3-Week Eastern Europe Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 3-week Eastern Europe tour itineraries

Compiled by

SteffEastern Europe travel expert at TourRadar

• 18 Days in Eastern Europe, incl. Budapest and Istanbul

  Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria showcase their best over 18 days. Medieval Sighisoara, mysterious Bran Castle, and UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery capture the region's essence. Traditional accommodations enhance authentic local experiences.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Hungary

    Begin in Budapest by exploring the Jewish Quarter at night to experience its ruin bars and authentic Hungarian food. Take a morning train to Eger (3 hours) for wine tasting in the Valley of Beautiful Women. Get to Eger Castle before 10 AM to beat the crowds at this 13th-century fortress.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Maramures Region, Romania

    Take a train and car into Romania's Maramures region (7 hours total). You'll stay with local families in traditional wooden houses and visit the unique 'Merry Cemetery' in Sapanta with its colorful carved crosses telling stories about the deceased. Bring modest clothing for Orthodox church visits.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Transylvania

    Head to medieval Sighisoara (4 hours) where Vlad the Impaler was born. Next stop is the Saxon village of Viscri to experience traditional Romanian village life. 'The homestays were comfortable, and the food was delicious!' says one traveler. The fortified church here is one of Transylvania's oldest.

    
  • Days 7-8

    Brasov

    Stop at Bran Castle (Dracula's Castle) on your way to Brasov. Take the cable car up Mt Tampa for great city views. A note about local hotels: 'Some have no AC or elevators - be prepared to carry luggage up 2-3 flights of stairs.' Pack light and wear good walking shoes for the cobblestone streets.

    
  • Days 9-10

    Bucharest

    Take a morning train (3 hours) to Romania's capital. Visit the Palace of Parliament before 11 AM to avoid crowds. Renting a bike is a great way to see local neighborhoods. The Museum of the Romanian Peasant offers excellent background on local culture.

    
  • Days 11-12

    Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria

    Cross into Bulgaria to explore this historic capital and its Tsarevets Fortress. Try a local wine and cheese tasting to sample unique Bulgarian varieties. Watch your step at the fortress when it's wet.

    
  • Days 13-14

    Sofia & Rila Mountains

    Visit Sofia's Alexander Nevski Church with its golden domes then head to the UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery. Continue to Bansko in the Pirin Mountains. Pack layers since mountain weather changes quickly.

    
  • Days 15-16

    Plovdiv

    Take the Rhodope Railway to Plovdiv to see its Roman theater and artistic Kapana district. One visitor notes: 'The walking tours can be hit-or-miss - do some independent research about the historical sites.'

    
  • Days 17-18

    Istanbul

    The journey from Bulgaria to Turkey takes 8+ hours along the historic Tsarigrad Road. Book afternoon transport to avoid morning border crowds. Arrive in Istanbul where Europe meets Asia.

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• 15 Days in Central Europe, incl. Vienna and Budapest

  Central Europe's cultural tapestry unfolds over two weeks featuring Wroclaw's Four Denominations District, Krakow's medieval square, and Budapest's thermal baths. Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum and Tatra Mountains hiking provide powerful contrasts. Twelve hotel nights include traditional local experiences.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Vienna, Austria

    Start in elegant Vienna, where summer temperatures can hit 40°C. Visit St. Stephen's Cathedral and walk the Ringstrasse to the State Opera House. "Our guide's orientation really helped us navigate this sophisticated city." Book the Schoenbrunn Palace audio tour early morning to avoid tour groups. Stop for traditional Viennese coffee and cake at Vollpension, a unique cafe staffed by local seniors.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic

    Take a 3-hour minivan ride to this medieval town nestled in a bend of the Vltava River. You can go canoeing or tour the 13th-century castle gardens. "Cesky Krumlov was the best surprise - like stepping into a storybook." Bring shoes with good grip since the cobblestones get slippery in wet weather.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Prague, Czech Republic

    A 2.5-hour bus ride takes you to Prague. Visit Charles Bridge, Old Town Square, and the Jewish Quarter with its ancient cemetery. "The city's jazz scene is incredible - clubs play until early morning." Visit the Jewish Quarter in the evening when there are fewer tourists and the atmosphere is special.

