I first visited the Balkans in 2016 and promptly fell in love with the region…. so much so, that I actually moved here as a result of that first Balkans trip. Between the mountains of Montenegro, the coastline of Albania, the lakes of North Macedonia, and the architecture of Serbia, I couldn’t get enough of the region.
Balkans travel is unique, unlike traveling anywhere else in the world. It’s full of contradictions. Its history is both triumphant and tragic, long and recent.
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1. You’ll find some of the best scenery in Europe when you travel the Balkans
The Balkans are home to some of the most beautiful landscapes in all of Europe. It’s home to the southernmost fjord in Europe, the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro, which looks like a postcard come to life.
Montenegro is also home to the second-longest canyon in the world after the Grand Canyon, the Tara Canyon, which is absolutely stunning.
The sparkling turquoise sea all along the Albanian Riviera has some of the warmest, bluest waters you’ll find in Europe, but the coastline everywhere from Croatia down to Greece is absolutely stunning.
Even landlocked countries like North Macedonia, Kosovo, and Serbia have stunning rivers and lakes, the gem of which would have to be the stunning Lake Ohrid on the border between North Macedonia and Albania.
If you’re a fan of mountains, the Balkans won’t let you down: this region is incredibly mountainous and beautiful. The Dinaric Alps range from Slovenia all the way down to Albania and are absolutely stunning: I especially love Durmitor National Park in northeastern Montenegro.
The tallest mountains in the Balkans are located in Bulgaria, with the tallest being Musala Peak in the Rila Mountain range.
But even Balkan cities are nestled in the mountains, with the best example being Sofia with Vitosha Mountain being a quick 20 or 30-minute drive from the city center.
2. Traveling the Balkans is incredibly affordable compared to Western Europe
The Balkans are one of the cheapest places to travel in all of Europe. Albania, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria offer especially great value for travelers.
Expect to pay about $5-10 for a dorm room, $15-20 for a private room, filling breakfast pastries for 50 cents, fancy sit down meals with plenty of drinks for $10-15, less than a dollar for inter-city public transport, and $5 for long intercity bus rides,
Croatia, Slovenia, Greece, and to some extent Montenegro are slightly more expensive than the rest of the Balkans. Still, “expensive” in the Balkans is still going to be cheaper than Western Europe by a long shot.
3. The Balkans are home to some of the oldest continually inhabited cities on Earth
The Balkans have a long and rich history that encompasses several empires. Plovdiv, the second-largest city in Bulgaria, has been inhabited for more than 8,000 years.
It was originally settled by the Thracians; later, it was ruled by Persians, Greeks, Romans, Ottomans, and countless others. Vestiges of its history are everywhere, such as the Roman amphitheater in the heart of town which was built in the 90s AD.
Ohrid in North Macedonia also holds the honors of being one of the longest inhabited cities in Europe’s history. And when you visit the beautiful Lake Ohrid, more than 3 million years old, you’ll see why settlers stayed and never left the stunning natural beauty of Ohrid.
4. You’ll find plenty of gorgeous monasteries and churches while traveling the Balkans
While there are several major religions in the Balkans, Christian churches and monasteries make up the majority of historic religious buildings. In Croatia and Slovenia, you’ll see the influence of the Catholic church, whereas, in Serbia, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Romania, and North Macedonia, you’ll see more architecture in the Eastern Orthodox style.
No matter what your religion, it’s indubitable that these visiting these churches are one of the best highlights of Balkans travel. There are no buildings quite like them anywhere else that I know of.
5. You’ll also find some of the most beautiful mosques in Europe
Religion in the Balkans has been shaped by a number of occupying forces over the years. The Ottoman Empire’s rule left certain countries, such as Albania, Kosovo, and Bosnia & Herzegovina, with Muslim majority populations.
Plus, Istanbul is technically part of the Balkan peninsula, and it’s home to some of the most stunning examples of Islamic architecture on the planet.
