excellent fine dining restaurants, and all the sublime music and art you could wish for.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 place we would highly recommend, though, is Klub Drukarnia. It is a swinging jazz club and offers the bonus of being able to enjoy spectacular sunset vistas over the Wisla River. The club's basement is the setting for frequent concerts and DJ nights. Features include a saloon-style smoking room and a smarter side with velvet seats and a long bar with huge windows providing a glorious panorama over the river.
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.
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:
3. 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.
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.
The city's wide, tree-lined boulevards, glorious Belle Epoque buildings and a reputation for the high style, makes the bustling metropolis that is Romania's largest city and capital a must see for those seeking the best European cities of the east. Oh, and Dracula himself lived here. So, really.
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.
A city awash in dazzling architecture, it is replete with unending eye-candy vistas of bridges, cathedrals, gold-tipped towers and church domes. Perhaps most impressively it somehow is able to beautifully blend the old, medieval center characterized by cobbled lanes, walled courtyards, cathedrals and countless church spires, with the modern city, packed with excellent fine dining restaurants, and all the sublime music and art you could wish for.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 place we would highly recommend, though, is Klub Drukarnia. It is a swinging jazz club and offers the bonus of being able to enjoy spectacular sunset vistas over the Wisla River. The club's basement is the setting for frequent concerts and DJ nights. Features include a saloon-style smoking room and a smarter side with velvet seats and a long bar with huge windows providing a glorious panorama over the river.
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.
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 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 latest travel trends. See his fascinating piece on the wellness travel industry in India.