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The Balkan Peninsula is rich in culture and home to incredible natural treasures. Unique cities, impressive national parks, delicious specialties, and natural spectacles – a mix of destinations as diverse as the Balkans themselves. And the best part: With the Balkan Tour you can easily reach all of them with a bus or by car.
1.Location of the Balkan Peninsula
The Balkan Peninsula in southeastern Europe is situated between the Adriatic and Black Seas. The region features a diverse landscape, including various large mountain ranges, thick woods, plains, and rivers. The Balkans is an exciting, extremely diverse region in southeastern Europe that has been characterized by change and stagnation in the recent past. The collapse of Yugoslavia made travel to many regions impossible for a long time.
The fact that so far only a few places in the Balkans have been affected by mass tourism makes a Balkan tour so appealing: affordable prices, friendly encounters with locals, few hotels, and many scenic spots just waiting to be discovered.
2. Best Time to travel to Balkans
The best time to travel through the Balkans is usually spring and summer – especially if you want to visit the coasts and beaches. Winter sports enthusiasts will also find good conditions in the Balkans (e.g., in Bansko, Bulgaria).
City tours are possible year-round, especially to the capitals.
3.Language and Getting along
Unfortunately, there is no common language in the Balkan countries, so on a Balkan tour, you will absolutely have to rely on English to communicate.
As in other European countries, you can get by very well with English in hotels and with tour operators – depending on the country and the specific company.
In the educational system, locals have at least a basic level of English, and this is even more so in tourist centers.
If your English has deteriorated over the years, I recommend taking a short refresher course before you start your trip – Babbel’s offers extremely affordable online language courses.
Foreigners are very welcome in most countries. Only in Serbia, due to various historical events, is there some resentment, but it’s hardly noticeable. Best experiences in this regard were in Bosnia and Macedonia. Hospitality and helpfulness are very important in the Balkans and make traveling here a special experience!
4.Prices and Finances
Generally speaking, the Balkan region is extremely affordable. However, one must differentiate between countries and popular tourist destinations, as there are sometimes significant differences.
For reference: a bed in a dorm costs the equivalent of 25-30 EUR (Bulgaria/Macedonia/Bosnia/Serbia), 30-45 EUR (Montenegro), 50-60EUR (Croatia), and a meal in a restaurant costs 8 EUR (Bulgaria/Macedonia/Bosnia/Serbia), 10-12 EUR (Montenegro), and 15-20 EUR (Croatia). Cross-border bus connections cost between 20-30 EUR. Prices in hotels and restaurants in tourist hot spots are naturally much higher.
Withdrawals in local currencies worked flawlessly (with the DKB card, various currencies are accepted (only Montenegro uses the EUR). DKB is BHI recommended card, as I have been using it myself for three years and have particularly benefited from the security features and fast support.
5. Balkan highlights for travelers
Sarajevo, the City of Cultures
In our opinion, Sarajevo is one of the top three cities in Europe! No city has ever moved us as much as Sarajevo. Expecting to visit the still completely destroyed capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo surprised us with its two faces. In the heart of the old town, these two cultures are recognizable by their completely different architecture, leaving visitors speechless and amazed.
At the “Meeting Point of Culture,” a compass rose on the ground, the Ottoman part of Sarajevo meets the Austro-Hungarian part. While low-rise houses, a bazaar, mosques, and carpet and copperware shops characterize the townscape in the Ottoman part, in the neighboring district, one feels like one is in Vienna. In the Ottoman cafes, in addition to Bosnian coffee, Turkish coffee and Turkish tea are served. Alcoholic beverages, however, are not available. Just a few steps to the other side you will find bars like the ones we know from here.
Sarajevo is a city steeped in history, still bearing the marks of the past decades of suffering. Yet it brims with life and, through these two intertwined cultures, offers visitors an experience no one will soon forget. So be sure to go. In our opinion, Sarajevo is one of the top three cities in Europe!
Would you like to learn more about Sarajevo? We have all the information for you.
Triglav National Park
The natural gem of Slovenia is one that no one will forget. So be sure to go. Slovenia lies directly on the border with Austria, so it’s not far away and was already considered part of Central Europe before the Yugoslavia disintegration. The infrastructure is absolutely comparable to that of Austria or Germany. You can also get quite far with German. And yet, the country is often used only as a transit point to Croatia. Therefore, our tip for all nature lovers: visit Triglav National Park in the very northwest of the country.