6. Locals are genuinely happy to see and help tourists
In general, the Balkans are not a rich region. While certain countries in the Balkans have done a great job at marketing themselves to tourists, particularly Slovenia and Croatia, others are lagging behind. 3 of the top 10 least-visited countries in Europe are located in the Balkans (Serbia, North Macedonia, and Bosnia & Herzegovina). Having been to all of them, I can safely vouch that tourists are missing out.
I’ve never been to a region where I felt my presence was more appreciated by locals than when traveling the Balkans. I was poured rakia after rakia all night in Trebinje, Bosnia, never being allowed to touch the bill.
When hitchhiking in Milot, Albania, the guys who picked us up literally went an hour out of their way, crossing an international checkpoint, in order to drop us off to our destination in Kosovo. I was gifted jars of ajvar in Lagadin, North Macedonia and lost count of the cups of coffee bought for me along the way.
Tourism in the Balkans is underdeveloped, and many locals see the influx of tourists bringing growth into countries that have dealt with high unemployment and poverty rates that have marked this region since the transition from communism.
7. Balkans travel is extremely safe for solo and female travelers
Stephanie and I have both solo traveled through the Balkans extensively, totaling at least a year between both of us (not counting the fact that we both now live in Sofia). One of the most frequent questions we’re asked is “are the Balkans safe?”
Honestly, I would say that traveling the Balkans is right up there with traveling Southeast Asia when it comes to safety for solo female travelers.
Street harassment is simply way less of a problem in the Balkans the way it is in many other countries I’ve visited. I can literally count the uncomfortable experiences I’ve had with men in my entire time traveling the Balkans on one hand, and not even use up all my fingers. I’d use up that hand before I even arrived at work back in New York.
While it is very safe for solo travelers, it is at times confusing. Language barriers are high outside of the larger cities, and simple tasks like taking a bus can become hilariously complicated in countries like Albania. That said, if you can handle a bit of adventure and don’t mind things not always going exactly as planned, you will be perfectly happy with Balkans travel and all the adventure it brings.
8. It’s so easy to get off the beaten path on a Balkans trip
One thing I love so much about this region is that Balkans tourism there is still in its beginning stages. Balkan cities like Kotor are quite built up — but visit nearby Ulcinj or Zabljak and you’ll find hidden gems everywhere you look. Mostar is huge with day-trippers from Dubrovnik — but quiet Trebinje is stunning with only a handful of foreigners visiting at any given time.
Buzzing Belgrade is well-loved by many for good reason, but quiet Novi Sad just an hour north is even more beautiful.
If you’re planning a trip to the Balkans, I urge you to think outside of just the capital cities and tourist favorites and add a few lesser-visited towns to your list.
9. The Balkans are perfect for history lovers
The Balkan peninsula is one of the most historically rich regions of Europe, with countless empires converging and fighting for dominance, shaping the culture, language, and history. Where else can you find prehistoric artifacts, Greek and Roman ruins, Ottoman relics, and Communist monuments all in one region, let alone city?
I can think of precious few other places where the history is so rich and layered as in the Balkans.
10. The produce in the Balkans is insanely fresh and almost always organic
I’ve never had fresher-tasting salads than when in Albania, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria. These countries are largely still very agricultural outside of the main cities. As a result, you’ll find incredible salads all over the Balkans, with the ripest, most delicious tomatoes on earth.
My favorite is the shopska salad, well-loved in both North Macedonia and Bulgaria — chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, and peppers, sometimes olives, all laying atop a heavy, heavy coating of fresh briny feta-like cheese called sirene.
11. And the Balkans is heaven for meat lovers, too.
While there’s a lot that differentiates the countries in the Balkans, a few important things unite them, the number one probably being the Balkan love for grilled meat. The mixed grilled meat plate is inextricable from Balkan travel, all barbecued and spiced perfectly, served with different salads and tons of fresh bread.
Vegetarians will have a bit of a hard time here, but there’s always burek — flaky, fattening pastries stuffed with cheese, potatoes, spinach, or a variety of other fillings, most of which are usually vegetarian.
