ALL ABOUT THE BALKANS
Your comprehensive guide to Southeast Europe
Welcome to the Balkans! This cluster of countries in Southeastern Europe is made of up some of the most interesting and beautiful places to visit on the continent. However, which countries exactly are part of the Balkans is not exactly clear to many.
We went with the widest definition of the Balkans there is, encompassing all of ex-Yugoslavia (Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Serbia, and Kosovo), as well as Albania, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, and Turkey. While some of these countries are not entirely on the Balkan peninsula, such as the Greek islands or Anatolian Turkey, we cover them on this site as we want to be the most helpful resource possible for Balkan travel on the internet.
Here, you can read some of our general travel advice on traveling the Balkans, or you can navigate through the menu on top to discover each country in more depth.
ALL BALKANS POSTS
21 Insanely Useful Balkan Tips to Travel the Region Hassle-Free
The Balkans are quickly becoming one of the most sought after regions in Europe. As overtourism peaks in many Western European cities, much of the Balkans is still relatively under-touristed (shy of a few destinations in Croatia and Greece). With Instagram, travel...
50+ Places to Visit in the Balkans Before You Die
The Balkans are a region which you could spend a lifetime traveling. This collection of countries on the Balkan peninsula offers everything from history to culture to nature. We've traveled extensively around the region and picked some of our very favorite...
7 Steps to Cancel or Postpone Your Trip to the Balkans
Do you need to cancel or postpone your trip to the Balkans? Canceling a trip that you've already spent money on can be stressful, but if you travel frequently then it will probably happen at least once or twice! Allison and I have both had to cancel multiple...
The 12 Balkan Flags & the Meanings Behind Them
Flags have a way of inspiring, and Balkan flags are no different. They also tell the stories of their countries' struggles to achieve independence from empires abroad and sometimes from each other. Many flags were chosen to honor their countries' pasts, while others...
7 Ways You Can Use This Balkan Travel Blog to Have an Awesome Trip
As this Balkan blog approaches our one year anniversary, I've been thinking a lot about why we are writing Sofia Adventures and what we hope you get out of it. Since Allison and I both have our own travel blogs (mine's History Fangirl and she writes Eternal Arrival),...
Balkan Currency Guide: What You Need to Know about Balkan Money
If you're traveling the Balkans, one of the main hang-ups can be money. The currency changes with every border crossing and the conversions back to your home currency can get a bit confusing. By the time you're on your fifth or sixth new currency, your head will start...
25 Balkan Photos that Prove this Part of the World is Pure Magic
One thing I love about traveling the Balkan Peninsula is just how stunning this part of the world is. Outside of the region, people think about decaying buildings and crumbling roads, but when you get here you find fairytale castles, gorgeous Balkan beaches, museum...
17 Photos that Prove Balkan Animals are the Chillest
Balkan animals are a lot like the Balkans in general, super chill and they absolutely DGAF if you're there or not. Mostly they just want to relax and have a good time. They can be cheeky buggers when they want, or they can be total BOSSES. Here are fifteen photos from...
10 Stunning Balkan Beaches to Explore this Summer
Since the Balkan peninsula is located in southeastern Europe and borders on some of the most beautiful seas in the world, there are literally hundreds of stunning beaches here. It's possible to have great beach days from May through September on the mainland, and you...
15 Crucial Tips for Planning a Balkan Road Trip
We love road trips. Between Stephanie and I, we've rented cars in driven in some 20-odd countries across the world, many of them in the Balkans. And as a result, we have to say: Balkan road trips are our favorite. There are a few reasons why taking a road trip through...