{"id":415,"date":"2018-10-25T15:11:45","date_gmt":"2018-10-25T14:11:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/209.222.30.173\/?p=415"},"modified":"2023-02-15T13:27:44","modified_gmt":"2023-02-15T13:27:44","slug":"interrailing-through-eastern-europe-five-cities-you-dont-want-to-miss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/interrailplanner.com\/blog\/interrailing-through-eastern-europe-five-cities-you-dont-want-to-miss\/","title":{"rendered":"Interrailing through Eastern Europe: 5 cities you definitely don\u2019t want to miss"},"content":{"rendered":"<p dir=\"ltr\">If its recent history is anything to go by, Eastern Europe has had it hard. Fending off unfair stereotypes of it being stark, brutal and uninviting &#8211; at least when compared with the cities of Western Europe, whose many attributes and attractions are well-known the world over &#8211; the east side of the continent has always had to work a little harder to be noticed.<\/p><div class=\"inter-content-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top: 20px;margin-bottom: 20px;\" id=\"inter-1270329778\"><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-4633244982126279\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block; text-align:center;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-4633244982126279\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"7158573474\" \ndata-ad-layout=\"in-article\"\ndata-ad-format=\"fluid\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">We honestly can\u2019t think why. A treasure trove of fairytale medieval cities, brooding mountains, dense ancient forests and meandering rivers, not to mention being home to rich, diverse cultures, cuisines and languages, the east is finally starting to enjoy its time in the sun. Eastern Europe also offers travellers exceptional value for money, making it ripe for exploring on an Interrail pass. Here\u2019s our suggested route to experience the best of the east.<b><\/b><\/p>\n<h4 dir=\"ltr\">Wroc\u0142aw<\/h4>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Once you get your tongue around the name (it\u2019s pronounced Vrots-wahf, by the way), former European Capital of Culture Wroc\u0142aw is one of <a href=\"https:\/\/interrailplanner.com\/blog\/where-should-i-go-interrailing-in-poland\/\">Poland\u2019s best kept secrets<\/a>. Like much of the country, the city has been transformed over the last decade or so, offering the best that Poland has to offer in microcosm. Whether it\u2019s the charm of Old Town streets and handsome squares, a thriving culture scene or restaurants that are redefining Polish cuisine that get you going, Wroc\u0142aw is the place to start your trip riding the rails through Eastern Europe.<\/p><div class=\"inter-content_2\" style=\"margin-top: 20px;margin-bottom: 20px;\" id=\"inter-2152198926\"><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-4633244982126279\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block; text-align:center;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-4633244982126279\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"7158573474\" \ndata-ad-layout=\"in-article\"\ndata-ad-format=\"fluid\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1591\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1591\" style=\"width: 720px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-1591\" src=\"https:\/\/interrailplanner.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/photo-1582400682765-a4ceff8554da-819x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"Eastern Europe - Wroclaw\" width=\"720\" height=\"900\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1591\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Blowing bubbles in Wroc\u0142aw (Credit: Samur Isma)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h4 dir=\"ltr\">Brno<\/h4>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Brno takes a backseat to Prague when it comes to attracting visitors to the Czech Republic. That\u2019s not to say it\u2019s any less worthy of the attention; it\u2019s just better at flying under the radar than its larger sibling. Given the increasing problem of \u2018overtourism\u2019, a stop-over in the city will give you a taste of what you\u2019re missing out on in Prague but without the crowds. As a university town, booming Brno has as much verve as the capital, especially when it comes to the city\u2019s nightlife. As the nucleus of the Moravia region, Brno has long had somewhat of a reputation for producing excellent beer and wine which you can sample in the city\u2019s many fantastic cellar bars and restaurants.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1593\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1593\" style=\"width: 720px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-1593\" src=\"https:\/\/interrailplanner.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/photo-1558447705-48ac5e725919-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"960\" srcset=\"https:\/\/interrailplanner.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/photo-1558447705-48ac5e725919-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/interrailplanner.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/photo-1558447705-48ac5e725919-600x800.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/interrailplanner.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/photo-1558447705-48ac5e725919-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/interrailplanner.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/photo-1558447705-48ac5e725919-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https:\/\/interrailplanner.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/photo-1558447705-48ac5e725919.jpeg 1275w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1593\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Backstreets of Brno (Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/@jakubsobotka\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Jakub Sobotka<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h4>Bratislava<\/h4>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Often described as Slovakia\u2019s \u201clittle big city\u201d because of its relaxed, rural feel, Bratislava is one of the three jewels of the Danube alongside Budapest and Vienna. On first sight, the thing you\u2019ll notice about the city is how verdant it is, thanks in no small part to the sheer number of parks and the forest-lined banks of the Danube. Another thing you\u2019re likely to notice is the vestiges of its communist past. As a former frontier city on the Iron Curtain, Bratislava\u2019s Soviet-era concrete structures jostle for prominence with the pastel shades of its Old Town, serving to make it one of the most intriguing cities in this part of Europe.