And obviously, whatever you end up eating, you’ve got to wash that down with some…
12. Rakia is a crucial part of any Balkans vacation
It’d be impossible to write a piece about traveling the Balkans without, at some point, mentioning rakia. Just as the love of grilled meat unites the Balkans, so too does rakia (though there is sometimes bitter competition about where the best rakia comes from. The best answer is always the country you’re in…. which is a good general rule of thumb for Balkans travel).
Rakia is an incredibly strong fruit-based liquor, most often made from grapes, plums, apricots, or other similar fruits. It’s often homemade, poured from suspicious-looking former plastic water bottles. If someone offers you rakia, always accept: it’s usually the start of a raucous night out.
For those who wish to destroy their liver at a slightly slower rate, the beer and wine scene is strong in the Balkans, too. What can I say? The Balkan region likes to drink, and even a Balkan grandmother will likely drink you under the table.
13. The National Parks in the Balkans are some of the best in the world
One of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been is Durmitor National Park in Montenegro, a stunning park full of gorgeous hiking trails, pristine lakes, and stunning mountains formed from melting glaciers. The hike to the top of Bobotov Kuk, the highest peak in Durmitor, was the hardest but most rewarding challenge I’ve ever undertaken.
Rila National Park in Bulgaria is another favorite, and while I’ve yet to visit Theth National Park in Albania, I have every reason to believe it will completely and totally blow my mind.
14. … but the Balkans are pretty even underneath the ground
I’ve visited some incredible caves in Bulgaria and Steph raves about the caves in Slovenia. (Just don’t visit a salt mine in Romania.)
Saeva Dupka in Bulgaria is one of the most beautiful caves I’ve been to… and I’ve been to a fair number because I’m a weirdo geology nerd. Bulgaria is also famous for Prohodna Cave, aka the “Eyes of God” for its strange formation that makes it look as if there are two eyes forming a window to the sky.
15. For long-term travelers, most of the Balkans is safely outside the Schengen zone
With the exception of Slovenia and Greece, all of the Balkan countries are outside of the Schengen Zone. There are 3 Balkan countries which are part of the EU, but not covered under Schengen: Croatia, Romania, and Bulgaria.
Because the Schengen visa only allows you 90 days out of every 180, it is common for long-term Europe backpackers to spend time outside of the Schengen zone enjoying the relatively lax visa rules (and the cheaper prices).
Read 41 Things You Need to Know Before Backpacking the Balkans
16. Adventure enthusiasts will have their adrenaline soaring when visiting the Balkans
A Balkans trip is perfect for adrenaline junkies. Whether it’s hiking the highest mountain in the Balkans peninsula – Bulgaria’s Musala Peak – at nearly 3,000 meters, rafting through the deepest canyon in Europe in Montenegro, bungee jumping off the Tara Bridge, or paragliding over Bosnia, the Balkans are a haven for lovers of nature and the adventure that comes with them.
17. The Balkans are a winter wonderland, with tons of skiing and snowboarding opportunities
If you’re craving a ski holiday that’s slightly different than the norm, the Balkans offer countless opportunities for ski and snowboarding lovers. You can combine a city break with a ski trip in Sofia and get the best of both worlds.
But for those craving a more nature-oriented experience, cozy cabin and all, there are fantastic ski resorts all over the Balkans. A few of the most popular resort areas include Zabljak in Montenegro, Bansko in Bulgaria, Poiana Brasov in Romania, and Brezovica in Kosovo.
18. Meanwhile, summers bring stunning beaches
The Balkans are one of my favorite places to be in the summer — even landlocked countries like North Macedonia are amazing with gorgeous lakes. Romania and Bulgaria have the Black Sea, which is so large that you actually get proper sandy beaches. If you plan on visiting the Balkans in the summer, be sure to plan some serious beach time.
Greece and Croatia have always been well-loved for their beaches, but I’m of the opinion that the Albanian Riviera is home to some of the most stunning beaches in all of the Balkan peninsula.
I mean, just look at this.
19. Sunsets in the Balkans are like no other
I don’t know what it is, but I’ve never seen more beautiful sunsets on an average day than when I’ve been visiting the Balkans. Living in Sofia, I’ve noticed that this city is home to some of the most spectacularly vibrant city sunsets I’ve seen.
