12 Great Places to Visit in the Balkans
What places should you visit in the Balkans? That is if an arbitrary rule limited you to pick only pick one city per country!
In this list I pick (1) one city per Balkan nation to visit. If you are travelling on a tight time schedule and trying to hit nation highlights, this may be helpful, but remember, these countries have a lot more to see than just the locations listed!
Table of Contents
- Ohrid, Macedonia
- Corfu, Greece
- Sibiu, Romania
- Belgrade, Serbia
- Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Kotor, Montenegro
- Zadar, Croatia
- Bled, Slovenia
- Rila, Bulgaria
- Prizren, Kosovo
- Istanbul (Constantinople), Turkey
- Gjirokaster, Albania
- Bonus City
Ohrid, Macedonia
My favourite place in the entire world, Ohrid – a Slavic Jerusalem – is a fascinating city! It is built on the shores of a lake of the same name; one of the most important nature preserves in Europe and the deepest on the continent. The lake is known for its deep blue hue, that sparkles like gold when hit by the suns sharp rays. The craggy coast boasts beautiful marshes and, as I was there in the spring, the large chain of mountains encircling the lake were still partially snow-capped. The city itself stands at the crossroads of the words great empires Ilyrian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Bulgarian, Serbian and Turkish to name a few, gifting the town with a rich architectural tradition. This is reflected in its religious architecture namely it byzantine styled churches and monasteries but also its mosques. The city may be small but you will find yourself wandering its narrow streets and alleys for hours marvelling at the beautiful wooden merchant houses and the pristine view of the lake. Today the city is the most popular summer destination for Macedonians who come here in droves. The city of 100 churches is one that only gets better with time!
To read more about the resort town of north Macedonia, click here.
Corfu, Greece
Corfu is the perfect sized island. It is large enough to have plenty to do and space to get away from the other tourists, yet remain a quaint island getaway where all destinations are withing an quick drive of each other. I remember landing in Corfu late at night and leaving my room at the Pink Palace, a famous party hostel, early in the morning to catch the sunrise. It felt as if I had woke up in paradise! The island contains beautiful beaches and towns but also a major Greek center in the city of Corfu. Here you will find some of the most imposing works of the Stato da Màr, a string of Venetian fortifications throughout the Adriatic and the Eastern Mediterranean and a pretty Greek old town. This island was ground zero of the Venetian-Ottoman wars and offered history lovers unparalleled insight on the Adriatic power struggles.
To read more about this island paradise, click here.
Sibiu, Romania
Authentic is the best word to describe this Saxon holdout in Transylvanian. At the time Transylvania was called Siebenbürgen, German for the “The Seven Citadels”, a testament to the importance of this ethnic minority. You will find some of the best preserved of Germanic architecture in the world in the heart of old Hungarian Transylvania.
To read more about this great city, click here.
Belgrade, Serbia
I will be the first to admit that Belgrade is not your typical travel destination. It’s not that the city is ugly, quite the opposite, but it is run down. This ancient city, strategically built at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, has been spit on by the conquerors of history but the city as well as the Serbian people will offer travellers more than they bargained for. The city is pulsing, no, teaming with life! It is cosmopolitan yet firmly Serbian and the nightlife is incredible. Come discover why this city is one of the hidden gems of Europe.
To read more about this thriving metropolis, click here.
Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Nestled within the emerald hills of Bosnia, this hillside city is simply breathtaking and should be on every travelers bucket list. From the fine metal working of the bazaar to the splendid breweries of the empire, the contrast blends harmoniously into the landscape, a perfect blend of Ottoman and Austrian Architecture. Although the city saw triumph and tragedy in the last century, it has recovered and is fast on becoming one of the most dynamic cities in the Balkans. Come see how the small provincial city where the assassination of Franz Ferdinand took place hosted the Olympic decades later and then fell into civil war.
To read more about this cosmopolitan capital, click here.
Kotor, Montenegro
This triangular shaped fortified old town is seated deep within a fjord, an outstanding natural wonder. The city is host to the San Giovanni fortress, a titan of the Venetian Stato da Màr line of fortifications, and an important bulwark against the advance of the Ottoman Empire. This city offers the backdrop of stunning natural scenery and the history of a well preserved old town. The city is located a few kilometers from the party beach town of Budva and the mountainous Cetinje/Lovcen National Park in the hinterland of Montenegro. Come before this pristine destination is as crowded as Dubrovnik.
To read more about this great old town, click here.
Zadar, Croatia
Really, Zadar? Its not even on the party coast of Split or the tourist mecca of Dubrovnik. Yet Zadar, a city that has seen more tragedy than most, has become one of the most relaxing and even, dare I say it, romantic city in the Balkans. The splendid fortifications may be reduced but the oceanfront boulevard is to die for. Once you make it here you wont ever want to leave!
To read more about this great city, click here.
Bled, Slovenia
This small touristic city in the alpine region north of the capital Ljubljana is often thought of as the most scenic place in the country. This beautiful town has a crystal clear lake, a pretty castle and a church on an island surrounded by the pristine waters of the lake. Sounds nice, does it not?
To read more about this lakeside retreat, click here
Rila, Bulgaria
This beautiful location is located at high altitudes, in the central mountainous plateau of Bulgaria. This monastery is a repository of Bulgarian Culture and will give you an unparalleled insight on the creation of the Bulgarian identity. The complex honours St. Ivan, an orthodox saint that lived as a hermit near this location. The church itself is a masterpiece of craftsmanship and includes beautiful scenes painted on the entirety of its walls.
To read more about the monastery, click here.
Prizren, Kosovo
Although Kosovo’s independence is disputed, I have included it on this list as it has become a popular destinations for those seeking less commercial tourism centers. Prizren, the small nation’s second city, more than makes up for an unfortunate visit to the capital Pristina. It should not passed over for the later, as this scenic destination is the cultural heart of the this landlocked patch of land. The city contains a large cache of Ottoman architecture and is more cosmopolitan than the foreign sounding name would suggest to those unfamiliar with the history of the Balkans.
Istanbul (Constantinople), Turkey
Straddling the Bosporus channel, this mega city is divided between Europe and Asia, the Orient and the Occident. Although the city may not be the modern capital of Turkey, it was the center of two great empires; The Byzantines and the Ottomans. These two were masters of the Balkan peninsula and as such the region was ruled from it. You cannot understand the history of the Balkan nation without first understanding Istanbul, a city going by the name of Constantinople for most of its history. It is truly the city of Roman splendor and eternal glory.
Gjirokaster, Albania
A city that seems to be built directly into the mountain side, the “Stone City”, located in southern Albania, is the greatest example of Ottoman architecture in the Balkans. Large stone homes belonging to the Muslim landed gentry (eg: landowners) and a massive citadel define the town. It is also the birth of two titans of modern Albania, a villain, the communist dictator Enver Hoxha and a hero, the author-dissident Ismail Kadare.
To read more about this great city, click here.
Bonus City
Constanta, Romania
Known for most of its history under the name Tomis, this coastal paradise is a long way removed from its intebellum heyday when the big players of Europe and the royalty of Romania came to gamble and enjoy the beach. Today the principle port of Romania is enjoying a renaissance of epic proportions.
To read more about this great city, click here.