Countless springs bubble up in the national park, such as the sources of the Soca and Sava rivers. Mountains invite climbers, hikers, and mountaineers to explore. Lakes and rivers offer refreshing dips in the summer, but in spring and autumn they also provide a much-needed adrenaline rush – for example, with river rafting. Various waterfalls attract visitors. The Kozjak Waterfall is particularly unique, as it cascades into a cave. The walk through a gorge covered in moss and ferns is an absolute experience in itself.
There are also lovely towns like Bled or Bohinjska Bistrica, where you absolutely must try the traditional cream cakes. If you’re looking for a natural paradise practically on your doorstep that offers all kinds of activities and hiking opportunities, you should definitely keep Triglav National Park in mind.
Jadranska Magistrala
Probably the most beautiful coastal road in Europe. The Jadranska Magistrala coastal road runs along the eastern coast of the Adriatic. The historic route starts at the Slovenian border with Italy and then leads through Slovenia and Croatia, a short section through Bosnia-Herzegovina, and ends in Montenegro. The route runs along the coast for over 1,000 kilometers. It leads through picturesque villages, along steep cliffs and pebble beaches and is characterized by the great views of the turquoise shimmering Adriatic Sea and Croatian Islands.
The route is also well-suited for camper vans and motor homes. Although the road is winding, it doesn’t climb any steep or narrow mountain passes.
If you do some research beforehand, you’ll find numerous small detours along the route, inviting you to explore historic city centers or take a stroll and swim. Thanks to the relatively mild winters, it is also blessed with pleasant temperatures relatively early in the year and well into autumn.
Llogara Pass in Albania
The Llogara Pass connects northern Albania with the south. In the north, the SH8 first runs along the National Park border through the mountainous landscape of Albania, climbing several switchbacks. On the south side, the view is unobstructed all the way down to the sandy beaches along the coastline. If you catch a particularly beautiful day with a clear view, you can even see as far as the Ionian island of Corfu.
The road is in acceptable condition, with only a few hairpin bends. All in all, it’s easily doable, even with a camper van. Along the way, you’ll pass a few concrete bunkers. These are old shooting ranges that, due to a lack of interest and money, aren’t being dismantled by either the government or the landowners. In the midst of this beautiful landscape, they demonstrate that Albania’s history wasn’t always as peaceful as the country presents itself to its guests today. One thing is for sure: The safety of travelers is definitely guaranteed in the country, and there are also some lovely campsites to be found. So don’t worry, just go there and experience it for yourself!
Macedonia – small and proud Balkan country
Skopje is just a few hours by bus east of Bulgaria, and there is a daily connection to Sofia, which is also quite affordable. The city itself has a history of settlement spanning over 2,000 years and offers many sights from various eras. Explore Skopje on a different level with our Comprehensive City Tour Guide with an unique customized professional approach.
In addition to the Balkan Tour, you should also make a note of Lake Ohrid – the lake and the city of Ohrid are among the most popular sights in the country!
Balkan Tour delicacies: Cevapcici and Burek
The way to a person’s heart is through their stomach, and you have to be able to cope with a lot of that in the Balkans. Not because of the danger of spoiled food, but because the cuisine consists of hearty, home-style dishes. Meat is often served as a main course and a side dish, followed by a massive dessert. Digestion can only be stimulated with a homemade schnapps. Two specialties available across the country are ‘’cevapcici’’ and ‘’burek’’.
Kebap – Balkan tour speciality
Kebap or Cevapcici are minced meat rolls, often slightly spicy, served with onion rings, some vegetables, and the traditional ”ajvar”. Ajvar is a dip consisting primarily of cooked bell peppers, which can range from sweet to spicy. They are often served with fries.
Burek – best rated breakfast
Burek, on the other hand, is a pastry dish. A type of strudel dough filled with either minced meat, spinach, and ricotta or cheese with potatoes. Sometimes the dough rolls are formed into a spiral, elsewhere they are served as sticks. Burek is also served in various Balkan countries, but sometimes the name burek is used only for the minced meat version. The vegetarian versions are called pita there. Traditionally, it is served with a yogurt drink. Now, who’s hungry?
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Our Favorite Balkan Tour
Liz, Jul 2024
5 Countries in 7 Days Balkan Tour: Bosnia – Croatia – Montenegro – Albania – N. Macedonia
” The actual tour went off without any issues. We were picked up at the airport on time, taken the the hotels he had booked, and visited all of the sites. I fell in love with Bosnia-Herzogina and Northern Macedonia, though all 5 of the countries were nice. We had an incredible driver – Edis with Tour Mage – who was very professional, knowledgeable, and polite. In each new country, we had a city tour …. truly wonderful trip overall!”
Read more about the itinerary 7 Days Balkan Tour
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