Meanwhile, all up along the Adriatic coast, you’ll find beautiful beachside sunsets as well, including some of the best I’ve seen in Corfu, Greece.
20. Street art in the Balkans is unique and expressive
The Balkans is home to some intriguing, up-and-coming street art scenes. Belgrade’s is probably the most well-known of all of them and is certainly the most developed, while Sofia has new murals popping up frequently. The Exarcheia neighborhood in Athens is also highly regarded for its politically charged street art.
But even lesser-known cities have some interesting street art scenes, such as Mostar in Bosnia, where an abandoned bank tower that was once used by snipers during the war now hosts to anti-war, pro-tolerance art.
21. Nightlife is fun, unpretentious, and affordable.
Fact: Young people in the Balkans love to party. Also fact: The latest I’ve ever stayed out in my life was in Belgrade, Serbia. Coincidence? I think not.
No matter what kind of nightlife you prefer, the Balkans has got you covered. Whether you prefer hipster-y craft beer bars or nightclubs with throbbing bass into the dawn, you’ll likely find it in any major city in the Balkans. We’ve gathered our favorite bars in Sofia, but we’ve also found Athens, Belgrade, Sarajevo, Skopje, and Tirana to have great nightlife scenes.
Extra bonus? Going out for a night in the Balkans is incredibly cheap. In Sofia, I spend an average of $2 per beer or glass of wine and $5 for a fancy, upscale cocktail. Prices are pretty much the same in the rest of the Balkans, though you’ll pay more in Greece, Croatia, and Slovenia.
22. Young Balkan people are super optimistic
Traveling through the Balkans, I’ve been really impressed with the dedication and optimism of young people towards their cities and countries. Rather than leaving to countries with more job opportunities, many young Balkan people are staying or choosing to get educated abroad then coming back home to open businesses. As a result, small businesses are thriving all over the Balkans, headed by well-educated young people with an enormous passion for their country.
23. Parts of the Balkans feel like a time capsule
Traveling through the Balkans at times feels like a blast from the past. While the WiFi is brand new and blazing fast, certain infrastructure — like old vintage trams — is dated. Communist architecture in certain parts of the Balkans looks straight out of decades gone past, whereas the Orthodox churches in others almost feel like they’re from another century.
Meanwhile, parts of Bosnia such as Mostar still very much carry the scars of the war in the 1990s, with bombed-out abandoned buildings alongside a bustling shopping area in Mostar’s Old Town.
You’ll find goats and Old cars like the ubiquitous Soviet-era Lada are not uncommon, and you’ll find open-air markets throughout the Balkans selling Communist paraphernalia, rotary telephones, black and white framed family photos from the 1920s and 30s, and other such oddities of a bygone era.
24. But it’s also changing rapidly
In addition to lightning-fast WiFi rapidly spreading throughout the Balkans (with Romania and Bulgaria boasting some of the fastest internet in Europe), other aspects of Balkan life are also quickly changing.
Sofia’s vintage trams are slowly being phased out with newer ones taking their place. You’ll find hip new foodie hotspots next to dusty old taverns, and gourmet soup bars next to basement-level klek shops.
And that’s not just Sofia but virtually all cities in the Balkans. As the countries modernize, they’re sure to change, and I think there’s a lot to be said for traveling the Balkans before they lose their unique, distinct character that they have at this present moment.
25. And it’s never been easier to travel the Balkans!
Budget airlines serve virtually every major city in the Balkans. Wizz Air flies to every capital city in the Balkans as well as a few other large cities. Ryanair and easyJet also serve many Balkan countries, and both airlines are expanding in the Balkan region quickly.
Buses between the countries, while not fast, are cheap and reliable, making overland Balkans travel relatively simple. And road tripping the Balkans is a phenomenal way to see several countries in one go – just be sure to read our tips on planning a Balkan road trip here, as there are some rules about crossing borders in a rental car.
With roundtrip flights starting around $25 from many countries in Europe, you’d be foolish not to consider the Balkans on a future Europe trip.
And with views like these… why wouldn’t you plan your Balkans vacation?
