I haven’t kept any secrets about my love affair with Eastern Europe. This August, I achieved a huge goal of mine: I have finally visited every country in Eastern Europe! This is my favorite region of the world. It’s where I feel most myself. I truly feel like I am in my element in Eastern Europe—whether that’s haggling for taxis in my broken Russian or stuffing my face with borscht or a decent burek.

Eastern Europe is my love. It is my truest, greatest love. I am the best version of myself when I am traveling there—simply put, I love it. Here’s why I love traveling Eastern Europe, and why you should too.

The history and culture are mind-blowingly rich.

Eastern Europe is incredibly diverse. There are a multitude of people, languages, ethnicities, and cultures in a fairly compact region. Many of the present-day countries in Eastern Europe were formerly part of the Soviet Union and spent decades under communist regimes. There are traces of medieval imperialism throughout the region, although borders have often changed. World War II left deep scars in the region and the loss of life is still heartbreaking today. Wars were fought in the Balkans during my lifetime following the collapse of the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia, and ethnic tensions still flare today. There is still war going on in eastern Ukraine as I’m writing this post. Eastern Europe’s history is simply fascinating, as tragic as it is.

There is so much to learn here. Art, music, literature, film, architecture—Eastern Europe has it all. And I love to learn. I travel to discover something new, to learn about a new place. There is no shortage of that in Eastern Europe. It never fails to amaze me.

Eastern Europe is one of the most affordable areas in the world.

If you are traveling and are lucky enough to have dollars, euros, or pounds, Eastern Europe will be one of the cheapest places you can encounter. Your money will stretch so much further here than in typical Western European destinations like Paris or Rome. If you’re traveling and your budget needs a break, you’ll fit in well here.

I’ve written extensively about my trips around Eastern Europe and how much they cost. I spent just about £2000 for a 6-week trip, which included a lot of flights and a Russian visa. My 2-week trip in the Balkans this summer cost just over £800. Transportation between cities is usually quite affordable, drinks are normally pretty cheap, and accommodation will cost a lot less. Obviously, it all depends on where you go! A night out in Moscow will cost a lot more than a night out in Pristina. But if you want to travel on a budget, you will be able to travel for so much longer here. Budget travel hacks will make even more of a difference in Eastern Europe than elsewhere in the world. Your wallet and your bank account will thank you.

Eastern Europe is still less traveled and further off the beaten path than the rest of Europe.

While I don’t want to ruin it for future travelers by shouting all about how amazing it is, as a whole Eastern Europe has less tourists than other destinations in Western Europe. While yes, there will be other tourists, you simply won’t find the crowds like you will in London or Paris. A lot of places in Eastern Europe still feel like a secret, and there have been times when I’ve genuinely been the only tourist or non-local. Many places like Tirana or Lviv or Chisinau or Minsk simply aren’t very popular destinations. Regular tourists just don’t go there.

Also, you will probably meet more interesting people in Eastern Europe. Not everyone goes there, so the people you meet on the road tend to be really cool, unique, like-minded individuals. They’re probably traveling there for the same reasons you are, and that’s awesome. I met one of my best friends in a dorm room in Moldova!

You will be pushed out of your comfort zone in Eastern Europe.

Ever jumped onto a moving coach bus from the side of the road on a highway? If you haven’t, you’ve clearly never been to Kosovo. The trade-off to fewer crowds is less infrastructure aimed at tourists. It might not be that easy to get around, and sometimes you’ll be the only person around who speaks English. It can take a lot more effort and you’ll probably need to be a lot more patient.

But you should take it in stride. Traveling should make you feel a bit uncomfortable. It should humble you at times. You are not always in control when you travel, and nowhere will teach you that like Eastern Europe. Your bus took an extra 3 hours longer than it was supposed to? Well, at least you saw some pretty amazing scenery on the way! Try to learn a few words in the local language (even if it’s just thank you!) and remember that a smile or a thumbs up can go a long way across a language barrier. Be flexible and adaptable, learn to think quick on your feet, and try to go with the flow. They have been some of the hardest lessons I’ve learned on my travels in Eastern Europe, but I think they have shaped who I am as a traveler and as a person for the better.

Many countries aren’t in the Schengen Zone.

The Schengen Zone is a group of European countries that have no borders or passport controls. For Americans, Canadians, and citizens of many other countries, you’re allowed to visit the Schengen Zone for up to 90 days within a 6-month period. That means if you’re on a big trip or traveling long-term, you can’t just travel around Europe indefinitely. You’ll need to exit the Schengen Zone at some stage—and the best way to prolong a trip around Europe is to head east and “get out of Schengen.”

Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Albania, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia are all countries in Eastern Europe that are not part of the Schengen Zone. Although as members of the European Union Croatia, Bulgaria, and Romania are obligated to join Schengen eventually, they currently are not in the Schengen Zone. That means that if you want to stay in Europe, but have used up your days in the Schengen Zone, you can visit any of these countries and not need to worry about the Schengen Zone. This is amazing for long-term travelers (or digital nomads) who are based in Europe but without residency!

Despite the fact that I travel a lot and live in Europe, I’ve never come close to using up my 90 days in the Schengen Zone. This is mainly because I have a full-time job in the UK, but also because my travels usually take me to Eastern Europe, and the countries I listed above, where I don’t need to worry about it all.

Eastern Europe has it all.

Whether you’re looking for crystal-clear water and sandy beaches, or snow-capped mountains for skiing, Eastern Europe will have something for you. There are lively, bustling cities like Moscow, Kyiv, and Belgrade where you can dance the night away and have the time of your life. The Carpathian Mountains and the Albanian Alps offer great opportunities for hiking. I drank the best wine of my life in Moldova, and I genuinely live off of bureks when I’m in the Balkans. Whatever you want to do, whatever your interests are, you can find it in Eastern Europe.

Eastern Europe is an incredible region and my favorite part of the world to explore. I love it so much and it has so much to offer travelers. The history and culture, affordability, and diversity consistently keep me coming back for more, year after year and trip after trip. Eastern Europe is waiting for you!

Have you been to Eastern Europe before? What was your experience like?! Share in the comments below!

You might also like my posts:

20 Tips For Traveling Eastern Europe

How Much Does It Cost To Travel Eastern Europe For 6 Weeks?

Visiting Every Country In Eastern Europe: My Biggest Travel Accomplishment To Date!

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