    
  • Days 7-8

    Wroclaw, Poland

    The journey takes 6-7 hours by train and bus to reach this Polish cultural hub. Stop at Swidnica's Lutheran Church of Peace on the way. Explore Old Town Square and Cathedral Island, or walk along the River Oder for city views. Many old hotels don't have elevators, so pack light.

    
  • Days 9-10

    Krakow, Poland

    Take a 4-hour train to Krakow to see Wawel Castle and Rynek Glowny square. Plan a day trip to Auschwitz-Birkenau (1.5 hours each way). "The Jewish Quarter has the most authentic food and atmosphere - don't miss the pierogi." Consider visiting the Wieliczka Salt Mines if you have time.

    
  • Days 11-12

    Tatra Mountains, Slovakia

    Take a scenic bus ride through southern Poland to Tatranska Lomnica. The standard hiking route is 6km and takes about 3 hours with some steep parts. "Bring layers - mountain weather changes quickly." Be aware that some forest areas still show damage from a 2004 storm.

    
  • Days 13-15

    Budapest, Hungary

    Start early for the trip to Budapest. Explore both Buda and Pest along the Danube. Visit the thermal baths first thing - "go early morning to avoid crowds." Check out the unique ruin bars in the Jewish Quarter at night. Book Parliament tours well ahead as they fill up fast.

    

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• 16 Days in Eastern Europe, incl. Bucharest and Sofia

  A 16-day path through Eastern Europe leads from Bucharest's Palace of Parliament to Belgrade's Kalemegdan Park. Medieval towns like Sibiu, the Skull Tower in Nis, and Bulgaria's ancient Thracian heritage in Kazanlak highlight this fascinating route.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Bucharest, Romania

    Start your journey in Romania's capital. Get to the massive Palace of Parliament by 9 AM on day 2 to beat the crowds. "The sheer scale of Bucharest's architecture is mind-boggling, especially the Parliament building," one traveler notes. Spend time in the Old Town and visit the Village Museum to see traditional Romanian rural life.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Transylvania

    Take a 3-hour drive to the Carpathian Mountains. Visit Peles Castle in the morning before it gets busy, then head to Bran Castle. "The home-cooked dinner at our Transylvanian guesthouse was a highlight - try the local plum brandy called țuică," a traveler recommends. Spend your fourth day exploring the medieval centers of Brasov and Sibiu.

    
  • Days 5-7

    Serbia

    Cross into Serbia and visit the ancient Roman city of Viminacium. Explore Belgrade where the Sava and Danube rivers meet. Take a 2-hour morning train to Novi Sad to see the Petrovaradin Fortress. "The boat ride on the Danube was spectacular, especially seeing the carved head of King Decebalus in the gorge," according to one review.

    
  • Days 8-10

    Sofia & Rila, Bulgaria

    Drive 4 hours to Sofia. Visit Alexander Nevsky Cathedral early to avoid crowds. Plan a day trip to the UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery. A visitor shares: "Rila's brightly colored frescoes are incredible - bring a scarf to cover shoulders when entering the monastery."

    
  • Days 11-13

    Bulgarian Black Sea Coast

    Travel east through the Rose Valley to Plovdiv to see its Roman theater. Continue to Varna on the Black Sea coast and visit the Archaeological Museum with the world's oldest gold treasure. Stay in Balchik at Queen Marie of Romania's former summer palace. "Swimming in the Black Sea at sunset was magical, though the palace accommodation is quite basic," notes one traveler.

    
  • Days 14-16

    Return to Bucharest

    Take the scenic coastal route back to Bucharest. Stop at Kaliakra Fortress along the way. Use your last day to explore more of Bucharest's Old Town. Book an evening flight on day 16 to avoid morning traffic.

    

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