Balkans Travel Resources
If you’re planning a trip to the Balkans, we have a lot of resources to help you! We have a guide on how to best use this Balkan blog to help you plan your trip.
We have posts about the different Balkan currencies, the best beaches in the Balkans, planning a Balkan road trip, and Balkan itinerary planning ideas, among other ideas.
We have pages for each country, so you can navigate through our site and find the specific countries you need here!
5 Things to Bring to the Balkans
An Unlocked Smartphone: We strongly recommend having your own unlocked smartphone to make travel around the Balkans easy – and it’s super cheap with a local SIM. If your own phone company charges too much to get it unlocked, you can buy a cheap unlocked smartphone online (here’s one we recommend).
But generally, if your smartphone is unlocked, we advise you to bring that with you and just be sure you have travel insurance in case of breakage, loss, or theft.
Money Belt or Anti-Theft Bag: The Balkans are safe, but we always recommend people to be cautious with their belongings. We know a lot of people like money belts for Europe – this is the best-reviewed one we’ve seen. However, neither of us use them.
Instead, we both have the same awesome anti-theft backpack by PacSafe and bring it everywhere with us – in Sofia, when we travel, and even just on beach days and coffee outings! With locking zippers, slash-proof construction, and other security features, it’s the peace of mind in a bag. It’s also surprisingly gender-neutral and stylish.
A Water Bottle with a Filter: While often, the tap water in most places in the Balkans are drinkable, but there are places where it isn’t, including some popular tourist destinations like Santorini.
We generally recommend using a water bottle with a purifying filter to reduce your plastic consumption and ensure you won’t drink any funny-tasting water on your stomach that could make your trip unpleasant!
We recommend the GRAYL water bottle – it filters water perfectly in an instant so that you can even drink from lakes, bad taps, etc.
Motion Sickness Pills: Many Balkan roads are winding, especially around the coast. If you have a weak stomach as we do, save yourself and bring some non-drowsy motion sickness pills.
Wet Wipes, Hand Sanitizer, TP & other Balkan Transit Needs: Bathrooms in the Balkans tend to be… how can we say it?… not so well-stocked. Save yourself the disappointment and bring a mini-rescue pack of wet wipes & hand sanitizer.
Where to Stay in the Balkans
We are working on hotel guides for all of the major Balkan cities we cover, but you can start with our guides to:
- The Best Sofia Hotels
- The Best Istanbul Hotels
- The Best Cappadocia Cave Hotels
- The Best Athens Hotels
- The Best Belgrade Hotels
- The Best Lake Bled Hotels
If you are looking for the best way to book hotel rooms in the Balkans, we recommend checking out Booking.com as early as possible. While the Balkans are underrated by international travelers, many of the best places can book early during the high season because people in the Balkans know where to go.
Planning a Trip to the Balkans? Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
Make sure you always travel to the Balkans with a valid travel insurance policy. Travel here includes outdoor activities and travel to highly touristed sites. You need to be covered in case you have an accident or fall victim to theft. Travel insurance will help you recover your expenses and continue to enjoy your trip.
For travel insurance, I use World Nomads. I’ve been a happy customer of theirs for almost three years, and I’ve never had an issue when making a claim. I’m happy to refer them to anyone I meet.
Originally from California, Allison has been living in Bulgaria for the last two years and is obsessed with traveling around the Balkans. She has been published in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, Matador Network, and the Huffington Post. She loves befriending dogs, drinking coffee, geeking out about wine, and cooking food from around the world.
Hi,
I’m wondering when you wrote this? I’m a solo female with lots of travel experience but I’m curious as to what the climate is right now 🙂 Would love your perspective!
Hi Olivia! I wrote this earlier this year, in summer. We are currently in Belgrade now, returning to Sofia tomorrow, and the weather has been lovely lately. Not too warm, not too cold (though a bit chilly at night). If you are in the mountains you will find yourself cold for sure but if you are in cities it is pretty nice fall weather at the moment. Of course it’s the Balkans which is notorious for fussy weather so that could change at any moment.
Hello! It seems to me that you quite enjoyed Mostar. If you had the choice between a day in Ljubljana or Mostar, which would you choose?
