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Many people tend to flock to western Europe for their travels, but what they don't know is that there are tons of amazing places on the other side of the continent that are waiting to be explored! But what countries in Eastern Europe are worth visiting?

Eastern Europe has tons of great cities that boat great food, fun nightlife, and plenty of things to do and see. Eastern Europe is overall cheaper than Western Europe, is less crowded, and is equally accessible.

In this guide we're going to share some of the top places to visit in Eastern Europe, so that you can create an epic itinerary just like we did! Here are the 25 best cities/regions to visit throughout the different countries in Eastern Europe.

What Countries in Eastern Europe to Visit & the Cities Inside Them

Wondering what countries in Eastern Europe you should visit? Well, every single country has something to offer! Here are the 50 top cities around Eastern Europe to explore, organized by country.

What Countries in Eastern Europe to Visit: Croatia

Croatia is one of the most popular Eastern European destinations, so first we're going to go over some of the best cities to visit in Croatia:

1. Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is definitely one of our favorite cities in Croatia, and in all of Europe. This medieval city is an iconic place to visit, and a must if you are exploring Eastern Europe. With its orange-roofed buildings and glistening turquoise waters, it is simply stunning. This city has tons of history, and is also the inspiration for the Game of Thrones! I've been to Dubrovnik 4 or 5 times now, and I honestly never get sick of ever going there.

Want to learn more about all of the awesome things to do in Dubrovnik, and what to expect? Our full guide covers everything you need to know.

Want to explore some activities that Dubrovnik has to offer? Here are some tours that you can book:

2. Split

Often mistaken as the capital of Croatia, Split is one of the most well-known and highly visited places in the country. Perfectly located in the center of Croatia along the coast, this is a great place to base yourself while staying in Croatia.

The city of Split has a super vibrant nightlife, a ton of history, and it's extremely well connected to other islands and cities throughout the country. We spent a full 5 days here, and could have easily spent another 5 with all there is to do and see in the area.

Want to book some fun activities for your visit to Split? Here are some great ones that we found:

3. Zagreb

While Split is visited much more frequently, Zagreb is actually the capital of Croatia. Despite being located inland, and being overlooked by the coastal towns of the country, Zagreb is a great place to soak up the culture and history of Croatia. It has tons of quirky museums, and some super fun festivals if you happen to visit in the summer.

Want to learn more about Zagreb? We have a full guide of the best things to do in Zagreb for you to check out.

Here are a few tours to do while in Zagreb:

4. Zadar

Zadar is a popular cruise port, and is actually the oldest continually habituated city in all of Croatia. Situated along the Dalmatian coast, it is around 2 hours north of Split. Explore the charming downtown area, admire the sounds of the sea organ, and watch the seaside light up with the colorful "Greeting to the Sun" light installation.

Want to book a tour during your visit to Zadar? Here are a few that you can check out:

5. Istrian Peninsula

This is the lesser explored region of Croatia, but not any less beautiful than the other seaside regions. The Istrian Peninsula is home to colorful towns, great beaches, and is also where a large amount of truffles lie. Indulge in the delicious cuisine, and don't miss out on the ancient Pula Arena that resembles the Roman Colosseum!

Here are some of the top activities in the Istria region:

What Countries in Eastern Europe to Visit: Serbia

Located in the heart of Eastern Europe, Serbia is a great place to start or finish your trip, especially because it is well connected to the surrounding countries, and has super cheap flights! Here are some of the top places to check out.

6. Belgrade

A visit to Serbia isn't complete without checking out its vibrant capital city. Belgrade has a ton of history, stunning architecture, and some incredible vibes. We loved Belgrade for its fun parties, bustling markets, and overall fun atmosphere.

Want to know the best things to do in Belgrade? Make sure to check out our complete guide!

Here are some tours you can also sign up for:

7. Novi Sad

Another one of our favorite places to visit in Serbia is actually a nice day trip from Belgrade. Novi Sad is located just an hour north of the capital of Serbia, and is loved by both locals and tourists. Full of colorful buildings, live music, and adorable shops, you'll definitely want to make a stop here while visiting Serbia.

Want to check out Novi Sad as a day trip from Belgrade? Here are a few tours that include Novia Sad to choose from:

8. Subotica

Welcome to the most northernmost city in Serbia, which is just an hour north of Novi Sad, and two hours from Belgrade. We love Subotica as a joint day trip along with Novi Sad from Serbia's capital, or to spend one night. This charming city has gorgeous architecture, and some really delicious restaurants. For one of our favorite spots head to Gurinovic, which has a quaint outdoor garden and delicious homemade local specialties.

Want to visit Subotica as a day trip? Here are a few options from both Belgrade and Tirana:

9. Zlatibor

This was hands down our favorite area of Serbia, with some of the best things to do in the country. Zlatibor is a small town that is surrounded by beautiful nature like mountains, waterfalls, lakes, and more. There is so much to explore on the area that we actually went back a second time because our first visit wasn't long enough!

