You’ll find some of the most fascinating countries in the world in Eastern Europe. The landscape varies from lush countryside to ancient forests and vibrant cities. To explore in style, read on for our travel tips.
The one thing that Eastern European countries have in common is a rich cultural heritage, coupled with a forward-thinking attitude. The cities of Budapest, Prague, Krakow and Warsaw lend themselves particularly well to city breaks.
They’re relatively compact and have many historic visitor attractions. All four cities are popular for their Christmas markets and fantastic food and bar scene. We picked up lots of insider tips on where locals like to go from the concierges at the luxury hotels in each city.
Explore In Style Through Eastern Europe
It’s easy to travel from one Eastern European city to the next. As they’re all part of the Schengen zone, once you’re inside the zone you don’t need to go through customs again for internal flights.
Getting around by train is also a good option, particularly from Warsaw to Krakow. It takes just under 2 and a half hours and you pass through scenic Polish countryside. We recommend purchasing a first class ticket which gives you access to the first class carriage with complimentary breakfast. Here are our top tips for Prague, Budapest, Warsaw and Krakow.
Prague Attractions
You won’t want to miss the Old Town and Charles Bridge, but the architecture in the New Town and Mala Strana, also known as Lesser Town is impressive too.
- Prague Astronomical Clock – dates from 1410 and is part of the Old Town City Hall. Watch the parade of 12 Apostles rotating as the clock chimes every hour. There are panoramic views of the Old Town from the town hall Bell Tower, which is the only medieval tower in Prague with full wheelchair access.
- Old Town – also known as Stare Mesto, with the Old Town Square being the centre of activity. See the baroque church of St. Nicolas, the Gothic Church of Our Lady Before Týn and the ornate House at the Minute here.
- St Vitus Cathedral – the largest church in Prague is where many former Czech royals are buried. Inside you can see Art Nouveau stained glass windows by Alfons Mucha.
- Charles Bridge – magnificent stone bridge dating from the 14th century, adorned with 30 statues. It links Prague Old Town to the Castle and Lesser Town. Try to visit early in the day or after dark when it’s not too busy. Rub the bronze plaque on the statue of St John and according to tradition, you’ll return to Prague in the future.
- Prague Castle – seat of power since the 9th century. Check out the picturesque medieval houses on Golden Lane.
- Belle Epoque architecture – there’s an extraordinary amount of Art Nouveau and Art Deco building facades. Municipal House on Namesti Republiky is one of the most striking.
- Head of Franz Kafka – this sculpture is 11 metres tall and has 42 panels that rotate. It was designed by Czech artist David Cerny.
- Dancing House – inspired by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, its real name is the Nationale Nederlanden building. There’s a rooftop bar where you can admire views of the riverside.
- Lennon Wall – after John Lennon was assassinated, an anonymous artist painted an image of him and his lyrics and others soon joined suit.
For more inspiration on the must-see attractions in Prague, click here. You can also access the beautiful Czech countryside easily from Prague. It’s around 2 hours by bus or train to the stunning region of West Bohemia, known for its spa towns and castles.
Food in Prague
The dining scene has changed dramatically in the last few years in Prague, with many more healthy options available than before. Several good Asian restaurants have sprung up and you’ll find many other international cuisines too.
Of course, you should definitely try traditional Czech dishes such as Vepřo knedlo zelo, pork loin served with knedlíky bread dumplings. Baracnicka Rychtax is a good place to try it and is tucked away from the crowds near the castle.
While walking around Prague, you’ll see many sellers of Trdelník, also known as a chimney cake. These sweet treats are cooked on a stick on an open fire. In fact, they’re not actually Czech in origin, but they do taste good!
For a great blend of contemporary and traditional Czech cuisine, head to Zinc Restaurant. Located within stylish Hilton Prague Old Town, the bar and restaurant were designed by the renowned David Collins Studio.
Executive Chef Valerio Bussandri and team have created some fantastic dishes such as seared rainbow trout with pea purée and lemon dill sauce. Their Bee my Guest dessert is a delicious honey cake with ice cream and sweet shard.
Bar Scene in Prague
From craft breweries to live music venues and chic rooftop bars, there’s a lot of choice in Prague. One of our favourites is Cloud 9 Sky Bar & Lounge. Rated one of the World’s Best Bars, it recently celebrated its 10th anniversary.