Both are lovely but have very different atmospheres. I think Mostar is easily done in one day (though deserves more!), whereas I would want at least 2-3 days in Ljubljana.
Hi there. Sounds like you moved to the Balkans. Are you trying to get a long term visa in any of the countries or just moving around from country to country every 90 days ?? and if you would want to set up a long term Visa what country would you recommend and why ?
Right now we are just based in Sofia, but leaving the country whenever we need to so we don’t go over our tourist visa. In Albania, many foreigners can stay up to a year on a tourist visa, so that’s always a great option. Romania supposedly has some of the easiest business visas in Europe, but we haven’t tried them yet.
Hi Sofia, great post! I love travel region because of landscapes, friendly people and food.
We are also travel bloggers. Great job you are doing with your blog!
Thank you!
Thanks for the post. I’m currently planning a trip through the balkans. Your tips were super useful. Thank you
Thank you and glad to hear it! Let us know how your trip goes!
Hi there! Fantastic advise and típs! Thank you! My husband and i want to travelling from Croacia to greece during 3-4 weeks this year un july! We have already been to slovenia, and loved it so much!!! We have also been to most of Croacia, but we are going to a music festival there first! We want to see as many countries on our way to Greece! I am looking forward to planning It all, and with your great articule, this will be easier! Just one question, IS there anyway we can rent a car and go threw all these countries?
Many thanks
Lisa
Renting a car in the Balkans can be tricky because you have to check with the company what their specific rules are. We have an article on how to plan a Balkan road trip that should give you a good place to start!
15 Crucial Tips for Planning a Balkan Road Trip
Whoah this is amazing. I live in a city in northern Croatia but I’m also of Serbian ancestry. I was searching for some good content about the Balkans for a long time and you’re the first one really doing it well. You really described all the countries and locations very nicely, and you were also very conrete. I’m interested which countries you visited in the Balkans and what countries you actually consider to be in the Balkans cuz there’s some people confused over this topic xD 😀
Thank you! We have both visited every Balkan country except Allison will visit Slovenia for the first time later this year. I moved to Bulgaria in 2017 and Allison moved here a year ago.
We consider every country on the Balkan peninsula to be a part of the Balkans, although our travel articles cover parts of those countries that are also not on the peninsula. We eventually hope to cover: Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey, Albania, Montenegro, Macedonia, Serbia, Kosovo (whether you consider it a country or not it needs separate travel coverage because it has different visa rules), Bosnia, Croatia, and Slovenia.
Thanks for sharing all of this valuable information. A Balkans road trip is at the top of my bucket list!
You’re welcome Howard! It’s one of the best places in the world to road trip – such beautiful scenery and interesting cities all within easy driving distance, and the roads aren’t as bad as everyone always jokes about (the drivers on the other hand… 😉 joking, mostly)
Great guide. Really inspirational for somewhere I’ve always been curious about and fits in that magic 5-hour flight category for me, thanks!
I hope you visit soon! And yes, the 5-hour flight window is key – I hate long flights! I love that from the Balkans, I can easily visit all the rest of Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa! It’s a great connecting point.
Hi! A lovely write up about Balkans. I wanted some advice on traveling to Serbia middle of Feb for 2-3 weeks, is it a good time to explore? It’s going to be first time & I’m from India. My worry was the weather, and looking at the temperatures seems like it would be too cold to do outdoors. I’m still contemplating, as I felt the best time would be April onwards to get the best of the country. What do you think?
We have a ton of Serbia advice on the website, so definitely check out our Serbia section. We are actually working on a post about what to do in Belgrade in winter that should be out soon.
February is definitely cold. If you don’t like cold weather, you simply might not enjoy it. I love traveling in winter, but I do tend to focus on winter-oriented activities. I spent most of today outside at a festival, and I’m still very cold. If you do come in winter, you can have a fabulous time. Just make sure to really focus on packing items that will keep you warm so you can enjoy the time you are outside.
If you choose to come in April, that would be lovely weather. April, May, and September are my favorite months to travel the region. During this time you’ll have a more traditional trip with almost every kind of activity in Serbia available except for swimming.
