What is the best time of year to go to Eastern Europe?

While summer is prime time, many travellers have the same idea and elbow room can be lacking!   Opt for the shoulder seasons in spring and summer for slightly lower prices and fewer crowds. However, many vendors may be operating on a reduced schedule, so be sure to plan ahead and do your research.

What to pack for your trip to Eastern Europe:

• For long days of sightseeing, opt for comfortable clothing in natural fabrics to stay cool during the warmer months. While we love a comfortable athleisure moment, most Eastern Europeans tend to dress up. We suggest trading leggings for a breezy sundress or linen shorts!
• Cobblestone streets are quaint … and deceivingly tough on the ankles! Bring comfortable and supportive shoes or sandals for long days of exploring. 
• Many people in Eastern Europe tend to dress a little more conservatively, especially when visiting beautiful churches. Pack some options that cover your arms and legs, or bring a light scarf to wrap up in.
• A swimsuit and a hat are a must, especially for the seaside cities. Don’t forget SPF! 
• Especially during shoulder season, the weather can change by the hour. Pack a light rain jacket just in case.

2. Slovenia

Ljubljana

Friendly locals, romantic streets and a progressive culture, Ljubljana is quickly becoming a European hotspot … and for good reason! Ranked as one of the greenest and most livable cities in Europe, car access is restricted in the city centre leaving the streets free for cyclists and pedestrians.   Meander under the leafy trees along the Ljubljanica River and explore museums and cafés by day, then join the many students that call this city home for a night out dancing. This capital city is truly one of the standouts of the Balkans.

Best Places to Take Photos in Ljubljana

• Old Town
• Cobbler’s Bridge
• Ljubljana Castle and City Streets

3. Croatia

Dubrovnik

This stunning city of Dubrovnik borders the Adriatic Sea, and whether you’re a Game of Thrones fan or not, it’s easy to imagine a dragon flying over the city walls surrounding the UNESCO World Heritage Site.    Narrow, cobbled side streets and stone fortresses are the perfect backdrop to let your imagination run wild. While the city itself is small in size, it’s packed with hidden spots to uncover, plus must-do’s like a walking tour of the city walls.   Find our favourite, local-approved spots in our Ultimate Travel Guide to Dubrovnik so you don’t miss a thing!

Best Places to Take Photos in Dubrovnik

• Dubrovnik Sea & Walls Old Town Side Streets of Dubrovnik

Best Places to Take Photos in Zagreb

• St Mark’s Square & Upper Town
• National Theatre & Lower Town
• King Tomislav Square

4. Hungary

Budapest

Split by the Danube River, Budapest is best known for the famous thermal baths (and late-night thermal bath parties, if you’re feeling brave ), ruin bars, the thriving Jewish Quarter and more. Indulge in Hungarian classics like goulash and langos, but as a food capital of Europe, exploring the city through your taste buds is a direct line to the city’s heartbeat. If you crave an authentic experience that extends past the more touristy classics, utilize our Local Travel Guide to Budapest packed with local tips to craft your perfect itinerary. 

Best Places to Take Photos in Budapest

1. Fisherman’s Bastion
2. St. Stephen’s Basilica & Chain Bridge
3. Vajdahunyad Castle
4. Buda Castle
5. Hungarian Parliament

5. Turkey

Istanbul

From the Byzentines to the Ottomans, the Greeks, Romans and Venetians all once ruled this empire that connects the East to the West along the Bosphorus Strait, and they certainly left their marks. With more history and culture embedded into the city than guidebooks could ever cover, Istanbul is a cultural buffet of attractions.   Tea gardens, Turkish baths and getting lost in a bazaar are just the entry points to Turkey’s lively and vibrant community and way of life. 

Best Places to Take Photos in Istanbul

1. Hagia Sophia & the Blue Mosque
2. Ortaköy Square
3. Karakoy to Galata Bridge

6. Romania

Bucharest

Don’t let this exciting city just be a stopover on your way to Transylvania (vampire hunting? We won’t tell ). Elegant architecture from past centuries is neighboured by more recent Communist builds, and that same contrast is reflected in the diverse personality of Bucharest as well. The trendy and spirited arts and dining scene mixes effortlessly with the laid-back vibe of the city. With the Black Sea to the east and Bran Castle, the alleged home of Count Dracula, to the north, there are endless places to explore in this beautiful country.

Best Places to Take Photos in Bucharest

1. Old Town
2. Cișmigiu Gardens
3. Revolution Square

7. Poland

Krakow

While Krakow might no longer remain Poland’s capital city, it still makes a strong case as its cultural capital. A young, student-fueled energy is tangible through the hip bar and nightlife scene, trendy restaurants and cafés, and a contemporary arts scene, all juxtaposed by the surrounding medieval architecture.   Refuel with a kiełbasa, pierogies (did we mention there is even a pierogi festival?) and vodka, which can be purchased from humble stands. Find the best things to eat, drink and see on your trip our local’s guide to Krakow.

Be sure to include a somber tour of Auschwitz in your visit. These harrowing camps are a reminder of the darkest times of WWII, and it is an important way to pay tribute to the memory of the lives lost during the Holocaust. 

Best Places to Take Photos in Krakow

1. Main Square
2. Street Art Tour
3. Wawel Castle Grounds

Heather’s Travel Tip for Krakow

Warsaw

Formerly a war-torn city, Warsaw has risen from darkness into a beautiful jewel of Poland.   Beautifully restored buildings, sprawling green spaces, and stunningly comprehensive museums like the Warsaw Rising Museum, POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews, and the Frédéric Chopin Museum leave no stone of Warsaw’s history unturned. Traverse the Old and New Towns in search of a new dining hotspot (hint: you won’t have to search far) and immerse yourself in the triumph of this beautiful city. Find the best places to eat, drink and see with our local’s guide to Warsaw!

Best Places to Take Photos in Warsaw

1. Old Town
2. Mariensztat
3. BUW Roof Gardens

8. Latvia

Riga

Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania make up the Baltics, and Riga is the largest of the three Baltic capitals. While Gothic spires dot the skyline, the city streets playfully come alive through the colourful Art Nouveau architecture. Like many Eastern European cities, Riga might initially seem reserved and unassuming — but beneath the quiet exterior lies an exciting and cosmopolitan energy that permeates the innovative dining scene, modern art scene and thriving bar scene. Speaking of drinks, don’t leave without sampling the powerful drink of the city, Riga Black Basalm!

Best Places to Take Photos in Riga

1. Riga Old Town
2. Peace Street

Photo: Uri in Riga on Flytographer. A family photoshoot in Riga.

Capturing memories in Eastern Europe

Capture the magic of Eastern Europe with a Flytographer shoot as you fall in love with each and every city you explore.   Stay tuned for our travel guide for Central Europe featuring the best places to visit such as Berlin in Germany, Prague in the Czech Republic, Vienna in Austria, Bern in Switzerland and more!