There are two large roof terraces and a great selection of cocktails and mocktails. Patrons can enjoy live DJ sets every Friday and Saturday and tasty dishes such as beef tartar bruschetta with marinated wild mushrooms. Try to get here for sunset, as the views over the city are spectacular.
Christmas Markets in Prague
Good King Wenceslas, famous from the Christmas carol, was actually born in Prague in 907 AD, so it’s an appropriate place to come for the Christmas markets. Taking place from 1 December to 6 January, Prague Christmas markets are held daily on Wenceslas Square and the Old Town Square.
The latter is the oldest Christmas market in Prague and has a huge Christmas tree as well as pony rides for children. There’s also a Christmas market at Prague Castle, St. George’s Basilica Market. Popular purchases are traditional Czech wooden puppets, lace and glass ornaments.
Where to Stay in Prague
The Hilton Prague Old Town has a fantastic location a few minutes walk away from the old town. Its stunning Art Deco style is in keeping with the unique architecture of Prague. From the chic lobby to elegant Zinc Restaurant and the perfectly renovated rooms and suites, it’s all about crafting a unique Prague experience.
It’s good to wind down with a swim or workout in the LivingWell Health Club & Spa. The rooms have all mod cons including air conditioning, a safe and a desk with a built-in USB socket. We loved the walk in closet and the complimentary fruit platter. Those staying in the suites also have access to a cosy Executive Lounge.
We also like Hilton Prague for its panoramic Cloud 9 Sky Bar & Lounge, CzecHouse Grill and Rotisserie and spacious LivingWell Health Club & Spa. This hotel is particularly renowned for its meeting spaces, with 4,500 sq. m. of versatile meeting space and room for up to 650 guests.
Budapest Attractions
The capital of Hungary has a huge amount of things to see in both Buda and Pest, so make sure to plan at least 2 days in Budapest. From luxurious spas to photogenic sights such as Fisherman’s Bastion, Budapest has it all.
- Buda Castle – houses the Budapest History Museum and the National Gallery. Originally dating from 1265, it was destroyed but has been beautifully renovated. Take Budapest Castle Hill Funicular up to it and enjoy the views of the Chain Bridge on the way.
- Fisherman’s Bastion – this could well be the most Instagrammable place in Budapest. It was built in 1902 in a distinctive neo-Gothic and neo-Romanesque style and has incredible views over the Danube river.
- Matthias Church – known for its coloured tile roof, it was the coronation church of many Hungarian kings.
- Chain Bridge – the Széchenyi Chain Bridge is particularly impressive at night. Spanning the river Danube, it connects Buda to Pest and was built in 1840.
- Liberty Bridge – lesser known than the Chain Bridge, this is in some ways more photogenic. It’s also known as the Freedom Bridge and several trams cross it regularly.
- Great Market Hall – the oldest and largest market hall in Budapest, it has food sellers on the ground floor and crafts on the first floor.
- Hungarian Parliament – this Neo-Gothic masterpiece is the third largest Parliament building in the world.
- Heroes’ Square – also known as Hősök tere, it’s the largest square in Budapest, with the Millennium Monument commemorating the thousandth anniversary of the Magyar conquest of Hungary.
- Spas – Budapest is famous for its thermal baths, including Király Baths and Rudas Thermal Bath and Széchenyi thermal bath. The latter is the largest medicinal bath in Europe and is popular with local chess players.
For more information on the best attractions in Budapest click here.
Food in Budapest
Hungary is known for its goulash and other tasty dishes featuring paprika, as well as its strudel desserts. Aside from traditional Hungarian cooking, there’s also a burgeoning food truck scene in Budapest and many restaurants serving contemporary Hungarian food.
One of the best is ICON Restaurant, located within the Hilton Budapest. It has unbeatable views of Fisherman’s Bastion and a stylish decor. The Sunday jazz brunch with live music is very popular, so make sure to book in advance.
During your time in Budapest, make sure to try traditional Hungarian dishes such as Wiener Schnitzel, duck breast with red cabbage mousse, wine marinated apples & röszti potato and Hungarian Somlói sponge cake.
Who could resist the floral delights of Vintage Garden? They do a great line in homemade lemonades and French bistro dishes.