Hope this helps! Serbia is a fantastic country to travel!
Im gonna have a solo female trip for 2 weeks (in coming April-May) and I’m in a dilemma of whether choosing Slovenia or Bulgaria!(for 3 days) I hope I can visit both especially after reading your post. However, I have limited time as I will visit Budapest and Romania for sure.
Which country would you recommend to travel alone? Or which is more easier to be travel by bus/train?
Hi XinXin! Both are lovely countries. From Bucharest you can easily visit Veliko Tarnovo and/or Sofia (overnight bus). From Budapest getting to Ljubljana is pretty easy as well. It depends what the order of your flights are and what your budget is. For example, I’d only do Slovenia if you can start in Ljubljana, or only do Bulgaria if you can fly out of Sofia. That way you can avoid backtracking.
Both countries are safe to travel alone (I live in Bulgaria and travel here alone all the time) and easy to get buses around. Bulgaria is a good deal cheaper than Slovenia so if budget is a concern I’d pick Bulgaria.
Thanks for your advice ❤️
Hi there, such an interesting write-up about the Balkans…looking forward to go there some time in the near future. I hope you don’t mind if I share your post and your lovely Balkan pics with my friends. We are so excited about going there especially after reading your blog. Thanks a bunch dear..
Of course! Where are you going in the Balkans and when? We have tons of articles about traveling the region (over 130 so far) but we have a bunch in the works, too. If there’s one that we’re working on that would be especially helpful for you, we can move it to the front of the line so it comes out before your trip.
Thanks for the tips! Great article. Debating coming solo in the summer, but would like to avoid driving. How are the buses? Are some countries easier by bus?
I think the buses are technically easy to use everywhere, the key is just figuring out the schedules and being prepared. This post has all of our bus tips: https://sofiaadventures.com/balkan-bus/
I think we’ve both found the buses in Montenegro to be difficult because sometimes traffic jams happen in the mountains, which cause significant bus delays.
Thank you and I appreciate with you.
The Balkans is full of natural beauties, mountains, rivers, lakes and hospitable people. All praise for you at the presentation of the Balkans as a tourist destination.
We love them! Thanks for the great compliments!
Such an interesting write-up about the Balkans looking forward to going there sometime in the near future.
However, I have limited time as I will visit Budapest and Romania for sure.
Romania is a great Balkan destination! While Budapest isn’t in the Balkans, a lot of tourists pair Hungary and Romania on a trip. Enjoy!
Sarajevo ѡas certainlү ᧐ne of ourr favorite cities in Bosnia.
Yes, it’s a beautiful city!
Hows the tax rate, and all the boring stuff there.
I’m thinking of moving to Balkans due to the History of it and my love of studying about the region!
Thank you!
Well, you’re talking about 12 different countries, so you have about 12 different answers for every question. But in Bulgaria the tax rate is quite low, about 10%, and in many Balkan countries it’s quite low as well.
Hi there, thanks for sharing, this is awesome! I am an Asian-American woman interested in traveling in the Balkans this summer, but I am nervous about worldwide prejudice against Asians following the Coronavirus outbreak. Is this something I would need to be worried about traveling with another Asian this summer? Thanks!
Hi Adelaide! First of all, I’m sorry for the racism you’re experiencing in the wake of coronavirus. I’ve heard similar stories from Asian American friends of mine, and it’s not right. There’s a chance that you might experience some prejudice — but you also might experience that at home, as well, as some of my friends already have. I don’t think there’s any danger of anything more than some rude comments, which could happen anywhere, and while it’s not right, I wouldn’t let that scare you away from traveling this region. I hope you come and that you have an awesome trip!
Debating coming solo in the summer, but would like to avoid driving. Thanks for sharing this great article with us.
Definitely possible without driving! Hopefully the coronavirus situation allows for it, as I know each country has its own rules for letting in foreigners, so keep abreast of that.
There is so much natural beauties in the Balkans. The lakes, mountains, rivers and the great people makes it one great destination for tourist.
This article has brought this light to the world. Thanks a lot for sharing.
You’re welcome!