How to road trip Eastern Europe

Photo: The Digital Way

Travelers often opt for the same paths of Europe; France, Spain, and Italy. If you’re looking for an great nightlife, quieter beaches and dramatic scenery combined with fascinating history, arts and culture, Eastern Europe has it all. Travelsupermarket has put together an infographic of 5 road trips around the region. We’ve selected 3 of the routes here to inspire you.

Editor’s note: These spots are all taken directly from travelstoke®, a new app from Matador that connects you with fellow travelers and locals, and helps you build trip itineraries with spots that integrate seamlessly into Google Maps and Uber. Download the app to add any of the spots below directly to your future trips.

Vienna – Vienna

Vienna — Ljubljana — Zagreb — Budapest — Krakow — Wroclaw — Prague — Vienna

Total days: 12
Distance: 2,370 KM
Best time to go: From May to September

Highlights

• Explore the Sigmund Freud Museum in Vienna
• Enjoy the scenery around Lake Blend
• Visit Museum of Broken Relationships Zagreb
• Relax in Budapest’s thermal baths
• Step back in time at the 900-year-old Spis Castle
• Taste Vodka in Kazimierz at night
• Fish in the Labska Dam in the Kroknose Moutain Range
• Tour the prestigious wineries of Krasna Hora

Vienna, Austria

 AlbertinaVienna, AustriaMuseum browsing with my favourites, from Picasso to Monet

Ljubljana, Slovenia

 Kavarna TromostovjeLjubljana, Slovenia#coffee

Zagreb, Croatia

 Hostel Swanky MintZagreb, CroatiaBest hostel in Zagreb! Fabulous place to meet people. Happy hour at the sweet bar downstairs is fairly lively every night. Superb breakfast and well-designed hostel. So clean with friendly staff! Would most definitely stay here again as I wish I could have stayed longer before. #hostels #zagreb #croatia #food #casual #free-wifi

Budapest, Hungary

 Castle HillBudapest, HungaryBudapest’s Castle Hill is a traveler’s dream, an architectural mecca, a cultural hub. It’s truly a one-stop-shop that perfectly bundles up the city’s historical essence into one lovely stroll. Start at the Buda Castle and enter from its less-visited southern side. Walk its historical grounds and soak in the city views before sauntering towards Matthias Church and Fisherman’s Bastion, where the ‘ooh’s’ and ‘ahh’s’ won’t stop. Polish your promenade off with a loop around the residential area for even more expansive views into the Buda side of the city.
#budapest #europe #travel #history #architecture #churches #viewpoints #free

Kraków, Poland

 plac NowyKraków, PolandIt’s nighttime, you’re hungry, you’re in Kraków. Remedy: street food at plac Nowy. This area will be buzzing with young energy, each patron attempting to satisfy the same late-night craving. The zapiekanka is its best seller: a long toasted baguette topped with mushrooms, cheese, sauce, and your choice of meats or other veggies. Nearly all the stands feature the famous snack, so pick the longest line (the locals know best) and enjoy.
#krakow #poland #streetfood #kazimierz #food #travel #casual #cheap-eats #europe

Prague, Czech Republic

 John Lennon WallPrague, Czech RepublicIf you’re looking to leave your “tag” in Prague, the John Lennon wall is probably the best place to do it. The mural-turned-graffiti wall is a gorgeous site to see and makes for some really great selfies too. Wear black to stand out.

Poland — Estonia

Warsaw — Krutynia River — Vilnius — Riga — Parnu — Tallinn

Total days: 8
Distance: 1,130 KM
Best time to go: From May to July

Highlights

• Taste traditional Polish food in Warsaw’s Old Town
• Kayak down the Krutynua River
• Experience interrogration by retired KGB agents in Vilnius
• Enjoy traditional drinks and Lativian folk music in Riga
• Take a romantic stroll along the Sea Wall at Parnu
• Sing Estonian songs with a choir of 30,000 in Tallinn

Warsaw, Poland

 Supreme Court of PolandWarszawa, PolandSurprise photo opportunity

Olsztyn, Poland

 Marii Curie-SkłodowskiejOlsztyn, Poland#narrowstreet #walk #architecture #history

Vilnius, Lithuania

 Gediminas TowerVilnius, LithuaniaFantastic views, especially at sunset, from the hill above Cathedral Square in Vilnius old town. You can pay to go up the tower when it’s open, but the hilltop is free. The views reward the steep walk up there.

Riga, Lativa

 Āgenskalns free tour RigaRīga, Latvia#free #walkingtour
An inspiring walk through the non-touristic areas of Riga with a local guide. Awesome

Soomaa National Park, Parnu, Estonia

 Soomaa.comPärnu maakond, EstoniaCanoe trips on the rivers of Soomaa National Park #estonia #canoe #canoeing #soomaa #kayaking #kayak

Tallinn, Estonia

 Kadriorg PalaceTallinn, EstoniaNice museum in a beautiful palace. Good collection

Old town Tallinn, Estonia

 Von Krahli AedTallinn, EstoniaA beautiful, cosy restaurant in the heart of old town Tallinn. Amazing fresh, local ingredients. Artful and quirky preparations of traditional Estonian fare. This was one of the best meals we had during our year of travel. #fine-dining #food

Montenegro — Slovenia

Bay of Kotor — Dubrovnik — Split — Zadar — Ljubljana

Total days: 7
Distance: 820 KM
Best time to go: From May to August

Highlights

• Relax beside the idyllic Bay of Kotor in Montenegro
• Enjoy incredible views from Dubrovnik’s City Walls
• Swim in the Adriatic Sea at Bacvice Beach in Split
• Explore the waterfalls in Krka National Park
• Listen to the waves play the Sea Organ at Zadar
• See a concert in Ljubljana

Kotor, Montenegro

 Kampana TowerKotor, Montenegro#hiking

Dubrovnik, Croatia

 Dubrovnik City WallsDubrovnik, CroatiaAmazing view of Dubrovnik from the city walls

Split, Croatia

 Park Šuma MarjanSplit, CroatiaFor a breathtaking panorama of Split and the neighboring islands, as well as inland mountain ranges, make the trek up Marjan. A mere ten minutes gets you to your first viewpoint, but keep going. This park is a forest and trail-filled peninsula with ruins, vistas, and beaches, and with nearly no crowds. You could easily spend hours meandering, so bring a snack and make a morning or afternoon out of it!
#hiking #croatia #split #sea #europe

Ljubljana, Slovenia

 Kavarna TromostovjeLjubljana, Slovenia#coffee

Ljubljana, Slovenia

 Koseze PondLjubljana, SloveniaAmazing sunset over Koseze pond in Ljubljana, Slovenia. #ljubljana #slovenia #adventureslovenia