Bar Scene in Budapest
Budapest is famous for its ruin pubs, which have sprung up in abandoned buildings. The original ruin bar is Szimpla Kert, which opened in 2004.
This iconic ruin pub has lots of quirky items decorating its labyrinth of rooms and courtyards, including an old Trabant car that you can sit in. Most of the ruin bars are located in the old Jewish quarter, District VII.
For an upmarket take on the ruin pub trend, head to Mazel Tov. This cool community centre and restaurant serves great Jewish food and has live DJs at night.
If you’re a wine buff, check out the wine cellar tour and Hungarian wine tasting at Hilton Budapest.
Christmas Markets in Budapest
One of the best things about Budapest is its legendary Christmas markets. At the moment, all the Budapest Christmas Markets are located on the Pest side, although there are plans to open one on the Buda side near the castle in future.
There are two main markets, Vorosmarty Square and Advent Feast at the Basilica. The former is the oldest Christmas fair in Budapest, going strong since 1998.
This Budapest Christmas market features food stalls, handicrafts and concerts and takes place this year from 9 November to 1 January. Advent Feast at the Basilica will be held on Szent István Square from 27 November to 2 January. Visitors can enjoy ice skating, Hungarian food and a 3D light show projected onto St. Stephen’s Basilica.
Where to Stay in Budapest
On the Buda side of the river, Hilton Budapest is the ideal place to stay. It has unbeatable views of Fisherman’s Bastion from many of the rooms, as well as from ICON restaurant.
There are also 13th century cloisters in the hotel grounds, that are popular for wedding receptions and other special events. The lobby has the wow factor, with fresh flowers, coffee table books and decorative objects galore.
The hotel’s rooms are all recently decorated and are well equipped with bedside USB ports, complimentary Wi-Fi, aircon and a safe. Lighting is particularly good, with LED reading lamps and illuminated vanity mirrors in the bathrooms. We loved the sweet treats in our King Superior Room with Danube river view, overlooking Fisherman’s Bastion.
Warsaw Attractions
- Old Town – this UNESCO World Heritage Site dates from the 13th century. Known as Stare Miasto, it is centred around Rynek Starego Miasta, a picturesque square with many colourful buildings.
- Royal Castle – reconstructed from 1971-1984, it served as a royal residence and for parliamentary sessions.
- Invisible Exhibition – put yourself in the shoes of the visually impaired, as you use a Braille typewriter and conduct tasks with a blindfold on or take a drink in the pitch black bar.
- Palace of Culture and Science – nicknamed the Warsaw Empire State Building, it dates from 1955 and is the tallest building in Poland at 237 metres.
- Lazienki Park – spread over 76 hectares, it’s the largest park in Warsaw. The Royal Lazienki Palace was the Summer residence of the last Polish king.
- Wilanow Palace – this Baroque palace is located in the Wilanów district of Warsaw. It’s known for its collection of Oriental and European art.
- Fryderyk Chopin Museum – this beautiful 17th century museum is dedicated to the life and works of the composer Chopin, who grew up in Warsaw.
- Neon Museum – the biggest collection of cold war era neon signs in the world.
- I Love Warsaw Sign – situated in the Wola district in front of the Warsaw Spire, the tallest office building in Poland.
For more inspiration on the top attractions in Warsaw, see here.
Food in Warsaw
If you think that Polish cooking consists just of comfort food, think again. These days there’s a wide range of international and contemporary restaurants as well as the first food hall in Poland, Hala Koszyki.
We can thoroughly recommend Meza Restaurant at Hilton Warsaw Hotel and Convention Centre for its beautiful presentation, friendly staff and great use of local ingredients. Take a culinary journey by sampling steak from 10 different countries – the one from Poland is wonderfully tender.
There are also some lovely vegetarian options and delicious desserts including mille-feuille batida. Hilton Honors guests have their own dining room within the restaurant if they wish.
Bar Scene in Warsaw
There are some cool bars in Warsaw, including several open air ones such as Bar Wieczorny and BarKa, a converted barge. Boruta is a fun place to come for a hot chocolate and traditional apple cake. It has some very unique swing seats that enable you to work off your food whilst you consume it!
Christmas Markets in Warsaw
There are quite a few Warsaw Christmas markets, with the main one being held on Castle Square. Other popular Christmas markets are at Zlote Tarasy and Praga Koneser Centre. In the old town, you can pick up beautiful handmade woollen hats as well as Christmas decorations and traditional crafts.