Want to know all the things to do in Zlatibor and around it? Make sure to check out our complete guide below:

Here are some tours that you can also sign up for in Zlatibor:

10. Nis

Located in the south of the country, this is the third largest city in Serbia. We visited Nis as our first stop in Serbia driving from Romania, and found it to be the perfect spot to stop on a road trip so you can break up your travels. Nis is a great place to learn about the dark history of Serbia, with two of its top attractions being the fortress and its former concentration camp.

Want to check out some things that Nis has to offer? Here are some tours that you can sign up for:

What Countries in Eastern Europe to Visit: Kosovo

This is the smallest country in Eastern Europe, and certainly one of the most underrated ones. Here are a couple of our favorite areas to enjoy in Kosovo.

11. Prizren

When we visited Prizren, we actually thought it deserved to be considered the capital of Kosovo much more so than Pristina. This city if full of beauty, culture, and history. Surrounded by the mountains, you can also enjoy beautiful nature just minutes away from the center, and also stay at some amazing resorts with great amenities like spas and infinity pools, for a fraction of the price that you would pay in other areas of Europe.

Explore the center of the old town, check out the nearby waterfalls, or relax at a spa. Prizren has a beautiful layout, delicious food, and vibrant nightlife. Also, it is just a couple hours from three other surrounding capital cities, which are Skopje, Tirana, and Podgorica.

Want to learn more about the best things to do in Prizren? Make sure to check out our full travel guide.

Here are some tours you can sign up for to experience Prizren from several other cities:

12. Peja

Want to enjoy the most beautiful nature in Kosovo? Well, then Peja is the spot for you. Surrounded by mountains, lakes, caves, and other great landscapes, this small slice of paradise is a true hidden gem of the Balkans. We spent 2 nights there, and definitely could have spent a few more.

Want to explore all that Peja has to offer? Make sure to check out our Peja travel guide to learn more!

Here are some tours from Pristina that include Peja:

What Countries in Eastern Europe to Visit: Montenegro

Montenegro is another very small country in Eastern Europe, but it certainly has plenty of incredible places to discover! Here are the top three places to visit in Montenegro.

13. Kotor

This is definitely one of our favorite places to visit in Montenegro, and one you should add to the top of your list while in Eastern Europe. Kotor is the perfect combination of historic charm and seaside beauty. Take a boat ride through the turquoise waters, take in views from an incredible fortress, or party all night long in the cobblestone alleyways. Whatever type of traveler you are, there is certainly something for everyone in Kotor, Montenegro.

Want to know more about exploring Kotor in Montenegro? We have a full guide with everything you need to know.

Here are some of the most fun tours you can take in Kotor:

14. Budva

Other than Kotor, Budva is definitely one of the most popular places to go to in Montenegro for travelers. It is a charming coastal town that is full of pretty architecture, cobblestone streets, and seaside restaurants. Budva is also known for its nightlife, as well as the popular beaches that are fill up in the summertime.

Here are some of the fun activities you can find in Budva:

15. Zabljak

Zabljak is another one of our favorite places to visit in Montenegro. However, unlike the popular beach towns, this spot is vastly different. This village is tucked away in the mountains, and has some of the most stunning landscapes in the country.

Some of the highlights of Zabljak include the various hikes, rafting, and exploring the beautiful lakes in the area. No matter what you do, we know you'll fall in love with this mountain town in eastern Montenegro.

Want to know all of the best things to do in the area? Make sure to to check out complete Zabljak travel guide for all the info.

Here are some fun activities that you can do while in Zabljak:

What Countries in Eastern Europe to Visit: Albania

Albania is one of our favorite countries in Eastern Europe, and has a huge variety of landscapes to discover! Here are some of the top places to visit and stay in throughout the country.

16. Theth

Since we just finished with Montenegro, we're going to start with a beloved town that is in the north of Albania, not far from the border of Montenegro.

Theth is a small town tucked away in the Albanian Alps, and is definitely one of the most beautiful areas of the country. There you can find a beautiful waterfall, the clearest spring, a long river, and some great trekking to take part in. Want to learn more? Take a looking at our full Theth travel guide.

Here are some excursions to Theth that you can sign up for:

17. Tirana

We believe that every capital city in Europe is worth checking out, as they are where you find the most variety, amazing  restaurants, the best nightlife, and get to experience the history & culture of a country.

While our favorite places to travel in Albania were definitely outside the capital, we do believe that Tirana is worth a visit, even if it's just for a night or two.

Some of the highlights of the capital include the Bunk Art museums, Et'hem Bej Mosque, and Skanderbeg Square. We suggest doing a free walking tour if you spend the day, and heading to the neighborhood of Blloku for some of the best nightlife in town.

Want to spend the perfect day in Tirana? We have a blog with how to spend 1 day in Tirana, Albania.

Here are some tours you can do while in Tirana:

18. The Albanian Riviera

Now let's go further south to one of the most beloved regions of the country. The Albanian Riviera is a very popular area for both tourists and locals to visit in Albania. Beautiful beaches, picturesque towns, and trendy beach clubs line the entire Albanian Riviera, and it's an absolute must for your trip to Albania.