How many Balkan capitals can you name? If the answer is one or two, don’t worry! The Balkans have long carried an air of mystery. Often labelled the “enfant terrible” of Europe, this region has been misunderstood by other cultures, and even today very few people know whether it is a good travel destination or not.

We’re here to tell you it absolutely is! The Balkans are one of those places where you never know what’s behind every corner. The nations that exist in this part of the world are both incredibly unique yet share so much in common. For a proper feel of this cultural and religious melting pot, we will be using a starting point of exploration with our complete list of Balkan capitals, each being very representative of the differences and shared aspects that make this locale so compelling.

SKOPJE, NORTH MACEDONIA

Over the last couple of years, the center of Skopje has grown into a remarkable, almost movie-like atmosphere, with its dramatic, historic-inspired aesthetics. In an effort to boost national pride, the government of North Macedonia—a name change the country adopted recently—has installed many grand statues and unique architectural landmarks, including the Triumphal Arch. First among these is the giant equestrian statue at Macedonia Square, commonly understood to represent the ancient Greek hero Alexander the Great—a representation which complicated name negotiations with Greece.

Apart from these more disputed sites, Skopje has other attractions worth seeing, such as the lovely Turkish bazaar, Čaršija; the historic Stone Bridge; the newer Art Bridge; the Kale Fortress; and the Mother Teresa Memorial House, which expats honor Skopje’s most famous resident from the Ottoman era. If you come to Skopje in summer, the Matka Canyon just nearby or Mt. Vodno over the city are ideal excursions from the summer heat.

PRIŠTINA, KOSOVO

Being the newest of the Balkan capitals, Priština has not yet gained full international recognition. The Kosovo state declared independence from Serbia in 2008 and was, until now, seeking full international recognition as independent.

Meanwhile, Priština is cutting its way to become a respectable European capital and is rapidly developing with big international backing, especially from the EU. Walking down the main boulevard of the town—named after Mother Teresa, probably the most famous nun ever—you already feel the excitement and high hopes for a great future. Among the notable sights in Priština are the Sultan Mehmet Mosque and the very controversial Kosovo National Library, often referred to as “the ugliest building in the world.”

Without perhaps the traditional beauty, Priština is certainly one of the most interesting and least known places to see in the Balkans.

TIRANA, ALBANIA

For most of the 20th century, all of Albania, and its capital of Tirana, was completely closed to tourists as the country fell to an extremely communist government and was cut off from the rest of the world. This changed in 1991 with the end of the isolation, allowing visitors into Albania for the first time.

Early tourists fell in love with the pristine nature and underdeveloped Ionian coastline, but as soon as the roots of capitalism set in, the landscape changed in very short order. Today, Tirana is morphing into a loud European capital, complete with bright, colorful buildings housing trendy boutiques and international restaurants. Taking a walk through the trendy Blloku might remind one of a stroll through a Western city—unless one looks to remaining snippets of Tirana’s recent past for a look into its history.

See, away from Tirana, the countryside is so serene that it makes one feel like they’re traveling back in time. Going to Albania is a bit like taking a time machine.

BUCHAREST, ROMANIA

With a population of 1.8 million, Bucharest counts as one of the biggest capitals both in the Balkans and in Europe. For many years, this town was known as “Little Paris,” although it has changed a lot in recent years. A wave of infrastructure projects—many of them funded by the EU—is changing the look of Bucharest, but most of all its historic Lipscani district. Once one of the most overlooked parts of the city, this part now features narrow, sometimes cobblestoned streets still named after the guilds which had a home there.

No list of the best things to do and see in Bucharest would be complete without the monumental Parliament Palace, which holds the record as the world’s largest legislative building. Other noteworthy sights include the Patriarchal Cathedral, the very center of Romanian Orthodox faith since the 17th century, and the stunningly beautiful Stavropoleos Church. While Bucharest may be worth visiting for its own sake, it is above all the principal entry point for tourists traveling through Romania in search of the legendary trail of Dracula.

SOFIA, BULGARIA

In 2007, Bulgaria joined its northern neighbor, Romania, as the first of the Balkan countries to be admitted into the European Union, and substantial EU funding has transformed its capital, Sofia.

Sofia is a bustling Balkan capital today, distinguished by a quite unique blend of modern architecture, indices from the Communist regime, and plenty of beautifully decorated Orthodox churches.

The first among them is the elegant Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, in fact a symbol of the city. Not very far from it stands one of Sofia’s oldest churches, St. Sofia, which also gave a name to the Bulgarian capital. Then there is the beautiful 13th-century Boyana Church, standing in a tranquil suburb about 8 kilometers south of the city center. No Bulgaria tour would be complete without sightseeing in nearby attractions, which include the UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery and the fashionable town of Plovdiv.

ATHENS, GREECE

Athens is probably the best-known of all the Balkan capitals, with 3.7 million in its metropolitan area, making it the largest in the region, though only 0.66 million reside within the official city limits.

Athens is truly the birthplace of Classical Greece and, for that matter, even of Western civilization. Its history goes back to the 3rd millennium BC when settlements were built on the land of the modern Acropolis—already a popular tourist destination. Ancient Athens is famous for its contributions to art, learning, and philosophy, stamping it as the cultural center of the world.

In addition to the Acropolis, it is lined by a string of quaint historic neighborhoods—Plaka, Monastiraki, and Thissio—endowed with restored neoclassical buildings and Roman ruins in view.

Meanwhile, Athens is among the favorite starting points for tourists setting off for Greece’s idyllic islands. Quite a number will eventually undertake gulet and yacht cruises for an unforgettable summer escape. Custom trip arrangements on the Balkan Peninsula are our specialty at Zadvanturo, and we would be delighted to tailor something very unique and unforgettable for you, your family, or friends. Explore the Balkans with local expertise—like ours—to dive deep into the complex histories and relationships of the region’s diverse nations who live in their delicate harmony.