Where to Stay in Warsaw
The Wola quarter in Warsaw is an increasingly popular place to stay. There are lots of bars and restaurants springing up and some cool artworks too.
The Love Warsaw sign on Plac Europejsk is one of the most Instagrammable Warsaw attractions. The Hilton Warsaw Hotel & Convention Centre is next to it and is known for its Holmes Place Spa and Meza Restaurant.
One of the highlights of the hotel is the exclusive Holmes Place health club and spa. Spread over 3,500 square metres and 2 floors, it has the very latest cardio and strength equipment. The spa has a dry sauna, steam room and whirlpool bath and a 25 metre pool with swimming lanes.
The bedrooms are very spacious and have great views of the surrounding area. Our Corner Suite had a separate lounge and ample storage room. We were treated to some complimentary healthy snacks.
Guests in the suites also have access to the light and airy Executive Lounge. All hotel guests can relax in the high ceilinged Pistaccio Lobby Bar & Lounge, as well as the outdoor Piazza Lounge & Grill in season.
Krakow Attractions
- Old Town – a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Stare Miasto, to give its Polish name has many interesting landmarks. On colourful Florianska Street you’ll find the Pharmacy Museum and Jama Michalika cafe with original Art Nouveau interiors.
- Main Square – Rynek Główny is the largest medieval town square in Europe.
- St Mary’s Basilica – also known as the Church of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven, it dates from the 14th century and is a fine example of Gothic architecture.
- Wawel Castle – overlooking the Vistula river, this former residence of Polish kings has spectacular Renaissance state rooms.
- Cloth Hall – also dating from Renaissance times, Sukiennice has an interesting selection of food stalls and local crafts.
- Krakow Barbican – this fortification was built in 1499 to defend the city from invaders. Its nickname is the saucepan.
- Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory – now a contemporary museum dedicated to wartime Krakow.
- University District – there’s a large student population in Krakow and it’s worth seeing Collegium Novum, the oldest university in Poland, as well as St Anne’s Collegiate Church and the many courtyard cafes.
- Kazimierz – the former Jewish Quarter was once a town in its own right. You’ll find the Galicia Jewish museum here, as well as many cosy restaurants and cafes.
For additional inspiration on the must-see attractions in Krakow, click here.
Food in Krakow
The food scene in Krakow is eclectic and affordable. There are lots of charming courtyard cafes and quite a few healthy options. Try the pierogi, or filled dumplings as well as bigos hunter’s stew.
One of the best places to experience both modern and traditional Polish cooking is the Hilton Garden Inn Krakow Restaurant. They serve fantastic dishes such as barszcz, a Polish beetroot soup and a great brownie for dessert! The waiting staff will explain each dish to you and the ambiance is light and airy.
Bar Scene in Krakow
Krakow has a vibrant bar scene, with many live music venues and several craft breweries. Tytanyo is a former tobacco factory and and outbuildings that’s now a hipster area of bars, cafes and locally created art.
Globe Cafe is the only bar in Poland to be accredited by the International Bartender Association. It has a great selection of cocktails, mocktails and other drinks, with views of Wawel Castle.
In the University Quarter, there are several pleasant courtyard cafes such as Kawiarnia U Pęcherza within the Jagiellonian University.
Christmas Markets in Krakow
The main Christmas market in Krakow takes place on the Main Square in the old town. From end of November until 26 December, visitors can experience local carol performances and artisans demonstrating their craft.
In addition, you’ll also find traditional Polish handicrafts all year round inside the Cloth Fair on the same square. There are many great souvenirs, such as Polish slippers, decorative wooden kitchen utensils, Christmas decorations and traditional Polish pottery.
Where to Stay in Krakow
The Hilton Garden Inn Krakow is a short hop by taxi from the old town and the former Jewish quarter. It’s known for its restaurant as well as its Globe Cafe, and also has the handy Pavilion Pantry minimart, open 24 hours a day. There’s a fitness centre and the rooms have all mod cons and very comfortable beds. Our suite had a separate living area, work desk with an ergonomic chair and a three jet shower.
When travelling to Eastern Europe, let Hilton be your guide and you’ll be able to explore in style. Have you ever visited Eastern Europe?
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