Citybreak in Eastern Europe recommendations?

[Naiada]

We’re planning a short city break & like the idea of somewhere in Eastern Europe a) because we haven’t been & b) because it sounds as though it’s a  lot better value than places like Amsterdam & Paris etc.

Looking for somewhere scenic with art galleries, cheap food & drink & cheap flights/ easy to get to. We wondered about somewhere like Budapest or Sofia but any suggestions very welcome.

We’d like to stay in a self catering place (2 couples) so any recommendations on accommodation would also be great, thanks! 

Edited August 7, 2024 by Naiada

[Naiada]

Has anyone been to Sofia or Tallinn? 

[kp4]

Praque might be a good start. 

I have heard that Riga is very pretty, but I have never been.

[malumbu]

A general point is that we should all think about reducing short breaks with flights due to out carbon footprints, not that I am a particularly good example, but it you go longer rather than have a number of short breaks that is a good start.  Long distance train travel has its environmental benefits, but will take longer and cost a fair bit more - but an adventure.

I traveled fairly extensively to the old communist block in the years after the collapse of the Soviet Union and saw places change quickly, often for the better but not always.  Some places can be over-run by tourists, worse still stag and hen do's.  Prague remains incredibly beautiful but spoiled in many ways.

So looking at pretty, relatively quiet and certainly cheap places, Lublijana is nice.  Sofia is OK, but you may wish to tack on a day trip or two by train.  Tirana is a left field choice, but you'd best arrange some sort of tour of that part of Europe or even hire a car as there are lovely beach areas, UNESCO world heritage sites, nature reserves but grim bits in between.  Very cheap.  Danzig/Gdansk is interesting, as with the Baltic countries summer will quickly be ending. 

Edited August 7, 2024 by malumbu

[bonaome]

Budapest is lovely. There’s lots of great bars and food courts and restaurants. The baths are an experience. Lots to see and do to fill a weekend. Not expensive.

[HeadNun]

Yeah, I was about to suggest Budapest, having spent some time googling it just now. I've never been, people I know who have, raved about it. 

[womanofdulwich]

We went to Gdansk which was very good. Clean and friendly people.  Most people have some English too.

Art galleries, churches, and quite a bit of history/ shipyards/ Solidarity  movement etc

[George Orwell]

I will add my vote for Gdansk. Also, take to boat trip to the peninsula where WW2 broke out. The first WW2 action was here.

[Naiada]

Thanks for the tips so far- keep them coming!

[KidKruger]

Bucharest?

Fairly cheap incl. accomm.

Some great (and huge) state galleries, modern art, more traditional art - and you'll have the gallery almost to yourself!

OK music/gig scene at night.

[malumbu]

Bucharest felt left behind in the 90s and still that way now.  In my opinion!

Fancy the odds and sods like Mostar and North Macedonia but sometimes difficult to get to.