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-4319\" src=\"https:\/\/interrailplanner.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/martin-katler-vgPgg8X2NyA-unsplash-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"405\" \/><\/p>\n<h4><\/h4>\n<h4>Budapest<\/h4>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Known widely as \u201cthe Paris of the east\u201d, there are few European cities that can compete with <a href=\"https:\/\/interrailplanner.com\/blog\/budapest-red-flags-and-fabulous-things\/\">Budapest<\/a> in the beauty stakes. It\u2019s very easy on the eyes; from the sweeping curves of the Danube to the city\u2019s eclectic blend of baroque, neoclassical and art nouveau architecture. Beauty is only skin deep, as the old adage goes, but as you\u2019ll soon discover when you visit, there is so much more to Budapest beyond the superficial. One thing that is unique to the city &#8211; and that you\u2019ll have to see for yourself &#8211; is the \u2018ruin bar\u2019. Springing up predominantly around the old Jewish quarter, these watering holes now occupy derelict buildings or disused outdoor spaces, each one garnering a loyal local clientele. Add into the mix thermal spas, river cruises and a lively caf\u00e9 culture, you have one enticing destination.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1732\" src=\"https:\/\/interrailplanner.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Budapest-Parliament-1024x575.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"404\" \/><\/p>\n<h4 dir=\"ltr\">Belgrade<\/h4>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Translated as \u2018the White City\u2019, the Serbian capital Belgrade has an air of mystique about it. Having shaken off the yoke of its communist past with gusto, the city now has a reputation of being a year-round party town. And who could disagree, what with some 200 floating bars to choose from along the Danube and Sava rivers. Of course, there\u2019s much more to Belgrade than its nightlife. While it can\u2019t compete with Budapest for architecture, the city does boast some unmissable sights, including the gargantuan Church of Saint Sava. You\u2019ll also feast like a king, with an incalculable number of restaurants to have your fill in.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">If you want to finish off your Eastern European interrailing adventure with a flourish, you might want to consider travelling on further from Serbia to Montenegro\u2019s Adriatic coast on the spectacular Belgrade to Bar railway line.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1596\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1596\" style=\"width: 720px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-1596\" src=\"https:\/\/interrailplanner.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/photo-1583011437022-25490d8749b4-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"960\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1596\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts (Credit: Mirko Jeremi\u0107)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Have you been interrailing around Eastern Europe before? Can you recommend any other places in Eastern Europe to our readers? Let us know in the comments below!<\/p>\n<div class=\"inter-after-content\" style=\"margin-top: 20px;margin-bottom: 20px;\" id=\"inter-1739110857\"><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-4633244982126279\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-4633244982126279\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"8015293915\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If its recent history is anything to go by, Eastern Europe has had it hard. Fending off unfair stereotypes of it being stark, brutal and uninviting &#8211; at least when compared with the cities of Western Europe, whose many attributes and attractions are well-known the world over &#8211; the east side of the continent has&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":1589,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[13,5],"tags":[18,20,21,23,28,35,47,52,53],"class_list":["post-415","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-interrail-country-region-guides","category-european-travel-guides","tag-interrail-belgrade","tag-interrail-bratislava","tag-interrail-brno","tag-interrail-budapest","tag-interrail-czech-republic","tag-interrail-hungary","tag-interrail-poland","tag-interrail-serbia","tag-interrail-slovakia"],"cc_featured_image_caption":{"caption_text":"","source_text":"Credit: Arvydas Venckus","source_url":"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/@arvydasv"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/interrailplanner.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/photo-1533287134359-95899321af06.jpeg","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/interrailplanner.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/415","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/interrailplanner.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/interrailplanner.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/interrailplanner.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/18"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/interrailplanner.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=415"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/interrailplanner.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/415\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/interrailplanner.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1589"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/interrailplanner.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=415"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/interrailplanner.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=415"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/interrailplanner.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=415"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}